Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Madalyn Cox on Unsplash Environmental enrichment means modifying an animal’s living space to encourage physical activity and allow the animal to engage in behaviors that are natural for its species. For indoor pets especially, environmental enrichment improves physical and mental health and can reduce behavior problems.
Dogs and cats with mobility problems need environmental modification for accessibility and mental stimulation. Pets have mobility limitations for a variety of reasons:
Household Modifications and Physical Activity Cover hard floors with nonslip mats or rugs. Consider using lots of small washable mats instead of large rugs for easier cleaning if your pet urinates or defecates on the floor (common in animals with medical problems, mobility limitations, or cognitive decline). Be sure to have a nonslip surface in front of your pet’s food and water bowls. Use steps and ramps. Think of all the places your pet likes to be that are not the floor—bed, sofa, cat tree (climbing structure), window seat, and so forth—and make sure your pet can get up and down without jumping. You might need to train your pet to use steps and ramps by leading them with treats. Cats need to scratch for claw health and their mental health (it’s normal species behavior). Reaching and stretching can be difficult for cats with arthritis, so offer your cat horizontal as well as vertical scratching surfaces. Ask your veterinarian about exercise that’s appropriate for your pet. Depending on the medical condition, your pet might benefit from controlled gentle exercise. Some veterinary facilities have physical rehabilitation equipment like underwater treadmills. Toileting Difficulty reaching the toileting area causes anxiety for animals. For cats, put low-sided litter boxes on every floor of the house in quiet, accessible areas. Cats tend to be most comfortable toileting in big open boxes (at least 1.5 times the length of the cat, not including the tail). A large plastic storage bin makes a great litter box; cut an opening on one side so your cat can walk in and out easily. Dogs with new mobility problems or cognitive decline might not give you their usual cues that they need to go out. If your dog or cat starts having toileting accidents indoors, make a veterinary appointment to check for a medical reason. If no medical cause is found, your pet might be having trouble getting outside or to the litter box. Mental Stimulation Engage your pet’s senses: use toys with different odors, textures, and sounds. Puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys engage the brain and encourage physical activity. Teach your old dog or cat new tricks. Use positive reinforcement to train new behaviors that don’t require a lot of movement (like touching their nose to your hand). For dogs with mobility problems, walks aren’t really about walking. Just seeing and smelling the outdoors is valuable mental enrichment for dogs. Take your dog out on a harness and forget about actually getting anywhere; be patient and let him sniff and wander at his own pace. If your dog can’t walk easily, carry him or use a wagon. Give your cat a soft seat by a window if possible. Your cat might also enjoy cat-friendly videos. For More Ideas Home modifications. International Cat Care. 2024. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://icatcare.org/app/uploads/2024/03/Changes-to-the-home-environment_ISFM-caregiver-guide_FINAL.pdf Sueda K, Cho J. Environmental enrichment for senior dogs and cats. Clinician’s Brief. December 2017. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/environmental-enrichment-senior-dogs-cats Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/black-cat-on-white-cat-tree-X7OokuRyvCI Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Saru Robert on Unsplash If your cat vomits, don’t assume it’s because of hairballs (or just because he’s sitting on an expensive rug). Vomiting has lots of possible causes, and some are serious. A mistaken belief that vomiting is normal for cats can delay diagnosis and treatment.
When to Seek Veterinary Care Many cats vomit occasionally, just like dogs and people. Some cats vomit frequently, and these cats need an examination and diagnostic tests. “Frequently” means different things for different cats, but in general, cats that vomit more than about once a month should see a veterinarian. These are some other signs that a vomiting cat needs veterinary care:
Vomiting or Coughing? Respiratory problems in cats can be mistaken for vomiting. Coughing can look a lot like hacking up a hairball. Asthma is common in cats, and the hunched posture and raspy breathing of an asthma attack can look and sound very similar to retching. True vomiting means forcefully expelling stomach contents from the mouth. Hacking up food or a hairball is vomiting. Hacking up a little bit of foam is harder to interpret. Signs that the problem is with the lungs or heart instead of the stomach include open-mouth breathing, wheezing, and increased sleeping respiratory rate (more than 30 breaths per minute while asleep). It’s OK if you can’t tell if your cat is vomiting or coughing. Take a video to show your veterinarian and make an appointment as soon as you can; lung and heart problems shouldn’t wait. Causes of Vomiting Vomiting has too many possible causes to list here. These are some of the most common in cats:
Diagnostic Tests The tests chosen depend on the cat’s history, signs, and physical examination findings. Cats with chronic vomiting typically undergo a series of tests until the cause is found. Baseline laboratory tests include bloodwork, urinalysis, and stool tests for parasites. Radiography (x-ray imaging) can show some of the problems that cause vomiting; ultrasonography is more useful for others. Inflammatory bowel disease and some other intestinal disorders are diagnosed with biopsy of the intestine, which requires general anesthesia. Treatment The type and duration of treatment depend on the cause. Foreign objects and hairballs that are blocking the intestine are removed surgically. Some problems can be treated with a single course of medication; others require lifelong treatment. If your cat resists oral medication (pills or liquids), tell your veterinarian so you can explore alternatives. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-gray-cat-sitting-on-top-of-a-rug-ybibgcEcv2w Rachel Gutierrez, DVM Cats need access to food, water, shelter, and litter boxes. We can consider these their essential needs to survive; however, they also need means to express typical species behavior like hunting, viewing, climbing, scratching, and playing. Enrichment enhances our cat’s environment by giving them chances to express these behaviors. This can improve their mental and physical well-being and even reduce unwanted behaviors. Any changes in routine can be stressful for cats and any new activity or changes in environment are recommended to be done slow and steady.
Different Types of Enrichment Food puzzles/foraging toys: Food puzzles are a great way to increase your cat's activity and mental stimulation. There are a variety of commercially made food puzzles like Doc and Phoebe’s mice, sniffle mats, Trixie puzzle feeders, etc. Some of these are stationary and others cats have to move around to get food out of them. You can also make your own using cardboard boxes, towels, toilet paper roll, etc. When introducing your cat to any food puzzle, recommend starting easy then building up to more challenging puzzles. Toys: Cats have a natural instinct to hunt and we can use this instinct to get them to play. Cats typically like mice, bugs, and birds as prey when they live outdoors. With this in mind, using toys that mimic the feel, sound, or movement of mice, bugs, or birds can entice cats to play more. Some examples are wand toys with feathers or faux fur OR cat dancer toys (mimic a bug). It is best to rotate toys so they do not lose interest (ideally every few days). Clicker training: Cats can be trained to do a variety of tricks (sit, high-five, lay down, etc) or go through an obstacle course. Clicker training can even be used to help you medicate your cat (with appropriate training). Recommend getting a clicker with a ball at the end (this can be purchased online). Sensory enrichment: Videos of mice, birds, or fish can be stimulating for cats (YouTube videos). Or set up a bird feeder outside near their favorite window with a window perch. For their sense of smell and need to chew, catnip or silvervine or cat grass can be stimulating for them. Outdoor walks or screened-in porches are great sources of enrichment for cats as well (please ensure this is under supervision). Environmental enrichment (cat trees, scratchers, and more): One of the cat’s essential needs is shelter, which includes a safe place to sleep and rest; however, this also includes a place to have time alone or get away from people or other animals. This is where cat trees or other vertical spaces can be very useful. It also creates areas where you can have playtime or feed them or use it as part of an obstacle course. Another important behavior/need cats have is scratching. This is important for their nail health. Many cats have preferences of the material and vertical versus horizontal. I recommend trying out the different options. There are a variety of other cat furniture ideas you can use for enrichment, such as shelves, tunnels, window perches, etc. Consider changing the positions or locations of any of these to renew their interest. Check out these resources for more ideas regarding feline enrichment:
Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Manja Vitolic on Unsplash Urinary tract disorders are common in cats. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a general term that describes disorders of the bladder and urethra. A number of disorders cause FLUTD, so cats with any changes in urination or litter box behavior need to see a veterinarian.
Signs Cats with FLUTD have similar signs regardless of the underlying cause:
Causes Idiopathic Cystitis The most common cause of FLUTD is idiopathic cystitis. Idiopathic means “of unknown cause,” so this condition is diagnosed when tests don’t reveal another cause. Chronic stress appears to be a major risk factor. An abnormality of the bladder lining could also be involved. Idiopathic cystitis is managed rather than cured. The signs tend to come and go over time. Flare-ups often improve on their own regardless of treatment, which makes it hard to tell if a particular treatment has actually had any effect. Cats with idiopathic cystitis are treated with stress-reducing measures like environmental enrichment and antianxiety medication. Some cats benefit from other medications or special diets. Urinary Tract Infection Urinary tract infections are uncommon in young and middle-aged cats. Cat urine is normally so concentrated that bacteria can’t easily survive in it. However, diseases that affect urine concentration and chemical composition (like kidney disease and diabetes) are very common in older cats, so cats in this age group are much more likely to have urinary tract infections. A diagnosis of urinary tract infection requires urinalysis and ideally a urine culture to identify the specific bacteria. Older cats with urinary tract infections should also have bloodwork and radiography or ultrasonography of the abdomen to find the underlying cause. Bacterial urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics, ideally chosen according to culture results. Uroliths (Bladder Stones) Uroliths are rocklike mineral collections that form in the bladder or any other part of the urinary tract. Uroliths are found with radiography or ultrasonography. Some types of uroliths can be dissolved with a prescription diet; others require surgical removal. Even the dissolvable types often need to be removed surgically because they can be painful, cause infection, and block the urethra of male cats. Uroliths that form in a kidney or ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder) usually warrant referral to a veterinary surgery specialist. Urethral Obstruction Urethral obstruction is a life-threatening condition in which a urolith or mucus plug blocks the urethra. Male cats are at much higher risk than female cats because male cats’ urethras are narrower and longer. Cats with urethral obstruction initially have the same signs as cats with FLUTD from any other cause. If the obstruction isn’t removed, the bladder becomes large and painful and can rupture. The kidneys can no longer function normally, and the cat can die of toxin buildup and electrolyte imbalance. Cats with urethral obstruction need emergency care and usually at least a few days of hospitalization. Other Causes Cancer, injury of the spinal cord or urinary tract, and anatomical problems with the urinary tract can also cause FLUTD. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/black-and-white-cat-lying-on-brown-bamboo-chair-inside-room-gKXKBY-C-Dk Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Baby striped skunk. Photo by Kevin VanGorden, USDA Forest Service. Skunks aren’t aggressive, but they’ll spray dogs that get too close. Skunk spray is a smelly nuisance that doesn’t usually cause medical problems. However, it’s irritating to the eyes and in rare cases can cause more serious problems.
Dogs are most likely to encounter skunks during warm months. In North Carolina, skunk breeding season is February through April; kits are born in May and June. Skunks live in cities like Charlotte, not just in rural areas. You might not see them often—or at all—because they’re most active at night. They live in wooded or brushy areas and raid garbage cans in residential neighborhoods. Skunk Spray Skunk spray is thick, oily material secreted from the anal glands. The nasty smell comes from thioacetates and thiols, chemical compounds that contain sulfur—the same element that makes rotten eggs so stinky. Thioacetates (the less smelly compounds) are converted to thiols (super smelly) when they’re exposed to water, and sulfur atoms tend to bind tightly to other atoms, so removing skunk odor from fur can be difficult. Because water activates the thiol conversion, a dog that’s been skunked can smell skunky after baths for a long time. Skunks can control their anal glands in ways that dogs and cats can’t. They can aim their anal gland spray at a target several feet away, or they can release a cloud of mist. Baby skunks can spray targets too. Risks to Dogs Spray Skunk spray in the eyes can cause redness, eyelid swelling, corneal damage, and temporary blindness. Inhaled skunk spray irritates the respiratory tract. The spray can also cause nausea and vomiting. Dogs sprayed by a skunk can develop life-threatening hemolytic anemia, although fortunately this is rare. The compounds in skunk spray can destroy red blood cells. The risk is likely highest for dogs that swallow the spray, dogs exposed to a large volume, and dogs with multiple exposures. Dogs with hemolytic anemia often need to be hospitalized at a 24-hour clinic and might need a blood transfusion. Bite Wounds and Rabies Skunks are a relatively common rabies carrier species in North Carolina. However, the chance that an individual skunk has rabies is low. Rabies is spread through saliva, not through skunk spray. Most dogs that encounter a skunk are sprayed before they get close enough to be bitten. Still, any dog that has been near a skunk should be checked carefully for bite wounds. Dogs with a bite wound need to see a veterinarian immediately for wound care and assessment of rabies risk. In North Carolina, dogs with a possible rabies exposure (for example, a bite wound from a rabies carrier species) need a rabies vaccine booster within 96 hours. What to Do if Your Dog Gets Skunked Most dogs sprayed by skunks don’t need to see a veterinarian. Monitor your dog for a few days and seek veterinary care if your dog has any of the following:
Deskunk your dog:
Prevention Keep your dog’s rabies vaccine up to date and make your yard unattractive to skunks:
For More Information
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lblkytn/14928066475/ Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in cats has a guarded to poor prognosis and a high mortality/euthanasia rate. In ATE, a blood clot forms in the heart, travels through the circulation, and lodges in an artery. The clot blocks blood flow through that artery, causing significant pain and tissue damage. When the clot blocks an artery supplying a limb, as is usually the case, the limb becomes weak or paralyzed.
The most common site for ATE in cats is the aorta at the point where it divides into smaller arteries that supply the rear legs. A clot stuck here takes on the shape of a saddle, so ATE in this location is called a saddle thrombus. Cats with a saddle thrombus have sudden extreme pain and paralysis of the rear legs (usually both rear legs but sometimes just 1). Witnessing their pain and distress can be quite upsetting to their caretakers. Cause ATE is usually caused by heart disease. Unfortunately, a saddle thrombus can be the very first sign that a cat has heart trouble. The most common type of heart disease in cats—and thus the most common cause of ATE—is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is most common in senior cats but can also affect younger cats. An estimated 15% of all cats and up to 29% of senior cats have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.[1] Of these cats, a reported 11.3% develop ATE within 10 years after diagnosis.[2] Signs Signs of ATE usually appear suddenly. A cat with ATE will cry loudly in pain and might vomit. The cat will drag the affected limb or be unable to walk. The affected limb might feel cool to the touch. If the cat’s underlying heart disease has progressed to heart failure, the cat might also have signs like panting or rapid breathing. Diagnosis ATE can usually be diagnosed with a physical examination. The affected limb is typically cool, the nail beds are bluer or paler than those of the other paws, and the pulse in that limb is absent or weak. A heart murmur might be present. Diagnostic tests can be used to rule out other possible causes, especially if the cat has less obvious signs caused by a partial blockage. Treatment Many cats with ATE are euthanized before treatment is attempted. Factors linked to a better prognosis include involvement of only 1 limb, ability to move the affected limb, and absence of heart failure (meaning that the heart disease has not yet progressed to the level of heart failure). For cats that receive treatment, the immediate priority is pain control. They also receive anticoagulant medications (blood thinners), treatment for shock and tissue damage, and treatment for heart disease. Cats that don’t have heart failure and survive the first few days in the hospital have a chance of regaining the use of the affected limb once the clot dissolves. Prevention For cats known to have heart disease, certain findings on echocardiography (heart ultrasound) can indicate an increased risk for ATE. These cats can receive preventive anticoagulant medications. However, many cats with heart disease have no obvious signs, so their heart disease isn’t diagnosed. References 1. Luis Fuentes V, Abbott J, Chetboul V, et al. ACVIM consensus statement guidelines for the classification, diagnosis, and management of cardiomyopathies in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2020;34(3):1062-1077. doi:10.1111/jvim.15745 2. Lo ST, Walker AL, Georges CJ, Li RH, Stern JA. Dual therapy with clopidogrel and rivaroxaban in cats with thromboembolic disease. J Feline Med Surg. 2022;24(4):277-283. doi:10.1177/1098612X211013736 Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/gray-tabby-cat-FilM6ng7VGQ Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Rafaëlla Waasdorp on Unsplash All dogs are at risk for leptospirosis and should be vaccinated for it every year, according to updated recommendations from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).
Leptospirosis is caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria. The infection spreads from animals to humans, so leptospirosis is a public health hazard. Leptospirosis is a serious disease that damages the kidneys and other organs. The leptospirosis vaccine for dogs has previously been considered a lifestyle vaccine, given to dogs with certain risk factors but not necessarily to all dogs. Information about how the disease spreads has improved over the years, so the ACVIM now says that all dogs, regardless of their lifestyle and location, should receive the vaccine. Transmission Leptospira spread mainly through urine. Many wild and domestic animal species carry the bacteria and deposit them in the environment. Rats and other rodents are the most common carriers. Leptospira grow best in water and wet soil. Dogs with access to bodies of water, especially in warm climates, are at higher risk than others. However, the infection can also spread by direct contact (for example, when dogs hunt rodents) and in other ways, so outbreaks have happened among people and dogs living in urban areas and in drier and colder climates. Cats seem to be resistant to leptospirosis, and cases in cats are extremely rare. However, cats might be able to spread the bacteria to other animals. Disease Leptospirosis affects many organ systems. These are some of the most serious problems it causes:
These are some of the signs of infection:
Diagnosis and Treatment Leptospira can be hard to detect with laboratory tests. Definite diagnosis might require multiple blood and urine tests to isolate bacterial DNA and measure antibody titers. Dogs with suspected leptospirosis also receive baseline bloodwork, urinalysis, and chest radiographs. Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics. Additional treatments depend on the individual patient’s course of illness and the organ systems affected. Some dogs with kidney injury caused by leptospirosis need dialysis. The risk of a person contracting leptospirosis directly from an infected dog is low because dogs don’t shed many Leptospira organisms in their urine. However, people caring for a dog with leptospirosis need to take precautions like avoiding contact with the urine, wearing protective clothing, and washing hands. Vaccination The doctors at Mallard Creek recommend that all dogs receive a leptospirosis vaccine starting at 9 weeks of age. Dogs need a booster vaccine 3 to 4 weeks later and then once a year. Leptospirosis vaccines are not all the same. Leptospira have many different variations, or serovars, and vaccines target only specific serovars. However, some don’t cover the serovars currently causing disease in dogs in the United States. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best vaccination plan for your own dog. Source Sykes JE, Francey T, Schuller S, Stoddard RA, Cowgill LD, Moore GE. Updated ACVIM consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2023;37(6):1966-1982. doi:10.1111/jvim.16903 Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-dog-running-through-a-field-of-yellow-flowers-SEGsw2Kmd08 Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Anatolii Kozhukhar on Unsplash Many dogs and cats experience fear, anxiety, and stress at the veterinary clinic. Their anxiety often begins before they even arrive at the clinic, especially if they associate pet carriers and car rides with the clinic. Previsit antianxiety medications for pets can make clinic visits easier and safer for these pets, their owners, and clinic staff.
These are some of the benefits of previsit medications for anxious pets:
Previsit medications have benefits for pet owners and clinic staff members too. Being the caretaker of an anxious and fearful pet isn’t easy, so previsit medications for pets can reduce everyone’s stress levels. For clinic staff members, managing patients’ clinic anxiety reduces the risk of injury and decreases workplace stress (we love animals too and don’t want to cause them distress). How to Know if Your Pet Needs Previsit Medications Previsit medications aren’t just for aggressive animals. Pets with more subtle signs of stress are scared too, and they deserve help for their anxiety just as much as animals that can’t be handled without full sedation. If your pet shows obvious signs of fear at the clinic, you probably already know that your pet would benefit from previsit medications. But maybe your pet’s signs are not as noticeable and you’re a little surprised when your veterinarian recommends medications. Dogs and cats show anxiety and fear with a range of behaviors and body language cues. Anxious and fearful dogs and cats tend to start with subtle behaviors like lip licking or freezing. If the scary thing doesn’t go away—or tries to draw a blood sample—the behavior can escalate to aggression. Dogs and cats that are anxious at the veterinary clinic can show these signs:
How to Use Previsit Medications Previsit medications work best if they’re used along with training and positive reinforcement. For example, a cat can make positive associations with the cat carrier if the carrier is left out all the time as part of the normal household furniture, sometimes with yummy treats inside, instead of appearing only when the cat is going to the clinic. Veterinarians choose previsit medications according to the needs and medical condition of the individual patient. Some of the drugs commonly prescribed for situational (short-term) anxiety are gabapentin, trazodone, and clonidine. Motion sickness contributes to anxiety, so pets might also receive antinausea medication. Some of these medications can cause sedation, but the main goal is anxiety reduction, not sedation. Previsit medications are timed to have maximum effect at the time of the clinic visit. They need to take effect before the pet experiences any stress. Most of these medications are given at least 1 to 2 hours before the clinic visit; sometimes a loading dose is also given the night before. They typically last for up to 8 hours, although the duration can vary. Because individual animals respond differently to these medications, giving a trial dose can be very helpful. If you use a trial dose, tell your veterinarian how long it took for the medication to take effect, how the medication affected your pet’s behavior, whether your pet had adverse effects like vomiting or excessive sedation, and how long the medication’s effects lasted. For some dogs and cats, previsit medications aren’t enough to overcome their fear. These pets might also need a sedative injection at the clinic. For these pets, previsit medications given at home make the sedative injection easier for the pet (and staff) and can also reduce the dose of injectable drug. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-white-cat-sitting-inside-of-a-cage-B-_SyRxv2So Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash Over-the-counter (nonprescription) pain medications can cause serious problems for dogs and cats. Because these medications don’t need a prescription and are used for children as well as adults, some pet owners mistakenly believe that they’re safe for animals too. But dogs and cats don’t process these drugs the same way as humans.
If your pet has signs of pain, call your veterinarian instead of giving your pet something from your medicine cabinet. Prescription pain medications developed specifically for dogs and cats are safer and more effective for them than over-the-counter human medications. In any case, animals that have a level of pain high enough to be obvious to a human need to see a veterinarian. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen) The most common human nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) available without a prescription are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Some brand names are Advil, Aleve, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Midol, and Motrin. In animals, NSAIDs can cause these problems:
NSAIDs reduce inflammation by blocking the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are responsible for prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances with many functions; they’re involved in the inflammatory response and also protect the stomach lining and maintain blood flow to the kidneys. Because NSAIDs decrease prostaglandin levels, these medications decrease inflammation and pain. However, the lower prostaglandin levels can also cause serious adverse effects like stomach ulcers and kidney damage. Some newer NSAIDs target specific COX enzymes and prostaglandins that are less likely to affect the stomach and kidneys. Several NSAIDs have been approved for use in dogs, and a few are available for cats. Examples are carprofen, grapiprant, deracoxib, and robenacoxib. These species-specific drugs are available only by prescription from a veterinarian and are less likely than human NSAIDs to cause adverse effects in dogs and cats. Animals receiving prescription NSAIDs need regular examinations and bloodwork to monitor kidney and liver function. Acetaminophen Brands containing acetaminophen include Tylenol, Panadol, Excedrin, and Midol. Some pain relievers labeled “complete” or “dual action” contain acetaminophen plus aspirin or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen is also called paracetamol. Acetaminophen is highly toxic and often fatal to cats. Acetaminophen is also potentially toxic to dogs, but it can be used in dogs with caution and veterinary oversight. In humans and dogs, acetaminophen is broken down mainly in the liver through a process called glucuronidation. A toxic dose of acetaminophen in a human or a dog damages liver cells and causes liver failure. Cats don’t have the enzymes needed for glucuronidation, so their bodies break down acetaminophen through a different process called sulfation. The sulfation process in cats creates products that react to hemoglobin, the substance within red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. In cats, acetaminophen exposure causes anemia and life-threatening oxygen deficiency. Cats that swallow acetaminophen are less likely than dogs to develop liver failure because they usually die of oxygen deficiency before the liver has a chance to fail. An antidote to acetaminophen (N-acetylcysteine) is available, so dogs and even cats with acetaminophen poisoning can recover if they are treated immediately at an emergency veterinary clinic. For More Information Get the Facts About Pain Relievers for Pets (US Food and Drug Administration): https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-pain-relievers-pets Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/round-white-pills-iPl3q-gEGzY Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Anya Prygunova on Unsplash In recent years, monoclonal antibodies have been approved to treat some common medical conditions in animals:
More monoclonal antibodies are likely to become available for dogs and cats. Monoclonal antibodies are used in humans to treat infections, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and other conditions, and they’re being investigated for similar uses in dogs and cats. How Monoclonal Antibodies Work Monoclonal antibodies are in a therapy class called biologics, meaning therapies made from living sources like animal cells, plant cells, or microorganisms. Biologics are large molecules that interact with receptors on the outer surfaces of cells; they don’t enter cells. In contrast, most traditional drugs are small molecules that work inside cells. Monoclonal antibodies are similar to the natural antibodies produced by the immune system. When the immune system detects an antigen, different immune cells release lots of different antibodies that tag different sites on that antigen. (An antigen is anything that triggers an immune response.) Once the antibodies have tagged the antigen, other components of the immune system arrive to destroy it. Monoclonal antibodies are cloned in a laboratory from just one antibody made by one type of immune cell (mono means “one”). They tag only a single site on an antigen. Monoclonal antibody therapy can be very precise because it directs the immune response to a narrow target. In addition to tagging invaders like viruses, monoclonal antibodies can be engineered to tag a receptor on an animal’s own cells. The monoclonal antibodies that relieve pain in dogs and cats, for example, block production of a protein that’s partly responsible for the pain sensation. After monoclonal antibodies have activated the immune system, they’re broken down in the body the same way that natural antibodies are. Unlike small-molecule drugs that enter an animal’s cells, they aren’t cleared through the liver or kidneys. Administration Monoclonal antibodies are given by injection at a veterinary clinic. They can’t be given by mouth because they’re proteins and would be destroyed by digestion. Their effect lasts a few weeks (4-8 weeks for Cytopoint, 4 weeks for Solensia and Librela). These therapies are species specific: monoclonal antibodies for dogs work only for dogs, not for cats. Benefits The monoclonal antibodies that are available for dogs and cats generally work well for their approved uses. They are less likely than some traditional drugs to cause adverse effects because they have a narrow target of action and don’t enter cells. Because they are not cleared through the liver or kidneys, they can be safer than other drugs for animals with liver or kidney disease. Injections given every few weeks might be more convenient for pet owners than pills given multiple times a day, especially if their pets resist oral medication. Adverse Effects Monoclonal antibodies have fewer adverse effects than many traditional drugs. An antibody injection can cause an allergic reaction, although this is rare. Manufacturers might recommend precautions for individual monoclonal antibody products. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-dog-wearing-a-baseball-glove-E3K7xyAvQ8M |
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October 2025
The contents of this blog are for information only and should not substitute for advice from a veterinarian who has examined the animal. All blog content is copyrighted by Mallard Creek Animal Hospital and may not be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or distributed without permission.
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