Celebrate "Adopt a Cat" Month and Learn how to care for our Feline Friends

dcas
A message from our Veterinarian Administrator

Could Your Cat Have Arthritis (DJD)?

Cat pain symptoms examples

This month is all about cats! First, let's look at some common questions about cat health:

Could your cat be in pain? Studies show that more than 90% of cats over 12 years of age have arthritis, and only 7% of them are being treated for pain by their veterinarian. Arthritis is a chronic painful condition where there is inflammation and secondary destruction of the joint(s), and your veterinarian may refer to this as DJD (degenerative joint disease). Pets don’t have to be geriatric to experience pain from arthritis; a 2 year old animal can have arthritis.

It’s believed that cats naturally evolved to hide pain, in order to be less of a target to other animals. The signs of pain can be very subtle and often arthritic cats suffer in silence. Any change in behavior is how animals “talk” to us. If your cat used to run up the stairs but now takes one step at a time, that might be an important sign showing pain is present. If your cat sometimes isn’t using the litter box, it might be because your cat has arthritis and finds it too painful to go down the stairs to the basement where the litter boxes are kept or that the sides to the litter boxes are so high that it’s painful to jump over. Other signs of arthritis could be trouble jumping, sleeping/hiding more, interacting less, vocalizing or possibly showing aggression.

How do you know if your cat has arthritis? There is an excellent tool that can help you, and help your veterinarian, determine if your cat might have arthritis and benefit from treatment. The website is painfreecats.org and there you can answer some questions about your cat. Your answers determine the FMPI which is the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index. The FMPI tells you, and your veterinarian, to what degree your cat is suffering from pain due to arthritis. Another tool which is helpful to your veterinarian is for you to video your cat walking, jumping, etc. at home. At the animal hospital, cats often don’t show lameness or that they are having difficulty walking during a veterinary exam so having real evidence of how your cat moves at home can be very helpful to your veterinarian.

Can I decrease my cat's pain? If your cat is diagnosed with arthritis, your veterinarian might prescribe medication to give pain relief. Other items your veterinarian may discuss for your cat are supplements, weight loss, heat therapy, massage and possibly physical therapy or cold laser treatments. You should never give over the counter medication to your cat because often medication you might take for yourself is extremely toxic to cats. Your veterinarian is the best resource to diagnose and treat your cat which, in turn, can greatly increase your furry companion’s quality of life.

Dr. Hanek Signature

Dr. Barbara Hanek,

Veterinarian Administrator


You Can Help Homeless Kittens!

Fostering Save Lives

Kitten season has just started and homeless babies are arriving at the shelter. You can help get these kittens ready for their furever home by fostering!

Join us Saturday, June 5th at 10am to learn all about fostering cats, kittens, and small animals for DuPage County Animal Services. Our Foster Coordinator Dina will go over expectations, provided supplies, and the process to become a foster family. Are you ready to help save a life? Register by clicking on the image to the left. 


Having Problems Getting Your Cat to Play?

Click on the image to see video of our shelter cats during playtime! 

Play Like a Cat Tips

Keeping Shelter Cats Cozy

 Biscuit Barb with new blankets

With so many dedicated cat volunteers, it is hard to pick just one to spotlight this month. But Biscuit Barb goes above and beyond to help our shelter cats feel at home. She provides comfortable beds and blankets for the cat condos and these items often go with the cat when they're adopted to help ease the transition into a new home! A cat's scent is very important to them, so keeping their blanket or bed can be very comforting to them during a stressful time. 

Biscuit Barb also makes extra beds to raise funds to support other shelter initiatives. Click on Barb's picture to see some of the available beds at the shelter!


Have You Found Nemo? He's Looking for You!

This special guy doesn't let anything get him down! He was born with a cleft lip that thankfully doesn't affect him very much. He's having a great time getting cuddles and playtime with his foster humans! He is thriving as the only cat in his foster home and would prefer a furever home where he can have all the love. He has the most adorable white markings - one right at the tip of his tail! Click his picture to see a video of that tail moving nonstop during playtime! Are you the family he's been looking for?

Nemo looking out window

Upcoming Webinars

Cat at computer

Join us at 7pm every Thursday night in June! Follow the links provided to register. 

Kitty Concerns: Common Behavior Issues and What to Do 
Thursday, 06/03/2021

We love cats, but sometimes we don’t understand them! Learn about common cat behaviors and the natural instincts behind them. Get some tips on how to work with your feline friend to make everyone comfortable and content. Registration Link:  https://bit.ly/3eETiNm  

S.H.E.D: 4 Necessities for Healthy & Happy Pets
Thursday, 06/10/2021

What does my pet need? What pet is right for me? Join us for an exploration of pet needs including shelter, healthcare, exercise, and diet. Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3vXCzuH

Are You Ready for a Rabbit?
Thursday, 06/17/2021

Are you thinking of adding a bun to your family? Get all the info you need to be a great bunny parent! Understand how to best house, feed, and interact with a rabbit so you are prepared. Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3w2wU6q

Compassionate Citizen Crash Course
Thursday, 06/24/2021

Explore ways you can make a positive difference for animals in your community and beyond. This program discusses prevention of animal cruelty through direct actions and consumer choices we make every day. Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3eInnfi