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Hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver syndrome, is a common and very serious condition that occurs in fat cats who, for some reason or another, have stopped eating. The disease results from an accumulation of fat in the liver and, if not treated during the early stages, can be deadly. Hepatic lipidosis is treatable and cure rates are good if the cat is presented to a veterinarian during the early stages of the disease.

Why would a fat cat not be eating?

Here are some reasons:

• Bad teeth
• Intestinal blockage
• Stress - examples: Moving into a new home, introducing a new animal into the family, owner goes on vacation
• Hairball
• Illnesses

These are all good reasons why a cat would stop eating. The most common reason for a cat to stop eating is an upper respiratory infection.

Think about it - cats like their food because they enjoy it and are familiar with the smell. So if a cat can't smell its food, it's not going to eat.

The question is: "What would cause a cat to loose its ability to smell food?"

An upper respiratory infection could cause a cat to loose its sense of smell.

Cats get upper respiratory infections all the time - sneezing, runny nose, runny eyes.

So, you have a fat cat that gets the flu and can't smell. Since the cat cannot smell his food, he stops eating. The body is looking for ways to feed itself, and tries to do this by converting stored fat into energy. In order for the fat to be converted into fuel, it must pass through the cat's liver. The liver can't handle this fatty saturation and liver dysfunction ensues. This doesn't happen to thin cats. They don't have enough fat available to mobilize and create this problem.

Many owners do notice that their cat is not eating, but they think, "That's all right, Tiger needs to lose a few pounds." Then, after a week or two without an appetite, they start to worry and finally bring the animal to the veterinarian. If they don't bring their cat in soon enough, he (or she) is a prime candidate for hepatic lipidosis.

Symptoms associated with hepatic lipidosis include loss of appetite, vomiting, depression, weight loss and lethargy. Some cats develop a yellow coloration of the eyes, ears and mouth. This yellow coloration (particularly of the mucus membranes) is jaundice and usually indicates liver disease and/or red blood cell destruction.

The prognosis for cats with hepatic lipidosis is good if treatment is not delayed. The longer that treatment is delayed, the less likely for recovery. Cats that have underlying diseases (cancer, pancreatitis) are less likely to recover.

How would a veterinarian treat a cat with hepatic lipidosis? The veterinarian would probably hospitalize the cat, and among other treatments, feed it through a tube. After your cat has recovered from hepatic lipidosis, or, before your fat cat gets hepatic lipidosis, you should put your cat on a veterinarian-recommended low-calorie diet. Exercise is an important factor in weight loss, so it is important to encourage exercise via catnip or toys. Carefully monitoring your cat's food intake in times of stress (for example, the addition of a new pet) can be crucial in preventing mortality due to hepatic lipidosis.

Preventing obesity is the best way to prevent hepatic lipidosis. Regular meals should be given and free-choice feeding should be avoided. Obese cats should be placed on a special diet food. By slimming Tiger down, you could save him from hepatic lipidosis and other life-threatening diseases related to cat obesity.

For more information on disease prevention, contact a staff member at your veterinary hospital

How To Give Your Dog A Pill

So, the veterinarian has sent you and your not-so-well dog home with a bottle of pills and some instructions.

Don't worry. Giving pills to your dog is just a matter of know-how and plenty of praise. Here are the steps to follow. Note: Giving a pill to your dog is not the same as giving a pill to your cat.

Pilling a Dog

1. Gently take hold of the head from above, placing your thumb and fingers on either side of the muzzle. Squeeze firmly in and up just behind the canine teeth ("fangs"). The dog's mouth should open.
2. Use your free hand to hold on to the pill while lowering the animal's jaw. With the mouth open wide, place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible, pushing it even farther with your index finger.
3. Gently close and hold the muzzle while your dog swallows. You can encourage this by stroking the underside of the throat downward.
4. Finally, give your dog lots of praise and reinforcement each time he swallows a pill.

Here are additional helpful tips for pilling your dog:

The more quickly you perform the above steps, the better.

Film-coated pills are best. They go down more easily and don't dissolve as quickly, which is important if it takes you more than one try.

If you can't get the pill down, try disguising it in something your dog loves (example: peanut butter or cream cheese).

Check with your veterinarian, because some medication should not be given with food.

Tips on Preventing and Avoiding Dog and Cat Bites

Bites from dogs and cats are a serious public health problem. Approximately 3 million people are bitten each year, and an average of 14 people die each year from dog attacks. Dog bites are responsible for more liability homeowner insurance claims than any other cause. Children are at the greatest risk for dog bites resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

Dogs and cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) and bite by instinct when hunting, when defending themselves and during social conflicts. They may even use their teeth in play. IT IS NATURAL FOR DOGS AND CATS TO BITE! To avoid dog/cat bites, dogs and cats have to be taught not to bite. Cats are more difficult to train, but their bites and scratches can also be prevented.

Tips for Avoiding Dog Bites

The first step in avoiding dog bites is to take care in selecting a dog. Guarding and fighting breeds of dogs should not be selected for family pets. If an adult dog is being obtained, special attention should be paid to its temperament and how will socialized it has been with people of all ages and with other animals. If a puppy is being selected, the temperament of its parents and of puppies from previous litters should be evaluated. Ask the owner to see the puppy's parents and for names and phone numbers of others who got puppies from these parents. Puppies need to be properly socialized, especially between four and 16 weeks of age in order to prevent excessive fear and aggression toward strangers when they are adults.

Puppies naturally use their teeth when playing, however they must be discouraged from using their teeth on people even during play. Their chewing and "mouthing" should be corrected with a sharp "NO" then the chewing should be redirected to an appropriate chew toy.

Puppies and dogs should not be allowed to use their teeth when taking treats out of hands. To discourage this, offer the treat inside a closed fist. Only allow the dog to take the treat after they have gently nudged with their muzzle. Do not hold the treat above the dog's head which would encourage them to jump up and grab the treat out of the hand. Never allow anyone to tease a puppy, dog, kitten, or cat. Teasing even during play will unintentionally frustrate the dog or cat and may lead to biting.

Tips for Avoiding Dog & Cat Bites

Never approach, touch or try to pick up an unfamiliar dog or cat without the owner's permission. Especially avoid a dog that is on a chain or tied up.

Never tease or make menacing gestures toward a dog or cat.

Keep your movements and actions low-key and your voice firm but subdued.

Never enter a fenced yard with a dog if the owner is not there and, even then, not without the owner's permission. If a dog approaches or runs toward you, stand still. You cannot out run a dog. Running away will encourage the dog to chase you.

If a dog approaches you, do not stare or make direct eye contact with it. Instead, watch it's movements out of the corner of your eye.

Do not turn your back on the dog. You may try to slowly back away. If this movement makes the dog more assertive or aggressive, move toward you in a more aggressive way or growl/snarl, then you must stand still and very slowly move your hands and arms to protect your chest and neck. You may only back away once the dog has left.

If a dog knocks you down, do not move. Lie on your stomach and cover the back of your neck with your hands.

If you are bitten, first contact your physician or obtain emergency medical assistance. Children should contact their parents or another adult. As soon as possible, report the bite to Animal Control officers, provide them with a detailed description of the dog and the specific location where the dog or cat was last seen.

With warmer weather approaching, plenty of pet owners are thinking of getting into shape before hitting the beach. But what about pets? Obesity is a growing problem among both cats and dogs. And much like humans, too many extra pounds can have far-reaching consequences for our animal companions. In this report from the Veterinary News Network, Dr. Jim Humphries discusses the health problems that can occur if your pet is overweight and shares tips on how you can get your pet's weight under control.

What is the cause of this obsessive behavior?

Dogs are pack animals and need a social structure. They rely on other dogs (or humans) for interaction. They need to be socialized and need to understand what is expected of them. Many of them have been mistreated in the past and have been locked up alone for long periods of time. Some of them have been abandoned and have ended up in animal shelters.

Destructive Behavior Due to Separation Anxiety

Dogs need socialization.

Since our pets are usually not socialized in a pack, it is our responsibility to see that the job gets done. Obedience training is the best method for socializing a dog. Both the dog and the owner learn what is expected of each other. If obedience training is begun at an early age, the dog will learn how to interact with both humans and other dogs. They will not have this insecurity that "separation anxiety" dogs seem to display.

How do you treat this condition?

First of all, establish yourself as the leader! In order to learn this, both of you will probably need to enroll in a dog obedience class. This will also help your dog in the socialization game. He may misbehave during the first few classes, but before you know it, he'll be the star pupil. How does this affect the dog's destructive behavior when you leave him alone? Since you are the leader of the pack, the dog accepts the idea that you are leaving. He does not question your authority!

In the beginning, confine your dog to a crate when you are away. This has two advantages. The first is that your dog does not have the opportunity to destroy your house. The second is that your dog actually feels comfortable and secure in the crate. The crate must be large enough for your dog to turn around and stand up.

When you leave, turn on a radio. A talk show is the best type of program. A tape recording of your voice is even better. The radio or the tape recorder should be placed in the bedroom with the door closed (any room as long as the dog cannot enter). Since most destructive behavior occurs during the first hour, you only need a voice recording that lasts slightly more than an hour.

Plan your departures.Before leaving your residence, give your dog a treat. A chewy bone packed with his favorite treat works very well. This should distract your dog long enough for you to leave. Leave quickly and quietly! Do not say goodbye! When you return, give him another treat. By doing this, coming and going are not so traumatic.

Practice your departures.As mentioned earlier, the most difficult time for your dog is the first hour that he is left alone. Practice leaving and entering. Take your dog out of his crate, put your coat on, and then walk out the door. Return immediately. Greet your dog calmly or don't greet him at all. If he is excited, completely ignore him. Repeat the same exercise; however, this time stay out longer. Continue with this exercise until you are comfortable leaving him alone for an entire hour. This may take several weeks to perfect.

Your dog must have regular, planned exercise. This exercise relieves stress and tension. Just like feeding time, your dog needs a specific time for exercise. Dogs like routine. Feed and exercise your dog at the same times every day. They are creatures of habit.

Curing "separation anxiety" is very difficult. It is definitely one of the most challenging behavior problems in dogs. Enrolling in a good obedience-training course is the first step to take.