Cats and NSAIDs

Did you think we'd forgotten about cats? Well we had a little guy named Calvin give us a good reason to write a blog about cats. Calvin decided to help his mom fix the dogs' breakfast one day last week by eating half of a Rimadyl tablet. Now this could have been pretty bad news. Cats are missing the enzyme system that the liver uses to metabolize nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. As a result of this inability to metabolize these drugs a very small dose can easily become toxic. These drugs, members of the aspirin class, cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure in high doses. Sounds a little like Dixie, the counter surfing dog from a previous blog, huh? Calvin required two days of intravenous fluids and close monitoring of his kidney values. He's doing great.



Now there are some NSAIDs that can be used with caution in cats. Always make sure you use these drugs only under the direction of your veterinarian. And be sure to report any lethargy, loss of appetite, or increased urination to your veterinarian if your cat is receiving one of these drugs. These signs may indiciate an adverse reaction to the medication. As with all toxicity problems early diagnosis and treatment are paramount to a full recovery.



A related drug is acetaminophen, or Tylenol. This is very dangerous to cats. Never administer any product containing this drug to any cat. In case of accidental exposure seek veterinary care immediately. A very small amount of acetaminophen can be fatal in cats.

Dr. Shrum

Diabetes in Dogs

We saw a patient today who is dealing with diabetes. I'll talk about diabetes in the dog first. We'll save cats for another blog. Now dogs only get Type I diabetes which is known as juvenile diabetes in humans. This type of diabetes appears when the pancreas has stopped producing insulin, and insulin replacement is necessary for these patients. The clinical signs include excessive drinking and urination, weight loss, poor appetite, and cataract formation. We can diagnose diabetes pretty easily with a urine sample and blood glucose measurement. Most dogs come into control if there are no complicating factors such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), hypothyroidism, or uncontrolled infections. Control of diabetes includes daily insulin injections and a low calorie, high fiber diet. With some dedication from the family many dogs can live relatively enjoyable lives with this disease. Early detection and treatment, as well as close monitoring for any changes in control, are very important.

We start our insulin therapy at a conservative book dose. Within 7 to 10 days we perform a glucose curve by checking blood glucose levels every 2 hours during the day. If necessary, we will adjust the dose and repeat this curve every 7 to 10 days with appropriate dose changes until we have the correct insulin dose. We then check a fructosamine level quarterly or if any clinical signs recur. Fructosamine levels help gauge the average glucose levels over the previous week.

Diabetes can be a difficult disease for some families, but we have a pretty good success rate with most of our canine patients. We'll discuss cats at another time. Don't forget to email us with any questions.

Dr. Shrum