Blog

Our very own Dr. Laura Sullivan was quoted in The Daily Cat regarding the danger of secondhand smoke on pets. Thanks Dr. Sullivan for helping to bring this important topic to our attention!

Vaccines have really started to become high-tech, and we're taking advantage of it. The international pharmaceutical giant, Merial, has used recombinant DNA technology to develop vaccines for cats that eliminate the need for adjuvants. Adjuvants are substances that are added to vaccines to enhance the patient's immune response to the vaccine. Unfortunately, they are also implicated in local reactions to vaccines and, in rare instances, tumors called vaccine-associated sarcomas.

Vaccine-associated sarcomas reportedly develop in 1-5 cats out of 10,000 vaccinated. Only certain genetically predisposed cats seem to be affected, but there is no current means of determining which cats belong to this unfortunate group. Rabies and Feline Leukemia are the two vaccines most often associated with the problem, because most of the currently available vaccines for these two diseases contain an adjuvant. Merial has developed recombinant DNA vaccines for both diseases, allowing us to completely eliminate the use of adjuvants in cats (the "Feline Distemper" vaccine is a modified-live vaccine and does not contain adjuvant).

These newer vaccines are more expensive than the older adjuvanted ones, but we feel they are worth it. We still carry the adjuvanted rabies vaccine for clients that are on a restricted budget and are willing to take the small risk associated with that vaccine. The recombinant rabies vaccine is currently approved for annual vaccination rather than the three year duration of the adjuvanted vaccines, but our feline patients need to be examined annually anyway.

The recombinant Feline Leukemia vaccine is particularly interesting. It is administered with an air syringe! No needle is involved. A tiny volume of vaccine is injected just under the surface of the skin by a blast of high-pressure air. We hold the syringe against kitty's leg, there is a loud click, and the vaccination is complete.

Let us know if you have any questions about these new vaccines. We're happy to discuss them.

Steve McBride, DVM

With Easter upon us, I thought it wise to call your attention to the deadly side of the beautiful Easter lily (lilium longiflorum). Some cats, maybe most cats, like to chew on the leaves of green plants. The Easter lily is one plant you don't want your kitty chewing. The leaves of the Easter lily contain a substance that causes kidney damage in cats, and it can be fatal.

The best course of action is prevention--keep the lily where your cat cannot get to it (and we all know how cats can get almost anywhere they want). If you catch your cat chewing on an Easter lily, or it vomits chewed leaves, please get to a veterinarian quickly. We will induce vomiting to eliminate the remainder of the leaves, administer activated charcoal to slow the absorption of the toxin and treat with intravenous fluids to protect the kidneys. Continued monitoring of kidney values in the cats blood will be performed over a period of a couple days. Early intervention can be successful. Take the proper precautions to ensure your furry family member is safe this Easter.

Have a Happy Easter,

Steve McBride, DVM

Medical Director

Welcome to our updated Cascade Hospital for Animals website. We hope you enjoy the new design and added functionality. In addition to this blog, there are several new features I would like to call to your attention:

• A new monthly veterinary newsletter that allows you to choose the animal species you would like to hear about
• Frequently updated Feature Articles, to provide you with interesting and relevant pet health information
• A calendar listing events, like client education seminars, happening at Cascade Hospital for Animals

Of course, we still have a Forms section for your convenience, where you can fill out New Client Information or Boarding Forms prior to your visit. The Pet Memorial and Pet Adoption pages are still active. You can still learn about our hospital, services and staff, but browse around, you might find out something new!

Please let us know what you think of our new site. Let us know if we can add anything to help you take better care of your furry friend. We hope you enjoy getting to know us better.

A warm welcome,

Steve McBride, DVM
Medical Director