Christmas time is a fun time of year, and its even more special to see the pet photos with Santa. We visited Helping Hands for Plymouth Animal Shelter on one of their Pet Photo fundraising events. 

Learn about feline asthma and how our kitty friend Midnight treats his Asthma using the AeroKat Inhaler chamber.

RESOURCE GUIDE

AeroKat* Feline Aerosol Chamber http://www.trudellmed.com/animal-health/aerokat

November is American Diabetes Month, and while most of the world is promoting, educating and bringing awareness about human diabetes, I've chosen to spotlight feline diabetes and share a story about it in my first episode of Purr View.

The first episode of Purr View is called Diabetic Cat Care. I wanted to share what diabetes in felines is, how it's treated, and you'll meet a Bear, a local cat that lives a purrfectly pampered life as a diabetic cat.

My cat Mr. Earl lived with diabetes for about five years and he lived a good life. In the end of his life he didn't die from diabetes or complications of diabetes, he died of cancer. The years that I spent regulating him with insulin paid off and I was able to enjoy many years with him.

Diabetes is not a death sentence, it's not difficult to treat and some cats even go into remission. The first episode of Purr View is dedicated to my cat Mr. Earl, and to the many other cats that I've taken care of that have or had diabetes.

Diabetes affects about 800, 000 cats in the us. Veterinary treatment and changes in diet can help save the lives of cats living with the disease. The episode also interviews Dr. Cassandra Kelly from the Cat Clinic in Plymouth Massachusetts. She talks about how to handle home care and gives hope on treating cats and getting them into remission. In addition, I consulted Dr. Plotnick from Manhattan Cat Hospital. Check out they're facebook page, they have the coolest cat pictures on the net.

 

What Causes Feline Diabetes

• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Becoming Obese
• Eating Higher Carbohydrate Dry Food
• Certain Breeds

What are the Symptoms of Feline Diabetes

• Drinking Lots of Water
• Increase Urination
• Increase in Hunger
• Weigh Loss
• Weight Gain

What is Diabetes

• Too Much Sugar in the Blood Stream
• Pancreas Doesn't Produce Insulin to break down food
• Pancreas Doesn't produce Enough Insulin

Treating Diabetic Cats

• Special Diet-Feed Canned Food (Less Carbs -More Protein)
• Giving Insulin -Giving Insulin Gives Pancreas a rest
• Home Care -checking BG, Ketones, etc at Home.

RESOURCE GUIDE

• http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/programs/american-diabetes-month/
• http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_resources/brochure_diabetes.cfm
• http://yourdiabeticcat.com/
• http://www.mycathasdiabetes.com/
• http://manhattancats.com/
• http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/p/diabetes.htm

Can you think of any other great resource sites that you could share in the comment section that would help people learn and network with others on the topic of feline diabetes? If so, please share.  

The TICA cat organization always does a nice job coordinating cat shows, even if you're not showing your own breed there, any cat lover can attend and see the beautiful felines from around the state and even beyond. In addition, there are cat supplies, toys and special cat items available to purchase. I never have a bad time going, especially when I can see so many beautiful cats. 

Back in 1998 I filmed two segments for the Whitman Hanson Community Access- on the topic of cats! This video is of me, Tonia Fleming, when I had the Kitty's Corner in Whitman MA.

Socializing Your Cat: 1998. I filmed two segments for the Whitman Hanson Community Access- on the topic of cats! This video is of me, Tonia Fleming, when I had the Kitty's Corner in Whitman MA.