Short Takes

The American Association of Feline Practitioners makes recommendations on vaccine choices for cats that you can use in vaccination discussions with your veterinarian.

If your cat has been diagnosed with a complex or serious illness or needs specialty surgery, your regular veterinarian may recommend a referral to a board-certified specialist, a veterinarian who has put in extra training in a certain field, much like a human oncologist or cardiologist.

Modern domestic cats are at least 16 percent bigger than their Viking-Age ancestors (793-1066 AD), according to a Danish study shared by The Winn Foundation. Researchers excavated the remains of adult domestic cats at archaeological sites in Denmark as well as modern skeletal remains.

A recent study out of Italy looked at survival and prognostic factors for cats with restrictive cardiomyopathy. The researchers looked at 90 cats who had been diagnosed with this cardiac condition via echocardiography between 1997 and 2015. There were 53 more males than females in the study.

Angelos Pizza in Matawan, N.J., is delivering more than just food, according to CBS NewYork Channel 2.

A 45-year-old Singapore man was arrested for trying to smuggle four kittens past immigration, according to Channel NewsAsia. Security noticed the man’s pants were “meowing.” He faces a possible fine and one year in prison.

Veterinarians at Washington State University used a 3D printer to manufacturer an acrylic skull for a cat needing surgery to address brain tumors, according to a report in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. The cat, a tabby named Linus, had three tumors removed from the lining of his brain. After the removal of the first two tumors, Linus experienced brain swelling and bleeding, with his brain bulging out of the hole in his skull.

Mirtazapine, a tricyclic depressant for humans, has been shown to have appetite stimulant benefits for cats. Since cats who have a decreased appetite can develop life-threatening conditions such as hepatic lipidosis, this medication can have important uses in cats.

A recent study led by Santiago Peralta, Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine Assistant Professor, Section of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, found that feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS)is more prevalent in shared households and its risk correlates with the number of cohabiting cats. Gingivostomatitis is marked by severe, chronic inflammation of a cats gums and oral mucosa. Its most common in cats with certain viral diseases, like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

Our Elizabeth loves answering reader questions in her column every month, but she wants to be sure you know that Cornells Camuti Consultation Service also can help you out. The service puts you in contact with a Cornell veterinary consultant who will discuss your cats condition and/or care with you.

SmartBrief tells us that Overweight, sedentary cats will lose weight if the size of their daily meals is gradually reduced, according to research published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, and although there was no statistically significant change in activity, its possible some cats will become more active as the weight comes off. The report says, The researchers reduced the cats food consumption by 20 percent initially, then continued with regular reductions, and the cats in the study lost weight and experienced changes in their gastrointestinal bacteria.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), Normer Adams, a retired social worker, is a treed-cat rescuer on a rampage. He rescues an average of one cat a week from trees. Over the last two years, thats 91 cats. He doesnt charge, and he has a YouTube channel (https://tinyurl.com/cattreerescue) where you can watch him rescue each cat. Some of the cats were in the tree for days. Once he reaches the cat, Adams places the cat in a bag to safely bring him back down the tree.