Catnip Cat Care

03/16/2025

In 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami struck, a young hippo named Owen was swept away from his herd, left adrift and alone on the shores of Kenya. Lost between the waves of sorrow, fate led him to Haller Park, a wildlife sanctuary, where an unexpected companion awaited him—Mzee, a 130-year-old Aldabra tortoise.

In his solitude, Owen saw in Mzee the shadow of the mother he had lost. He began to follow the old tortoise everywhere, seeking warmth in her ancient shell and comfort in her slow, steady steps. Though they were worlds apart—by species, by time, by nature itself—a bond beyond logic grew between them. A friendship that defied boundaries, proving that love and kindness recognize no form, no age—only the meeting of two souls in need.

More details/photos: https://hja.li/uetp

01/14/2025

01/12/2025

01/11/2025

What is H5N1?
H5N1, commonly known as avian influenza A or bird flu, is a highly pathogenic strain of influenza virus that primarily affects birds, but cases have recently been reported in wildlife, cattle, cats, and humans.

What do we know about the latest outbreak?
Recently H5N1 influenza cases have been reported in cats that have consumed contaminated commercial raw food diets, unpasteurized milk, or had contact with wild birds and cattle.

Precautions:
Consider discontinuing your pet’s raw diet. Even if their raw food is human grade, frozen, or freeze dried, this does not prevent the potential spread of pathogenic bacteria, parasites, or H5N1 that may be present in the food. Consider cooking your pet’s raw food and/or consulting your veterinarian about diet change.
Limit your pet’s access to wild birds that may be carrying the virus and avoid giving them raw milk.

What are the symptoms to watch out for in our pets?
Clinical signs in pets may include the following:
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Neurologic signs (ataxia, circling, tremors, seizures, sudden blindness)
• Copious oculonasal discharge
• Difficulty breathing
We recommend seeking veterinary care if your pet shows any of these signs. If they are having any life-threatening symptoms (neurologic signs, seizures, difficulty breathing, or collapse) seek veterinary care immediately.

Can this cause illness in humans?
Yes, H5N1 can cause illness in humans. Current human infections have been linked to contact with infected cattle and wild birds. There is no current evidence of human to human transmission.

What is being done?
The CDC, FDA and USDA are closely monitoring cases as they develop. One voluntary product recall has been issued for contaminated raw food diets for cats & dogs. We are continuing to monitor this emerging virus.

Follow our animal health centers' social media accounts for regular updates.
https://hubs.la/Q031WZ2g0

12/28/2024

A Portland brand of cat food is being recalled in 12 states, including Washington, after a cat that ate it contracted bird flu and died.

12/28/2024

The FDA issued guidance advising dog and cat owners not to feed their pets unpasteurized milk or raw or undercooked meat to reduce the risk posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has killed both domesticated and wild felines. Pets should also be kept away from wild birds. The AVMA says pet owners should seek veterinary care if their pet develops eye inflammation or discharge, tremors, seizures, incoordination, fever, lethargy, poor appetite or difficulty breathing. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/oregon-house-cat-died-after-eating-pet-food-that-tested-positive-bird-flu/T4BFZ6GCHFAPBJQ47SNHNICAH4/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawHa6wJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUWvR-FBtFiOJq9wMZNCE56rHPLIKiQsenAD_rexr-cvxhUILhCqi49lAA_aem_10JFIDWI4j11h0Bc0pty8A

11/09/2024

This is also true for cats!

A patient’s verbal report of pain is the single reliable indicator of pain (Yildirim et al., 2015).

Human healthcare KNOWS we are reliant on verbal description for true understanding of another person’s pain.

Dogs cannot speak to us to let us know when they are in pain, so its up to us to understand the signs and behaviour changes they show us instead.

We are the our dog's voices - let's advocate for them as much as we can!

10/23/2024

Please make your voice heard in calling on President-elect Prabowo Subianto to make history by making Indonesia dog and cat meat-free.

10/21/2024

08/04/2024

07/29/2024

Best Friends Animal Society - 40 years of Kindness and Compassion
Thank you for your service, leadership and dedication!

socihttps://youtu.be/kp7SeJtfuKw?si=t4sHq-eQi_CR1Pa7

Rarely seen footage from back in the day: We’ve grown a lot, but we’re just as scrappy. And we still believe that every animal is a life worth saving. https...

07/11/2024

So so so true! And it applies to dogs, cats, rabbits, any animal under our care!

A patient’s verbal report of pain is the single reliable indicator of pain (Yildirim et al., 2015).

Human healthcare KNOWS we are reliant on verbal description for true understanding of another person’s pain.

Dogs cannot speak to us to let us know when they are in pain, so its up to us to understand the signs and behaviour changes they show us instead.

We are the our dog's voices - let's advocate for them as much as we can!

07/09/2024

06/29/2024

With warmer weather and summer arriving, people gravitate toward their local beaches. Seal pups can be vulnerable to human neighbors disrupting them as their mothers leave to hunt. …