August 2010- We are trying to update our client files so that we have everyone's email address.  Please send your email address to us at affectionatelycats@yahoo.com so that we may update your file.  This will allow us to keep you up to date with the latest news and reminders, and to help us keep in touch with you and your cat.

Happy Summer!  We hope you all are enjoying your summer and getting some time to relax and enjoy the sun.  Each season brings joys and challenges and it is our goal to help you keep your feline companions healthy and to help protect you and your family from zoonotic (diseases that can affect both animals and humans) diseases.  Please read on for information on Bartonellosis in cats and people.

Feline Bartonella-A danger to Cats and People.  One more reason to control fleas.

Bartonella is a bacteria, considered to be a blood parasite.  Cats are a host for this parasite.  In cats it does not always cause disease, but it can, affecting various areas of the body such as the mouth, eyes, and  internal organs.  The famous “Cat Scratch Fever” in humans is caused by this bacteria.

Bartonella Henslae is the most common strain carried by cats.  Most cats acquire Bartonella from Fleas and can pass it on to other cats in this same way.

People can get Bartonella or Cat Scratch Fever when scratched by an infected cat.

Flea infested cats scratch themselves to relieve the itching caused by fleas.  Their claws pick up flea dirt (Flea excrement that contains blood).  If a person gets scratched by the cat’s claws the Bartonella bacteria can be spread to the person, causing “Cat Scratch Fever” which can manifest as both mild or serious conditions in several areas of the body.

This is a zoonotic disease we can avoid and protect our families from by keeping our pets free of fleas.

We recommend Frontline Plus or Revolution for Flea Control from May 1 to November 1 in Vermont.

Protect your cat and your family today!

Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or concerns.

 SPRING HAS SPRUNG! And with it Fleas, Ticks and disease carrying Mosquitoes.  It is important to protect your feline companion(s) from these pests.  Fleas and ticks can cause irritation and disease.  We recommend Frontline Plus for Flea and Tick control starting in April.  This should be applied once per month until after several hard frosts in the fall.  Frontline plus not only kills adult fleas but has an insect growth regulator which inhibits eggs and larvae from developing into adult fleas.  Frontline plus also kills ticks which are becoming more abundant in Vermont each year.  Fleas can even be a problem for indoor cats when they are carried into the home by other pets. 

Cats and kittens can also get Heartworm disease which is spread by biting mosquitoes.  Even indoor cats are at risk as mosquitoes can easily get inside our homes.  Heartworm disease is very serious and not treatable in cats.  It is however very preventable.  We recommend Heartguard or Revolution for protection against Heartworm disease from April until after several hard frosts in the fall.

Please visit http://www.knowheartworms.org for more information on Heartworm Disease in cats.

Please click below for a short, informative video on Heartworm Disease in Cats.

Video Press Release on Feline Heartworm Disease

Please ask our veterinarians or technicians about Flea, Tick and Heartworm protection today!

Happy Spring!

Breaking News Summer 2009

A dry food diet could put your cat at risk! Dry food diets have been shown to contribute to many potentially life threatening health problems for cats, such as diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, cystitis, and kidney disease.
The doctors and staff at Affectionately Cats are recommending all cats be on a 100% canned food diet. Some of the canned cat foods that we recommend are: Wellness, Innova, California Natural, Instinctive Choice, Merrick, Natural Balance, Petguard, and Wysong. More information on the dangers of dry diets can be found in our library. Please contact us for further information and tips on how to transition your cat to canned food.