Antioxidants

• By: Christian Yost
• March 28, 2009
• Antioxidants are important, naturally occurring nutrients that help maintain health by slowing the destructive aging process of cellular molecules.

• Antioxidants can also be important in improving immune responses and vaccine recognition in dogs and cats. This may be especially critical for young animals that are being vaccinated while their immune system is still developing.

• Antioxidants can reverse decreases in immune-cell function for senior dogs and cats. A blend of several antioxidants in moderate amounts may be more effective than high levels of one antioxidant.

Antioxidants
Antioxidants are nutrients found naturally in the body and in plants such as fruits and vegetables. Common antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and certain compounds called carotenoids (like lutein and beta-carotene).

How Antioxidants Work
As cells function normally in the body, they produce damaged molecules � called free radicals. These free radicals are highly unstable and steal components from other cellular molecules, such as fat, protein, or DNA, thereby spreading the damage.

This damage continues in a chain reaction, and entire cells soon become damaged and die. This process is called peroxidation. Peroxidation is useful because it helps the body destroy cells that have outlived their usefulness and kills germs and parasites. However, peroxidation, when left unchecked, also destroys or damages healthy cells.

Antioxidants help prevent widespread cellular destruction by willingly donating components to stabilize free radicals. More importantly, antioxidants return to the surface of the cell to stabilize rather than damage other cellular components.

When there are not enough antioxidants to hold peroxidation in check, free radicals begin damaging healthy cells which, in turn, can lead to problems. For example, free radical damage to immune cells can lead to an increased risk of infections.

Antioxidants and Immune Response
Because antioxidants play a key role in minimizing damage to cells, such as those that make up the immune system, recent research examined the benefits of certain antioxidants on the immune response of dogs and cats. The results of these studies indicated that antioxidants are important in helping dogs and cats maintain a healthy immune system.

The research also showed each antioxidant benefits the immune system uniquely, so one antioxidant at high levels is not as effective as a group of antioxidants acting together.

Antioxidant	Source	Function
Vitamin E	Plant oil extract, tocopherols	Optimizes immune system’s T-cell activation
Lutein	Marigold extract	Optimizes immune system’s B-cell activation and helps vaccine recognition by dogs and cats
Beta-carotene	Vitamin premix, corn meal, chicken-by-product meal, and chicken fat	Optimizes types of cell present in the blood, increases antibody levels in the blood, optimizes vaccine recognition by dogs.

Nutritionally supporting the immune system may be especially critical for young animals. In puppies, for example, the immune system is still developing at the time it is being challenged with vaccinations and exposure to disease-causing agents. With the addition of antioxidants, a high-quality puppy diet can aid in the development of a strong immune system to help maintain good health and protect against viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Please visit us at www. siamese-cattailscattery.com

Does Your Cat Have the Sniffles?

By: Christian Yost

March 27, 2009

Your cat is suddenly sneezing  frequently, and her breathing sounds congested. When you pay closer attention, you notice she has a runny nose and watery eyes. She no longer comes running when she hears the sound of a can opening, and she’s sleeping a lot – even for a cat. Your kitty may have a common problem – an upper respiratory infection.

Feline upper respiratory infection

refers to infections in the area of the nose, throat and sinus area, much like the common cold in humans. In cats, these infections are quite common and very contagious. The two primary viruses involved are feline herpesvirus-1 and feline calicivirus. Feline chlamydia, a bacterial infection, can also result in upper respiratory tract infections.

Cats at most risk include young kittens,vaccinated cats , elderly cats and cats that are kept in close quarters with other cats such as shelters, catteries and even multi-cat households.

Cats that recover from feline upper respiratory infection will periodically shed the virus throughout their lives in times of stress. It is uncommon for the cat to have a recurrence of the upper respiratory infection but they are considered a reservoir for the virus. These viruses do not live long in the environment and are easily killed by household cleaners, such as bleach. Unfortunately, unsuspecting owners can carry the virus from an ill or viral-shedding cat to their homes. This is a common way that feline upper respiratory infections are transmitted.

What To Watch For

Cats susceptible to upper respiratory infections generally develop sneezing, watery eyes and nasal discharge about 2 to 5 days after exposure. Fever and sinus congestion may also occur. The disease typically resolves in 10 to 14 days, without complications. Be on the alert for complications such as lack of appetite due to poor smelling ability, pneumonia, eye ulcers or mouth sores. Very young kittens have a higher incidence of pneumonia and some do not survive the infection.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing feline upper respiratory infection is generally based on physical exam findings and typical symptoms of fever, congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge and occasionally drooling. Finding the exact viral or bacterial cause of the infection, however, is more difficult, and your veterinarian may not want to pursue it. Some diagnostic tests might prove helpful, such as nasal or throat swabs, blood tests to determine the overall health of the cat, and chest x-rays to detect pneumonia.

Treatment

Since most upper respiratory infections are viral, there are no drugs available to kill these viruses. Treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms and maintaining your cat’s overall health to bolster the immune system and help speed recovery. Basic treatment usually includes proper diet and sufficient fluids, antibiotics, nebulization (a process to humidify the air and keep the nasal passages moist), and eye medication if eye ulcers are present. If your cat does not respond to treatment at home, hospitalization may be necessary.

Home Care

If your cat is treated at home you will need to provide care that includes:

Keeping the nose and eyes clear of discharge

Administering all medications your veterinarian prescribes

Providing sufficient food and fluids so your cat does not become dehydrated

Keeping your cat away from other cats

Preventative Care

The best way to prevent upper respiratory infections is to follow the vaccination procedures  by your veterinarian. Vaccines can be administered by two methods, intranasal method and injection. Also, keep your cat away from other sneezing, ill cats and take precautions when introducing a new cat to the household.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com