Understanding Feline Drug Toxicities

Shrestha B, Reed JM, Starks PT, et al. Evolution of a major drug metabolizing enzyme defect in the domestic cat and other felidae: phylogenetic timing and the role of hypercarnivory. PLoS ONE 2011;6:e18046.

Cats are very sensitive to certain drugs such as acetaminophen and aspirin. The enzyme responsible for metabolizing these drugs and related compounds is lacking in the feline liver. It is known that defects in the gene coding for this enzyme are present in all domestic cats. These researchers looked further to discover when this evolutionary development occurred. They found that this occurred when Felidae split from others in the suborder Feliformia, which includes hyenas, civets, binturongs, and mongoose; this split occurred approximately 37 million years ago. They postulate that this genetic variation arose as a consequence of the felid diet, which is primarily animal-based rather than plant-based. The gene encoding this enzyme is among several genes needed for successful utilization of plant material that are defective in cats, including the gene for the taste receptor for sweets, which are primarily of plant origin (fruits, berries, etc.). Because cats have a mainly animal-based protein diet, these genes are dispensable, and not selected for evolutionarily. Thus modern day cats have more in common with their wild relatives than previously thought. [MK]

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Related articles: Li X, Li W, Wang H, et al. Cats lack a sweet taste receptor. J Nutr 2006; 136:1932S-1934S.

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Shrestha B, Reed JM, Starks PT, et al. Evolution of a major drug metabolizing enzyme defect in the domestic cat and other felidae: phylogenetic timing and the role of hypercarnivory. PLoS ONE 2011;6:e18046.

Cats are very sensitive to certain drugs such as acetaminophen and aspirin. The enzyme responsible for metabolizing these drugs and related compounds is lacking in the feline liver. It is known that defects in the gene coding for this enzyme are present in all domestic cats. These researchers looked further to discover when this evolutionary development occurred. They found that this occurred when Felidae split from others in the suborder Feliformia, which includes hyenas, civets, binturongs, and mongoose; this split occurred approximately 37 million years ago. They postulate that this genetic variation arose as a consequence of the felid diet, which is primarily animal-based rather than plant-based. The gene encoding this enzyme is among several genes needed for successful utilization of plant material that are defective in cats, including the gene for the taste receptor for sweets, which are primarily of plant origin (fruits, berries, etc.). Because cats have a mainly animal-based protein diet, these genes are dispensable, and not selected for evolutionarily. Thus modern day cats have more in common with their wild relatives than previously thought. [MK]

> Free, full text article

Related articles: Li X, Li W, Wang H, et al. Cats lack a sweet taste receptor. J Nutr 2006; 136:1932S-1934S.

• More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library


• Join us on Facebook


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Backpacks can mean backaches for back-to-schoolers

Millions of children returning to school this fall will struggle under the weight of an overstuffed backpack, putting themselves at risk of injury, according to Dr. Joshua Hyman, director of orthopedic surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

"Parents should inspect their child's backpack from time to time. They often carry much more than they should with extra shoes, toys, electronic devices and other unnecessary items," says Dr. Hyman, who is also associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

"A backpack shouldn't weigh more than 15 percent of the child's weight, or about 7 pounds for a child who weighs 50 pounds. If it is textbooks that are making the bag too heavy, parents should speak with the teacher -- sometimes these books can be left at school," adds Dr. Hyman.

To prevent injury, children should also wear a backpack correctly over both shoulders to spread the weight evenly. Alternatively, they should consider a wheeled backpack.
If the child experiences persistent pain, parents should consult with their pediatrician, who may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the back muscles. Some indicators of trouble include when the child's posture changes while wearing the backpack, when they struggle to put it on, or any pain, tingling or red marks.

Source: NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital



About Dr Kevin Lau Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau D.C. is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health in USA. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

Millions of children returning to school this fall will struggle under the weight of an overstuffed backpack, putting themselves at risk of injury, according to Dr. Joshua Hyman, director of orthopedic surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

"Parents should inspect their child's backpack from time to time. They often carry much more than they should with extra shoes, toys, electronic devices and other unnecessary items," says Dr. Hyman, who is also associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

"A backpack shouldn't weigh more than 15 percent of the child's weight, or about 7 pounds for a child who weighs 50 pounds. If it is textbooks that are making the bag too heavy, parents should speak with the teacher -- sometimes these books can be left at school," adds Dr. Hyman.

To prevent injury, children should also wear a backpack correctly over both shoulders to spread the weight evenly. Alternatively, they should consider a wheeled backpack.
If the child experiences persistent pain, parents should consult with their pediatrician, who may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the back muscles. Some indicators of trouble include when the child's posture changes while wearing the backpack, when they struggle to put it on, or any pain, tingling or red marks.

Source: NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital



About Dr Kevin Lau Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau D.C. is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health in USA. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

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Low Vitamin D Linked to Earlier First Menstruation

ScienceDaily (Aug. 12, 2011) — A study links low vitamin D in young girls with early menstruation, which is a risk factor for a host of health problems for teen girls as well as women later in life.

Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health measured the blood vitamin D levels in 242 girls ages 5-12 from Bogota, Colombia, and followed them for 30 months. Girls low on vitamin D were twice as likely to start menstruation during the study than those with sufficient vitamin D, said epidemiologist Eduardo Villamor, associate professor in the U-M SPH.

This is important for several reasons, Villamor said. Worldwide, there has been a slow decline in the age of the first menstruation, or menarche, for years, which Villamor says suggests an environmental cause, since the genetics that trigger puberty haven't changed.

"We know relatively little about what triggers puberty from an environmental perspective," Villamor said. "If we learn what is causing the decline in age of first menstruation, we may be able to develop interventions" to prevent premature menarche.

Early menstruation is a risk factor for behavioral and psychosocial problems in teens. Also, girls who have an earlier menarche appear to have increased risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases and cancer -- particularly breast cancer, as adults.

This study formally explored the link between vitamin D status of girls and the time of their first menstruation. Previous research has suggested that menarche happens later in girls living closer to the Equator than girls living in northern countries. Coincidentally, girls in northern countries may harbor high rates of vitamin D deficiencyduring winter months because of limited sun exposure.

In the research by Villamor and colleagues, 57 percent of the girls in the vitamin D-deficient group reached menarche during the study, compared to 23 percent in the vitamin D-sufficient group. In terms of age, girls who were low in vitamin D were about 11.8 years old when they started menstruating, compared to the other group at about age 12.6 years old. This 10-month difference is substantial, Villamor said, because even though 10 months may not seem like a long time, at that age a lot is happening rapidly to a young girl's body.

Still, while the results suggest a link between vitamin D and menarche, they have not established a causal relationship. It's necessary to do more studies to show if interventions that change girls' vitamin D status result in a change in their age of menarche.

About Dr Kevin Lau Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau D.C. is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health in USA. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

ScienceDaily (Aug. 12, 2011) — A study links low vitamin D in young girls with early menstruation, which is a risk factor for a host of health problems for teen girls as well as women later in life.

Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health measured the blood vitamin D levels in 242 girls ages 5-12 from Bogota, Colombia, and followed them for 30 months. Girls low on vitamin D were twice as likely to start menstruation during the study than those with sufficient vitamin D, said epidemiologist Eduardo Villamor, associate professor in the U-M SPH.

This is important for several reasons, Villamor said. Worldwide, there has been a slow decline in the age of the first menstruation, or menarche, for years, which Villamor says suggests an environmental cause, since the genetics that trigger puberty haven't changed.

"We know relatively little about what triggers puberty from an environmental perspective," Villamor said. "If we learn what is causing the decline in age of first menstruation, we may be able to develop interventions" to prevent premature menarche.

Early menstruation is a risk factor for behavioral and psychosocial problems in teens. Also, girls who have an earlier menarche appear to have increased risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases and cancer -- particularly breast cancer, as adults.

This study formally explored the link between vitamin D status of girls and the time of their first menstruation. Previous research has suggested that menarche happens later in girls living closer to the Equator than girls living in northern countries. Coincidentally, girls in northern countries may harbor high rates of vitamin D deficiencyduring winter months because of limited sun exposure.

In the research by Villamor and colleagues, 57 percent of the girls in the vitamin D-deficient group reached menarche during the study, compared to 23 percent in the vitamin D-sufficient group. In terms of age, girls who were low in vitamin D were about 11.8 years old when they started menstruating, compared to the other group at about age 12.6 years old. This 10-month difference is substantial, Villamor said, because even though 10 months may not seem like a long time, at that age a lot is happening rapidly to a young girl's body.

Still, while the results suggest a link between vitamin D and menarche, they have not established a causal relationship. It's necessary to do more studies to show if interventions that change girls' vitamin D status result in a change in their age of menarche.

About Dr Kevin Lau Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau D.C. is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health in USA. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

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Treatments for Urine Spraying

Mills DS, Redgate SE, Landsberg GM. A meta-analysis of studies of treatments for feline urine spraying. PLoS ONE 2011;6:18448.

Urine spraying by cats is a common behavioral problem reported by cat owners. Currently, there is no consensus among professionals for treatment of this problem. This study attempted to analyze current data to identify the most appropriate treatment. Ten studies evaluating either medications or pheromones as tools for correcting this behavior were included. Cessation or reduction of urine spraying was observed in 90% of cats receiving intervention regardless of method compared to a placebo. The sustained use of fluoxetine had the largest reported effect. The authors noted that the sample size was small in these studies, and that validation through larger studies is needed. Pheromones were also found to reduce the incidence of spraying. The authors concluded that there is good evidence that medications and pheromones provide added value for the reduction of urine spraying in cats. [MK]

> Free, full text article

Related articles:
Landsberg GM, Wilson AL. Effects of clomipramine on cats presented for urine marking. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2005; 41:3-11.

• More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library


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Mills DS, Redgate SE, Landsberg GM. A meta-analysis of studies of treatments for feline urine spraying. PLoS ONE 2011;6:18448.

Urine spraying by cats is a common behavioral problem reported by cat owners. Currently, there is no consensus among professionals for treatment of this problem. This study attempted to analyze current data to identify the most appropriate treatment. Ten studies evaluating either medications or pheromones as tools for correcting this behavior were included. Cessation or reduction of urine spraying was observed in 90% of cats receiving intervention regardless of method compared to a placebo. The sustained use of fluoxetine had the largest reported effect. The authors noted that the sample size was small in these studies, and that validation through larger studies is needed. Pheromones were also found to reduce the incidence of spraying. The authors concluded that there is good evidence that medications and pheromones provide added value for the reduction of urine spraying in cats. [MK]

> Free, full text article

Related articles:
Landsberg GM, Wilson AL. Effects of clomipramine on cats presented for urine marking. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2005; 41:3-11.

• More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library


• Join us on Facebook


• Follow us on Twitter

Read More