Dr Whittenburg, Hospital Director

Dr. Jamie Whittenburg (DVM) is the director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital, a full service veterinary hospital in Lubbock, TX, and a medical director at Cat World. She graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Dr. Whittenburg then went on to pursue post-graduate training at Texas A&M University. She worked as an associate veterinarian in Fort Worth before the Hub City called her home. In Lubbock, Dr. Whittenburg continued her work as an associate veterinarian and in academia. On May 1st, 2013, she opened her own hospital, Kingsgate Animal Hospital, in her hometown of Lubbock, TX. She has a special interest in feline medicine and surgery.

Fever Coat in Cats: Our Vet Explains What It Means

What is a fever coat? Also known as ‘stress coat’, fever coat is an uncommon phenomenon where one or more kittens are born with a smokey grey coat. Fever coat is thought to occur when the mother develops a fever during pregnancy, and the unborn kittens(s) are exposed to an elevated body temperature in utero. … Read more

Cat Bleeding: Nose, Mouth, Wound, Anus [Our Vet Explains]

Bleeding in cats may be a minor incident or a major one. The amount of bleeding and the location of the bleeding all play a factor in the seriousness of the condition. If in any doubt, it is always a good idea to speak to your veterinarian. Many cases of bleeding have a simple cause and are not life-threatening, however, some do have serious causes. Let’s look at the details, with the help of Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, our lead veterinarian here at Cat World, and Director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital in Lubbock, Texas.

At a glance

Scabs on a cat’s ears (ear edge dermatitis) is a common condition in which the cat develops crusting along the ear margins. Causes can range from scabies to ear mites, sunburns or allergies. Treatment will be aimed at the underlying cause.

About ear scabs & ear dermatitis

Also known as pinnae, the outer (visible) part of the cat’s ear is susceptible to developing thickening, crusting, ulceration, alopecia, and scaling which are collectively referred to as ear edge dermatitis or ear margin dermatitis.

How do you know if your cat needs treatment?

For a few minor scabs that do not seem to bother your cat, you may choose to take a ‘wait and see’ approach, as it is possible they’ll resolve without intervention.

However, it is prudent to book a check-up if your cat has extensive scabbing, if they’re intensely itchy or if there is evidence of further disease such as an ear infection or generalized mange.

At a glance Each cat’s experience of dying is unique, and the presentation will vary depending on the underlying condition. Dying can occur in two phases: Pre-active dying, which can last months or weeks and active dying (imminent death), which lasts about 1-5 days. Active dying signs: Physical signs: noisy or labored breathing, decreased … Read more

Is Monstera Toxic to Cats? Our Veterinarian Explains

Family: Araceae Botanical name: Monstera spp. Common names: Swiss cheese plant, Cheese plant, Mother-in-law, Fruit salad plant, Ceriman, Hurricane plant, Mexican breadfruit Toxicity: Toxic to cats Toxic parts: All Severity: Moderate Toxic principle: Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals Is Monstera spp. toxic to cats? Monstera species are some of the trendiest houseplants and are highly … Read more

Is Philodendron Toxic to Cats?

Is philodendron toxic to cats?

Philodendron is toxic to cats. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which are produced by specialised cells known as idioblasts. These needle-sharp crystals form clusters known as raphides within the tissue of the plant which serve as a defence against herbivory.

When the plant is chewed, crystals penetrate the delicate tissues of the mouth and pharynx causing intense pain and burning.

At a Glance: Signs That a Cat is Dying

Abnormal breathing
Decreased heart rate
Drop in body temperature
Food refusal or reduced appetite
Sleeping more and ultimately loss of consciousness
Odours
Urinary and/or fecal incontinence
Extreme weakness
Unresponsive

“Early active dying” vs “Late active dying”

The physical process of dying can take months depending on the diagnosis and is divided into two main phases:

1) Early or pre-active dying – The weeks leading up to death. This is associated with a terminal illness such as cancer or kidney disease.

2) Late active dying – This process lasts from a few hours to several days, and occurs when the cat’s body begins the physical process of shutting down.

7 Reasons Your Cat Smells like Poop: a Vet Explains

Many pet owners who have a newly adopted kitten will discover that for something so little and cute, they can produce some rather smelly feces which goes beyond the usual odour one would expect from cat feces.

What is the primordial pouch (Cat Belly Flap)?

The primordial pouch (Cat Belly Flap) is a loose flap of skin that runs along the length of the cat’s belly but is most pronounced towards the rear. It can often be seen swaying from side to side when the cat walks or trots.

Pet owners often attribute the primordial pouch to weight gain, but it is common on cats of all shapes and sizes, even slim ones.

Why do kittens need to be dewormed?

Kittens may become infected with hookworms and roundworms via their mother when they are young kittens. Other issues, such as having fleas or eating prey that have fleas, may result in tapeworm infestations.