Happy Pets

Like us, cats have the occasional off day, even brainstorm in the case of a highly strung individual. It is quite understandable that the inexperienced owner should become extremely worried when, for example, the cat appears to be choking, with its mouth open and tongue jerking forwards with an ugly, gasping rasp. It is unlikely to be attempting an impersonation of Count Dracula; at any rate, this is the time to investigate calmly, not to panic. Perhaps there is an obstruction, a bone wedged in the throat or on the teeth? (more…)

Most cats, like most people, are basically healthy provided they have sufficient to eat of a properly balanced diet and are not subjected to physical or psychological stress. However, it is as well to accept that even the most carefully maintained individual is likely to break down from time to time, although we hope in a minor way. The elderly cat, of course, will be more prone to certain conditions and the general running down that inevitably accompanies old age — but, once again, understanding on your part will enable you to take better care of a feline senior citizen’s more delicate constitution. (more…)

Vomiting

Cats, like us, are sick from time to time. There is no reason to panic; overindulgence may easily be the cause. You should, however, check the vomit to see whether it really is the result of eating something indigestible. If the vomit is merely a sausage shape of food then the cat probably ate its last meal too fast — and may well have done if another cat was trying to make off with its favourite titbit. All cats bring up balls of fur that they have swallowed when washing their coats, and sometimes feathers if they have been eating a bird. (more…)

Eye problems

Runny eyes can have many causes. There are the respiratory viruses; there may be irritation from dust or other particles; orthere may be a blockage in the ducts that drain the eye into the nasal cavity.

Conjunctivitis is a condition in which watering of the eyes is accompanied by inflammation of the delicate membrane that protects the outside of the eyeball and lines the eyelids. The membrane becomes reddened and puffy, and the watering may develop into a thick, mucous discharge. Conjunctivitis may be the result of an allergy or caused by soap, fumes, aerosols and other irritants. In serious cases the cornea may become clouded, with pus developing behind it. (more…)

Nephritis

Kidney damage, reducing the cat’s ability to eliminate wastes, may have several causes, including bacterial infection, but a chronic nephritis of unknown cause is most common, especially in elderly cats. It usually develops over a long period so that symptoms may not be

noticed until the ailment is well advanced, with the kidneys becoming scarred and smaller. Cats may lose appetite and drink noticeably more water; they will therefore urinate more frequently and may show signs of pain, arching the back when doing so. Sometimes there will be vomiting or diarrhoea, yellowing of the gums and ulcers in the mouth, and the breath may become increasingly unpleasant; the cat itself may begin to develop a urine-like smell. Blood and urine samples will confirm a diagnosis. Treatment may include a special diet and measures to reduce strain in the cat’s life to improve its general condition and slow down the development of the disease, but a complete cure is impossible. (more…)

Cats can suffer from many of the ailments that affect humans — cancer, leukaemia, pneumonia, arthritis, diabetes and tuberculosis among them — but fortunately there are few diseases of cats that can be transmitted to man. However, there are some parasites that can affect both. Cat fleas are different from ours and are host-specific, though they can be a considerable irritant before they realize that they have leaped on to the wrong species and find another cat to jump on.

Scratches from cats can sometimes lead to cat-scratch fever (possibly caused by a virus) which makes the patient weak and can cause the lymph glands to swell. Needless to say, any sign of this should warrant immediate consultation with your doctor and then with the vet. (more…)

Fleas

It is almost inevitable that any cat allowed outdoors, and many indoor ones, will at some time pick up a flea. Fortunately, fleas are a problem that an ownercan recognize and treat with ease. You will see the cat scratch, you will find the flea excreta when you groom, and you will probably see the fleas themselves moving in the fur, if not on the sofa. If there are only a couple and you catch them before they multiply, you may be able to seize them with your fingers and squash them.

With very young kittens, even with a greater infestation, this is all you should do — even though the fleas may keep returning, especially around the eyes. Young kittens may react badly to a pesticide. For this reason a pregnant female that regularly picks up fleas should be treated when you decide she is close enough to labour to be kept inside (though she could still pick them up from other cats that go in and out). (more…)

Roundworms and tapeworms are the main internal parasites of cats, but there are others. There is the protozoan Toxoplasma, for example, which often produces no symptoms, and the single- celled parasite Isospora; fortunately both are rare. Two tiny intestinal worms — threadworms and wireworms — can occasionally cause problems, as can flukes picked up from infected raw fish. Lungworms are fairly common among country cats, but only serious infestations seem to worry them. Finally, there are hookworms, which attach themselves to the intestinal wall and can cause anaemia and diarrhoea. They are much more of a problem in hot, humid countries than in temperate lands such as the British Isles. (more…)

The ageing cat

Sensible care, a balanced diet without overfeeding, and a friend ready to play games will keep your cat a lively kitten- cat for many years. Eventually, however, the signs of senior citizenship begin to appear. Veterinary treatments and a better understanding of feline needs

have increased a cat’s life expectancy from a typical twelve-year span to fifteen years or even longer — a very few to well past thirty. As with humans, extended life is really an extension of old age, and to make it a happy one you must take greater care of puss’s needs. (more…)

Sick cats may welcome some comforting reassurance, but mainly they need rest and calm. Make sure you understand your vet’s instructions and follow them precisely — it is amazing how many people stop a treatment before the period instructed because they think their animal is getting better, and thereby provoke relapse back into the condition.

A sick cat will probably want to retire to a quiet corner, but do not let it outside in case it hides away where you cannot find it to care for it. It will probably retire to its bed, but if it tries to hide, set up a sick bay somewhere sufficiently private. (more…)