Happy Pets

When your kitten feels secure in its immediate surroundings, you can take it to explore the rest of the house. When? It may be only a matter of hours, though sometimes it can take a couple of days before an established cat and a new one are prepared to risk sharing territory. Before you let it pass through any door, make sure all the doors and windows in the room or hall beyond are closed in case something scares the new arrival and it bolts through the nearest available opening. (more…)

Birth

The signs that birth is imminent may include increased displays of affection, traces of milk on the nipples, and perhaps a slight discharge from the vulva. This discharge may appear a day or two before labour begins and is quite normal, but it should be clear. If it is discoloured or smells foul this could indicate an internal problem and you should contact your vet immediately. The mother may tear up anything to hand — not just the paper in her box — and will probably alternate scratching and squatting. She may even be sick, vomiting her last meal from sheer excitement or simply because she ate it far too quickly, or because her first contractions are beginning. All these signs may be so brief they are unnoticed — or last for as long as a whole day and night. Get in touch with your vet beforehand so you will know where to contact him in the unlikely event of there being problems. (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…)

Cats are cautious and do not usually take unnecessary risks. They are also very curious and the world is full of dangers, from the juggernaut on the main road to the threaded needle on the carpet, the dog next door to the pot plant on the table. Every owner should know how to deal with minor injuries and administer first aid, though the untrained should not usually attempt more than that. If you do not know what to do to help an injured cat then it is better to do nothing other than see that it does not injure itself further and get professional help straight away. However, immediate first aid treatment can often make a minor contribution to its recovery. (more…)

Fractures

A fracture can range from a cracked toe to a shattered spine. Traffic accidents, awkward falls from a height (especially if the cat is half asleep or concentrating on something else), a bad encounter with a dog or deliberate human cruelty are likely causes — but a small kitten could break a bone (often one of the lower bones of the front legs) just jumping out of your arms.

Amateur treatment of fractures can do more harm than good. If a cat has multiple injuries, likely if it has been hit by a car or savaged by a dog, it is much more important to staunch bleeding and get it to the vet. The time taken to get professional attention will not affect recovery from a simple fracture. Only if you have absolutely no access to a vet should you attempt to treat a fracture by, say, splinting a limb with a flat piece of wood on either side and securing the whole with bandages. (more…)