Cat Health

Kate Rieger asked:


Cat urinary tract health care remains one of the top challenges facing caring cat owners. Be on the lookout for the symptoms cats show when they have poor cat urinary tract health or other feline urinary tract disorder(FLUTD).

You or someone you know probably has endured the human version of a urinary tract infection. There is an intense, persistent urge to urinate accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating. The urine has a strong odor and there may even be blood in the urine.

In the cat world, these symptoms are very similar except that progressed cases of urinary tract infection in cats can lead to a very painful death. Cats of any age may suffer from the disorder, but older cats are more susceptible. Another similarity to human UTI is that both female and male cats can suffer from poor cat urinary tract health.

In fact, male cats are more susceptible to one condition more so than female cats — urinary stones.

5 Conditions of Poor Cat Urinary Cat Health

1. Incessant licking in the genital area

2. Blood in the urine

3. Urinary(Bladder) stones also called uroliths

4. Urethral obstruction

5. Death

The only way your cat knows how to deal with an itch or burning sensation in his genital area is to lick and lick and lick. One clue to a urinary tract infection in cats is that you find urine on the floor, or on tile or in the bathtub — really a blessing because you can see it.

Blood may be visible in the urine. However, if you don’t see any blood that doesn’t mean its not there. A trained eye using a microscope will note if there is blood in the urine.

Urinary stones are a huge reason to alert on changes in your cat’s behavior pointing out urinary tract infections in cats. These stones are mineral crystals formed in the bladder.

When the stones leave the bladder they travel down the urethra tube to exit the body. The stones become lodged in the urethra and block the passage of urine. This problem occurs more in male cats than females as the male urethra tube is narrower. Smaller stones cause a blockage where the female’s wider urethra allows the smaller crystals to pass through.

This is where time becomes a critical factor. If the stones aren’t dislodged naturally or medically, your cat endures a painful death. You have 72 hours from the onset to deal with the stones. Unfortunately, your cat may not display symptoms for 24 to 48 hours.

Causes

It was once thought that certain minerals in cat food contributed to urinary stones. Bacteria can also lead to poor cat urinary tract health.

Today, veterinarians pay more attention to the ph level of the cat’s urine. Ph is the measurement of the acid or alkaline level of the urine. Veterinarians recommend the ph level be around 6.0 to 6.5.

Prevention

Ask your vet to check the ph level in your cat’s urine.

Place clean, fresh water bowls throughout the house and outdoors so that water is very available to your cats. Provide smaller meals more frequently. Minimize major routine changes.

Make no mistake about it, you can help your cat stick to a simple, natural pet care program that promotes vital cat urinary tract health. There are a number of natural remedies available that are blends of herbs tested and proven to treat painful and chronic urinary tract infection in cats.



Julio

Ink Princess asked:


I’m flying from California to Connecticut. My cat will be carry on luggage. I know the airline doesn’t require the proof for carry on animals, but I’m not sure about each state. Does California require my cat to have his health and shot records? Does Connecticut?

Laila

Garret P asked:


My cat is eight years old, a little fat (or alot) :). But anyway she has a lump on her chin about the size of a small pea. I don’t know what it is but I’m a little concerned because I have known the occasional dog to get cancer there. Is this normal or is it a problem.

Samantha

Robert Blake asked:


When it is time to introduce a new cat to your home, all parties involved will need to learn to make changes for cat health and cat safety. For people this will not be too difficult, however the existing cat and the new cat are who we need to focus on. Though cats are generally solitary in the wild, they are typically able to adapt to new family members if done correctly. The territorial nature will be the main issue, so you should proceed slowly and attentively when introducing cats to each other.

When dealing with kittens, it will not take so much time, maybe a week or so. Kittens are more amenable to change, while an older cat might not be. The attitudes and personalities are huge factors. You must take care to give love and affection to existing cats, so they will not feel usurped by the new cat. Keep the newcomer in a separate room to kick off the introduction. An unused bathroom or bedroom with bed, water, food, litter box, toys, and a repeated human visitor to play with will be necessary. The existing cat will be denied entry here, so the new cat can be comfortable and feel protected.

Certainly, the new cat will be concerted, since the existing cat will yowl and hiss through the door. This is a message that the house is already the property of a cat. Let them go on, because they need to get that out of their system before they can start accepting the newcomer. Eventually they’ll stop that. Their scents will pass under the door, and possibly paws as well. When the resident cat calms down praise them for their restraint.

Next you start them using the same food dish, further intermixing their scents. Don’t feed them together yet, though you will be using the same dish for both cats. Inexorably they will get become accustomed to the unusual smells and the danger is lessened.

After, you release them in the house together for increasing time frames. Hissing and dominance games will ensure, but do not allow actual fighting. This is the time for playing with them together and sharing. Extend the lengths of time, but the new cat will need to go in the protected room for some of the time as well, to calm them and all parties need their individual time with the parent figure.

It does not usually happen immediately, but after a while you can leave them unsupervised. They may not yet be close, but acquiescence to the fait accompli is the crucial task. It’s all a question of time from there on out. With the territorial concerns resolved (and that includes jurisdiction over the humans, too!) your cats will work on being lifelong pals and happy healthy cats.



Ellie

goaliegirl87 asked:


What are some common misconceptions concerning the breed? Also, how can I find a Sphinx breeder around the Missouri or Kansas area…like within a few hour drive from kansas city, mo?

James

Andy Rogers asked:


There are some simple things you can get yourself aware of while taking care of your catty’s health. Realize that health problems with pets are a common thing.It doesn’t matter what breed of cat you have but cat health problems are inevitable and will be there. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.

Worms such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms etc. infect cats and can be fatal. Your cat can become weaker day by day if this is ignored, hence get him tested by a veterinary doctor. Hairballs also cause cats a lot of problems. Usually , cats swallow the loose hair that comes from their coats and this will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. Although most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems but sometimes, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage which can be threatening. Cats can also suffer from constipation because of hairballs and hence it is best to get it solved as soon as possible by visiting your vet.

When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box or when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong, it may be due to Urinary tract infection which is also a common health problem with cats.Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Cat eye health care is also an important part of the responsibility of owning a cat. Note that your cat’s eyes should be clear and when you see the outer part of the eyeball it should be white. Keep your cat’s eyes free of mucus by gently cleaning his or her eyes.Apply a neutralizing ointment before bathing the cat or before flea treatments.Keep hair out of your cat’s eyes, this is particularly true for long haired breeds such as Persians.

Cat allergies are also serious skin problems. Allergic symptoms can include itchy skin.Cats can be allergic to many things including food, fleas, pollens, plastics, and insect bites. Blood, skin, and food trial testing help to diagnose allergies.

Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems.



Jonas

Clark Tran asked:


Spay or Neuter a New Cat

Millions of cats are euthanized each year in shelters due to the overcrowding of animals. Cats can easily have over 10 kittens in a given pregnancy leaving owners with problem of trying to find homes for these kittens. There is an easy remedy to this problem and that is spaying or neutering your cat. Not only is this the responsible thing to do but it is better for your cat. If unspayed female are more at risk of developing the following conditions: breast cancer, pyometra, tumors of the uterus & ovaries. While unneutered male cats run a risk of developing testicular cancer. 

The Price of having a cat

When people see a cute kitten they immediately decide to adopt it. Once home they realize they have made a mistake. They are not prepared for the responsibility of a cat, not all members of the family are happy to have a cat, resident pets don’t adapt well to the new addition or it just doesn’t fit into your lifestyle. The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, vaccinations, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.

Checking the health of your new cat

When a household decides to adopt a cat, be it from the shelter or a breeder a great deal of time should go into selecting the right animal. Have questions about where the pet came from, how they have interacted with the staff, do the pet have a behavior issue, etc. If you are buying from a breeder, ensure they are registered with an appropriate cat council. When visiting the cattery check out the overall health of the animals. Always have everything in writing, including the final cost of the cat, health guarantees etc.

Buying purebreds from pet shops or backyard breeders

If you are buying a cat from a pet shop or a backyard breeder there is probably little chance that a proper screening of genetic problems has taken place. Pet shops generally charge more for purebred kittens than a registered breeder would. Not only this, but they most likely won’t have certified paper to ensure their authenticity and health. As a result, you may be buying a cat that could have substantial medical bills in the future or even pass away suddenly. 

Seek veterinary help

People don’t realize the seriousness of a medical condition & fail to take appropriate action & get the cat to a vet. This may be due to the lack of knowledge they posses or funds. Cat owners should look into the cost of having pet health insurance or a special Cat Fund prepared in case of emergencies.

Flea Control Product

Unless recommended by your veterinarian, cats should be treated with a cat flea treatment only such as Frontline. Pet owners think they will save money by sharing their dog’s flea control product with their cats. This can prove fatal as cats are extremely sensitive to pyrethrins & pyrethroids which are often in dog flea products. The use of these on cats can result in death.

An appropriate diet

Cats have very specific dietary needs and as such need a balanced diet. There are many commercially available brands of cat food available which will fulfill your cat’s dietary requirements. Don’t attempt to feed your cat a home-made diet or other human consumed foods unless you have spent a great deal of time researching, as certain food s can do more harm than good.

Your roaming cat

Some owners feel that having your cat roam outside the home is beneficial for them. In actuality it may do more harm as free roaming cats & their lifespan is considerably shorter than that of indoor only cats, or cats with limited/supervised access outside. Outdoor cats run the risk of being highly stress by been hit by a car, attacked by another cat or dog, plus many other dangers they encounter which is very traumatizing.

Declawing VS not Declawing

Declawing has been a heated debate for many veterinarians, cat advocates, and owners alike. Some veterinarians consider declawing a “routine” surgery, while cat advocates consider it cruel, inhumane, and unnecessary in almost every case. Declawing is not for everyone and cat owners should have all the facts before making this decision.

Litter Box Maintenance

Cats will use a litter box only if it is kept clean, and if the litter is not scented or pleasant to the cat’s feet. Carefully maintaining your cat’s litter box will almost guarantee that you will not be faced with litter box avoidance problems. Don’t try to over clean the box with disinfectant or bleach as cats are very sensitive to these and other chemicals. It is also recommended to have an automatic litter box to help in reducing the maintenance. If your cat suddenly starts urinating outside the box despite your careful maintenance, you should immediately suspect a urinary tract problem and call your veterinarian.

 



Sam

Billy Bob Dingleberry asked:


my cat is so friendly and niave because of it’s indoor life. It got too close to a neighbor dog and it bit her tail. It got infected, so some of the tail will have to be amputated. (Signs didn’t show until too late). but O.T.T, she’s fine.
My daughter brought her outside, so that’s why she ended up out. Should i start supervising outdoor time for the cat or what’s the best thing 4 her?

Georgia

witnesshybridluck asked:


Every now and then my cat will develop symptoms of kidney disease and its been real expensive to have him treated. I’ve considered purchasing health insurance for him but don’t know which one I should go with. Which is better and why?

Keaton

ELLE asked:


I have heard that dry cat food is bad for your cats health. My cat loves dry cat food and only eats a small amount of the wet cat food. I used to give her dry food in the mornings but now I have started to give her wet cat food as that would be the time when she is the most hungry. This morning she woke me up meowing becuase she was hungry and I fed her one of those small tins of cat food and she only ate half. An hour later she still didn’t finish it. I gave her a small pile of dry cat food and she ran straight over and ate it. I don’t think it is enough food for her to be eating only one small tin of cat food a day (half in the morning, half at night). She is already small and although her weight is okay, she really doesn’t need to be any thinner.

Kelly