Cat Health

morobell asked:


I fed this cat that was on my patio ( it had a collar so it must belong to a neighbor) ground beef and noe its suffering. at first it looked like it was choking so i checked its mouth a little and didnt see any food in its throat. still it looked like it was semi-choking. then it left so i could only pray that it was still alive. now in the morning i see it sleeping on my patio. i check up on him and he is still meowing like he’s in pain, except he cant be choking now. I think that he is having digestion issues and cant digest the ground beef so its just sitting in his esophagus maybe. he did start eating the hard food i leave out for my cat ( i know never to give ground beef or any large amount of real food).

What should I do? is there any laxative or something i can do to solve this problem? help!…
Also the cat went away for the night like usual so i assume it went home; where his orginal family could’ve seen something wrong ( i want them to take him to the vet if anything is wrong). I called a vet and they just told me to check the throat, call animal control to take him, or ask the neighbors.

That would be hard to ask neighbors because we live around a large wooded area and cats can come from anywhere like 5 cul-de-sacs away.

Kiera

Gloria Gangi asked:


Cats are capable of being fascinating companions. The majority of the time they can be wonderful to have around, but there are some strange cat behavior that can irritate even the most enduring owner.

Missing The Litter Box

You know that there is something wrong when a cat or kitten has a problem when they being to urinate in places other than their kitty litter or the place in which they have been taught to go. The first step is to clean out the litter box on a regular basis so that it is nice smelling. No one likes an unclean toilet! This could possibly resolve the crisis. If not, take your cat to the vet for a once over. Your cat could have a physical problem that might be making it hard for them to make it to the box in time. After having your cat looked at by a veterinarian for possible physical problems which could have caused this strange cat behavior, there are other ways in which you can assist your cat back to toileting where it is supposed to.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Can Your Cat Have This Problem

Did you know that a few cats develop behaviors that are obsessive compulsive, like tail chewing, excessive licking, wool-sucking, or fur-pulling? Characteristic physical problems could be something as negligible as fleas or as major as neuropathy. So having your cat looked at by its vet is a smart first choice.

Excessive Fear Or Inhibition Results In A Scaredy Cat

There are a few cats that have an excessive fear or inhibition around people. If you show patience and love the cat can grow out of the timid state. But do not rush this process, as you can make it worse and it can result in a cat behavior that is violent and bites or scratches.

The majority of kittens are socialized as they grow up, by being held by a variety of different people who smell different and act different. If your kitten didn’t get this advantage, it may grow into a reserved and nervous adult cat. Give it time to come out, then reward “showing up” with a food treat it likes. You will be able to coax it out with a trail of food leading to its bowl, moving the bowl a bit each day. Talk tenderly to it, letting it warm up slowly. While your cat may never be fully socialized and welcome contact with others, it can still be a nice family pet.

Anxious And Apprehensive Cats

You will find that there are a few cats that feel a lot of stress and anxiety. This stress can lead to additional cat behavior problems, like depression or litter box avoidance. If these symptoms (of stress and anxiety) become visible unexpectedly, first make sure the cat’s heath is ok with the vet. If your cats health is ok, then you would want to look at the cat’s environment could be contributing to the stress level.



Aidan

Lexi asked:


I’m flying with my 1-year old cat from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, PA on United Airlines tomorrow. Do you need a health certificate to carry on a cat in the cat carrier?

Naomi

David P Lee asked:


Ear infections and other ear related issues are the leading cause of irritation for your dogs and cats. In fact, vets often see dogs and cats with ear problems that their owners didn’t know about. When you have a dog or cat, it is imperative that you check their ears on a weekly if not daily basis. Dogs tend to be more prone to ear problems because we let them outside more often, whereas cats are often indoor pets. A vet will hardly see a day without any ear related issues for dogs and cats. Most pets have itchy, reddened, bloody or crusty ears. In some cases, the ears can be infected to the point of swelling. Since these problems are frequent, it is important that all owners learn how to spot trouble and what causes that trouble.

If you are up on pet hygiene you may be able to see these little parasites before they decide to take up residence in the inner ear. Parasites, especially bacteria are very small. It is best to use a magnifying glass, and you may still miss them. Another leading cause of bacteria in the ear is water.

In rare cases, a blood vessel on the ear can burst to allow a large amount of blood to congeal in the ear. Surgery usually takes care of this outer issue, but this doesn’t resolve the inner ear. The inner ear can be affected with several things. Water in the ear can be a main cause. The bacteria that live around water can get into the ear. Typically, a dog is more prone to water issues because they tend to swim, but if you bath your cat, the water could cause damage if it gets in the canal. The water has to get out somehow, usually through evaporation. However, if the environment doesn’t allow for evaporation, the bacteria or other organisms can cause an infection in the inner ear. This happens when the water remains in the ear longer than it should. One of the reasons it can be detrimental is the growing of more bacteria. Bacteria replicates extremely fast.

So how do you treat an ear infection? Well, first you need to know that there is one. Then you can treat the ear infection with topical ointments that will kill bacteria. There are also sprays available if that works better for you. When the ear tissue is swollen then you need a little more help than just ointment. Antibiotics administered orally will help to gain control of a deeper infection. Most dogs and cats are going to be on this medication for ten days. In some cases, the topical ointment or spray can cause further damage. It is important that when you use these medications you clean out the ear canal by flushing. Flushing means that you place water at pressure to flush the puss and bacteria out of the ear. Flushing should be done by the vet. Most dogs and cats will not sit still long enough and get rather irritated with the procedures, so sedation works better.

The last method of helping your pet is surgery. If the other options have not worked or your pet has seen a great deal of infections in their lives there could be an underlying cause that you don’t realize. Some dog or cat ears can grow with a defect or just have a small inner ear. This can cause a build up of debris like bacteria. The scar tissue which can result from multiple ear infections can also trap the bacteria to the point of causing severe pain for your pet. When this happens surgery to remove the scar tissue or to correct the imperfection in the ear canal is suggested. Your vet should explain the entire procedure to you and the benefits you pet can gain. With most dogs or cats after the surgery and healing process you can see a significant change. First you dog or cat will no longer be in pain. They will be happier after the surgery. They may also have an improvement regarding their hearing. They may answer you more often or come when you call at a softer voice.

Dogs and cats tend to heal rather quickly from surgery and you can usually notice an improvement within a few weeks with their hearing as well as behavior. Most animals that have pain will have an altered temperament. This can be a sign that something is wrong. Even though the dog or cat may have surgery there is still a potential for other infections. It is up to you are the owner to make sure you are providing the best health care and proper visits to the vet’s office. Proper care can include frequent washing of the ear surface especially after a day outdoors.



Genesis

Catharine Wells asked:


If you’re a cat owner, you want to ensure that your feline friend enjoys the happiest and healthiest life possible. In order to help make this possible, it’s important for you, as the pet owner, to be educated about feline health issues. While cat kidney disease most often affects elderly felines, it has the potential to affect cats at any stage of life. So in order to protect and promote your cat’s health, it’s a good idea to understand the basics of feline kidney function and cat kidney disease.

The Feline Urinary Tract

Generally, a healthy cat’s urinary tract will consist of two kidneys, each of which is each connected to the bladder by a ureter. As a physiological system, the feline urinary tract carries out several different functions, including the regulation of the concentration and acid-based balance of the blood. However, the main function of the kidneys and urinary system is the filtration and removal of waste products.

Feline Kidney Disease

Feline kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to function properly. This usually occurs because the kidney cells become damaged or worn out. In most cases, feline kidney disease will develop slowly over time and a cat with this medical problem generally won’t display any symptoms of the disease until approximately two thirds of normal kidney function is lost. At this point, the kidneys are no longer able to sufficiently remove waste products from the body and toxins begin to accumulate within the cat’s system, causing significant discomfort for the animal as well as dangerous and potentially fatal disruptions with several other physiological pathways.

Symptoms

Once a cat reaches this point, where approximately two thirds of normal kidney function is lost, a variety of signs and symptoms will begin to appear. Two of the most frequently displayed symptoms in cases of feline kidney disease are increased thirst and increased urination. Other common warning signs include bloody urine, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, depression, and poor coat quality. In some cases, feline kidney disease will also cause vomiting and bad breath. Since chronic kidney disease, which develops slowly over time, is more common in cats than acute kidney disease, signs and symptoms will typically occur with a gradual onset and grow increasingly severe with time.

Diagnosis

Generally, a case of cat kidney disease will be diagnosed through blood tests and urinalysis. With respect to blood tests, the concentrations of the substances urea and creatinine can be very helpful with diagnosing feline kidney disease. Both of these substances are typically filtered out of the body by healthy kidneys and, therefore, unusually high concentrations of urea and/or creatinine could suggest a lack of proper function on the part of the cat’s kidneys. Also, when a cat is suffering from this disease, the concentration of its urine will often be higher than normal as well. As a result, urinalysis can also be helpful when it comes to diagnosing feline kidney disease.

Causes

As alluded to earlier, there are two types of cat kidney disease — acute kidney disease, which develops suddenly, and chronic kidney disease, which develops slowly over time. Acute feline kidney disease is often caused by a traumatic event such as being hit by a car or losing a significant amount of blood. Toxins such as antifreeze can also trigger the sudden onset of cat kidney disease. Chronic feline kidney disease, the most common type of this disease, can be caused simply by the natural wear and tear that occurs with age, a genetic defect, or an infection. While there are numerous potential causes of cat kidney disease, in many cases the exact cause will be unknown.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for feline kidney disease; however, in many cases this condition is controllable. Two of the most basic and common forms of treatment for cat kidney disease include diet control and prevention of dehydration. In addition to these treatments steps, a holistic approach to dealing with this condition often proves to be very beneficial as well. Natural supplements and remedies can help to increase the feline patient’s comfort by reducing symptoms and can also promote the animal’s overall health and well-being. However, no matter what treatment methods are used for your particular cat, they should always be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Prevention

If your cat does not have feline kidney disease and you’d like to ensure that he or she never does develop this condition, there are several steps that you can take to increase the chances of your feline friend living a long and healthy life free of kidney disease. One of the best ways to do this is to deal with your pet’s health in a holistic manner, ensuring that he or she is as healthy as possible in every respect. By providing your cat with a healthy diet complemented by natural supplements, you will be increasing the strength of your pet’s immune system while improving its overall health and happiness. With a well-rounded health care plan and regular veterinary care, you can decrease your cat’s likelihood of developing kidney disease as well as many other feline health problems.



Peter

Doris Canova asked:


Outside cats lead a vary fast paced complicated lives. They have a vary large territories that often contain a variety of things to see and do, including woods, and gardens. They hunt for pry, and they love to explore they hunt, and they may even interact with other cats. Our inside cats can only explore the house and basically have little to do. Without a there mother to teach they about what to do, and how to do it   boredom may set in, especially with indoors only cats. Here are some ideas to help keep your active and lead a healthy life.

Make sure that your cat has a variety of toys to keep them pacified. Some cats love toys that they can throw around themselves ping pong balls are great. Other cats want toys that require owner participation, such as kitty teasers. Stimulating play for a cat involves opportunities to “hunt” so you have to move the toy in such a way that it looks like something moving like a rodent or bird. Every now and again you will have to bring in a new toy to keep the cat interested in playing.

Have objects for your cat to explore, such as a cardboard box, a paper shopping bag, or toys that looks like and sound like a  giant cave with holes in it, the cat will investigate with her paws. An aquarium with fish, really think about this one for sure. Rotating the toys and play items often so the cat does not become bored.

 Some cats like to watch the commercially available cat videos the most popular ones contain close-ups of various types of birds feeding, flying, and singing. Some cats will watch the same videotape for hours each day, tracking the birds’ movements, chirruping and swatting at the screen. Some cats will even watch  lamps, that have moving parts, with these be vary careful that the lamp does not get to hot and can burn the cat. I know that sometime we think “that’s high” she can’t get that, but the cat’s reach, is a lot higher then we think.

 Cats love to watch birds, squirrels and other small animals. Position a  bird,  and even a squirrel feeders outside windows where your cat can observe the goings  on. Make really sure the cat can not get out. If you live in an apartment, they have what is called a pet veranda this attaches to the window ,but the cat will be outside in a screened compartment, a bird feeder can be affixed directly to the outside of a window.

 Provide several small meals per day rather than one or two large meals. If you can’t be there to do this, then you can purchase a automatic  pet feeder, designed to open according to a preset schedule. Your Cats health and well being should be your major concerned at all times.

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Rylie

Doris Canova asked:


General cat health is also extremely important as a kitten so that they can grow up to be healthy throughout the rest of their life. Cat health care is one of the most important subjects for responsible and loving cat owners to be aware of. It involves prevention, understanding, and sometimes treatment of a possible life-threatening disease. Cat health care is also affected by lack of exercise and poor diet. You can love your cat into a state of being unhealthy without enough exercise and proper nutrition.

Talk to cat owners who have older cats. Ask them about cat health care for their older cats. What are the problems and what are the right foods and nutritional needs that fall under the term elderly care. If your cat does not receive the proper food and nutrition, they may have problems with their health. Talking about cat health care in advance will make it easier for everyone when the time comes.

Natural cat food is always a welcome one for all pet owners. There are brands of cat food that contains no chemicals and has lots of white meat and vegetables. The prices of these products will vary but because of the balanced diet, correct protein, and vitamins you are going to find the priced higher then the “store brand”.

Heat and humidity degrade nutritional value, so do your best to buy fresh food. Once opened, your cat’s dry food should be stored in a sealed pet feeder container to preserve freshness. As for soreness in your cat, heat is a good soother, heated cat beds or a heated throw will give much relief to this painful complaint. Massage is often beneficial but should be administered with care. Your vet will give you complete direction as to how long to do it.

Bad breath is another unhealthy sign. Your cat should have strong white teeth without odor. Dry cat food will give them strong gums, good healthy teeth, and that will give them clean breath.

Symptoms of flea allergy include hair loss, redness, and sometimes sores known as hot spots. Symptoms of diabetes in your cat include excessive urination and drinking along with weight loss or sudden obesity. If you find that your cat develops diabetes you need to carefully regulate diet and monitor blood sugar levels.

Fleas carry many diseases and can transmit these to your cats. Fleas carry the tapeworm cyst inside them and your cat inevitably swallows fleas during routine grooming .When this happens it is then that the tapeworm hatches and grows in your cat’s stomach. Natural flea control methods and products provide a safer alternative to chemical insecticides. If you cannot reasonably control fleas with this “safer” approach, then consider stronger measures.

Vaccinations (’shots’) can help keep your cat from getting many of the serious diseases which can make your cat sick, or may even threaten your cat’s life. Your cat’s individual lifestyle and situation will determine which vaccinations your cat needs to have and how often these vaccines need to be given. You will need to keep the shots up to date.

Remember that the main reason to spay is to prevent pregnancy, not to eliminate a cat’s normal behavior, however, removing the ovaries also reduces the risk or mammary cancer.

Remember that advice simply can’t be a substitute for proper medical attention. Only your vet can say exactly what is best for your cat. Remember to give your kitty a hug today and be thankful that they are with you!

NOTE: This article is for information only. See your veterinarian for medical advice.



Colton

Sky Hye asked:


I am thinking about adopting two 3 month old kittens whose mother was only four months old when she became pregnant. Gestation was normal and she successfully cared for her litter of 5 (she was spayed after, and she is fine). None of her 5 kittens developed any health problems to this point, but they are smaller than typical for their age.

My question is, can offspring of such a young mother be more prone to health problems over time? If so, how much more prone? Where can I learn more about this?

Grace

nod.flonders asked:


She seems to be healthy now.

Vet has never mentioned her longness.

Jayda

David P Lee asked:


In recent news for those who live in Rhode Island a law was passed for cat owners. Anyone who has a cat must spay or neuter their cat before they reach six months old. Farmers are excluded from this law. If you fail to comply with the current law there are fines.The governor of Rhode Island spoke about the reasoning behind this law. The bill is necessary to ensure that a lower number of cats will be euthanized in the state of Rhode Island. Many of the cities and towns are experiencing higher than average deaths for cats because there are not enough homes for these pets. The housing and feeding costs are also at an all time high. 2004 showed 1,600 strays were caught and impounded. Of that number less than half were given homes. If a cat owner doesn’t want to spay or neuter their pet they must obtain a breeder’s license. This license will cost $100. The fee goes towards helping the shelters and humane societies to fund their costs. If a person fails to follow the law a fine of $75 will be instigated.

Spaying or neutering a cat or dog is a very common place procedure. Studies show that at least five surgeries are completed a day at vet clinics on both dogs and cats. The surgery the pets must undergo, specifically cats is usually a simple procedure. However, some complications have been known to occur. This is one reason the cost of the procedure can see extremely high. Before you submit your pet to the surgery it is imperative that you discuss the procedure with your vet. The vet should detail the exact procedure and the use of anesthesia. They should also mention the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet. There are several known benefits, and a few myths to dispel.

When you spay your cat or dog you are removing the uterus and ovaries. In other words spaying is the female version of sterilization. Your cat or dog will go into heat when they are not spayed. This means they have a lovable side to you and other animals. They can also have temperamental issues during this time. During the “heat” phase a cat or dog will seek a mate.Spaying doesn’t yield an overweight cat.The reason the uterus is removed is inflammation can occur after a time if it is left in the body. Technically the ovaries carry the eggs, but the uterus can become infected by leaving it in the body. The surgery is usually considered minor, but complications can arise in certain pets. This is why the charge for the surgery can seem a little higher than you would normally think.

To neuter a dog or cat you are castrating them. In other words you are removing their reproductive organ that contains the sperm. The male will be sterile after this surgery because they can no longer produce sperm. There are several benefits to neutering your pet. First, they will not want to mark their territory, they won’t want to breed, and they will not have issues with testosterone. Most pet owners of dogs that want a guard or hunter have found they are easier to train when they are sterile. The change in behavior is often very noticeable.

A cat or dog will not become overweight or have a significant temperament change. In fact a cat or dog that is not spayed or neutered can have temperamental issues. The hormones needed for breeding can cause the dog to behave oddly or even mark their territory. Rendering them sterilized helps with these negative feelings. So a cat or dog will not be overweight or other issues unless they have another underlying health issue or you take improper care of them. The procedure for your dog or cat should be done by the time they are 6 months old to 2 years old. You should also be prepared to administer antibiotics for about 10 days.



Miracle