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Cat Newsletter 15
September 10,
2004
About some Cat Disease
Dental Care
Cats are subject to gum disease and to dental caries. One of the most
common problems in any cat breed is that some will show signs of oral
disease by the time they reach three years of age, or even sooner. Many
veterinarians recommend that you should brush your cat's teeth several
times a week, preferably every day, beginning when she is a kitten. Get
your cat used to the flavor of the cat toothpaste for a couple of days
first before trying to brush her teeth. A finger brush will do fine. It
is also a good idea to feed your cat plaque and tartar control foods and
treats.
Upper respiratory disease
Cats can get upper respiratory bacterial and viral infections - in other
words, colds. Upper respiratory disease will manifest itself in your cat
by cold or flu-like symptoms, like a runny nose and sneezing combined
with reddened, runny eyes. If your cat is coughing or wheezing, or has
persistent discharge from her eyes or nose, she needs to see a veterinarian.
Acne
Cats can get acne. If you see little pimples on your cat's chin, they
may be a reaction to plastic dishes. Switch to stainless steel or ceramic
bowls, and dab the acne daily with a cotton ball soaked with a little
peroxide until it disappears.
Worms
At some point in your cat’s life, she may have a problem with internal
parasites. The more common internal parasites are known as worms. The
worms can enter the animal’s body by ingestion, absorption or the
worms are passed from the mother to the kitten before the kitten is born.
These parasites may cause diarrhea, vomiting, depression, and loss of
appetite or loss of weight. Most internal parasites are found in the bowel
but not all. Not all internal parasites are worms. A cat with worms needs
to see a veterinarian. Don't rely on over-the-counter worming medications,
because they are not always effective, and may not even be intended for
the specific parasites that are plaguing your cat.
Fleas
Cats, like humans, can suffer from a wide range of allergies. The most
common allergy among cats is flea allergy. Fleas are wingless parasites
that like to suck the blood of your cat so that they can lay their eggs.
The worst time of year for fleas is usually between the months of May
through November. In warmer climates, the flea season is longer. Cats
usually get fleas from coming into contact with other animals that have
fleas or an environment infested with fleas. Fleas are not host specific.
They can jump several inches onto a new host. If you suspect your cat
has fleas, check her for flea dirt. Flea dirt is a actually flea feces,
made up mainly of blood sucked from the pet that is eliminated through
the flea's digestive system as dried blood. If you spray the flea dirt
with water and it turns bloody, your pet has fleas and immediate attention
is required. Not only must you treat your cat, but also your house. As
cats get older, their sensitivity to flea bites increases.
Vomit
Some cats vomit all the time, while others rarely do. One of the most
common reasons for vomiting is hairballs. To check to see if your cat
has vomited as a result of hairballs, examine the vomit carefully for
small grayish pellets or lumps, regardless of your cat's hair color. Hairballs
can occur even with shorthair cats. Another reason for vomiting might
be that your cat is allergic to her food. Try switching to another brand
with substantially different ingredients and no food colorings to see
if that helps.
Diarrhea
If your cat has persistent diarrhea, you can try changing her diet. You
can try boiled rice, cottage cheese, bread, plain yoghurt, boiled chicken,
chicken broth or strained meat. Choose the ones your cat prefers. If symptoms
continue for more than two days, take your cat to the vet with a stool
sample.
Feline Urinary Syndrome
Feline urinary syndrome, or FUS, is an inflammation, irritation, and/or
obstruction of the lower urinary tract. The inability to pass urine can
become a life and death situation if not treated quickly. FUS is far more
common among male cats than females. Your cat might have FUS if she strains
to urinate, has blood in the urine, makes frequent trips to the litter
box with only small amounts voided, or forgets how to use the litterbox.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs in cats that cannot properly regulate their blood sugar
level. Symptoms may include excessive thirst and urination, loss of weight
or obesity. Older cats are more likely to develop diabetes than younger
ones. Diabetic cats should be kept indoors to prevent accidental feeding
that could elevate its blood sugar.
Poisonous Plants
You like plants and so does your cat...only for different reasons. Cats
are frequently fascinated with house plants and their attention can range
from chewing on the plant leaves to using your plant as a litter box.
There are some common houseplants and garden plants that contain toxic
substances. SEe Curious cats may find these plants attractive and decide
to chew on the leaves or flowers. To discourage chewing, try spraying
cayenne pepper on the leaves. For digging or urinating in the plant soil,
try covering the dirt with aluminum foil or gravel. If by chance your
cat has ingested a toxic plant, determine which plant was eaten and call
your veterinarian immediately.
A healthy cat should see the veterinarian once a year for
as check-up.
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