CAT AILMENTS — WHAT YOU MUST KNOW

CAT AILMENTS — WHAT YOU MUST KNOW

by | Cat Health

DIABETES IN CATS

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body cannot properly produce or respond to the hormone insulin. This results in elevated levels of the sugar glucose.  Sugar glucose is the main source of energy for the body.  The most common form of diabetes is the Type II form of the disease.

Which cats get diabetes?

Although diabetes can develop in a cat regardless of age, breed or gender, the most typical patient is older, overweight and neutered male cats.

What are the signs of diabetes?

Cats will become increasingly thirsty and hungry, and a small number of cats lose much of their appetite. There is often an increase in the amount and frequency or urine the cat produces. Other signs maybe lethargy and a dull and oily coat with dandruff. The cat may sleep more. Muscle loss over the cat’s hind legs and back is not uncommon. Some cats will suffer from diabetic neuropathy and walk flat-footed. This is caused by prolonged high blood glucose on the nerves.

Since most diabetic cats seem fine at first, their owner may not realize the cat is diabetic. Without treatment, the cat can fall seriously ill and develop a condition called ketoacidosis, which is a condition where levels of acid are abnormally increased in the blood due to “ketone bodies.” It mostly affects older cats and more females than males. It’s important to be aware of the signs of diabetes so the cat can be diagnosed and get early treatment.

How is diabetes treated?  

Severely ill cats must be hospitalized for a few days to stabilize them and may need intravenous fluids to rehydrate them and to stabilize blood glucose levels. Once the cat is eating regularly then the vet can determine the cat’s insulin requirements. If however, a diabetic cat is stable they may not require hospitalization and can be treated at home. Usually, that means insulin injections twice a day using special insulin syringes. This may sound scary to some cat owners, but your veterinarian can show you how to administer the injection, and depending on the type of insulin, how often you’d need to inject your cat.

Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that once you’ve given an injection or two, you should feel comfortable administering them.

TOXOPLASMOSIS IN CATS

Most cat owners I know are familiar with this term, but I thought it was important to inform you, my valued readers, about what toxoplasmosis is and how if may affect you or your cat.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a microscopic parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. It can only be seen under a microscope, unlike many other parasites. Cats are the ideal host for this parasite to complete its life cycle.

There are 3 main ways the parasite is transmitted to people and animals:

  • Ingestion of food or water contaminated with the parasite’s eggs
  • Eating raw or undercooked meat that is infected
  • Infection of a fetus during pregnancy

Only domestic and wild cats shed the infective form of the parasite in their feces. Unfortunately, they’re difficult to destroy, being resistant to disinfectants, drying and freezing.

Infected cats shed the eggs (oocysts) in their feces within a few days to a few weeks after being infected, but the oocysts are only shed for one to three weeks after the initial exposure. By the time the cats have signs of illness, most are no longer shedding oocysts. Kittens 6-14 weeks old shed the heaviest. While kittens infected before birth can suffer serious health issues, the majority of animals and people infected do not become ill. This disease can cause harm to a developing fetus. But if there is a concurrent illness, stress or a compromised immune system does play a role.

CANCER IN CATS

Some types of cancer are associated with FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Infected cats have over a 600% increase in their risk of developing lymphoma. Some ways to reduce cancer risks are avoiding strong sunlight, which can contribute to squamous cell carcinoma. Early spaying will reduce the risk of mammary cancer and eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.

Signs of cancer may include poor appetite, weight loss, lethargy, and depression. Your veterinarian will do a thorough physical exam and diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your cat ‘s illness.

Here’s a list of signs to watch out for. If you see any of these signs, you should take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

Signs to watch for:

  • Weight loss
  • Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sores that do not heal
  • Difficulty eating or swallowing
  • Persistent stiffness or lameness
  • Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

On a personal note – having had a cat with cancer, I know how very difficult it can be to decide what the right course of action is. My feeling is if your vet believes that there’s a good chance for recovery without causing undue suffering, great! When my vet told me that if the chemotherapy needle got displaced it could result in having to amputate her limb, and her chances were not very good regardless, I decided that I did not want her to suffer.

I’ve been in vet’s offices where I’ve heard very sick animals screaming in pain. Their well-meaning owners just couldn’t let go, and I understand how they feel and am not being judgmental.  However, I do believe the best thing we as pet owners can do is give our pets a happy life filled with love, and a merciful end when called for.

DIY CAT TOYS

Here are a few cat toys that are easy to make.  I hope you like them!

Take a piece of cloth and cut it into 8-10 strips about 1” by 6” long.  Tie the strips in the center with another strip of cloth so it resembles a spider.  You can tie a strong string to the center and tie the other end to a stick about 12” long or just give the toy to your kitty to play with or use as a pillow.

Take cardboard tubes from paper towels or bathroom tissue.  You will need 6 tubes about 4 inches long.  Secure them 3 tubes across and 2 tubes down with tape.  Make sure they are well secured.  Cut a square of cardboard slightly larger than the assembled tubes and tape to the cardboard to seal up one end of the tubes.  Put a few of your cat’s favorite treats in each tube and lay it on its side.  You cat will love playing with the tubes to get their treats!!

CAT TREAT RECIPES

CATNIP BISCUITS WITH TUNA

1 cup oat flour (take regular oats and grind in a blender or food processor)

5 oz. can low salt tuna in water, drained

1 egg

1 tbsp. olive oil

2 tbsps. Dried catnip

Blend all ingredients in blender or food processor. Shape into ½ inch biscuits. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Store in a closed container in the refrigerator.

HOMEMADE GRAIN-FREE KITTY TREATS RECIPE

1 pound ground turkey, beef or chicken

3.75 oz. can no salt added sardines in water

2 egg yolks

1/3 cup nutritional yeast flakes (if not available at your grocer, they are at health food stores)

1 tbsp. catnip

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put sardines in a bowl and mash with a fork. Add remaining ingredients until well mixed and smooth. (Note—you can use a food processor for this step.) Using a pastry bag or a gallon-size ziplock bag with a small hole cut in the corner, filled with the mixture and squeeze out small “treat size” portions onto your cookie sheets.  Bake for 20 minutes.  The treats are done when cooked through and no juice is bubbling around the edges.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. (Keeps for 2 weeks or you can freeze some for 3-5 months.)

SALMON CAT TREATS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (if your oven tends to be hotter, you can lower the temperature to 325)

You’ll need:

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups high-quality salmon

1 large egg

Stir until well combined and the mixture becomes dough-like. Flour your work surface and mold dough into a ball.  Roll out evenly with a rolling pin. Cut out shapes with a tiny cookie cutter (if not available, use a bottle cap and then cut the pieces in half if too large.)  Place on the ungreased baking sheet (I always line mine with parchment paper.) Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown (ovens vary, so check in about 15 minutes.)

DIY KITTY CONDO

Take one box big enough for a cat to fit in. Close one end and cut the flaps off on the other end.  Take an old T-shirt and pull it over the box with the neck centered over the open end. Use duct tape or safety pins to adhere the sleeves to the box.  You can tie the sleeves together or use duct tape.  Your kitty will love it!

CAT TREAT TOY

Take a 2-liter soda bottle and cut a small square on the center of the bottle, big enough for cat treats to come out.  Repeat on the other side.  Fill with your cat’s favorite treats.  This will be very entertaining for your cat as it rolls around the bottle to get the treats to come out.

Here’s information on kitten vaccinations, schedule, risks and more

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

  • Discomfort where the kitty got poked
  • Mild fever
  • Low appetite and activity
  • If the vaccine was given in the nose, your kitty may start sneezing four to seven days afterward
  • Swelling under the skin where your kitty got the vaccine. It should go away after a few weeks but consult your vet.

 

How to Be a Cat Owner when You’re not Really a Cat Person (But Your Landlord Forbids Dogs)

by | Cat Health, Featured

I’ve always said that the only people who don’t care for cats never really got close to one, but for someone who is not a cat person, keeping a cat as a pet may seem like an impossible task. It really isn’t so. When you are armed with the right information and skills, keeping a cat would not only be a wonderful experience but a beneficial one.

Cats are fun, independent, smart, curious, and very entertaining. Their sense of independence makes them quite easy to care for and relatively low-maintenance. As a new cat owner all you need to do is familiarize yourself with the basics of feeding, grooming, safety, general health, and of course, learn to love and enjoy your cats. Below are some of the essential tips any non-cat person can adapt to be a better cat keeper.

  1. Know how busy you are:

Cats may be independent by nature but they still need your help for a couple of things. Before you go ahead to adopt a cat(and always remember, ADOPT, DON’T  SHOP) you need to check if your lifestyle can make room for a feline. Cats behave differently from each other, some need a lot of attention and grooming while others can manage well on their own most of the time. The level of spare time you have will go a long way to determine the type of cat you should get. Carry out proper research before you go ahead to adopt.

  1. Choose a good veterinarian and cat sitter:

Another very important thing to do is to choose a good vet for your cat, preferably someone nearby. You can ask your cat-owning friends for recommendations on local vets or you could visit websites such as BrinFido. Ensure to ask the vet on the first checkup if there is anything that you need to be aware of.

If you work long hours outside the home then it is a good idea to adopt two cats or kittens who can keep each other company while you are away. If you’re going away for vacation, find someone you trust to come to your home to cat sit. I personally don’t recommend boarding your cat as even at the best places they may be exposed to illness and also being out of their environment is very stressful.

  1. Be sure you don’t have cat allergies.

It is very sad if a cat gets cozy in your home and then has to be returned to a shelter. You can always ask your doctor about allergy testing first if necessary.

4 Checkup and immunizations:

One of the major differences between a healthy, happy cat and a miserable one misbehaving around the house is regular medical checkups and immunizations.  The shelter you adopt from will give you the cat’s medical and immunization records so you know when to return to your own veterinarian.

  1. Get a good litter box and quality cat litter:

A good enclosed litter box will offer you and your cat the needed privacy. Also, it is important you keep the box clean, both for the comfort of the cat and that of your nose.  A cloud of low dust, clumping cat litter is highly recommended. Feeding is equally important, ensure to feed your cat with well-balanced age-appropriate food. This would help them grow properly as well as keep them healthy. If you are not sure about what to give your cat you can ask your vet or inquire from the representatives at your local pet store.

  1. Get your cat some fun toys:

Cats can be quite playful. Therefore to keep them happy you need to have a couple of playthings lying around, this could be toy mice filled with catnip, empty boxes, or feathers. It really doesn’t have to be too expensive, they can even be homemade. Basically, you just need playthings to keep your cat active, happy, and mentally occupied.

  1. Don’t be mad or worried if your cat hides from you, it is quite normal:

If this happens, all you need do is wait for him to approach you. If he doesn’t, you can try again at a later date. Leave food and water for your cat, but if he doesn’t eat for days then you may need to contact your vet for advice.

  1. Socialize with your cat often:

A notion held by some people is that cats are antisocial. This is not true, some cats may not like guests in your home and may hide, while they will be very friendly with you.  Be sure to hang out with your cat every day; over time he will get used to his environment. The best thing to do is to keep a new cat in one room for a while so it feels secure and has time to adjust to his new home before exploring the rest of the house. This article is assuming that this is your very first cat and it doesn’t have to be introduced to another cat or cats. For a new kitten, it is vital that the kitten is socialized; it is extremely important in the first few months of life as this is regarded as the prime socialization period. We’ll write more on the subject of introducing your cat to other pets in another article.

  1. Invest in a scratching post:

Cats naturally have scratching urges, so it is smart to get them a scratching post. This will save you the expense and frustration of your cat damaging your furniture.  A scratching post is an excellent way via which cats can exercise and get their daily scratching needs met. A helpful way to attract cats to the scratching post is to spray it with liquid catnip spray, available at pet stores. Don’t punish your cat if they scratch in the wrong place; praise them when they do it correctly, just take them over to the scratching post if necessary and show them what to do by placing their paws on the post and doing a scratching motion. NEVER declaw your cat. It is extremely cruel. Imagine getting the first part of each of your fingers cut off. That’s how it is for a cat. Plus, if your cat ever escapes, it is totally defenseless. I have five cats and they always use the scratching posts. Cats can definitely be trained.

  1. Remember, you can actually train your cat:

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a cat. Cats can be quite smart and are very capable of learning a lot if you reward them for behavior that you want to encourage.

Why am I like this?

by | Cat Health

Well, seriously, why am I like this? Black cats, in my humble opinion, are the best and are certainly not bad luck. Now I’d like to tell you about the most exciting time I ever had…

One day I got an opportunity to show off my beautiful self. My dad entered me in a pet show! Hehe, lucky me. I looked gorgeous with a lovely red bow if I do say so myself. The hall was beautifully lit with flashing lights which were covering every nook and corner of the place. On our entry, all the spotlights were on us and I instantly stole the show (or at least that was what dad said!). I could hear some cats hissing at each other, but I must say I was very well behaved. Every owner was quite confident that he or she is certainly going to win the prize. How delusional, I am going to win for sure!  We got a seat near the stage. I could easily judge all the little kittens before I rocked the stage with my presence.

The prime goal of the pet show was to highlight the eye-catching cats. It was like a debutante ball for cats. It began with a Birman cat. With her marvelous and booming social personality, she walked on the ramp.

Next was Balinese-Javanese Cat which was nimble but quite muscular. It is an easygoing breed with a clown-like personality. The Balinese adores people. This regal, aristocratic, intelligent cat is talkative and has a beautiful fur coat.

Next came a huge round of applause because the next cat that took the stage was a Himalayan Cat. It is a sweet and mild-tempered feline. She’s affectionate but very selective. Although she loves lazing around in your lap and being pet, she may remain reserved around guests.

Next in line was a Cornish Rex Cat that was bat-eared, big-eyed and wavy-coated. This active cat has a small, whippet-like body and loves to climb, leap and sprint.

With every passing contestant, I felt even more alive and even more conceited about my appearance.  I mean really, if you’ve got it, flaunt it! Then after a few minutes of delay, I graced the stage with my presence. At first, nobody really hooted for me but after seeing my confidence and pride, I gathered a huge round of applause and hoots from the audience. Well, even though I was most certainly the best-looking cat there, I am sorry to say that the Himalayan cat won best in the show.  I think maybe the judges needed new glasses, what do you think?

My Job as an Office Assistant

by | Cat Health

Hello, again my cat loving friends.  It’s me Tamale, with another cattail for you!  Now I know what you’re thinking…that cats are only good at two things, eating and sleeping, and occasionally being a mouser.  Nevertheless, I get fed great cat food so why on earth would I want to catch mice? Yuck!  I wanted a real job that I could do in between naps.  Well, my mom works at home so I thought she certainly could use a good office assistant.  Well, I wasn’t too confident that she’d want to hire me, even though I am perfectly willing to be paid in cat treats, so I decided to show her how effective I could be.

The first thing I did was snuggle up in her box of envelopes to keep them warm.  When she saw me she laughed but didn’t seem overly impressed.  So after racking my brain, I thought where she could really use some help is cutting up some paper.  Since I didn’t have a pair of scissors, which I couldn’t use anyway as I don’t have opposable thumbs, I started chewing on her copy paper.  Now I thought I did a great job, but wow was mom mad!  As you can see I did leave quite the mess.  So I guess I will go back to what I do best…hey, it’s nap time!  See you guys soon!