You are viewing entries tagged 'disease'.
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An ear mite infestation is misery for your cat. The constant itching and noise as they move around in the ear canal makes cats scratch their ears and shake their heads. The scratching leads to pain and inflammation. If your cat has coffee-ground-like gunk in her ears, she almost certainly has ear mites. The most common treatment for ear mites is a special medicine prescribed by your vet. Anecdotal evidence suggests that spot-on parasite prevention medications containing fipronil can kill adult mites and prevent infestation; ask your vet about this. Because the mites can live outside the ears and sometimes even on the feet, your vet might suggest a special shampoo. Untreated ear mite infestation can lead to inner ear infections and hearing loss.
Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people. |
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Cat owners who learn that their feline friend tests positive for the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) often worry that their cat is doomed to a short and painful life. However, well cared-for
FIV-positive cats can live up to 12 years, and there are stories of FIV-positive cats living 20 years or more with no symptoms of any
severe disease. Many vets say that because FIV is transmitted almost exclusively by bite wounds, FIV-positive and negative cats can live together as long as they have a peaceful relationship. FIV-positive cats do require special care, stress management, excellent nutrition, and treatment of illnesses. For more information, check out this article about FIV from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people. |
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Although most people think of Lyme disease as a human illness, cats can get it too. It is caused by bacteria carried by the deer tick. If your cat goes outdoors, she may come home with ticks. And if the tick stays attached for more than 10 hours, the bacteria will be transmitted to your cat.
Symptoms of Lyme disease don’t show up until a week or two. These symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms, rash, painful or stiff muscles and joints, fatigue, loss of appetite, and even sudden collapse.
If your cat has been bitten by a tick and you see any of these symptoms, contact your vet and get a blood test. The condition is easily treatable with antibiotics if it’s caught early.
Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people. |
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Also called Hepatic Lipidosis, fatty liver disease is an illness that only affects obese cats – lean cats are not at risk for it. In an obese cat, the liver is already damaged by fat that has accumulated around it. As obligate carnivores who must eat meat, cats’ bodies cannot naturally process unnatural carbs, which turn into stored fat. Higher protein diets will enable the body to “package” the fat and remove it from the liver, as well as other locations in the body.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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Four years ago, our cat Schmeckie (unique name, I know) suddenly became paralyzed in her back legs. She started screaming, obviously very much in pain. There was no known trauma – she had been healthy moments before. It turned out Schmeckie had Saddle Thrombosis. In S.T., a blood clot sticks at the split in the aorta by the hind legs. Sometimes, if immediately rushed into surgery, the cat can be saved but paralysis will probably remain. About 1/3 of cats with S.T. die. Schmeckie was one of them.
There is no certain prevention for S.T. but having your cat checked for heart disease on a regular basis may help. If it does strike, don’t blame yourself. It is known as the “silent killer in cats” for a reason. |
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Before starting a new diet, talk to your vet if you have any doubts about your cat’s health and whether or not she can safely go a day where she might refuse the new food. Cats with cancer, diabetes, thyroid issues, or kidney damage – or very old cats – cannot run the risk of going without food. Your vet will tell you if your cat needs to make that diet switchover very swiftly. The issue isn’t whether your cat can benefit from the better diet, but how to make the transition to the new improved food quickly, without putting strain on her system during the switchover that might entail fasting as a reaction to the new food. |
and doesn’t stop. She starts meowing and then cuts it off xD