Kitty Health

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OBESITY ~~ Overweightness is harmful to joints, the heart and the lungs. The obese cat becomes lethargic. Overweightness is almost always caused by overeating. A low-calorie diet with vitamin and mineral supplements should be started and strictly adhered to.

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EXERCISE ~~ Docile cats or those who are kept indoors become fat and flabby and have less resistance to fatigue and illness. Exercise is a necessity.

Over half the cats veterinarians see every year are overweight, many obese. Being overweight has some serious consequences for cats, just as it does for people. The average lifespan of an obese pet is years shorter than that of pets who stay slim and trim. Weight related diseases include arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, bladder problems and many types of cancer.

Make sure your cat gets the exercise he needs. If he tends to be lazy, get him up and moving with a game of chase the string or roll the wad of paper. How often does your cat really cut loose and RUN? Probably not often enough.

If your cat is already overweight he'll need a playtime exercise program and/or a restricted calorie diet.

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SCURVY ~~ A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. It may strike cats that have had deficient diets and strays at all ages. One of the symptom is the ease that blood vessels break; sometimes there is ulceration of the gums and anemia. Treatment is by a diet rich in vitamin C (raw liver, milk, vegetables, vitamin C supplements) and medicines as prescribed by the vet.

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RICKETS ~~ is a disease that attacks the skeleton, resulting in deformations. Symptoms of rickets appear especially in young cats as the result of an insufficient amount of vitamin D or defective diet. In kittens it results in crooked legs and curvature of the spine. Spontaneous fractures and a tendency to pick up diseases may characterize an animal with rickets. In treatment and prevention, the diet should include milk, soft cheeses, minerals, and vitamin D in addition to meat. An all-meat diet creates an imbalance in the calcium/phosphorous ratio. However, there is more danger in overdosing vitamin D.

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GINGIVITIS ~~ An inflammation of the gums caused by tartar on the teeth, spoiled foods, medicines not tolerated by the cat, or tooth cavities. There may be swelling, bleeding and pus. Treatment is by local disinfection.

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PNEUMONIA ~~ An acute virus infection of the lungs caused by a severe cold in a weak animal. It is often associated with bronchitis and pleurisy. Symptoms include high fever, dry cough, difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite. The disease attacks young cats particularly. Treatment by the vet includes injections of antibiotics and the administration of expectorants. Convalescence in a warm environment takes about one month. This disease is caused by an organism called Chlamydia psittici. The clinical signs are similar to those of rhinotracheitis, but often less severe. Infection with this organism may produce conjunctivitis and mild sneezing.

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FLEAS~~ These external parasites can be pests for you and your cat. Many cats are allergic to flea saliva, which causes an intense pruritis (itch) and secondary bacterial infection. This is called flea allergy dermatitis. Fleas are also capable of transmitting tapeworms to cats. Fleas on the cat can be controlled with various flea prevention products.

Be sure to use products that are safe for your cat, and consult your veterinarian for proper flea control.

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ROUNDWORM ~~ A parasitic worm resembling round spaghetti that may cause illness, particularly in young, old or weakened cats.
Routing worming should be followed as a preventative

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TAPEWORM ~~ The adult tapeworm lives in the small intestine of the dog or cat. It is hooked onto the intestinal wall by a structure called a rostellum which is sort of like a hat with hooks on it. The tapeworm also has six rows of teeth to grab on with. Most people are confused about the size of a tapeworm because they only see its segments which are small; the entire tapeworm is usually 6 inches or more.

Tapeworm Facts
Dogs and cats can be infested with two types of tapeworms. Fleas carry the most common type, and rodents carry the less common type. Tapeworm segments are often visible on the surface of your pet’s stool. They usually appear as short (1/2-3/4”), flat, white particles, that when first passed are mobile; or they may be passed still connected in a long, flat string. Dry segments may stick to your pet’s hair, and look similar to a grain of rice.

Until recently, the only effective control has required a prescription. However, this drug (Praziquantel) is now available without a prescription, and is 100% effective in ridding your pet of both types of tapeworms