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Cat Health Topics
"Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many different ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia."
-Joseph Wood Krutch
Even though they are very independent, cats rely on their humans to provide food and shelter, medical care, and an occasional lap to sit on. Because our cats can’t tell us what is wrong, we must become good observers to know when they need our help.
Good Resources
The American Animal Hospital Association hosts an informative site. Healthy Pet provides good information on a wide variety of topics related to cat care, health and diseases, as well as behavior and training. We recommend the Library and Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here for information about common veterinary prescription and over-the-counter drugs, medications supplements and nutraceuticals listed alphabetically and by category based on usage.
The full text of many articles in this section is available in PDF format, which is quick to download. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the articles. It is available for free. |
Complimenary Medicine
Alternative medicine offers excellent options for the treatment of cats suffering from trauma, chronic conditions, or for geriatric care. Cats are so flexible they rarely need chiropractic manipulation, and they have shown excellent responses to acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Basic care
A much as we like to see you and your cat, we’d much rather see you for wellness check ups than for problems. The best way to sustain health is through good basic care. The basic recipe for cat health is common sense. Your cat needs plenty of clean fresh water, a clean litter box, nutritious food, a safe place to sleep, play time, and equally important, love and attention from its human family.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats
Outdoor living can be hazardous to your cat. Whether living in an urban, suburban or rural area, cars, parasites and viruses, and other animals all pose significant dangers. Well-fed companion cats play their own role in hunting and killing small birds and other wildlife. Overpopulation and feral cats continue to be issues as well.More and more experts are suggesting keeping your cat indoors, while providing it with outdoor amenities. A number of plants are available that are safe to chew on (instead of houseplants), interesting toys, lots of play time, or even a second cat can keep an indoor cat active, happy, and may even extend its lifespan. Outdoor enclosures furnished with climbing trees, places to sleep and hide, also give cats who love the outdoors a safe way to enjoy it.
"Once I was surprised to see a cat walking along the stony shore of the pond, for they rarely wander so far from home. The most domestic cat, which has lain on a rug all her days, appears quite at home in the woods, and by her stealthy behavior, proves herself more native there than the regular inhabitants."
-Henry David Thoreau, WaldenMicrochip - permanent identification to bring lost pets home
Microchip identification involves injecting a small, polymer-coated device under the skin or in the muscle of animals. It is about one centimeter long, and the diameter of a pencil lead. The chip can be scanned to detect a nine-digit number that identifies the pet. Once the number is read, a phone call provides the information needed to contact the owner and reunite a lost pet.
Read more »Vaccinations
Vaccinations are the single most important step you can take to protect your cat or kitten against life-threatening diseases. A young kitten must receive a series of vaccinations in order to achieve protective immunity. This series is necessary due to immaturity of kittens’ immune systems. The boosters that come later in the series are very important because they stimulate long-lasting immunity.What to do if your cat is lost
- Start looking right away! The sooner you start, the better your chances of finding your pet.
- Check with neighbors. Always look for cats in garages.
- Call shelters near you if your pet is missing more than 24 hours. Be sure to file a missing pet report.
- Post ‘lost pet’ flyers in your neighborhood. Describe characteristics of our pet and use pictures.
- Advertise in local papers.
- Watch for found ads in papers and on neighborhood bulletin boards.
- Visit shelters near you at least every three days or you could miss your pet!
- Don’t give up—it may take months.
- When your pet is found call the shelter and file a found pet report.
- Don’t wait until your pet is lost. Get ID tags, licenses, and microchips now.
Additional articles about basic cat care:
Behavior & Training
Contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained. Just think of your cat’s ways of asking to be fed at mealtimes, and her response to the sound of a can of food being opened. Training provides benefits to both pet and pet owner as it enables our cats to harmonize with our way of living.
"Of all God’s creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat, it would vastly benefit the man, but deteriorate the cat."
-Mark Twain
Two articles and a link cover topics including introducing a new cat to the house, urination in the house, learning to walk on a leash, moving to a new house, eating plants, scratching, biting and kneading.
Breeding & Queening
There is nothing cuter than a baby of any species. A responsible discussion of breeding must also call attention to the hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens euthanized each year due to lack of homes. If your cat demonstrates excellent breed characteristics and you have decided to breed, be sure to schedule an exam with your veterinarian beforehand.
Queening
Cats become sexually mature at six months of age. The signs of heat are howling, wanting to go outside, and lifting the hindquarters in the air. Generally, most cats in our area cycle about every three weeks, from late January through early October. It is important to remember that a nursing cat with a litter of kittens will continue with normal heat cycles. The gestation period is approximately sixty-three days.
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Orphan Kittens
It is very hard to find a foster mother to adopt a litter of kittens. If one does find a foster mother, she must be producing milk and have kittens born around the same time. If not, then you will need to be their mother for the next six to eight weeks.
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Common Diseases & Conditions
Becoming familiar with your cat’s normal behavior will make it easier to determine when she isn’t feeling well. Understanding common diseases and conditions in cats also prepares you to make decisions about your cat’s health. It is helpful to observe your cat’s behavior when she isn’t feeling well so you can describe it to your veterinarian. The articles presented here are designed to inform you about issues, not substitute for veterinary care.
"Cats exercise . . . a magic influence upon highly developed men of intellect. This is why these long-tailed Graces of the animal kingdom, these adorable, scintillating electric batteries have been the favorite animal of Mohammed, Cardinal Richlieu, Crebillon, Rousseau, Wieland."
-Leopold Von Sacher-MasochFeline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a deadly viral disease that kills more than half a million cats a year in this country. There is no effective treatment or cure for FIP, but prevention is possible through vaccination.Fleas
Fleas are common biting pests that annoy pets and people, as well as transmitting diseases and parasites such as tapeworm. It is difficult to eliminate fleas from your animals’ environment if they spend time outdoors. With persistence and a regular flea control routine, their pesky presence can be greatly reduced both on your animals and in your home. Your veterinarian can provide you with information, suggestions, and products for controlling fleas on your animal and in your home.Internal Parasites
There are several common parasites in cats and dogs, some of which infect humans as well. A clean environment helps control parasite infestation. Fresh water, clean bowls, clean litter boxes and a clean yard are very important in controlling worms, and should be attended to daily. Have your cat’s stool checked for parasites at least once a year. Deworming may also be done at this time.
Read more »Thyroid Testing and Protocol
When a cat is tested for high thyroid, (there are a variety of tests, always including T4, sometimes including TSH, T3, Free T4, Free T3) and supplementation has been initiated, there should be a retest after four weeks of supplementation to determine appropriateness of dosage.At a minimum, T4 levels should be rechecked yearly, and before the prescription will be refilled. All retests should be done six hours after morning dosing. Any patient who has been off supplementation for any reason should be back on for one week before doing a re-check test. Refills will be provided for up to 250 tablets as long as the period for rechecking T4 has not lapsed.
Two links with additional information:
- Common diseases found in cats (alphabetical list)
- Urethral Obstruction
Dentistry
Gum (or periodontal) disease is one of the most common problems seen by veterinarians today. Besides bad breath, gum disease can lead to loss of appetite, weight loss, serious generalized infections, and even heart and kidney disease. The problems begin when plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on a pet’s teeth. Plaque harbors the bacteria, which can lead to infection.
Read more »
Euthanasia
There is never a good time to lose a loved one. We hope that our animals will die peacefully in their sleep. In reality, we must sometimes make decisions about ending their lives, decisions we may not feel ready or qualified to make, but must do nevertheless.
Many people want their vet to tell them when it is time to put their animal to sleep. Your veterinarian can assist you by providing information about your animal’s health and prognosis, but ultimately, you must make the decision. It is up to you to decide what time and place will be right for you and your animal.
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Consider a hospice approach to the end of your cat’s life. There are many resources to help in saying goodbye. Read more about loss and euthanasia.
Final care of the body is up to you. Several options are available to choose from. You may leave your cat with the vet for cremation or disposal, bury at home (if permitted in your area) or in a pet cemetary, and cremation. Most animal hospitals offer private and communal cremations. After a week or two you will be able to pick up a small urn with your pet’s ashes to keep, scatter, or bury as you wish.
Nutrition
The fundamentals of nutrition are ample clean water and quality food. There are a wide variety of canned and dry kibble products available. The quality varies, and many products have been developed to treat specific conditions. Your veterinarian can help you determine if a special diet would benefit your dog. Many people find that homemade diets (not table scraps) are a healthy and economical alternative to commercially prepared food. Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM offers many approaches to balanced, homemade diets.
Obesity
A growing number of companion animals in the U.S. are above their ideal weight, or obese. As in humans, we know this creates the risk for other health problems.How to tell if your cat is overweight: place your thumbs in the middle of its back and let your fingers drop down to feel the ribs. If the ribs are easy to feel under a slight layer of muscle and fat, your cat is probably at the correct weight. If the ribs are difficult to feel with a thick layer of fat in between, your cat may be overweight. If you can not feel the ribs at all because of a thick layer of fat, your cat is probably obese.
It is important to pay attention to signs of weight gain because it can be the first signal of heart, kidney or glandular disease. Your veterinarian can help you make a weight loss plan for your dog. Read about Fat Cats & Pudgey Pooches
Managing Overweight Pets
The general approach for treating an overweight pet is to lower caloric intake and increase the energy output (exercise). This can be accomplished by feeding a high-fiber, low-fat, low-calorie food and beginning an exercise program with your cat (play time). If your cat is in poor health, be sure to check if exercise is appropriate. Consult with your vet about making dietary changes because overweight cats can become severely ill if their diet is too restricted.Successful weight loss should be maintained by appropriate feeding and exercise as well as periodic checkups with your veterinarian. Losing weight will not only improve your cat’s appearance and health, but will increase her enjoyment and length of life.
Supplements & Nutraceuticals
More information about Supplements & Nutraceuticals (from the AAHA)
Old age
Pets are a lifetime commitment, and the later years of your cat’s life can be some of the sweetest times you will have with your feline family member. By adjusting your cat’s care to meet its changing needs, Kitty can live comfortably with you for years. Managing and caring for certain conditions poses greater challenges, but in many cases is well within the scope of a concerned pet owner.
"I have met many thinkers and many cats, but the wisdom of cats is infinitely superior."
-Hippolyte Taine
Spaying & Neutering - Compelling Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Cat
Spaying a female cat eliminates the heat cycle. Cats are usually in heat for about 21 days twice a year. Spaying your female cat stops unwelcome visitors and unexpected litters of kittens. Neutering a male cat reduces the urge to roam in search of a mate which in turn reduces the risk of fights, injury, poisoning, or traffic accidents. There is a bigger reason: only one in ten of the 2,000 – 3,500 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. every hour find a permanent home. That amounts to more than 30 million a year.
"If a fish is the movement of water embodied, given shape, then cat is a diagram and pattern of subtle air."
-Doris Lessing, Particularly Cats
Surgery
In veterinary medicine surgery is used for biopsies, diagnosis, and the treatment and prevention of disease. As in any medical procedure, rigorous hygiene is critical, and follow up monitoring and pain control are important for both the comfort and recovery of the patient.
There are many different types of surgery. Elective procedures are scheduled in advance, including diagnostic or exploratory surgery, spaying or neutering, and hernia repair. Emergency surgeries cannot wait. They include abdominal obstructions, caesarian sections, and certain fractures. Orthopedic surgeries are performed on the musculoskelatal system, such as fracture repairs. Soft tissue surgeries treat body systems other than the bones and muscles.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery uses a non-contact mode that leaves no bruising, crushing, or tearing
after making an incision. The laser simply incises through tissue while sealing blood
vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerve cells, which ultimately results in less blood
loss, reduced post-surgery swelling, and less discomfort and pain. When laser surgery
is used for soft tissue procedures such as tumor removals, oral mass removals, eye
surgeries, ear procedures, cat declaws, and many more soft tissue applications, the
physical and mental trauma associated with these procedures is greatly reduced. In
addition to these benefits, the laser beam sterilizes as it cuts, reducing the
incidents of post-operative infections.
"And he went back through the Wet Wild Woods, waving his wild tail and walking by his wild lone. But he never told anybody."
- Rudyard Kipling, "The Cat that Walked by Himself"
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