Author: David

Bladder stones in cats are rock-like bits of minerals that form in the bladder. The correct name for them is “uroliths.” But a bladder stone by any name is a pain for your cat.

The stones may be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a pea. The most common idea for why these stones are formed is called the “precipitation-crystallization theory.” This simply means that there are elevated levels of stone- forming minerals in the cat’s urine. The trickier question is why. It may be due to diet, disease or an infection. In any case, these crystals do not get broken down in the urine. Instead they build-up into a rock and mineral collection no kitty wants to own. Talk to your veterinarian about treatment options!

If your cat shows signs of straining in the litter box, or if you see blood in the urine, it might be a sign of feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD. This disease is actually a collection of conditions that affect the bladder and urethra of cats.

Cats with FLUTD experience pain and have difficulty when urinating. They might also lick themselves excessively in an attempt to sooth the area. Another classic sign is when fluffy urinates outside the litter box on a cool, smooth surface.

FLUTD tends to affect middle-age, overweight, indoor cats that don’t get much exercise, and a dry diet may be a factor. It’s a serious illness, especially for male cats, so check with your veterinarian about treatment as soon as you notice something’s up!

Cat owners cringe when a pet is diagnosed with feline leukemia because this viral disease is often fatal. It can leave its victims in such a debilitated state that they die of secondary infections or related illnesses such as kidney disease, blood disorders, or cancer. Shed in saliva, nasal secretions, urine, and feces, feline leukemia is also highly contagious – cats can become infected through bite wounds or social grooming.

Currently, there’s no cure for feline leukemia, so the best preventative measure you can take is to have your cat tested and then vaccinated for the disease. The other option is to keep him indoors where he cannot come into contact with potentially-infected cats.

Your heart goes out to a sick kitty and you decide to take him home. You’re doing the little guy a favor — but you could be endangering your other pets. So make sure to take appropriate precautions.

First, make sure that all of your pets are properly vaccinated, and that the kitten’s illness is being treated. Then, when the cat arrives, do not allow the animals to share food dishes or litterboxes. In fact, the best thing is to keep the sick cat isolated from your other pets. It will not only help protect your other animals, but will help minimize stress for the sick kitty while she heals.

Ask your Veterinarian about how the kitten’s disease is transmitted. He or she will be able to provide you with any additional precautions.

By four weeks of age, kittens have their incisors, the 12 small teeth in the front of the mouth. At six weeks, all 26 deciduous teeth are in.

Kitten teeth should be white and clean, with the upper incisors meeting the lower incisors evenly. The gums and mouth tissue should be pink, or dark if pigmented; a pale color is a sign of anemia.

If possible, accustom your kitten to having its teeth cleaned on a regular basis at home. Gently rub the pet’s teeth with your finger. As she learns to accept this, use a soft cloth or a child’s soft toothbrush dipped in a solution of baking soda and water or use a toothpaste especially for dogs and cats. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans. Because cats swallow rather than spit out the preparation, this can cause stomach upset.

Occasionally a kitten will retain some deciduous (baby) teeth after the permanent teeth have appeared. This may damage the soft tissues of the mouth and may even accelerate wear of permanent teeth. A veterinarian should be consulted to determine whether or not removal is necessary.

Oral Hygiene

Inspect your cat’s mouth regularly for tartar buildup or a condition of the gums and brush your cat’s teeth with the proper brush and toothpaste (made specifically for cats) once or twice a week. Consult with your veterinarian about the correct home-cleaning process or professional cleaning.

Dry, crunchy foods can be helpful in keeping teeth clean by scraping against the teeth and acting like a toothbrush to help remove plaque. Still, there is no substitute for regular dental care.

Dental Problems

Lesions on your cat’s gums or foul-smelling breath can be early warning signs of a potential problem. The most common dental problems cats experience result from plaque and calculus buildup. If left unchecked, plaque and calculus buildup can eventually cause inflammation of both the gums (gingivitis) and the membrane lining of the tooth socket (periodontitis).

The infection resulting from these conditions may spread to other parts of the body such as the kidneys or valves of the heart.

Dental problems may also result from injury, foreign bodies such as porcupine quills or foxtail, malnutrition or systemic health conditions that infect the mouth as well as other parts of the body.

Common warning signs of dental problems in cats include:

• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Drooling
• Bad breath
• Loss of appetite
• Dark spots on molars
• Raised sores in mouth

Cats and Dangerous Greenery

A cat who nibbles household plants may suffer from oral problems not related to a periodontal health condition. Diffenbachia, or “dumb cane,” can cause severe irritation and ulceration to a cat’s mouth. The cat may salivate and have trouble swallowing. Prompt veterinary attention is needed.  For a more complete list of plants that are dangerous to cats, consult your veterinarian.

Cats may or may not have nine lives. But when it comes to getting kitty vaccinated, why take chances? Your kitten should see a veterinarian to start a series of vaccinations by the time she is eight weeks of age. All kittens should receive vaccines for rabies, upper respiratory infections, and feline panleukopenia or distemper. A vaccination against feline leukemia virus is also a good idea if your cat will be spending time outside.

Whether or not your kitten needs shots for other diseases is up to your veterinarian. He or she will consider the risk of infection to your cat – where she lives and the other cats she’s exposed to – as well as the safety and effectiveness of each vaccine.

All pets need a veterinarian, but it can be hard to know which one to choose. So look for qualifications, experience, and references. Ask plenty of questions such as: Are the office hours convenient? Do you keep detailed records on every patient? Do the doctors take courses to keep their medicine up to date? How do you handle emergencies?

It’s also important to look around the clinic. Check to see if it looks like a clean and safe environment. And of course, ask other pet owners for their recommendations. Your veterinarian should be someone you can rely on, so trust your instincts. If you’re uneasy about someone, keep looking. Don’t settle for a veterinarian that you don’t feel good about.

Through body language and demeanor your cat is a skilled communicator. Here’s how to read the non-verbal messages your cat is communicating:

On Patrol Of Her Territory

1. Perked ears indicate curiosity
2. Tail provides balance
3. Whiskers measure width
4. Sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance with a distinct smell
5. Paws planted firmly and confidently on the ground
6. Paw pads act as shock absorbers

Ready To Take Action

1. Tail acts as a counterbalance as center of gravity shifts forward
2. Smooth body fur indicates confidence
3. Forward ears show assertiveness
4. Dilated pupils indicate excitement
5. Concentrated expression
6. Hind legs bent, ready for action

Relaxed and Content

1. Each whisker is used for sensory perception
2. Direct eye contact demonstrates trust
3. Tail in relaxed position
4. Slanted eyes indicate contentment
5. Nose pad receptors
6. Ears always attentive