SimplyCats Vet Clinic Blog

I’ve recently been reading that music can help to calm our cats. Classical music in particular can help to soothe stressed, frightened or timid cats. The lack of percussion in classical music and the calming pace is ideal to calm our cats. Many rehoming sanctuaries play classical music in to the cattery to help ease the residents.

Studies have shown that music does help our cats to relax, and have even identified certain sounds that seem to work best, for example when classical music is playing cats have been observed lying in front of the speakers. Music must be consistently smooth, with no abrupt changes in tempo, volume or rhythm.

As you can see from the photos, my cat Maisey is definately a music fan.

Caroline

If your cat goes missing it is important to think rationally, look in cupboards, under beds, in a garage or shed. Check your cat isn’t hiding somewhere in the house, remember to look in places he/she wouldn’t normally go.

When you are certain your cat is definitely not in the house, ask neighbours if they have seen your cat. Compile an accurate description of your cat and check your cat isn’t hiding in a neighbours garage or shed. If you have a photo of your cat, show this to your neighbours as it may help to provoke a memory of seeing the cat.

Contact your local animal rescue sanctuaries. veterinary clinics, catteries, RSPCA, Cats Protection, etc. to make them aware that you have lost your cat and they can keep a record in case a cat should be brought in. You can find all these numbers in the Yellow Pages.

Put posters up in the local area, including a recent photo, description, contact details (ensure your contact number has a voice mail facility)

If you have recently moved, check your old address to see if your cat has gone back to your old address.

Most importantly please ensure your cat is wearing a collar, with a name tag on that contains your contact details and is microchipped, this is particularly important as your cat could lose a collar and then is difficult to identify, whereas if your cat is microchipped he/she can be scanned and you can be contacted.

Microchipping offers cats a safe and permanent method of identification.

A microchip contains an identification number unique to your cat, this number is then registered on a national database, an authorised person such as members of staff at SimplyCats or rehoming centres will then scan your cat, obtain your unique number and contact the national database, we can then obtain your contact details from the database.

Microchipping increases the chances of a lost cat being safely reunited with its owner and unlike a collar; a microchip doesn’t come off or put the cat at risk of injury

A microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and inserted under the cats skin between the shoulder blade. It is a quick and simple procedure, which is no more painful than an injection. Your cat will not be aware of the microchip after implantation.

Please remember to update your microchip details if you move house or change any contact details.

Claire RVN

Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat

It is estimated that 1 in 3 cats are considered overweight.

Usually the problem behind obesity is either eating too much or not exercising enough.

PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF BEING OVER-WEIGHT

Skeleton:
Extra weight places stress on the musculo-skeletal system, predisposing your cat to lower back problems, lameness and arthritis.

Blood pressure:
Obese cats also develop high blood pressure, which in turn places stress on the heart and circulatory system, leading to heart failure. High blood pressure itself leads to the possibility of organ failure, especially the heart, kidneys and liver (particularly hepatic lipidosis).

Breathing:
They may have trouble breathing through congestive heart failure or asthmatic problems.

Diabetes:
Another major problem in obese cats is diabetes. Frequently these cats are insulin resistant but if normal weight can be achieved, often the diabetes disappears.

There are many more problems associated with cat obesity and all of them put your cat at risk in another way. If your cat requires surgery, an anaesthetic is much more risky than normal, the incidence of complications is greater and the obesity itself prolongs the cat’s convalescence.

Before you start your cat on a diet it is important to book an appointment with the vet to ensure there are no medical reasons behind the weight gain, we can also weigh your cat on our digital scales to get an accurate start weight and assist you with a feeding regime.

BAD HABITS ASSOCIATED WITH WEIGHT GAIN

- Leaving your cat alone for extended periods of time
- Leaving a pile of food in the bowl for the day
- Having more than one person responsible for feeding your cat
- Giving the cat treats and snacks
- Not playing with your cat regularly

SOME HELPFUL GUIDELINES TO HEALTHY WEIGHT-LOSS:

- Assign one person in the house to feed the cat
- Do not leave food out all day
- Feed a high quality food. You get what you pay for, and cheap brands are mostly fillers, dyes and low in nutritional content. Good diet cat foods are high in fibre and rich in the right nutrients.
- Make sure there is plenty of fresh water. Diet cat food is high in fibre so your cat will inevitably feel thirstier than normal. My cats prefer to drink running water so I gently running the tap more frequently for them now.
- Give your cat a small amount of food in the morning and the balance while you eat in the evening.
- If your cat doesn’t like the diet food, introduce it gradually so he/she learns to tolerant it.
- If he/she pesters you for food, change the focus of their attention by playing with them.
- If you cat is an outdoor cat, tell your neighbours that he/she is not to be fed by them no matter how much they beg.
- Play with him/her more often, to help him work off some of the extra weight. If they are bored with their current toys, get some new ones.

Claire

Cats often like to sleep in the most unusual of place, as my cat Katie demonstrates perfectly in these photos.
She is sleeping at the foot my son’s bed on top of the duvet amongst soft toys.

Caroline

As you may have read in the Mewsletter my cat Sandy is on a weight management programme.

He had a weigh in this week and I’m pleased to say all is going well so far. He’s losing weight gradually and is loving his diet food!

He will be weighed on a monthly basis so, with some good luck and good diet in the next edition of this Mewsletter there will be more positive news to tell – watch this space!

Click here to sign up to receive the Mewsletter.

Caroline

We are looking for the region’s quirkiest cat, please send us your photos, or log on to our sister site QuirkyCats.

All submissions will be featured on the web site and a large range of prizes will be offered.

The cat who wins the first prize for best picture will then be the featured cat on a marketing campaign by SimplyCats in conjunction with the Blue Cross and other cat charities on responsible basic cat health care, how to understand your cat and recruiting cat foster carers for short term care of stray cats. The latter is funded in part by the Blue Cross and details will be posted on this web site shortly.

So what are you waiting for, get your cameras and pens rolling and then go to the Submissions Page and send us your QuirkyCats

Claire

As you may know we are holding a Blue Cross Tea Party at SimplyCats on 11th July at 1pm

The practice will be open for you to see what a cat only practice really looks like behind the scenes.

There will be lots for you to see and do. If you have any ‘bric a brac’, clothes, toys, shoes or anything at all you would like to donate to a tombola or stall please feel free to hand any donations into a member of staff at SimplyCats or contact either Claire or Caroline at SimplyCats on 0191 385 9696. Anything is gratefully appreciated no matter how small or large.

See our upcoming events section on the website for more information or pop in to speak to us.

We look forward to seeing you at the Tea Party on 11th July at 1pm.

We are holding a Blue Cross Tea Party at SimplyCats on 11th July 2009 at 1pm to raise funds for the Blue Cross.

We are holding a raffle at the Tea Party with some fantastic prizes including:

- Canvas Photo Print 1 x 16″ x 24″ or 2 x12″ x 10″ (using your own photo or photographer can be arranged)
- Free cat booster at SimplyCats
- Free cut and colour at Hair by Daniel John, Fencehouses
- Fleeces provided by Frontline
- Animal Perfume
- Hamper provided by Caffe Nero
- Bottles of Wine
- Chocolate
- Free Gym Day Passes
- Animal Perfume
- Remote control cat toys
- Cat food

Plus MANY more prizes to follow!

Raffle tickets are available at SimplyCats and at the Tea Party

Please come along and join us on 11th July, we’d love to see you

Claire York VN

Here you can see my cat Katie relaxing in the sun…., not the most conventional sunbathing spot lying in the rabbit’s hutch but she seems comfortable enough.

Caroline

 Now that summer seems to have finally arrived, it is important to consider your cat now that its getting hotter.

Once the warm weather arrives, many people change their antifreeze/water mixture. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets is highly toxic so is vital that you ensure your cat does not have access to antifreeze. If you think your cat may have ingested antifreeze, please contact SimplyCats immediately.

Cats can get sunburnt if outdoors in the sun too long, particularly pale coated cats or cats with white/pale face, ears and/or nose. Apply sunblock regularly to these areas it is important to choose a sunblock that is not harmful if ingested, ask at SimplyCats for further information. Over a period of time, exposure to the sun can cause squamous cell carcinoma, a cancer often found on the tips of the ears and nose. White cats should be kept out of direct sunlight where possible

Cats can suffer from heatstroke if they are out in the heat for too long, early symptoms of heatstroke and dehydration are:

- Panting
- Anxiety – often seen pacing
- Fast heartbeat
- Respiratory distress or hyperventilation (flat faced breeds may exhibit this earlier due to compromised airways)
- Dark red gums
- Lethargy
- Increased temperature

How to avoid heatstroke

- Keep your cat indoors in a cool interior room
- Do not allow your cat outside whilst the sun it at its hottest (between 11am and 3pm)
- Rub you cat with a damp, cool towel
- Immerse his/her feet in cool water
- Apply a cool compress under the neck
- Wrap frozen peas in a towel and placed under his/her bed for a cool place to lie
- Ensure your cat has several bowls of fresh water to drink from
- Place an ice cube in your cats water, this not only cools the water but increases your cats interest in the water
- If your cat has access to the outdoors, ensure he/she has plenty of shaded areas outside to escape the sun and cool down

If you cat shows any signs or heatstroke or you are at all concerned please contact SimplyCats immediately.

Claire York RVN