SimplyCats Vet Clinic Blog

This month at SimplyCats one of the main topics of conversation amongst the vets has been a shift in our approach to vaccination. In the ongoing battle to protect our pets against disease, our understanding of vaccination protection is constantly changing as new technologies emerge to combat new viral strains and their changing behaviour. To keep in line with the latest thinking we will now be using the PUREVAX feline vaccination range at SimplyCats.
 
We thought this would be a good opportunity to touch on the subject of what your vet is actually doing when you bring your pet in for a health check and vaccination.
 

Often referred to as a “booster”, we think it is important to impress that this annual visit to the vet is for more than just an injection. We should be thinking of it more as an Annual Medical Exam AND a vaccination.
 
Your vet does not get to see your cat very often (hopefully!) so this maybe the only opportunity to have face to face time with you and your pet and to perform a hands-on clinical examination.
 
This is important:

to detect the early signs of any health problems that your cat maybe hiding from you

to discuss any routine health issues commonly associate with ageing (such as weight gain and dental disease)

to monitor any ongoing health problems if your cat is under regular treatment

to allow your vet practice to dispense vet-only medicinal products (such as vet-only flea and worm treatments) throughout the year.
 
It is also a great opportunity for you to bring up any issues or oddities concerning your cat’s well being or behaviour, that are maybe nothing to worry about, or that may require further attention.

Just a quick photo to share with you of Oliver, our vet Sarah’s new baby. He went to Caffe Nero in Durham for his first family meal out. I think he would prefer his milk to coffee though! He’s so cute!

As we all probably know, cats can be quite particular about what is in their food bowl. Most cats will have a favourite food, texture or flavour and will often turn their nose up at anything different.

Remember – fussy eaters are made not born.

Bad habits are easier prevented than cured.

By swapping and changing your cat’s routine or by tempting them with titbits if they reject a food in their bowl. They will quickly learn how to manipulate you into feeding them the tastier food rather than a healthy and balanced diet.

Think about it from your cat’s point of view, if you were rewarded with a treat every time you didn’t eat, what would you do?

To avoid fussy cats, it is best to stick to a routine.

Is your cat really being fussy?

Sometimes, fussiness is more down to the way you serve food rather than the food itself.

Cats generally prefer to eat in private and don’t appreciate an audience. Try and provide some privacy for your cat at meal times.

- Ensure your cat’s bowl is clean. Several cats will not eat out of a bowl that has some old food in it. Try and get into the habit of washing the food and water bowls after every use.

- If your cat usually eats dry food but has become fussy, you may have to replace the food. Dry food absorbs moisture and therefore becomes stale, particularly in warm weather.

- If your cat usually eats wet (tinned/pouched food) it may be because it is cold. Cold wet food doesn’t have much smell, and cats often won’t eat what they cant smell. Wet food can be made more appealing by warming it up until warm to “mouse temperature” (warm to the touch) this releases the aroma and therefore stimulates the cats appetite.

- If your cat has access to outside, he/she may be having an unscheduled snack on the other side of the cat flap and come dinnertime he/she just may not be hungry.

- Cat’s don’t have psychological eating disorders and unless there is an underlying reason for a lack of appetite, your cat will most likely eat when they get really hungry. When your cat does eventually eat, offer lots of praise and affection as soon as they have finished eating.

 - If your cat continues to be fussy try an alternative high quality cat food, often a change in recipe will prompt your cat into eating again.

Some questions to ask yourself when thinking about your cat’s eating habits.

- Where is your cat’s food is positioned, is it near a busy thoroughfare or next to the washing machine? 

- Does your cat get bullied when eating by other cats/dog/children?

- Is the food on a raised level and is there an easy way for arthritic cats to get to their food?

- What type of material is your cat’s bowl made out of? Cats do not appreciate plastic bowls as they can taste the residue, they prefer ceramic, glass or even metal bowls. The larger surface area the better.

- Is your cat’s food bowl next to the water bowl? Food and water should always be placed in seperate areas, and do not feed from a “double diner” as your cat can be put off the food by the presence of water and will drink more water if food is not near by. In the wild if a cat catches food in the wild near a water supply, the act of killing and dismembering the food will lead to contamination of the water, so cat’s will always seek out another water source.

It is important to remember that if your cat refuses to eat for 24 hours or more, contact us at SimplyCats for an urgent appointment. Refusal or reluctance to eat can indicate a serious complaint and dental problems.

If you notice your cat’s gums are red or swollen, or if the breath is unpleasant please ask us at SimplyCats for a dental examination.

 Claire

June is microchipping month at SimplyCats and as a result we are offering microchips at a reduced cost. This procedure usually costs £20 but throughout the month of June we are offering microchipping at £15.

For further information about microchipping please click here or contact the surgery.

You can sleep as soundly as Naz knowing your cat is microchipped should he/she go missing

Claire

If you have ever had a cavity or dental work done, you know how uncomfortable and inconvenient it can be. For humans, caring for our teeth is something we do almost automatically. Since cats are unable to brush their own teeth and, like humans, do not have a natural, built-in way to keep teeth clean, it falls on you to maintain your cat’s dental health.

Veterinary research indicates that dental disease, in its various forms, is the number one health issue in feline medicine and about 70% of cats over the age of three have some kind of dental problem. Fortunately for your cat, dental disease is preventable!

When I got Piglet she had slight tartar on her canines and molars, and ideally needed a scale and polish. I decided to let her settle in first before undergoing any dental work.

Scale and polish is the most common dental procedure performed on cats. Generally, the process takes about an hour. General anesthesia is required for any kind of veterinary dental work.

Piglet is currently fed Purina Housecat dry food and she loves it, I can’t get it into her bowl quick enough I also use Logical Oral gel on her teeth once daily, or as often as I get a chance to do it. 8 weeks later I checked her teeth and the tartar has almost all gone from her teeth and she now doesn’t need a dental.

Not all cats will be as lucky as Piglet and find their tartar breaks down completely but it just goes to show that  a dental routine really does make a difference to your cat’s oral hygiene.

Claire

Cat separation anxiety requires behaviour modification and desensitisation to soothe upset feelings and reverse problem behaviors. Cats may go for years without issues, and then suddenly act out when your routine changes. Holidays can also trigger feline separation anxiety.

Scented Comfort

Like dogs with the same condition, cats may cry and become upset as you prepare to leave. More often, they don’t react to your departure. They wait and become stressed once left alone, and urinate and defecate on owner-scented objects—most typically the bed. The familiar scent of their own bathroom deposits actually comforts them, and reduces feelings of stress. Of course, these unwelcome “gifts” increase owner stress levels. And while angry reaction is understandable, your upset feelings increase the cat’s anxiety even more. Cats don’t misbehave to get back at you because you left.

Desensitize and Counter-Condition

Cats pay exquisite attention to the details of their lives. They’ll often recognize subtle clues that you’re preparing to leave long before you realize. A cat may figure out that you always freshen your lipstick just before you leave. Repeating these cues takes away their power.

• Place a catnip mouse inside the suitcase, and turn it into a playground. That conditions them to identify the suitcase as a happy place, rather than associating it with your absence.
• Use behavior modification techniques so the triggers lose their power. Pick up the car keys 50 times a day, and then set them down. Carry your bag around for an hour or more. When you repeat cues often enough, your cat stops caring about them and will remain calm when you do leave.
• Pretend to leave by opening the door and going in and out 20 or more times in a row until the cat ignores you altogether. Then extend your “outside” time to one minute, three minutes, five minutes and so on before returning inside. This gradual increase in absence helps build the cat’s tolerance and desensitizes her to departures. It also teaches her that no matter how long you’re gone, you will always return.

Reducing Distress

Most problem behaviors take place within 20 minutes after you leave. The length of time you’re absent doesn’t seem to make much difference. Find ways to distract the cat during this critical twenty minutes.

• Ask another family member to interact with the cat during this time. Using favourite toys and treats to keep the cat occupied whilst you are away.
• About 1/3rd of cats react strongly, another 1/3rd react mildly, and the last 1/3rd don’t react at all to catnip. If your feline goes bonkers for this, leave a catnip treat to keep her happy when you leave. Using catnip every day can reduce its effects, though, so use this sparingly.
• Food oriented cats can be distracted with a food-puzzle toy with a favorite treat. Make it irresistible and something totally different than her usual food.
• Some cats enjoy watching videos of fluttering birds, squirrels and other critters. Alternately, find a nature television show and tune in for your cat’s viewing pleasure.
• Playing familiar music that they associate with your presence can help ease the pain of you being gone.
• In addition, research has shown harp music works as a natural relaxant, and actually puts cats to sleep.

Kidney failure is one of the most common health problems suffered by cats, particularly as they grow older.

There are two types of kidney disease:

Chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure can occur in cats of any age, but is most commonly seen in middle to old-aged cats, and it becomes increasingly common with age. It has been estimated that around one in five cats over 15 years of age has renal failure. In general, chronic renal failure is seen about three times more frequently in cats than it is in dogs.

Acute kidney disease

This refers to sudden damage to the kidneys and is usually as a result of trauma, posioning, infection or blockages caused by lower urinary tract disease. Signs are often sudden and severe and unless immediate treament is sought, the condition can rapidly become fatal. Unfortunately acute kidney disease may often lead to chronic kidney disease.

 What do the kidneys do?

 The kidneys are vital organs that filter excess fluid and waste products from the body. Blood flows through the kidneys where filtering units called nephrons remove or conserve water, minerals and electrolytes from the body, keeping them in balance. The extra fluids and harmful waste products that the kidneys filter out of the blood are eliminated in the urine. The kidneys have additional important functions including the production of certain hormones and regulating blood pressure. So when a cat’s kidneys are diseased and not functioning properly, it has a great impact on overall health and well-being.

Kidney disease in cats

Kidney (renal) disease in cats is normally a gradual process that results in irreversible damage to the kidneys over time. The decrease in healthy, functioning kidney tissue leads to the loss of water and important substances the body needs, and causes accumulation of toxins and excess minerals that the body would normally get rid of.

Causes of kidney disease

Kidney disease may be brought on by underlying causes, such as:

•Metabolic and immune disorders
•Genetic disease
•Infections or chronic inflammation
•Cancer

Regardless of the underlying cause, kidney disease tends to progress, or worsen over time, and leads to the build up of harmful waste products in the body and an imbalance of minerals, such as phosphorus.

When the kidneys do not function properly, phosphorus is not eliminated as it normally would be, resulting in increased phosphorus levels in the body. Increased phosphorus levels in the body can lead to mineral deposits in the kidneys and other organs and worsen the kidney disease. The control of phosphorus is one of the most critical factors in the ongoing management of kidney disease, helping protect the kidneys and other organs from further damage.

Symptoms of kidney disease

The signs of kidney disease are often non-specific and subtle, especially early in the disease. These symptoms are generally related to the under-functioning kidneys’ ability perform important functions such as eliminating waste products and maintaining water and mineral balance.

Cats often become dehydrated and lose weight because they lose their appetite. Changes as subtle as a drop in weight since the last visit to the vets or your cat making more trips to the water bowl or litter box may be the only initial signs of an underlying problem.
Typical symptoms of kidney disease in cats may include:

•Reduced appetite
•Increased thirst/urination
•Sleeping more
•Decreased activity
•Weight loss

Some cats may suddenly appear to become ill but have had kidney disease for some time, showing few or very subtle signs of a problem. This is why it’s so important to have your older cat regularly evaluated for normal kidney function.
Because of the tremendous reserve of the kidneys cats will not show outward signs of disease until 75% or more of the kidney function is lost

 How is kidney disease diagnosed?

Kidney disease can be diagnosed through examination and testing by your vet.

To diagnosis kidney disease, urine and blood samples are taken for laboratory testing. These tests will identify if there are problems with the kidneys’ ability to concentrate the urine properly and if there are waste products building up in the blood, as well as the presence of mineral and electrolyte imbalances. Additional tests such as blood cell counts and measuring blood pressure can identify other problems related to kidney dysfunction.

Because the early signs of kidney disease are often very subtle and cats are good at hiding illness in general, it’s important to have your cat checked periodically for kidney disease and other geriatric diseases.

Ideally, cats 7 years of age or older should be screened for any early indications of kidney dysfunction on at least a yearly basis. The earlier kidney disease is diagnosed the earlier steps can be taken to improve and prolong your cat’s life.

Caring for a cat with kidney failure

 An excellent guide which explains what a diagnosis of kidney failure means and how best to manage this. All aspects of care are discussed with information on all of the available treatment options. The case study included shows how treatment can be highly successful, even in very serious cases, with many patients living for years after a diagnosis of kidney failure is made.

Click here to view more books by Cat Professional

Claire

Some tips on keeping your cat as safe as possible over the festive season

1. Young kittens may chew through new and interesting items such as electrical wires for your fairy lights. Keep these lights secure and away from your cat.
2. Never give your cat cooked chicken or turkey bones. These bones can splinter and become lodged in your cat’s throat or puncture the intestines and stomach.
3. Chocolate is toxic to cats. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic. Chocolate contains both caffeine and theobromine which are both toxic to cats. If you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate monitor for signs of restlesness and vomiting and contact the vet immediately.
4. Many holiday foods are too rich for cats to eat. Foods that are out of the ordinary can cause stomach upsets
5. Holiday decorations such as ribbon and tinsel can cause problems if your cat ingests them. This is more common with cats that like to play with string. Cats that ingest the ribbon or tinsel can develop a foreign body. This type of foreign body may cause the intestine to fold on itself, like an accordion; this in turn causes a lack of circulation to parts of the intestine
6. Holly, Mistletoe and Poinsettias are all popular plants to have in the home over Christmas. These plants are toxic to cats so should be placed where your cat cannot get to them
7. Every year a great number of cats are poisoned by swallowing Ethylene Glycol based Antifreeze, the sort that is used in car radiators. Cats are attracted to the substance due to it’s sweet taste and enticing smell. Even relatively small amounts of this substance can cause serious problems.

Claire

Sarah & Paul visited the London Vet Show last weekend and attended numerous lectures on feline medicine. Whilst at the show they received a soft toy ‘Giardia’ from one of the laboratories, which Grub the kitten took a shine too.

The photo below is Grub playing with the ‘Giardia’ and it seemed a perfect opportunity for me to write about ‘Giardia’ and explain exactly what it is.

Giardia is a protozoal parasite. Once infected, a cat will be a giardia carrier for life

Infection is relatively rare in healthy cats. It is more common in densely-populated groups of animals, such as in a cattery, pet store, or rescue shelter. Symptoms of giardia are increased during stressful situations: This is why giardiasis commonly occurs among rescue and shelter animals. Also, kittens have been shown to shed more Giardia cysts in their faeces than older cats.

Giradia is highly contagious and can be easily passed from one animal to another. The parasites can also be transferred to humans.

Transmission takes place through the faecal-oral route. This means that the animal defecates cysts and that another animal or human being is infected with this by means of receipt through the mouth. Only 10 cysts are needed in order to pass an infection to a new host. In case of an infection about 100.000 cysts per gram faeces is secreted.

Ingestion of the cyst stage of the parasite leads to infection. Once inside the cat’s intestine, the cyst goes through several stages of maturation. Eventually, the cat is able to pass infective cysts in the stool, where they can contaminate the environment and infect other cats.

Infection can also occur from drinking water which has been contaminated with the cysts.

The first noticeable symptom of giardiasis is usually diarrhoea or soft, discolored faeces. Faeces may also be covered in mucus. Other symptoms include excess gas, abdominal tenderness, loss of appetite and listlessness

It is very important to prevent dehydration; clean water should be easily available

There are many causes for diarrhoea and it is important to make the right diagnosis so that the right treatment can be given

Metronidazole (Metrazol) or fenbendazol (Panacur) can be given although there are some Giardia strains are not susceptible to metronidazol or fenbendazol. All animals in the household must be treated!

A good hygiene is very important. Always wash your hands after having touched your cat. Clean and disinfect the surroundings of your animal, this is important to avoid another infection

Claire

Antifreeze, screen-wash and some de-icers may contain Ethylene glycol – a substance fatal to cats.  Antifreeze is available as a liquid to be added to the water in your car engine radiators to prevent freezing.  Even small quantities can be life threatening.

It is sweet tasting and attractive to  cats, but is fatal to them so do be sure to keep such items out of your pet’s reach and mop up any spillages straight away. Dispose of old cartons carefully, and ensure you keep your cat out of the garage.

Signs such as staggering movements; tiredness; increased heart rate; continuous vomiting, or dehydration may suggest that your furry friend has ingested this poisonous substance.  Unless your dog is taken to the Vet’s immediately after ingestion.

Ethylene glycol causes;

- Wobbling

- Convulsions

- Vomiting

- Collapse

- Acute renal failure

- Coma

Induce vomiting and give activated charcoal. Obtain immediate veterinary attention.

Click here to view a leaflet provided by the British Veterinary Association on Pets & Poisons.

Should your cat consume any substance which you suspect may be toxic please do not hesitate to contact the surgery immediately.

Claire

Hello again,

I am finding this blog very useful to jot down “frequently asked questions” or “regularly discussed topics” as they come up. I know what I’m like in the doctors or dentists and unless you remember to write everything down before hand, often as not you are heading out the door and half way down the street before you remember that last little question you forgot to ask that will niggle you all day!

Today’s topic is pre anaesthetic bloods. This is a subject that come up on a regular basis in my working week. When your pet comes to the vets for an operation and we require to give them sedation or a general anaesthetic, there is a section on the anaesthetic consent form that asks the owner if they would like a pre anaesthetic blood profile ran before the anaesthetic – what’s that all about?

Well, when we give an animal sedation or a general anaesthetic, their blood pressure is artificially lowered for a period of time. This is the nature of the drugs used to induce anaesthesia and an integral part of how they work. When the blood pressure is lowered during this time, if your pet has a pre-existing problem, for example with their liver or kidneys, then this may get worse because of the effect off the anaesthetic.

The blood sample is taken on the morning of the anaesthetic before any drugs are given, and run on a machine at the vet practice, so we usually get results back within 20min. If there are no abnormalities, we go ahead with the operation as planned. If there are any concerns, we have to re-evaluate our plans on an individual basis. This may range from deciding to go ahead with the anaesthetic, but supporting the animals body systems with an IV drip – to postponing the planned procedure and monitoring the new found condition through repeated blood sampling and medication until the condition shows improvement.

Every animal is given a thorough pre anaesthetic medical examination, unfortunately many internal problems are not evident through physical examination in their early stages. As a vet, in an ideal situation we would always give every animal a pre anaesthetic blood screen as it is the gold standard and best practice. Unfortunately a pre anaesthetic blood sample is an extra cost in an operation and we sometimes have to make compromises on an individual basis.

Working from first principles of veterinary medicine. A young, fit, healthy, animal has less likelihood of having an underlying medical problem, than a sick or older, geriatric animal. This is not always the case. Old animals bodies can be working away robustly and well, while young animals can have unexpected and alarming underlying organ problems.

As your vet I can give you my best advice. Personally I would prefer to see every animal I anaesthetise cleared through a pre anaesthetic blood test, but often I have to work to a tight budget. My personal opinion is that if you are accepting of the risks of not knowing, these underlying problems are less of a concern in the young, fit, healthy animal, and more so in old, sick or infirm animals where I almost insist on pre anaesthetic blood tests .

I hope this is of some help you all!

Please remember that at the vets we are of a firm belief that the only silly question is an unasked question! If you have any query or anxiety about your pet never, and I mean never, feel embarrassed or that you are causing an inconvenience for asking. As our clients we are here to provide to you the veterinary advice and expertise that will keep your home a happy and healthy one. If we cannot get back to you straight away, don’t worry, we will respond as soon as possible. Sometimes you may prefer to speak to a particular member of staff about a certain complicate or delicate matter. We do not take any slight if you prefer to see a certain vet or vet nurse for those detailed cases. The well being of our patients are always foremost at all times.

Bye for now,

Alistair the Vet

Paws for thought! Some interesting cat facts:

 - Sir Isaac Newton invented the first known cat flap. While he was in his attic trying to conduct light experiments, his cat kept nudging the door open and letting the light in, spoiling his experiments.

 - Cats have more bones than a human being; humans have 206 bones and the cat has 230 bones.

 - Cats have the largest eyes of any mammal.

 - Airlurophile is the word cat lovers are officially called.

 - On average, a cat will sleep for 16 hours a day.

 - A domestic cat can run at speeds of 30 mph.

 - The life expectancy of cats has nearly doubled over the last fifty years.

 - There are approximately 60,000 hairs per square inch on the back of a cat and about 120,000 per square inch on the underside.

 - When a cat rubs up against you, it is marking you with its scent claiming ownership.

 - Purring does not always indicate that a cat is happy. Cats will also purr loudly when they are distressed or in pain.

 - The cat’s tail is used to maintain balance.

 - Cats see six times better in the dark than humans.

 - The ancient Egyptians were the first civilisation to realise the cat’s potential as a vermin hunter and tamed cats to protect the corn supplies, on which their lives depended.

 - Cats like to be stroked as it reminds them of when they were kittens and were licked by their mothers.

 - Cats see so well in the dark because their eyes actually reflect light. Light goes in their eyes, and is reflected back out; their eyes actually work as built-in flash lights.

Claire

We are surrounded by plants, whether wild or cultivated, and unfortunately a small number of these plants can poison your cat.

A vase of lilies may look attractive in your home, but if you have a cat, it’s deadly!

Cats are obligate carnivores, this means they must eat meat to survive, and will rarely eat vegetables, but cats often go outside and chew grass and other herbs. Cats often chew grass to enable them to regurgitate a hairball, however if grass is not available they may chew on other ‘alternatives’

There is a large, comprehensive list of poisonous plants available, however the ‘most poisonous’ are the following:
•    Mistletoe
•    Lilies
•    Foxglove
•    Poinsettia
•    Crocus
•    Azalea

If you have a house cat, remove all potentially toxic household plants. This is particularly important if you have a cat that is always kept indoors.
A list of the most common house plants known to be toxic to cats is below:
•    Amaryllis
•    Aphenlandra
•    Castor Oil Plant
•    Christmas Cherry
•    Chrysanthemum
•    Codiauem
•    Croton
•    Cyclamen
•    Dumb Cane
•    Devil’s Ivy
•    Elephant’s Ear
•    Ferns
•    Holly
•    Mistletoe
•    Poinsettia
•    Star of Bethlehem
•    Umbrella Plant
•    Zebra Plant

If you think your cat has been poisoned or consumed any of the above plants, please contact us at Simply Cats immediately. If you think your cat may have ingested something unsuitable please do not attempt to make your cat vomit, bring your cat and a sample of the plant (or even better, the plant label) directly to Simply Cats, make a note of the time of eating and any symptoms.

Signs of poisoning often include seizures, vomiting, skin irritation, collapse, diarrhoea, lethargy, reluctance to eat.

Cat Poisonous plants lilies

Claire Your VN