SimplyCats Vet Clinic Blog

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

As most of you will know I am owned by a rescue Sphynx named Piglet. So I’m using the blog to provide some interesting information about the Sphynx breed.

For those of you who have never met a Sphynx before, Piglet will be attending our Cats & Coffee evening on 31st March where we will discuss Feline Hyperthryoidism and Owning a Sphynx.  Click here for more information about our ‘Cats & Coffee evening’.

To view photos of Piglet, click here.

The Sphynx is a healthy robust breed but it is thought that around 3% of the breed suffer from this Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects the heart by thickening the walls of the heart.  If you have all read stories of fit young people who have died on the sporting field, often the cause is HCM.

It is possible to contract HCM without a genetic cause, inheriting the disorder is much more likely. If one parent has the genetic trait to pass on HCM, then the chances are 50% of their kittens can develop it.

HCM Screening

Ecardiogram (ECG) is the most reliable way to diagnose HCM. It is currently recommended that Sphynx are screened annually to ensure the cat is not developing HCM.

Symptoms of HCM

Symptoms are often so subtle they go completely unnoticed. A slight rise in respiration rate may be the only visible sign. A vet may detect a heart murmur.

Treatment of HCM

There is currently no cure for HCM, treatment is symptomatic and is often various medications to help with heart failure.

HCM clots can form due to blood circulation in the enlarged heart chambers being abnormal. These clots can then enter the circulatory system and travel to where the blood vessels become too narrow to pass. This will cut off blood flow to the area causing paralysis and pain. This is known as ‘saddle thrombosis’.

Saddle thrombosis prognosis is poor. Some cats survive after mild cases on blood thinning medication, but the underlying cause, HCM will continue to be a major risk factor. Recent studies show that48% of cats that died from saddle thrombosis had HCM.

Claire's cat Piglet

Claire

The Sphynx is a rare breed of cat known for its lack of a coat. The skin texture resembles that of Chamois leather.

I’ve always loved the breed and finally managed to find a rescue Sphynx in need of a good home in Fife.

I’d arranged to visit and see how the kitty ‘took’ to me, if we got on. I nervously arrived hoping the cat would accept me, and I couldn’t have been more relieved when she jumped onto my lap purring then after plenty of fuss and attention she fell asleep. If that wasn’t acceptance I’m not sure what was

So I took her home. She travelled fantastically all the way home and has so far settled in without a hitch, although she did walk across my laptop last night and delete my internet connection…she’s too cute so I’ll forgive her for that

She loves nothing more than being fussed and being close and cuddled into you. She slept curled up next to me and she’s like a little hot water bottle.

I’ve named her Piglet after much deliberation. She is a white odd-eyed Sphynx with one yellow eye and one blue eye. She will be 2 years old in August 2010.

Having grown up with cats my entire life and worked with cats for all my working life, I’ve met some characters along the way but I think it’s fair to say that Piglet is the most mischevious cat I know! She’s a little minx. They have been known to have referred to as ‘part cat, part dog and part monkey’ and that statement hits the nail on the head!

Because Sphynx cats do not have fur to absorb the natural oils from their skin they require bathing. The build up of oils in their coat will collect dirt and dust from their surroundings making them dirty. Sphynx’s ears are hairless and produce a large amount of earwax they also require regular cleaning.

For more photos please click here.

Claire