New Era Veterinary Hospital Factsheet:

Transcription

1 New Era Veterinary Hospital Factsheet: Please phone for further advice or guidance, if your questions remain unanswered or if you are unclear about any of the following information. CAT ADVICE FACTSHEETS Cat Feeding Cat Worming Cat Fleas Cat Neutering Cat Behavior Cat Vaccination Cat Dental Care FEEDING YOUR CAT The right diet is vital to keep your cat fit and healthy. Poor nutrition accounts for a significant percentage of the health problems we see. These include vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, obesity, dental problems, growth deformities, heart, kidney and skin problems. What type of diet should I feed? Home made diets are rarely nutritionally balanced or complete; they are difficult to prepare consistently and expensive. Good quality commercial diets such as Royal Canin or Hills Science Plan are consistent, well balanced and convenient. Contrary to expectation they are also one of the most economic ways of feeding your pet. Is tinned food or dried food better? Good quality dry foods are convenient, more cost effective and help to keep teeth and gums healthy. Tinned food has a much higher water content which some pets find more palatable. Generally speaking we would reccomend dry food over tinned foods, but if you are unsure, we suggest your kitten or cat's needs are discussed with a vet or nurse. Which brand should I choose? How much and how often? At New Era, we believe that the best food is Royal Canin Veterinary Care. This range is designed to supply all of your cat's nutritional needs from a kitten to old age. It's a fact that if you feed your cat a diet like Royal Canin Veterinary Care, it will live a longer healthier life because it is less likely to suffer from problems like obesity and dental disease. Varieties exist such as "Persian" diets catering for the needs of specific breeds, and to target specific problems such as the neutered cat range, which help to prevent weight increase and obesity. Guidelines for frequency are: 6-16 weeks: 4 meals daily of Royal Canin (Veterinary)Weaning kitten food. 4-6 months: 3 meals daily of Royal Canin (Veterinary) Growth kitten food. 1

2 From about 6 months (usual time of neutering): 2 meals daily of Royal Canin (Veterinary) Neutered Cat. Remember Royal Canin Veterinary Care food is a complete diet so you do not need to add any form of supplementation or milk. Quantity guidelines are clearly explained on the packaging. Remember to always provide fresh water. Actions speak louder than words though and it's a fact that most of our staff feed their pets on Royal Canin Veterinary Care. WORMS AND YOUR CAT What are worms? Worms are parasites that live inside your cat, the most common being Roundworms (Toxocara), which are long, thin and worm-like, and Tapeworms (Dipylidium and Taenia species), which are long and flat with segments that look like large grains of rice; they are mobile and may be seen on the hair around the bottom. What can worms do to my cat? Worms are widespread and most of the time even if your cat is infected there will be no obvious signs. However, heavy worm infections can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and weaken your cat s immune system. It is also unpleasant and potentially embarrassing to find a tapeworm segment on yourself or the clothes of a visitor who has been making a fuss of your cat. Are worms dangerous to me and my family? Yes! The greatest threat to human health is the eggs of the roundworm (Toxocara). Whilst human infections are rare they can be very serious, causing blindness, lung or heart problems, or even fits. Children are most at risk and it is this potential danger that is one of the reasons behind the worming advice provided by veterinary surgeons. How does my cat get worms? Kittens are infected with roundworm larvae from the mother, mainly via the mother s milk. They can also be infected by ingesting eggs from the environment, where other cats have defaecated; these are picked up when the cat is outdoors and then swallowed during normal grooming and cleaning. Tapeworms can be picked up when pets groom themselves and swallow fleas, which carry tapeworm eggs. They can also be infected with a different type of tapeworm if they hunt and eat their prey. How can I protect my cat and my family from these parasites? Kittens should be wormed at 2,5 and 8 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months old. If you have children, then it is advisable to continue monthly treatment; if not, then every 3 months is acceptable, but you may need to worm more frequently if your cat is a hunter. We strongly advise you NOT to use over the counter supermarket/pet shop products. They will often be inadequate giving you a false sense of protection, and occasionally problems with toxicity can arise. For most situations we use either selamectin (Stronghold) or milbemycin (Milbemax). Your vet or nurse can advise you which is the most appropriate. 2

3 In summary: 1. Worms are a threat to the health of your pet and your family. 2. Worms are very common in our pets. 3. Regular worming is essential to control parasites, even in indoor cats. CAT FLEAS What can fleas do to my pet? Flea bites cause irritation and in some cases cats become allergic to their bites; they will then scratch themselves, usually by excessive grooming, causing baldness and or sores and scabs. Fleas feed on the cat s blood, and occasionally a heavy flea burden in young kittens or weak cats can cause a life threatening blood loss. Fleas also transmit tapeworms. How can I treat and control fleas? Most cats, even indoor ones, are at risk of fleas. Jersey s climate and the high concentration of pet cats and dogs in a relatively small area means that fleas are a big problem here. Due to mild winters and most homes being centrally heated, it is important to maintain a flea control programme all year round. There are two areas of flea control: your pet(s) and its environment (that s your home!): Please use a vet recommended product such as Stronghold or Advocate on your pet, usually once a month. As with wormers, over the counter supermarket or petshop products, are often ineffective and occasionally cause problems with toxicity. Environmental flea control is more important than treating your pet; 95% of a flea population is living in our homes deep in the pile of carpets and rugs, pet s bedding, chairs, sofas, beds and microscopic cracks in the floor. As well as using sprays such as Indorex to treat this area, there is an excellent product called Program, which can be injected into your cat twice a year, or given as a medicine once a month. It effectively sterilises fleas, preventing flea eggs from hatching. In summary: 1. Almost all cats and dogs pick up fleas. 2. Fleas are present all year round % of a flea population are in your house 4. Fleas are a serious health hazard. 5. Best control is achieved using a combination of products; one for your pet and one for the environment. 3

4 CAT NEUTERING We recommend; All females are neutered, unless you are planning to breed with them. All males are neutered. The reasons why we advise neutering your cat: Whether female or male, they will wander less, reducing the risk of them being injured in territorial fights or by being hit by cars. Both sexes risk of contracting Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukaemia is reduced. Entire males almost always start urine marking in and around the home. This is extremely unpleasant, being both unhygienic and very smelly. Females are prevented from developing a condition called pyometra. This is an extremely serious infection of the uterus, that requires emergency surgery. They are also less likely to develop mammary cancer, especially if spayed at a young age (6 months). Spaying will prevent females calling. This is an irritating yowling and crying that will continue for days at a time. Frequently the cats will roll around as if in pain, to such an extent that it is not unusual for us to be contacted on an emergency basis! The behaviour and pheronomes produced will also attract entire males who apart from fighting will urine mark around or even in your house- very unpleasant! Obviously pregnancy will be prevented. This is not a problem for a cat; indeed pregnancies can result in problems requiring veterinary intervention, such as caesarean section. This is of course distressing and expensive! Finding homes for kittens can also be difficult. What do the operations involve? Females undergo a complete ovarohysterectomy; this means that their ovaries and uterus are removed. The operation is usually performed through an incision on the left flank. However, occasionally it is performed via a midline incision on the underside; since the hair will occasionally grow back a different shade, this is often done for show cats. We perform this operation frequently so are very experienced with the procedure. These factors result in it being a very safe operation, but please take the time to discuss it with your vet or nurse, especially if you have any reservations or concerns. Stitches have to be removed 10 days after the operation. Males undergo castration which means that both testicles are removed. The operation is performed through two small incisions, directly over the scrotum on the cat s back end, just under the tail. No stitches are required. 4

5 Are there any disadvantages to be aware of? The biggest problems in both sexes stem from the potential risk of weight gain. However, a neutered cat does NOT have to be overweight. By careful, controlled feeding of a good quality, but reduced calorie diet, a healthy body condition can be maintained. Please discuss ongoing feeding with your vet or nurse, and seek advice if your cat s weight is increasing, for we can work with you to ensure a healthy body condition is restored. Recovery from surgery is rapid. Occasionally cats try to lick their surgical wounds which can cause infections or soreness. Any indication that this is happening requires an Elizabethan (Buster) collar to be fitted. When should the operation be performed? Ideally at six months old. Myths about Neutering: Having a litter is good for a female cat. FALSE. Having a litter has no physical or psychological benefits. Bear in mind that complications can arise in pregnancies causing, at worse, tragedies, at best, the need for costly and stressful interventions such as caesarean section. Neutering will cause a change in personality. FALSE. The only behavioural changes that are seen are usually in male cats and relate to a reduction in undesirable traits such as aggression and urine marking. Vigour and vitality is unaffected unless obesity is allowed to develop. Neutering causes weight gain. FALSE. A mismatch between calorie intake, activity and metabolic rate causes weight gain. Being strict about feeding, changing to a lower calorie food and regular weight checks will ensure your cat maintains an ideal body condition. CAT BEHAVIOR Socialising and training your new kitten: Handle your kitten gently and frequently, but for short periods. Learn their tolerance level and try not to handle your kitten to the point that they start struggling or reacting aggressively. Introducing regular grooming sessions (essential for medium to long haired cats) from a young age is advisable; keep the sessions short to start with, extending the time patiently, and ideally never to the point that you elicit a negative reaction. Playing games that allow the kittens to express their natural hunting instincts on inanimate objects and not you, is a good idea; simple toys or safe household objects on the end of a string, or even tied to a stick, are great for this. They also love old boxes. House training usually happens instinctively. Provide a litter tray in a quiet area of the home, not on a natural thoroughfare. Ensure the litter is changed frequently, removing 5

6 any soiled areas as quickly as possible. Generally speaking cats prefer more natural litters, free from artificial scents or odour eliminators. Scratching furniture: This is a deeply entrenched, instinctive behaviour so be prepared for some furniture damage! Vocal discouragement, using a water pistol, or a sudden unexpected noise have all been suggested as deterrents. Try providing a scratching post or posts. Sometimes an old bit of carpet tacked to a board can be more effective than a shop bought one. Urinating Indoors: This is a very complex problem as well as being a very unpleasant one. Ensure your cat has been neutered and that if you use a litter tray, you are keeping the litter scrupulously clean. You could try changing the litter to a different brand or try a totally natural product such as sand; you could also try a different location for the litter tray. However, most of the time you will need to arrange a check-up for your cat and if no physical cause is found, arrange for specialist behavioural advice. CAT VACCINATION Vaccination provides protection against several contagious viruses which can be caught from unprotected cats or the environment. We still see these life threatening diseases in unvaccinated cats, but the heart breaking fact is that they can be so easily prevented. Most catteries and kennels insist on seeing an up to date vaccination certificate, and some insurance companies will only provide cover if the pet is fully vaccinated. Kittens should have two vaccinations at 9 weeks and 12 weeks old. It is then vitally important that they have a booster every year for the rest of their lives. At New Era, we recommend vaccination against: Feline Leukaemia Virus Feline Calici Virus(Cat Flu) Feline Herpes Virus (Cat Flu) Feline Enteritis Virus (Parvo Virus) A key part of the vaccination consultation is the full health check that is included in the price. This is an opportunity for the vet to take a medical history and perform a complete physical examination. Usually the result is reassurance that all is well, but sometimes important, previously undetected problems are discovered enabling treatment and a better chance of full health being restored. In summary: 1. All kittens and adult cats should be vaccinated. 2. All cats need annual boosters. 3. Elderly cats still need their vaccinations. 6

7 4. These diseases are still around and they can be fatal. 5. A full health check is included in the price of the vaccination. Rabies vaccinations are available for pets travelling abroad CAT DENTAL CARE Dental problems and dental disease are commonest cause of ill health in our pet cats, dogs and rabbits. 80% of our pets have significant dental disease by three years of age. The most common problems are as follows: Gingival and Periodontal Disease Gingivitis is caused by plaque accumulation under the gums. The plaque creates an environment that encourages proliferation of bacteria. These in turn cause inflammation under the gums (Gingivitis) and localised damage to the structures supporting the teeth. At this point the damage and inflammation can be reversed with appropriate treatment. Without treatment, a critical structure supporting the tooth will eventually be damaged beyond repair. The infection and inflammation then progresses down the tooth root (Periodontal Disease). By this stage the damage is irreversible and cannot be cured. Periodontal disease cause pain, damage to the jaw bone itself and causes bacteria and toxins to be absorbed into the blood stream. These bacteria and their toxins will damage internal organs causing significant ill health. Infact this process is one of the most important factors in the onset of chronic kidney disease in older pet cats and dogs. Eventually the affected tooth will be lost. Signs of gingivitis and periodontal disease are initially redness of the gums, progressing to an obvious build up of dental tartar (a yellow/grey hard deposit on the tooth), gum recession and smelly breath. Our pets rarely give any indication of tooth ache, yet they are in chronic and significant pain. Treatment usually requires a general anaesthetic, then removal of the tartar and plaque by ultrasonic descaling and polishing. If periodontal disease has become established, often the kindest action is to extract the affected tooth. A course of antibiotics and painkillers is usually required. Prevention is by: Feeding good quality diets, in particular specialised dental diets such as Royal Canin Dental Diet or Hill s T/d Toothbrushing this is the gold standard of dental care. You can start at any age, although introducing brushing shortly after acquiring a puppy or kitten is a good idea. It is easier if you use a tooth brush for pets and you must use veterinary toothpaste (human toothpaste is poorly tolerated and can be toxic, to our pets). The technique is different to humans, so please get advice from your vet or, even better, a veterinary nurse. Chews, Plaque-Off, Pastes and Rinses; these have a role to play but are considerably less important and effective than the first two measures. 7

8 Neck Lesions (Feline Odontoclastic Resorpative Lesions) These are depressingly common lesions affecting the teeth of our pet cats. They are focal areas of destruction of the enamel and dentine, eventually exposing the nerve rich pulp of the tooth. As you would imagine they are incredibly painful; even when a cat is under a full general anaesthetic, touching the affected areas directly will cause a response. Usually more than one tooth is affected. Sometimes the lesions are under the gum, and can only be detected by probing once the cat is asleep, or by xray. Attempts to treat them usually fail and at present the best and kindest option is to extract the affected teeth. Unfortunately other teeth are at risk of becoming affected later, but applying the above preventative measures can help prevent this. Abnormal Jaw and Tooth Development These problems are often detected at a routine check-up, usually the first or second vaccination. Sometimes even significant abnormality has become accepted as normal, for example in Bulldogs and Shih Tzu s, and whilst these animals show no sign of pain they often have difficulty feeding. Sometimes in any breed an abnormally developed jaw or teeth will cause pain and clear signs of trauma to apposing gum, lip or palate tissue. Two of the commonest abnormalities are Retained Temporary Teeth and abnormally positioned lower canines (Lingually Displaced Mandibular Canines). Retained Temporary Teeth. Temporary teeth should have been lost by six months of age. Any still remaining by then need to be extracted under general anaesthesia since they will cause damage to the permanent teeth and potentially push them into an abnormal position. Both scenarios will cause pain and set up the vicious circle of periodontal disease. Lingually Displaced Mandibular Canines. This is when the lower canines grow inside the upper canines, and their tips abut against the soft tissue of the palate causing erosions, ulcers and potentially periodontal disease to the upper canines. If diagnosed in younger dogs, these teeth should be removed, to relieve pain and increase the chances of the adult teeth erupting into a normal position. If the problem is diagnosed after the adult teeth have erupted, then the lower canines should either, be extracted or, shortened and sealed by an endontic procedure called direct pulp capping or, manipulated into a normal position with an orthodontic device called an inclined bite plane. Each approach has its pros and cons and should be discussed with a vet experienced with these procedures. 8