Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mother or father or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can hold your kitty completely happy, wholesome, and feline tremendous. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care in your furry companion.
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Assist! My Cats Vomit So much!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
I’ve 2 male littermates that flip 12 this 12 months. They’ve at all times vomited lots. Even after making an attempt totally different meals. We took one (Jake) to the vet for remark and so they discovered no points. Now Jake exhibits no actual urge for food and projectile vomits a ton of liquid every single day. Any concept what may be occurring with him? The brother vomits some however has an enormous urge for food. What ought to we do subsequent?” – Donna
Hello Donna,
Thanks for reaching out about Jake and his brother. Vomiting is regarding, particularly when it turns into frequent or is accompanied by adjustments in urge for food, as you’re seeing with Jake’s brother. Persistent vomiting in cats will be brought on by many points starting from gentle meals intolerances to extra severe circumstances like inflammatory bowel illness (IBD), meals allergic reactions, pancreatitis, and even gastrointestinal lymphoma, notably as they age.
Since Jake is now projectile vomiting each day and has misplaced his urge for food, that is harmful and might be indicating an emergency resembling a blockage. Whereas the earlier vet go to didn’t reveal points, the escalation of indicators means Jake seemingly wants additional diagnostic testing. I’d suggest a recheck along with your veterinarian as quickly as potential. Bloodwork, stomach imaging (like X-rays or ultrasound), and probably endoscopy or biopsies could also be essential to establish the issue. Within the meantime, making an attempt to maintain Jake hydrated is vital, as extreme vomiting can result in dehydration.
His brother’s continued urge for food however occasional vomiting might point out a milder or associated problem, so it’s price mentioning each cats’ histories while you go to the vet. I perceive this may be irritating, and nerve-racking, however with well timed intervention, many circumstances will be managed successfully. Don’t wait.
Finest needs!
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Cat Has Osteochondrolysplasia!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
I’m questioning how lengthy the illness osteochondrolysplasia continues to worsen. I’ve a feminine 7-year-old Tabby, Lillian, with the illness that impacts her ankles and paws. She will be able to get round with little or no ache. Will this worsen or journey to different elements as she will get older or is it over as a result of she is older?” – Gail
Hello Gail,
Thanks for reaching out about Lillian. Osteochondrodysplasia is a progressive situation that always impacts the joints, notably within the ankles and paws. Consider her joints like hinges on a continuously used gate. Over time, they’ll put on down and develop into stiff, particularly if they aren’t cared for correctly. The excellent news is that since Lillian is already seven and experiencing minimal ache, her situation could also be progressing extra slowly than in another circumstances. Whereas it doesn’t sometimes unfold to different elements of the physique, the affected joints might proceed to indicate gradual put on and tear as she ages.
The development can range relying on her exercise degree, total well being, and weight. If she stays energetic and cozy, her high quality of life can stay fairly good with a number of considerate changes. Ensuring she maintains a wholesome weight is essential as a result of even somewhat additional weight provides pointless pressure to her joints, very like carrying a heavy backpack on an extended stroll. Offering her with a snug setting, resembling mushy bedding or quick access to her favourite spots, may also help her transfer round with out discomfort.
Additionally it is vital to look at for any indicators that her discomfort is rising, take notice for instance if she hesitates to leap, her each day exercise appears to be lowered, or if the is any swelling round her joints. These are all indicators that her joints want additional consideration. Should you discover adjustments, speak to your vet about tips on how to hold her pain-free. Joint dietary supplements or different therapies may make an enormous distinction. In case you are uncertain whether or not her indicators require rapid care, you possibly can at all times schedule a name with our veterinarians by way of our tele-triage service, PangoVet, the place they may also help information your subsequent steps.
Yet one more factor Gail; I simply needed to let you realize that we all know you actually look after Lillian, we acknowledge your case from a earlier remark in one among our posts concerning the illness. Thanks for that! Together with your love, consideration, and proactive care, she has a profitable benefit in persevering with to get pleasure from her golden years comfortably and fortunately by your aspect.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cats Are Begging for Scraps!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
Can cats eat meals scraps? My two, Ginny and George, actually strive their hardest to get into our meals scraps bucket and our rubbish cans. We don’t enable them to do it however their begging and making an attempt makes me somewhat loopy. It’s principally vegetable scraps, too, so we’re at all times confused once they strive. They’re indoor/out of doors cats, so I don’t know what they eat in the course of the day, however now we have good moist meals for them, although they nonetheless actually appear to need our scraps.”
– Petey
Hello Petey, it feels like Ginny and George are retaining you in your toes! Their curiosity in meals scraps and rubbish is definitely fairly widespread amongst curious cats, even once they’re well-fed. Whereas it may be irritating, this habits is discovered and sometimes pushed by curiosity, instincts, or the tempting smells of human meals.
Even when the scraps are principally vegetable-based, cats will be drawn by the scent and the potential of a deal with. Since discovering meals is a self-reinforcing habits in the event that they had been profitable as soon as, they’ll hold making an attempt. Nonetheless, it’s not a protected behavior to permit. Cats are obligate carnivores, that means their our bodies are designed to course of animal-based proteins reasonably than plant matter. Past being nutritionally inappropriate, many human meals, like onions, and garlic, are poisonous to them. Even harmless-seeming objects may upset their stomachs and fatty scraps may even contribute to weight problems or different well being points.
Different dangers of looking by way of scraps or rubbish embody ingesting one thing indigestible or sharp, which may trigger choking or an intestinal blockage, in addition to publicity to moldy or spoiled meals, which can make them sick. Even when they’re simply exploring, the potential for hurt makes prevention important. To deal with this, securing your scraps and rubbish cans with tight-fitting lids or storing them in inaccessible areas (like inside a cupboard) is vital. You could possibly additionally strive providing them some protected alternate options like interactive feeders or puzzle toys can redirect their power and supply psychological stimulation, which can scale back their fascination along with your scraps.
Since Ginny and George are indoor-outdoor cats, they might even be searching or scavenging outdoors, which may reinforce their discovered habits and affect their dietary consumption. Guaranteeing their meals are nutritionally full and satisfying may also help scale back their curiosity in different meals sources. If their habits persists, consulting a veterinarian might be useful to rule out any underlying points, like dietary deficiencies or parasites. With constant boundaries, participating actions, and a little bit of endurance, you possibly can assist them keep protected and discourage this curious behavior, at the least when they’re inside. Good luck!
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
