Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry knowledgeable 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 dad or mum or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may hold your kitty pleased, wholesome, and feline high-quality. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care on your furry companion.
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Assist! My Cat is Drastically Shedding Weight!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
I’ve a 14-year-old home longhair referred to as Nila who has been with me since shortly after start. Till 2 years in the past, she had a ‘step sister’ who was roughly a 12 months older. She knew her place as quantity 2, because the alpha reminded her periodically. Because the alpha’s passing, Nila has come to like being the one and solely and I really like that for her.
During the last month or so, her weight has dropped drastically, regardless of an elevated urge for food, periodic vomiting, and regular stools the blood and urine checks all got here again inside regular ranges. I’ve tried a number of meals, each moist and dry, but she is shrinking away. She’s hungry, eats hungrily a number of instances a day in small quantities to keep away from vomiting, vomits nonetheless on common as soon as a day in some unspecified time in the future, and continues to drop pounds. Any concepts what’s going on right here? I additionally observed her simply staring on the meals like she desires to eat however doesn’t need to vomit. She is basically slowing down and I really feel like I’m about to lose her. “ – Lisa
Lisa, I can really feel how deeply you like Nila, and I understand how heartbreaking it should be to observe her drop pounds regardless of her sturdy urge for food. Given her age, her historical past, and the regarding weight reduction regardless of regular lab work, there are just a few attainable explanations for what’s taking place.
One of the widespread causes of weight reduction with elevated urge for food in older cats is hyperthyroidism, even when preliminary bloodwork appeared regular. Generally, early circumstances or fluctuating thyroid hormone ranges could make prognosis difficult. If hyperthyroidism has been dominated out, different potentialities embody gastrointestinal problems equivalent to inflammatory bowel illness (IBD), small-cell lymphoma, or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, the place the pancreas isn’t producing sufficient digestive enzymes to soak up vitamins correctly. One other concern is diabetes, however that usually comes with elevated thirst and urination, which you haven’t talked about.
The truth that she stares at her meals as if hesitant to eat and vomits each day raises a purple flag for nausea, which may stem from power kidney illness (even when early bloodwork was regular), pancreatitis, or perhaps a gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. A deeper diagnostic strategy, together with a specialised GI panel, which incorporates extra specialised checks that don’t get checked on routine bloodwork, and an stomach ultrasound, may assist make clear what’s occurring.
You can attempt providing extremely digestible, calorie-dense moist meals and probably including a little bit of water or bone broth to stop dehydration. Nonetheless, her situation sounds fairly critical, I strongly suggest additional veterinary analysis as quickly as attainable; even perhaps ask your vet to refer you to a veterinary internist if her situation continues to say no. You’re doing all the things you’ll be able to, and she or he is fortunate to have you ever taking care of her.
I want you one of the best!
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Cat Appears Unhappy!
“Hello Dr Paola!
My 14-year-old cat, Tilly, began meowing all the time after I needed to put Isis, my 24-year-old cat to sleep. They weren’t shut to one another. Tilly is now the alpha cat (Isis was earlier than) in my 2-cat family. She isn’t shut with my different 14-year-old cat, who was near Isis. I’m undecided what she desires. She appears bored however doesn’t need to play with toys. Any strategies? Thanks. “ – Penny
Hello Penny, I’m so sorry on your loss. Shedding a beloved cat, particularly one who shared your life for twenty-four years, is extremely troublesome. Despite the fact that Tilly and Isis weren’t significantly shut, Isis’s absence has nonetheless modified the dynamic of your family, and Tilly is probably going reacting to that shift. You didn’t point out when this occurred however I’m assuming not too long ago. Her elevated vocalization might be a manner of expressing uncertainty, in search of reassurance, and even adjusting to the silence left behind. Cats thrive on routine and familiarity, so even delicate adjustments. The absence of Isis’s presence, actions, or scent can really feel unsettling.
It’s fascinating that you just talked about Tilly taking up the “alpha” position. Home cats’ social construction is generally about territory, useful resource entry, and private consolation. Some cats are naturally extra assured and assertive, whereas others are extra passive. Isis could have been essentially the most influential cat in your house, guiding routines in her personal manner, and now that she’s gone, Tilly is perhaps feeling a mixture of uncertainty and duty. Her vocalization might be her manner of processing the change, checking in with you, or just attempting to redefine her routine.
Since she appears stressed however bored with toys, attempt participating her in different methods. Clicker coaching, puzzle feeders, and even merely including environmental enrichment. Add a brand new perch, a comfy hideaway, or a window seat for birdwatching. Some cats additionally reply properly to calming pheromone diffusers. Simply ensure you get the multicat method, which may present further consolation throughout social interactions and construction transitions. She might have further reassurance from you proper now, so mild consideration, speaking to her, or providing her a lap to take a seat on (if she enjoys that) may assist her regulate. You understand her greatest, provide her alternatives for happiness. With time, she’ll discover her stability once more, and her vocalization could settle as she regains confidence in her new family dynamic.
Greatest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! I Can’t Maintain My Cat Off the Counters!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
We adopted Aiden from the native shelter. He’s about 9 months previous and till the top of January, he was principally in a cage. The issue is, now we can’t hold him off the counters, desk, or out of the rubbish can. We’re at our wit’s finish to discover a resolution as a result of thus far nothing has labored. We have no idea what to do, are you able to please assist us discover a resolution?” – Cynthia
Hello Cynthia,
First, I need to say how great it’s that you just adopted Aiden and gave him a recent begin and the chance to really feel liked. Since he spent a lot of his younger life in a cage, his world was very restricted, and now that he has freedom, he’s naturally exploring all the things. His conduct isn’t about disobedience; it’s curiosity, intuition, and a discovered want to hunt sources wherever attainable. Cats are pure climbers, and confined cats usually develop sturdy food-seeking behaviors as a result of they’ve little else to do of their earlier surroundings.
To redirect Aiden, consider it as guiding a toddler away from hassle fairly than simply saying “no.” He wants various shops which can be extra rewarding than the counters and trash. Present tall cat timber or wall-mounted cabinets close to areas he tries to climb so he has “allowed” locations to discover. Use interactive feeding puzzles or scatter his meals elsewhere so he learns that meals comes from acceptable places, not the trash. To discourage him, use double-sided tape or motion-activated air deterrents on surfaces you need to hold him off. Maintain the rubbish out of attain; safe trash cans with lids. You must also be sure that counters are unappealing by eradicating meals temptations and cleansing surfaces properly to remove attractive smells. You may additionally need to attempt among the different suggestions and methods talked about on this put up. When he chooses his cat tree or one other authorized house, reward him with treats or play so he makes the fitting associations.
Persistence is vital, and Aiden will be taught with constant redirection. He’s nonetheless adjusting to his new residence, and with time and optimistic reinforcement, he’ll settle into higher habits. In case you want further assist, a web-based televet service like our personal PangoVet.com may present tailor-made recommendation for his particular wants. You’re doing an awesome factor for Aiden, and with a bit construction, he’ll quickly really feel safe and thrive in his new residence!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
