Your Cat's Health - Various Topics

All our pets ask of us is to be well-fed and well-cared-for. We owe them at least that for the love and companionship they give us freely every day. The information below will help you keep your cat healthy and recognize illness when it happens.

All kittens and cats are given an examination and vaccinations. Every attempt is made to ensure you are getting a healthy animal. Listed below are some basic things looked for during this examination. Your cat should be seen by a veterinarian every 6 months. You may want to periodically check your cat's health yourself in between time. This can be done quickly and casually while grooming your cat.

The eyes should be bright and clear. The haws (skin at inner corner of eye) should not be swollen, covering part of the eye. There should be no lumps on the lids.

The ears should be clean in appearance, free of discharge and odor. Ear mites cause a black discharge.

The nose should be wet, clean and without discharge or sores.

Examine the mouth periodically. The gums should be pink and healthy. The roof of the mouth and the lip areas should have no sores, possibly black, white or red.

Start at the head and feel the cat's body for tumors, lumps and ticks. Ruffling your hand against the hair will disclose fleas, dandruff and dirt. Frequent grooming will help remove matted hair.

Inspect for swollen joints by running your hands down the legs. Check for hair and objects between the toes. Inspect the condition of the nails.

Examine the anus for swelling which could mean possible infection. Also check for intestinal parasites. Tapeworm segments look like rice particles. Both of these conditions require a veterinarian's care.

Several diseases pose as threats to your cat's health. A regular program of immunization can protect your pet. Kittens are particularly susceptible to viral infections. Viruses can be transmitted directly, through the air, or carried on clothing. Never assume your pet is safe from exposure. Vaccinations are inexpensive insurance. Vaccinate your cat annually.

The following symptoms may indicate viral or bacterial infection and require veterinary examination for diagnosis. If your pet shows symptoms of disease, consult your veterinarian immediately. Early treatment improves your pet's chances for recovery.

This disease has no relationship to distemper in dogs or horses. It is a serious viral infection that is highly contagious and potentially fatal. The virus attacks the cells in the intestines and brain. No special conditions are required for it to exist, so it attacks indiscriminately and without warning. Young kittens can actually fall into a coma and die before the owner realizes the animal is sick. Vaccination against the disease is usually given in combination with vaccine against several upper respiratory diseases. Annual boosters are recommended for all cats.

URI is a group of viral and bacterial diseases of the upper respiratory system including Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV). These are highly contagious and are usually contracted from other cats. Symptoms are cold-like: sneezing, runny nose, discharge from the eyes, etc. Vaccines don't offer complete protection because of the many varieties of viruses causing URIs. Vaccinations do however protect your cat from the most common.

Rabies is a virus transmitted in the saliva by a bite from an infected animal. The virus is commonly carried by skunks, foxes, raccoons and bats. It is transmissible to humans and is generally fatal. Excellent vaccines give protection to pets. The disease attacks nerve tissues, resulting in paralysis and death. Rabies is always fatal. While dogs are legally required to have rabies vaccination, cats are not. However, cats are more susceptible than dogs to the virus. If your cat is allowed outdoors or if it bites, an annual rabies vaccination should be given. All animal bite incidents must be reported to the County Health Department. Biting animals must be quarantined and observed 10 days.

The Feline Leukemia virus may be transmitted by the saliva, blood, feces or urine of an infected cat. Not all cats exposed to FELV become ill, however. Some become chronic carriers, more susceptible to other diseases and posing a hazard to other cats. This deadly disease is caused by a virus that inhibits the immune system and results in various types of cancer and other debilitating diseases. For those cats who do become ill, the symptoms are non-specific. A blood test is required for diagnosis. This disease is nearly always fatal to cats but has never been implicated as a human hazard. Valley Humane Society vaccinates for FELV, however a yearly booster is required to maintain the immunity.

Changes in diet should be made gradually over several days. Abrupt changes in diet often cause diarrhea. Kittens under one year must have food designed to meet the nutritional needs of growing animals, so look for food advertised as "complete" for kittens.

Two important things to remember when purchasing commercial cat food are quality and variety. High quality (premium) eg Canin Royal, Harbingers of the New Age, Hill's Science Diet etc means low in magnesium ash (a probable contributor to urinary disorders) and high in important nutrients and supplements. Because they are so nutritious, a smaller portion is needed.

Dry food helps to clean the teeth and if nutritionally complete can be the bulk of the cat's diet. It is easily stored. Canned food provides additional water and comes in a wide variety of flavors. Although it must be refrigerated once opened, most cats enjoy the variety. Cats prefer their food at room temperature. Never feed your cat food that comes directly from the refrigerator. There are some foods you should never feed your cat.

Cats need four times as much protein as dogs; therefore dog food is never suitable for cats. Also, there is no taurine in dog food, essential to a cat's diet.

Table scraps are not recommended, because they generally don't provide balanced nutrition and can make your cat a beggar and finicky eater.

Fresh water is essential!

Many cats cannot digest milk and develop diarrhea when given milk. This can be particularly serious for kittens who become quickly dehydrated when suffering from diarrhea. Always provide clean fresh water for your cat.

Your new cat is used to dry food available throughout the day and a small portion of canned food in the morning and evening. Kittens under three months of age should be fed small portions several times a day. After one year you may switch to once a day feedings. It is important to establish a feeding schedule that you can maintain. Irregular feeding is confusing for the cat. Feed your cat from its own clean bowl in the same place each day. Don't allow children to disturb it while eating.

How much to feed your cat depends upon its age, size and activity level. Feed enough to maintain its weight. Cats like their food fresh. Give them a new portion at each mealtime and if they haven't eaten it all, measure it and give them that much less the next time. Don't fill their plate. If you cannot feel its ribs, it is probably overweight and daily rations should be reduced. It you think you are feeding your cat adequate amounts of food, but it looks thin or loses weight, have it examined by a veterinarian. "Loving" owners often indulge their pets into obesity. Overweight pets have shorter lifespans and are more prone to heart and respiratory problems and arthritic pain. They are poorer surgical risks. Help your cat stay healthy by keeping it at its proper weight.

Fleas can torment your cat continually and may cause anemia, flea allergy, dermatitis, skin infections, hair loss and tapeworm infestations. A conscientious effort must be made to rid the cat and the environment of adult fleas, larvae and eggs. Adults fleas feed on the cat and lay eggs that fall to the floor, grass and bedding. Eggs hatch into larvae which feed on debris, spin cocoons and hatch into adults. A variety of flea powders, dips, sprays and shampoos are available for flea control. Read labels carefully and follow instructions exactly and be sure the product is safe for cats and kittens. If you use a water sprayer to discipline your cat, a powder may be the best for flea control. Flea collars are the least effective method of flea control. They may irritate your cat's skin, can cause a toxic reaction, especially when wet, and can get caught on branches and fences. There are flea collars available with break-away elastic, ask your veterinarian. If you must use a flea collar, leave it out of the package at least 24 hours before putting it on your cat. Check it often to make sure no rash develops.

A cat will soon become reinfested if the environment is not treated. Thoroughly clean all areas frequented by your cat, especially bedding. If a flea problem begins, vacuum your carpets regularly to pick up the eggs and larvae. Empty the bag outside after each time you vacuum or fleas may hatch inside the bag. Follow with a treatment of powder, spray or fogger, designed to kill both larval and adult fleas. Eggs will probably survive to hatch in 10-14 days and you'll need to repeat the treatment. Severe infestations may take months to control. If your cat develops skin problems from flea infestations, take it to a veterinarian. Flea dermatitis can be a serious health problem.

Regular grooming with a flea comb is an effective non-toxic method of flea control. Any fleas removed in this manner should be drowned in a bowl of warm, soapy water. Never try to crush fleas. If it is a female, eggs can scatter and hatch.

Ticks live in shrubs and undergrowth and drop into animals as they pass. Ticks attach themselves and feed, filling their bodies with blood until they look like a small wart or seed. Ticks can cause serious infections and may be carriers of disease. Check your pet for ticks during grooming sessions. Remove ticks carefully and destroy them.

Ear Mites are microscopic parasites and are difficult to detect. They live in the ear canal. They cause irritation and discomfort and are often followed by bacterial infection. Excessive ear scratching and head shaking may be symptoms of ear mites. Have your cat examined by a veterinarian if it exhibits this behavior. Treatment for ear mites is simple and effective. If you have more than one pet, all may be affected.

This is not a worm but a fungus infection of the skin that attacks kittens more often than cats. Infection is usually from another kitten or from fungus in the soil. The classic symptom appears as a scab or irregularly shaped area of skin infection and may include a rapidly enlarging circle of hair loss. Ringworm can be transmitted to humans. Have your veterinarian examine areas of hair loss and wounds that refuse to heal.

Worms are a common ailment, especially with kittens. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms infest the cat's intestinal tract. Your cat should be checked twice a year for worms. Treatment of worms can be prescribed by your veterinarian. Anemia, weight loss, lethargy, intestinal irritation, dull coat, diarrhea and vomiting are common consequences of worm infestation. Kittens are particularly susceptible to the effects of worm infestations.

These are the most common feline parasites. They are usually passed in vomit or feces, as short white spaghetti-like strands that move when fresh. They are transmitted by ingesting contaminated soil, feces or prey.

Cats commonly acquire tapeworms from fleas. They can also acquire them by eating uncooked meat and prey. Tapeworm segments break off and can be observed in the cat's stool. Look for white rice-like segments that move when fresh. These contain eggs and represent only a small piece of the whole intestinal parasite.

These parasites are named because they hook themselves to the cat's intestinal wall, and are a problem in warm, moist climates. Cats are infected by ingesting hookworm eggs from the ground or through skin contact with the eggs. Kittens can be infected before birth. Microscopic examination of feces by your veterinarian can determine whether or not your cat is infected.

This disease is caused by protozoa. Cats may become infected by eating birds, rodents or raw meat. Symptoms are usually rare, but include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, Diarrhea, coughing, and breathing difficulty. If left untreated it can cause blindness and paralysis. This disease is transmissible to humans through contact with contaminated cat feces. The best way to avoid infection is to remove stools from the litterbox daily wearing disposable gloves and disinfect the litterbox daily. Pregnant women should take special precautions since this can cause brain damage to human fetuses.

This disease is also caused by protozoa. These organisms irritate the intestinal lining, leading to diarrhea and weight loss. They are transmitted through feces to other cats. Your veterinarian can determine if your cat is infected by microscopic examination of feces.

This is a common and potentially serious problem. It is actually a number of interrelated diseases that affect the bladder, kidneys, urethra and other parts of the urinary tract. The major cause is the formation of crystals or stones in the urinary tract, often caused by excess magnesium in the diet. Symptoms are frequent urination and passage of blood in the urine. Cats with this condition may behave restlessly or urinate outside the litterbox. Because of the buildup of toxic waste in the bloodstream, kidney damage and even death can result within two to three days if left unattended. Your cat should be examined by a veterinarian at the first signs. Good quality cat food will help avoid this fatal problem.

From late spring through fall, weeds such as foxtails and shed burrs can work their way through your cat's coat and into its skin. The area around the eyes is particularly susceptible. They can also enter through the nose, ears and genitals. During grooming sessions, check your cat's coat thoroughly for foxtails. Once a foxtail has penetrated the tissue, it can migrate to cause infection and may have to be surgically removed. Unattended, it may cause death. Vigorous head shaking and ear scratching may indicate foxtails in the ears. Sneezing fits and occasional blood discharge from the nostrils may be symptoms of foxtails in the nose. Excessive licking at one spot should be investigated.

Some cats don't need or expect constant attention every day. A brief play period and the privilege of being near you may satisfy your pet once it knows you will give this consistently. If you are away all day, allow your cat to be in the room with you in the evening.

When you play, be sure to avoid wrestling or roughhousing with your cat. This teaches the cat that it is OK to use teeth and claws on you and is a very difficult habit to break. The toys you choose for your cat should be too large to be swallowed and sturdy enough to withstand chewing and tearing. Balls made of foil, catnip sewed into a cloth bag, and knotted socks are all safe acceptable toys. Cats will play with almost anything that moves. Deadly toys are those made of string or yarn. Cats' tongues are designed so that it is almost impossible to spit something out. This makes it very easy for them to choke on string. The pieces that are swallowed can become lodged in the intestinal tract.

Your cat uses saliva and the spiny surface of its tongue to wash and comb its coat. Although your cat will keep himself relatively clean, you should brush it regularly with a rubber or soft-bristled brush to help remove loose hair and stimulate its coat and skin. A narrow-toothed flea comb will remove fleas and dirt as well. The flea comb provides sufficient grooming for a shorthaired cat if used 3 times a week. Longhaired cats need daily grooming with a brush and coarse-toothed plastic comb to prevent matting and tangling of the coat. Your cat's claws should be neatly trimmed. Ask your veterinarian about the proper tool and procedure.

Swallowed hair can form a wad, called a hairball that can cause potentially dangerous intestinal blockage and vomiting. A commercial lubricant for the prevention of hairballs can be given regularly.

Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in the U.S. Unfortunately, there are over 4 million more cats in the U.S. than there are homes available. You've already helped by adopting a cat of your own, but you can also help to solve the overpopulation problem even more by having your cat neutered or spayed. The procedure is simple and painless while done under general anesthesia, and may take as little as a few hours. You'll need to start thinking about it early, since cats can reach puberty as early as four months of age.

A female kitten's first cycle will last about four to eight days, and again in another two to three weeks. A female cat's ovaries do not release eggs until she has mated, so every mating nearly always results in pregnancy. Full term pregnancy for a cat is eight to nine weeks; a healthy female is capable of producing several litters of kittens a year. Spaying a female kitten reduces or eliminates the risk of breast cancer, tumors of the reproductive system, uterine infections, and certain skin conditions related to hormonal imbalances. It also saves you from trying to find homes for all the kittens!

Male cats are sexually active all year round and will roam in search of females. Fighting with other rival male cats and spraying of urine to mark their territory, are signs of an unneutered male. Neutering a male kitten may reduce the risk of cancer and other health problems. It also reduces objectionable behavior such as roaming, fighting and spraying.

Sneezing in cats

Question: Good Morning - I am a subscriber and enjoy the newsletter you send.

I have a 12 year old cat who has had diabetes for 2 years and is doing fine
with 7 units of insulin twice a day.

After Christmas this past year, he developed a herpes virus that affected
his right eye which is being treated and seems to be almost completely
recovered. His left eye has been mattering so I have been treating it as
well with a prescription eye drop from out vet. In the past month this
poor cat has been having sneezing fits. He doesn't just sneeze once or
twice but I have counted up to 10 quick sneezes at a time. Of course, I
took him to our vet but he didn't sneeze the time we were in the clinic and
he just thinks it's part of the herpes virus. I can tell he can't catch
his breath and of course, am worried about him. After the sneezing fits,
he usually uses his paw to sort of scratch his nose and eyes and then
settles back down. Last night I could tell he was having trouble catching
his breath and then he seemed to have just a moment of not breathing
through his nose - his mouth was open. I have tried to see if there is a
pattern to when he sneezes and there really isn't. I thought it could be
allergies but he is an indoor cat and I haven't let him out in weeks on his
leash. If you have any insight please let me know. I do have a call into
my vet this morning as well.

Sneezing like this can occur due to the herpes virus but it may be an
indication of a secondary infection of the nasal passages due to the virus.
In this case it is appropriate to use antibiotics. We have had the best
luck with azithromycin (Zithromax Rx) but other antibiotics can be useful.

Sneezing also occurs with other conditions. Dental disease, especially
infections around the roots of teeth, can lead to sneezing.

Cats get nasal polyps more frequently than dogs do and these can cause
sneezing or ear infections so it is worth looking for them when a cause of
sneezing is hard to find. Unfortunately, anesthesia is usually required to
get a good look into the nasal passages and rear of the oral cavity.

Sneezing seems to occur due to allergies in some cats but this is not as
frequent a problem as sneezing is in people with allergies. Allergies can
definitely occur in indoor cats, though. They are just allergic to stuff
inside the house, like dust mites and people dander. Sneezing can occur
with fungal infections of the nasal passages and sometimes occurs when
there is cancer affecting the nasal passages, as well. X-rays are
sometimes useful in identifying tumors but an endoscopic examination or
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are often better for identifying these
sorts of problems. Unfortunately, these diagnostic techniques may not be
available in your area and do cost much more than X-rays.

We sometimes see sneezing in cats with asthma. Some of the symptoms, such
as the difficulty catching his breath, are suggestive of asthma. This is
something else to think about. If attacks of difficulty breathing have
continued, it would be best to let your vet know this. We have also seen a
couple of cats with cardiomyopathy (weakness of the heart muscles) who came
to our office due to persistent sneezing. I can't really figure out the
link between the heart problem and sneezing but it was all we could find in
these cats. This could also cause difficulty breathing at times and also a
decrease in activity in general in many cats.

Hopefully your vet was able to help, but if not, these are some other
things to think about, especially if there are other signs of any of these
problems.

Question: Dear Dr Mike:
My 1 year old Persian has started to sneeze frequently. He has no
discharge from his nose and his eyes are clear. Could it be cat flu? Is
it normal for cats to sneeze as my other five rarely sneeze.

Answer: Suzanne-
Sneezing occurs due to feline herpes virus (which can be a recurrent
illness in cats), feline leukemia virus, from dental problems, from
allergies (not as frequently as in people), from exposure to environmental
insults like second-hand smoke, fungal or bacterial infection of the nasal
passages and cancers. In a young cat, the most likely causes are the
viruses, followed by environmental irritants and allergies. Usually, when
sneezing is due to herpes virus it lasts about 3 weeks, stops, then recurs
at irregular intervals. The other causes tend to be more chronic. It is
frustrating to try to sort through the causes of sneezing in cats, because
there isn't a good way to rule in or rule out herpes virus as the cause,
even though it is the most common cause, probably. So sometimes we do a lot
of work to eliminate everything else and then have to fall back on the
diagnosis of chronic herpes virus.
Mike Richards, DVM
12/28/2000

Q: Hello: I recently bought a red tabby five month old persian from a reliable breeder at a cat show. He seems to be in excellent health but sneezes quite often. Is this a characteristic of the breed because of their small pushed in noses or could he be allergic to his new envioroment,i.e., my other cat or dog? Thank you in advance

A: I was recently at a continuing education session. At this session, the speaker (Dr. Nassise) suggested that the most common cause of persistant sneezing in cats was probably rhinotracheitis virus. This is a herpes virus and it can cause chronic infection, or it can be latent for long periods and then recur in times of stress. I do think that some Persians and Himalayans seem to sneeze without ever showing any other clinical signs of disease at all and I have assumed that this might be some sort of problem from the shape of their face.

Once in a while we see persistent sneezing because there is a foreign body in the nasal passages. We have found a piece of thread, a piece of ribbon and several blades of grass on exams over the years. Also, periodontal disease is reported to make some cats sneeze but this seems pretty unlikely in a 5 month old cat.

Rhinotracheitis is very easy for cats to pick up prior to being successfully vaccinated against it. It is probably not possible to protect all cats, even with vigorous effort.

Allergies probably do cause some of the sneezing seen in cats. Five months is also pretty young for allergies to show up but I can't say with certainty that they aren't present.

Q: Dr. Richards,
I have adopted a male cat off of the street approximately 6 months ago.
The vet guessed that at the time I found him, he was 1 1/2 months old.
My question is, he has sneezed since the time that I found him. He
sneezes probably once every hour. Otherwise, he is very healthy. He
has a shiny coat, plenty of energy, and is perfectly healthy, other than
the sneezing. He has not been tested for Feline Leukemia or FIP. He is
not vaccinated for either one. Is this a possibility? Or is there
something else that could be bothering him?

Feline leukemia virus infection or feline immunodeficiency virus infection
can lead to chronic secondary illnesses and might be a factor in persistant
sneezing. The most likely cause of this is probably herpesvirus
(rhinotracheitis) infection, though. We have information on our site
regarding this condition. I think that if you search using "herpesvirus"
and cats I think it would show up in the search.