Cat Health Care Questions

Your veterinarian should be your first source of care and medical
information. As with all medical cases, check with your veterinarian before
changing any medical treatments. This information is meant as a resource,
not as a treatment, diagnosis or replacement of veterinary advice.

Nail Trimmings - Nail trimmings are a very important part of grooming and a good place to start with obedience training. Many types of pets do not like to have their feet handled or touched. This can make regular nail trimmings a hassle and a fearful time for your pet. Some pets get so worked up that they scream and bite as if they are being tortured. Nail trimmings (when done properly) are perfectly harmless and painless. We never recommend sedating an animal to do a nail trimming. We always recommend starting as soon as you get your pet with handling the feet and introducing the clipper so that they realize it will not harm them. If you make nail trimming or any grooming process fun, they will look forward to the "chore".

Start by playing, touching, scratching the feet/paw area several times per day for a couple of weeks or until they become comfortable with having their feet/paws handled. Be sure to use lots of positive reinforcement and treats!

Next, introduce the clippers by laying the clippers next to your pet while playing, touching and scratching their feet/paws. Do this for another week or so.

Finally, pet their feet/paws with the clippers, making sure not to use the clippers. After a couple days of this, start trimming just the tips of the nail so they get used to the feel. Be sure to use lots of treats.

Aging Pets - We have gotten a lot of emails lately about aging pets and decided to list common ailments and problems associated aging. Any changes in behavior or appetite are often the first signs of illness. If you notice any of the symptoms below, please take your pet to a vet immediately for a complete check-up. This is not intended to cover everything, just the most common problems.

Spaying Complications - My cat was spayed two weeks ago and is suddenly listless, has no bowel movements and is vomiting.

Spay Complications Response - Yes there are complications related to spaying included allergic reactions, infections, etc. From your description that a couple of weeks have gone by...surgery complications usually show within several days to a week and would probably become dangerous after a month. Symptoms might include fever, vomiting, lethargy, not eating, etc. I am concerned that she is vomiting and has not had a bowel movement...this may indicate a bowel obstruction. Usually foreign bodies have to be removed if they are not passed within a couple of days. Her system could become poisoned if not able to clean out the toxins...is she urinating? I am glad to hear that you have gotten a second opinion...some vets do not lite to admit they made a mistake. Did your second opinion mention doing an exploratory go the suture area? The could open her up again to make sure everything is ok.

What usually happens during a spay is that they pill out the uterus and tie it off at the bottom before removing it. It is possible to accidentally block or tie-off the intestines if the uterus is not pulled out properly. Below is a link to a website that shows the actual spay procedure:

Please take your cat back to the vet...you are the best judge of her health because you know what is "normal" for her...they should respect that you know something is wrong.

What a frustrating problem! There is a source for these ear mites....are your cats outdoors? If so they are being reintroduced to the ear mites each time they go outside. Do you have a dog...if so, you should be treating the dog too. Ear mite treatment does work but only as long as the cat is not reintroduced to the source. Are you sure it is ear mites and not an infection? These are two different things with different treatments. If they are actually infections...these can be brought on by other health problems such as allergies. Ask your vet to check for underlying health issues as the cause of constant ear problems.

I have 12 cats. Two of them are sick with runny eyes, fever, runny nose, and sneezing. The third eye is swollen and very red. I have had them to the vet twice and there is no improvement. I am giving them clindamycin hydrochloride twice a day and putting medicine in the eyes. My vet does not know whats wrong with them. Do you have any suggestions. I need a cure before all my cats get it. Please help!

I am glad to hear you have had your cats to the vet. The symptoms you describe can be very serious. I assume that your vet is treating them for upper respiratory infections or some other type of infection because of the antibiotics. Did your vet do any testing for feline leukemia or FIV? These are very contagious diseases that all your cats should be vaccinated against. Are these symptoms your describe sudden? All of these symptoms you describe are usually a sign of some type of cold or respiratory infection. It sounds as if your vet is treating it properly. Colds and respiratory infections are also very contagious to other cats. It is a good idea to quarantine the cats that are sick and showing symptoms. These types of colds are not usually lethal unless they go untreated. Provide the cats that are sick with a quiet and warm place to rest and plenty of food and water.

What a great question...heat can be a trying time because your cat will demand much more attention and can even become aggressive. We always recommend spaying to prevent pregnancy but much more important is that it will help prevent certain types of cancers. Your cats heat symptoms will ease in about two weeks. She will come into heat at least three times per year. However, cats can also get pregnant just by mating, meaning they will ovulate when mated, even if not in heat. Extra attention and distraction seem to be the only soothers for cats.

Inappropriate Elimination - I am writing in because I have a 2 yr. old Manx female , I keep finding her urinating on my leather couch. This is the only place I have found her doing this. I have used vinegar to see if the smell would deter her from doing so. I love my cats and I love my couch, any advice would be greatly appreciated .

Try lining the couch with tin foil which cats hate to walk on. Another method is to tape balloons to the couch...when she jumps up....pop! You can also try double sided sticky tape which you can find at your hardware store (however, may ruin your couch). There is also a product called sticky paws at your local pet store which is sticky tape. Try laying in wait with a squirt bottle of water and squirt her anytime she is near the couch. Try adding another cat box in the house. Do you have a multi-cat household or have you changed litter brands? Generally there is a reason for the inappropriate elimination. Believe it or not, I have a male cat who gets mad at me when I am away on vacation and will poop on my beds when he is mad!

she is a small cat, around six months or so. At first she was ravenous. We kept her on our glassed in porch at night which was aroun 45 degrees with a blanket. Our daytime temps have been aroud 45 degrees also. During the da, she has been outside. She has been with us for a week and she continues to eat but sleeps all of the time. At first she was energetic, now she's pooped. Litter box seems normal, seems to have no fever. We"ve had a snowstorm and have not taken her to the vet because we didn't know if we'd find an owner. We have 5 other cats who live outdoors and are very healthy. Could she have been someone's housecat that they put out? We've brought her in out of the snow and she continues to sleep near the heat register. Can she be expecting? We don't know how to tell. Help! We don't know what to do.

Thank you for having a kind heart and helping an animal in need! One of the first signs of illness are a change in behavior or appetite. It does sound as if something is wrong. If she is continuing to eat and stools look good, that is a good sign. However, her lethargy is a sign that something is going on. You said that she does not seem to have a fever....does she have any other symptoms like sneezing, runny eye or nose? This would be an indication of a cold or upper respiratory infection. Since you have other cats that are healthy, it would be wise before letting her come into contact with them to have her checked for feline leukemia and FIV. These are both very contagious to other cats. Since your other cats are outdoors, have they been vaccinated against these diseases?

There is a real possibility that she is pregnant...six months is right about the time that they come into their first heat. This time of year is also perfect for spring babies. Does she have enlarged mammories? If she is early yet, she may not be showing. The gestation period for a feline is around 63 days. You may notice the enlargement of the mammories and stomach at around 1 month. Lethargy is not usually a sign of pregnancy, except in latter stages. Is she hiding or seeming to search for quite areas or birthing areas? If so, she would be having the babies soon.

Colitis - My cat has colitis and the antibiotics the vet has prescribed don't seem to cure her. Do you have any suggestions?

I am glad to hear that you have taken your cat to the vet. Colitis is often a difficult problem to cure. The first place to start is usually with antibiotics. However, you do not mention if your vet has changed your cats diet or tried other treatments. Colitis is believed to be caused by several things such as allergies, bacteria, stress, or genetic predisposition. It is often hard to determine the exact cause. Below is information contained on our website that I have copied (in case you did not find it). I have also added some links below with more information.

Our knowledge of colitis is that it is generally a symptom of an underlying
problem such as a food allergy, intestinal parasites (coccidia), feline
leukemia, tumors or polyps, and even a cat that is stressed (meaning overly
worried, easily scared and uptight). The definition of Colitis is a recurring inflammation of
the intestinal lining causing loose stool (diarrhea) with blood and mucus. Did your
vet run lots of tests to determine what the underlying problem is? It
sounds as though your vet may just be treating the symptoms and not the
underlying cause of the colitis. Tests to determine the actual cause of the
colitis can be prohibitive and often times come up with no answer at all.
The easiest and least expensive tests include a stool examination for
coccidia, x-rays for tumors or polyps, and a feline leukemia test. More
expensive measures are biopsies and exploratory surgery.

Control of colitis usually includes antibiotics to eliminate bacteria (which you are doing),
anti-inflammatory steroids to help alleviate inflammation of the intestinal
lining, and dietary changes to eliminate any allergies. It looks as though
you are treating an antibiotic. We recommend that you also try to eliminate any food allergies. As with all allergies, eliminating the allergy can be difficult. We recommend trying specific allergy formulated diets you can find at your vet's office (Science Diet I/D). However, these foods have a tendency to be bland and unappetizing. Another way and a little more involved, is to make her food by hand. Chicken, fish, tofu, baby food, eggs, and rice are all good for allergies and stomach problems. Cook the food well
and then blend them in a blender.

Suggestions for clean-up of flare-ups can be hard because usually your cat
does not have control of her bowel movements during these flare-ups. Try
adding more cat boxes, especially next to her sleeping and hang-out areas.
Baby wipes can be very handy for instant clean-ups and make stain removal
easier.

Colitis Update:Thank you so much, Debra! My cat is 14 and also has diabetes. I feed her Medical Reducing Formula canned cat food. Also I give her a few different kinds of dry food. Plus her treat she loves so much--a small dish of fish, usually sole or cod. Do you see any problem with this?

Update Response -

By medical reducing formula, I assume you are referring to a weight control diet....senior cats benefit from diets that are not so high in protein but are higher in fiber. Protein can be difficult to digest for older cats. A higher fiber diet may help with both problems since fiber can help diabetics lose weight and colitis needs more fiber to help with the flare-ups. Try picking one particular diet and sticking to it. At your cats age, switching foods may be upsetting the stomach and causing the colitis. If you are giving her the medically prescribed diet and then giving her the fish treat, she should do fine. For colitis, the key is to keep the diet simple. I found the link below with great info on diabetic diets.

http://www.petdiabetes.org/diet.htm

Hope this helps. Thanks for the update

Heart Problems - our 14 year old calico is very listless, throwing up just foam.
also she looks as though she is gaining weight, although we have not weighed her..... biggest problem is fatigue.... she is a constant purring cat, and purring sounds congested. Could this be a sign of feline chf?

Teeth Problems - I run a cat rescue shelter and at present I am looking after a couple of extremely tiny, eight week old kittens. I have had them since they were
four weeks old, and one has been eating by themself all that time, while the
other one refuses to eat solids, and is still being hand reared. The one
who is eating is a real little livewire. I took the bottle fed kitten to the vet, and it was discovered that her top teeth are digging into her bottom gums and making them very sore and
infected. She has had two painkilling injections, and really perks up
afterwards, but is still not keen on eating on her own, although she is now
being fed with the a/d veterinary food in a syringe, and is getting
plenty to eat. She is not skinny. The vet is unable to repeat the injections on
a regular basis though. To me, the obvious solution would be to remove the offending teeth, once
she is big and strong enough to stand a general anesthetic. Does anyone have any suggestions as I really don't want to lose this kitten? Is there anywhere that specialises in dental problems for cats and kittens?

Teeth Response - We are not veterinarians and cannot provide veterinary advice, care or
treatment. Our information is provided as a resource. Your first resource
should always be your veterinarian.

I can relate to your problem. I adopted one of my cats from shelter and
noticed early on that he had double canines on both sides. It was obviously
causing him pain because his gums were very red and inflamed. However, my
vet recommended we wait before doing anything because he felt they would
eventually fall out when he got his permanent teeth (which came in the same
way). However, this did not happen. To this day, I regret not having them
taken out because he has chronic teeth problems. So...from my vantage
point, once the permanent teeth are in and if they have the same problem, I
would have them filed down or removed. I believe the permanent teeth are in
by around 3 -4 months of age. Another issue with early gum and teeth
problems can be related to FIV or FeLV. Please be sure to have the kittens
tested to rule it out as the cause.

http://www.vetdentistry.com/orthodontics.html (is the problem related to an
overbite or underbite?) this website recommends removing the teeth before
the permanent tooth come in.

Please let me know how the kitten is doing.

Neutering - I have just neutred my 1 year old cat. He is still @ the vets but i would like to no wut to do when he gets home. r there ne websites you could send me?

Great question...however, do not worry, your cat may be a little slow the first day but will recover quickly. If he comes home on the same day as the surgery, he may be a little lethargic from the anesthetic. Put him in a quite room, box or carrier for the rest of the day. By the next day he should be acting like his old self. The incision will heal completely in about 1 week. You should not bathe your cat during this period.

Spraying - My cat is a fourteen month old neutered male (no particular breed). He
was neutered a little too late and was spraying for about two months before
the operation. This, however, was six months ago. He can still spray a
little bit, but mostly he now pees on everything (i.e. table, pillows, any new
object on the floor, even on people if near the object of his intent). He
obviously knows that I do not like this, so he does it very quickly and is
sneaky about it. I do not know what is wrong. He used to be the sweetest cat. There is a young female (too young for spaying in the house now too), but he seems to
like her. I feed him, clean his litterbox, give him attention, or leave
him alone if he prefers. Nothing seems to work. When he does this (several
times a day) I often yell or push him away from the area, but most
frequently shoot him with a watergun if I see the behaviour about to
occur-this works for a brief time period ( meaning a few minutes).
I live in the city so he must be a strictly indoor cat and I want to be
able to keep him. He does always use the litterbox to poop.

Spraying Response - Don't worry you are not alone...this is one of the biggest complaints of cat owners. That is why they are called independent. They seem to have their own set of rules.

When reading your email, the first thing the stuck out at me was the "young
female". I assume from your description that she is a new addition. Most
problem behaviors with cats can be attributed to a change in their
environment. Even though he may seem to be happy with her, I would not
discount that this is part of the problem. The solution for a multi-cat
household is usually two kitty boxes. Have you tried adding his own kitty
box? Some cats also require continual retraining methods. Retraining
usually involves keeping him in a bathroom with food and water and his
kittybox, basically making him use it. Remember that a cat's sense of smell
is very strong. You did say that you kept your kittybox very clean
(great!), however, when adding a new box try and get the smell of his urine
in the box so he knows where to go. Also try changing litters until you
find one he likes (although this doesn't sound like the problem it is worth
a try). We recommend litter pearls. They absorb all liquids and keep
smells to a minimum.

Neutering a male also does not guarantee that they will stop spraying.
Spraying is a way for a cat to mark his territory. Neutering does not alter
that ability just reduces the need to mark territory for breeding. This is
probably not any consolation to you, but it can take from 6 months to a year
for the spraying to stop after neutering. The horomone levels take time to
disappear. There is a product that can be purchased at your local pet store
or vet clinic that has a good reputation called Felaway. It is a spray that
is supposed to calm nervous cats.

Neutered males are also susceptible to urinary tract infection and
blockages. These can be fatal if left untreated. Signs of a urinary
infection or blockage are inappropriate elimination, lethargy, loss of
appetite, fever, etc...

Check out the links below for more information:

http://westernmedicalsupply.com/wm_suppl_prod_smani_abb_fel.html

http://ny.essortment.com/malecatssprayi_rwos.htm

Our information is provided as a resource and is not intended to replace
veterinary care, advice or treatment. Your first resource should always be
your veterinarian.

Good luck and I hope you discover what is causing this behavior.

Excessive Appetite - Fred is a 4 year old male cat and has consistently eaten 1 to 2 cans of Fancy Feast & 1/3 cup of dry food his whole adult life. However, about 2
to 3 weeks ago his food intake began to sharply rise. Now he is eating 3 to
4 cans of food a day along with a cup or two of dry per day. Now he is
always hungry and cries through-out the night for food. Other than his massive
food consumption he seems normal, healthy, and active.

Excessive Appetite Response - We are not veterinarians and cannot provide veterinary care, advice or treatment. Our information is provided as a resource. Your first resource should always be your veterinarian.

One of the first signs of illness is a change in behavior or appetite.
Since you have noticed a change in appetite, please take your cat to the vet
for a complete check-up. An increase in food and water can be an indication
of feline diabetes. Also, thyroid problems can cause a cat to eat
excessively but is mostly seen in older cats. Below are some links with
additional information:

http://www.bestfriends.org/members/health/feldiabetes.htm

http://www.peteducation.com

Dead Gifts - My Cat (Mogley) 3years old male fixed kills small animals and brings the home as gifts" i wonder if there is a way that we can let him know that the gifts are not appreciated and we want him to stop killing .

Cat/Baby Introductions - I have a Siamese cat that is very vindictive. She does thing on purpose just to make me mad, i.e. will knock a glass of milk off the counter, not
to drink it, but just to wait until I notice it and then run. Well, the
thing she's doing now that I'm considering giving her away if she doesn't
stop is sleeping in the baby's crib.
I've tried sprays that keep pets away, squirting her with the water bottle
(though most of the time she does it I don't catch her), putting tin foil
down in there (supposedly they hate the feel under their feet), cardboard
with double sided tape, you name it.
Do you have any other suggestions? I will not put the baby in there until
the cat learns not to go in there as I don't want her smothering the baby,
and I don't want the baby to have to sleep in a bed of cat hair.

Cat/Baby Introductions - What an important question! Did you see our New Baby Introduction section under Pet Tip of the Week? I will copy it below. Also, it sounds like you have tried just about everything and have a very stubborn cat. I also had a
similar problem when my babies were born. My cats loved the confined space
of the crib, mostly the bassinet. My solution was to fill the crib and the
bassinet completely with balloons (leave no room for the cat to squeeze in).
The very first time my cats jumped in and popped the balloons, the cats
never did it again. I know some cats are more persistent. However, I think
you will find this method helpful.   You may have to repeat the procedure
after a week of so or leave the balloons in the crib until the baby arrives.
Is your cat spayed? If not, spaying may calm her down. If the baby has not
arrived yet, it is important to start laying down the rules ie; no counter
sitting, no lap sitting (unless invited), no sleeping on your bed, etc.   Be
consistent so that cat knows you are the boss.

Preparing Pets For Your New Baby - Cat or Dog: Obviously a new baby in the
family brings changes for everyone.   Sometimes we forget that it also means
changes in our pet's lives. They have the same feelings of being left-out,
abandonment and confusion. The best way to reduce the amount of stress on
your pet is to start socialization with other children and retraining prior
to the new arrival. The first step is socialization and involves
introducing, playing and handling by children. If your pet is nervous, try
having the child give treats to your pet and praising your pet when he takes
the treats.   (Do not let a child handle a pet that is in any way
aggressive!). Progress slowly always reinforcing good behavior with treats.
The second step is to retrain your pet as to who is the boss and retrain the
simplest commands. By establishing dominance you set the rules on how your
pet should act around the new arrival.   Dominance training includes making
him sit prior to feeding, not letting him on the couch unless invited (this
is your territory not his), no lap sitting unless invited, not letting him
sleep in your bed (especially if you plan to have the baby sleep in your
bed), keeping him off the counters, and keeping toys in a box until time to
play (this is helpful when little hands start playing with dog toys). Last
but not least, give them as much extra attention and love as you can!!

Kitten Poop Problem? - I have a couple of quick questions about kittens. We just adopted a cat about a month ago, and 2 weeks ago she had a kitten, much to our surprise! (We got lucky that she only had one!) The mother cat is just over 1 and we were planning on taking her in to get her shots (we don't think she's had any), and my first questions is: Now that she is nursing a kitten, should we wait to get her shots? My second question is regarding the kitten directly. Like I said before, she (I think she's a she) is 2 weeks old, and I swear she has not gone to the bathroom yet. We have a cat bed in our bedroom, and the kitten and the mother spend a lot of time in there and under our bed. I check constanly to see if the kitten has made any messes, and I have yet to find any. Is this normal for a new kitten???

What a great question! Fortunately, there is a simple answer. Cat mothers meticulously clean their babies so that no smell is left for predators. In the first few weeks of life, your mother cat will lick the potty area of her baby to stimulate its waste elimination (to put it scientifically). She will eat any feces and urine that her kitten produces. In the wild, this is essential for their survival by keeping predators from smelling the kittens. At around 4 weeks of age, you may notice more soiled material in the sleeping area. At this time, you can start litter box training. Most kittens will pick it up instinctively. Below are links with information on how to introduce a litter box:

Blood in Stool - One of my cats has produced a soft stool with fresh blood. What causes this?

Blood in a cats stool is usually not a serious condition unless it is a lot of blood or lasts for more than a day or two. Blood in the stool can be caused by several things such as; eating sharp blades of grass, bowel and stomach irritations, parasites and anal glands. The first two conditions usually will clear up on their own in a day or two, unless you cat has developed an irritable bowel condition usually caused by stress. Parasites such a coccidia and giardia can cause runny bloody diarrhea and gets worse over time and should always be seen by a veterinarian. Other types of worms can also cause bloody stool and should be treated by a vet. If your cat is an outside cat and drinks from outside water sources, it may have picked up a parasite. Anal glands can also cause bloody stools. There are two glands on each side of the anus and they can sometimes become impacted. If this is the case, you may see your scooting. Below are links to more information on these subjects:

Kitten Cough - We adopted 2 kittens this
weekend, brother and sister littermates, 8 weeks old. She is fine, but
he is coughing, about 4 or 5 times a day. He's been to our vet twice
and we have been told that he does not appear to have any upper
respiratory infection. He is not sneezing, nor does he have runny eyes
or nose. He is eating voraciously and plays very hard. He appears to
cough upon waking up from a nap and shortly after eating. At first, I
hoped it was just that he was eating too fast and reacting to that. But
when he wakes up and starts coughing, he coughs like he is trying to
cough up a hairball and nothing comes up. He never coughs while playing
nor does he appear to be winded, so I don't think he would have
asthma.   One of his littermates was adopted by someone else and she did
develop upper respiratory problems over the weekend and stopped eating
for several days and has since been given IV fluids. But again, our
Wolfgang has a hearty appetite.   Am I being neurotic? Does it sound
like allergies?   What do you recommend.

Kitten Cough Response - I am glad that you took your new kitten to the vet. We are not veterinarians and cannot provide veterinary advice, care or treatment. Our
information is provided as a resource an is not intended to replace
veterinary care.

It may very well be that he will eventually develop a respiratory infection.
Respiratory infections also have symtoms of runny noses, runny eyes, runny
nose, etc. Thankfully, they are easy to treat with antibiotics. However,
has your vet considered worms. I will assume that the vet took a fecal
exam. Severe worm problems can cause a kitten to cough. Other syptoms
include; bloated stomach, excessive appetite, runny stools, and lethargy.
Another type of worm is the heartworm which is very dangerous. Did your vet
test the kittens for FIV, FIP and Felv? It is important to find out if you
cat has been exposed to these diseases and if not, have them vaccinated
against them. Below are links with more information on these topics:

http://www.peteducation.com

I hope all he has is a big gigantic hairball that is difficult to cough up.
Try giving him some mineral oil on a teaspoon or some laxatone from your
local pet store, just in case.

Noisy Cat - We just adopted a 3 year old cat who makes crying noises at 4:00 in the
morning. Is there a way we can train the cat to start making noise later
in the day or is it that he is just nervous and needs time to get used to his
new environment and our schedule?

Noisy Cat Response - You don't say whether your cat is neutered or not (I assume you have a male in your reference to him). If he is not neutered, neutering him will calm
his need to find a mate. Unneutered males will call or return the calls of
females in the area that are in heat. Late evening and early morning hours
are popular. If he is newly neutered the calling may reduce over time.

If he is neutered, he may just be adjusting to his environment and looking
for some reassurance. I have a male cat that we adopted as a kitten (thinks
I'm his mom) and when he is unable to locate me in the late evening around
11:00 (when I am upstairs) he calls for me. He also calls for me when he
wants to go to the bathroom. I guess he just has to let me know he has to
go. Try reassuring your cat frequently and if allowed, let him sleep in
your room. Try a clock radio alarm that can be set for music to go off
(preferably in another room) at 4:00 am to keep him company or distract him.
Be sure that he has food available before going to bed. Cats do have a
different clock than ours. Most sleep all day, are night owls and early
risers.

As with any pet, a change in behavior can be a sign of illness. If this is
a sudden change in behavior, please take your cat to the vet for a complete
check-up.

Feline Colitis - Where can I find out information about Feline Colitis, my pet is under the care of an excellent veterinarian, however I would like to find out more.

Cat Licks Strange Things - My cat likes to like bleach...I do not let my cat have any household chemicals. I definitely don't let her drink actual bleach or anything like it. I am a caregiver for a sick person and when he takes a detox bath with a little clorox in a bathtub of water suddenly Taffy gets crazy to lick his hands. It's awful and she is
not allowed to do it. The other stuff is just established household environment, like dried, painted walls (twice Taffy was licking a spot of that)... I have a holistic
perspective on things and 1) please know I would not let my cat be poisoned by the
environment I create for her, 2) I also know that when animals do crave
these unhealthy things it indicates imbalance in their system. I'm hoping to
find some resources that can suggest what Taffy's problem might be and if
there's anything dietary or otherwise I can do to help her get build up a
healthier system and emotional environment... Taffy has no poisoning at the level
that would be recognized by a vet. She has a clean bill of health. But that's
not clean enough for me and I'm concerned about her long-term health when
she's showing these symptoms. I'm sorry it seemed like I was coming from a less caring perspective. If you have any ideas, now that you understand the situation a little better, please let me know.
Thanks a lot! Olivia

Cat Licking Response - I am glad to hear your clarification...you would not believe some to the
stuff I hear and I wanted to be sure your cat was safe. I also am a little
relieved because I could not fathom how a cat would lick straight clorox or
other household products. Their smell is so sensitive that usually the first
wiff of an odor and they are gone. Your cat sounds very similar to mine and
probably millions off others!! My cat also has an affinity for freshly
washed skin, hair spray, cooked corn?, leather, plastic bags, wet hair? (she
actually will eat it), to name a few. I would suggest that your cat may not
have an actual imbalance but rather is attracted to the smell and may like
some catnip grass to chew on and a toy with fresh catnip and catnip spray.
There is a new product on the market at local pet stores that you can spray
on anything for your cat to enjoy. It works wonders! It comes in a black
bottle and is made by the Kong people. Before your client takes his bath,
spray some catnip somewhere in the house to distract her. There are also
lots of different varieties of grass that you can buy at you local store
that can be grown indoors for your cat. Try several to see which one she
likes best.

If you strongly think that she has an imbalance, I have copied an item from
our website you may not have seen about herbal supplements you can try as
well as websites specializing in herbal remedies and food products;

9/1/00 - Holistic Care - We have been hearing more and more about the
benefits of alternative medicines. We thought the following list of
vitamins, mineral and herbs and their uses would be helpful (this list is
not meant to be a replacement of veterinary care, advice or traditional
medicine but as a resource) Human dosages of vitamins, herbs and minerals
are not proper dosages for pets. Always consult your veterinarian before
giving any new treatments. Your pet should have a thorough check-up by a
veterinarian before considering any new treatments. This list is intended
as a compliment to veterinary treatment and should only be used under the
advice of a vet.:

Heart - Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium

Blood - Folic Acid, Vitamin K, Copper, Iron, Sodium, Garlic, Echinacea,
Ginko Biloba, Fatty Acids

Immune - Echinacea, Goldenseal, Grapeseed

Nervous System - Potassium, Amino Acids, L-Tryptophan, Catnip

Body Tissues & Organs - Vitamin C, Magnesium, Sodium, Beta Carotene,
Feverfew, Yucca, Grapeseed

Digestive - Vitamin B, Folic Acid, Manganese, Acidophilus, Bran, Garlic,
Aloe Vera

Anti-Oxidant - Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Bee Pollen, Rose Hips, Wheat Germ
Oil, Goldenseal, Grapeseed

Skin & Hair - Biotin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Copper, Sulfur, Zinc, Beta
Carotene, Cod Liver Oil, Rose Hips, Aloe Vera, Fatty Acids, Grapeseed

Eyes - Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Cod Liver Oil

Bones - Vitamin D, Calcium, Copper, Cod Liver Oil

Metabolism - Vitamin B, Folic Acid, Chromium, Brewers Yeast

Hormones & Glands - Vitamin A, Manganese, Zinc, Amino Acids, Iodine,
Echinacea

Energy - Vitamin B, Phosphorus, Bee Pollen, Brewers Yeast, Ginseng

Before using any of these vitamins, herbs or minerals as a home treatment,
you should first consult your veterinarian. Your veterinarian should always
be your first resource in diagnosis, treatment and dosages. Be sure to
check for toxicities with your veterinarian.

http://www.petmedicinechest.com/

http://www.healthypetnet.com/

http://www.holisticat.com/

You sound like a very caring person and your cat is very lucky to have such
a wonderful mom. Please let me know what you discover, I am interested in
hearing what happens.

Pet Loss Support - Do you have any information on how to handle a family that is having a
hard time grieving for the lost of a pet? Thank you, Andrew

Pet Loss Support Response - I am sorry to hear that someone has lost a beloved pet...this is referred to in the pet world as crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Below are some links to
sites that have information on different ways of grieving for a lost pet:

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm (rainbow bridge story)

http://www.petloss.com/ (candle ceremony worldwide)

http://rainbowsbridge.com/chat.htm (chat room/message board)

Other suggestions to help with grieving include; starting a online photo
album to share with friends, asking your vet for pet loss support groups in
your area, adopt a bench, tree, etc. in memory of the beloved pet, and as
hard as it may seem, adding a new member to the family can make the grieving
easier. Visit a shelter and adopt a pet in memory of your beloved pet.

http://www.cvma.org/petdoc.asp?ID=216 (pet loss support groups California)

http://www.deltasociety.org/dsn700.htm (groups by state)

Please send us a picture of the pet that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and
I will post it on our Pet Pictures Page.

You don't say how old the cat is....if it is a kitten, they generally tend to outgrown mild heart murmurs. An older cat may develop a murmur and be ok for months or years until they start to show symptoms (coughing, lethargy and poor appetite) which should be treated to prevent heart failure. Have your friend talk to her vet about alternative ways to treat heart problems such as weight loss, diet and supplements.

Kitten/Cat Introductions - We took in a friend's cat on the day her kittens were born. We've set up
a cozy room in the basement for them--and other cats are upstairs. Mom,
Hazel, will be joining the family and kittens will go to new homes when they're
ready--but before they go, it'd be nice to have the whole gang upstairs
together. Any tips and timeline for socializing / introducing would be
appreciated. THANKS!

Kitten/Cat Introductions Response - It will be much harder to have the introductions with newborn kittens. I am glad you have them separated. It is not common, but some males are known to
attack newborns. The mother will be very protective of her babies and
nervous around new cats. The kittens should not be introduced for about 4-6
weeks or at least until they are moving around and their eyes are open.

New pet introductions can take up to two weeks. First the cats have to work
out their pecking order. There can be a lot of hissing and swatting but
this is how they will decide who is boss. Generally these squabbles are
harmless. It will probably only take a couple of days to a week to work out
who is boss. Then you may have accepted tolerance from some and getting
along by others. It is hard to tell from cat to cat. They are all so
different and unpredictable.

Introductions can be made initially by adding bedding material from each cat
and you to the new cats (mix litter boxes too). This gives the new cats the
smell of the household. Make first introductions through a door or a cat
carrier to prevent serious flareups. Gradually allow more time and access
over a weeks period and at the end of 1 week, put them together with
supervision. They should be full acclimated at about two weeks. Be sure to
give your current cats lots of extra love and attention so they do not feel
displaced. to avoid problems with litter box issues, be sure to provide
separate litter boxes so that territorial spraying (even with neutered cats)
and accidents do not happen.

As with any animal, their behavior can be unpredictable. Use your judgement
and knowledge of your pets to keep them out of harmful situations. This is
meant as a resource not as a replacement for seeking professional advice.

Send us some pictures of your new family for our Pet Pictures page!

Havana Brown - We are looking for an inexpensive, preferably Havana Brown or solid black,
Oriental Short-Hair. My daughter's beloved Blue Point Siamese is left us
after 17 years. My daughter is also 17. We understand that in order to
afford the breed, the cat will most likely have birth defects that would
render it unable to be shown or bred. She simply wants another cat to
love. She gave her cat his IV treatments and medicine with the help of
our local vet, but he suffered a stroke last week and died in her arms.
Can you help us?

Havana Brown Response - I am sorry to hear you lost a beloved family member. It sounds like your
Siamese had a good life in a loving family! I am sure she was happy.

If you are not looking to breed or show your new cat, I would recommend
looking at the shelters and rescues. There are specific rescue
organizations for Havana Browns and Oriental Short-Hairs. You don't say
where you live but check with your area cat rescues for information on
specific breeds available. Below are some links to some organizations:

http://felinerescue.net/Purebred_Rescue_Links.htm

http://www.creatures.com/USBR1AJ.html#HavanaBrown

http://www.havanabrown.com/

http://www.pets4you.com/havbrown.html

I hope this helps you find information on the Havana Brown

Cat Dog Friends? - We have a 2 year old border terrier and just got a 4
year old cat. They seem to tolerate each other well
(no fighting, just some hissing once in awhile, but do
they have a chance of actually becoming friends? We've
been told by many people older cats introduced to new
dogs will ignore them. This cat has lived with 2 older
dogs. Is there anything we can do to encourage
friendship? Thanks! PJ

Response Cat Dog Friends? - Your off to a great start if there is minimal hissing and reaction.
However, as with people, all pets have different personalities. It is hard
to tell how they are going to react together long-term. Their friendship
may also depend on how they interacted with other pets from previous
relationships. If they had bad experiences, this can affect how they react
to each other now. Here are a couple of suggestions to try and make them
life-long friends:

Status in the household is important. All pets have a rank in the family.
If you can keep them on equal terms as far as the pecking order goes this
might help ( a lot like children!). Feed them at the same times and let
them interact and play with the family together. Sleeping arrangements may
help also. If one is allowed to sleep on the bed, do not exclude the other
and vice versa.

Manx Syndrome - Recently we have added to our family of rescued stray cats. Morgan, the
"part" Manx I'm concerned about, brings our cat family to 9 lives!!
Morgan is a 6 month old, sweet, well tempered, loving cat; he is also
victim of breeding errors and the subsequent elimination problems.
Although he uses the litter box faithfully he is unable, to put it
delicately, make a full deposit. Instead he often drags the dregs, shall
we say, all over the house. We have considered having his long stumpy
tail removed. It seems to us it is a trap for wayward feces. It also
appears he has weak anal sphincter muscles. The vet confirms he has a
poorly developed hind end.   Not a pretty picture, but these are the facts.
He has already been rejected by at least one family and we refuse to be
another. Despite his "handicap" we believe he has a much right to a
loving home as any cat.   Giving up is not an option, we want to solve the problem for his sake
and ours. Any suggestions? Thanks   Barb and Bruce

Response Manx Syndrome - I love to hear from families like you who despite all the odds are willing
to love and take care of animals in need! Thank you for having such a kind
heart. Did you see our page on manx cats? Morgan is considered either a
stumpy or a longy manx cat which has a visible tail or a definite short
tail. Manx cats are known for their genetic problems related to their
missing vertebrae. The Manx gene that created this "no tail" breed, is also
responsible for a genetic defect of the spine known as Manx Syndrome. It
is caused by missing vertebrae at the end of the spine. It is usually fatal
and can show up in a kitten anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months. Be sure to
have your kitten checked carefully by your veterinarian. Symptoms of this
disease are bowel problems and walking problems. Manx' with tails are also
susceptible to arthritis in their tail as they age. Their spine and tail
can become fused causing severe pain. Because they are more susceptible to
arthritis, you may need to eventually treat him for his pain. You don't
say whether he has loose stool or hard stool. I will assume it is loose
stool...To prevent to the elimination problems, our suggestions would be to
add more fiber to his diet, add a diet designed for bowel problems such as a
Science Diet Prescription Diet (at your vet) (fiber diets can cause weight
loss and hard stool), and try a different type of cat litter that is more
absorbent such as clumping litter (try one until you find one that works).
If he has hard stool, try adding mineral oil once a week to his diet (give
on a spoon and let him lick it up). The following sites have information on
treating arthritis in cats. Check with your veterinarian before making any
changes to Morgan's treatment.

http://www.petinfo4u.com/manx.htm

http://www.valleypetnews.com/venerable_vet_i.htm (do not give your cat
aspirin)

http://www.fanciers.com/breed-faqs/manx-faq.html (suggests amputation to
relieve pain)

http://www.stewartpet.com/cattreat.htm (info on fiber diet)

Our information is provided as a resource and is not meant to replace
veterinary care, advice or treatment. Your first resource should always be
your veterinarian.

Response Hairballs - You don't say what hairball remedy you are using. Petromalt or Laxatone are
very good hairball remedies. They should have the hairball cleared within
the week. Sometimes hairballs can become a problem and cause blockages.
Does your cat seem to be having a problem throwing up hairballs. throws up
more than three times per day, everyday? Is there actual hairball in the
throw-up? If no hairball is coming up, it could be something else. Does
the throw-up have any unusual smells, or is it yellow with mucus? Because
you say your cat is elderly, if you have noticed any of these symptoms,
please take your cat to the vet immediately for a check-up. Kidney problems
in older cats can produce vomiting, excessive drinking and urination.

If you feel that it is a hairball problem, you can try the new cat foods and
treats that are specifically formulated to prevent hairballs (they have
hairball remedies as an additive). You can try mineral oil. Give a
teaspoon of mineral oil on a spoon and let your cat lick it up. Most cats
will readily lick up the mineral oil. Do this once a week during shedding
season. Grass is also said to help aid the digestion of hairballs. The
fiber that grass provides helps break up the hairballs in the digestive
tract. Try the grown indoor varieties found at your local pet store.

Our information is provided as a resource and is not meant to replace
veterinary care, advice or treament. Your first resource should always be
your veterinarian.

Gestational Period - I have both a male and female cat who are not fixed. We think the female
could possibly be pregnant. I am trying to find out what the length of
gestation is for her.

Response Gestational Period - The gestational period for cats is from 58 to 70 days with an average around 63 days. It is hard to tell if a cat is pregnant until after one month.
After one month, mammory enlargement and abdominal enlargement start to be
noticable. Be sure to have your cat on a nursing or lactating diet. A
kitten diet is also acceptable. These types of diets provide higher
calories, fat and proteins necessary for kitten development and keeping
weight on the mother.

As the due date nears, you may notice your cat hiding and searching for dark
places to have her kittens. She may also be coming to you (back and forth
from birth spot) for reassurance several hours prior to birth. This may
start up to a week to two weeks prior to birth. Be sure to provide a topped
off box with blankets in a quite place (preferably a closet) for her to
choose from so that she does not wander off to have the kittens. She does
not require assistance in the birthing process unless there is an unusual
discharge (greenish, foul smelling), the mother does not remove the
membranes from the kittens, there is an unusual amount of time between
kittens (more than 2 hours). A normal litter consists of 4 to 5 kittens.

Neutered Male Peeing in House - Why does my neutered male cat go outside , then comes back in and pee in different parts of the house. He has been trained to go outside now for
6 years , about a year now he's been coming inside to pee. It it
possible that he is jealous of the other cats? Or is it just a bad
habit and is there anyway to make him stop peeing all over the house.

Response - Neutered Male Peeing in House - Your not alone...this is a common problem with male cats. First, it is important to know that male neutered cats are susceptible to Urinary Tract
Blockages that can be life threatening. Any change in bathroom habits can
be a symptom of a medical problem. If he seems lethargic, has a loss of
appetite, has trouble urinating or has blood in his urine, take him to your
veterinarian immediately.

Since you said that he goes outside, I am assuming that he does not use a
litter box. Have you tried litter boxes in the house? Even male neutered
cats are capable of spraying. Is it possible that he is spraying to mark
his territory? If so this is a different problem altogether, probably
related to have a multi-cat household. Below are some tips on how to
correct this behavior.

1. Get two or more cat boxes until retrained. Place the litter boxes in
areas that he uses frequently. Give him a course on litter box etiquette.
Try catching him in the act and sternly telling him no while showing him the
correct place to go potty. Most cats will instinctively go in a litter box
with little or no training.

2. Be sure to completely remove any smells to prevent return visits. You
can also try double sided sticky tape in popular spots to deter him.

3. Has anything changed in your household recently such as; a new addition,
a move, a loss, etc.? Stress can cause behavioral changes. Try giving him
as much attention as you can and reassuring him.

http://www.planeturine.com/catpethappy.html (lots of different info on
urination problems)

With any sudden onset of estrus symptoms and behavioral changes in a spayed female you may want to consider a horomonal imbalance. Any behavioral changes can be an indication of illness. Our recommendation is to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible to have a complete check-up. You would want to rule out any cancerous or tumor development causing a hormonal imbalance. Below is a link that has basic information relevant to your question:

Your veterinarian should be your first source of care and medical information. This information is meant as a resource, not as a treatment or diagnosis.

January 28, 2001 - Stray Cats - Hi I have a question about two stray kittens that I found. I just found a
couple of days ago. One of the kittens which is a female I have in my home
for about 4 days. The other kitten which is a male. I couldn't get until 4
days later of getting the female kitten. They are sister and brother. My
question is do they still recognize each other, after being separated for a
couple of days?

Response - Stray Cats - You don't say whether your having problems with them or not...Are they
getting along? After four days, they should still be able to recognize each
others scent and not have any problems. If you are experiencing problems,
it should only take a couple of days for them to work out their pecking
order again. Hissing and growling is normal behavior for about 1 week with
new introductions.

December 31, 2000 - Throwing Up Blood - my cat has been throwing up thick,yellow stuff that smells really bad then all of a sudden it was mucus and blood then black thick stuff with
blood in it. what could make her do that?

Throwing Up Blood Response - Anytime your cat throws up blood you should be concerned! Please take your cat to the vet as soon as possible for a complete check-up.

Cats do on occassion throw-up yellowish mucus from eating grass and from hairballs. It can
contain some blood after throwing up several times and is of no real
concern. However, you state that your cat's smells bad and has thick black
stuff with blood (this is a sign of something serious). Is it possible the
thick black stuff is dried and clotted blood? If this is the case then she
may be seriously ill. She may have ingested something that has cut her
intestinal lining and is causing her to bleed internally. Is there any
possibility that she ingested a poison? Anti-freeze is lethal to all pets
and is commonly ingested by cats. There are lots of possibilities, all of
which require immediate veterinary attention. Below are some links with
some additional information:

http://www.petinfocenter.com/cats_dogs/diarrhea.htm (good information on
when to see a vet)

http://www.vetinfo.com/catvomit.html#Vomiting (articles on cats vomiting)

Let us know how she is doing. Debra Petinfo4u.com