The Cat Clinic

Full service feline only veterinary hospital

Disease Awareness in Cats

Urinary Tract Disease in Cats

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urinary tract disease cats
Cosmo at the animal hospital

Urinary Tract Disease in Cats-Why Won’t My Cat Use the Litter Box

Urinary tract disease in cats can cause inappropriate eliminations or going outside of the litter box. Many cat parents assume that this problem is caused because of spite thinking that their cat is trying to get back at them for something. Luckily, cats don’t share this very human emotion of spite and revenge. Going outside of the litter box is always caused by some very real medical or psychological problem.

The first avenue to explore is ruling out a medical condition causing discomfort to the cat. I laugh with my clients that when there cat is elimination outside of their litter box that is their way of saying TAKE ME TO THE VETERINARIAN! In fact, one client described her cat eliminating outside of the litter box for several weeks before finally climbing up on the kitchen counter and urinating on her sandwich! I think that is a clear cry for help.

Young cats usually don’t get urinary tract infections but can suffer from concentrated urine that produces stones or crystals that can wreak havoc inside their bladders. These stones or crystals have some genetic predisposition but can be prevented by feeding an appropriate diet.

The Cat Clinic of Plymouth always recommends a canned food diet that can reduce the incidence of formation of these issues by allowing the urine to have the appropriate pH and dilution. Studies have shown that cats concentrate their urine very well allowing the formation of these issues in the urine.  Studies further support that even when a client believes their cat drinks enough water but eats mostly dry food their cat’s urine is many times more concentrated than a cat that eats a mostly canned food diet.

Male cats that eat a mostly dry food diet are more prone to urinary blocking. A blockage in the urinary tract is life threatening. If your cat is straining in the litter box, this is an emergency.

Another predisposing factor for urinary tract issues in any aged cat is stress. Multiple cat households, indoor life, lack of environmental stimulation, changes in the household can cause physiological stress in a cat that result in increased circulating cortisol that attacks the bladder wall. This makes them feel as though they have a urinary tract infection. This feeling can come and go throughout the day or week making it difficult to track due to inconsistency. See our blog on litter box care and environmental stimulation for more information.

Older cats can also suffer from urinary tract infections caused by underlying medical conditions such as obesity, kidney disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism to name a few. Many of these conditions are easily treatable. So again make sure your cat sees your veterinarian for routine checkups especially as they age. If you have trouble getting your cat in the carrier see our handy guide to Getting Your Cat in the Carrier.

Early Detection Can Lead to Early Diagnosis of Disease

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cat disease
Cat Disease- Tulip

There is nothing quite like the grief of loosing a pet, this is undeniable. Our furry friends are such a huge a part of our lives and our hearts, and there is an unforgettable emptiness after they’re gone. One of the hardest situations to deal with is unexpected euthanasia that comes suddenly with no time to prepare. The best way to avoid such situation is early detection of cat disease and illness. Noticing your felines first subtle signs of sickness can lead to early diagnosis and can help avoid unprepared loss.

In the veterinary world, when a patient presents with sudden abnormal behaviors or signs of illness that cannot yet be determined, we call it “ADR”, or ain’t doing right. It is common in older cats who have no previous history of disease and have been healthy for most of their life. As a pet owner, it is important to be able to pick up on to the early signs of ADR, but first you must be able to understand and identify them. There are multiple key points to look out for as your cat ages.

 

 

  • Visible changes in your cat are important in determining if there is something wrong. Changes like weight loss, abnormal gait, lack of luster to the coat, or even something as subtle as an unusual look in their eyes can be the first signs of an illness.

 

 

 

  • Behavior changes  can range from obvious and alarming, to subtle and hard to notice. Some of the more obvious changes in behavior include hiding, if they are typically social. Subtle signs can be as simple as sleeping in an odd location or deciding not to play with a toy that they usually love.

 

 

 

  • Changes in appetite is a common sign that should never be ignored. If your cat doesn’t finish or decides to skip a meal, it is likely there is something brewing. Also, it is not uncommon in some cat diseases for cats to become more hungry. If you notice they are begging more often or seem ravenous, they could be telling you they are sick.

 

 

  • Changes in thirst is also common with many cat disease s. An increase in thirst can be an early sign of illnesses such as kidney disease or diabetes. If you notice you have to fill up the water bowl more than usual, don’t ignore it!

 

  • Vocalization is very common in cats who are in pain or uncomfortable. Howling or an increase in vocalization is an easy sign to pick up on, and it is pretty hard to ignore. It is important to listen when your cat tells you there is something wrong!

 

There are many more subtle signs that your cat can begin to show if they are ADR. These may include a fowl odor, such as bad breath, inappropriate elimination or use of the litter box, excessive scratching or grooming, vomiting or diarrhea, or becoming less social or affectionate.

It is important to remember that as a pet owner, you know your cat better than anyone else. Trust your instinct. If you think something may be off, or something seems different, do not hesitate to call your veterinarian. It could be a matter of early detection of a life threatening  cat disease, and you will be thankful that you called.

Schedule an appointment today 

by Leah Carlson, CVT

Check List for a Successful Veterinary Visit

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Happy Cat going to her veterinary visit
Happy Cat going to the Veterinarian
By Cassandra Kelley DVM

 

At the Cat Clinic of Plymouth, we know that our clients want their cats to have a happy and healthy life. Part of achieving this level of wellness is by scheduling preventative care visits routinely with your veterinarian. However, getting some cats to the animal hospital for their veterinary visit can be a bit stressful for both you and your cat.

 

Guide to a stress free veterinary visit

Here is a checklist for making that trip to the animal hospital to see your veterinarian much less tricky.

  • Choose the correct carrier for your cat.

 

 

  • Familiarize your cat with its carrier

 

  • Use feline facial pheromones

 

  • Ask your veterinarian if they recommend any other medications for travel

 

  • Cover the cat carrier for travel and for entrance into the animal hospital

 

  • Make a list of changes in your cat and questions that you want to ask the veterinarian

 

  • Allow your cat to familiarize itself with its new surroundings in the exam room at the animal hospital

 

  • Make an appointment at a veterinary clinic designated as a Cat Friendly Practice by the Association of Feline Practitioners like the Cat Clinic of Plymouth

Feline Dentistry

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Dental products for cats

Most people brush their teeth twice daily. They see a dentist twice yearly for dental cleanings. They floss, they whiten and they brighten. But what about your cat? What about Feline Dentistry? February is Dental Month, the month that we focus on all the benefits of oral health in cats and dogs.

Just as in humans, dental disease can be a painful problem that often goes on to cause other problems like diseases of the kidneys or heart. It is only recently that we learned of the importance of oral health in humans and that is starting to cross over to veterinary medicine. I often hear my clients say that they have never been told about the state of the teeth in their cats before. I believe this is not because disease didn’t exist but because we weren’t focused on how important it was to healthcare.

Luckily, we have many tools to help prevent and control these diseases. Preventative care begins at home.

Brushing

The gold standard for every mouth is brushing. There are dozens of options for toothbrushes for your cat. From small headed long handled brushes to keep your fingers away to finger caps that fit over your finger. There are also a variety of toothpastes formulated just for cats and dogs. It is best to use these as they are safer and come in delectable flavors like beef and chicken. Toothpaste flavors are integral in training your cat. Start out by offering these delightful toothpastes on the brush allowing them to simply lick off the toothpaste from the brush. Once they accept this as a daily chore start to gently introduce the brush into the pocket of the lips eventually brushing back and forth gently.

Oral Rinses

So not everyone has the type of relationship with their cat that would make tooth brushing possible and that’s ok. We have other options. Oral rinses go a long way towards decreasing the amount of bacteria on the teeth which prevents tartar build up and gingivitis. The best ones have a sports bottle type of design that allows a narrow straw to enter the corners of the mouth and with a gentle squeeze deliver some of the rinse into each side of the mouth.

Food and Water Additives

Ok, Ok, so you can’t even pat your cat! I get it but you can still help prevent oral disease with additives. These liquids or powders can be added to the food or water. Most cats tolerate them very well and they work similarly to the rinses in that they try to decrease the amount of bacteria on the teeth. I prefer the Food Additives because most healthy cats don’t drink enough water to make the water additives worthwhile.

Food

By using food in addition to one of the above, home dental care will really show results. Most people think that by feeding dry food it will help keep the teeth clean. Research studies show that cats who do not brush their teeth daily get equal amounts of dental disease whether they eat canned or dry food unless that dry food is formulated to decrease the tartar. Products like Hill’s Prescription T/D diet and Royal Canin Dental Diet are specifically formulated to remove tartar from the teeth.

Using a combination of these dental products can go a long way to increasing the length of time between cleanings saving time and money. Make an appointment today to have your cat’s teeth evaluated.

Cat Scratch Fever

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Cat Scratch Fever
Preventative Care can protect a cat from disease

What is Cat Scratch Fever? A visit to your veterinarian could prevent this disease.

Not only is Cat Scratch Fever a groovy song from the 70’s, it is also a bacterial infection that can affect humans. It is transmitted through bites and scratches from cats. Cat Scratch Disease can also be transmitted from an infected cat to a human if the cat comes in contact with the human’s open wound or eyes.  This makes it a zoonotic disease, one that can be passed from animal to human.

The bacteria are Bartonella henselae and are one of the most common bacteria in the world. About 40% of cats will carry these bacteria at some point in their lives, very commonly when they are kittens. It is believed that the bacteria are transmitted to cats through fleas, another important reason to protect your cat against fleas all year round. For more information on flea prevention see Infested .  The bacteria are transmitted to the cat when it grooms itself and inadvertently ingests the feces of the flea. Humans cannot contract the disease directly through fleas but the disease can be transmitted to humans and cats through ticks.

Cat Scratch Disease symptoms

Most cats are not clinically sick when they are infected with Bartonella henselae. Occasionally, a cat will present with fever, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes to the veterinarian but treatment is not always required. While most cases in humans are generally mild, it is estimated that over 25,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized each year for symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease.

Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after exposure and can include….

  • Reddish small solid rounded bump or papule at the site of scratch or bite
  • Swelling and appearance of infection at site
  • Swelling of lymph nodes nearest the site of scratch or bite
  • Mild fever
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • General malaise
  • Lack of appetite
  • Muscle pain (myalgia)
  • Nausea or abdominal cramps
  • Occasional serious effects on internal organs in children under 5 or those immunocompromised individuals.

However sometimes symptoms don’t occur for months making diagnosis difficult. When I was finally diagnosed with Cat Scratch Disease years ago, I had already been tested for HIV and my affected lymph node was biopsied for cancer. Luckily those tests came back negative and revealed that I had simply been infected with Bartonella henselae!

Prevention of Cat Scratch Disease

Fortunately Cat Scratch Disease is not fatal in humans but can cause serious issues for immunocompromised people.  Here are the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) recommendations to prevent Cat Scratch Disease in people.

People

Do:

A cat’s paw with long sharp nails.

  • Wash cat bites and scratches right away with soap and running water.
  • Wash your hands with soap and running water after playing with your cat, especially if you live with young children or people with weakened immune systems.
  • Since cats less than one year of age are more likely to have CSD and spread it to people, persons with a weakened immune system should adopt cats older than one year of age.

Do not:

  • Play rough with your pets because they may scratch and bite.
  • Allow cats to lick your open wounds.
  • Pet or touch stray or feral cats.

Cats

Do:

  • Control fleas
  • Keep your cat’s nails
  • Apply a flea product (topical or oral medication) as directed by your veterinarian.
    • BEWARE: Over-the-counter flea products may not be safe for cats. Check with your veterinarian before applying ANY flea product to make sure it is safe for your cat and your family.
    • Check for fleas by using a flea comb on your cat to inspect for flea dirt.
    • Control fleas in your home by
    • Vacuuming frequently
    • Contacting a pest-control agent if necessary

Protect your cat’s health

  • Schedule routine veterinary health check-ups.
  • Keep cats indoors to
    • Decrease their contact with fleas
    • Prevent them from fighting with stray or potentially infected animals

From http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/cat-scratch.html

Although most humans do not require treatment, alert your doctor if you have any symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease. Just because Cat Scratch Fever is a groovy song, I can assure becoming symptomatic due to Cat Scratch Fever is not groovy!

By Cassandra Kelley DVM, veterinarian and owner Cat Clinic of Plymouth