Test Your Emergency IQ

By: Christian Yost

March 28, 2009

It’s a cat owner’s nightmare: Something’s wrong with your cat and your regular veterinarian is not available. You’re left to make a judgment when your cat needs emergency care. Handling critical situations can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some common scenarios.

Circle all those you think require emergency attention, then check your answers.

1. Should you worry? Your cat:

a. just vomited undigested food
b. vomited for the fourth time today and seems lethargic
c. threw up a hairball
d. threw up and you see signs of blood

Correct answers: b and d.
“Owners should try to distinguish vomiting from regurgitation,”  Regurgitation is a natural response to eating too fast.” Vomiting, especially when accompanied by other signs, may be more serious. “If vomiting occurs more than once per day,”or has signs of blood in it, it should be investigated.”

2. Your cat appears to be choking. You should seek emergency help when:

a. it sounds like a hairball is on the way up
b. her mouth is wide open but she’s making no sound
c. she’s pawing at her mouth and taking big swallows
d. she collapses

Correct answers: b and d.
If your cat can’t make noise, she probably can’t breathe, and will die without immediate veterinary care. Fortunately, life-threatening choking is uncommon, Most of the time,” cats are able to expel a foreign body or mucus on their own.”

3. Which ones would cause problems if your cat ingests them?

a. acetominophen (Tylenol)
b. ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
c. acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
d. birth control pills

Correct answer: All.
“If an owner sees a cat ingest Tylenol, it is an emergency, Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are also toxic. Birth-control pills are the least dangerous, but ask your veterinarian�s advice if your cat ingests many.

4. You should take your cat to your veterinarian or emergency clinic if she is bleeding from:

a. a cut pad
b. a broken toenail
c. the rectum
d. the nose

Correct answers: a, c and d. But even a bleeding toenail should be examined if it doesn’t stop within five minutes. “A 12-pound cat can safely lose up to two ounces of blood.

5. Your cat jumped off the refrigerator. Which of these scenarios requires a visit to the veterinarian?

a. she won’t bear weight on one of her legs
b. she’s walking with a slight limp
c. she shook one foot violently, glared at you and walked away with a normal stride
d. one leg is now at a funny angle

Correct answers: a and d.
A limb that doesn’t bear weight needs to be examined. “There are myriad reasons for limping,”from a compound fracture or torn ligament to a broken nail or torn footpad.”

6. Which of the following is the most serious?

a. your cat has gone three days without a bowel movement
b. your cat keeps straining in the litter box with no results
c. your cat has three bowel movements a day

Correct answer: b.
“Cats straining to eliminate may be either trying to empty their bowels or their bladders. Constipation is uncomfortable, but a cat unable to urinate can die within 24 hours. An immediate veterinary examination is critical to determine the cause of the straining.

Post the emergency telephone numbers for your regular veterinarian and your local after-hours emergency veterinary hospital. You never know when an emergency may occur.

Veterinarians and their answering services know how to identify emergency situations. By asking a few questions, they will be able to help you take the right course of action. “A simple phone call,” can often determine whether something is a true emergency or not.”

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

How to Tell if Your Cat is Ill

By: Christian Yost

March 26, 2009

Your cat cannot explain his symptoms, so it’s the responsibility of you and your veterinarian to keep him healthy. Cats are very good at hiding their illness so it is up to you to observe your cat for abnormalities.  indications of a “sick pet” include: lethargy, disorientation, weakness,weight loss, seizure, lack of appetite,vomiting, diarrhea, unproductive retching, straining to urinate, bloody urine, difficulty or inability to walk, bleeding, pale mucous membranes, difficulty breathing and persistent cough. You know your pet best and can often notice subtle early warning signs that someone else may not detect. If you observe any of the mentioned symptoms or other signs that concern you, call your veterinary hospital. The safest approach would be to have your pet examined.

Once your pet is at the hospital, your veternarian may ask additional questions to help localize or diagnose the problem. It may help to be prepared to answer some of the following questions:

How long have you owned your cat?

What is the age of your cat?

Has your cat experienced any previous illnesses?

Is your cat currently under treatment for an illness or disease?

Has your cat ever been tested for Feline Leukemia  or Feline AIDS

Where did you get your cat (adoption center, breeder, previous stray, etc.)?

What preventative medications is your cat currently taking?

Does your cat receive any consistent flea treatment?

Has your cat been vaccinated? When? For what?

What other type of pets do you have?

Are any other pets ill?

Have there been any recent acquisitions?

Have there been any recent activities such as boarding, grooming, etc.?

Is the majority of your cat’s time spent indoors or outdoors?

Have there been any recent changes in diet or eating habits?

What brand of food does your cat eat? How much? How often?

Do you offer your pet table scraps?

How frequently and what type of treats are offered?

How much water does your cat typically drink per day?

Have there been any recent changes in water consumption?

What type of litter do you use and how frequently is the litter box cleaned?

Have you noticed any coughing or sneezing?

Have you noticed any lumps or bumps on your cat?

Is your cat urinating normally?

Is your cat having normal bowel movements?

When is the last time he/she had a bowel movement?

Have you noticed any recent weight loss or weight gain?After answering some general questions, more specific questions need to be answered. A brief cursory exam of your pet at home can help you determine the answers. These questions are also commonly asked when pet owners are seeking help over the phone. Be prepared to answer the following questions, depending on the problem with your pet:

Regarding the eyes

Have you noticed an increase or decrease in tear production?

Do the eyes appear cloudy or red?

Have you noticed any discharge?

Do the eyes appear bloodshot?

Are the pupils the same size in both eyes?

Have you noticed your pet rubbing or pawing at eyes?

Is your cat squinting his/her eyes?

Do the eyes appear to be sunken or excessively protruding?Regarding the ears

Do you notice any swelling or discharge from the ears?

Are the ears drooping when they normally stand erect?

Are the ears red and inflamed?

Do you notice any odor?

Is your cat rubbing or pawing at the ears?

Have you noticed a lot of head shaking?

Have you noticed any pain or crying when you rub or scratch your cat’s ears?Regarding the nose

Have you noticed any congestion,sneezing or coughing?

Have you noticed any blood coming from the nose?

Have you noticed any nasal discharge?Regarding the mouth

Have you noticed any swelling of the lips or tongue?

Have you noticed any bleeding from the mouth?

What color are the gums – tissue just above the teeth?

Is your cat able to open and close the mouth normally?

Is there any pain involved in opening or closing the mouth?

Have you noticed any excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth?

Is your cat able swallow food normally?

Are there any foreign objects such as bones or sticks stuck on the roof of the mouth or around the teeth?Regarding the chest

Is your pet experiencing any difficulty breathing?

Have you noticed panting?

Is there any pain when the chest area is petted?

Have you noticed any recent coughing?

What is the heart rate?

Is the heartbeat steady and consistent?

Place your hand or your ear on the left side of your cat’s chest, just behind the elbow. You should be able to feel or hear the heartbeat. Count how many beats the heart pumps in one minute.Regarding the abdomen/stomach area

Has your cat been having any diarrhea  or vomiting?

Is your cat able to eat and drink normally?

Does the abdomen/stomach area appear swollen or distended?

Does your cat have pain when the stomach area is petted?

Is your cat known to chew on non-food items such as clothing, towels, strings, etc.?Regarding the urinary and reproductive systems

Have you noticed any difference in urinating?

Does your cat seem to strain to urinate or cry in pain?

Does your cat repeatedly try to urinate with no urine produced?

Is there any blood in the urine?

How frequently does your cat urinate?

Is your female cat spayed? At what age? Did she ever have kittens?

If your cat was not spayed, when was her last heat cycle and was she bred?

Is your male cat neutered? At what age?

Do you notice any discharge from the vaginal area?

Do you notice any discharge from the penis?

If your cat is not neutered, do you notice any swelling of the testicles?

Have you noticed your cat excessively licking or grooming the genital area?Regarding the musculoskeletal system – bones and joints

Have you noticed any limping?

Are any legs or joints swollen?

Has your cat been excessively licking at one area of his/her legs?

Does your pet show signs of pain when walking?

Is your cat able to walk normally?

Does your cat walk on his/her knuckles?

Does your cat drag any legs when walking?

Have you noticed signs of pain when petting your pet?

By supplying the answers to these questions, your veterinarian will be in a much better position to help your pet. Additional tests  may be necessary to find out what the problem is but the answers to the above questions can greatly narrow the area of concern.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

How to Have a Trauma-free Veterinary Visit

How to Have a Trauma-free Veterinary Visit

By: Christian Yost

March 24, 2009

Does your cat dart out of reach as soon as she sees the cat carrier? This is a common reaction of many pets when they know a veterinary  visit is coming. A trip to the doctor’s office for your pet can be a stressful and anxious event. Here are a few tips to making that dreaded visit safer and more pleasant for you, your pet and the veterinary staff.

Getting the Cat in The Carrier

Chances are you do not take your cat on short trips, outings to the park or social visits. Trips in the car for cats are far less common than for dogs. In fact, probably the only place you take your cat is to the vet or perhaps a kennel . So when Kitty sees that pet taxi come out, it usually means Bad News. Many a veterinary visit is cancelled for reasons none other than the owner simply can’t find or can’t reach her cat. In homes occupied by more than one cat, a trip to the doctor can trigger a whole chain of stressful events.

Cats that have previously gotten along with each other may hiss or even fight when the patient returns home.

One of the ways you can reduce your pet’s anxiety is to make the travel kennel an everyday object. A pet taxi’s use does not have to be limited to travel alone. Use it from day one as a retreat, a perch or a feeding station for your cat before you ever attempt to use it as a carrier. Let your cat become comfortable seeing the carrier; perhaps you can use it for lying in a sunny window.

Throw a cat treat, some catnip or cat toy in it occasionally so your kitty moves in and out freely and develops confidence in the present of the carrier. For younger cats, try taking your kitten in the carrier on short trips in the car. The purpose of the trip should be a short ride ONLY to desensitize your cat. Do not run errands and leave kitty unattended in the car. Speak softly and reassuringly. Keep windows rolled up and the radio off. When you return home, open the door to the carrier and let your cat stroll out on her own to a small food treat.

Once your cat feels confident in the car, ask the staff at the veterinary hospital if you can stop by for a non-medical visit like a weight check. Let your kitten interact with the veterinary staff for a few minutes and then proceed home. Your veterinary staff will be happy to take a minute or two for these important interactions as a stressed out cat is hard on them, too.

When taking your cat to the doctor, a pet taxi is a must. Do not let your cat roam freely in the car; this is dangerous for you and your pet. A cat can dart out when you open the door, hide out of reach in the seat or wedge herself under the cars accelerator while you are driving. If you are taking more than one pet in for care, each cat should be taken in her own carrier. Fights and squabbles can break out even among loving companions and injury can occur.

When returning home, provide your cat with some privacy and solitude. Many cats hiss and fight with companions on their return. Take your cat to a quiet area of your home with food, water and a litter box for a little relaxation time, and let things calm down before returning to your daily routine.

Some cats tend to be more stressed with their owners close by. It sometimes works to everyone’s benefit to do a physical exam or procedure in a separate room with only veterinary staff in attendance. As much as you want to be with your pet every minute, this is often a simple solution that decreases anxiety.

Can’t You Give Him Something?

Every veternarian has patients that, despite all efforts, are so frightened and anxious, even a simple physical exam is impossible. Everyone takes these pets very seriously. A frightened pet can become defensive and injure the owner, doctor, staff or even another patient in the clinic. A pet’s behavior may limit needed medical care. If it is a safe alternative based on your pet’s health, your veterinarian may discuss with you the advantages of providing mild sedation for your cat. It may be a pill you give before you leave for the clinic or medication administered by the doctor. Sedation can be a lifesaver for those pets needing medical attention. Please discuss this option with your doctor. Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com