Dr. Jonny's Healthcare Tips

Common feline ailments

Yo, we're no different than you: We like to keep the body clicking on all cylinders. If you suspect that your cat is suffering from any of the following or is exhibiting unusual behavior, consult a veterinarian.

• Cat Allergies- The most common allergy among cats is flea allergy. As cats get older, their sensitivity to fleabites increases. Food allergies account for 5-10% of cat allergies. They can cause itching, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Vomiting- Can result from hairballs, worms, food allergies, overactive thyroid, or kidney infection. It is important to keep your cat hydrated, so make sure plenty of water is always available.
• Diarrhea- If your cat has persistent diarrhea, you can try changing its diet. If symptoms continue for more than 2 days, take your cat to the vet with a stool sample.
• Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)- An inflammation, irritation, and/or obstruction of the lower urinary tact. The inability to pass urine can become life threatening if not treated quickly. FLUTD is far more common among male cats than females. Symptoms include straining to urinate, blood in the urine, frequent trips to the litter box with only small amounts voided, or refusal to use the litter box.
• Diabetes- Occurs in cats that cannot properly regulate their blood sugar levels. Symptoms may include excessive thirst and urination, weight loss or obesity.

Emergency Warning signs

No kidding around here. Dr. Jonny has compiled a list of emergency warning signs. If your cat displays any of these signs contact your veterinarian.

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Refusal to eat for a period longer than 24 hrs
• The presence of blood in the litter box, above average usage of the litter box, or a strain in urinating
• Regular eating of the cat litter
• Nose/eye discharge and sneezing
• Abnormally aggressive behavior

Dr Jonny shows you how to check your cat's health at home

For fun, I call myself Dr. Jonny but I'm not a real veterinarian. Shocker, huh? And unless you are, veterinary care should be sought for any feline health matter. However, you can easily check for potential health issues at home just by following these simple suggestions:

Put your own paws on your pet.

Grooming your cat provides you with an excellent opportunity to examine him or her. When you do, take a look at the following areas for scars, fleas, rashes, and other potential problems:

• Feet
• Mouth
• Tail
• Other areas that are easily observed

Report any painful spots or abnormalities to your veterinarian.

Check those ears.

Your cat's ears should be clean and odor free. The problems to watch for are:

• Wax buildup
• Foul smelling discharge
• Brown, dirty flakes.

Never insert anything into the ear and always call your veterinarian if you notice any hazards.

Examine the eyes.

• Eyes should be clear with little to no discharge.
• Tear overflow, especially in Persians, can stain the face.
• Accumulation of mucus in the corner of the eyes can be gently cleaned away with a cotton ball moistened with warm water or weak saline solution.
• Persistent tearing or discharge requires veterinary care.

Smell your cat's breath and examine his teeth.

The following are warning signs of health problems:

• Strong odor
• Plaque buildup
• Broken teeth

Trim the claws and check for redness and swelling.

Most people trust this service to veterinarians, veterinary clinic staff or professional pet groomers. However, it can be done at home. If you are unsure about trimming your cat's claws or have never done so before, ask your cat's veterinarian to do it or to show you how.

To trim your cat's claws, do the following:

• Always use a special trimmer made exclusively for trimming cats' claws
• Press the paw gently to expose the claw
• Cut only the tip
• Do not cut the pink area, or quick, since this can cause pain and bleeding.

Please Note: The preceding content is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing a pet's health or fitness problem or disease. You should always consult your own veterinarian and medical advisors.