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Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month Chat Transcript
Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine, ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital—June 11, 2008
Cats are often revered for their independence and self-sufficiency, but when it comes to their health and well-being, they need as much care and attention as their canine counterparts. In June 2008, in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month, we invited our esteemed veterinarian Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, to answer some of your questions about cat health on our online community.
My cat Peaches escaped in the rain, and returned the next day with watery eyes and a cough. The cold eventually spread to our two-month-old kittens. What are some home treatment options?
—Ciara K.
Colds or upper respiratory infections (URIs) in cats are caused by a herpesvirus or a calicivirus. Bordetella, a bacterial infection, can also cause colds in cats. If a cat has a cold caused by a herpesvirus, it can help to give him an amino acid supplement called Lysine, which weakens the virus. (It comes in a powder form called Viralys.) However, a vet would first need to look at the cats and provide appropriate dosages.
It is very important that the cats continue to eat. Sometimes a cat with a cold will stop eating, which is very dangerous—especially for a kitten. Be sure to keep their noses clean and clear, so they can smell their food. Gently wipe their noses with a warm, damp washcloth or cotton ball.
If you notice the cats squinting, rubbing their eyes, or any swelling of the tissue near the eye, this is cause for concern because URI viruses can cause ulcers on the surface of the eye, which can lead to blindness if not treated promptly. If you notice eye problems, yellow snot from the nose, failure to eat, weakness or exhaustion, bring the cat to a vet immediately!
My 12-year-old cat has recently started to hesitate when he jumps on the bed or other furniture. Is this age-related or a sign of a more serious condition? Thanks!
—Marie
It is common for older cats to develop arthritis, although they are good at hiding signs of discomfort. If a cat is weak from any medical problem at all, this can also cause the cat to be more hesitant about jumping on the bed. Your kitty should see the vet for a thorough physical exam, an orthopedic exam, possible x-rays to check for arthritis, and blood work to look for other problems that might make him feel weak or tired. Good luck with kitty boy.
I have a four-year-old, neutered short-haired cat. Two years ago, he developed an odd habit of licking the walls. Nothing will deter him, and it doesn't matter if the wall is freshly cleaned, painted, etc. Spraying him with a water bottle will stop it temporarily, but he will always return to licking all kinds of walls and corners in the house. Why is he doing this, and should I be concerned?
—Ginger M.
Some animals will lick walls or other surfaces if they are anemic, so I would recommend full blood work to make sure there is not an underlying health issue. It could also be a behavior problem, so if no health issue is found you may want to consult with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or a certified applied animal behaviorist.
Of course, I’m sure you’ve already checked to make sure there is no lead or other toxic substance in your paint. If you are not sure, you could consult with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
I have a nine-year-old, seven-pound tortie named Kali. For the past three months, her left eye has looked unusual. Two weeks ago, the vet examined her eye but didn't see anything. Her blood work is normal, and she doesn’t have any drainage, though she does squint occasionally.
—Judy G.
Your vet can refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist to take a look at your kitty's eye. This should be done promptly because the longer eye problems go on, the more serious or irreversible the issue may become. Many veterinary referral hospitals or vet schools have ophthalmologists on staff. Ask your vet if he knows if there is an ophthalmologist in your area, or check for one at www.acvo.com.
Hope your kitty's eye feels better.
I've read online that some vaccinations are not really necessary, or not as frequently as prescribed by many vets. My two cats are both indoor cats and never stray outdoors; in fact, they are both afraid to go outside. They both had all of their shots in the first year. What vaccinations and shots are really necessary? I've read that some can lead to cancer or tumors, and I don't want to risk their health with anything that isn't necessary.
—Ginger M.
It is important that you discuss this with your own vet, since vaccination regimes must be tailored to the individual animal based on lifestyle and geography. For example, transmission of the feline leukemia virus can only occur through close contact between cats, so most vets feel that indoor cats who never go out and never meet a new cat do not need this vaccine. In contrast, the feline panleukopenia virus lives for a long time in the environment, and can be tracked into the home on shoes, so all cats need this vaccine.
You are correct that some vaccines, such as the older rabies vaccine, can cause tumors in a very small percentage of cats. There is a newer rabies vaccine thought to have resolved this issue, so you could discuss using the newer vaccine with your vet.
You can view the American Association of Feline Practitioners’ current vaccination recommendations at http://www.catvets.com/. But it is always essential to discuss the situation with your own vet who knows your cat!
My male cat, Blondie, was at the vet for nearly two weeks with a urinary tract infection. My husband went to check on him, and the vet said he had stopped eating and suggested we bring him home. I’ve tried to feed him all of his favorites, and he still won’t eat. I can tell he is a little weak because he will walk for a short distance and lay down. Do you have any suggestions?
—Pam L.
I am very worried about Blondie because cats who don’t eat can become very sick, and it can cause serious problems to their livers. Be sure Blondie has had blood work recently to check on his liver, and to confirm there isn’t another problem causing him to not eat, such as a kidney problem.
Did Blondie have an ultrasound to look at his urinary tract and see where the problem lies? Some kitties have urinary problems because of a stone in the bladder or kidneys, which could cause him to feel unwell. If Blondie has not eaten for some days, it is imperative that he begin receiving nutrition! We will often place a feeding tube in the esophagus or through the side into the stomach, so the owner can feed the kitty at home through a tube until he is feeling better. As I said, it is VERY dangerous for a cat to go without eating.
Check with your vet to see if Blondie has had recent blood tests and possibly an ultrasound, and be sure that he starts receiving nutrition. If your vet is unsure what to do next or Blondie does not show rapid improvement, your vet may want to refer you to a veterinary internal medicine specialist. You can find one in your area at http://www.acvim.org/.
Good luck with Blondie, and get him the help he needs right away!
Thanks so much for being with us today. I believe my Persian has developed a flea allergy. What's the best way to go about solving this problem?
—Michele F.
If your kitty has fleas or you think there may be fleas in your home, you will want to discuss the best method of flea control with your vet. It is essential to get rid of all the fleas on the animal but also in the house!
If your cat is developing skin problems such as a rash, baldness or sores, you certainly want to take him to the vet, since he may need antibiotics or antihistamines. Other skin problems can have similar symptoms as a flea allergy, so be sure you and your vet discuss all the possibilities. Good luck!
I give insulin shots to my cat every day, and I noticed the area around his neck is getting hard. I rub his neck, which he seems to love. Does the area around the back of his neck hurt from the shots?
—Eve
Kitties getting insulin shots shouldn’t receive it in the same spot every time. You can give it anywhere over the neck or shoulder area, or his upper back (the part of his back between the shoulders). Some cats will stop being diabetic if their diabetes is treated carefully. For example, many cats receiving glargine, a type of insulin, twice a day can be cured of their diabetes, though not usually if they have been diabetic for years. If your cat is not taking glargine, you could discuss the possibility with your vet.
It has also been shown that diabetic cats who are fed a high-protein canned food, such as kitten food, have a better chance of being cured of their diabetes. But you would need to discuss this idea with your vet since some kitties—like those with kidney problems—should not have high-protein food.
Good luck with your boy—I am sure he loves those neck rubs!
How do I introduce my cat to a new family member to be born later this year?
—Vickie L.
Of course, you will want to be sure to give your kitty plenty of attention before and especially after the baby's arrival, so the cat does not feel displaced or jealous.
It is generally advised not to leave the cat alone with the baby when the baby is very young—not because the cat would deliberately harm the baby but just to be sure there are no inadvertent mishaps. Some cats love to clean us or walk around on us when we are asleep! Introduce your cat to the baby under supervision, and make it a positive experience, by giving him a treat or petting him. You may also want to consult with a veterinary behaviorist or certified applied animal behaviorist for specific advice.
Have fun with your new family member!
When my husband and I got our kitties, we were for declawing and planned to do it. But I researched it and decided against it. Well, now the kitties are just over a year old, and we’re expecting new furniture. I'm so worried they are going to scratch up the new furniture, and my husband will want to get rid of them. What do I do?
—Whitney
I am not a fan of declawing kitties, which involves amputating the last joint and bone of each digit. It is not just the claws that are removed but about 1/3 of the "finger.” Naturally, this is a painful procedure; it has been shown that the kitty is in pain for several weeks and sometimes chronically. Here are some things to try:
- Many cats love the cardboard scratchers on the floor. My cats love the double-wide Cosmic Catnip one. It helps if you tape it to the floor with double-sided or rolled-up tape, so they can really scratch at it, and it won't slide around. It comes with catnip that you scatter on top periodically.
- Try all different kinds of scratching options—the cardboard ones on the floor, a sisal post (a nice sturdy one that feels solid and not wobbly), or even one covered with carpet if you don't have wall-to-wall carpet to confuse them. Many cats LOVE to scratch "cat trees,” the climbing trees that are sold in many pet stores and websites. These are multilevel contraptions that are covered in carpet and/or tree bark, and if you get one for your
- Be sure to discourage them from scratching your new furniture RIGHT AWAY. For example, there is clear sticky tape made for putting on the corners of furniture so cats don't want to scratch there. You wouldn't want it there forever, but at first, it can help to avoid bad habits. They sell it at many
- You can also use Soft Paws, little soft nail covers that are glued on the cats' nails; they cannot scratch with them on. They do need to be replaced every four to six weeks or so, but it is worth it to avoid putting the kitties through the procedure.
Good luck! The most important thing is for your kitties to stay in your home. I do think it is well worth the effort to solve this problem in a positive way.
I have four cats, and my one-year-old will not use the litter box to eliminate. She urinates in it with no problem. I have taken her to the vet, but there is nothing wrong with her. I’ve had up to five litter boxes in the house, and she always uses the main litter box to urinate but poops on the kitchen floor or the bathtub. I am now trying a pheromone-calming diffuser in the house, so far with no luck. Do you have other ideas for me?
—Carrie
It sounds like your cat may like to defecate on a smooth surface. You may want to try an empty litter box for her. It often helps to force them back into good habits—this can be done by confining her in a relatively small space so she does not have much choice. For example, you can use a dog crate that is big enough for her bed, 2 litter boxes, and her food and water. Put litter in one box but not the other. If she uses the empty litter box to defecate, leave her in there for some days or even weeks until she is really in the habit. Then move her into a small room by herself with all the same stuff. If she does well, leave her in there for a week or two, once again to get her in a really good habit. Then open the door, but try to keep her away from the areas where she used to defecate, such as the kitchen or bathroom. You can also make these areas unattractive, such as with tinfoil.
Be sure to always have at least as many litter boxes as you have cats, and keep them very clean—some cats like to urinate and defecate in separate areas, so she may not want to defecate where there is urine present. You can also use different kinds of litter, take the top off the box and avoid scented litter.
I have a diabetic cat but no money for treatment, and all of the vets in my area have turned me down for payment plans. I have been out of work since December for medical reasons with partial disability income, but it’s not covering all of my bills plus animal care. Any ideas?
—Linda B.
Have you tried applying for Care Credit (a credit program for veterinary bills) or having a friend or family member apply for Care Credit? This program often gives a very long time to pay with no interest.
Do you feel that you will be able to care long-term for a diabetic cat, such as buying supplies like insulin and needles? Research has shown that cats given glargine insulin and fed high-protein canned food often stop being diabetic, so you may want to discuss this option with your vet. Insulin is made by the pancreas, and when a cat has diabetes, most times the pancreas is "tired" (also called beta cell exhaustion). By treating with insulin, we give the pancreas a rest and often it will be able to start making insulin again. The sooner your cat stops having diabetes, of course, will keep costs down.
I truly hope that you find help, whether through Care Credit or even a loan from a friend. If your kitty has DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), she needs care immediately. We are all rooting for you and your kitty.
My cat Bennett has really horrible smelling urine. It’s not so much an ammonia smell as rotten body odor smell. It's so bad that if he goes and it isn't cleaned out immediately, it is impossible to be in the room. He is relatively young and seems to eat and drink fine. He was my foster cat before we adopted him, and I thought he had been fixed. But his balls are quite large, and I’m starting to think that he wasn't neutered. Could that be affecting the urine and its smell? Is a trip to the vet inevitable?
—Angela C.
If your cat has "balls," he is not neutered!! And if he is not neutered, that will certainly make his urine smell awful!! Bring him to the vet and see if he has been neutered. If he does not have visible testicles, the vet should look closely at his penis. If his little pink kitty penis has "barbs" (tiny spikes like a cactus), he may have testicles that did not properly descend and are hidden inside him, needing to be removed.
The bottom line is that he needs a trip to the vet! Unneutered cats also tend to pee on things, so you will want to hurry before he develops any bad habits. If it turns out he is already neutered, he should be checked for a urinary tract infection, which can also cause a bad odor.
My seven-year-old cat started coughing when we moved to Birmingham, AL. I took him to the vet, who diagnosed him with seasonal allergies/asthma. They put him on steroids, which helped for awhile, but he eventually started coughing again. We moved back to Tennessee, but the coughing continued. He is back on steroids, but I’m very worried he will have an asthma attack. Any advice?
—Nicole
Be sure to ask your vet about the latest treatment for cats with asthma called Flovent. This is inhaled medication. You can also read about it at www.fritzthebrave.com and at www.aerokat.com. By using inhaled asthma medications, we can avoid the side effects of steroids.
Of course, it is also essential that no one smokes in the home!!
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