The put up Ask Dr. Paola – Monday May 5, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over complete articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You is probably not conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. However, we respect that you simply just like the article and would adore it in case you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we deliver professional recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether you’re a brand new pet dad or mum or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your kitty pleased, wholesome, and feline positive. Stay tuned for professional steerage on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care on your furry companion.
Have a query? Send it in right here!
Help! My Cat Won’t Eat His Wet Food!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
My 5-year-old Ragdoll Winston won’t eat moist meals, he’ll eat the gravy however not the meat. I’ve tried all the pieces, even making my very own gravy for him. Does he really want moist meals? He eats a prescription dry cat meals with no downside. He does like cat treats. “– Carol
Hi Carol,
You could discover a little bit of aid in listening to that you’re not alone! It’s truly fairly frequent for cats, particularly these with a powerful choice for sure textures, to favor sure issues of their meals, like in Winston’s case, the gravy in moist meals, and depart the remainder behind. Ragdolls love routine, and they are often fairly explicit about adjustments, which can end in them being choosy with meals textures. Winston’s habits might also recommend he could be what’s informally known as a “licker”: a cat that enjoys the moisture and taste of the sauce however isn’t eager on chunks or pâtés. This could be irritating whenever you’re doing all of your greatest to offer selection and hydration by moist meals.
While moist meals isn’t completely important if Winston is prospering on a balanced, veterinary-prescribed dry food regimen, incorporating moisture remains to be essential for urinary tract well being. Somewhat creativity with moisture consumption might go a protracted strategy to help his long-term well being. Cats naturally have a low thirst drive, and their ancestors advanced to get most of their hydration from prey. Since he enjoys gravy and treats, you would possibly take into account including lukewarm water or a cat-safe broth (selfmade and onion-free) to his dry meals or providing water-rich treats like lickable purées which are full and balanced or not less than formulated with wholesome, species-appropriate substances in thoughts. If he’s consuming a prescription meals, although, there are specific restrictions and necessities, so it’s essential to not introduce new treats or toppers with out consulting your veterinarian to verify the substances are allowed and appropriate together with his case. You must also take into account incorporating a number of water stations and transferring sources, similar to a water fountain, to entice Winston to drink extra water if he’s solely allowed his prescription dry meals. I hope this helps!
– Dr. Paola
If you have to communicate with a vet however cannot get to 1, head over to PangoVet. It’s a web-based service the place you’ll be able to speak to a vet on-line and get the recommendation you want on your pet — all at an inexpensive worth!
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Help! My Cat Has a URI!
“I’ve a bit of kitten referred to as Smokey. He simply confirmed up on my entrance porch in the future. He has an higher respiratory an infection. I’ve been placing him in a provider with a nebulizer and saline answer. It appears to be serving to. Does he need to have antibiotics as nicely? Now I would like to seek out the little man a house. I have already got 5 cats, so I can’t hold him. Love Catster. Lots of nice information. Thank you“ – Cher
Hi Cher, thanks a lot for stepping as much as take care of little Smokey. It sounds such as you’re doing an exquisite job already, and I’m positive he feels that heat. Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are sadly fairly frequent in kittens, particularly those that have had a tough begin open air. Your use of a nebulizer with saline is a delicate and efficient method to assist loosen secretions and help his respiration, which is great supportive care.
Whether or not antibiotics are wanted relies on the trigger and severity of the an infection. Many URIs in cats are viral, notably as a result of feline herpesvirus or calicivirus. In these circumstances, antibiotics wouldn’t tackle the foundation trigger however could be prescribed to handle or stop secondary bacterial infections, particularly if there’s inexperienced or yellow discharge, fever, or if the kitten appears torpid and isn’t consuming. Smokey’s indicators recommend he requires a bodily examination and probably diagnostic exams to find out one of the best plan of action, so the advice is to have him checked by a veterinarian. This method, they’ll determine if antibiotics or extra therapies like antivirals or eye drugs are crucial. If you’re not sure whether or not he wants an pressing go to, a teletriage veterinary service is usually a useful first step to evaluate the urgency based mostly on what you’re observing at house, however needless to say medical therapies, particularly antibiotics can solely be prescribed by a veterinarian after checking Smokey and establishing a doctor-patient relationship.
As for rehoming him, thanks on your compassion in pondering of his future. Since he’s already receiving care, he’s on an important path to restoration and can seemingly be a loving addition to the appropriate house. Reaching out to native rescue teams, posting on group boards, or asking your trusted vet in the event that they know of any potential adopters could be useful subsequent steps. If you’ll be able to share that he’s already been began on care, that may be reassuring for potential adopters. He’s fortunate to have crossed your path by displaying up in your porch, Cher. I love your compassion!
– Dr. Paola
Help! My Cat is Pooping on the Floor!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
Lindsey is eighteen years outdated. She has all the time used the litter field for peeing and pooping, till the final 12 months. She pees in her litter field however poos on the ground. Any options for this downside? Thank you. PS. She is diabetic. One unit twice a day.” – Inez
Hi Inez,
At 18, Lindsey is taken into account a longevous pet cat, and your love and care have clearly made a distinction. Changes in litter field habits, particularly in senior cats with underlying situations like diabetes, typically sign that one thing is making the expertise uncomfortable or complicated for them. The undeniable fact that Lindsey remains to be utilizing the field to pee however is pooping outdoors of it provides us just a few clues.
When a cat makes use of the litter field for one function however not the opposite, it typically suggests a behavioral or sensory aversion somewhat than a bodily limitation. Some cats start to affiliate the act of defecating in a selected spot with discomfort, similar to straining as a result of constipation, or they could develop a choice for a sure floor or location. In senior cats, cognitive adjustments also can play a task, particularly when persistent diseases like diabetes are current. These adjustments would possibly have an effect on reminiscence, spatial consciousness, or routine behaviors. It’s a bit like how aged people would possibly all of the sudden misplace acquainted objects or lose observe of normal routines.
For Lindsey, ruling out gastrointestinal discomfort or irregular stool high quality can be the subsequent step. If her stool is tough, or irregular, or if she appears stressed earlier than pooping, that would level to a supply of discomfort value exploring additional along with her veterinarian. Once her well being is checked, a web-based vet session with one in all our veterinarians at PangoVet may very well be a great help to debate her habits in additional depth and decide one of the best ways to bolster her routines and gently information her again to constant habits, or present her with any extra help wanted for her getting older thoughts.
Best Wishes!
Dr. Paola
This article is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
- Read final weeks questions right here – April 28, 2025
- Find the complete listing of previous articles right here
- Click right here to submit a query
The put up Ask Dr. Paola – Monday May 5, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over complete articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You is probably not conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. However, we respect that you simply just like the article and would adore it in case you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
