The submit Ask Dr. Paola – Monday January 27, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over complete articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will not be conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought-about public area. However, we respect that you simply just like the article and would like it for those who 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” collection, the place each Monday we deliver skilled 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 ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can hold your kitty comfortable, wholesome, and feline positive. Stay tuned for skilled steerage on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care in your furry companion.
Have a query? Send it in right here!
Help! My Cats Vomit Quite a bit!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
I’ve 2 male littermates that flip 12 this 12 months. They have at all times vomited quite a bit. Even after making an attempt completely different meals. We took one (Jake) to the vet for remark they usually discovered no points. Now Jake exhibits no actual urge for food and projectile vomits a ton of liquid day by day. Any concept what is perhaps happening with him? The brother vomits some however has an enormous urge for food. What ought to we do subsequent?” – Donna
Hi Donna,
Thank you for reaching out about Jake and his brother. Vomiting is regarding, particularly when it turns into frequent or is accompanied by adjustments in urge for food, as you’re seeing with Jake’s brother. Chronic vomiting in cats may be brought on by many points starting from delicate meals intolerances to extra critical situations like inflammatory bowel illness (IBD), meals allergic reactions, pancreatitis, and even gastrointestinal lymphoma, significantly as they age.
Since Jake is now projectile vomiting day by day and has misplaced his urge for food, that is harmful and could possibly be indicating an emergency resembling a blockage. While the earlier vet go to didn’t reveal points, the escalation of indicators means Jake doubtless wants additional diagnostic testing. I might suggest a recheck together with your veterinarian as quickly as doable. Bloodwork, belly imaging (like X-rays or ultrasound), and probably endoscopy or biopsies could also be essential to establish the issue. In the meantime, making an attempt to maintain Jake hydrated is essential, as extreme vomiting can result in dehydration.
His brother’s continued urge for food however occasional vomiting might point out a milder or associated subject, so it’s value mentioning each cats’ histories if you go to the vet. I perceive this may be irritating, and tense, however with well timed intervention, many situations may be managed successfully. Don’t wait.
Best needs!
Dr. Paola
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Help! My Cat Has Osteochondrolysplasia!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
I’m questioning how lengthy the illness osteochondrolysplasia continues to worsen. I’ve a feminine 7-year-old Tabby, Lillian, with the illness that impacts her ankles and paws. She can get round with little or no ache. Will this worsen or journey to different components as she will get older or is it over as a result of she is older?” – Gail
Hi Gail,
Thank you for reaching out about Lillian. Osteochondrodysplasia is a progressive situation that always impacts the joints, significantly within the ankles and paws. Think of her joints like hinges on a ceaselessly used gate. Over time, they will put on down and change into stiff, particularly if they aren’t cared for correctly. The excellent news is that since Lillian is already seven and experiencing minimal ache, her situation could also be progressing extra slowly than in another instances. While it doesn’t sometimes unfold to different components of the physique, the affected joints might proceed to indicate gradual put on and tear as she ages.
The development can fluctuate relying on her exercise degree, general well being, and weight. If she stays energetic and cozy, her high quality of life can stay fairly good with a couple of considerate changes. Making certain she maintains a wholesome weight is essential as a result of even a little bit further weight provides pointless pressure to her joints, very similar to carrying a heavy backpack on an extended stroll. Providing her with a snug atmosphere, resembling delicate bedding or easy accessibility to her favourite spots, might help her transfer round with out discomfort.
It can also be essential to observe for any indicators that her discomfort is growing, take be aware for instance if she hesitates to leap, her day by day exercise appears to be decreased, or if the is any swelling round her joints. These are all indicators that her joints want further consideration. If you discover adjustments, discuss to your vet about the right way to hold her pain-free. Joint dietary supplements or different remedies might make an enormous distinction. If you’re not sure whether or not her indicators require quick care, you possibly can at all times schedule a name with our veterinarians by way of our tele-triage service, PangoVet, the place they might help information your subsequent steps.
One thing more Gail; I simply wished to let you already know that we all know you actually take care of Lillian, we acknowledge your case from a earlier remark in certainly one of our posts in regards to the illness. Thank you for that! With your love, consideration, and proactive care, she has a profitable benefit in persevering with to take pleasure in her golden years comfortably and fortunately by your facet.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin, Shutterstock
Help! My Cats Are Begging for Scraps!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
Can cats eat meals scraps? My two, Ginny and George, actually strive their hardest to get into our meals scraps bucket and our rubbish cans. We don’t enable them to do it however their begging and making an attempt makes me a little bit loopy. It’s principally vegetable scraps, too, so we’re at all times confused once they strive. They are indoor/outside cats, so I don’t know what they eat in the course of the day, however now we have good moist meals for them, although they nonetheless actually appear to need our scraps.”
– Petey
Hi Petey, it feels like Ginny and George are holding you in your toes! Their curiosity in meals scraps and rubbish is definitely fairly frequent amongst curious cats, even once they’re well-fed. While it may be irritating, this habits is realized and sometimes pushed by curiosity, instincts, or the tempting smells of human meals.
Even if the scraps are principally vegetable-based, cats may be drawn by the scent and the potential for a deal with. Since discovering meals is a self-reinforcing habits in the event that they had been profitable as soon as, they may hold making an attempt. However, it’s not a secure behavior to permit. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their our bodies are designed to course of animal-based proteins slightly than plant matter. Beyond being nutritionally inappropriate, many human meals, like onions, and garlic, are poisonous to them. Even harmless-seeming objects might upset their stomachs and fatty scraps will even contribute to weight problems or different well being points.
Other dangers of looking by scraps or rubbish embrace ingesting one thing indigestible or sharp, which might trigger choking or an intestinal blockage, in addition to publicity to moldy or spoiled meals, which is able to make them sick. Even if they’re simply exploring, the potential for hurt makes prevention important. To deal with this, securing your scraps and rubbish cans with tight-fitting lids or storing them in inaccessible areas (like inside a cupboard) is essential. You might additionally strive providing them some secure options like interactive feeders or puzzle toys can redirect their power and supply psychological stimulation, which can scale back their fascination together with your scraps.
Since Ginny and George are indoor-outdoor cats, they might even be searching or scavenging exterior, which might reinforce their realized habits and affect their dietary consumption. Ensuring their meals are nutritionally full and satisfying might help scale back their curiosity in different meals sources. If their habits persists, consulting a veterinarian could possibly be useful to rule out any underlying points, like dietary deficiencies or parasites. With constant boundaries, partaking actions, and a little bit of persistence, you possibly can assist them keep secure and discourage this curious behavior, at the very least when they’re inside. Good luck!
This article is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
- Read final weeks questions right here – Monday January 20, 2025
- Click right here to submit a query
The submit Ask Dr. Paola – Monday January 27, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over complete articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will not be conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought-about public area. However, we respect that you simply just like the article and would like it for those who continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
