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Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each and every Monday we deliver knowledgeable recommendation directly from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to lend a hand our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new puppy guardian or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions for your maximum urgent questions. From diet guidelines and preventive care to troubleshooting not unusual behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that can stay your kitty satisfied, wholesome, and tom cat high quality. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a spread of subjects that subject maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll make knowledgeable selections and give you the highest conceivable maintain your hairy spouse.
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Assist! My Rescue is Biting Her Tail!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
Assist please. I’ve a 12-year-old spayed shorthair cat, Minnie. The issue: she is biting her tail (no longer enjoying!). I took her to our vet (who most effective does regimen vaccines and low-key stuff as she is just about retired). She expressed Minnie’s anal glands. One aspect used to be forged, and the opposite aspect used to be slightly liquid. Perceived to categorical reasonably so much. All of us idea that used to be the issue, but it surely didn’t make any growth. Any ideas or concepts on which route we must cross now? I respect your time.” – Connie
Hello Connie,
Thanks for taking the time to explain what’s occurring with Minnie. It’s transparent how a lot you care about her, and I will let you know’re doing all of your highest to resolve this. Tail biting, particularly in a senior cat like Minnie, is a habits that merits shut consideration, specifically when it’s no longer playful and turns out extra like a response to discomfort or inflammation.
You have been completely proper to handle her anal glands first, particularly since one aspect used to be impacted with forged subject matter. Anal gland problems in cats are much less not unusual than in canine, but if they do happen, they may be able to reason important discomfort or even result in behaviors like tail biting or scooting. It’s necessary to understand that those issues can also be recurrent, particularly if the underlying reason reminiscent of irritation, bizarre consistency of the stool or the gland contents, or continual inflammation hasn’t absolutely resolved. Now and again, even after expression, the glands can replenish temporarily or stay uncomfortable, which would possibly provide an explanation for why Minnie hasn’t advanced.
That stated, if she’s nonetheless constantly biting at her tail, it’s conceivable that there’s extra at play than simply her anal glands. In older cats like Minnie, we additionally imagine different probabilities like spinal arthritis, nerve inflammation, or tom cat hyperesthesia syndrome, which may make the tail and decrease again really feel twitchy, painful, or hypersensitive. Those prerequisites can mimic or overlap with gland problems, so it’s necessary to take a broader glance. A full-service vet who can assessment her neurologically and orthopedically is also the following highest step. They may additionally counsel diagnostic imaging reminiscent of X-rays to rule out spinal problems, or perhaps blood paintings to test for systemic reasons of discomfort. Within the interim, maintaining a detailed eye on whether or not Minnie turns out extra reactive to the touch close to her decrease again or tail base, or if the biting turns out precipitated through explicit actions, can be offering useful clues for your vet. If conceivable, attempt to additionally document the habits in a video which is able to supply illustrative data. You’re obviously very attentive and devoted to her convenience, and he or she’s fortunate to have you ever in her nook.
Excellent good fortune,– Dr. Paola
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Assist! How A lot Do I Feed My Hepper?
“How a lot rainy meals must I be feeding my cat, Child, each day?“ – Michelle
Hello Michelle,
Thanks for attaining out along with your query about Child’s vitamin. Feeding the correct quantity of rainy meals is very important no longer just for keeping up a wholesome weight but in addition for supporting your cat’s general well-being, particularly since cats have a tendency to be extra hydrated when consuming rainy meals in comparison to dry. The precise quantity Child wishes is dependent upon a couple of various factors. On reasonable, a wholesome 8-pound grownup cat in most cases wishes between 180 and 250 energy an afternoon, however this may shift relying on her age, job degree, present weight, and whether or not she’s spayed. A perfect place to begin is the usage of a cat calorie calculator, which takes those components into consideration to estimate her day by day wishes. This device can also be reasonably correct when paired with common tracking.
Maximum same old 3-ounce cans of rainy meals comprise between 70 and 100 energy. So, if Child’s day by day requirement is round 200 energy, she’d most probably want about two to a few cans an afternoon. However past simply counting energy, it’s useful to steadily assess her frame situation rating, or BCS. This rating seems at her form and the way simply you’ll really feel her ribs and waistline. Call to mind it like tailoring a get dressed; you wish to have a have compatibility that’s neither too tight nor too unfastened. If Child is sporting somewhat additional or feels too lean, her portion sizes can also be adjusted regularly. It’s particularly necessary to do it sparsely and regularly, particularly when looking to get a cat to shed extra pounds, as excessive adjustments can put their well being at prime possibility. When you’re not sure about deciphering her BCS or the usage of a calorie calculator, you’ll touch one in every of our vets on-line thru PangoVet, a teletriage provider that may be offering fast, customized steerage without having an in-person discuss with. You’re doing a perfect task through being proactive; diet is one of these robust a part of preventive care. Congratulations!
– Dr. Paola
Assist! My Kittens Ears Are Grimy!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
My 5-month-old kitten, Raven, has somewhat of darkish dust at the inside her ears. Is that standard?” – Tiziana
Hello Tiziana,
Thanks to your considerate query about Raven. A small quantity of waxy particles inside of a kitten’s ears can every so often be standard, particularly if it’s mild brown and doesn’t have a powerful smell. Then again, if what you’re seeing seems extra like darkish espresso grounds, or if Raven has been scratching her ears or shaking her head greater than standard, it can be a signal of ear mites or an ear an infection. Kittens are specifically vulnerable to those prerequisites, particularly in the event that they’ve had publicity to different animals or got here from a refuge surroundings.
As a result of ear problems can also be uncomfortable and might irritate if left untreated, it’s highest to have her ears tested through a veterinarian. Ear mites, as an example, are very treatable, however they do require a right kind prognosis and prescription medicine. If Raven isn’t appearing indicators of discomfort and also you’re simply noticing somewhat of wax, a steady blank with a vet-recommended ear cleaner may well be all she wishes, regardless that I’d nonetheless recommend having her ears checked to make sure the eardrum is unbroken. A vet can glance deep into the ear canal the usage of an otoscope, take a look at the eardrum’s integrity, and make a selection the fitting form of cleaner or medicine if wanted. Till then, it’s highest to not strive cleansing the ears at house, particularly in case you’re not sure whether or not there’s discomfort or underlying an infection.
Highest,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
