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Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we deliver professional recommendation instantly 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 mum or dad or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions on your maximum urgent questions. From vitamin pointers and preventive care to troubleshooting commonplace behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that may stay your kitty satisfied, wholesome, and pussycat tremendous. Keep tuned for professional steerage on a spread of subjects that subject maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll make knowledgeable selections and give you the absolute best imaginable deal with your hairy spouse.
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Lend a hand! My Cats’ Again is Getting Sore!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
My Kitty-Boy, Mash, can be 14 years outdated in Might. I’ve spotted that his again will get sore close to the tail. Can I give him one thing that can be wholesome for his kidneys and liver?” – Nikki
Hello Nikki,
Thanks for being one of these loving and observant puppy mum or dad on your candy Mash. At just about 14, he’s getting into his golden years, and it’s now not unusual for older cats to revel in discomfort within the decrease again or close to the bottom of the tail. This house generally is a hotspot for age-related adjustments reminiscent of arthritis and even referred discomfort from different spaces just like the hips or backbone. Identical to older other people would possibly really feel stiff getting off the bed, senior cats can expand irritation of their joints that makes positive actions or contact uncomfortable.
Sooner than taking into account any dietary supplements or therapies, it’s necessary to first pinpoint what’s inflicting the soreness. Whilst there are joint-supportive choices like omega-3 fatty acids (from top of the range fish oil), glucosamine, or green-lipped mussel that may be delicate at the liver and kidneys, it’s absolute best to rule out different possible problems first, like hyperesthesia syndrome, spinal discomfort, and even early kidney-related adjustments that can purpose again sensitivity. As a result of Mash is a senior, I like to recommend scheduling a veterinary examination, preferably together with bloodwork and in all probability X-rays. Those will lend a hand information protected possible choices and make sure any complement or medicine helps his general well being. With the best care, many older cats like Mash can keep relaxed and lively effectively into their senior years.
Very best,
Dr. Paola
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Lend a hand! I Want Lend a hand Getting My Cats to Like Every Different!
“Hello Dr Paola!
I’ve a cat, Looney, that followed me 16 months in the past. I have already got 3 cats. Looney is set 2. When I discovered him, I took him to the vet and were given all his photographs, and he used to be neutered.I introduced him house, separated him in a unique cat room with a cat door, home windows so he may just take a look at water, a fountain, and a bit of robotic! Progressively, we put a leash on Looney to stroll round the home, within the home so the opposite cats may just see him, and he may just scent the opposite cats. After 1 12 months, I took him off the leash and let him run round the home, which brought about a MAJOR PROBLEM. One among my cats, a male named Gio, does now not like Looney in any respect and freaks out each time he sees him. I don’t understand how to get those cats to love each and every different! Please lend a hand!“ – Christine
Hello Christine,
Thanks for sharing your considerate, sluggish, and loving way. It sounds such as you’ve in point of fact long past above and past for Looney, and it’s transparent that your center is absolutely dedicated to your entire pussycat partners. Integrating a brand new cat into a house with established senior cats can on occasion really feel like introducing a tender whirlwind right into a quiet retirement village. Even with sluggish introductions, some personalities naturally conflict, particularly when the newcomer remains to be younger and stuffed with power and the resident cat, like Gio, has a well-established sense of territory and regimen.
Gio’s sturdy response suggests he would possibly really feel threatened or crushed through Looney’s presence, particularly if Looney is playful or assertive in tactics Gio reveals intrusive. Cats are creatures of keep an eye on, and adjustments to their surroundings or social construction can unsettle them deeply. When you’ve already finished a cautious advent, in instances like this, it’s incessantly vital to return a couple of steps and reintroduce them extra steadily the use of structured sure reinforcement. Recall to mind it as rebuilding a shaky bridge with persistence and self belief: tiny steps, effectively supported.One way referred to as “site swapping” can lend a hand: let Gio spend time in Looney’s particular room with Looney confined somewhere else, so he can get used to Looney’s odor in a low-pressure means. Pair any visible get right of entry to between them with one thing each cats love, like treats or play, in order that they start to affiliate each and every different with just right stories. Multi-cat artificial pheromone diffusers and calming dietary supplements really useful through your vet too can lend a hand ease underlying rigidity. If issues proceed to really feel caught, running with a pussycat behaviorist could make a global of distinction. They have got the revel in required to notice delicate cues and will tailor particular methods on your distinctive family dynamics. With time, give a boost to, and consistency, many cats discover ways to tolerate and even benefit from the presence of a once-unwelcome housemate.
Wishing you just right success,Dr. Paola
Symbol Credit score: Have an effect on Images, Shutterstock
Can You Lend a hand Me Decide My Cats Breed?
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
Please, what breed is my a lot beloved cat George? I believed Turkish Angora, however his vet says he’s not sure, perhaps a Maine Coon. He’s were given a lovely giant hairy tail, 5 kg, and just about 8 months outdated. “ – Charlotte
Hello Charlotte,
Thanks for sharing a bit of about your superb George. He sounds completely surprising, and with that massive, hairy tail and cast construct at simply 8 months outdated, it’s no marvel he attracts consideration! Whilst his options may resemble the ones of breeds just like the Turkish Angora or Maine Coon, the one option to know needless to say is with a pussycat DNA take a look at. Those exams can expose breed ancestry, coat characteristics, or even possible well being markers, providing an interesting glimpse into what makes George distinctive. Figuring out the breed simply from a photograph is oftentimes difficult, and it’s value noting that except he got here with pedigree papers, George is most probably a lovely mixed-breed cat with options harking back to a number of longhaired breeds. However that doesn’t make him any much less particular; actually, one of the crucial maximum captivating personalities and distinctive appears come from those pleasant blends.
That stated, whether or not he seems to have purebred roots or is a gorgeous mix of a number of lineages, each cat is very best in their very own means. Their attraction, quirks, and companionship don’t come from a pedigree however from the bond they percentage with us, and it appears like George has discovered precisely the place he belongs. By way of the best way, be at liberty so as to add his photograph to our cat of the week contest; we adore to peer pics of our readers’ loved pets! Taking a look ahead to that pic!
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
