cat « Ask A Pet Pro

Archive for the ‘cat’ Category

Special needs kitten – manx syndrome

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

Hello, I am in desperate need of any help/advice you may be able to provide.

I have a 9 week old kitten who was diagnosed by a local vet with ‘manx syndrome’. He was born w/o a tale and as a result, he has no control over his bowel movements. He walks on the sides of his back legs also. The vets only suggestion was to put him to sleep- but I refused to take that option.

He is very playful, and seems to enjoy his life- he also has a great appetite. I notice that his belly is swollen though, and he does bleed from the rear at times.

I am currently using baby socks for diapers and when I change him I apply betadine solution to keep him clean and a little antibiotic ointment as well.

I want to help this little guy have the best quality of life as possible- any help you can provide is appreciated.

Major concerns: Loose stools, bleeding, swollen tummy.

Thanks, God Bless

Tags: manx syndrome, special needs kitten
Posted in ask a pet pro, ask a vet, cat, cat health | 101 Comments »

Want to add a second cat to a 1 cat house. Help.

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

I want to get another cat but I already have one. She’s about 7-8 yrs. old.

I plan on getting a male that’s about 1-3 years old.

What is the best way to introduce him to the household?

Frieda

Tags: adding a new cat, cat behavior
Posted in ask a pet pro, ask a vet, cat | 1 Comment »

What happens if my cat licks frontline?

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

What happens if my cat licks Frontline?

Marie

Posted in ask a pet pro, ask a vet, cat | 4 Comments »

Cat with idiopathic lower urinary tract crystals

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

I have a cat with idiopathic lower urinary tract crystals and I have changed his diet, but he still exhibits urinary frequency and urgency.

Are there other methods of treatment?

Thank You

Tags: cat bladder problems, cat with crystals, feline bladder problems, idiopathic, urinary tract crystals
Posted in ask a pet pro, ask a vet, cat, feline kidney disease, felines, FIP | No Comments »

Cat with wounded front leg licking it and won’t stop

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Hello —

My cat has a wound on his front left leg, and won’t stop licking it. The wound has been there for quite some time now, and he isn’t letting it heal. His behavior has not changed at all — he still runs around the house, leaps, uses the scratching post, etc, as he has always done, but the wound is getting worse.

He is semi-feral so putting him in a carrier to take him to the vet would be a major undertaking.

Do you have any suggestions? Please help.

Thank you.

Tags: cat won't stop licking
Posted in ask a pet pro, ask a vet, cat | 8 Comments »

Kitten with eyes matted shut. Need low-cost solution

Monday, July 13th, 2009

We have a small kitten that stays outside-(all our cats do-we haven’t been able to catch them yet for shots or anything-) his mother brought him to the food first about 2 weeks ago. We think he is about 3-4 months old.

We noticed his eyes were matted shut and we were able to catch him and cleaned them with a warm wet cloth, but it was Sunday and the vet was closed, so we turned him loose. We didn’t see him for a week-then he heard me outside and ran to me. His eyes were again matted shut-I cleaned them and we have continued to do so several times a day, but he very seldom opens his eyes and when he does they are very red.

He has stayed on the porch at the food and water-I guess cause he has finally found it! We called the vet and they want $70 just to look at him-my husband won’t pay it-they only want $20 to put him to sleep (the cat-not my husband-all though..) if he doesn’t get better we will have to do that.

Can you help???

Tags: cat with matted eyes, eye problems cat, kitten eye problems
Posted in cat | 42 Comments »

18 y/o cat slight stroke. Don’t want to put down

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Two weeks ago my cat of 18 yrs suffered a slight stroke. She was down for two days and then came around and she is doing better.

Now I’m worried again. Her belly is swelling up and she does not seem in pain but she eats twice a day and drinks a lot of water and she voids a lot too.
Her bowels are moving as well. I don’t want to take her to our vet for fear he will say put her down. I can’t do that. I believe God gives life and he will take her when it’s time.

Can you suggest anything?

Tags: cat stroke, feline stroke
Posted in ask a pet pro, ask a vet, cat, cat diet | No Comments »

Cat with large growth on whisker pad. Help!

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

My daughter’s cat (about 13 years old) has developed a large growth on his whisker pad, most whiskers are gone along with fur in the area of the growth. He is okay other than the growth, eats/drinks and does not seem to be in pain. She took him to the vet and they said it is not an abscess and they want to do a biopsy ($600) to find out what it is and if it is cancerous. Do you know what this could be? If she does do the biopsy and it is cancerous she will not be able to afford radiation, do you feel a biopsy is necessary? They said if it is a non-cancerous growth/tumor they could not remove it because it would remove part of his face, plus I am sure that procedure would be expensive as well.

Do you have an advice????

Tags: feline biopsy, feline growth, transitional cell carcinoma
Posted in ask a vet, cat, cat health, cat with skin condition | 3 Comments »

Cat with diarrhea. Can you help???

Thursday, May 10th, 2007

Question: I have an 8 year old cat that has diarrhea and is now starting to vomit. I’ve been battling the diarrhea for months with antibiotics. It seems to get better for awhile but keeps coming back. She still maintains a healthy weight and appetite. I don’t know if it is IBD or maybe allergies. I have ordered organic/natural food but won’t receive it until Monday. I would like
to find something natural/herbal to treat her condition. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Pet Pro Answers:

” Dear Pet Owner—

Try canned pumpkin [not the pie mix version]. Give your cat about one half teaspoon at every meal of the pumpkin.

Dr. Kibbee
Alpine, CA
(click on Pro’s name to contact this pro)
—
Dear Owner,

Before treating your cat with anything, you first need an accurate diagnosis. If you are not satisfied with your cat’s current therapy, please ask for a referral to a specialist who can get the answers you need. Then and only then should you explore the various ways to successfully his/her condition.

Kristan K. Hodges, DVM

Posted in cat | No Comments »

14 year old cat with hyperthyroidism

Thursday, March 8th, 2007

Pet Owner Question: Our 14-yr old cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. We have tried him on medication but he has a severe reaction to it and is not able to keep any food down when taking it. He has now developed a large thyroid tumor and loss of appetite. The vet recommends a radioactive iodine treatment. We were wondering if there is a holistic treatment that would help this condition? Thank you.

Claire
Cromwell, CT

Posted in ask a vet, cat | 5 Comments »

Ask A Pet Pro