The feline parvovirus is found worldwide, affecting cats in much the same way as parvovirus affects their canine counterparts. The feline parvovirus causes severe gastroenteritis in affected cats, and can be fatal unless treated with haste. This highly contagious disease primarily affects unvaccinated cats less than a year old. Spread by oral contact with infective …
Following any type of surgery, you should receive specific instructions from your veterinarian as to the type of postsurgical care your pet requires. It is important to follow these instructions closely to ensure an uneventful recovery. Postsurgical instructions include: Do not give your pet food or water for 30 minutes after arriving at home. To …
The decision as to whether to have a cat declawed is certainly a controversial one, yet it is one that needs to be made based on individual circumstances. For indoor cats that refuse to stick to their scratching post, declawing is certainly a better solution than drug therapy or worse yet, eviction from the home. …
One common misconception about spaying a cat is the belief that a female needs to go through at least one heat cycle or have at least one litter before the deed is performed. Many feel that this is necessary for the proper emotional development of their pet, but in fact, it isn’t. On the contrary, …
Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) involves the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus from an intact female dog or cat. The common term assigned to this procedure is “spaying.” OHE is a preferred method of birth control in pets, since it is easy to do and ensures 100 percent sterility. Most veterinarians require a cat to be …
Anesthesia is a word that tends to inspire uneasiness and fear in many people. In actuality, though, anesthesia is an indispensable tool in veterinary medicine (and human medicine, as well!). It is required for the painless performance of many important procedures, including surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, and restraint. There are basically two types of anesthetics that …
As part of a routine grooming program, you should perform a nail trim on your cat, every 2 to 3 weeks. The procedure itself is easy, assuming you have the right equipment and that your pet agrees to cooperate. If your pet refuses to hold still for its manicure, let a veterinary assistant perform the …
Cats should be bathed when one or more of the following situations develop: Accumulation of excessive dirt, grease, or other foreign substances on the skin and coat Build-up of waxy sebum (seborrhea), which often leads to body odor Accumulation of skin scale (dandruff) s Skin infections Cats with normal, healthy skin and hair coats …
Routine grooming is essential for maintaining healthy hair and skin in cats. Be sure to allot some time each day to this task. Brushing Whether your cat has short or long hair, brushing the coat thoroughly on a daily basis will aid in its appearance as well as promote healthy skin. It does this by: …
If your pet is overweight, simply cutting back on the amount you feed will not do the trick. In fact, doing so could conceivably lead to a mild state of malnutrition and cause your cat to be constantly hungry (and begging!). Cats that are malnourished can develop serious liver disease as a result. Instead of …