Since the pandemic, people have turned to virtual meetings, online grocery ordering, and even virtual doctors’ appointments. Many virtual platforms have allowed for people to safely speak to a health professional in the comfort of their own home. This trend has started to trickle into veterinary medicine as well. There are a number of “telehealth” companies popping up that allow you to meet with a veterinarian while never leaving your home. This sounds great in theory, but it has its downfalls in that you usually aren’t able to get prescriptions for your pets via telehealth. Only the following states allow online vet prescriptions: AZ, CA, DC, FL, ID, NJ, VA, and VT. In this article we’ll touch briefly on the rules some states have about telehealth appointments, and which states you may be able to get an online prescription from.

The Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR)

Most states require a VCPR (Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship) in order to prescribe medications and/or foods for your pet. VCPR is an abbreviation that means there needs to be some type of examination by a licensed veterinarian on a pet, and the client needs to approve and be aware of this. Hence, the veterinarian, pet owner (i.e. client), and pet have formed a consensual medical “relationship”. This is to protect both the patient and the doctor.

While being examined, your pet will also be weighed so that medications can be dosed accurately. The veterinarian will be able to determine if there is a heart murmur by listening to your pet, and also running bloodwork to determine organ function and/or disease status (e.g. heartworm tests). All of these will help to determine not only if certain medications can be prescribed, but at what dose.

These are all things that are done not to frustrate owners, but to keep your pet as safe as possible. Would you want your doctor prescribing medications that could be harmful to your heart if you’ve never actually had a doctor listen to your heart before? The same goes for your pet. We as veterinarians only want what’s best for your furry friends.

What Is Done Virtually

While many owners would love to never bring their pet to the hospital again, especially cats, the reality is that sometimes the pet is better off having a professional physically examine them. Only by feeling the abdomen, lymph nodes, certain joints, listening to the heart and lungs, examining the ears, etc., can a veterinarian really get an idea of what may be going on with your pet. A veterinarian can only gain so much information by speaking with an owner virtually, and/or seeing the pet through a computer screen.

In other instances — say, a cat who becomes extremely aggressive when in a hospital — touching base with a veterinarian online to determine if you need to bring your cat to a clinic can be extremely helpful. Many people will use telehealth services as a triage service, to help determine if they need to have their dog or cat seen immediately or can wait until their veterinarian has an opening.

Some states do not allow doctors to definitively diagnose anything virtually. They can speak with a client, see the pet through the screen, and even have owners show the vet specific things on their pet through the screen. However, because they cannot physically touch the pet, they are not allowed to make a “diagnosis”. They can only make recommendations based on the limited information.

Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch!

If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

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Current Laws by States

Below is a breakdown of what is currently allowed by state. This website provides a great virtual map that is periodically updated as laws change. However, we strongly recommend following news as there are new bills and laws being introduced, passed, and declined across the country.

What Is Not Allowed

Anywhere you can obtain medications for your pet — whether an online pharmacy, a veterinary hospital, or even your corner drugstore — requires a valid veterinary license to prescribe controlled substances. Each state has different rules as to what exact drugs may or may not be controlled. Some states do not allow online or digital prescriptions for any controlled substance, and you will need to obtain a physically written prescription to bring to the pharmacy.

Most states also do not allow veterinary hospitals to “act like a pharmacy”. In other words, you cannot just walk into any clinic with a prescription for your pet and demand that they fill it. Your pet would need to be a patient there. This can be frustrating for people who may be traveling with their pet and run out of something — they think they can just go to the nearest vet clinic in town and pick up a refill. In reality, this is typically illegal in most states. This, again, is to protect the veterinarian against people abusing prescriptions, or people who may try to fill a medication for a pet that isn’t even theirs.

Conclusion

Veterinary telehealth and virtual medicine is gaining traction across the United States. While it can be of great help to people who aren’t sure if they should bring their pet to an emergency room or not, it’s also helpful for fearful pets who may react in the hospital. There are limitations to what is and isn’t allowed, and these vary by states. Because telemedicine is becoming so popular in human medicine, the laws and rules for veterinary medicine are also constantly changing and evolving. While you may want to receive all of your medications and advice online, make sure you check the latest rules and regulations for your specific state as to what may or may not be allowed.

Featured Image Credit: imtmphoto, Shutterstock

The post What States Allow Online Vet Prescriptions? (2024 Guide) by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Many people may have heard the word anemia before, but don’t really understand what it means. Anemia is the term for a low red blood cell count, or a low circulating amount of red blood cells. While anemia as a blanket term can refer to a low red blood cell count from a number of reasons (loss, destruction, decreased production), hemolytic anemia is a specific type of condition. Hemolytic anemia is a type of anemia where your cats’ immune system destroys its own red blood cells. In this article, we’ll discuss what exactly hemolytic anemia is and what causes it, in addition to how we both diagnose and treat this disease.

What Is Hemolytic Anemia?

Hemolytic anemia is a specific type of anemia that occurs due to the destruction of your cat’s red blood cells. This occurs due to your cat’s own immune system seeking out and destroying the red blood cells. This may seem like a strange concept, but it can occur in any cat at any age.

The normal life cycle of a red blood cell includes production in the bone marrow and then release into the bloodstream. After a red blood cell has served its purpose, the body naturally breaks it up and disposes of it. Different parts of the red blood cell are circulated through the spleen, liver, and bone marrow and either recycled or destroyed. In particular, the liver recycles the iron portion of a red blood cell called bilirubin. These body systems work to continually keep old red blood cells broken down, their components either used/recycled or disposed of, all while pumping out new red blood cells from the bone marrow to keep the body’s circulatory system balanced.

If the immune system is triggered by something (discussed more below), then the red blood cells are “marked” for destruction. This may not sound like a big deal, but it can become critical if the body is unable to keep up with an adequate production rate of red blood cells to offset the amount being destroyed. Both the liver and spleen will become overwhelmed with the number of red blood cells and red blood cell “pieces” to process, causing issues in these respective organs. In addition, all of the red blood cells will become marked and/or coated with antibodies. These antibodies will cause red blood cells to stick together, causing potentially fatal blood clots. The antibodies also trigger other systems in the body to further destroy them. All in all, it’s a vicious cycle.

What Are the Signs of Hemolytic Anemia in a Cat?

Hemolytic anemia, and anemia in general, can sometimes be very difficult to notice until your cat’s condition has become severe. Many cats, as we all know and love about them, can be very chill and lazy. Therefore, it may be difficult to notice one of the more common abnormal signs of anemia, which is lethargy and weakness.

Because the red blood cells are responsible for circulating oxygen throughout the body, a low red blood cell count means that all of the organs of the body are lacking in oxygen. Over time, this will cause your cat to feel and act much weaker than normal. They may be sleeping more frequently and/or be reluctant to get up. In addition, when the anemia has become severe, your cat may also start to have a faster respiratory rate as their body is trying desperately to circulate what few red blood cells they have. Unfortunately for cats who already lead a sedentary lifestyle, or who tend to hide frequently, these signs may not be noticed at first.

Other times, you may notice that your cat has a decreased appetite or is even nauseous and vomiting. We will frequently notice GI upset in cases of anemia. Your cat may have pale to white colored gums, tongue, and conjunctiva (the lining of their eyes and eyelids). However, over time, these tissues may actually take on a yellow color referred to as icterus.

Depending on the cause of the anemia and progression of the anemia, you may notice changes in the color of the urine and feces as well. The urine may appear anywhere from an orange color to what we commonly refer to as a port-wine color. The feces may also appear orange in color. Over time, your cat will have difficulty walking, may stumble, collapse, or even become non-responsive should their condition worsen.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, we recommend getting in touch with a vet for guidance.

Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch!

If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

Click to Speak With a Vet

What Are the Causes of Hemolytic Anemia In a Cat?

Oftentimes we never find a cause for hemolytic anemia. This is called idiopathic. However, your veterinarian will want to run other tests to rule other causes out. Some cats, especially if they are outdoor only, or indoor/outdoor, will have an increased chance of being infected with different tick-borne diseases, blood parasites, and even viruses such as FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and FIV (Feline Infectious Virus). All of these can trigger hemolytic anemia.

Other times hemolytic anemia may be triggered by other diseases such as cancer. The cancer does not need to be directly associated with the spleen and/or liver, and can be anywhere in the body. The thought is that the presence of the cancer and potentially some of the markers may be the trigger for the red blood cell destruction to occur.  Some of these tests to diagnose anemia can be run in-house, but oftentimes specialized tests sent out to laboratories need to be completed for confirmation.

Diagnosing Hemolytic Anemia in Your Cat

A diagnosis of hemolytic anemia must be made by a veterinarian. While you may suspect your cat is anemic due to pale or icteric gums, weakness, etc., the exact diagnosis must be made with a few different types of blood tests. First, your veterinarian will likely run a full CBC (Complete Blood Count) and Chemistry. These tests will look at your cat’s red blood cell count, platelet count, white blood cell count, kidney/liver values, etc. If your cat is anemic, likely your veterinarian will then look at a blood sample under a microscope. They are looking to see if there truly are decreased red blood cell numbers and not just a machine error. They are also looking for what are called spherocytes, which is a type of red blood cell shape that may be present during destruction.

After your veterinarian has confirmed anemia, they will then likely complete a test looking for “autoagglutination”. Remember when we mentioned above that during this process, all of the red blood cells are coated with antibodies, making them stick together? Well this test confirms just that – the red blood cells clumping together. This should not happen in an otherwise healthy cat and the presence of autoagglutination, in the face of anemia, is confirmatory for hemolytic anemia.

How Do I Care for a Cat With Hemolytic Anemia?

First, I want to stress how important it is to follow all diagnostic and treatment options as directed by your veterinarian. Cats who are anemic, especially if severe when diagnosed, are often very unstable. Your cat will need aggressive care within the first few days, and then extensive care and monitoring for weeks to potentially the rest of their life. Just starting your cat on one medication is often not enough and it’s imperative that you take your cat in for regular recheck exams to have their blood levels monitored.

Depending on how critical your cat is when diagnosed, a blood transfusion may be recommended. These are often only completed at specialty or university clinics. Cats have very specific blood types and many regular veterinary clinics will not carry both types of blood, or even the blood typing kits, so that the correct kind can be administered. In addition, transfusions are not without risks and your cat will need around the clock care while they are receiving a transfusion. However, keep in mind that your cat’s body is still destroying red blood cells, even those that are transfused. So in addition to getting a blood transfusion, your cat will also need to be started on medications to help slow down and/or stop this destruction. Without them, the blood transfusion will just be immediately destroyed by the body.

The medications needed are referred to as immunosuppressants. There are many different kinds on the market today, and the exact medication(s) that your veterinarian will prescribe will be dependent on your specific cat. Steroids are by far the most common, least expensive, and easiest to administer. But there are other options that may work better for your cat, or even be given in combination with steroids.

If your cat has also been diagnosed with an infectious component such as a blood parasite or tick-borne disease, then your cat will also need to be on long-term antibiotics.

It is never recommended to give your cat OTC iron supplements or feed them red meat to increase their iron. Many OTC products can be toxic to cats and just trying to increase their iron content does nothing to increase the number of circulating red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia should always be managed by your veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Happens if My Cat Goes into Remission?

Many cats will improve on aggressive therapy and stabilize to the point where your veterinarian has determined that they are in remission. However, there is always the chance for relapsing which is why regular bloodwork and exams are recommended for any patient with hemolytic anemia or anemia in general.

Will My Cat Die from Hemolytic Anemia?

Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. As we discussed, many cats are not even diagnosed until they are critically ill, and by then the medications may not work faster than the body’s ability to destroy the cells. In addition, many cats will not take medications, making administration or appropriate treatment difficult if not impossible.

Conclusion

Hemolytic anemia is a specific type of anemia that occurs due to the body’s destruction of its own red blood cells. In cats, this can occur at any age and in any breed. While some cats can develop hemolytic anemia from certain infectious diseases, many times we never find a cause (referred to as idiopathic). Diagnosing hemolytic anemia is not difficult, though it does require a few different types of blood tests. There are often other tests done to rule in/out infectious causes or even cancer being a catalyst for the condition. You may not notice any obvious abnormalities with your cat at first, as they may not be diagnosed until they have become critically ill. Once diagnosed, your veterinarian may want to give your cat a blood transfusion, but at minimum they will start aggressive immunosuppressive medications. Hemolytic anemia is a serious disease that needs to be treated quickly and aggressively. Many cats will go into remission, though fatalities are not uncommon.

Featured Image Credit: Prystai, Shutterstock

The post Hemolytic Anemia in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Treatment & FAQs by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

You may notice your cat in the litter box, straining to defecate and being unable to. You may also notice that your cat is only passing small, firm “fecal balls”, vomiting, or just otherwise not acting like themselves. Constipation can occur for many reasons in cats, with various treatments available. A simple over the counter (OTC) treatment you can try is Miralax for cats. This can be effective for both simple cases of constipation, or long-term management. In this article we will discuss more about Miralax, how much Miralax to give a cat, and if there are any side effects you should be aware of. Remember that it is important to consult a vet before giving any medication to your cat.

What Is Miralax?

Miralax is the brand name of an osmotic laxative that contains PEG 3350, or Polyethylene Glycol. Other names include GaviLAX, GlycoLax and ClearLax. It is used to help relieve constipation, or difficulty defecating normally and regularly, often due to firm stools.

What is an osmotic laxative? This means that when swallowed, it travels through the digestive tract (in the intestines), binding to water molecules along the way. This will then cause more fluid to be absorbed into the intestinal tract, increasing the size of the intestines and their water content. As the Miralax and additional water gets to the colon, the hope is that the increased hydration of the intestine will cause the hardened stool to soften, therefore making it easier to pass.

Miralax for cats is not a stimulant laxative. A stimulant laxative is a medication that will cause increased contraction(s) of the intestinal tract. It is never recommended to give a stimulant laxative to your cat unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian.

How Is Miralax Given?

Miralax comes in powder form. It is reported to be odorless and tasteless, though we cannot know for certain if cats and dogs may be able to smell and/or taste it. It does not need any special storage – only to be kept in the container it’s purchased in. Miralax does not need to be kept in the fridge once opened and can remain on your counter or medicine cabinet.

Miralax is taken orally; in other words, it’s eaten. While it does not need to be taken with food to be effective, it is going to be easiest to administer to your cat with food. You can either sprinkle it right on top of their food or mix it in to try and disguise it from suspicious eyes. Of course, you can try to mix it into liquid and give it to your cat with a syringe, but this will likely not end up going very well.

For mild constipation, it should be given twice daily until the stools have normalized and your cat is defecating normally. If your cat is severely constipated, they may need more aggressive care in the hospital first, and stools maintained with Miralax given once or twice a day.

Dosing Miralax and What Happens If You Miss a Dose

Always double check dosages with your veterinarian. Miralax for cats dosage starts between 1/8-1/4 teaspoon twice daily. Ask your veterinarian if they want you to give this medication to your cat either once or twice a day.

If you normally give it twice a day, then if you miss a dose, your veterinarian may have you double the dose and give it only once. However, it depends on the severity and cause of the constipation in your cat what your veterinarian may want you to do. Miralax is overall very safe. Missing a dose typically will not cause any adverse effects. If anything, missing a dose may cause your cat’s constipation to persist.

Sometimes cats are so severely constipated that they need to be sedated and have stool manually removed by your veterinarian. They are often then kept in the hospital to receive IV fluids and intensive care before going home on medical management. Miralax may be prescribed to your cat by your veterinarian for long term care. Therefore, dosing may be titrated up or down depending on how your cats do, and what is causing their constipation in the first place.

Potential Side Effects of Miralax

Overall, Miralax is safe for most cats. In some cases, however, it may not help your cat at all. If this is the case, your cat may start to vomit and/or continue to strain to defecate if you are only giving Miralax and not taking any other steps to help your cat.

Other cats may have increased flatulence or diarrhea if too much is given. If this occurs, you should back down on the dose to once daily and contact your veterinarian about further instructions.

If your cat is constipated from underlying dehydration, giving Miralax or any other osmotic laxative may worsen their dehydration. This is because of what we discussed above in that Miralax will draw more liquid into the intestinal tract. Make sure your cat is not only drinking appropriate amounts of water but is also not dehydrated. Your veterinarian can discuss this with you as some cats drinking excessively will still be chronically dehydrated. We see this commonly when cats have chronic kidney disease.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Will Miralax Take to Work?

In mild cases of constipation, you should notice results within about 12 hours. However, if your cat is severely constipated, it may take a few days. At minimum your cat should be passing small pieces of firm stool daily. If more than 2 or 3 days has gone by without any stool being passed, you should seek emergent veterinary care.

Why Is My Cat Constipated?

Constipation in cats can occur for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s just from decreased water intake and/or their diet. Other times constipation can be from chronic kidney disease, hairballs, or previous injury. Your veterinarian will likely want to perform radiographs and bloodwork to try to determine what the cause of your cat’s constipation is, and discuss if this may be the beginning of a chronic issue.

Conclusion

Constipation can occur for a number of reasons in cats. In cases of mild constipation, your cat may be able to receive medical management at home, including Miralax. Miralax for cats is an osmotic laxative that helps to soften stool by increasing the water content in the gut. It can be purchased OTC as a powder and sprinkled on top of or mixed into your cat’s food. It may be given once or twice daily, depending on your veterinarian’s recommendations. Dosing can be titrated up or down with few side effects seen. Management of constipation should always be done with your veterinarian, as prescription food and/or other medications may be needed for long-term control.

See Also:

• How Do You Give a Cat Lactulose? (7 Vet Approved Methods)

Featured Image Credit: Zhuravlev Andrey, Shutterstock

The post Miralax for Cats: Our Vet Explains Dosages, Uses & Side Effects by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Allergies in cats can sometimes have the same symptoms as us – watery eyes and nose, mild congestion, and sometimes coughing. More frequently, allergies in cats will manifest as itchy skin, redness, and/or swelling of the skin.

The brand name Zyrtec may sound familiar to you. It’s a common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication that many of us have taken in the midst of pollen season. But can Zyrtec also be given to your cat? Yes, Zyrtec can be given to cats, but it’s important to consult your veterinarian before giving Zyrtec to your cat. In this article we’ll discuss what Zyrtec is, if and how you can give it to your cat, and potential side effects that your cat may experience.

What Is Zyrtec?

Zyrtec is the brand name for the drug Cetirizine HCL (Cetirizine Hydrochloride). Zyrtec is an antihistamine allergy medication. When your cat’s body reacts to an irritant and/or an allergen, the body will release histamine. This is a natural substance that occurs and can be released with no problems. With allergies and/or an allergic reaction, excessive histamine can cause itching, redness, and sometimes swelling. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine from attaching to certain cell receptors that then cause the effects listed above. Zyrtec is in the class of antihistamines that are classified as an H-1 blocker.

How Is Zyrtec Given to Cats?

Zyrtec is given orally. If your veterinarian recommends you give the OTC product, it comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, gelcap, or a children’s formula liquid. The gelcap will likely not be recommended due to the dosing your cat needs. If your cat is difficult to give medication to, your veterinarian may also have the medication compounded. This means that a compounding pharmacy will make the medication into different forms than what is available OTC and can also make it flavored.

Zyrtec can be given to cats every 12–24 hours, or once to twice a day. It does not have to be given with food, though giving a cat medication can be extremely difficult. Sometimes giving it in food can be much easier as your cat may eat it more easily in a snack such as tuna. Giving Zyrtec with or without food will not alter its effectiveness.

Zyrtec Dosage for Cats

It’s important that you know the current weight on your cat. Depending on the weight of your cat, the dosing for Cetirizine is 1 mg of Zyrtec per 1 kilogram of your cat’s body weight. Typically, this will be 2.5 mg to 5 mg total. However, make sure to check this with your veterinarian as they may recommend a different dose.

What Happens If You Miss a Dose?

The best part is that there are no serious side effects if a dose is not given, or if your cat just won’t allow you to give them the medication. Zyrtec is not a medication that has to be weaned up or down in order to be effective for your cat.

It’s worth noting that significant allergies in cats are often not affected by OTC antihistamine products. In other words, you will not notice any improvement in the allergy symptoms if your cat has significant allergies. If you are regularly giving your cat the recommended dose of Zyrtec, and both you and your veterinarian are not noticing an improvement in their allergy signs, it may not work for them. At that time, you should discuss other options with your veterinarian.

Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch!

If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

Click to Speak With a Vet

Potential Side Effects of Zyrtec in Cats

In general, cats can be very stubborn and dramatic when getting any medication. Zyrtec does not have any common side effects, but some cats will spit, drool, foam at the mouth, and be dramatic simply because they are being medicated.

Mild drowsiness is possible, especially with smaller cats, but does not always occur.

If your cat has underlying liver and/or kidney disease, your veterinarian may recommend a lower dose and/or a less frequent dose. This is because it may take your cat longer to process the medication if they have the existing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Give My Cat Zyrtec D?

No! This can be extremely harmful and potentially deadly for your cat. The “D” in the name stands for decongestion, and this formula contains the drug pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine can be extremely harmful to dogs and cats, and can be highly fatal. Never give your cat or dog any medication containing pseudoephedrine unless explicitly prescribed by your veterinarian.

Is Zyrtec Effective?

Zyrtec can be effective for mild pruritus (itchiness) in your cat. However, for severe underlying allergies, OTC medications are often not enough. Your cat may need a new diet, appropriate flea preventative, prescription allergy medications, or steroids to completely stop itching.

Conclusion

Allergies in cats are most frequently seen as itching skin. Over-the-counter antihistamines can sometimes be helpful in relieving some of the most common symptoms of allergies. Zyrtec is one of these common OTC medications that can be given. It comes in oral form and should be dosed based on your cat’s current weight and your veterinarian’s recommendations based on that weight.

Zyrtec is given as an oral medication either in tablet or liquid form, or your veterinarian may have a compounding pharmacy make the medication into a different form. There are very few side effects aside from occasional drowsiness. It’s important that you never give your cat Zyrtec-D, and you are aware that any OTC antihistamine may not be effective. Always work with your veterinarian for their best recommendations.

Featured Image Credit: David J Garcia, Shutterstock

The post Zyrtec for Cats: Dosage, Uses & Side Effects (Vet Answer) by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Cats have an innate ability to hide when they are sick and/or injured until the situation has become severe. In addition, because many cats are often not as social as dogs, and owners may not see them as much, minor abnormalities and/or personality changes may not be easily noticeable. Oftentimes you can make an appointment with your regular veterinarian if you notice your cat seems off or isn’t themselves. But there are a few instances where waiting is never recommended. In this article, we will discuss the 6 reasons why you should take your cat to the nearest emergency vet, and signs that what is going on is urgent.

The 6 Signs You Should Take Your Cat to an Emergency Vet

1. Inability to Urinate

This refers to both female and male cats but is much more common in male cats. It’s important to regularly clean and monitor all litter boxes in the house so that you can notice more easily when something seems different.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, seek veterinary advice for the best course of action.

Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch!

If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

Click to Speak With a Vet

2.  Panting / Open-mouth Breathing / Difficulty Breathing

It is never normal for a cat to breathe with their mouth open and/or pant. While this is a normal behavior in dogs, especially after playing or when it is warm out, cats never breathe like this unless they are in distress.

3. Seizures

Seizures can vary in appearance from a typical grand mal seizure (your cat is on their side, paddling, shaking, often losing control of their bladder and bowels) to partial seizures (fly-biting, facial twitching, etc.).

4. Contact With a Lily

Lilies are extremely toxic to cats – every part of the lily plant. If you have a lily in your house and your cat may have come into contact with the plant – even just brushing against it and getting pollen on their fur – you need to take them to a veterinarian.

5. Trauma

Cats are known for being curious daredevils. Young cats, and cats that spend time outdoors, are often jumping from tall heights, scaling objects and tempting others to play. But with that comes the potential for trauma.

6. Vomiting and/or Diarrhea for 12 Hours or More

All animals get into things they shouldn’t sometimes. Cats may have a hairball or two that bothers them, or just have one or two episodes of soft stool. Other times GI upset is caused by issues with the kidneys, liver, or gallbladder.

Conclusion

Cats are masters of disguise. They may have silent and otherwise unknown illnesses and injuries that go unnoticed. However, there are times when cats are trying to tell you that they need help now. If your cat is unable to urinate, is having difficulty breathing, has had a seizure, has come into contact with a lily, has suffered trauma, and/or is having consistent diarrhea and/or vomiting, you should seek emergency medical care for your cat. Some of these conditions can be fatal if left untreated, and/or become much more severe if ignored.

Featured Image Credit: Gorodenkoff, Shutterstock

The post When to Take Your Cat to an Emergency Vet: 6 Signs It’s Urgent (Vet Answer) by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

You may not know what a brachycephalic cat is, but chances are you have seen one. Brachycephalic refers to the “squished face” breeds, or the cats that have shortened skulls. Even though the shortened skulls and squished face may look cute, they are often accompanied by a number of health problems. These problems are often unique to the brachycephalic breeds and can be life threatening. Therefore, educating yourself on these health concerns should be a priority before adopting a brachycephalic cat.

What Is Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?

A brachycephalic breed of a cat (or dog) is one that has a squished face. Technically speaking, brachycephalic refers to the shortened skull of the animal. However, there are other abnormalities that occur in brachycephalic airway syndrome (abbreviated BAS). Brachycephalic airway syndrome refers to the shortened skull, narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, hypoplastic trachea and everted laryngeal saccules that occur with these cats. Essentially, all of the normal facial and upper airway structures that are present in a normal shaped skull, are smashed into a skull with less space. Your cat may have all of these things, or just a few. But they are always accompanied by a shortened skull and squished face.

Stenotic nares is another term for narrowed or small nostrils. Some cats will appear to not have any nostril openings at all, while others have only a little room for air to flow in and out.

The hard palate is what people think of when they hear “roof of the mouth”. The soft palate is the soft tissue at the very back of the hard palate (i.e., the back part of the roof of the mouth). An elongated soft palate refers to this extra tissue having nowhere to go, so it will dangle, or block off the entrance to the airway or trachea at the back of the throat.

The trachea is the windpipe. It connects air breathed in from the mouth to the lungs. It runs the length of the throat, all the way through the neck into the chest and lungs. A hypoplastic trachea means that the cat was born with a trachea that is much smaller and narrower than normal. When this occurs, it can be difficult for your cat to breathe air in and out of their lungs.

Everted saccules are also found in the back of the throat. These small saccules, or pouches of air, will be everted or swollen into the airway. These saccules can cause additional obstruction of the airway, impeding airflow into the trachea and lungs.

What Are the Signs of Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?

The most noticeable sign of BAS is difficulty breathing. Your cat’s entire upper airway is jammed into a much smaller space than normal. The excessive tissue of the elongated soft palate and stenotic nares will cause decreased oxygen going into the lungs. In addition, any and/or all of the abnormalities of BAS will make it difficult for your cat to even move air into their airway. They will often be seen with an increase in their respiratory effort, especially their inspiratory effort. In other words, the affected cats will be breathing harder as they try and take a breath in, to try and get more air past the obstruction(s).

Cats are not natural mouth breathers. This means that it’s never normal to see a cat panting and/or breathing with their mouth open. With brachycephalic airway syndrome, your cat may need to breathe with their mouth open just to get appropriate oxygen into their lungs and body. Your squish faced cat “panting” is not cute and should be taken very seriously.

If severe enough, your cat may turn cyanotic and/or collapse with very little exertion. Cyanosis is a gray or bluish color to the gums and tongue and can occur when the body is not getting enough oxygen. Collapse can occur from the exertion of trying to breathe oxygen in, and/or a lack of oxygen to the tissues including the heart and lungs. The harder your cat tries to breathe, the more swollen the tissues can become, causing a severe snowball effect of breathing difficulties.

What Are the Causes of Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?

Breeding for the “cute” appearance of a brachycephalic cat has caused all of these problems. While these abnormalities may have occurred on occasion in nature, we as humans have created the problem these cats now have through selective breeding. Over time, these cats have been bred to have flatter noses, shorter muzzles, and shorter skulls, in essence forming all of the anomalies we see with BAS. These cats would never be able to survive in the wild and are a result of human selection rather than natural selection.

How Do I Care for a Cat With Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?

The first step is not to support the breeders that are creating this issue. By purchasing one of these cats through a breeder, you are essentially giving money to continue creating a problem. If you are interested in owning a brachycephalic cat, adoption through a rescue and/or shelter is recommended. This way money is not going directly to a breeding program that will only perpetuate this problem.

Once adopted, you should speak with your veterinarian about surgical options for your cat. Your veterinarian may recommend and be able to perform surgery to enlarge the nostril openings on your cat, and/or to remove the excessive tissue in an elongated soft palate. Everted saccules may also be treated surgically but is a much more delicate procedure. Unfortunately, there is no surgery for a hypoplastic, or congenitally narrowed, trachea.

If you own a brachycephalic cat, they should not be allowed outside. Heat and/or humidity may be deadly for your cat as they will not be able to breathe and cool themselves down appropriately. In addition, if they are outside and get chased by another animal, they may not have the endurance to get away. Even when inside, you should make sure that the house temperature is mild and never excessively hot and humid.

Obesity can put unnecessary additional pressure around your cat’s neck. Always keep your brachycephalic cat lean. Work with your veterinarian to determine an ideal body weight for your cat, measure their food as directed, and never allow free feeding. Again, obesity may look cute, but can be a deadly combination with BAS.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do I Know If My Cat Has All of the Abnormalities of BAS or Only a Few?

Your veterinarian should be able to perform a physical exam to look at your cats’ nostrils and soft palate. Depending on your cats’ temperament, sedation may be needed to look in the back of the throat to diagnose an elongated soft palate and/or everted saccules. Radiographs are needed to diagnose a hypoplastic trachea.

The severity of all of those things will help your veterinarian discuss the complexity of your cat’s BAS.

Will My Cat Die from Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?

Unfortunately, this is possible. While we see death more commonly in dogs with BAS (because they go outside more frequently and are more at risk for overheating), we can absolutely see it in cats. If your cat has difficulty breathing every single day, it is only a matter of time before they progress to a distressed situation.

Conclusion

Brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS) is a group of abnormalities seen with squished faced cats. Brachycephalic refers to the shortened skull in these cats, with the upper airway structures all being forced into a smaller than usual space. Small nostrils (stenotic nares), an elongated soft palate, hypoplastic trachea, and everted saccules can all contribute to BAS. Your cat may have one or all of these criteria. Unfortunately, we as humans have created these problems, selectively breeding for the appearance of these cats over the functionality of these features. Not purchasing these cats from a breeder and working with your veterinarian to keep your cat as comfortable as possible is recommended.

Featured Image Credit: Dorottya Mathe, Shutterstock

The post Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Cats: Signs, Causes, & Care (Vet Answer) by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Your cat may have access to toxins you didn’t even know existed in the house. There are many hidden dangers that can cause toxicosis in your cat and this is why it’s vital to be aware of signs as well as potential causes.

Read below to find out the 9 most common types of toxicosis we see in cats, and what you can do if your cat has been exposed.

The 9 Types of Toxicosis in Cats

1. Over the Counter (OTC) Medications

OTC medications can include anything from pain medications such as Ibuprofen and acetaminophen to cold medications or salves and ointments. You may drop a few pills out of the container and not realize it. Ointments and salves may have an enticing smell to your cat that will cause them to want to taste it. You may think you’re helping your cat by putting ointment on a wound or injury when in reality, it may be extremely toxic to your cat if they groom it off.

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2. Food

While this is more common in dogs than cats, cats may steal food that contains high levels of garlic, onions, xylitol, or grease. Cats may also be more prone to stealing seafood such as shrimp, oysters, or fish from your plate or the counter because it smells like their food.

3. Human Prescription Medications

As with OTC medications, you may accidentally drop a pill or two, or leave your pill container out on the counter without thinking. Your cat may see the pill container and/or the medication and bat it around to play with it. Some curious cats may even ingest the dropped medications. The most common medications that can cause issues are anti-depressants, diabetes medications, anti-convulsants, cardiac medications, and blood pressure medications. Even a single pill can have a serious effect on your cats’ health.

4. Plants

Lillies and several other common household plants are severely toxic to cats. Every part of the lily plant, including the pollen, is severely toxic to your cat. If your cat nibbles on a leaf or part of the flower, it’s obvious they have ingested the toxin. However, even if your cat just rubbed their face against the vase of flowers and then groomed itself, they may have ingested a toxic amount of pollen.

5. Household Toxins

This can include any type of cleaning product such as bleach or cleaning wipes. Your cat may physically ingest the toxin, or at other times they may run through a room where the floor was just cleaned, or jump onto the counter and knock off cleaner, getting the product on their fur.

6. Veterinary Products

Many veterinary products are flavored nowadays to make them more palatable for your pet to eat. This is especially dangerous if you have a curious cat who likes to eat anything. NSAIDs and antibiotics for your dog can be extremely toxic to your cat, especially at high doses. Other pain medications may not necessarily be toxic, but due to a high dose, they may cause significant sedation in your cat.

7. Rodenticides

Unfortunately, rodenticides are formulated to be extremely tasty and attractive to rodents. Other animals may also find them tasty and attractive. Also, your cat may have ingested a rodent that has ingested rodenticide. These products are highly fatal, as that is what they are formulated to do.

8. Insecticides

This can include products used in the house, your yard, or even some products that are marketed for pets. Dog flea/tick medications are toxic to and can even be fatal if put on your cat. There are also many over-the-counter flea preventatives marketed for cats that can cause tremors, seizures, and skin irritation.

9. Recreational Drugs

With the legalization of marijuana in many states, there has been an uptick in both cats and dogs ingesting these products and suffering toxicoses. However, other drugs which are left out can cause far more severe side effects and oftentimes be fatal.

Conclusion

Cats, especially kittens, can be very curious and try to get into everything. This may lead to an increased risk of toxicosis. Some toxins are obvious, such as ingesting recreational drugs. Other times you may not even realize that your cat rubbed against the lilies sitting on your table or licked a small amount of wound ointment.

With any type of exposure, contact, or ingestion, the first step is always to remove your cat from the situation and try to determine how much exposure your cat had. You should then always contact your veterinarian, a local emergency veterinarian, or the ASPCA Poison Control Center to determine if your cat needs veterinary care or not.

See Also: 

• Can Cats Have Pepto Bismol? Vet-Approved Safety Tips & FAQ Explained
• Pet Poison Prevention Week: When It Is & Vet Approved Safety Tips

Featured Image Credit: Prystai, Shutterstock

The post 9 Common Types of Toxicosis in Cats Explained By a Vet & What to Do by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Lungworms are a type of parasitic infection seen in cats. Most frequently this is seen in outdoor only, or indoor/outdoor cats, and is most commonly caused by the roundworm parasite. The lungworms will grow and develop in different areas of the respiratory tract, causing issues as they grow and reproduce. Continue reading to learn more about the signs, causes and care of lungworms in cats.

What Is a Lungworm?

Lungworms are most commonly caused by the roundworm. The two most common species of roundworms that cause issues are Eucoleus aerophilus and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. The Eucoleus aerophilus species lives in the windpipe, or trachea. The Aelurostrongylus abstrusus species lives in the lungs themselves. After the eggs of the roundworm get into the bloodstream, these species will then end up in their respective parts of the respiratory tract. There they will continue to develop into adults that lay more parasitic eggs. As the eggs hatch, they are coughed up, and swallowed, and the life cycle is continued.

What Are the Signs of Lungworms in Cats?

Signs your cat may have a lungworm infection are varied. Some cats will show absolutely no abnormal signs and the eggs are found on routine fecal testing. Other cats may have signs of coughing, an increased respiratory rate, an increased respiratory effort, collapse, or lethargy. As an owner, you may think your cat is trying to cough up a hairball but nothing ever happens. If this behavior persists, there may be other causes of coughing than a hairball. When at rest, your cat should have a relaxed, slow respiratory rate. If you notice that your cat is breathing with a lot of effort (puffing out their chest or abdomen), your cats’ respiratory rate is highly noticeable while they are sleeping, or they are panting at any time, you should seek veterinary care.

Cats with lungworms may develop bronchitis or inflammation of the airways. Others may have secondary pneumonia because of the infection. If your cat has been treated for either of these conditions but continues to cough or have other abnormal respiratory signs, your veterinarian may want to treat them for a potential lungworm infection.

Because many cats will have no abnormal signs, routine fecal testing and exams by your veterinarian are very important. This is especially true of outdoor cats, or indoor and outdoor cats. Even if your cat only goes into your own backyard, being outside exposes them to many types of parasites and infectious agents. Getting your cat on a veterinary prescribed preventative and having annual fecal exams performed may help to find infection in your cat before they become very ill.

Is your cat presenting any of these signs? We suggest you speak with a vet online.

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What Are the Causes of Lungworms in Cats?

A cat will become infected with the Eucoleus aerophilus species of roundworm by ingesting the eggs or larvae of the worm in feces. This is most common if your cat goes outside and comes into contact with the feces of other infected cats, such as stray cats who may use your garden as a litter box.

The Aelurostrongylus abstrusus species of roundworm need an intermediate host. This means that a gastropod, (snail or slug), that is infected with the parasites is eaten by your cat. It can also occur if your cat eats an animal such as a bird, lizard, or rodent that has eaten the infected gastropod.

Once ingested, the roundworms will develop in the intestinal tract. Once development reaches the larval stage, these can sometimes migrate out of the GI tract and enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the larvae will go to the trachea (windpipe) or lungs where development continues into adulthood. As the adult roundworms lay more eggs, these develop into larva which your cat will cough up. As your cat coughs it up, they will swallow it, pass it out into the feces, and restart the lifecycle after another animal ingests the infected feces.

How Do I Care for a Cat With a Lungworm Infection?

Cats with lungworms may at first be diagnosed with bronchitis or pneumonia. If you bring your cat to your veterinarian for coughing, they will likely want to take radiographs of the lungs. Due to the inflammation created by the worms, your cats’ lungs may appear abnormal on X-rays. Your vet will likely put your cat on antibiotics, steroids, or both. These medications may help with inflammation and/or infection that occurs secondary to the parasite infection, but it won’t do anything to help clear the worms, eggs, or larvae.

Your veterinarian will need to prescribe your cat a course of dewormer to help clear the parasite infections. A few weeks to months of dewormer is needed to completely clear the parasite and all its life cycles from your cats’ system. In order to know if your cat is still infected, your veterinarian will also likely send multiple fecal samples to the laboratory. Your vet can do some fecal testing in-house, but for hard-to-diagnose lungworm infections, they will likely want to send the samples to a lab for specialized and more sensitive tests.

While your cat is being treated, you will want to give all medications as prescribed by your veterinarian. Keep a close eye on their breathing and bring them to the veterinarian if they seem to be struggling to breathe, coughing, or collapsing. Keeping your cat inside, away from other cats, and preventing them from scavenging other animals will help to prevent them from either re-infecting themselves or infecting other animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Prevent Lungworm Infections in My Cat?

Yes! Many veterinary-prescribed preventatives will help to prevent roundworm infections. These same preventatives may also help to prevent fleas and heartworm infections. If your cat goes outside, even if it’s just in your own backyard, a regular prescribed veterinary preventative is recommended.

Another way to help prevent the spread of the disease is to keep your cat inside. Any time your cat comes into contact with other animals’ feces is a chance for infection. If your cat likes to stalk your bird feeders or small rodents outside is also a chance they may become infected.

Is Treatment Expensive for Lungworm?

Prescription deworming medication overall is very affordable. However, diagnosing your cat and follow-up appointments can add up in cost. Because your cat may be coughing, your veterinarian may want to perform diagnostic and follow-up X-rays. Also, follow-up fecal exams will need to be sent to the laboratory until your cat no longer shows any signs of infection. If finances are a concern, be honest with your veterinarian so they can focus resources on the best treatment for your cat.

Conclusion

While lungworm infection is overall a very uncommon disease, it’s not unheard of. Cats who go outside at any time, especially those who like to scavenge small animals outside, are at the biggest risk for infection. Some cats show absolutely no abnormal signs. Others may cough or have difficulty breathing and may develop bronchitis or pneumonia secondary to the parasites. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the worms and all of their life cycles while supporting your cat through any respiratory difficulty. Getting your cat on a regular veterinary prescription preventative and keeping them inside can greatly reduce their risk of lungworm.

See Also: 

• Whipworms in Cats – Causes, Signs & Care Tips

Featured Image Credit: Todorean-Gabriel, Shutterstock

The post Lungworm In Cats (Vet Answer): Signs, Causes, Care & FAQ by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Making the decision when to say good-bye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest things we will go through as pet parents. We love our pets and wish they could be with us forever. Unfortunately, our pets will typically only live for a portion of how long a human family member will live.

One of the most compassionate decisions we can make as pet parents is the decision to pursue humane euthanasia. If your cat has been diagnosed, or suspected to have, a brain tumor, knowing when to make this decision can be difficult.

Below we’ll discuss what to look for, how this condition is diagnosed, and when to know if you should euthanize your cat.

The Signs of a Brain Tumor In Cats

Knowing if your cat has a brain tumor may be difficult at first. Some cats will have absolutely no abnormal signs and then start to have seizures one day. Other cats may show subtle signs such as different sized pupils, tilting their head to one side, circling or head pressing. Oftentimes, these signs may not be obvious to owners. Cats like to sleep often during the day and may only exhibit these signs when no one is near-by. Or, they may not allow owners close enough to witness these abnormal signs.

The most noticeable sign of your cat having a brain tumor is the onset of seizures. These can occur infrequently and then become progressively more frequent as the tumor grows. Other times your cat may just start to have seizures out of nowhere that don’t stop once they start.

The reason(s) why your cat may seem to be completely fine one day and then start to seizure non-stop the next day is depending on where the tumor is growing. If the tumor is not causing any issues with areas of the brain that control motor function, balance, breathing and/or behavior, then your cat may have little to no abnormalities at first. Other times tumors may start to bleed and/or cause inflammation in the brain and this is why your cat starts to have seizures.

No matter when these events occur, keep in mind that once diagnosed, there is no way for your veterinarian to know exactly when the tumor started to grow. It may have just been there a few weeks, to months to even years, depending on the type of tumor and location.

How Can a Brain Tumor Be Diagnosed?

The only way a brain tumor can be absolutely diagnosed is with advanced imaging such as an MRI or CT scan. An MRI is the preferred diagnostic tool for brain imaging.

Unfortunately in animals, these costs can prove to be too much for owners as they are paid out of pocket and not often covered by insurance as with humans. Therefore, your veterinarian may only be able to suspect your cat has a brain tumor, but without an MRI, they will never be able to say this with 100 percent certainty.

Radiographs, or X-rays, can only provide so much information. This test is not sensitive enough to diagnose brain tumors in many cases. If the tumor is completely encased within the brain, and has not started to invade any areas of the bony skull, an x-ray will not give any diagnostic information. An X-ray may provide a presumptive diagnosis of a brain tumor if the tumor has grown large enough to invade your cat’s skull, nose, eye’s and/or face.

Your veterinarian may strongly suspect a brain tumor if your cat has abnormalities on physical exam such as circling, head pressing, different sized pupils, abnormal facial nerve testing such as the ability to blink and see, etc. They may perform bloodwork but this may also be normal in cases where a brain tumor is present.

Please know that your veterinarian is doing the best they can when they give you their thoughts based on a physical exam, bloodwork, and potentially x-rays. They will not be able to tell you with 100 percent certainty if there is a brain tumor or not without an MRI or CT scan.

Quality of Life in Cats With a Brain Tumor

Your cat may or may not have a great quality of life with a brain tumor. Cats very rarely suffer from epilepsy. This means if your cat starts to have seizures, there’s very likely an underlying cause. Oftentimes, anti-seizure medications are not effective when there is a tumor. Or, the medications are only effective for a short period of time.

If your cat needs these medications, you will have to try and give them to your cat two or three times a day. Many cats won’t allow pills or any medications to be given to them. Chasing your cat and giving medications to them may cause more stress than they’re worth.

Some cats will stop eating with a brain tumor or have little to no appetite. Others may lose their vision, have difficulty walking and/or be running into furniture and other household objects. Brain tumors in cats may have very few treatment options, and most are incurable. Because of this, it’s important to recognize that cats with brain tumors will have progressively worse abnormal signs and discomfort.

All of the above things add to the quality of life of your cat. If your cat is not able to enjoy day to day activities such as eating, drinking, cuddling, playing and/or sleeping, then you may need to consider humane euthanasia. If your cat is having seizures frequently, this is also an indication that their quality of life has become poor.

How Can I Assess My Cats’ Quality of Life?

There are some good tools available for those who are struggling to know if their cats’ quality of life has decreased to the point where euthanasia should be considered. A few good online sources include one by Lap Of Love, and another by The Ohio State School of Veterinary Medicine. Both of these online questionnaires and assessments should be answered honestly by you and other members of the family. The score will help you be more objective when looking at your pets quality of life so you may potentially make the decision to move forward with euthanasia. When making the decision to pursue euthanasia, the love for our pets and the want to have them around for longer may overshadow our pets’ true underlying health and happiness. These assessments help us to focus on them, not the extreme emotions we may feel about losing them.

You can also make a calendar of good days and bad days, or create a ranking scale yourself or with the help of your veterinarian. If your cat has consistently more bad days than good, humane euthanasia should be considered.

Natural Death at Home

Frequently, we as veterinarians hear owners’ wishes that their pets just pass away peacefully at home. The unfortunate reality is that death in its natural form, is often not peaceful and can be very difficult to watch. In the case of a brain tumor, your cat may start to seizure and not stop until they pass. This may be minutes to hours of non-stop seizures. Your cat may become non-responsive and be lying there, unable to move or interact until their breathing stops. Your cat may have an abnormal heart rate and/or breathing as they pass, which can be uncomfortable for them and for you to watch.

While we all want to pass peacefully in our sleep, the reality is that this is rarely the case. Giving your cat a peaceful ending with euthanasia is one of the most compassionate decisions you can make as a pet parent. You can hold them, have the family be with them, and even have a veterinarian come to your home to provide the euthanasia service if you want. Your cat can be sedated beforehand so they don’t feel anything and are not stressed during the process.

Conclusion

Losing a beloved pet, whether they pass naturally or you pursue humane euthanasia, is an extremely difficult decision. In cases where a cat may have a brain tumor, making the decision to pursue euthanasia is often dependent on their day-to-day quality of life. Frequent seizures, difficulty, and/or inability to perform and/or enjoy normal daily activities may help you determine it’s time to say goodbye.

Brain tumors are often unable to be treated, and will only worsen with time. Making the difficult decision to pursue euthanasia will oftentimes give your cat the peaceful ending they deserve before they suffer from an often incurable disease.

Featured Image Credit: PRESSLAB, Shutterstock

The post Cat Brain Tumors (Vet Answer): Signs, Diagnosis & When to Euthanize by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Many people love cats as a pet because a lot of them are independently spirited and often require less maintenance than a dog (often, but not always). This is especially true for dog breeds that need regular grooming, sometimes every few weeks. People may prefer a cat over taking their dog to the groomer every other month. But there are some cat breeds who require regular grooming as well, such as the Ragdoll. Ragdolls are known for their wonderful, friendly, and playful personalities. But before you run out and get one of these cute, fluffy felines, let’s talk more about what their regular grooming needs are to make sure you are up to the job. As a general answer

What Is a Ragdoll?

A Ragdoll is a breed of cat that has been around since the 1960s. The name comes from the breed’s easy-going temperament and personality to the point that they would go limp, like a ragdoll, when held. Ragdolls are well known for a few things, one being their docile, playful and laid-back personalities, another being that they are larger, stockier cats with thick, strong legs, a broad chest, and thick necks.

But perhaps the most well-known characteristic of the Ragdoll is their beautiful, thick, bushy coat. A purebred Ragdoll will always have blue eyes, a large bushy tail, and a white, cream, and/or tan coat with darker colored ears, face, and tail. Ragdolls will always be either bicolor or tricolor with medium to long hair.

Due to their thick, luxurious coat, Ragdolls require regular grooming year-round. This is not a breed that you can just brush a few times a year and get away with it. Regular grooming is a necessity and should be started from day one.

How Much Do Ragdolls Shed?

Ironically, Ragdolls may not shed as much as your average domestic shorthair or other breeds. This is because Ragdolls do not have a thick, dense undercoat. The majority of their coat is actually medium to longer length guard hairs, which will shed less than an undercoat. However, shedding does occur regularly, though can be more common in the spring.

Many people are afraid to get a long-haired cat if they have feline allergies.¹ However, humans actually react allergically to the dander and saliva of cats more commonly than reacting to the fur. Adapting regular grooming for your cat may actually help to reduce the amount of dander in your home, potentially decreasing symptoms of allergies.

However, it’s always recommended to speak with your regular physician or specialist if you have any feline allergies as they can best recommend what is safest for you and your family. We’re simply here to say that you shouldn’t count out a Ragdoll as a potential pet if your only fear is mild allergies. It may be a safe option for you.

Brushing Know-Hows

It’s always recommended to brush your medium or long-haired cat at minimum a few times a week. This is for a number of reasons. First, it will help prevent matting of either the undercoat or the top coat. Once matted, it’s very uncomfortable for your cat, and each little mat will constantly pull at their skin. In addition, once matted, it can be painful and difficult to remove without appropriate grooming tools. Second, we are all aware that cats groom themselves by licking. By regularly brushing your cat, you are actually decreasing the amount of hair that your cat may ingest while grooming. Some people may not know, but your cat can actually get an intestinal obstruction from a hairball!

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Always start by brushing lightly and gently, in areas that your cat already likes to be pet. For many cats, this means going along the top of their body, from the neck to the tail. If your cat tolerates this, then you can gently move to the sides of the body (the flank), the belly, and finally the back of the legs. These are the areas we tend to see a lot of tangles and mats occur. It’s important to go slow and gentle so that your cat does not feel any discomfort. Only do what your cat will allow in one sitting. You can always distract them with a tasty canned food treat, tuna in water, or even a little bit of cheese. Some cats will run to get brushed if they know that food is involved.

If you encounter a mat, hold the mat with your fingers close to the body while gently working it out with the comb. This helps to ensure that you won’t be pulling on the skin while trying to get the mat out. We never recommend cutting the mat away with scissors. I’ve seen far too many accidental injuries at home from owners trying to do a good thing, only to have their cat move at the last second and end up cutting them. This is a good way to ensure your cat will never want to get groomed again. Always try to work mats out with a comb, brush, or a good pair of quiet grooming clippers.

What About Bathing?

Bathing is actually rarely needed in cats, even ones with longer coats. This is partly because healthy cats will constantly groom themselves, and also partly because most cats will not tolerate you putting them into water. Domesticated cats are not known for their natural swimming ability. Many people who attempt to bathe their cat end up with more battle wounds than they were expecting.

Bathing is typically reserved for indoor/outdoor, or outdoor only cats who may get into dirty water, mud, and/or potential chemicals that need to be removed. For the everyday indoor house cat, regular bathing is not needed. If your cat happens to get dirty, has something spilled on them, etc., there are some great waterless shampoo options available. Also, never underestimate the power of a good unscented, sensitive baby wipe to help remove all types of stuff that may have gotten stuck or dripped onto your Ragdoll’s fur.

If your cat will safely tolerate a bath and you wish to do it, never ever use human shampoo. Even baby shampoo is not formulated for the pH and other needs of the feline skin and coat. Always use a hypoallergenic (unscented, undyed) pet shampoo. It’s also never recommended to use conditioners of any kind.

Can I Spray My Cat To Make Them Smell Nice?

No. Many essential oils have now been found to be toxic to cats even in small amounts. Not only can the aerosol sprays irritate the airways, but a simple spray may trigger coughing, bronchitis, or even a life-threatening asthma attack in your cat. Not to mention that cats will groom themselves and one another.

Conclusion

The Ragdoll is a great cat breed if you want a playful, friendly, and relaxed cat. They are wonderful companions. However, before you get one, be prepared to commit to brushing your Ragdoll at least a few times a week. Regular brushing will help prevent any painful matting, and can hopefully decrease your cat’s risk of a hairball obstruction. Although they have longer hair and require regular grooming, Ragdolls may actually shed less than other cats due to a thinner undercoat. However, shedding still occurs regularly and the best way to show your cat you care is with routine preventative measures, ensuring they live a long, happy, pain-free life with you and your family.

Featured Image Credit: Atmosphere1, Shutterstock

The post How Much Do Ragdoll Cats Shed? Brushing & Bathing Tips by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.