Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common finding in our older cats and chances are that if your kitty lives a reasonably long life, you will need to manage kidney disease in him or her at some point. It is important to know that “kidney disease” is not the same thing as “kidney failure” and that most cats with kidney disease can live normal, happy and healthy lives with appropriate care. What I hope to do in this column is provide you with the information you need to recognize the earliest signs of kidney disease in cats (when the disease is easiest to manage) so that you can become an advocate for your kitty. We will also discuss a range of treatments.
Cats and humans have quite a bit in common regarding diabetes: In both species, the incidence of the disease has sky-rocketed.
Years ago, the wisdom was that diabetic cats “didn’t do well” and many cats did indeed have shortened lives of poor quality. Today, however, with a new understanding regarding the importance of diet, insulin selection and the proper use of at-home management, most diabetic cats not only do well, but many even achieve remission and are no longer diabetic.
To many cat guardians, cats are independent creatures who only need food, water and affection. It’s not uncommon for cats to never set a paw into a veterinary hospital after they have been spayed or neutered and received their first vaccines as kittens. Years pass and one day the kitty needs to be seen by a veterinarian. Most times, that exam finds a number of problems that could have been addressed simply (and inexpensively) years earlier.
Unlike dogs, who are typically brought to the veterinarian at least annually for heartworm testing and some vaccines, many cats don’t receive the same type of care. However, the annual exam for cats is really the cornerstone of a sound, preventative health program and can add years to your cat’s life and improve his or her well-being.
This month, Feline Pine will sponsor the first National “Take Your Cat To The Vet Day,” on August 22nd, with the goal of getting the word out that our cats need to be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year. The annual event is part of Feline Pine’s overall commitment to cat health.
Summer is “kitten season.” That’s because most unspayed female cats start heat cycles in the late Winter, as the days get longer. With a feline 63-day gestation period , that means most kittens are born during the Spring and Summer.
If you are considering adding a kitten to your household, some thoughtful planning needs to be done prior to bringing home your new little friend. As a cat specialist, I am particularly interested in making sure that the kitten is not only healthy, but is socially, mentally and behaviorally sound and an excellent companion. With many cats now living well into their late teens and even to the early twenties, there is the potential for your new kitten to be part of your life for the next two decades.
Starting off on the right “paw,” gives the best chance for a great life-long relationship with your new friend.
Spring brings a number of holidays (Easter, Passover and Mother’s Day) and flowering gifts are often part of the celebration. For those of us who garden, Spring also is the time for getting out in the dirt and planting Summer gardens.
However, many common – and beautiful – plants are deadly to cats. Before you bring floral arrangement into your home, gift a friend with a bouquet, plant a border of day lillies, – or allow your cat to wander through a “green thumb” neighbor’s yard – it’s wise to know which plants to avoid, to keep our kitties safe and healthy.
There are no comments. Be the first to post!