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Cat Health
Owning a cat is a great experience. They are excellent companions, but their often highly independent and self sufficient nature can sometimes lead to owners to be casual about the involvement in caring for a feline. Cats need adequate shelter and protection, access to fresh water and food, daily exercise.
As with all animals, humans included,cats can suffer from a range of illnesses. If your cat loses its appetite, sneezes or coughs, has watery eyes, vomits, has diarrhoea, or any other sign or symptoms of illness or inappropriate behaviour, such as listlessness, frequently visiting the litter tray and crying out in pain - SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY.
It is essential to have your cat vaccinated against feline enteritis and cat flu, both of which have very high mortality rates. Cats of all ages should be vaccinated yearly, starting with kittens which are initiallyvaccinated at six to nine weeks of age. This isfollowed by a booster for both cat flu and feline enteritis at 12 weeks. A booster for cat flu may be necessary at 16 weeks. Consult your veterinarian about an appropriate schedule for your pet.
Cats also need protectionfrom worms includinghookworm, roundworm and tapeworm. If using a commercial wormer, ensure it will give the cat adequate protection from all worms, and that you give the correct dosage for weght.
Always keep a close watch on the condition of your cat's teeth. Gingivitis and tartar can build up easily causing bad breath and gum problems.Teeth problemscanaffect your cat's appetite, make it difficult to eat and groomand generally impact on theirhealth. Talk to your vet about the best way to keep your cat's teeth in tiptop condition.
If your cat is scratching and rubbing its ears and shaking its head this could indicate an infestation of ear mites. If neglected, ear mites can cause deafness and pain. Similarly, constant scratching can indicate the presence of fleas or flea allergies. Your vet can advise on the best treatments for both of these problems.
And remember, a regular check up never goes astray. It's an opportunity for the vet to give your cat a physical examination and for you to raise any question you may have about general health and care.
Many cats enjoy a daily romp outside (or inside), and while it's important they have some form of identification including a name tag with the owner's name and contact details, never use a leather collar or tie a ribbon around a cat's neck. Active cats often climb,and in doing so, may get caught by the collar and strangled.Elasticised collars are best, as they povide a degree of flexibility should they get snagged. The collar, when stretched to its maximum length, should just pull over the cat's head, and in an emergency allow the cat to extricate itself from the snag. You may lose a collar, but at least your cat will be safe and healthy.
Desexing of cats is another important responsibility for cat owners. It'sa vital stagein controlling the huge unwanted population of cats and all cats, male and female, should be desexed at betweenfiveand six months of age. It's a complete myth that cats should have a litter before they are spayed inorder to keep them healthy, so consult your vet about the most appropriate age for your cat to be desexed.