Dr. Magnifico:
I saw Dr. McCarthy today and it does not seem to be anything serious with Fluffy’s eye. No signs of scratching or cornea damage. A good flushing and antibiotic should resolve the issue. Thanks so much!!!
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Brandon Took A Few Pictures When We Were Having Our Initial Visit At JVC Last…
Brandon took a few pictures when we were having our initial visit at JVC last week. I don’t have any digital pics yet as she is very shy and scared. I’ll try to get some. So there is no danger to my other cats regarding Leukemia, FIV?
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Hello 7mo Old Siamese Neutered On Fri Will Not Keep Cone On.. Has White Raised…
Hello 7mo old Siamese neutered on Fri will not keep cone on.. Has white raised spot thats black/blue Stopped oral diluted metcam as was prescribed this am & Primary vet not helpful, taking to emergency clinic tonite. What could this be?
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One Of My Older Cats, Fluffy, Is Favoring His Left Eye; Upper And Lower Lids…
One of my older cats, Fluffy, is favoring his left eye; upper and lower lids are pink. Tender to the touch around the eye. I plan to call for an appt in AM but is there anything I can do tonight to relieve obvious discomfort?
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Sandy Post author
CAN I PUT ANTIOBIOTIC OINTMENT ON MY CAT
CAN I PUT ANTIOBIOTIC OINTMENT ON MY CAT
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My Cat Was A Rescue Who Was Found With A Broken Pelvis. He Has…
My cat was a rescue who was found with a broken pelvis. He has completed 7 weeks of cage rest and now I noticed a small area on his throat with no fur and he seems to scratch at it a lot. Can I treat this or should he be seen by a vet?
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What Is The Best Remedy For Hairballs In Cats? Every Spring My Cats Get…
What is the best remedy for hairballs in cats? Every spring my cats get horrible hairballs, throwing up almost daily. Once shedding season is over it subsides a little bit but they still throw up from time to time.
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Krista Magnifico Hello Amy
There are a few good options for you.
First be sure that the problem is hair all related. You may need your vet to help you understand hoe to correctly and accurately identify vomiting in cats ( for example we need to identify vomiting versus regurgitation and be sure that it is a foreign body (hair) versus other problems…. The list is long and wide). If it is determined to be hairballs then I would recommend brushing daily to reduce the amount of hair your cat ingests, or even shaving the coat once or twice a year. Any reduction in the amount of hair ingested will help. I have many clients who shave their cat down. I have to admit that both the cat and the owner are happy afterward.
You can also try a hair ball food. I like science diet. I put my cats on it and I think it worked very well.
There are also oral hair ball medications. These are available over the counter. They help lubricate the hair so that it passes.
I hope that this helps.
The most important thing to do is to be sure that your cat doesn’t have a gastrointestinal problem causing excessive grooming, or a skin problem causing an excessive shedding problem. All of these should be discussed with your vet.
Best of luck.
Thanks for visiting. And for posting a picture. She’s a cutie.
Sincerely
Krista
I Have Two Cats And We Had An Issue With Fleas And I’ve Been Giving…
I have two cats and we had an issue with fleas and I’ve been giving them flea baths every week because I’m not allowed to give them a bath within seven days of each other they have flea callers I even gave them a droplet solution on the back of their necks now one of my cats I found three pustules yesterday on her stomach should I bring her to the vet and what could it be
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Eleanor Wood Hi Chelsea,
First of all, if you’ve had a problem with fleas it is well worth getting your house treated as well as the cats – you can buy household sprays fairly cheaply over the counter at most vets, and this will stop the fleas breeding. Also, make sure that the collars and drops you’re using will work if you are also bathing your cats, as most of these products work by spreading through the natural oils in the skin, which bathing strips out.
Regarding the pustules, if there are only three, and your cat isn’t scratching or licking at them, you shouldn’t need to take her to a vet yet, try keeping them clean and putting a tiny amount of antiseptic cream on. Remember you will need to stop her licking the cream off so you may need a lampshade collar for a few days, most pet shops should sell these.
If she is itchy or sore with the pustules, or they don’t clear up within three or four days, then take her to the vet.
Good luck!
Eleanor Wood -
Eleanor Wood Hi Chelsea,
First of all, if you’ve had a problem with fleas it is well worth getting your house treated as well as the cats – you can buy household sprays fairly cheaply over the counter at most vets, and this will stop the fleas breeding. Also, make sure that the collars and drops you’re using will work if you are also bathing your cats, as most of these products work by spreading through the natural oils in the skin, which bathing strips out.
Regarding the pustules, if there are only three, and your cat isn’t scratching or licking at them, you shouldn’t need to take her to a vet yet, try keeping them clean and putting a tiny amount of antiseptic cream on. Remember you will need to stop her licking the cream off so you may need a lampshade collar for a few days, most pet shops should sell these.
If she is itchy or sore with the pustules, or they don’t clear up within three or four days, then take her to the vet.
Good luck!
Eleanor Wood
Hello. My 5 Year Old Male, Neutered Cat Has Had Diarrhea For A Little…
Hello. My 5 year old male, neutered cat has had diarrhea for a little over 24 hours. I am going to call my vet in the morning. Until then, is there anything I can do to stop it or slow it down? I have canned, pure pumpkin on hand. I also have a diarrhea medicine, in tablet form, that my vet gave me for my dog.
Thank you very much.
Dawn
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Krista Magnifico Hello Dawn,
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear about your kitties tummy upset.
There is no magic anything that stops diarrhea. Especially of it acute (last day or so).
The best thing to do is to keep your cat calm and quiet and go to the vet in the morning.
I would bring a fecal sample when you go (even if your cat stays inside). If you collect it now place it in a double secured baggie and refrigerate, (sorry, gross, I know).
If your kitty has not had severe episodes then it is unlikely that he has become dehydrated.
I would never give medicine that has been prescribed for another pet without your vets ok (especially if it was for another species). Cats have a very sensitive liver and difficulty with some drugs that are safe for both us humans and dogs. So as a rule never give anything to a cat without knowing it is safe by asking your vet.
If the diarrhea is severe or your cat is acting like he is not feeling well I would recommend you go to an emergency room tonight.
I wish you and your kitty the best.
Sincerely,
KristaKrista Magnifico, DVM
Owner Jarrettsville Veterinary Center
Jarrettsville, MD
http://www.jarrettsvillevet.com -
Dawn Gillispie Post author Thank you very much Dr. Magnifico. The diarrhea has become worse in the last 12 or so hours so, I am concerned about dehydration. I did see him drink some water a few minutes ago, which is good. And I actually just heard him urinate in his litter box which is good too.
I am actually a client at Jarrettsville Veterinary Center. I was the person with the silly hound mix dog in the waiting room last Thursday. ; ) I will call when the office opens in the morning for an appointment.
Thank you again,
Dawn
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Krista Magnifico Hello!!
No food for the rest of the night. If he is acting normally he is prob not dehydrated.
We are open at 8. The doctors arrive at 8:30. But the techs are there at 7:30. The techs can help you if you feel you need to be there ASAP.
See you tomorrow.
Krista Magnifico, DVM
Owner Jarrettsville Veterinary Center
Jarrettsville, MD
http://www.jarrettsvillevet.com
After Having Our AC In Our House Stop Working Last Night, I Am Wondering What…
After having our AC in our house stop working last night, I am wondering what temperatures cats can tolerate before a health hazard exists. I see plenty of information out there on dogs but little on cats
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Krista Magnifico Hello Steve,
Thank-You for the very important question!!
And for reminding us all, once again, that our kitties (which still far outnumber dogs), always have to play second fiddle to their bigger, slower, domestic partners, dogs.
The good news is that cats are incredibly smart, instinctive creatures. They intuitively know to sleep during the hottest part of the day and to stay low and hide in a dark moist spot..outdoor cats will hide under a shelter on the cool moist soil, or deep in heavily shaded foliage. They are calm, quiet, and slow their metabolism by sleeping or relaxing as a bear does in winter.
Inside cats will often find a cool floor spot, like tile (think tub, shower, sink, or bathroom floor), or wood, in the shade, and sleep.
A fan provides cooling but many cats are initially scared of the noise and the movement, so only a seasoned learned cat will use one, (but try anyway).
Running water, like a fountain, or hose also provides a source of cooling, or cool ground to relax on.
In general cats have a very high tolerance to heat IF they can get access to a cool shaded spot.
Here’s where my concerns come from:
Indoor cats; Have less places to hide, or can’t find soil, or water, or moving air. And they tend to be bigger (fatter) which significantly reduces their ability to dissipate heat (same holds true for bulldogs and thick, heavily muscled dogs). Or they are otherwise immuno-compromised so they do not thermoregulate as efficiently, or have trouble breathing making panting significantly harder to do.
Outdoor cats; these guys are smart, they just need to not be contained. Outdoor cats die if they get stuck in a trap, a box, a something, or if they are otherwise injured or compromised. In essence the sick, the young, the old.
As a last note, I would guess that just about everything written for dogs holds true for dogs. Except I would not try to immerse them in water (will cause stress and exacerbate heat problems) and I don’t know many cats who like fans, at least initially.
I hope this helps..
Please let me know if you have any other questions or things to add.
Stay cool! And if you ever need a cool place to visit, or keep the kitties come say hello!!
Or you can board your cats in an air conditioned facility while the A/C is waiting to be fixed.
Take Care,
KristaKrista Magnifico, DVM
Owner Jarrettsville Veterinary Center
Jarrettsville, MD
http://www.jarrettsvillevet.com
Yep, fleas can find their way into your home . Many ways this is possible, visiting friends and family coming into your home may be coming from a home with pets that have fleas and the fleas simply hitch a ride with them. You can track fleas into your home if you’ve gone in a location where other pets have been, fleas can hitch a ride on your clothing and hop off when you get home. Fleas are great at location hopping. Also if you have carpet in your home and have had pets with fleas before, flea eggs can actually lie dormant for a long time and vibrations from a vacuum cleaner actually stimulate them to hatch… Lots of rental units stay infested this way.
It’s good to keep your cat on monthly flea control as a precaution because once you get them they are hard to get rid of. It’s easier to prevent them than get rid if an infestation. Hope this helps.
Indoor cats can get fleas. Often, though, people think that because a cat is itching that they have fleas. There are two ways to discover if your cat has fleas – one is to see the fleas themselves, often on the thinner hair of the belly. The other is to look for the black gritty debris that seems like coffee grounds, often on the back just up from the tail or behind the ears on the neck. To be sure it is not dirt, put the debris on a damp white cloth – if it turns red it is definitely flea stool. They suck blood, so their stools are black and the blood will show red when it gets wet.
There are multiple ways to eliminate fleas – holistic or conventional. Both require that you treat the environment (house, for an indoor cat) and the cat. The kindle book, Fleas Be Gone: A holistic veterinarian’s guide to natural flea control, will give you lots of great steps to remove fleas, some at almost no cost – 1. Buy a good flea comb and comb twice a day until 2 weeks after seeing no fleas and 2. build a light trap to attract the fleas to soapy water where they will die and 3. vacuum a lot – 1-2 times a day and discard the bag or keep diatomaceous earth in the bag so the fleas will not lay eggs or crawl back out.
The fleas can hitch a ride into the house on you or your clothing, though this does not often happen.