'In ancient times cats were worshiped as Gods; they have not forgotten this.'

                                                                ~Terry Pratchett

Cats 101

Where and when cats first domesticated themselves is still a mystery to this day, but our best theory is that approximately 10,000 thousand years ago in the middle east, cats took their first steps into human settlements… and they never left.

Today, cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, and out number dogs in the United States. Despite this fact, cats are much less likely to receive routine veterinary care due to the stress that these visits can have not only on the cat, but also on the owner. The goal of this page is to illustrate the importance of routine health exams, vaccines, as well as general tips and tricks for reducing stress and making sure that your feline friend lives a long and happy life.

For Kittens: When bringing a new kitten into your household, a feline leukemia and FIV test should be performed to confirm that the new kitten is not infected with either of these diseases that can be passed on to other cats. Kittens should have health exams, deworming, and  a series of vaccines performed at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age, and then yearly thereafter. The vaccines that your Veterinarian will suggest to you will depend on your cats lifestyle, but all kittens regardless of lifestyle should get the first series of the feline leukemia vaccine, the feline upper respiratory vaccine, and the rabies vaccine.  Spaying and neutering your kitten can help prevent unwanted pregnancy and certain cancers.

For Senior Cats: Once your cat turns 7, they are entering their senior years. Because of this, blood screenings and dental cleaning become vital—in addition to routine health exams— early detection becomes the best medicine. Through routine screens we can detect life-threatening diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, and hyperthyroid conditions.  Good oral health can also help protect the health of your older kitty’s liver, kidneys, lungs and heart. 

For All Cats: Routine health examinations, vaccines and deworming are very important to your  cat’s health and well being.  Vaccines protect cats and kittens from leukemia, panleukopenia, rabies, and contagious upper respiratory diseases. Deworming protects them from intestinal parasites that are dangerous to the health of both cat and owner.  

Vaccines can protect your cat from the following infections:

Upper respiratory disease/infection: Symptoms of this can include: coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose and wheezing. This can be a very serious condition, as your cats sense of smell is one they rely on quite heavily. If they cannot smell, they are less inclined to eat their food, and if your cat is not eating they can rapidly decline.

Herpes virus:  Shares the same symptoms as an upper respiratory infection, but can continually flare up during stressful events. This can be managed through lifestyle changes, but there is no cure.

Leukemia:  Spread by saliva through bite wounds.  Presents as an upper respiratory infection, destroys white blood cells and is fatal. (Another good reason to keep your kitty indoors!)

Rabies:  A fatal neurological disease spread through bite wounds and carried by wildlife such as bats, raccoon, skunks, and opossums. 

Deworming protects your cat from internal parasites:

Intestinal Parasites:  99% of kittens are born with roundworms.  Adult cats are at risk of being infected with other intestinal parasites like tapeworms by hunting rodents and birds.

DENTAL CLEANINGS               

Dental disease affects 70% of cats over three years of age.  If left untreated, dental disease can have serious consequences for your cat’s health, as bacteria from the teeth can travel into the blood stream and damage major internal organs such as the heart and kidneys.  Oral exams performed by your veterinarian can help with early detection of periodontal disease and gingivitis. Yearly dental cleanings can help your cat live a longer, healthier, more comfortable life. Remember; health starts in the mouth.

COMMON FELINE ILLNESSES AND DISEASES

Cats have an incredible survival instinct, and as a result, they may hide their pain and discomfort from their owners until it is almost too late.  Becoming familiar with the characteristics of some common illness and diseases will help to get your cat to the veterinary clinic at the first sign of trouble.

Urinary Tract Infection and Urinary Blockage:  Symptoms include urinating in inappropriate places around the house (especially cool places like the sink, bath tub and linoleum), or frequent trips in and out of the litter box, with little or no results. You may also see blood in the urine at times.  Male cats are more likely than females to get a blockage due to the size of their urethra. Urinating in inappropriate places is one of the biggest reasons for indoor cats getting put outside, but it is important to rule out any underlying medical condition before blaming behavior and banishing your cat to the outdoors.

Hepatic Lipidosis:  The first symptoms of this liver disease are lethargy and a yellow tinge to the skin and mucous membranes.  Commonly noticed when an overweight cat stops eating.

Hyperthyroid:  Symptoms include weight loss, increased appetite, behavioral changes, excessive shedding and matting, vomiting and weakness.  

Diabetes:  Symptoms include weight loss and increased drinking/urination. 

Kidney Failure:  Symptoms include increased drinking/urination, decreased eating, weight loss and lethargy. 

Feline Plasmacytic Stomatitis:  Symptoms of this disease of the mouth include decreased eating, chewing with caution and discomfort, difficulty swallowing, drooling and horrible breath.

Flea Anemia:  Symptoms include weakness and lethargy. This condition is caused by flea infestation. Monthly flea treatments can help eliminate this.  NEVER USE A FLEA PRODUCT ON YOUR CAT THAT IS LABELED FOR DOG USE.

NUTRITION

Feeding your cat a well-balanced diet is vital in keeping them healthy and happy.  The right diet will help maintain healthy coat, skin, bones and teeth.  Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates. 

For optimal growth, kittens should be fed a balanced kitten food until they are a year old. 

When changing your cat’s food, switching gradually by mixing new food with the old food over a couple weeks will help prevent diarrhea and other stomach issues.

Prescription diets are also available. These cat foods are designed to support the health and special needs of cats with chronic diseases such as kidney failure, liver disease and diabetes, and may also help to slow the progression of these diseases.  

MANAGING STRESS

Just like some humans, cats often do not handle change well.  Even the smallest change can cause your cat a great deal of stress.  Clinical signs of stress are often the same as symptoms of some common feline illnesses; possible signs include aggressive behavior toward people and other pets, urinating outside the litter box, and hair loss.  A trip to your veterinarian—although potentially stressful for you and your cat—is needed to rule out any underlying medical conditions before treating for stress alone.

Some cats will experience car sickness, and it is less of the destination and more of the travel as a whole that is upsetting to them. Restricting access to food for a couple hours prior to the car ride can help reduce nausea, but if this isn’t enough then please talk to your Veterinarian. There are prescription medications available through your vet that can help with nausea, as well as anxiety.

There are some products available to decrease stress. For example, “Feliway” is a synthetic pheromone that mimics the actual pheromone used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure.  It is available in a spray, wipes and a comfort zone diffuser. If we ever cover your cat with a towel in the clinic, chances are that we have already sprayed this towel with feliway.

Ways to help reduce stress when taking your cat to the Veterinarian

We hear it often in the Veterinary world that certain cats are ‘spicy’. Often times this comes on the heels of an owner warning us that their cat really does not like going to the doctor, and while some animals are determined to not enjoy the experience, there are things we can do to reduce your cats stress before they even get through our doors. Remember, no animal is spicy, they are scared.

Carrier Acclimation: Does your cat see the carrier and bolt the other way? So does mine. If your cat only ever sees the carrier before they go to the vet, you are unintentionally conditioning them to hide whenever they see it. Keeping your cat’s carrier out in an area where your cat spends a lot of time can start to remove the negative association your cat has built towards the carrier, and makes loading them up a much easier task.

Let them hide: Covering the crate with a towel that smells like home can help your cat feel safe from the world around them. In addition, adding a treasured toy and familiar bedding inside of the crate can really help your cat relax inside. (Pro tip! If your cat is coming in for concerns related to urination, do not put any bedding in the crate, if your cat urinates in the crate we can attempt to use this urine as a sample.)

Make it feel like home: Bring your cat's favorite treats, which can be given to them as a reward or distraction. We try to offer treats in the room, but if you happen to bring some along please let us know! Our staff love to spoil your cats just as much as you do, we want them to associate us with things that make them feel good.

Picking the right carrier

Pillow cases, plastic bags, laundry baskets, a collar and a leash-- These are all examples of things that we have seen cats brought in with in place of a carrier; all of which are very inappropriate. A proper cat carrier not only makes sure your cat cannot escape in the parking lot, but it also keeps your cat safe from other animals in the lobby who may not be so friendly. But now that you know that, what type of carrier should you look for? Hard shell plastic carriers with easily removable (yet secure) lids are always going to be our top recommendation, fabric carriers can also be a good choice as long as they are able to support themselves (not sinking in on either side, or made entirely of mesh). A good carrier will be big enough for your cat to stand up and turn around in, water proof, functional, and clean. It is important to remember that even though your cats get along at home, going to the vet can be stressful and sometimes uncomfortable, and two cats who just received vaccinations, or had surgery, should not be packed into one carrier. Each cat in your home should have their own carrier. Draping a towel over the carrier, and lifting it from the bottom helps your cat feel secure, and sets them up for success at the vet!

In conclusion                     

Making sure that your cat feels safe is one of our top priorities at our clinic, and we take fear free restraint very seriously. Our clinic has dedicated one of our exam rooms specifically for cats to further reduce the stress of a visit, and all of our staff are trained in fear-free handling techniques. Many of our staff members will also attend ‘Cat Class’ hosted by our very cat-enthusiastic Nurse, Becky (A proud crazy cat lady). At this class, staff members learn more about the history of cats, their unique characteristics, and handling skills which are practiced on staff volunteered cats so their application on your pet is purrfect. But we don’t think this knowledge should be kept from anyone, so we have attached a PDF copy of Becky’s cat class here.

Helpful information

https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats