The Truth About Cats

The Importance of Vaccination Vaccination is the only safe way to provide immunity against a number of dangerous diseases which continue to affect cats in the UK. Vaccination confers immunity by exposing the body to a small but harmless dose of the disease in question. Kittens are usually protected during their first few weeks by an immunity passed through the mother’s first milk (colostrum). However, this immunity fades rapidly, leaving the kitten susceptible to disease within a few weeks. The first time a kitten is vaccinated, a course of two injections is usually given, separated by at least a couple of weeks. Vaccination doesn’t work immediately; it takes a few days for immunity to develop. Immunity may also gradually fade so, depending on the disease, boosters may be needed. An annual visit to your vet is recommended to allow for a general health check and for any necessary boosters to be given.

What diseases do we vaccinate against? Cat ‘Flu’ (Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Disease) Very common in the UK and can be serious, especially in kittens and elderly cats. It is spread between cats by direct contact or through sneezing. Symptoms shown include: runny nose and eyes, high temperatures and extreme lethargy. Infectious Enteritis (Feline Panleucopenia) A very unpleasant and often fatal disease. Fortunately now very rare due to the success of vaccination in controlling the disease. Feline Leukaemia A viral disease which can be transmitted when cats fight each other or even through grooming. The disease can take months to develop after the initial infection but then begins to suppress the cat’s immune system, causing secondary infections, tumours and death. Historically this was very widespread but is gradually being controlled through vaccination. Rabies A fatal disease, fortunately not currently found in the UK. Vaccination is mandatory if you are planning to take your cat abroad. Why is regular worming important? Worms are parasites that live inside our cats and rely on them for nutrition. Most worms are found in the intestine and can cause health problems for your cat. It’s important to kill worms before they reach maturity and start producing large numbers of eggs. They can infect people as well as pets which is why regular worming to prevent the spread of worms is especially important. Cats may be exposed to worm eggs via contaminated soil. The eggs are very resilient and can potentially survive for years. Cats that hunt and eat small animals, such as birds and mice that can be infected with immature roundworms or tapeworms, can quickly become infected themselves. Roundworms are often found in cats and can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and loss of appetite, as well as a pot-bellied appearance and poor growth in kittens. In humans, roundworm larvae can migrate into different parts of the body and may, in extreme cases, cause blindness. Tapeworms attach themselves to the intestinal wall of cats using suckers and can vary in size. Their presence may lead to anal discomfort and itching, which in turn could result in a cat dragging its bottom along the ground.

How often should cats be wormed? Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to prevent cats from being infected with worms, as treatments do not prevent infection in adult animals. Ideally, cats should be wormed at least every 3 months. Monthly worming is recommended for cats that hunt regularly, as they may catch infected birds and mice. Regular worming will not only kill worms, but will also help to reduce the number of worm eggs shed into the environment.

The benefits of spot-on worming: With a spot-on worming treatment there is much less of the difficult handling involved when administering a tablet and you can be 100% sure that they’ve received the treatment. Simply part the fur on the cat’s neck at the base of the skull until the skin is visible and empty the contents of the pipette directly onto the skin. The solution passes through the skin and enters the bloodstream. Active ingredients travel around the body , killing worms living inside the intestines which are broken down and passed via the faeces.

Keeping your cat flea free: Fleas are very common in adult cats and are active in your homes throughout the year. When grooming, cats may eat fleas that they discover, making it difficult to find adult fleas in the cat. An itchy cat, or insect bites on human ankles, may be the only sign of infestation. The best way to investigate is to comb the cat meticulously with a fine-toothed flea comb over a clean, white surface. Fleas and ‘flea dirt will be deposited onto the surface. The adult flea lives permanently on it’s host - your cat, they can survive off their host for up to six months. Females will lay eggs at a rate of 50 a day which fall off the animal’s coat and will be especially concentrat- ed on his/her bedding. New fleas lie dormant in a cocoon until a host is available (they can do this for up to 2 years) - centrally heated homes with fitted carpets provide the ideal conditions for year-round development of fleas.

Tackling ticks: There are a number of tick species in the UK which will readily attach to our cats, and can transmit disease to them. The most common of these are the sheep tick and the hedgehog tick. Both species carry Borreliosis and other associated infections. Tick bites can cause a variety of problems to your cat. These can range from uncomfortable skin reactions and septic abscesses, to the transmission of diseases which can be a serious health threat, and in certain cases may prove fatal. Preventing tick attachment, and correctly removing any ticks that have attached, is key to preserving your cat’s health.

Tick control products can prevent ticks being attracted to your cat in the first place and some contain an ingredient that kills the tick once it has made contact with your cat’s skin. It is important to discuss with your vet the right combination of worm, flea and tick treatment for your cat and the regularity with which each dose is required. If your cat is unlucky enough to have attracted a tick then it is very important that the removal is done correctly to avoid harm to your cat. Done wrongly the infective fluids in the tick may be forced back into the bloodstream of the host animal, your cat! Our nurses are always very happy to show owner’s how to use a tick-removal tool, which can be purchased very cheaply from our Reception.

Dental care: Dental problems in cats are very common - sticky plaque builds up on the teeth and hardens to form tartar. If left untreated this can lead to gingivitis and eventually periodontal disease may develop. Signs of poor dental health are:

 Bad breath

 Sore mouth

 Difficulty eating

 Dribbling

 Bleeding gums

 Pawing or rubbing the mouth As a preventative measure it is a good idea to have some dry kibble in your cat’s diet which helps to clean their teeth whilst they’re eating. If a plaque/tartar build-up has already happened your vet might recommend a professional scale and polish to prevent disease developing. Senior cat care: A common feline disorder, most often diagnosed in older cats, is Hyperthyroidism. If your cat has hyperthyroidism, their thyroid gland will be enlarged and produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, which is not desirable. Thyroid hormones, produced by the thyroid gland using iodine from food, help regulate important body functions, such as:

 Metabolism

 Body temperature

 Bowel function

 Heart rate

 Blood pressure If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can have serious, sometimes fatal consequences, damaging vital organs like the heart and kidneys. The good news is this disease is highly manageable and can be controlled with proper veterinary care.

Signs of feline hyperthyroidism: These can vary in severity depending on how long a cat has been ill. If your cat shows any of the following signs, call your vet immediately:

 Weight loss

 Increased appetite

 Hyperactivity

 Increased thirst

 Poor skin and coat condition

 Diarrhoea and/or vomiting

Preventative steps can be taken to help maintain your cat’s thyroid health: 1) Specially formulated daily nutrition which restricts dietary iodine intake to maintain healthy thyroid function. 2) Anti-thyroid drugs to inhibit the production of thyroid hormones. 3) Radiation therapy to treat abnormal thyroid tissue. 4) Surgical removal of abnormal thyroid tissue.