Your Cat’s Health
You & Your Veterinarian Congratulations on your new cat! Whether this is your first cat or you’ve always had a feline companion, this booklet will give you useful information on how to care for your cat and meet all their medical needs. The key to making sure that your cat has a long, healthy, and happy life is to see your veterinarian on a regular basis. Visits to the veterinarian should start as soon as you get your new cat and continue so that your cat is seen by a veterinarian at least once a year. This allows your veterinarian to notice any changes that happen from year to year, catch issues early, and keep your cat healthy. Vaccines are very important for cats, even cats that never go outside. Kittens need several vaccines to protect them from disease and need to be checked regularly for worms and parasites. Adult cats need to be kept up to date on vaccines, parasite checks, and monitored for any health issues that may be discovered. If you adopt or buy a cat from another part of the country or internationally, your cat may have health issues that aren’t common where you live now. Make sure to tell your veterinarian where your cat came from so they can check for diseases or illnesses that are common in those areas. Bring any records you have from the breeder or rescue organization to your first appointment so your veterinarian can review them.
The Routine Exam
Your veterinarian will give your cat a full examination, which includes: • Chest: Your veterinarian will listen to your cat’s heart and lungs to check if their heart and breathing sounds are normal and healthy. • Abdomen: Checking the abdomen allows your veterinarian to see if your cat is in any pain or has an unusual reaction to being touched, which could be a sign of illness. • Skin and coat: Some illnesses cause cats to lose their hair or fur, or to make it less shiny or duller than usual. • Eyes: Your veterinarian will check for any visible signs of illness like redness, swelling, cloudiness, or discharge. They’ll also shine a light in your cat’s eyes to make sure their eyes respond properly to the light. • Ears: Your veterinarian will check for any signs of ear infections or illness including swelling, bad smells, lumps, or discharge. • Mouth: Your veterinarian will examine the teeth for tartar, tooth fractures, oral masses, and gingivitis.
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Spaying & Neutering “Spay” is the term used for ovariohysterectomy, or the removal of a female cat’s reproductive organs. “Neutering” is the surgical removal of a male cat’s testicles or reproductive organs. Both procedures prevent unwanted pregnancies and can also have health benefits for your cat. Read below for 7 reasons why you should “fix” your cat: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Prevent pyometra, a common life-threatening infection of the uterus in unspayed cats. Eliminate the risk of testicular, uterine, and ovarian cancer. Decrease the risk of prostatitis, a bacterial infection of the prostate in male cats. Decrease aggressive behavior, especially in male cats, helping to reduce cat bite injuries. Decrease the risk of breast cancer, especially if your cat is spayed before 6 months. Avoid marking or spraying behaviors. Save about 4 million lives each year. These lives belong to unwanted dogs and cats euthanized in shelters across the USA.
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Protecting Your Cat With Vaccines Vaccines are an easy way to prevent your cat from getting sick with serious, sometimes fatal, diseases. All cats need vaccines, even those who never go outside. Your cat’s first rabies vaccine is essential and should be given when your cat is between 3 and 4 months old. In addition to rabies, all cats should be vaccinated for feline distemper and upper respiratory disease. Your veterinarian can discuss with you which other vaccines your cat needs and how often to get them. Newborn kittens are protected by antibodies shared with them through their mother’s milk. After that, your kitten needs vaccinations to develop their own immunity. Your cat will need to get vaccines throughout their life, so make sure to keep track of when your cat is due for their vaccines. Always follow your veterinarian’s advice and don’t skip doses. Panleukopenia: Also called distemper, this highly contagious viral disease most commonly affects kittens. It can be spread through the air, contact with infected animals, or contaminated environments or objects.
Rabies: A serious, always fatal viral infection that affects a cat’s central nervous system. It’s usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal but can also be spread when an infected animal’s saliva comes in contact with broken skin through licking, drooling, etc. Rabies vaccinations are required in most states.
Herpesvirus & Calicivirus: Highly contagious viruses that most often affect young kittens over the age of 6 weeks. They are spread by other infected cats or contact with contaminated environments where infected cats have been.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): This virus is one of the leading causes of death in cats. FeLV is spread from cat to cat through grooming, biting, or nursing. It can lead to a suppressed immune system, anemia, leukemia, and other issues.
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Guarding Your Cat Against Parasites Parasites Parasites are a risk to your cat no matter where you live in the USA. They can be easily prevented by giving your cat a monthly dose of preventive medication or treatments prescribed by your veterinarian. Your cat can get parasites from many different sources, including eating something they’re not supposed to eat, contact with infected cats, or from the environment. These can cause scratching or biting.
Internal Parasites Most internal parasites live in a cat’s intestines and are diagnosed by an examination of your cat’s poop. Here is a list of the most common internal parasites: • Coccidia • Roundworms • Hookworms • Tapeworms These parasites often cause diarrhea but can also cause vomiting and weight loss.
External Parasites External parasites live on your cat’s body. Your veterinarian can usually diagnose these by finding them on your pet or doing various skin tests. Here is a list of the most common external parasites: • Ear mites • Lice • Fleas • Mange mites • Giardia • Ticks Ask your veterinarian which medications they recommend to protect your cat against external parasites and which products you should avoid. Since cats lick and groom themselves often, you want to be sure you’re using a medication that is safe for them.
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Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that is found in cat feces and undercooked meat. Pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals are most at risk for developing health problems after exposure to the parasite. If you become infected just before or during your pregnancy, you can pass the infection to your fetus even if you have no symptoms. Most infected infants have no signs at birth but can develop serious conditions later in life, such as blindness, deafness, or mental disability. Cats can become infected after eating infected prey or undercooked meat that contains the parasite. If you’re pregnant or immunocompromised, take these steps to protect yourself:
• Keep cats indoors and feed them dry or canned cat food, not raw meat. • Have someone else clean your cat’s litter box. If that’s not possible, wear gloves and a face mask to change the litter and then wash your hands thoroughly. • Make sure the litter box is changed daily. The Toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat’s feces. • Wear gloves when gardening because the soil may be contaminated with cat feces containing the parasite.
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Nutrition and Weight Management Why Dog And Cat Foods Are NOT Interchangeable: Your cat needs a
high-quality balanced diet to make sure they’re getting the vitamins and minerals their body needs. New pet food diets and trends come and go, so be sure to ask your veterinarian any questions you have before starting your cat on a new diet. If you’re wondering what to feed your new cat, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. Cat and dog foods aren’t the same and you shouldn’t feed your cat dog food or vice versa. Cats need specific vitamins and amino acids, such as:
Vitamin A: In order to keep their vision and skin healthy, your cat needs a certain amount of Vitamin A. Dogs don’t have to worry about getting Vitamin A from their food because their bodies turn beta carotene into this necessary vitamin.
Taurine: While dogs can make their own supply of this important amino acid, cats need to get it from their diet. Feeding your cat dog food can lead to a type of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Though many people think cats like a fish-only diet, feeding only fish to your cat doesn’t give them the amount of taurine they need.
Arachidonic Acid: This fatty acid helps cats produce an inflammatory response to naturally protect themselves against illness, control skin growth, and help other parts of the body function properly. While dogs can make their own, cats need to get arachidonic acid from their diets.
Proteins: Cats need more protein than dogs because their bodies are made specifically for eating more protein than carbohydrates. This is especially important in kittens and adult cats who are nursing.
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Preventing Obesity The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that 60% of cats are overweight or obese! In animals, fat starts to accumulate around internal organs before it’s visible from the outside. That means by the time you notice your cat is getting chubby, their health could already be negatively affected. Just like you, your cat needs regular, daily exercise. The best way to get your cat to exercise is to play with her using a feather wand, laser pointer, or other interactive toy. Aim for two or three 10-minute play sessions per day. Ask your veterinarian for other exercise recommendations and always check with them before starting your cat on an exercise plan. Compared to humans, cats don’t need nearly as many calories. Though the average woman needs 2000 calories per day, a 10-pound cat only needs 180-200 calories per day. Being overweight or obese doesn’t just affect how your cat looks, it also increases their risk for many health problems including: • • • •
Cancer Cranial cruciate ligament injury Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years) Heart and respiratory disease
• • • •
High blood pressure Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes Kidney disease Osteoarthritis
Don’t feed extra food just because your cat asks you to — especially if she wakes you up in the middle of the night asking for more. Divide the total volume of daily food into four to six servings and feed small meals throughout the day. If you have more than one cat and one is overweight, feed your cats in separate rooms, if possible. After a period of time (generally 15 to 30 minutes), pick up any remaining food. Don’t leave food out while you’re away.
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Enrich Your Cat’s Environment Environmental enrichment can help improve your pet’s quality of life and decrease destructive behaviors. This technique is all about creating an environment that offers new, exciting, and rewarding opportunities that focus on your pet’s instincts and natural behaviors. Here are some strategies you can try, recommended by behavior expert Jean DeNapoli, DVM, MPH, DCVPM
Bird feeder: Placing a bird feeder outside the window can keep pets amused. However, you’ll need to monitor interactions as some pets could be overstimulated by having other animals so close (especially any visiting squirrels).
Climbing: Cats enjoy vertical space and climbing. You can buy or make a climbing tree, arrange furniture to allow climbing from one piece to another, offer a window bed, or build elevated walkways.
Empty boxes: These can provide hours of play for cats. You can make entry and exit holes in them, or leave them open on one side. Offering different sizes or moving them to other parts of the house can keep things interesting. 8
Cat Tail Language Signs a Cat May be Happy Tail Upright
A cat holding its tail high is generally a sign of a happy or content cat. The tail may also sway slowly back and forth.
Signs a Cat May be Nervous Tail Tucked In
A nervous or scared cat may tuck its tail beneath its body.
Signs a Cat May be Frightened Tail Puffed Up
When frightened, cats will puff up their tails to appear bigger in order to ward off danger.
Signs a Cat May be Angry Tail Flicking
A cat flicking its tail rapidly from side to side is a sign they may be feeling irritated or upset.
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Avoiding Poisoning Emergencies The world is full of items that can be dangerous for our cats. Avoid hazardous situations by pet-proofing your home, keeping a tidy living space, and familiarizing yourself with common household items that are dangerous to your cat.
Pet-Proofing Your Home Pet-proofing your home is one of the first steps in keeping your pets happy and healthy. There are common household and yard items that can harm your pet if swallowed and many cats suffer from accidental ingestion of these substances. Keep your home safe for your cat by reviewing the list of common cat toxins below and avoiding the following situations around your home: • Cabinets and drawers that are easily opened • Garbage cans and laundry hampers without lids • Decorative items that can be knocked over • Loose cords and wires, including those on curtains and blinds
Signs That Your Pet May Have Ingested A Foreign Object • Refusal to eat • Repeated vomiting • Dry heaving or coughing
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TOP 10 PLANTS TOXIC TO PETS
TOP 10 CAT TOXINS • • • • • • • • • •
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Lilies (Lilium species) Spot-on flea/tick medications for dogs Household cleaners Antidepressant medications Essential oils Anti-inflammatory medications Rodent killers (rodenticide) Stimulant medications (Adderall, Ritalin, etc.) Vitamin D overdose Onions and garlic
• Cyclamen • Kalanchoe • Lilies (Lilium species) • Oleander • Dieffenbachia • Daffodils • Lily of the valley • Sago Palm • Tulips • Hyacinths
If you think your cat has ingested something dangerous, go to your local
veterinary ER or call one of the numbers listed below (fee applies): ASPCA Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435 Pet Poison Helpline: 1-800-213-6680 10
Medication Safety Medications are one of the top items that both dogs and cats accidentally consume every year. Keep your medications out of reach and behind a pet-proof door and remember these tips:
1. Childproof Does Not Mean Pet-Proof: Your cat might be able to more easily open a medication bottle than you can using their teeth and nails. Don’t count on a safety lid to protect your pet or think that you can leave medications out if they have safety lids.
2. Pet-Proof Storage: Your dresser, nightstand, and bathroom counter are all places medications usually sit and that your cat can access. Keep your medications in a cabinet with a tight latch. Consider using child-proof cabinet mechanisms found at the hardware store to keep items out of reach.
3. Don’t Shake, Rattle, or Roll: Shaking a pill bottle to get your pet’s attention or giving your pet a treat after they come for the rattle of pills will make your pet interested in the pill bottles. Reward your pet after receiving the medication instead.
4. Team Approach to Toxicity: If you have more than one pet, keep in mind that they may take a team approach when getting into the medication stash. For example, the pill bottles on your dresser are quickly knocked down by your agile cat and can find their way into the jaws of your curious dog. Once the bottle is open, everyone can help themselves to the surprise inside.
5. Travel Inspection: When traveling, friends and family may not have their homes pet-proofed or pet-friendly, even if they have pets of their own. Take a quick look for any medication that your pet could easily reach or limit your cat to a safe area if there are any concerns that your cat may be able to access dangerous items.
6. Keep Important Phone Numbers Handy: If you think your cat has ingested something dangerous, go to your local veterinary emergency room, or call one of the numbers below (small fee applies): • Animal Medical Center Emergency Room, 212-838-8100 • Pet Poison Helpline, 800-213-6680 (fee applies) • ASPCA Animal Poison Control, 888-426-4435 (fee applies)
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Signs of Illness Even the healthiest and most-loved cats may become sick at some point in their lives. Usually a change in behavior is one of the first signs that something is wrong with your cat. If your cat shows any of these signs, contact your veterinarian:
Stomach/GI Signs: • • • •
Diarrhea that: * Lasts for more than 24 hours OR * Happens along with other signs of illness Constipation that lasts more than 24 hours Persistent vomiting Vomiting accompanied by: * Blood * Greenish-yellow bile * Dark red, brown, black in color
Respiratory Signs: • •
Heavy breathing Heaving panting
Urinary Signs: • •
Straining to urinate Bloody urine
Whole Body: • • • • • • •
Sudden swelling Small body lumps that get bigger over time Lameness Pain No appetite for more than 24 hours Sudden weight loss Sudden weight gain
Skin: • •
Fur or hair that is dull, patchy, and sheds heavily Not grooming
Eyes and Nose: • • •
Red eyes Watery eyes Nasal discharge
Behavior: • • • • • •
Lying or crouching listlessly Not using the litter box Urinating or defecating in unusual or new places Hiding in dark places Doesn’t want to be held or touched Scratching or biting (if normally calm) 12
The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education at the Animal Medical Center is the leading provider of pet health information. We aim to inform and empower pet owners and to share information with the public. With our staff of over 100 doctors and the knowledge gained from more than 110 years of experience, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the best and most up-to-date information for all your pet health needs. If you have a question about pet health, we have the answer. www.amcny.org/usdaninstitute