Ask Anna - Your local Vet

In associaltion with Henlow Vets Your local Independant Veterinary Centre

Each month we invite readers of the Stotfold News Magazine to ask Anna Marshall-Brown of local independent Veterinary Centre Henlow Vets some advice on their family pet:

Dear Anna, We have recently taken in a cat from a rescue centre - she seems to be nibbling the insides of her legs quite excessively and has made marks on herself. Could this be an anxiety issue? She is fully up to date with vaccinations. Any idea how we can stop her form doing this and causing more marks? Firstly, well done for giving your little cat a new home. There's lots of animals that need rescuing in the country and the charities are always looking out for new owners like yourself. In answer to your questions, cats can nibble at the insides of their legs for a variety of reasons. Anxiety is definitely a possibility, however other reasons a cat will nibble is because they're itchy. T

he commonest causes of itchy skin in cats are flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), ticks, mites, food allergies and environmental allergies (atopy). All of these are a possibility. 50% of itchy cats have FAD and many owners don't realise it's flea related as it only takes one or two bites to cause itchiness if a cat is allergic, and these fleas are good at hiding!

I would recommend visiting your vets to check that your cat has adequate parasite control, and to discuss her diet and environment. Your vet may want to do some basic skin tests if they find any sore spots, to check for parasites. They may also do a trial of medication if they suspect the nibbling is due to an allergy, to see if she responds. Henlow Veterinary Centre 22 Bedford Road Lower Stondon Beds SG16 6EA (01462) 416416 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 18.30pm Sat 9am -12 noon

If the tests show no obvious cause of problems and an allergy trial does not work, your vet may conclude that the issue is behavioural. Unfortunately anxiety does not have a diagnostic test to prove it, so we rely upon ruling out all other disease before concluding this is the problem. WE do have lots of options to relieve stress in su cats, including pplements like appeasing pheremone plug-ins, c lemon balm, milk derivatives, and alming some natura mood l Your Pets.... modulating drugs such as tryptophan. You can also make sure that your cat has lots of hiding places, and the ability to remove herself Name: Oreo from stressful situations. Age: 10 months Breed: German Shorthaired Pointer Please also do look at the webpage Colour: Black & White https://icatcare.org/advice/over-grooming/ for more advice on Favourite Toy: Ball on a string over-grooming in cats. The iccatcare website also has a wealth of Favourite Food: Prawn crackers information on parasite control, preventative healthcare, and Likes: Walks, bird watching, cuddles information on lots of current diseases; it's my go to website to give Dislikes: Rain and when my hoomans go out! owners when they want to know more about their feline companions! When I grow up: I want to be allowed upstairs!!

Walks for Health

We are a friendly informal group who meet Thursdays at 10.45am

Thursday 10:45 am 2 September The Green opposite The Crown Pub Stotfold 9,16,23,30 September Arlesey Station on the station west side.

North Herts Road Runners

The next first Saturday of the month 5k on

Letchworth Common will be 4th September. and the

Standalone 10k is on 26th September.

We are continuing with training on Tues and Thurs evenings under

the guidance of qualified coaches.