Worms
Kittens most commonly become infected by roundworm eggs
present in their mothers’ milk, and must be de-wormed regularly. This is often
carried out along with the primary vaccinations at about 12 weeks (see below),
and must be repeated on a regular basis (the frequency will depend on the
product used; your vet will give you specific advice).
Tapeworms are most likely to be found in cats which hunt
regularly, as the immature parasites are present in the bodies of prey such as
mice. When eaten by a cat, the tapeworms will then go on to develop in its gut.
Fleas can also spread tapeworms, as the worm eggs may be present in their
bodies and be swallowed by a cat while grooming itself. Tapeworm infestations
are not serious, but you should worm your cat at least every six months. Again,
your vet will advise you.
Diarrhoea
Cats suffer from diarrhoea quite frequently, although their
outdoor toileting habits mean that the condition often goes unnoticed by
owners. In the vast majority of cases, diarrhoea is caused by the food that a
cat has eaten – possibly cow’s milk or scavenged food that is contaminated. Diarrhoea
normally clears up by itself, but if you are concerned – particularly if your
cat is young or old – consult your vet, as the cat could become dehydrated. Giving
a probiotic (available from pet stores or from your vet) will also help to
re-establish the beneficial bacteria in the gut, aiding recovery and reducing
the risk of further problems.
HEALTH CARE (URBAN LIVING)
Having your cat vaccinated against serious feline viral
diseases such as cat ‘flu is vital, as there is no treatment for these
illnesses. Vaccinations are currently available to protect your cat against the
killer disease feline panleucopaenia (feline infectious enteritis), and against
the two forms of cat ‘flu (feline viral rhinotracheitis and calicivirus).
After an initial course, which should be completed by the
time a kitten is about 12 weeks old, annual boosters are usually recommended. Always
keep your cat’s vaccination certificate in a safe place, as you will need to
show it when you take the cat to a boarding cattery.
FELINE DISEASES
In recent years, considerable publicity has been given to
feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and so-called feline AIDS, or feline
immunodeficiency virus. Both illnesses can be fatal, although it is now
possible to protect cats against FeLV by vaccination. Unfortunately, one result
of cats becoming increasingly popular as pets is that viruses are able to
spread more easily, especially in urban areas where cats often live at high
densities. This is another reason why protective vaccination is so important. Neither
FeLV nor FIV can be spread to people, so there is no risk of you developing
leukaemia or AIDS through contact with an infected cat.
Feline leukaemia virus
FeLV will not survive for long outside a cat’s body. The virus
is present in saliva, so a cat may be infected by a bite sustained in a fight;
it can also be transmitted to kittens before birth by their mothers. However,
even once the virus is detected a cat will not inevitably develop leukaemia or
the other symptoms of illness linked with the virus, and this is where blood
testing is important. Although an initial test may be positive, a second test
carried out three months later could reveal that the cat has produced
antibodies and overcome the infection, indicating that it has recovered and
poses no threat to other cats (once a positive test for the virus is confirmed,
a cat must be kept isolated until a negative result is obtained).
However, in other cases the virus overwhelms the cat’s body
defences. It will lose weight, may show other signs such as vomiting, and will
become a persistent carrier of the virus. The cat will then represent a threat
to others, and is also likely to develop clinical signs of the illness. Cancer of
the white blood cells (leukaemia) and of the lymphatic system (lymphosarcoma)
are typical and, sadly, euthanasia will be necessary.
Feline AIDS
This disease is caused by the feline immune deficiency virus
(FIV), which attacks the immune system. Like FeLV, the infection is spread via
saliva, not by sexual contact. General malaise linked with anaemia (a lack of
red blood cells) is a feature of this illness, which can be confirmed by a
simple blood test.
Feline infectious peritonitis
FIP is another viral ailment which has become more
significant in recent years. It strikes younger cats, typically those under
three years of age. The virus attacks the peritoneum (the lining of the
abdomen), causing swelling. The body organs may also be affected, and the cat’s
general condition will tend to deteriorate. Once again, no treatment is
possible for this disease.
ACCIDENTS
As well as disease, cats living in towns face additional
dangers, with many sadly being killed on the roads. The speed of traffic often
gives them little hope of escape, while after dark they may be momentarily ‘blinded’
by headlights.
However, you should not always fear the worst after an
accident – if a cat does not move after a collision, it may simply be
unconscious. Before rushing to rescue it, you must check that there are no
oncoming vehicles or you could end up on the casualty list as well.
What to do after a road accident
Do not try to attend to the cat in the road, but move it to
safety without delay. One of the most common road-accident injuries in cats is
ruptured diaphragm. This sheet of tissue acts as a divider between the chest
and abdomen, and, if it is torn, the body organs may move internally. When picking
up an injured cat, you must therefore lift it with both hands under its body
(or, ideally, carefully slide it on to a makeshift stretcher such as a board)
to keep it in a horizontal position.
The cat will be suffering from shock after an accident and
is likely to be in considerable pain. Even if it is normally a very
gentle-natured cat, it may therefore try to bite and scratch, so wrap it
carefully in a towel or blanket if possible. Carry the cat indoors, place it in
a quiet, warm spot away from other pets and seek veterinary advice without
delay.
Even if your cat appears to be relatively unhurt following a
road accident, a thorough veterinary check-up is extremely important. This is because
there could be unseen internal haemorrhaging, which could become
life-threatening if not detected and treated.
Other injuries
Friction burns on the skin and severe grazes are often
apparent after a collision with a vehicle. These will heal in due course but
your vet may need to treat them in the short term, particularly if a large area
of the cat’s skin has been affected. The hair may never grow back completely in
a case like this.
Fractured limbs are another very common consequence of road
accidents, and the cost of delicate orthopaedic repair work on the broken bones
is unlikely to be cheap. It is partly for this reason that many cat owners now
insure their pets to cover themselves against unexpected large bills of this
kind, as well as for the cost of other veterinary treatment for illness. Look in
cat magazines or ask your vet for details of insurance companies willing to
insure pets.
If you need to give your cat a tablet, it will help to have
an assistant: if he or she holds the cat across the shoulders, it should not be
able to lift its forelegs to scratch you. Hold the cat’s head, and gently open
its mouth.
With the cat’s head tilted upwards, and using the fingers of
your first hand to ‘anchor’ the upper jaw, drop the tablet as far back as you
can on to the centre of the tongue; this will make it more difficult for the
cat to spit out.
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