Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we carry skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mum or dad or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can hold your kitty joyful, wholesome, and feline nice. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care in your furry companion.
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Assist! My Cat Refuses to Eat!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
I’ve an nearly 4-year-old black cat, and he or she refuses to eat any cat meals. I provide her day-after-day apart from these “Lil’ Soups” made by Friskies. She is going to need to eat that and solely that day-after-day, however these aren’t low-cost! I can not afford to provide them to her day-after-day. She in any other case is wholesome, drinks water, and may be very energetic notably late at night time. She shouldn’t be chubby and has no issues together with her stool or in her mouth. I don’t know what to do, Please assist me” – Barbara
Hello Barbara, I perceive how irritating it may be when a cat refuses to eat something besides one particular meals, particularly when it’s not a balanced and full food regimen. Cats may be extremely choosy about their meals preferences, typically changing into fixated on sure textures or flavors, making transitions difficult (however not not possible). The Friskies Lil’ Soups are extra of a deal with than a nutritionally full method, so it’s essential to assist her settle for a balanced food regimen whereas additionally contemplating your funds. First, it’s good to search for a “complete and balanced” assertion on the meals’s label.
Since by your description, she seems in any other case wholesome, that is probably a behavioral or preference-based difficulty moderately than a medical one. Nevertheless, earlier than assuming it’s simply plain choice, it’s at all times good to rule out discrete well being considerations like nausea, dental sensitivity, or gastrointestinal discomfort. If she’s ingesting properly, sustaining weight, and has regular stools, that’s excellent news. The important thing now’s to transition her to an entire food regimen by steadily mixing small quantities of moist or dry cat meals into her Lil’ Soups, begin small and work in direction of growing the proportion slowly over time. Warming the meals barely or including a little bit of water or cat-safe bone broth to enhance texture might make it extra interesting, particularly since we all know she prefers a extra liquid consistency. If she nonetheless resists, providing meals for a set time after which eradicating it moderately than catering to her choice will assist reset her expectations. Cats may be difficult, however with persistence and consistency, she will be able to study to eat a extra acceptable food regimen.
If she utterly refuses meals for greater than 24 hours, that turns into a priority, as cats can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver illness) in the event that they go too lengthy with out consuming. In that case, I recommend consulting immediately with an on-line teletriage service that can assist you decide the perfect subsequent steps earlier than it turns into a medical drawback. Catster is partnered with PangoVet’s teletriage service, you’ll be able to study extra about them right here and ebook a seek the advice of with our vet group. Keep affected person and be persistent—cats are intelligent, however with time, you’ll be able to information her towards more healthy consuming habits.
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Cats is Over Grooming!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
My cat Tommy has not too long ago developed a nasty behavior of over-grooming. He’s always licking and scratching, and his coat has noticeably thinned. Our vet found he has quite a few environmental allergic reactions, however his treatment hasn’t appeared to make a distinction. We’re undecided the place to go from right here and learn how to break this behavior. The one factor that’s helped is placing him in a cone of disgrace, however he doesn’t prefer it and it’s not a everlasting answer. What can we do to get him to cease over-grooming?” – Keith
Hello Keith, Tommy’s over-grooming is probably going an indication of persistent irritation and discomfort, and since environmental allergic reactions are concerned, discovering the correct method to managing them is essential. Allergic reactions can weaken the pores and skin barrier, making it extra reactive to irritants, which might result in extreme licking and scratching. If his present remedy hasn’t introduced noticeable reduction, exploring further choices resembling totally different anti-inflammatory therapies, antihistamines, and even immunotherapy might assist.
Supporting his pores and skin well being may also make a giant distinction. Omega-3 fatty acids assist strengthen the pores and skin barrier and cut back irritation, very similar to a protecting moisturizer for delicate pores and skin. Common baths with a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo can take away allergens from his coat, decreasing irritation. Since allergens can accumulate within the house, frequent vacuuming, washing his bedding, and utilizing HEPA filters might assist restrict his publicity. The opposite a part of this equation could be to work on decreasing his stress or nervousness since over-grooming can grow to be a self-soothing behavior. I like to recommend attempting calming artificial pheromone diffusers, partaking in additional playtime, and establishing quite a lot of novel environmental enrichment units to attempt to redirect his focus.
Whereas the cone prevents additional irritation, it’s not a repair. Think about feeling itchy however having your arms cuffed. Addressing the basis trigger is crucial for a long-term answer. A mix of treatment changes, pores and skin assist, and environmental adjustments can typically break the cycle. It might be useful to revisit his remedy plan and discover further methods to maintain him snug.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Ate Praziquantel!
“My cat Milo ate a small quantity of Praziquantel for canines what ought to I do? Thanks prematurely – Chavonne
Chavonne, I perceive how regarding it may be when a pet unintentionally ingests treatment not meant for them. The excellent news is that Praziquantel is usually used to deal with tapeworms in each canines and cats, however the dosage and formulation can range between species. If Milo consumed a small quantity of the canine model of solely Praziquantel he’s probably protected. The principle concern right here could be the potential toxicity from a excessive dose. In accordance with a research revealed within the Parasitology Worldwide Journal, a dose of as much as 40mg per kg (18.14mg per lb) is protected for cats and whereas we sometimes work with decrease dosages to deal with prone parasites, this can be a good reference for Milo’s case. If Milo ingested considerably greater than that there’s an elevated threat of opposed results resembling vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, extreme salivation, or, in excessive doses, neurological points like tremors or incoordination. In case you are not sure how a lot he ingested or if he reveals any of those regarding indicators, it’s best to hunt veterinary steerage instantly.
Likewise, if there may be different drug combined in with the Praziquantel for canine formulation, it’s good to seek the advice of a vet. If the product contained further medication know that a number of of the generally used multidrug formulations have medication which can be thought of poisonous to cats, if that’s the case, pressing veterinary care could also be essential—even when Milo appears nice now. In case you’re not sure concerning the formulation, checking the packaging or calling a tele-triage veterinary service may help assess the danger. If Milo develops any regarding indicators, please don’t wait, in-person veterinary care is your most secure possibility. I hope Milo is doing properly.
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
