Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey 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 mother or father or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can maintain your kitty comfortable, wholesome, and feline fantastic. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care on your furry companion.
Have a query? Ship it in right here!
Assist! My Cat is Drastically Shedding Weight!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
I’ve a 14-year-old home longhair referred to as Nila who has been with me since shortly after delivery. Till 2 years in the past, she had a ‘step sister’ who was roughly a yr older. She knew her place as quantity 2, because the alpha reminded her periodically. Because the alpha’s passing, Nila has come to like being the one and solely and I really like that for her.
During the last month or so, her weight has dropped drastically, regardless of an elevated urge for food, periodic vomiting, and regular stools the blood and urine assessments all got here again inside regular ranges. I’ve tried a number of meals, each moist and dry, but she is shrinking away. She’s hungry, eats hungrily a number of occasions a day in small quantities to keep away from vomiting, vomits nonetheless on common as soon as a day in some unspecified time in the future, and continues to shed extra pounds. Any concepts what’s going on right here? I additionally seen her simply staring on the meals like she needs to eat however doesn’t need to vomit. She is actually slowing down and I really feel like I’m about to lose her. “ – Lisa
Lisa, I can really feel how deeply you’re keen on Nila, and I understand how heartbreaking it should be to look at her shed extra pounds regardless of her sturdy urge for food. Given her age, her historical past, and the regarding weight reduction regardless of regular lab work, there are just a few attainable explanations for what’s occurring.
Probably the most widespread causes of weight reduction with elevated urge for food in older cats is hyperthyroidism, even when preliminary bloodwork appeared regular. Generally, early instances or fluctuating thyroid hormone ranges could make analysis difficult. If hyperthyroidism has been dominated out, different prospects embrace gastrointestinal issues equivalent to inflammatory bowel illness (IBD), small-cell lymphoma, or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, the place the pancreas isn’t producing sufficient digestive enzymes to soak up vitamins correctly. One other concern is diabetes, however that sometimes comes with elevated thirst and urination, which you haven’t talked about.
The truth that she stares at her meals as if hesitant to eat and vomits each day raises a purple flag for nausea, which may stem from persistent kidney illness (even when early bloodwork was regular), pancreatitis, or perhaps a gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. A deeper diagnostic strategy, together with a specialised GI panel, which incorporates extra specialised assessments that don’t get checked on routine bloodwork, and an stomach ultrasound, may assist make clear what’s occurring.
You can attempt providing extremely digestible, calorie-dense moist meals and probably including a little bit of water or bone broth to forestall dehydration. Nevertheless, her situation sounds fairly critical, I strongly suggest additional veterinary analysis as quickly as attainable; maybe even ask your vet to refer you to a veterinary internist if her situation continues to say no. You’re doing every part you’ll be able to, and she or he is fortunate to have you ever taking care of her.
I want you one of the best!
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Cat Appears Unhappy!
“Hello Dr Paola!
My 14-year-old cat, Tilly, began meowing the entire time after I needed to put Isis, my 24-year-old cat to sleep. They weren’t shut to one another. Tilly is now the alpha cat (Isis was earlier than) in my 2-cat family. She isn’t shut with my different 14-year-old cat, who was near Isis. I’m unsure what she needs. She appears bored however doesn’t need to play with toys. Any ideas? Thanks. “ – Penny
Hello Penny, I’m so sorry on your loss. Shedding a beloved cat, particularly one who shared your life for twenty-four years, is extremely troublesome. Though Tilly and Isis weren’t significantly shut, Isis’s absence has nonetheless modified the dynamic of your family, and Tilly is probably going reacting to that shift. You didn’t point out when this occurred however I’m assuming lately. Her elevated vocalization may very well be a means of expressing uncertainty, searching for reassurance, and even adjusting to the silence left behind. Cats thrive on routine and familiarity, so even delicate adjustments. The absence of Isis’s presence, actions, or scent can really feel unsettling.
It’s attention-grabbing that you just talked about Tilly taking over the “alpha” position. Home cats’ social construction is generally about territory, useful resource entry, and private consolation. Some cats are naturally extra assured and assertive, whereas others are extra passive. Isis could have been essentially the most influential cat in your house, guiding routines in her personal means, and now that she’s gone, Tilly may be feeling a mixture of uncertainty and duty. Her vocalization may very well be her means of processing the change, checking in with you, or just attempting to redefine her routine.
Since she appears stressed however tired of toys, attempt participating her in different methods. Clicker coaching, puzzle feeders, and even merely including environmental enrichment. Add a brand new perch, a comfortable hideaway, or a window seat for birdwatching. Some cats additionally reply effectively to calming pheromone diffusers. Simply be sure to get the multicat formulation, which may present further consolation throughout social interactions and construction transitions. She may have further reassurance from you proper now, so light consideration, speaking to her, or providing her a lap to take a seat on (if she enjoys that) may assist her regulate. You already know her greatest, provide her alternatives for happiness. With time, she’ll discover her steadiness once more, and her vocalization could settle as she regains confidence in her new family dynamic.
Finest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! I Can’t Maintain My Cat Off the Counters!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
We adopted Aiden from the native shelter. He’s about 9 months outdated and till the top of January, he was largely in a cage. The issue is, now we can’t maintain him off the counters, desk, or out of the rubbish can. We’re at our wit’s finish to discover a answer as a result of to date nothing has labored. We have no idea what to do, are you able to please assist us discover a answer?” – Cynthia
Hello Cynthia,
First, I need to say how great it’s that you just adopted Aiden and gave him a recent begin and the chance to really feel liked. Since he spent a lot of his younger life in a cage, his world was very restricted, and now that he has freedom, he’s naturally exploring every part. His habits isn’t about disobedience; it’s curiosity, intuition, and a discovered want to hunt assets wherever attainable. Cats are pure climbers, and confined cats typically develop sturdy food-seeking behaviors as a result of they’ve little else to do of their earlier atmosphere.
To redirect Aiden, consider it as guiding a baby away from bother moderately than simply saying “no.” He wants various retailers which can be extra rewarding than the counters and trash. Present tall cat bushes or wall-mounted cabinets close to areas he tries to climb so he has “allowed” locations to discover. Use interactive feeding puzzles or scatter his meals elsewhere so he learns that meals comes from acceptable areas, not the trash. To discourage him, use double-sided tape or motion-activated air deterrents on surfaces you need to maintain him off. Maintain the rubbish out of attain; safe trash cans with lids. You must also be sure counters are unappealing by eradicating meals temptations and cleansing surfaces effectively to remove engaging smells. You might also need to attempt a number of the different ideas and methods talked about on this publish. When he chooses his cat tree or one other permitted area, reward him with treats or play so he makes the best associations.
Persistence is essential, and Aiden will study with constant redirection. He’s nonetheless adjusting to his new dwelling, and with time and constructive reinforcement, he’ll settle into higher habits. When you want further assist, a web based televet service like our personal PangoVet.com may present tailor-made recommendation for his particular wants. You’re doing an amazing factor for Aiden, and with a bit construction, he’ll quickly really feel safe and thrive in his new dwelling!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
