Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we carry knowledgeable 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 offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can preserve your kitty blissful, wholesome, and feline superb. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care in your furry companion.
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Assist! My Cat Threw Up White Foam!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
My cat, Mirabella, threw up extra white foam. One of many posts on Catster shared what to look out for in several cat vomit, so I’m very involved. I’ve spoken to the vet workplace that I take my cat to, however I’m nonetheless confused. Are you able to assist? – Catherine
Hello Catherine,
I fully perceive why you’re feeling confused—seeing Mirabella vomit, particularly white foam, may be unsettling. Vomiting in cats can have many causes, starting from gentle to critical. White foam typically means that the abdomen is empty, which may occur if a cat goes too lengthy with out consuming, has gentle gastritis (abdomen irritation), or is experiencing an underlying situation like acid reflux disease. Nevertheless, frequent vomiting, lethargy, decreased urge for food, or another modifications in conduct might point out a extra regarding situation, akin to an obstruction, pancreatitis, or an underlying sickness.
Because you’ve already reached out to your vet, that’s a wonderful step. If Mirabella continues to vomit, appears uncomfortable, refuses meals, or develops another regarding indicators, she ought to be seen promptly. Within the meantime, providing small, bland meals like plain boiled hen or a delicate abdomen eating regimen in tiny quantities could assist settle her abdomen. Maintaining her hydrated and monitoring for any modifications are essential. I do know that is demanding, however you’re doing the appropriate factor by paying attention. If her vomiting persists or worsens, following up together with your vet for a extra thorough analysis could be finest. Mirabella is fortunate to have you ever searching for her!
I hope she will get higher quickly,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! I Need to Preserve My Cats Separate!
“Hello Dr Paola!
I’ve three cats. My 12-year-old cat (Jinx) and a 2-year-old cat (Sherbert) had been in the home collectively and received alongside nice. Then Rocky confirmed up on our porch. I fell in love and introduced him into the fold. Jinx is the goofiest lovebug you’ll ever meet—EXCEPT when he sees Rocky. He instantly begins growling and hissing, after which Rocky will get defensive, and so they have even attacked one another. Nothing I’ve carried out appears to assist. They nonetheless hate one another. So for over 2 years, we now have stored them aside. Rocky sleeps in my room and stays there all morning. Then the opposite two go in, and Rocky will get free-range home time till bedtime. It’s so exhausting, and I really feel so dangerous, however I can’t let any of them go. Our home is tiny, and I work full time, so it’s exhausting for me to do any of the guidelines I discover on-line. Do you may have ANY recommendation in any respect? My coronary heart breaks daily to maintain them like this. “ – Carrie
Hello Carrie,
I can actually really feel how a lot love and dedication you may have for all three of your cats. Managing a family the place two cats don’t get alongside is extremely robust, particularly in a small house, however the truth that you’ve discovered a approach to preserve everybody protected and cozy for over two years is a testomony to your persistence and care. It’s fully comprehensible to really feel heartbroken, however please know that you’re already doing a lot to make the very best of a troublesome scenario.
Since Jinx and Rocky have an ingrained hostility towards one another, a full reset could be the one approach to attempt to rebuild their relationship. This could imply ranging from scratch with a gradual and structured reintroduction course of, as if they’d by no means met. Nevertheless, given your full-time work schedule and the restricted house, that will not be a practical possibility. In that case, one of the best ways to ease tensions could be oblique constructive associations. Attempt swapping their bedding continuously in order that they get used to one another’s scent in a non-threatening method. Utilizing a multi-cat pheromone diffuser in widespread areas may promote a calmer ambiance. Moreover, when you’ve got time, partaking in parallel play—the place you play with every cat individually however in sight of one another (even by means of a child gate or a cracked door)—may help them affiliate one another with constructive experiences.
Some cats, like Jinx and Rocky, could by no means be finest pals, and that’s okay. If full integration isn’t attainable, optimizing the separate dwelling association to scale back stress is a wonderfully legitimate and loving strategy. If there’s any approach to create even vertical separation, like reverse sides of wall-mounted cabinets or tall cat timber, it might assist them coexist in the identical room with out feeling straight threatened. You’re not failing them, Carrie; you’re giving them a house the place they’re protected and beloved. And that’s all the things. Likewise, in case you would extra info, you may converse with one in all our vets. We now have a web-based televet service, PangoVet, the place you may converse face-to-face and get behavioral and coaching recommendation from one in all our skilled veterinarians.
Better of luck,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cats No Longer Get Alongside!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
Our cats have been separated for two-and-a-half years. Mari grew to become aggressive when Katia got here again from having her enamel cleaned. They now will eat collectively on both facet of a child gate. Mari is on treatment for anxiousness, and we use Feliway diffusers. We wish to reunite the cats, however we’re apprehensive about Mari’s tendency to be territorial. They’re additionally each hooked up to me, and I’m afraid that Mari will assault Katia if I’m holding her. “ – Eileen
Hello Eileen,
It’s fantastic that you just’ve been so affected person and devoted to serving to Mari and Katia really feel extra comfy round one another. The truth that they’ll now eat calmly on both facet of a child gate is a large step it means they’ll share an area positively, even when there’s nonetheless a barrier. Given Mari’s territorial nature and her sturdy attachment to you, a cautious and gradual strategy can be key to creating their reunion as clean as attainable.
Since Mari’s aggression was triggered by a change in Katia’s scent after the dental process, persevering with scent swapping may help preserve familiarity. Rubbing a comfortable fabric on Katia and putting it in Mari’s resting areas (and vice versa) can additional reinforce constructive associations. You may also attempt quick, supervised interactions whereas partaking them in a shared, fulfilling exercise, akin to playtime with a wand toy or constructive reinforcement coaching. The aim is to maintain them targeted on one thing constructive whereas regularly normalizing one another’s presence.
Your concern about Mari’s response while you’re holding Katia is legitimate. Cats can turn into possessive over their favourite human, and being bodily elevated could make Katia extra susceptible. As a substitute of holding her throughout early interactions, attempt being current in a impartial, open house the place each cats can transfer freely. It is vitally essential to be observant of their physique language. When you discover pressure and even precursors of aggression, calmly redirect their focus with toys or a mild distraction quite than intervening bodily, which might escalate stress. Since Mari is already on treatment for anxiousness, discussing the transition together with your vet could also be useful to make sure her present therapy is optimized for this course of. You’re making considerate selections for his or her well-being, and with persistence, they are able to share house once more—even when they by no means turn into finest pals, cats can be taught to tolerate one another, and coexisting peacefully is a practical and worthwhile aim so long as every has their very own territory.
Good luck,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
