Teeth Problems

Most cats are prone to periodontal disease. In fact, as your cat reaches his second or third year, he may have developed a tartar problem and often also some form of gingivitis (infection of the gums).

Bad breath, yellow teeth, swollen or red gums and a reluctance to eat can all be signs of gum and tooth disease.

If you suspect your cat may suffer from periodontal disease, consult your vet as soon as possible. Apart from being very painful, untreated gum infections can worsen over time and damage the underlying bone.

Ringworm

You don't have to get it from anywhere. The fungus spores are everywhere in the environment. Stress is usually the biggest factor in breaking out with it. And while being exposed to a cat with an active case of ringworm is a good way for another cat to get it, it certainly doesn't have to happen that way.

Ringworm is a common fungal infection and is not a worm as its name implies. It can be seen as one or more bald patches on the cat's skin, sometimes accompanied by redness, scales, or scabs. It can also cause irregular hair loss on the skin, particularly around the face and head.

Your vet can confirm a diagnosis of ringworm and prescribe topical ointments or even an oral antifungal drug. Humans can be infected with ringworm, so care must be taken when treating infected cats. Consult your veterinarian for specific protection measures.

Worms

Cats can suffer from various types of worms, but the two most common types are tapeworm and round worms--both types live in the cat's intestines. If your cat has worms, you will probably see them in his feces or on his behind.

A mild infestation of worms will probably not cause the cat any pain--in fact, most cats have worms at some stage of their life. However, in kittens or cats with compromised immune systems, these mild infestations can turn into a major problem. If you suspect your cat has worms, consult your veterinarian and have the cat treated in time.

Blood in stools

Q1. I have a 16 week old kitten that has a slight amount of blood in its stool. All floats and analysis are negative for coccidia, worms, parasites etc. The kitten is feisty, happy, eats well and is gaining weight per normal. No loose stools and the blood is intermittent. Thoughts?

A1. I would start the kitten on Kaolin (sp) to soothe irritated intestine and feed 1 Tb canned Pumpkin 2 or 3 times a week. But, I would have a repeat Fecal in 5 days and again at 10 days. Cocci can fail to show up if it's not shedding? If it continues, I would look at the diet you are feeding.

Dry Nose

Q. Is "dry nose" a common problem or only for Bengal cats?

A1. Any cat can get it.  One of my cats gets it, his nose is aggravated by clay litter.  When I use wood pellets it gets better.

Immunisation

I just went to a Vet med. conference and it is considered the best protocol to NOT give combination shots with Rabies or Leukemia in them.  Leuc. and Rabies should be given separately.

Recommendations were: Rabies goes in the right hip Leuc. goes in the left hip and UR & distemper go in the right shoulder all other injections go in the left shoulder.  None are supposed to go over the shoulders anymore.  If a sarcoma develops there it is almost untreatable, very fast growing and usually fatal.  If given as low on the leg or shoulder as possible it is possible to remove
the affected area and have the pet live longer.

Q. most vaccines say IM or SQ; which did they recommend at the conference?

A. Whatever was recommended by the vaccine company (most can be given either way but
always check the labeling), There were equal arguments for either route.

I know that Rabies and Felv can be given either way but I have them done IM so there is no bump particularly on possible show cats.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease that can infect warm-blooded animals, including cats and humans. Symptoms of rabies include personality changes, avoiding light, drooling, paralysis, and sometimes convulsions. The disease is always fatal and once the symptoms appear, there is no cure.

The best way to prevent rabies is by vaccinating your cat against the disease, especially if you allow your cat outdoors. Booster shots should be given yearly or once every three years, depending on the type of vaccine used. If you suspect that you may have had contact with an animal that has rabies, contact your physician immediately to begin post-exposure vaccination.

Some countries, especially islands like Australia, Hawaii, Japan and New Zealand, are totally rabies free, which can make importing from these countries quicker and easier.

Lower Urinary Tract Disease (LUTD)

LUTD (Lower Urinary Tract Disease) is the general name for conditions of the lower urinary tract in cats--mainly the formation of crystals and bladder stones. It is sometimes referred to as FUS (Feline Urologic Syndrome).

If your cat strains or cries while urinating, has blood in the urine or begins to urinate outside the litter box, you should suspect LUTD. Veterinary treatment is called for as soon as possible.

Left untreated, LUTD may develop into a complete urinary tract blockage. This is a life threatening medical emergency! If you ever suspect that your cat is blocked get him to the clinic immediately!

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

PKD is a genetic disease that causes progressive damage to the kidneys. Affected cats develop cysts (fluid-filled sacks) that gradually replace the healthy tissue of the kidneys.

There is no known cure for PKD, but not all affected cats will die of this disease. Cats that have the more violent form of the disease may suffer renal failure at an early age. With other cats, the progress of the disease may be so slow, that symptoms never actually show up.

In recent years, some studies have shown that PKD is more common in Persian cats. In fact, some reports maintain that up to 40 percent of Persian cats carry the gene for the disease.

FIP--Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a serious viral disease and is almost always fatal.

The FIP virus attacks the cat's white blood cells and damages the capillary blood vessels throughout the body. Different organs in the body may be involved, causing various symptoms. Why some cats develop FIP and others do not is still unclear. A major factor is probably genetics--some cats are apparently more susceptible to FIP.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for FIP. Life expectancy for cats diagnosed with FIP is usually no more than a few weeks. Medications can be used to make the cat more comfortable.

Feline AIDS

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) is often referred to as "feline AIDS." The virus damages the cat's immune system, leading to a series of secondary infections that may become fatal.

It is now fully understood that FIV is not infectious to humans, the same way that HIV is not infectious to cats. These are species-specific viruses, as has been proven by the many FIV-positive cats that lead comfortable lives with their human companions for many years.

The disease is transmitted by cat bites, so the best way to prevent FIV infection is to keep your cat from getting into catfights. Neutering and keeping your cat indoors significantly lower the risk of an FIV infection.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

FeLV is an infectious disease that damages the cat's immune system. Clinical signs are diverse and may include fever, lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, anemia, jaundice, diarrhea or constipation, enlarged lymph nodes, respiratory distress, and excessive drinking and urination.

Cats that come in contact with other cats that are FeLV positive (whether carriers or sick) may contract the disease through mutual grooming, bites, and even sharing feeding bowls or litter trays.

Unfortunately there is no cure for FeLV. Infected cats are treated according to their specific symptoms. Proper care of secondary infections may help to extend the cat's life span and improve its general well being.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

There is no blood test for HCM - that is, in fact, what is trying to be developed using research using Bengals afflicted with HCM versus normal Bengals.  Wouldn't it be nice if we had a simple, relatively inexpensive blood test!!!  Analyze their DNA and see if there are consistent gene mutations present in the HCM cats that are not found in normals (or vice versa).  If concrete differences can be identified, we will then know how to do DNA testing in advance at even a very young age to identify carriers of the HCM gene (or genes).

Your regular vet is not the best place to turn for an accurate diagnosis of HCM.  There is another form of cardiomyopathy - Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, RCM - that sometimes presents similar to HCM and can be mistaken for it, but RCM is NOT INHERITED that we know of at this time.  It is most likely a congenital developmental defect, although they are looking into the possibility of viral or bacterial infection as a trigger or cause ... systemic chlamydial infection has recently been shown to affect human hearts and can lead to cardiomyopathy-like disease ... very interesting.

Anyway, your vet can listen for a murmur, and if a murmur is heard in an older kitten or cat (6 months and up) it should be further examined.  Your vet can also do an EKG transmitted over phone lines to an outside Dr or contract clinic for analysis.  Some abnormalities will not present as murmurs initially, but they may show up on an EKG.  Only a board certified veterinary cardiologist with experience in Doppler echocardiograms can be trusted to make a final diagnosis distinguishing between RCM and HCM.