Removing triggers can help kitty avoid an asthma attack

Does your kitty wheeze or have a dry, hacking cough? If so, she may have feline asthma due to inhaled allergens such as grass and tree pollens, cigarette or fileplace smoke, sprays (hair sprays, deodorants, flea sprays, deoderizers), and dust from cat litter.
In asthma, excess mucus forms and the airways swell causing the airway muscles to spasm and constrict. The airway constriction leads to coughing, wheezing, inability to draw a deep breath, and intolerance to exercise. While the coughing and wheezing occurs separately and occasionally in most cats, in some, the signs - open mouth breathing, panting and airway constriction - occur daily. Any of these signs can become life-threatening.
Fortunately, feline asthma is highly treatable with oral medications and inhalation therapy. A mask and spacer system, similar to those used by asthmatic infants and children, is one of the most effective therapies available for managing the disease. While medications and therapies are important, it also helps to know your asthmatic cat's triggers and eliminate them, if possible.

Ten Warning Signs for Hyperthyroidism

1. Weight loss

2. Increased appetite

3. Hyperactivity

4. Elevated body temperature

5. Increased heart rate

6. Increased defecation

7. Increased thirst and urination

8. Vomiting

9. Increased vocalization

10. Matted, unkempt coat

Cleaning Fluffy's Teeth

The most effective way to keep your cat's teeth and gums healthy is by brushing. With a little patience and a lot of praise, brushing can be pleasurable. Repeat each of the following, and as your cat becomes used to each step move on to the next.

1. Introduce the process and help her get used to your putting things in her mouth by dipping your finger in tuna water, chicken broth, or other liquid she may like and letting her lick it off.

2. Hold her like you're cuddling her and with your savory finger gently rub her gums and teeth.

3. Once she is comfortable, place a dab of toothpaste made especially for cats on your finger and let her taste it. Alternatively, you can use flavored gauze. Gently rub her gums and teeth.

4. Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush or gauze and in a slow circular motion, brush one or two teeth and the adjoining gum line.

5. Each day brush a few more teeth until you are able to clean her entire mouth.

6. Brush her teeth at least once a week or more.

Geriatric Weight Loss

You may think your senior cat's weight loss is because she's getting older. In a few instances that may be true. But more likely there's a specific cause. Medical causes of weight loss include cardiac disease; respiratory disease, ranging from potentially fatal lung tumors to chronic sinusitis that decreases a cat's sense of smell and appetite; and a host of digestive system diseases. (Dental disease is considered a digestive disorder because bad teeth and gums keep cats from eating.) Then there's renal disease, several kinds of lymphoma, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and diseases caused by feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus.

There are also nonpathologic causes of weight loss, such as a cat that's afraid to go to its food dish because a new dog joined the household. Or perhaps there's competition from a younger cat, a new food isn't as palatable, or that kitten is keeping the senior feline on the run.

Regardless, a thorough veterinary examination will consider all these possible causes (and more) for sudden weight loss.

Cat Watch Newsletter

This newsletter is a great place to get up-to-date articles on feline behavior, medicine and health. Subjects such as: The truth about declawing, Curbing your cat's scratching, The importance of tooth care, Constipation, Fur changes, Pet insurance, Inflammatory bowel disease and more!