helping cats live happy, healthy lives
It’s extremely important to get female cats spayed, both for health reasons and to help avoid overpopulation. It’s not always that easy though, for example some vets don’t like to operate if your cat’s under a certain weight and if your female cat comes into season before her operation, she’ll be very determined to get out. If your cat does become pregnant, here’s what you can …
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This week we’re talking to Emily Fowler from the UK, who along with her partner Warren has adopted two FIV+ cats. Why did you decide to adopt an FIV+ cat? I’ve always had outdoor cats, but when our two cats were both killed on the road within six months of each other we decide we had to make a change. We were looking at our local cat charity’s Facebook page and we saw …
Research reveals that between 14% and 29% of cats in Australia test positive for FIV, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, but there’s still a lot of misconceptions and lack of knowledge around the disease. What is FIV? FIV is a lentivirus, similar to HIV in humans, which affects the cat’s ability to produce the white blood cells that are needed to fight off infection. It …
Ringworm is the most common skin condition in cats, particularly in kittens under a year old simply because their immune system defences aren’t as developed. It’s an unpleasant condition that can affect your cat’s claws and hair, as well as his skin, and it’s important to catch early and treat to avoid the disease spreading to others in your household. So what exactly is …
Skin problems in cats are common, and can range from the unsightly to the downright unpleasant. As long as you’re aware of what the most common cat skin problems are and how to best treat them, then your beloved cat shouldn’t suffer unnecessarily. Flea Allergy Dermatitis Even if you treat your cat and your home religiously against fleas, they are bound to rear their ugly …
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Think heartworm disease only occurs in dogs? Think again. Recent studies have shown that heartworms in cats exceed the rate of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in some areas of the United States. However no recent studies in Australian cats have been conducted. The infection rate is directly related to the number of …
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common problem in older cats and by the time it is detected, it is often quite advanced. CKD in cats is irreversible, so once diagnosed our aim is to slow down progression of the disease and reduce the symptoms to ensure a comfortable life for as long as possible. So why can’t we pick it up earlier and what can we do about it? What is …
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Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common metabolic problem in senior cats, and it is often hard to make a decision as to how to treat this condition given the age of cats at diagnosis. We review the three most common treatment options, medication, surgery and radioactive iodine therapy for cats. Managing hyperthyroidism correctly can make a world of difference to your senior cat’s …
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Just like humans, as cats get older they can suffer from degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. Arthritis in cats is surprisingly common. In one research study, osteoarthritis was shown to affect 90% of cats over 12 years of age and in another study 61% of cats over six years old. Feline osteoarthritis causes reduced mobility and flexibility of joints, joint …
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If you're a cat owner considering motherhood or in the early stages of pregnancy, you may be concerned about toxoplasmosis and pregnancy risks, including whether it's safe to be changing cat litter when pregnant. You may have been told that your cat can carry the potentially deadly parasite toxoplasmosis and pose a risk to your unborn baby. But were you also told that you …
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