Tag Archives: cat

Stress And Your Cat.

Stress And Your Cat.

Stress And Your Cat.

Stress And Your Cat.

 

  • Is my cat stressed?

  • What is causing my cat to feel stressed?

  • How can I help my cat?

 

Just like humans, cats can get stressed out. While stress in cats doesn’t always materialise in the ways you might expect, if you know what to look for, it’s not too difficult to spot an anxious mog. It is important to keep an eye out for signs of stress in your cat; a stressed cat is an unhappy cat, and recent studies have shown that chronic, ongoing stress can cause stress-related diseases in cats, including skin problems and UTIs.

Is my cat stressed?

Cats are notoriously good at hiding their emotions, but it isn’t impossible to spot signs of feline anxiety. If your cat is displaying any of the behaviours listed below, you may find that the culprit is stress:

  • Unusual toileting behaviour. Many stressed cats express their anxieties by urinating outside the litter box (or in the house, if your cat is an outdoor cat), or worst still in your shoes or handbag.
  • Over-grooming. Cats groom themselves to self-soothe, so a cat that’s over-grooming may be under stress. A sure sign of excessive grooming is bald or thin patches of fur, which can be anywhere they can reach, most typically on their belly’s, the inside of their legs or their sides.
  • Of course, some cats are just loud. You know your cat – if they’re meowing and calling to you much more than usual, they could be trying to tell you something.
  • Excessive scratching. Cats often scratch themselves more than usual when they’re feeling stressed. If your cat’s up to date with their flea treatments, doesn’t have an allergy and is still scratching like mad, this could be a sign of stress.
  • Cats aren’t always the most sociable creatures, but neither is it usual for them to be hiding themselves away all of the time.
  • Lack of appetite. Decreased appetite in cats can be indicative of many different issues, including stress. This is definitely not a sign to ignore.
  • Just like humans, cats can lash out when they are under stress, both at humans and other animals.

 

Stressed cat

 

What is causing my cat to feel stressed?

If you can tick off more than one of the symptoms above, you may find you have got a stressed moggy. While anxiety in cats is reasonably common, it’s not normal, and the first step is identifying any possible causes for your cat’s stress. The most common causes of stress in cats usually boil down to one thing: change. Think hard to see if you’ve made any recent changes to your home or routine which might have affected your cat more than you think.

A big change for cats is the presence of new animals in the home; if you’ve brought home a new cat or another pet, this can be a major cause of stress for other pets. New family members, such as a baby, can cause feline stress too. The key thing here is to make sure your cat knows he’s still your number one; lots of love, attention, and cuddles are in order here. Be sure to make sure your cat still has lots of space, too – if you’ve introduced a second cat, make sure their food bowls are kept apart, and try to keep a separate litter tray for each cat, the ideal rule of thumb being to have one litter tray per cat plus another in your home. Importantly ensure they all have plenty of water, ideally in different containers, my cat loves to drink from pint glasses and I have learned the hard way to be very careful where I put them!

Other changes in your life can equally affect your cats. Moving to a new home may be just as stressful for your puss as it is for you; by keeping blankets, toys and furniture around that your cat already knows well, you can help to ease this transition and make your new house feel like home again. Even changing jobs could be the cause of your cat’s stress; cats are creatures of habit, and anything which changes your daily routine can throw a cat off. Try to keep your day as consistent as possible, and find a routine that works for you both going forward.

 

 

How can I help my cat?

If you can pinpoint the cause of your cat’s stress, you’re already halfway to fixing the problem. There are some more general ways that you can help your cat to feel calm and to prevent your cat from getting stressed in the future, too.

A simple option is to try a synthetic pheromone diffuser or spray such as Feliway. When a cat marks its territory, it releases facial pheromones which make the cat feel happy, calm, and relaxed. Synthetic copies of these pheromones are available as plug-in diffusers and sprays that you can use around the house to help your cat feel calmer. These products might not work for cats who have a deeper cause of their anxiety, but for many it may just do the trick.

It is also worth ensuring that your cats have as much space as possible. Don’t overcrowd your home with pets, and make sure that your cat always has somewhere quiet to retreat to if they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed. If you have got the space and you live in a safe enough area, getting your cats outdoors can do wonders for their mental health. Cats are naturally active, outdoorsy animals, and getting out into the wild is really how they love to spend their time.

A happy cat is a healthy cat.

If your cat is getting stressed, try not to beat yourself up about it. It is impossible to avoid all stress triggers all of the time; as a pet owner, all you can do is your best to make your pet’s life as happy and healthy as you can. If you have tried all of the above suggestions and your cat is still displaying the symptoms of stress, we would advise it is important to take them for a veterinary check-up to rule out any medical causes of their symptoms and to make sure that your cat’s anxiety isn’t making them ill.

 

If you have any concerns about your cat, do not hesitate to contact your local Young Vets surgery to get help and bring calm back into your home.

 

Blog and images supplied by Zoetis.

Written by Gemma Hopkins BVETMED, CERTVC, MRCVS

 

 

We hope you enjoy reading our Summer Newsletter.

Heat Stroke And How To Prevent It In Your Pet

Heat Stroke And How To Prevent It In Your Pet

Our Summer Newsletter has arrived, it includes a few tips to keep your pet fit and well at this time of year. Keeping Cool! Paddling pools may help keep dogs cool and they should have free access to water at all times. Heat stroke is a common, and serious problem, learn how to avoid it here.

 

Heat stroke

 

 

Insect alert!

Bees and wasps are tempting to play with for both cats and dogs but will deliver a nasty sting if provoked! These are painful and can cause sudden swellings on faces or paws. Most stings will benefit from prompt veterinary attention. Find out some of the other hazards to watch out for in our Summer News.

 

Picture credit: USDA Agricultural Research Service

Picture credit: USDA Agricultural Research Service

 

Guinea pigs can live in or outdoors

but it is important they have enough space to run and play. Our Summer Newsletter discusses some of the things you need to be aware of to keep your piggies happy and healthy. They are susceptible to mite infections, the signs to watch out for are included here.

 

It is important to check them at least once a day.

It is important to check your guinea pig at least once a day.

 

We hope you enjoy reading our Summer Newsletter, if you have any questions on the items mentioned contact our friendly team for further advice.

 

Don’t forget to find us on Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to our You Tube for more top pet care tips and videos.

Our Winter News has arrived!

Winter weight worries!

 

Winter weight worries!

 

Our staff here at Young Vets understand that when the cold winter weather hits, the lure of a cosy sofa and central heating can conspire against us, leaving both pet and owner prone to putting on a few unwanted pounds. This is a problem because while it is all so easy to gain weight, loosing it isn’t nearly so easy! Our Winter Newsletter explains how to monitor your pets weight, looking for a waist line and the problems that obesity can lead to.

 

Overweight pets

Festive alert:

Pieces of string, tinsel and bones from turkeys should be kept well out of reach to avoid an intestinal blockage and the possible need for life saving surgery. Our Winter Newsletter offers advice on how to avoid a Christmas calamity and keep your pet safe during this festive period.

 

 

christmas cat

Does your golden oldie slow down when the cold weather hits? 

Cold winters can make your pet’s joints stiff and painful. Our Winter Newsletter explains which joints are most susceptible to arthritis, the signs to watch out for and the things you can do to help your pet if they are getting a little stiff in their old age. Ever considered a Doggy Swimming Pool – believe it or not – these places are becoming more and more popular and they are great for burning calories whilst not stressing out sore joints. Contact our friendly team if you think this could be beneficial to your pet!

 

nutraquin-web-banner

Have you ever wondered where fleas go for a winter holiday? 

Sadly, the answer is – your home! Did you know that once the weather starts to cool this can be the worst time of year for flea infestations. Our Winter Newsletter explains what invites them into your home and what makes it seem like they appear out of nowhere. If you don’t want any extra visitors in your home over the festive period contact our friendly team to get protection for your pet and your home.

 

Our Winter Newsletter has arrived, it is jam packed with advice to help you and your pet avoid a Christmas calamity over the festive period. If you have a query on anything mentioned give our friendly team a call and they will be able to help you.

 

hyperthyroid cat signs 1

How is your teenage cat behaving?

 

Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in teenage cats, sadly sometimes, their symptoms are missed and referred to as just ‘old age’. Overactive thyroid gland (another name for the condition) is something we see quite regularly in older cats, the good news is diagnosis is fairly simple and there are different treatment options available to suit the individual patient.

 

hyperthyroid cat

 

 

Some signs to watch out for in your cat include :

Vomiting

Dull coat

Change in attitude

Increased thirst

Having ‘Accidents’ around the home

hyperthyroid cat signs 7

Thyroid glands are found in your cats neck, either side of the wind pipe. The glands produce a hormone which controls the body’s metabolism, which is why owners commonly report weight loss as one of the first symptom’s they notice.

Thyroid-Gland-in-Cats

If you cat is showing some or all of the above signs – Don’t panic. The first thing to do is book an appointment with your local vets, The vet will be able to give your cat an all over health and weight check. To diagnose an over active thyroid gland we recommend a blood test, results are prompt and usually back from the lab the next working day.

hyperthyroid cat signs 1

 

 

Results day : Once the diagnosis has been confirmed there are two types of treatment that we offer here at Young Vets :

  • A daily dose of medication given at home (usually tablets) to stop the overproduction of the hormone. If choosing the medication from home option, the owner will need to ensure that the cat is receiving the specified dose at regular intervals (the same time each day).
  • An operation to remove either one or both thyroid glands. We would often recommend 14 days of medication prior to surgery to help stabilize the hormones but following on from the surgery, medication would cease. A speedy recovery is usually followed and the patient can go home either the same or following day.

 

  • If left untreated it can lead to blindness, heart conditions and in extreme cases even death.

 

Following either treatment option, your cats progress will need to be monitored regularly by yourself and your veterinary surgeon but there is no reason your cat should not continue to live a happy, healthy life.

 

If you have concerns over your teenage cat do not hesitate to contact your local Young Vets surgery to discuss your cats case with one of our experienced veterinary surgeons.

 

 

 

It's getting hot out there!

It’s getting hot out there!

 

We all love the warmer weather and summer is a great time to be outside with your pets. Here’s a couple of seasonal tips to keep them fit and healthy:

 

U V Alert :

Pets with white noses and ear tips – particularly cats, are at risk of these areas getting sunburn and this can lead to cancerous changes. High factor pet safe sun cream applied to these areas can reduce this risk .

 

Hitch- hikers :

Summer is prime time for fleas. They can multiply quickly, particularly in multi pet house holds. It’s important to ensure you are using adequate flea and tick protection. Check your pet at least once a day, ticks can be removed with a special tick hook tool, available at all our surgeries.

 

Be sure to insure! 

There are lots of companies offering pet insurance and we understand that picking one can be a bit mind boggling. Vet bills are often unexpected and can mount up quickly, our Summer News gives some helpful advice on what to look out for when choosing your pets policy.

We hope our Summer News helps keep your pet fit & healthy this summer 2018, if you have any questions on the advice included don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.

 

Don’t forget you can get more FREE pet advice by following us on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

 

Guinepig

Our Spring 2018 newsletter has arrived.

 

Our Spring 2018 newsletter has arrived. As the weather warms up, we’ve put together some top tips to help you keep your pets happy and healthy in 2018!

 

Included in our Spring 2018 newsletter : 

 

Vital Vaccinations.

It is important to keep up with annual vaccinations, the diseases we vaccinate against can cause life threatening illnesses. Learn more about the diseases your pet could catch in our newsletter.

 

Understanding Kennel Cough! 

 

Kennel Cough

 

Read our newsletter to the symptoms commonly involved with this condition. Kennel Cough is a highly contagious condition and can be picked up from virtually anywhere your dog goes – don’t be fooled by the name. To ensure your dog is protected, a vaccine is available to reduce the risk of your dog developing the disease. Since Kennel Cough is so easy to catch why not contact us to arrange your dogs vaccine today.

 

Guinea Pigs make excellent pets. 

Like all pets, Guinea Pigs have specific requirements to help ensure they are happy and healthy. Our Newsletter explains the basic requirements for keeping Guinea Pigs; Including what to feed them. Their diet is vitally important to ensure they are healthy and do not develop dental disease. Our newsletter also advises which branches you can give to your guinea pigs to help prevent overgrown teeth.

 

Guinepig

 

Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism – whats the difference? 

 

Both conditions relate to the Thyroid glands located on either side of your pet’s neck. The glands regulate your pet’s metabolic rate. Our newsletter explains the differences between these 2 common conditions and the signs to watch out for in your pet.

 

Our Spring 2018 Newsletter is available now, read it here.

 

mum & puppies

Neutering your pet

Neutering your pet – what you need to know.

 

Have you heard that old rumour – you should let your dog have puppies before you neuter her? Well, did you also hear almost 50,000 pet dogs are being dumped in Britain every year! If your bitch has puppies (some produce up to 12 puppies in 1 litter) can you find forever homes for each and every puppy? And for the cat lovers – did you know the UK cat charities are reaching crisis point, due to the cat population being out of control!

The benefits of neutering can be applied to most species.

Neutering your pet can be done from as young as 4 months of age in rabbits and ferrets.

Cats – most cats are neutered from around 5 months of age.

Dogswe normally advise puppies wait until they are at least 6 months old. Most small and medium sized female dogs are neutered around 6 months of age ( before they have their first season). Most small and medium sized dogs are neutered between 6-9 months of age.

Large and giant breed dogs such as Dobermanns , Rottweilers, Great Danes, may be better neutered at an older age of around 12-15months – between first and second seasons for females or when fully grown for male dogs.

Neutering your female will stop her coming into season or heat, this can be messy time and last for up to 3 weeks. It can also prevent unwanted male attention, phantom and actual pregnancy. It can also dramatically reduce the risk of mammary cancer developing when they are older, and prevents ovarian cancer and pyometra’s (uterine infections) which can be fatal.

Timing of neutering                                                           Mammary Tumour risk

Before first season

0.50%

After first season

8.00%

After second season

26.00%

After third season or over 2.5 years age

40.00

Neutering your male can reduce: Urine spraying and marking, dominant behaviour, humping, testicular cancer and in cats can reduce them straying too far from home, which results in a much lower risk of road traffic accidents.

 

Neutering your pet

                              Neutering your pet

Owners have a responsibility to care for their animals needs, pregnant and nursing animals need extra food, care and attention. When the babies are old enough you will need to find homes for each and every one and ensure that they are wormed, flea treated and all puppies over 8 weeks old legally have to be micro-chipped. We also recommend as soon as your animal is old enough (8 – 9 weeks), to protect them against potentially fatal infections. 

Neutering pets, is something we perform on a regular basis here at Young Veterinary Partnership and we always recommend neutering your pet unless you plan to breed. It is a day surgery procedure (they are dropped off in the morning for the procedure and go home the same afternoon).

  1. The morning of the surgery we ask that you do NOT give your kitten, puppy or ferret any food (this rule does NOT apply to rabbits). An empty stomach reduces the risk of vomiting under anaesthetic.

  2. Firstly we will book you a ‘Pre Op’ appointment, the morning of the surgery your pet will have a full health check with one of our experienced vets.

  3. Your pet will then be transferred to our kennels area and given a pre anaesthetic injection by our nursing team, to keep your pet calm and stress free.

  4. The surgery will usually takes less than 1 hour.

  5. Once fully awake and recovered your pet will be able to go home the same day.

  6. We ask than once home your pet is given a ‘light’ meal’ as they may feel slightly nauseous – we recommend a ‘recovery pack’ – this is specially formulated easily digested tinned food for pets following surgery. Alternatively you can feed boiled chicken and rice. 

    recovery pack

 

   Then 7 – 10 days following surgery we ask that your pet returns for his or her stitches to be removed (please note male cats do not have stitches so do not need to return).

 

 

Your pet may be quiet for a day or so but we should bounce back to normal, within a few days. Contact us today if you would like to book your pets neutering surgery.  

Did You Know an un neutered female cat can produce 18 kittens per year, which can end up with 20,000 descendants in just 5 years!

Did You Know female cats can get pregnant from 4 months of age! 

Did You Know neutering your rabbit can reduce cancer and urinary tract infections.

We hope the above has helped you decide to neuter your pet, if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask any of our friendly team.

Autumn News 2017.

Our Autumn Newsletter for 2017 has arrived!

 

Our Autumn Newsletter has arrived, we hope you enjoy reading it! If you have any questions about the topics in the newsletter do not hesitate to contact our friendly team!

A word in your ear!

Did you know ear disease is common in our pets and its something we regularly treat here at Young Vets. Anatomically, our pets’ ears are very similar to ours, the main difference is that the ears are positioned towards the top of their heads rather than the sides. Read our NEWSLETTER to understand more about ear disease and the signs to watch out for in your pet.

Autumn Awareness!

Do you know the dangers that come with the beautiful season that is Autumn? Read our NEWSLETTER and learn about some of the dangers around this season, including conkers. They are poisonous, causing nasty tummy upsets in dogs when swallowed and can cause blockages in the intestines!

 

Parasite Alert!

Don’t forget to keep treating your pet against fleas and ticks during this season, as turning on your central heating means your home becomes the ideal environment when it is too cold outside for them! We are happy to talk to you about parasite protection for your home and your pet, don’t hesitate to contact for a chat.

 

Tick Alert!

Don’t forget to monitor your pet daily for ticks and if any are found, these should be removed promptly with a specially designed tick remover. Make sure you remove the whole of the tick and don’t leave any of it attached to your pet or it can cause irritation. If you are concerned contact our team and we will be able to remove ticks from your pet.

 

We’re sure about insurance, are you?

Are your pets insured? If not, it is definitely something worth considering and we would certainly recommend it. When looking for policies there are a few things to consider. Read our Autumn NEWSLETTER to understand about the different types of policies that are available for your pet.

 

Do fireworks put your pet in a fizz?

Sadly fireworks is not just one night anymore it seems to be more of a ‘season’. This can cause real anxiety for some pets, however there are many ways to try and keep the peace in your home. One of the most important things to bear in mind is be prepared. Read some of the different options we have available in our NEWSLETTER and contact our friendly team for more help and advice.

 

Click here to read our Autumn Newsletter for 2017.

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How to help your pets cope with fireworks

fireworks dog

 

 

  • Every year we receive a number of requests for help from owners who are worried about how their pets react to fireworks. Both cats and dogs can suffer from noise related phobias around this time and it is important to plan in advance if you want to tackle this problem.

 

 

  • After the fireworks begin, your pet may begin to show odd behaviour such as restlessness, making excessive noise or hiding away in a corner. If you have noticed any of these signs in the past, there are a few things that you could do to reduce their stress this year.

 

 

  • Keep all of your pets inside during firework displays. Ensure that any windows or cat flaps are shut and that the curtains are drawn.

 

 

  • Take your dog for a walk before the fireworks begin so that they are not startled whilst they are outside

 

 

  •  It is important for you to remain in the house with your pet during any firework displays, but try not to act any differently towards them. If you act normally, your pet will feel calmer.

 

 

  •  If your pet prefers to hide somewhere in the house, just let them hide and they will come out when they feel safer.

 

 

  •  Try offering your pet a distraction. Treats or a toy can help them to feel more relaxed, but do not try and force them to play.

 

 

  •  Do not punish your pet for their behaviour during firework night, as this can lead to worsening anxiety.

 

 

  • It is important to stress again that if your pet prefers to hide, do not try to force them to sit with you. If you have enough time, try creating a safe place for them to hide in before the fireworks begin. You could use your dog’s crate or bed if they have one, or if you have a cat, a large cardboard box will do. Try and line them with blankets or towels that your pet is used to sleeping on, as these will smell comforting. Do not force your animal into the safe place, as again this can make them feel uneasy.

 

 

  • Ensure that each pet has a separate hiding place and that cats have an opportunity to hide away from each other. Note that some cats actually prefer hiding somewhere high up, like on top of a wardrobe. Never shut your animal in a cage, or inside one room, as they will feel trapped.

 

 

  • There are also some supplements that you could try to help keep your pet calm.

 

 

  •  For dogs – ADAPTIL is a product that contains Dog Appeasing pheromone. It is a copy of a pheromone that a bitch releases to comfort her puppies and should help to reassure and calm your dog. It comes as a plug –in, a spray or a collar. Adaptil should be started 2 weeks before firework season for maximal effect.

 

 

  •  For cats – FELIWAY is a product that contains facial pheromones. These are pheromones that your cat will leave on an object when they rub their head against it, and will make them feel safe and secure. This comes as a plug-in or a spray. Feliway should be started 2 weeks before firework season for maximal effect.

 

 

  •  For both dogs and cats – ZYLKENE is a supplement derived from milk proteins that can help to make your pet feel more relaxed. These supplements should be started at least 1-2 days before any fireworks are expected.

 

  • If your dog is very anxious we do on occasion dispense tranquilizers, but we would advise that the above methods are tried if possible also.

 

  • It is possible to try to desensitize your pets to firework noises using a download available from itunes called ‘Sounds Scary’ although this may take some weeks to have  an effect.

 

 

Young Veterinary Partnership

www.youngvets.co.uk