CAT ALLERGIES: Flea allergies are common and as cats get older they become more sensitive to the flea, bites. Food allergies are also common and can cause dermatitis and severe itching or vomiting and diarrhea.

CATNIP (Nepeta cataria): Or ‘CATMINT’ (Nepeta faassenii): are two types of ground covering perennial plant. Catnip causes many cats to experience a trance-like state of pleasure and playfulness, of which the intensity varies between individual cats and lasts between 5 and 20 minutes. After enjoying this catnip pleasure, a cat is unable to react again to catnip for about an hour. This herb is harmless and non-addictive.

CHLAMYDIA PSITTACI: This is a bacterial type of organism that is located in the tissues around the cat’s eyes. Most common symptom is conjunctivitis, which is generally located in one eye at first, then spreads to both eyes.

DIABETES: When blood sugar levels are not properly regulated. Symptoms include, excessive thirst, urination, loss of weight or obesity. Older cats more at risk and when diagnosed should be kept indoors to prevent accidental feeding that could elevate blood sugar levels.

DIGESTIVE UPSETS: Common in young kittens. Mild cases can be treated by withholding food for 24 hours and then feeding a diet of boiled chicken and rice, bread and plain yoghurt, little and often. If vomiting repeatedly and passing blood, then veterinary attention should be seeked.

EAR MITES: Common in young kittens who usually get infected from their mother. These tiny eight-legged critters live down the ear canal and feed on the wax. Irritation is caused, which stimulates the ear to produce more of the dark wax. Treatment should be for at least 3 weeks to destroy any eggs that may be present from these ticks.

FELINE HERPES VIRUS (FHV): Only affects cats and is not transmittable to humans.

FELINE INFECTIOUS ENTERITIS(FIE): A serious viral infection that causes, acute vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as other symptoms. Thankfully not as common nowadays, thanks to an effective vaccine.

FELINE URINARY SYNDROME(FUS): Painful condition most often seen in the male cat, caused by a blockage in the uretha (where urine exits the body from the bladder). Female cats tend to suffer from ‘Cystitis’ an infection of the bladder.

FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS(FIV): AIDS-like disease not thought to be infectious to humans. Transmitted between cats through fighting and biting. Common in young male cats. Various symptoms, but is associated with chronic gingivitis. Cats who do not respond to treatment should be blood tested for both the FIV and Feline Leukaemia virus.

FELINE LEUKAEMIA VIRUS(FeLV): Virus causing a range of problems affecting the immune system. AIDS-like disease. This causes anaemia or even cancer. There is no treatment to destroy the virus once a cat has become infected, but vaccines do help to prevent it. Not thought to be infectious to humans.

FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS: Common viral disease in young cats. Many cats who, are exposed to this virus do not go on to develop the disease. Common in multi-cat households, where shared litter trays are used, which gives the infection chance to build up. Most common form causes an accumulation of fluid on the chest and abdomen, and is incurable.

FLEAS: An external parasite that lives on the cat’s skin and feeds on blood. Can cause irritation/allergies and can carry other diseases. If a flea is swallowed, then tapeworms can be transmitted. Fleas can hatch in the cat’s bedding, your bedding and other furniture, carpets and outdoor areas. So it is important to regularly treat your cat and other pets and your household to prevent infestation. Look for black grit (flea faeces) or white deposits (flea eggs) in your pet’s coat. Your veterinary will be able to supply you with treatments for your pets and household. In severe cases of heavy infestation it may be necessary to have a professional exterminator to eradicate the problem.

FLY STRIKE: Several types of flies can parasitize cats, especially in warm weather climates. Soiling of the cat’s coat with faeces will attract ‘blowflies’, which lay their eggs in the soiled areas. Maggots then hatch and burrow away from the light, eating their way under the coat and into the skin tissues. This is known as fly strike. More popular in older long haired cats and if left untreated can prove fatal.

HAIRBALLS: These occur from accumulations of hair in the digestive tract. Cats are fastidious cleaners and will groom for long periods. The cat’s rough tongue pulls loose the dead hair from the coat and then swallows this, which accumulates in the stomach, becoming a source of irritation. Some hair can be passed out in the faeces or coughed up in the form of a hairball. The severity of this condition depends a lot on the cats hair coat length. Regular grooming will help to prevent your cat getting hairballs.

INSECT BITES & STINGS: These can cause a mild or severe reaction depending on the potency of the venom and the sensitivity of the cat. Always seek veterinary advice.

POISONING: These come in many forms and some can be fatal, so if poisoning is suspected, seek veterinary advice immediately. (Please view my list of harmful substances etc, after this section.)

RABIES: This virus can be transmitted to humans. In countries where rabies is present, then your cat should be vaccinated annually. Symptoms, change of personality in your cat, nervous behaviour, photophobic (avoids light), as the virus takes hold then the cat will hide, but launch vicious attacks if provoked or disturbed. Finally the cat will become paralysed and euthanasia is required.

SKIN AILMENTS: Fleas have already been mentioned. Other parasites include ‘Lice’, which live their life cycle on the cat and attach their eggs to the cats hair. ‘Fur Mites’ live on the surface of the skin and cause irritation and excess scurf. ‘Ringworm’ is a fungal infection of the hair. It causes baldness and crusty patches on the cat’s body, especially around the head. Ringworm can be passed onto humans. ‘Mange’ is rare in cats, but when it does occur the effects are clearly noticeable and localized around the head and paws.

TEETH: Dental problems are common in the older cat. It is recommended to brush your cat’s teeth from an early age to help to prevent problems in later life. Dental kits are available for cats that contain special enzymatic toothpaste and soft brushes. Feeding a dry food diet will also reduce the build up of tartar on teeth.

TICKS: Ticks can be a real problem in rural areas and these blood suckers can transmit diseases. Don’t attempt to pull the tick away, as you will leave the head attached and create further problems from infection. Instead cover the tick with petroleum jelly and leave for a short duration. By doing this you will block the ticks respiratory system. The tick will drop off intact within a day or so and should be destroyed. When fed ticks become a noticeable large lump on the cat’s skin. Like fleas, ticks can cause anaemia when present in numbers.

TRIMMING CLAWS: If done regularly, this will help to prevent claws snagging on fabric or on your own skin. Purchase cat clippers, never use scissors as these will crush the nail and injure the claw. Ask a vet to show you how to clip claws, as many cats will struggle and you must know how far to clip back the nail, so as not to cut into the quick, the pinkish area where the nerves and blood vessels are. Wear sensible clothing and preferably wait until the cat is sleepy.

TOXOPLASMOSIS: A parasite that lives a cat’s intestine and rarely causes anything more than mild diarrhoea. It can however, cause harm to an, ‘Immuno-suppressed human’ (e.g. person being treated with chemotherapy for cancer), or to an ‘Unborn foetus’ if a pregnant women gets infected. In either of these cases, the person should avoid cleaning out the cat litter.

UPPER RESPIRATORY DISEASE: Cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing combined with reddened, runny eyes.

VACCINATIONS: It is advised to get your cat annually vaccinated against Feline Enteritis, Cat Flu and Feline Leukaemia virus, which are all potentially fatal viral diseases.

VOMITING: Some cats vomit frequently. Most common cause is from hairballs. Other causes are from food allergies, worm infestation, and periodic vomiting can be due to an overactive thyroid or a kidney infection – your vet will do blood test to ascertain this. Make sure cat drinks plenty of water to prevent dehydration and if normal habits are not demonstrated, seek veterinary advice.

WORM INFECTIONS: A variety of parasitic worms can afflict cats. Most common are the ‘Roundworm’ (Toxocara canis & Toxascaris leonine)and ‘Tapeworm’ (Dipylidium caninum). This is why it is recommended that you get your kittens/cats de-wormed regularly. There are plenty of products available from your veterinary practitioner and veterinary advice is recommended when treating young kittens. Other worms that made need to be treated, depending on what county you live in are ‘Whipworms’(Trichuris sp.) and ‘Hookworms’ (Ancylostoma caninum)

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DANGEROUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS:

To avoid accidental poisoning, please make sure that these items are shut behind closed doors and that any spills are immediately cleaned up. This is not a complete list, but a list of common substances, so be aware of what you have around your pets.

INDOORS: Ammonia ~ Bleach ~ Cleaning Liquids & Disinfectants ~ Drain Cleaners ~ Soaps ~ Detergents ~ Mothballs & Matches. Cosmetics ~ Deodorants ~ Hair Colouring ~ Nail Polish & Remover ~ Suntan Lotion ~ Hair Spray ~ Perfume and Aftershaves. Medicines including: Aspirin ~ Acetaminophen (Tylenol & other similar medicines) ~ Diet Pills ~ Sleeping Pills ~ Tranquillisers ~ Laxatives and Rubbing Alcohol.

OUTDOORS: Gasoline ~ Kerosene ~ Brake Fluid ~ Antifreeze ~ Insecticides ~ Rodenticides ~ Herbicides ~ Fungicides ~ Snail & Slug Pellets, Worm & Mollusk Toxicants ~ Plant Growth Hormones ~ Paints & Paint Thinners ~ Paint Removers ~ Wood Preservatives ~ White Spirits ~ Lead Paint Scrapings ~ Contaminated Food and Water from the Toilet Bowl.

DANGEROUS PLANTS:

Different species of ‘Yew’ are toxic and can affect the nervous system, if ingested. Seek veterinary assistance immediately, this could prove fatal.

‘Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, Larkspur, Monkshood & Oleander’ affect, the cardiovascular system and again can be fatal. Seek veterinary assistance.

‘English Ivy, Iris, Amaryllis, Daffodil & Tulip (especially the bulbs)’ cause gastric irritation and occasionally central nervous system excitement, followed by coma and in serious cases can be fatal. Seek veterinary assistance.

‘Caladium, Dieffenbachia & Philodendron’ cause throat irritation and will burn the throat when swallowed or when vomited back up. DO NOT INDUCE ! Seek veterinary assistance.

POISON BY INHALATION:

Ammonia ~ Carbon Monoxide ~ Fumes from heating or cooking gas appliances can be life threatening if inhaled. If a cat is poisoned in this way, the cat will display weakness, dizziness, breathing difficulties and bright red lips and tongue. Get the cat into fresh air immediately and seek veterinary assistance.