PANADOL KILLS CATS!
UNFORTUNATELY NOT ALL CAT OWNERS ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS THEY CAN PUT THEIR PETS THROUGH WHEN GIVING THEM MEDICATION WITHOUT CONSULTING A VET. GIVING A CAT PANADOL CAN BE FATAL. PANADOL IN CATS CAUSES A CHANGE IN THE OXYGEN CARRYING ABILITY IN THE RED BLOOD CELLS WHICH RESULTS IN THE CHANGE IN COLOUR OF THE GUMS. THE CAT THEN BREATHES FASTER TO TRY AND GET MORE OXYGEN. THE SIGNS OF PANADOL POISONING IN CATS INCLUDES RAPID BREATHING, BROWN-BLUE GUMS AND SWOLLEN FACES.
Parasitic worms are picked up by cats from the environment. Outdoor cats, in particular, are liable to ingest them by eating infected prey such as small rodents, birds and beetles. The worms live within the cat’s gut and other parts of the body and can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, anaemia, and weight loss. It is important to protect your cat adequately against them. The two most common worms found in cats are the roundworm and tapeworm.
ROUNDWORM
These are round and white, often coiled, and up to 15cm long. They are readily seen in the cat’s faeces or are occasionally vomited up. Two types are found in cats – Toxocara cati, the most common, and Toxascaris leonine. Because the larvae are present in the queen’s milk, almost all kittens are infected with Toxocara cati by the time they are 3-4 weeks old. Heavily infected kittens usually have diarrhoea and often appear potbellied.
All kittens should be dewormed at regular intervals from 3 weeks to 6 months of age, then every 6 months (outdoor cats) or 12 months (indoor cats).
TAPEWORM
These worms have a flattened, segmented body that grows from a small pointed head embedded in the intestinal wall. Dipylidium can reach a length of 50cm. As the tapeworm grows, segments break off from the rear and are passed through the anus. The segments are mobile and full of eggs but soon dry – when they look like grains of rice – and then burst releasing the eggs into the environment. The eggs are eaten by flea larvae, where they drop into cysts. They remain dormant until an adult flea is eaten by a cat during grooming, whereupon the cyst develops into an adult tapeworm in the intestine. The flea is the only intermediate host – there is no cat–to–cat spread, therefore a good antiflea control and regular deworming should prevent tapeworm.
Tenia, a longer and thicker tapeworm than Dipylidium, is picked up from infected prey such as small rodents. If you cat is a regular hunter, you must make sure it is routinely dewormed. Avoid feeding your cat raw meat.
* ‘The cat owner’s problem solver’ – Bower
Some Animal Pharmacies around
Agripharm Tas-Silg Veterinary Pharmacy
12, Triq it–Tigrija, Marsa Tel: 21255100
Animal Pharm
Triq il-Papa Piju XII, B’Kara Tel: 21449058
Pharmavat Veterinary Pharmacy
Triq Tal-Barrani, Zejtun Tel: 21892735
Vetmedic Pharmacy
119, Triq Edgar Bernard, Gzira Tel: 21324444
DID YOU KNOW?
Usually, when otherwise healthy cats get an upset tummy, a good way to settle it down is to feed a simple diet for a few days. Fresh cooked chicken (with the skin and fat removed) or white fish (coley for example) is the best, and since cats are not very good at digesting carbohydrates it is important not to give them any rice, pasta or potato. If any diarrhoea persists you should always consult your vet.
It is very important that your cat always has a fresh supply of water to drink. And although it may seem very natural, do not give your cat/kitten cows' milk as the high lactose content can upset its tummy.
Regularly changing your cats' food can also lead to an upset tummy. If you are going to change its food it must be done gradually. Start by adding 25% of the new food with the regular one. Every couple of days increase another 25% of the new food till you change over completely.
COLLARS
It is important that all pets have a collar, preferably one with elastic which will enable your pet to set itself free if it ever gets caught in something. However putting a collar on is not enough. A contact number and address must also be available.
TOXIC FOOD FOR CATS
Chocolate: Although many people are aware that chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs, it's something that is commonly left on a table or counter top. Dogs may tear into a box of candy when the opportunity presents itself. In large quantities, chocolate causes coma and death. In lesser quantities, it will cause gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea. The degree of toxicity depends on the weight of the animal and the amount and type of chocolate consumed. Semi-sweet and bakers chocolate, for instance, contain more theobromine than regular chocolate, making them even more toxic to animals. Dogs love chocolate, so don't let taste be a test of what is healthy. Anything containing cocoa or chocolate should be avoided.
Grapes & Raisins: Though it isn't clear to scientists just what makes grapes and raisins toxic to both cats and dogs, even a relatively small amount can damage the kidneys. For this reason it's unwise to feed these to your pet, even if small amounts are tolerated. Also avoid giving bits of cookie or other foods that contain raisins.
Garlic, Onions, and Powders: Whether fresh, cooked or powdered, garlic and/or onions can be found among the ingredients of many prepared meals, including baby food. Garlic and onions are toxic to cats and dogs because sulfoxides and disulfides found in them can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. Onions are more problematic than garlic, but both should be avoided. If preparing a meal for yourself that will contain garlic or onions, consider preparing a side portion without these ingredients for your animals.
Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts are soft, light-colored nuts often used in cookie recipes. They are considered toxic to dogs because they tend to cause gastrointestinal upsets, lethargy, vomiting and muscle tremors or stiffness.
Mushrooms: Various species of mushrooms are toxic to dogs, and can cause shock and death. Effects will differ depending on the type ingested, but avoid feeding any type. Pluck "backyard mushrooms" that might sprout on the lawn, as these are known to be toxic to canines.
Tomatoes and tomato plants: Tomatoes of all kinds are toxic to cats, as are parts of the tomato plant. Ingesting as little as a cherry tomato can cause severe gastrointestinal upset.
Chicken Bones: Though not toxic, chicken bones can get stuck in the roof of the mouth, throat and intestines, and should be avoided, according to many veterinarians. Splinters of chicken bones can also become lodged internally.
Other foods to avoid include raw potatoes, especially those containing green spots; turkey skin; nutmeg; and anything with caffeine, including tea. Alcohol and hops should also be avoided as alcohol poisoning can lead to coma and death. Do not allow your pet to rummage through the trash, as moldy food contains toxins that can cause serious illness.
Since many of the signs of toxicity are similar, call your veterinarian immediately if your pet appears distressed, lethargic or in pain. Bloody stools or vomiting are also possible signs of toxic poisoning. Gastrointestinal problems can lead to gas build-up until the stomach becomes distended or bloated and hard to the touch. This is a painful condition that can cause the stomach to burst if not treated. The good news is that, in most cases, treatment for toxic poisoning can be successful if administered in time.
MICROCHIPPING YOUR PET
Microchipping is a safe and permanent method of pet identification that is more reliable than other forms such as collars, which can get lost. Each microchip carries a unique identification number linked to a database containing the pet's details and their owner's contact details. All that is required is a single injection, usually done near the shoulder blade. So contact your vet for any further deatils and get your pet microchipped.
Ever wondered why cats eat grass? Here's your answer.
Grass helps a cat regurgitate indigestible or hard to digest matter, like the cats’ own hair swallowed during grooming, or fur and bones of prey. Getting rid of this matter through regurgitation is safer than allowing it to pass through the digestive tract where it could possibly cause a blockage.