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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Sep 25 2007 at 10:26 AM |
Tail - Limpness
A limp tail can be caused by paralysis, when the nerves to the tail are damaged. This is often associated with trauma to the tail itself or to the pelvis, for instance after road traffic accidents. The tail can not consciously be moved by the cat and will feel no pain. Sometimes the sensation and control over the tail will come back after some time, but in some cases the tail will remain paralysed. In these cases it is often advised to have the tail amputated to prevent further damage.
Teeth Problems
The most common problem we encounter involving the teeth is the build up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. This is apparent in nearly all cats and will lead to gingivitis (an inflammation of the gums) in about 80% of all cats by the age of three to four years. It is a result of the accumulation of food remnants on the teeth and mineralisation of plaque. It normally leads to halitosis, an unpleasant smell from the mouth, and pain and irritation to the cat. The infection can extend into the tissues surrounding the teeth, this is then called periodontal disease. This causes further pain and can lead to loosening of the teeth. Furthermore, the infection can spread through the body in the blood stream and affect other organs such as the kidneys, the liver and even the heart! Often, cats with dental disease will need treatment under general anaesthesia. If you think your cat may have bad teeth, please seek advice from your vet.
Broken teeth are common after road traffic accidents or when the cat has fallen from a height. In young cats the pulp cavity, which is the cavity inside the teeth, is very wide and will be exposed when teeth break. This will lead to pain and bleeding from the broken tooth. It can also lead to bacteria entering the tooth root canal causing infections and tooth root abscesses. If your cat breaks a tooth it is always advisable to seek veterinary advice. Sometimes treatment is only possible in the immediate period after the fracture of the tooth.
Sometimes teeth can become discoloured. This is often a sign of the tooth having died. This does not normally cause any pain but will only be an aesthetic problem.
Persistent milk teeth are milk teeth which have not fallen out when the permanent teeth erupted. This process of changing teeth normally takes place between the ages of three and six months in cats. If milk teeth stay behind, often next to the permanent teeth, they can cause an incorrect position of the teeth and the trapping of food remnants between the teeth. This in turn can cause pain and gingivitis with all its consequences. Persistent milk teeth often require extraction.
Over- and undershot jaws are caused by an uneven growth of the top and bottom jaw. This can lead to malocclusion, which is a poor fit of the upper and lower teeth. In some cats this is considered ‘normal’, for instance in the short skulled breeds, but generally it is a congenital problem.
Testicles - Undescended
Over- and undershot jaws are caused by an uneven growth of the top and bottom jaw. This can lead to malocclusion, which is a poor fit of the upper and lower teeth. In some cats this is considered ‘normal’, for instance in the short skulled breeds, but generally it is a congenital problem.
Third Eyelid - Protrusion
The third eyelid is the membrane in the inner corner of the eye of your cat. This membrane is an extra protection of the eyeball and also produces tears and has a part in the immune system of the eye. Sometimes this third eyelid is more visible than normal and this is called a protrusion of the third eyelid. It is usually the result of a general loss of condition of the cat rather than an actual eye disease. It can be the consequence, for instance, of a worm infection, of liver disease, or of a tumour. It may even be the sole symptom of a viral infection. Sometimes, protrusion of the third eyelid goes together with diarrhoea. In all cases, it is advisable to consult your vet to have your cat checked over.
Thirst Increased
Increased thirst is often noted by owners, especially if there is only one cat in the household. If there are more cats present, this may not be noted for some time. Often the cat will also urinate more frequently, or in larger quantities, but this is rarely noted by an owner, unless the cat uses a litter tray. There are many different reasons for cats to drink, and urinate, more than normal. It is generally not thought to be a problem if the cat drinks less than 100 ml per kilogram body weight per 24 hours. If your cat drinks more than this amount, there is nearly certainly something wrong! It has to be remembered that the water intake of a cat is dependent on many factors, such as the weather, the type of food (dry or tinned), the activity level of the cat or the physical status of the cat (pregnant, lactating etc.).
Increased thirst is nearly always related to increased urination and some of the conditions mentioned below are primarily conditions causing increased urination and secondarily increased drinking.
One of the more common reasons for cats to drink excessively is kidney disease, especially in the older cat. Liver disease is another common reason. Diabetes Mellitus is also possible in cats. Furthermore, there are several hormonal conditions which can cause excessive thirst, such as Cushing’s Disease, Diabetes Insipidus, Hyperthyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism etc. There are some more, less common, conditions as well, causing excessive thirst.
In most cases, your vet will have to do several tests, mostly blood tests, to find out what the reason for the excessive thirst is in your cat. It is always advisable to visit your vet if your cat drinks excessively.
Ticks
Ticks are small parasites which can sometimes be found on your cat’s body, especially on the head. They normally live in undergrowth and in woods and live of the blood which they suck from their victim. When a cat passes underneath a tick, the latter may let itself drop onto the unwitting victim and attach itself by using large hooks on its jaws. The mouth of the tick is then buried inside the skin of the cat and the tick begins sucking blood from the cat. During this process the tick swells up from a tiny pin prick to an engorged body the size of a pea, but oblong and grey. Eventually, the tick will let go and drop off the cat, after which it will lay several thousands of eggs and die. However, while on the cat, it will lead to pain and itch and the cat may scratch and lick the affected areas. This can lead to damage to the skin and subsequent infections. Ticks may also transmit bacterial or other diseases to the cat.
Many people try and remove the tick from the cat’s skin, but this can lead to the mouth parts of the tick breaking of and causing a swelling and infection. Sometimes these swellings have to be removed surgically. It is always advisable to first kill the tick with an appropriate product and then to remove the tick by twisting the tick out of the skin. There are special tick removal instruments available as well. Killing the tick can sometimes be achieved by covering the tick in oil or butter as this will prevent the tick from breathing. This will take more time than for instance a flea spray though. Burning of the tick, as some people advocate, is not advisable, as this can cause damage to the skin of the cat as well as to the tick.
There are several effective tick prevention products on the market. Ask your vet what the best product is at the moment.