What Does Altered Mean For A Cat

How Are Cat Strokes Treated In Cats

Treatments used to help cats after strokes are primarily symptomatic and supportive. For example,

• Oxygen therapy to improve oxygen delivery to damaged brain tissue and promote healing
• Seizure medications for cats to control seizures or reduce pressure within the skull, if necessary
• Management of any underlying conditions
• Maintaining hydration and adequate nutrition
• Help with urination, defecation, cleanliness, and comfort
• Physical therapy to address any persistent neurologic deficits

Determining whether to initiate or continue treatment after a cat has had a stroke can be difficult, but it is important to remember that recovery is possible and cats tend to look their worst in the first 24 hours after the stroke has occurred. It is generally thought that cats who have less severe symptoms and are otherwise relatively healthy are the best candidates for making a meaningful recovery. Unfortunately, research into what a cats prognosis really is after having a stroke simply hasnt been done.

How To Train Your Cat To Not Be Mean

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Different cats display different types of behaviors. Some cats are very cuddly and affectionate. Some vary their behavior and can move between affection and ignoring. And other cats may just seem downright mean. They may avoid affection and being held. Mean cats can frequently hiss, scratch, or bite. There may be a reason your cat is acting out. Learn why and what you can do about it. Depending on your cat, these techniques could be a quick fix or require a lot of time and energy for slow results.

Do People Bond With Feral Community Cats

Absolutely! People bond with the cats and the cats bond with their caretakers! Many of the cats that are cared for by a caretaker;know their feeding schedule and will eagerly wait for their caretaker to bring them food and water. Others may recognize;the sound of their caretaker’s car and wait until they hear the familiar sound before appearing from their safe hiding spots. Feral community cats tend to bond with their caretakers and may even allow them to get within a few feet of them. Otherwise, they are fairly reclusive.

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Ways To Help Ease The Stress And Mess Of Shedding

Whether your cats shedding is normal or caused by medical issues, there are things you can do to try and keep it under control. Of course, its important to make sure you arent doing anything at home that conflicts with your veterinarians advice for medical causes.

• Feed a nutritionally complete, veterinary-recommended diet.
• Use veterinary-recommended parasite protection year-round, even if your cat is indoor only .
• Be sure to keep your cat hydrated for some cats, water fountains can encourage them to drink more.
• Take steps to lessen stress in your cats environment. Be sure they have a place to retreat and feel secure. Find ways to keep their minds busy with food puzzles and other enrichment.;
• Regularly groom your cat using a veterinary-approved brush or comb. Making treats a part of the process can keep your cat happy and tolerant.
• For cats that need some extra help with their fur, groomers as well as some veterinary practices can give them a trim. This can be especially helpful for older cats that cannot groom themselves, as well as long-haired cats.
• Consult with a veterinary behaviorist if your cat has stress issues causing excessive grooming.
• Sweep and vacuum daily, and regularly wash your cats bedding.;

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Always Work With Your Veterinarian

A medical workup is essential for all aggressive cats. Some cats behave aggressively because of a medical condition or complication. In addition to acute painful conditions, cats with orthopedic problems, thyroid abnormality, adrenal dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction, neurological disorders and sensory deficits can show increased irritability and aggression. Geriatric cats can suffer from confusion and insecurity, which could prompt aggressive behavior. Certain medications can alter mood and affect your cats susceptibility to aggression. Even diet has been implicated as a potential contributing factor. If a medical problem is detected, its crucial to work closely with your veterinarian to give your cat the best chance at improving.

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Why Do Cats Sleep On Your Feet

If they can, cat’s will often try to sleep next to their owners. This isn’t because they want to maul you in their sleepfar from it. It is actually a sign of trust and protection! Your cat wants to relax and be near you, but not necessarily on you. Staying by your feet means that they can easily leave if they get bored or sick of you.

And if your cat likes to only sleep next to your feet, and not next to the feet of anyone else in your family? Well, lucky you. You’re your cat’s favorite.

How Is Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome Diagnosed

This syndrome will be diagnosed on the basis of the cat’s breed, facial conformation, clinical signs, and results of a physical examination. Stenotic nares can usually be diagnosed on visual inspection. Diagnosis of an elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, or other associated anatomical changes within the mouth will require heavy sedation or full general anesthesia.

Since cats with this syndrome have an increased risk of complications associated with general anesthesia, your veterinarian will recommend pre-anesthetic blood work and chest X-rays to evaluate the general health of your cat prior to the diagnostic procedure. If your cat undergoes general anesthesia to diagnose this condition, your veterinarian will recommend that any necessary surgical correction be performed at the same time.

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How Successful Is Surgery

The earlier that the abnormalities associated with this syndrome are corrected, the better the outcome since the condition worsens over time and may cause other abnormalities. Early correction of stenotic nares and/or an elongated soft palate will significantly improve airway function and may prevent development of everted laryngeal saccules.

In the early post-operative period, swelling of the surgical sites may occur and interfere with breathing. Therefore, your veterinarian will closely monitor your pet after the surgery has been performed. The degree of monitoring that will be necessary depends on the surgical procedures that were performed.

Problems And Proofing Behavior

A common error is that cat owners expect behavior to change overnight. Unless you have resolved a health issue, this is likely not the case. Give your cat time to change and focus on the positives. Getting angry with your cat for being mean will not help, and likely only add to the bad behavior. Keep trying, seek professional help, and have patience with your pet cat . A feline behavioral specialist will be able to help with a seriously mean cat. They will likely meet the cat in its home environment, see its behavior, and then come up with recommendations to help your cat alter the behavior.

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Causes Of Male Cat Urinary Blockage

Neutered male cats are especially prone to urinary blockage because they have may narrow urethras so narrow that involuntary urethral muscle spasms can block the flow of urine. A male cat’s urethra can also become blocked by small urinary stones or by urethral plugs: a mixture of cells that are used to line the bladder, mucus and crystals formed from minerals in the urine. Additional causes of urinary blockage are from feeding foods high in magnesium or the presence of an underlying condition called feline idiopathic cystitis .

Reasons To Spay Or Neuter Your Cat

Spaying or neutering is one of the greatest gifts you can provide your pet and your family. These routine medical procedures not only help control pet overpopulation, but they may also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing, allowing your cat to lead a longer, healthier and happier life.

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Why Does My Cat Hide From Me

Cats are pretty good at hiding. And though it’s easy to say that they just love playing hide and seek, there are a variety of reasons your cat might be trying to stay out of sight.

Though cats are predators, they are usually non-confrontationalwhen they see something threatening, they are more likely to run and hide rather than stay back and fight; hence the term “scaredy cat.” Check to see if there’s something around that might be scaring your catthis could be another animal, a child, or even you!

In addition, if you’ve changed something about your homemaybe someone new moved it, or you’ve got a brand new furniture setthis can cause your cat stress and cause them to hide. Cats like to stick to a routine, so it’s important to be especially in tune to your cat’s needs when something about their environment has changed.

How To Communicate With Your Cat

Just because you and your cat speak different languages doesn’t mean you can’t successfully communicate with each other! Humans and their pet cats can share a special and complex bond, and your pet cat is able to communicate his or her needs to you using certain physical cues. The look in your cat’s eyes, their body language, and their vocalizations all contain vital informationas long as you know what they mean.

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Why Should I Spay Or Neuter My Cat

Spaying or neutering your cat prevents unwanted births, which helps reduce overpopulation in shelters. Millions of unwanted animals end up in shelters or on the streets each year. Only a lucky few are adopted; the rest are either euthanized or die from trauma, exposure, starvation or disease. By spaying or neutering your cat, you do your part to prevent this tragedy.

Another benefit is that spaying or neutering reduces or eliminates sexual behaviors in cats that people generally consider a nuisance. In most male cats, regardless of their age when neutered, neutering reduces roaming, urine spraying, and fights with neighborhood cats. The plaintive howling of female cats in heat is eliminated. Overall, cats who are sexually intact are at greater risk of being relinquished to a shelter.

Things To Bring To The Show

• Cage curtains and clips for hanging them.
• Kitty Litter. Litter is often provided by the Show Committee, however, a litter pan, water and food dishes will be useful, and your cat might also appreciate its preferred litter.
• Something soft for the bottom of the cage.
• Nail clippers and any other grooming equipment that is necessary for your cat.
• Confirmation slip received from the Entry Clerk.
• Vaccination records for each entry.
• Pedigree and Registration papers if applicable.

Curious about cat shows? Have more questions? Feel free to .

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What About Barn Cat Programs Can’t These Cats Go Live Somewhere Else

Relocation is not as easy as one would think, and should only be considered as a last resort.; Community cats become very attached to their surroundings – they know familiar paths, good hiding spots, and where to find food.;;Relocation places them in an unfamiliar environment, often leaving them stressed and disoriented. Successful relocation requires very careful planning. Without effective planning, cats may try to return to their original home, making relocation both dangerous and pointless. If cats are not in danger in their current environment, its best to work to keep them where they are while implementing trap-neuter-return.;;Trap-Neuter-Return is the most humane and effective method to control the overpopulation of community cats.; If you know of a community cat who is in imminent danger, please reach out to the following organizations to discuss barn cat relocation:

Barn Cats-R-Us

What Are The Signs Of Mourning

When a cat loses a companion, whether animal or human, she most certainly grieves and reacts to the changes in her life. Cats alter their behavior when they mourn much like people do:

• They may become depressed and listless.
• They may have a decreased appetite and decline to play.
• They may sleep more than usual and move more slowly, sulking around.
• They may hide under the bed, choosing to be alone even more than usual for cats.

Pet owners recognize these changes in daily behavior as the same ones that grieving humans often exhibit. The common denominator in human or feline grief is the loss of a central individual along with the associated bond.

Skeptics suggest that cats dont really grieve and attribute their behavioral changes to the alterations in daily routine resulting from the absence of an integral figure in the cats life. In other words, the cat gets upset because her schedule is off. With the loss of a companion cat, perhaps the surviving cat misses feline interaction and play time. With the loss of a human companion, perhaps the established and accepted feeding and play schedules are changed as the new care giver takes charge. Since they may not actually understand death as something permanent, sometimes a cat will wait patiently, believing that the deceased will return. Still others suggest that the cat may just be reacting to the grief exhibited by humans in the house as they deal with the death of a family member.

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What Are The Signs Of Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

Any of these upper airway abnormalities can cause increased airway resistance, therefore increasing the effort required to inhale. Generally, the more abnormalities present the more severe the signs. Most cats with this syndrome are able to breathe more easily through their mouth than their nose; therefore, the most common sign seen with this syndrome is mouth breathing.

“Generally, the more abnormalities present the more severe the signs.”

Mildly affected cats will make some increased noise when they breathe, or they may snore when they are relaxed or are sleeping. Severely affected cats have more pronounced airway noise, appear to tire easily with exertion, and may collapse or faint after playing or exercising. Occasionally, affected cats will have other symptoms such as coughing, gagging, retching, or vomiting. Signs are often worse in hot or humid weather.

Over time, cats that are severely affected may develop other secondary problems, including inflammation of other structures in the airways. In the long term, the increased effort associated with breathing can also put an increased strain on the heart.

A Note About Exhibition Cages

Many clubs have begun encouraging exhibitors to bring their own show cages. Several companies offer ShowShelters, temporary cages that can be used at cat shows. Alternatively, if youre not comfortable with the wire cages that many clubs provide, you can also bring a security cage, which is a sturdy nylon-type fabric cage with mesh or plastic doors that have zipper openings. Security cages are available in a wide variety of colors and fold down easily to fit into a nylon carrying case, making them a convenient and accessible option to show your cat. Make sure that you have curtains in your cage – they can be simple or elaborate, but its important to design them to loosely fit around the back, sides, and top of the cage in order to give your cat some privacy.

Management officials at our shows will provide a single benching cage for each cat entered. Double cages and grooming spaces may be available at an additional cost. Cage sizes can vary based on the show, so make sure you check the show flier.

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What Is Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

Brachycephalic airway syndrome refers to a particular set of upper airway abnormalities that affect brachycephalic cats and dogs. This syndrome is also called brachycephalic respiratory syndrome, brachycephalic syndrome, or congenital obstructive upper airway disease. The upper airway abnormalities that occur in this syndrome may include stenotic nares, an elongated soft palate, a hypoplastic trachea, and everted laryngeal saccules. An individual cat with brachycephalic syndrome may be affected with a combination of one or more of these abnormalities.

Cats with stenotic nares have abnormally narrowed, small nostrils; the narrowing restricts the amount of air that can flow into the nose. A cat with an elongated soft palate has a soft palate that is too long for the length of the mouth; the excess length partially blocks the entrance to the trachea at the back of the throat. These two abnormalities are the most common ones seen in brachycephalic cats.

A hypoplastic trachea means that the trachea has a smaller diameter than normal. The laryngeal saccules are small sacs or pouches that are located just inside the larynx ; these saccules evert or are sucked into the airway by the pressure associated with the increased respiratory effort caused by the stenotic nares and/or the elongated soft palate. Everted laryngeal saccules will further obstruct airway flow.

What Are Some Myths

Pet guardians cite many reasons why they wont spay or neuter their animal. Among them:

• My pet will become fat.Too much food and lack of exercise makes a pet fat. If you monitor food intake and provide exercise, your pets will stay trim.
• Hes purebred so he cant be fixed.Purebreds and their offspring also end up homeless in shelters. Purebreds not spayed or neutered can also contribute to the problem of overpopulation.
• I will find good homes for all of the kittens .If each of the great homes ready to welcome your pets offspring would instead adopt from a shelter, theyand youcould potentially save the lives of deserving animals waiting for a new home.
• My pet is so special I want another pet just like her.There is no guarantee that puppies and kittens will inherit their parents best qualities. In fact, they may just as easily inherit the worst qualities.

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