Interactive play sessions are beneficial to your new kitten. These sessions are important because they help:

• reduce fear


• build muscle tone and coordination


• prevent items in your home from being damaged


• to teach what is and isn’t acceptable for her to scratch or bite


• ease discomfort after a traumatic event (for example, a loud noise like thunder)


• reduce tension in a household with multiple cats due to the addition of the new kitten


• to create a bond with her new family


• to become comfortable with her new environment

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Interactive play sessions are beneficial to an adult cat. These sessions help to:

• build trust


• build confidence


• strengthen the bond you share with one another


• reduce fear


• provide exercise for an overweight or sedentary cat


• encourage a normal and healthy appetite


• ease tension in a house with multiple cats


• build confidence in a nervous or shy cat


• diffuse aggression


• correct inappropriate biting and scratching


• ease reactions to traumatic events


• ease discomfort of a new environment


• provide beneficial stimulation for depressed cats


• accelerate acceptance of new family members


• allow you to interact with an unpredictable cat without the risk of being injured

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Pyelonephritis is most often the cause of a bladder infection which travels up into the kidneys of a cat. An advanced infection elsewhere in the body (for example, periodontal disease) can also be the result. If the infection is acute, signs will usually include bloody urine, vomiting, and fever. The cat may also develop a hunched posture due to the kidneys being very painful. If the infection is chronic, listlessness and weight loss may appear. The cat will already be in kidney failure at this point.

For the successful treatment of pyelonephritis, an early diagnosis is vital. Fluid therapy may be administered. Antibiotics will also usually be prescribed, along with a specific dietary management.

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Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea that can effect one or both eyes. Signs include: discharge, squinting, sensitivity of light, and the appearance of the third eyelid. You may find the cat pawing at her eye. This inflammation is very painful and if left untreated can cause the cat to suffer permanent loss of vision.

Keratitis can be the result of an entropian lesion (where the eyelid rolls inward and the lashes irritate the cornea) or a traumatic injury. Many infectious agents can also be the cause.

The cat should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Treatment consists of a topical ointment to reduce pain and usually antibiotics as well.

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Feline Calicivirus or FCV is spread by direct contact with eye or nasal discharge and saliva. It may also be spread by coming into contact with the water bowl or litter box of an infected cat.

In the beginning symptoms include nasal and eye discharge, sneezing, and fever. As the disease progresses, drooling will be seen due to the ulceration of the mouth and the tongue. The cat will stop eating, lose weight, and breathing will become more and more difficult.

Treatment will involve the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. The nose and eyes can be kept clear of discharge by using a cotton ball moistened with saline solution or water. On the chapped portions of the nose, a drop of baby oil can be used.

A vaccine is available to help protect your cat against FCV.

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Cats can develop inflammation of the outer ear (otitis externa) from ear mites, bacteria, wax accumulation, or infected wounds. Symptoms include odor, scratching or pawing at the ears, inflammation, head shaking, appearance of exudate, or holding ear flaps at an unusual angle. Treatment consists of cleansing the ear and applying a topical antibiotic medication.

Middle ear (otitis media) inflammation can be caused by bacteria, parasites, foreign bodies, or fungi. Symptoms include lack of balance and tilting of the head. Treatment may include the use of an antifungal medication or antibiotics. Surgery may be required in some cases.

Inner ear infections (otitis interna) are extremely serious and can result in irreversible damage or even death. Signs of an inner ear infection include vomiting, hearing loss, circling, abnormal eye movements, and loss of coordination and balance. Treatment may include the use of antibiotics or antifungal medication.

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Tapeworms live in the intestines and are probably the most common parasites seen in adult cats.

Before transmission to the cat, they require an intermediate host during the larval stage. Lice and fleas are common hosts and based on a cat’s constant grooming habits, it’s very probable that at least one flea harboring immature tapeworms will be ingested.

Tapeworms can also be acquired by a cat eating raw meat or raw freshwater fish. Outdoor cats who hunt routinely can also be exposed through their prey.

A tapeworm attaches itself to the intestinal wall by way of suckers and hooks on its head. The body is comprised of segments and each one contains eggs. These segments break off and then are passed out of the body in the cats’ feces. The segments are about a quarter-inch in length and can wriggle by themselves when freshly separated from the worm. You may notice one or two moving segments clinging to the hair around your cat’s anus. When the segments dry, they look similar to grains of rice. These dried segments may be found on your cat’s bedding.

If you happen to notice tapeworm segments, your vet will administer a deworming pill or injection specifically for tapeworms.

It’s important to known that if your cat does have tapeworms, then it more than likely means that there are fleas on her as well. Be sure to combine the deworming with a comprehensive flea control program to prevent a reappearance of the parasite. Even if you don’t notice any tapeworm segments on your cat or in the environment, if there is a significant flea problem, there’s a chance she could also have tapeworms.

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Feline chlamydiosis, also known as feline pneumonitis, is a respiratory infection that can range from mild to very severe and is spread through direct contact.

The symptoms include conjunctivitis, which causes discharge and redness from the eyes. Other signs include sneezing, coughing, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing.

Treatment involves the use of both oral and opthalmic antibiotics. Cats usually recover from this disease, but recurrence is common.

There is a vaccine that can help to protect your cat from getting this disease, which may or may not be included in routine vaccinations.

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The following is a list of signs to watch for that may indicate that your cat may have a  kidney problem.

• increase or decrease in normal water consumption

• increase or decrease in normal urine output

• blood in urine

• diarrhea

• vomiting

• weight loss and anorexia

• sensitivity or pain in back, near kidney (for example the cat may have a hunched posture)

• dull haircoat

• fever

• excessive shedding

• joint pain

• lethargy

• tongue discoloration

• mouth ulcers

• halitosis

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When a cat hisses, it is used a a defensive sound. The cat creates the hiss when she opens her mouth with lips pulled back, and then forces out a burst of air through an arched tongue. Since the sound resembles a snake, the cat will use the hiss to try and bluff her attacker into backing off.

Spitting will often accompany the hiss. The cat will produce the spit in reaction to being threatened or surprised. To add to the drama the cat may menacingly slap at the ground with her paw.

The hiss is used as a defensive warning. The cat is basically hoping that her vocalization and her accompanied body posture will deter any potential violence. If the danger persists, aggression will likely follow.

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CPR must be performed if the cat has no heartbeat and isn’t breathing. If the cat does have a heartbeat but no respiration, artificial respiration should be performed instead. Never attempt to perform CPR on a cat who is breathing. Since CPR is difficult to perform, if it is at all possible to get to the nearest animal hospital, then do so. If your local animal hospital is too far away, you’ll have to attempt to perform the procedure yourself.

The steps to perform CPR on a cat are:

• Lay the cat on her side.

• Continue doing artificial respiration in rhythm with CPR.

• With one hand, place your thumb on the cat’s sternum, and your fingers on the opposite side so that your palm is cupping her chest.

• Compress her chest firmly but gently. The cat’s ribs may be broken if CPR is not performed gently. The rate is one compression per second. Perform five compressions then administer a breath of artificial respiration without stopping the rhythm of the heart massage.

• Always observe the cat for signs of life and every few minutes check for a pulse and spontaneous breathing.

• If you feel a heartbeat stop immediately.

• Another method of administering CPR is to place one hand on each side of the cat’s chest, just behind her elbows. Using both hands, compress her chest five times then perform artificial respiration one time before repeating the chest compression.

• If you’ve been performing CPR for thirty minutes, it’s very unlikely that the cat will be revived.

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The following is a brief guide to cat body language. Keep in mind that these are general descriptions only. When determining your own cat’s body language, take into account the environment she’s in. She may show only some of the characteristics of a certain body posture. In time, as you view your cat in certain situations such as at rest or play, you’ll become familiar with her postures.

Friendly

• ears pointed slightly forward


• smooth hair coat


• vertical tail


• head bunting


• whiskers pointed sideways (relaxed)


• whiskers fanned out, pointed forward (alert)


• nose-to-nose touching


• vocal murmur or acknowledgment

Fearful

• dilated pupils


• whiskers pulled back along face


• tail may lash or be tucked close to body


• hair coat may be raised along back and tail


• hissing, growling, or spitting


• flattened ears pointing down and back


• crouched body, often facing sideways to opponent

Playful

• dilated pupils


• ears pricked forward


• stalking movements


• occasional chattering


• various tail positions


• fanned out, forward-facing whiskers

Submissive

• ears held flat


• smooth hair coat


• tail down, close to body


• dilated pupils, avoids direct eye contact


• may issue a “silent meow”


• crouched position with head held down

Offensive Aggression

• tail down


• lips curled into a snarl


• direct stare with constricted pupils


• fanned out, forward-facing whiskers


• forward-facing body with hindquarters raised (ready to pounce)


• piloerection of hair along shoulders and tail

Defensive Aggression

• arched back


• dilated pupils


• whiskers pulled back along face


• ears flattened, facing down and back


• piloerection of hair coat


• facing opponent sideways


• mouth held open


• hissing, growling, or spitting


• tail held up and over the back or low to the ground or inverted “U” position


• rolling onto her back to fight if there’s no means to escape


• slapping the ground in front of her with front paw

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Septicemia is an infection that is seen in kittens under two weeks of age. This infection can enter the bloodstream by way of an infected umbilical cord or through bacteria-infected milk.

Signs of septicemia include: distended, bloated stomachs, vocalization, and difficulty in defecation. The kitten may appear as if she’s constipated, but by taking a look at her bloated abdomen you’ll see that it has developed a dark red or blue color. As the infection worsens, the kitten will cease to nurse, develop a low body temperature, become dehydrated, and lose weight.

Treatment of septicemia involves determining the underlying primary cause. If the infection is caused by infected milk, the kittens will have to be removed from their mother and both she and her kittens will need care. The kittens must also be treated for dehydration and diarrhea.

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A cat with a low serum calcium level can develop eclampsia due to the calcium demand during nursing. This is more likely to occur when the mother cat has a large litter. Initially the first signs of eclampsia are restlessness, rapid breathing, uncoordinated gait, pale mucous membranes, and a dangerously high fever. The muscles in the her face will tighten, exposing the teeth. She will eventually go into full body spasms, and finally, paralysis.

Eclampsia is an emergency. It is vital that the cat be taken to the vet immediately for calcium replacement therapy which is given by IV. The kittens will need to be fed with a milk replacement formula. As soon as the mother cat has recovered from the emergency, she’ll need to take vitamin and mineral supplements. The kittens shouldn’t be allowed to continue nursing though.

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