There’s nothing quite like the glorious feeling of stepping out of your warm bed onto a cold, squishy, slimy hairball! Perhaps we should feel flattered that our beloved feline companion has left a piece of herself as a special gift for us, but frankly, most of us would rather bond with our cats another way!
What is a hairball and what causes it in cats?
Nature gave cats lots of wonderful, soft fur. Normally, when kitty grooms and ingests the dead, loose hair, it passes through the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract and comes out in the stool. A carnivore’s gut is designed to handle fur, its own as well as the fur attached to prey animals. (If you’ve ever been hiking and come across “scat” from a coyote or fox, it’s evident that it is mostly fur.) However, generations of directed breeding have created cats with much longer coats than ever conceived of by natural selection. And some cats, even shorthairs, just seem to have tender tummies. When too much hair collects in the stomach rather than passing out through the gut, it irritates the stomach lining and whoops — there’s a hairball, on its way back out the wrong end of the cat! By the way, the correct medical term for a hairball is “trichobezoar,” pronounced trike-oh-bee-zohr.
Read more on how to recognise hairball problems, are hairballs dangerous, treatment and prevention guidelines for hairballs in cats here.
Infectious canine tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) is a highly contagious, infectious disease that can be cause by a variety of viruses, bacteria, mycoplasmas and fungi. The two most common organisms that cause KC are canine parainfluenza virus and Bordatella bronchisepta (an infectious bacteria).
These are highly contagious organisms that are easily spread through aerosolised respiratory secretions, such as cough or sneeze droplets which travel through the air to infect other dogs in the vicinity.
These infections spread rapidly amongst dogs in close confinement such as kennels, hence the name “kennel cough. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces and through direct contact with infected dogs.
How will I know if my dog has kennel cough?
A typical symptom of KC is a dry, hacking cough often referred to as “goose honking”. Other symptoms may include retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging and even vomiting after a coughing episode.
Should your dog be coughing or show and of the above-mentioned symptoms, you will need to take your dog to a vet for treatment.
Your vet may press lightly on your dog’s trachea (wind pipe) which may cause your dog to elicit a dry, hacking cough. This is a typical finding in dogs that have KC, although not diagnostic. Some dogs may have a fever and be reluctant to eat their food.
Your vet may also suspect KC if your dog has recently spent time at the kennels, however your dog does not necessarily have to have been at a kennels to pick up one of the infectious viruses or bacteria that cause kennel cough.
What treatment will my dog need?
Most Kennel Coughs are caused by viruses, although affected dogs are often secondarily infected with bacteria due to their immune systems being compromised.
Although most dogs presented with Kennel Cough have viral infections, it may be difficult to ascertain whether the infection is caused by a virus, bacteria or combination of the 2. For this reason your vet may decide to to place your dog on a course of antibiotics as a part of the treatment.
The disease may last between 7-14 days. If you have other dogs at home, they may also become infected and require a visit to the vet to be examined and placed on medication.
Your vet may also use anti-tussives which are medications intended to ease your dog’s coughing. Often dogs will also requite anti-inflammatory medications to decrease the inflammation in the upper respiratory tract.
How can I prevent my dog from getting kennel cough?
Many different types of vaccinations aimed at preventing Kennel Cough are available. Some protect your dog from viruses that cause kennel cough while others will protect from the bacteria, Bordatella bronchisepta, that cause Kennel Cough.
Should your dog need to spend any time at a kenneling facility, it is advisable to ask your vet to reccomend a kennel cough vaccine for your dog.
FIV and FeLV belong to a family of viruses called retroviruses. All retroviruses (including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus) produce an enzyme which allows them to insert a part of their own genetic material into that of the cells they have infected. Although the FIV and FeLV are related, they are different from one another in shape, genetic makeup and the way in which they cause disease. Cats infected with FIV and FeLV can be asymptomatic for many years; hence many owners will not even realise their cats have either virus as they may show no signs of being ill.
HOW IS FIV AND FeLV SPREAD?
Both FIV and FeLV are shed in high quantities in the saliva. There are slight differences in the way in which the two viruses are transmitted:
FIV is transmitted primarily through biting, as occurs during territorial fights. Transmission through intimate contact can occur but is unlikely, hence one cat in a multi-cat household may test positive for FIV while the rest remain negative for the virus. Infected queens may pass the virus on to her kittens in utero (in the uterus) and through infected milk.
FeLV may be transmitted through a bite wound, but more likely through mutual grooming, shared litter boxes and feeding dishes. As with FIV, infected queens can also transmit the FeLV virus to her live and unborn kittens. FeLV is easily transmitted between cats in a multi-cat household.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY CAT HAS FIV OR FeLV?
FIV and FeLV infect the white blood cells of cats causing an immune deficiency. This state of immune deficiency will result in your cat being vulnerable to any number of secondary viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Cats infected with either virus may have recurrent illness interspersed with periods of relative health. Cats with FIV or FeLV usually have a slow recovery period and may succumb to chronic infections. Cats infected with FIV have an increased risk of developing cancer such as lymphoma. Signs of illness will also vary with the stage of the disease. In the initial infection stage cats may have a fever and enlarged lymph nodes.
Later stages of the disease may show the following symptoms:
Loss of appetite
Slow, progressive weight loss
Poor coat condition
Enlarged lymph nodes
Persistent fever
Pale gums
Mouth infections
Infections of the skin, bladder and respiratory
tract
Persistent diarrhoea
HOW DO YOU TREAT A CAT WITH FIV OR FeLV?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for either FIV or FeLV. Treatment is aimed at keeping your cat free of secondary diseases and treating them appropriately as they occur. Ensure your cat has a healthy immune system by feeding a balanced and nutritious food, scheduling routine visits with your vet and closely monitoring the health of your cat. Should you notice any change in his/her health, alert your veterinarian about these changes immediately. Anti-viral therapy used routinely for patients with HIV is not routinely used in cats as some of these drugs are toxic to cats and are very expensive. Immune modulator therapy such as interferon can be used to try and improve the immune system of infected cats.
HOW CAN I PREVENT MY CAT FROM CONTRACTING FIV OR FeLV?
Owners can prevent their cats from being exposed to either virus by preventing their cats from roaming. Neutering of male cats decreases roaming as well as territorial fighting which aids the transmission of these viruses. Cats can be vaccinated against FeLV. This is usually advocated in townhouse complexes where cats come into close contact with one another.
CAN PEOPLE BECOME INFECTED WITH FIV OR FeLV?
Although FIV, FeLV and HIV belong to the same family of viruses they are very different. Both FIV and FeLV are feline specific viruses which do not infect humans.
Euthanasia literally means ‘gentle
death’. Other terms you may hear are ‘put to sleep’, or ‘put down’. The
decision to end a life is never easy. It is a personal, loving decision to
euthanase a pet for which the quality of life has deteriorated. It takes
courage to assume this last duty and it is our last responsibility to a pet
which has given us love and companionship.
What should I do?
Your relationship with your pet is
special, and you are responsible for your pet’s care and welfare. Eventually,
many owners are faced with making life-or-death decisions for their pets.
Your vet is an invaluable source of
advice when you feel the time for euthanasia may be approaching. He or she
cannot make the decision for you, but he can help you to decide when it is time
to let go. Consider not only what is best for your pet, but also what is best
for you and your family. Quality of life is important for pets and people
alike.
Why is there a need for euthanasia?
There are numerous reasons for opting to
euthanase a pet.
These include:
Old age and debility;
A terminal illness;
Inability to treat a pet due to medical or other reasons;
Translocating and an inability to re-home a pet.
Whatever the reason, it is important that the decision is made in the best interests of your pet.
“I know in time that you will see the kindness that you did for me. Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I’ve been saved.”
(excerpt from “If it should be” – Anonymous)
What happens when an animal is euthanased?
Some veterinarians prefer to give a
sedative tranquilizer prior to the euthanasia drug, which is given in the vein.
The tranquilizer is either given as a tablet by mouth or a painless injection
under the skin, like a vaccination. The animal is then restful and the owner
may elect to spend some quiet time saying good-bye. The euthanasia drug itself
is an overdose of a barbiturate.
This is administered through an IV
catheter or with a needle and syringe.
Unconsciousness then follows rapidly, usually within 30 seconds. Observers generally describe it as a quick and peaceful death.
Things to be aware of as death occurs:
The eyes may remain open.
There may be a last gasping breath, called an agonal breath.
There may be vocalisation.
There may be muscle twitching.
The heart may continue beating for a short period after breathing has stopped.
The bladder and possibly, bowel contents will be released.
In most circumstances, you will notice nothing except a peaceful release of tension, as in ‘going to sleep’
Due to each animal’s individual health
situation, things may be different from animal to animal.
How can I make the process less stressful?
Book an appointment during a
quiet time of the vet’s day.
If possible sit with your pet
in the car until the vet is able to see you — ask the receptionist to call you
when the vet is ready to take you through.
If possible, settle the bill
upfront – try and avoid having to pay a bill in a distressed state after having
put your beloved companion to sleep.
What happens to your pet’s body after the euthanasia procedure?
After temporary cooled storage,
your pet may be cremated by a pet cremation company.
You may choose to have the
ashes returned to you. If this is the case it is important that you tell the
vet prior to the euthanasia procedure.
Occasionally pet owners request
to keep their pet’s body for their own burial arrangements.
Your veterinarian understands the relationship you have lost.
Castration is the surgical removal of the testicles from the scrotal sac of your dog or cat. The medical term for castration is orchidectomy. It is also referred to as neutering or sterilisation.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING MY PET CASTRATED?
There are several benefits to having your cat or dog castrated:
• Castrated animals are less likely to roam thereby decreasing the chances of them fighting with other animals and being injured or killed by motor vehicles. Cats that fight with other cats are at risk of contracting certain diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, otherwise known as Feline AIDS. This virus is transmitted through their saliva when they bite each other. Fighting cats are also at risk of developing abscesses.
• Castration of dogs and cats decreases the number of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens.
• Castrating your cat will also reduce or eliminate certain sexually driven behaviours, such as urine spraying.
• Castration may also be used to decrease male aggression.
• Cryptorchidism is a congenital failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum. The testicles are then located in the abdomen, where they are constantly exposed to higher intra-abdominal temperatures. Retained testicles are predisposed to neoplasia (cancer). Castration is of vital importance in these dogs and cats.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE CASTRATION PROCEDURE?
Your cat or dog will need to undergo general anaesthesia to perform the procedure. Your veterinarian will perform a preoperative physical examination prior to the surgical procedure. During the procedure, your pet’s testicles will be surgically removed from the scrotal sac. Cats will not need any stitches as only a small incision is made directly over the scrotal sac. Dogs will have a few stitches that will need to be removed 10 – 14 days later.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY DOG OR CAT AT HOME AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
When you get home, offer only small amounts of food and water at first – give your pet some time to settle down.
Do not allow your pet to lick his wound as this may lead to infection of the wound.
Do not bath your pet or allow swimming for the first ten days after surgery or until after his skin stitches have been removed.
Do not allow other pets or children to pester him.
