Different to intestinal worms, adult lungworm can be found in the heart and blood vessels of the lungs, which can be life threatening if left untreated. Cats that sped a lot of time outdoors and like to roam or hunt rodents and birds are especially at risk for developing this type of parasitic infection. In this blog post, we will look at the causes of lungworm in cats, what signs your cat may show if they have become infected, and what...
What are Ticks? Ticks are greyish-brown, small blood-sucking creepy crawlies. They are egg-shaped and about the size of an apple seed. They can become ‘engorged,’ where they get bigger and darker as they suck blood from its host. Its head is usually found buried beneath the cat’s skin. Ticks can also be found all over your cat’s body, so make sure to give a thorough examination of your cat after you think he has been exposed to one. Not all ticks...
Cats often have the tendency to leave unwanted gifts around the house, with hairballs being one of them. As your cat groom and cleans himself, it can often lead to accidentally swallowing a lot of hair, which can formulate into balls in his stomach. It is not uncommon for cats to get hairballs from time to time, but many hairballs in a short period of time can cause concern. If you are wondering what is causing them or what the...
In her senior years, it’s more important than ever that your cat is provided with a high quality, tasty diet and a balance of key nutrients. If you are feeding your cat quality food, and they are young and healthy, supplements probably aren’t needed in their diet, but for older cats, or ones with health challenges, supplements may contribute to better health and improved well-being. In this blog post, I will explain what a food supplement is, their benefits, and whether...
Recognising mites and being able to treat them is important to the health and wellbeing of your pet cat. Mites are nasty little creatures cause skin irritation and inflammation; cats will try to scratch themselves to try and get relief from the itching, which can result in deep wounds or infection. Here, I will talk about recognising the symptoms of a mite infestation in cats and most importantly, how to get rid of them! Carol Doyle, BSc VN DVM Carol DoyIe is a...
Cats are often inundated by urinary problems. Kidney disease, chronic bladder inflammation, and urethral obstruction are just some of the common medical conditions felines may face in their lifetime. They can affect cats of any age; some conditions can be managed or treated with medication or prescription diets, whereas other conditions may result in blockages that require invasive procedures or even surgery to fix. Fortunately, there are ways cat owners can maintain their cat’s urinary health and keep these problems at...
As your cat enters the senior lifestage, they can become more inactive, which makes them prone to obesity. This can lead to other health issues such as diabetes or heart disease. As a cat parent, you want to keep your feline friend as healthy and as comfortable as possible, and much like with humans, cats that continue to play and exercise regularly throughout their lives tend to feel better and healthier. Making sure your cat stays active is one of...
Cats can live up to 20 years old, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to the effects of aging. As the years turn to decades, the aging process can creep on your cat, and you may notice your feline friend isn’t the bouncy kitten she once was. Aging is a normal process, but with age, can come certain health problems your cat is prone to. As a loving cat parent, you want to help your cat age gracefully and catch any...
What is an Intestinal worm? There are four common types of intestinal worms that infect dogs and cats; roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. There are varying symptoms between each type of worm, as does the way in which pets can be infected. These species of parasite can also be transmitted to humans. Roundworms: Long, white and spaghetti-like, these nasty creatures live in the intestinal tract, but can burrow their way into other bodily tissues and organs. Hookworms Hookworms are shorter than roundworms and possess sharp,...
How to Spot Fleas on Your Dog or Cat – and how to get rid of them! Fleas are tiny yet nasty bugs that like to live in your pet’s coat and feed off his blood from sucking it through the skin. Doesn’t sound too great does it? In this blog post we’re going to help you spot the signs of fleas on your dog or cat, show you how to get rid of them, and stop them from coming back! Top...
