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How Can I Help the Vet Care For My Cat?
The short answer is PLENTY! The truth is a good VET and an observant, knowledgeable OWNER make a pretty formidable team. Your job is to be a watchful, concerned and informed CAT OWNER, knowing when it's time to take your purrball to the VET. Practice preventative medicine at home. There are plenty of books out there to help you understand your CAT'S health. A little knowledge can go a long way toward helping your CAT live a long and HEALTHY life. [PGAA™ will list some of these books at the end of this article, and they will also appear in our Hints for a Healthy Life Review section.] We'll give you some "hints" here. As always, it's wise to check any treatment or procedure with your VET just to be sure--that's what we do with our CATS--and it's what we recommend for you.
CATS are very fastidious…that means they're always taking care of themselves. But you need to be aware of the signs of good health as well as any problems that may occur…so you can head it off at the pass. Periodically check your CAT. EARS should be clean and pink, no wax. You can clean your CAT'S ears a number of ways…purchase a cleansing solution at your local pet store, or mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts tap water. Then using a gauze pad, gently swab the outer ear. If the ear smells or if you can see a brownish discharge, you probably need to talk to your VET. Yeast infections are the most common ear problems in both CATS and dogs and it can be very persistent. Some medication applied early can really do the trick. Don't worry, you won't use it all up the first time, so keep it in a cool dark place for the next time. If there is any other kind of smell or discharge call your VET, he or she may be able to tell you what to do over the phone.
EYES should be clear and not runny. You may notice the inner lid blink, but the eye should remain open. CATS wash their faces more times in a day than your mother washed yours in a week. Watch them and get a sense of how often they do this. If your CAT appears to be rubbing his/her eyes there may be something in it, or your CAT may have allergies. Both of these situations warrant a phone call to the VET. If there is something in the CAT'S eye, it may have to be flushed out by a Professional.
The NOSE should be clear and its normal color. Every CAT sneezes…but a CAT that has several bouts of numbers of sneezes in a row may have allergies or something else wrong. So, once again, check with your VET.
The MOUTH should be clean and the gums a light pink. Color of the gums is a good way to keep tabs on your CAT'S general health and body temperature. An injured CAT with gums that have lost color and look almost grayish is in shock and needs medical attention immediately. Gums that are red and swollen may mean a dental problem. CAT'S with a fever have gums that are less and less pink as the fever rises. Again, get these guys to the VET.
Check the anal area for staining or diarrhea. Just as you, every CAT has diarrhea once in a while…something he or she ate… But no CAT should have diarrhea for more than 24 house without a call to the VET. And remember that CATS, as any other animal, dehydrate quickly, so a "not feeling so good" kitty needs lots of clean, clear water.
Now that you know a little bit about the pieces of your CAT, you can do "quick check" on a regular basis. We've told you a little about what is "normal" and by observing your CAT, you've come to know what is "normal" for him or her. Great! You now have a baseline from which you can determine changes. Your CAT thanks YOU!
Some good health links at http://www.geocities.com/jandcathouse/hlthlnks.htm.
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