6 minute read
ASK THE VET
QQ: Good morning, Dr Travis. Is it normal for cats to lick bricks (building blocks)? Recently, I noticed that our 13-year-old female, sterilised cat, licks bricks and building blocks. What does it mean, and is it something to be concerned about?
A: In cats that lick bricks, or eat their litter, there is always a worry that they may be anaemic (have a reduced number of red blood A&cells in the body). Most of the time, anaemia can be obvious as the patient’s gums appear white, rather than pink, but in some cases, a red blood cell count is needed to diagnose the condition. Then, further testing would be needed to identify the cause of the anaemia. There are many causes of anaemia in cats, from viral infections to parasites that break red blood cells down. Some of these causes require prompt treatment or may be transmissible to other cats. For this reason, I would recommend that you take your cat into your local vet for a check-up Q: Dear Dr Travis, I’m looking for advice on how to keep my 13-year-old Golden Retriever healthy. We’ve had him at the vet a few times in the last two years for bladder infections. He struggles urinating sometimes, and the vet gives him medication, but is there something we can do to help with his overall health to prevent this from happening? A: If a dog is unable to urinate properly, this causes urine to pool in the bladder and this can lead to irritation and an increased risk of infection. Difficulty urinating in older male dogs can generally come from two different places: the prostate or the spine. In your question, you don’t mention whether your Golden Retriever is castrated or not. Intact male dogs are at an increased risk of developing an enlarged prostate gland in their older years; a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Because the prostate often shows pain when trying to urinate. In more severe cases, the prostate may also become inflamed or infected, and abscesses may form in the gland. The condition can be diagnosed with radiographs or ultrasound, and if it is confirmed, then castration is the treatment of choice. With an ageing large breed dog, we can also expect some degeneration of the hips and vertebrae. The degeneration of the vertebrae generally causes the individual vertebrae to start fusing together, particularly towards the tail-end of the spine. These joint and spine issues can affect urination, not only because movements, such as squatting or lifting a leg, become more difficult, but because there can also be impingement on the nerves that control the bladder. Once again, these conditions require radiographs to sits at the beginning of the urethra, enlargement of the gland can impede urine flow, making it more difficult to urinate. Owners may also note blood or a foul smell in the urine, and the patient diagnose, and I would consider having them done if you notice your dog seems stiff when rising or doesn’t enjoy exercise as much anymore. If your dog is showing any sign of joint degeneration, then you will have to manage his weight, if he is over conditioned. Body weight does have a large impact on overall joint health. In older large breed dogs, there are diets formulated to help maintain joint health. They contain nutrients to maintain cartilage, and high levels of omega fatty acids to help reduce inflammation.
Q: Hi Dr Travis, my dog was at the vet last week and the vet says he has a subluxating patella. Could you please help me understand what this is and how serious it is? I’m not sure what the cause could be and would like to avoid it as much as I can.
A: Luxating patella is a condition where the kneecap of the patient is able to slide in and out of place. It’s a fairly common issue that we tend to see in smaller breed dogs, and it has been proven to be heritable in some toy breeds. The condition is generally diagnosed based on physical examination but can be seen on radiographs if they were taken while the patella is out of place. Once a luxating patella has been diagnosed, the veterinarian will
grade the severity of the condition. The severity is based on how easily the patella pops out of place, and how easy it is to return to its correct position. The higher the grade of severity, the higher the chances of the patient developing issues in the affected knee, such as arthritis or cruciate ligament damage. However, not all patients develop problems, and some can live their entire life with little discomfort.
The treatment of a severe luxating patella is surgical. This is generally only recommended if the patient is showing overt pain in the affected knee. In elderly patients, that have begun to develop arthritis, pain control with anti-inflammatories can provide relief. Regardless of the degree of patella luxation, it’s also advised to be mindful of your pet’s weight, as increased body weight is always a risk for joint problems.
Q: Dear Dr Travis, my cat went for his annual check-up with our regular vet who mentioned that she was overweight, but not too much. What is the guideline for a healthy weight in cats and how can I monitor this?
A: Rather than looking at the actual weight of the cat, it would be better to keep an eye on her body condition score. Whereas weight can be affected by factors other than fat, such as hydration and muscle mass, checking the animal’s body condition score gives a decent subjective idea of how over- or underweight they are. I normally tell owners to have a feel of their cat’s rib cage. Cats with a good body condition should have ribs that are easy to feel, but not visible. You don’t want to feel deep gaps between the ribs, as this would mean that your cat is underweight. Cats with ideal body conditions also have tucked up abdomens and a clear waist behind their ribs. There are many body condition scoring charts that can be found online to help you determine your pet’s score. Remember, body condition changes with time, and, as pet owners, we don’t always notice small changes. For this reason, a body condition check should be done at least weekly. It takes less than a minute and will keep you mindful of whether your pet is at a healthy weight.
Cats who are overweight and obese are at an increased risk of diseases, including arthritis, heart disease and diabetes mellitus. If your cat is at an increased risk, there are special diets that can help aid weight loss. The sooner you get them to a better body condition, the better their quality of life will be in the long term.
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