5 minute read
ASK THE VET
QQ: Hi Dr Travis. My cat has been really lazy lately, how do I know if she’s ill or just sleepy?
A:Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if a cat is sick. They can be great pretenders and often feign health even when they are quite ill. Behaviour can often be a tell-tale sign that something is amiss, but there are factors other than disease that can affect behaviour, such as weather or stress. A&It would be best to take note of whether your cat is showing any other signs of illness. Is she eating and drinking as normal? It can be difficult to tell in multi-cat households, but an increase or decrease in food intake can indicate disease. Also keep a look out for any vomiting, an increase in hairballs or loose stools. It’s also a good idea to try and keep track of your cat’s weight. If she is losing condition, then that would be something to worry about. Lastly, cats can develop arthritis as they get older, which does affect their willingness to move around. In “lazy” older cats, try to take note of how they walk after sleeping, or if they are showing reluctance to jump places that weren’t an issue before. Arthritis can be easily treated and has a profound effect on life quality. If you notice any of the above, be sure to contact your local vet so that they can help resolve or palliate the issue. Q: Dear Doc, what is your opinion on anti-flea and tick medication? Are the spot-on or the tablets the safest? Are there any natural products on the market to consider? A: Living in South Africa, tick and flea control is an essential component of preventative health care in both cats and dogs. In general, vets tend to favour the synthetic medications, because there is more evidence and control assuring their effectiveness and safety. However, no medication is one hundred percent safe, such as tea tree oil, which are reported to have insect repellent properties. These should also be used with caution. In one review of tick and flea products by an American entomologist, adverse reactions to essential oils were reported in both dogs and cats. These reactions include tremors, salivation and lack of coordination. There is a lot of research going into more “natural” forms of tick and flea control, but for now I am probably more comfortable recommending the synthetic medications. Whether you choose an oral or topical medication is largely a personal choice. Some dogs can get gastrointestinal issues after oral medications, so in these patients, I usually recommend that the owners rather use a topical formulation. and there have been a very small number of dogs that have had reactions to the medication. There are some essential oils, Also, when a household does have a severe tick or flea infestation, it’s important to remember that treating the environment is as important as treating the animals.
Q: Hi Doctor, our parrot is scratching himself and picking at his feathers. Could he have fleas?
A: There are many causes for parrots to pluck at their feathers. External parasites can most definitely be a cause, although generally mites and lice are the more usual culprits, but other infectious agents such as bacteria or yeasts may be to blame as well. Other causes of feather picking include nutritional deficiencies or certain toxicities. Importantly, psychological stress can also cause excessive plucking, sometimes leading up to selfmutilation, if not addressed promptly. Since there are so many possible causes of plucking behaviour, some of which are quite serious, it is recommended that the parrot sees a vet who will be able to identify the underlying cause. Behavioural issues can take a long time to resolve, so the sooner treatment is started, the better.
Q: Until recently, we have been a cat-only household. We decided to foster a dog over the holiday, but had to keep our cats and the dog separate because they didn’t get along. Does the sniffing through the door trick really work? Our cats don’t seem to have issues with my dad’s dog who comes to visit. They just don’t seem to like this particular canine.
A: When introducing pets to one another, some just seem to get on right away, while others seem to take some time to warm up to one another. A younger dog with an energetic personality may be more displeasing to a cat than an older, more reserved dog.
Allowing the animals to smell each other through the door or exchanging toys and blankets to swap smells does seem to help for initial introductions, but I’m not sure if it will be much use now that the animals know each other’s scents.
With some patience and controlled contact time, the cats should eventually learn to accept the foster dog. It may be useful to have treats to distract the dog if things get out of hand and knowing basic obedience commands will help keep things under control.
Q: Hi Doctor Travis, my dog is getting older. Are there any supplements you would suggest giving him to keep him healthy?
A: As long as you are feeding a good quality diet, your dog should be getting all the vitamins and minerals required to stay healthy. Most commercial diets have senior formulations that make sure these nutritional needs are met, so make sure you are feeding for the correct life stage.
In older, arthritic dogs, supplementing omega 3 and 6 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and promote joint health. There should be several formulations for dogs available at your local vet shop. Supplements containing chondroprotectors like chondroitin and glucosamine may help, but there is some doubt about how well these compounds are absorbed by the body.
While on the topic of diet, also be sure that your elderly dog doesn’t get overweight. This would place excess strain on their aging joints and back, and could predispose to health problems.
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Dr Travis Gray
