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Vet Warns That Cat Population is “Suffering Dental Pain in Silence”

Around 85% of cats aged over three suffer from some degree of dental disease, and regular brushing of the pet’s teeth can help, says a leading London-based feline vet.

Dr. Jeremy Campbell, Clinical Director at The London Cat Clinic, one of only a handful of practices in the UK that is cat-only, recommends tooth brushing together with 6-monthly to yearly dental checks to spot disease early. This can help prevent the formation of tartar, which can slow the progression of diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

Dr. Campbell explains: “One thing that pet owners can do at home to help reduce the progression of dental disease in their cat is brushing the teeth regularly where possible. This isn’t easy with cats and they need to be trained from kitten-hood but it is possible.

“Owners are often under the impression that feeding 100% dry food will ‘clean’ their teeth sufficiently. However, recent studies have shown that regular dry food has little abrasive qualities, as cats tend to chew too quickly for any real impact. Any effect it has is at the tip of the tooth and most diseases in cats are at the gum level or below the gum line much higher up.”

The London Cat Clinic offers a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT), including dental radiography.*

A further problem contributing to “the silent suffering”, explains Dr. Campbell, is that cats also tend to ‘hide’ dental disease from their owners, so dental disease may go undiagnosed until the animal is more likely to be in severe pain.

Symptoms include lethargy, decreased appetite, bad breath and inactivity. Left untreated, dental disease can affect the organs, causing damage to the kidney and liver.

Many pet owners are also concerned about the risks of subjecting their pet to a general anaesthetic – particularly if they have an existing medical condition.

Dr. Campbell says: “Pet owners whose cats have underlying diseases or are elderly are often reluctant to bring in their cats in for a dental examination, as they are concerned that their cat will not be a good candidate for general anaesthetic. Often, however, this is not the case. We carry out checks appropriate to their age and any existing problems to allow us to assess risks and to plan accordingly.”

He added: “Cats should ideally have their teeth examined by a vet or nurse at least once every 12 months. Cats that have had dental problems should be examined once every 3-6 months depending on their condition.

“Generally, the sooner the problem is identified, the easier and quicker it is to treat. Even if the cat’s mouth is being examined every day, dental disease will develop and gradually progress. Cats will quite often not show clinical signs until the disease is advanced, by which time many teeth may need to be extracted.”

CASE STUDY: SKYE

Skye, an 8-year old cat with a heart murmur, who came into the Bermondsey based clinic for an oral examination, is a case in point. Her gums were very inflamed and some of the teeth were broken due to ‘tooth resorption’ where the body’s own cells destroy tooth structure.

Dr. Campbell says: “Tooth resorption is a common dental disease in cats over 4 years of age and this case highlighted how much cat’s hide their pain particularly dental pain. Skye had a very healthy appetite and had no problems with eating or ‘hunting’. Her owner is a wonderfully observant and attentive carer but it is impossible to see this far back in the mouth of even the most malleable cat without a proper oral examination by your vet or nurse.”

Dr. Campbell recommended that Skye come in for a *Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT). First, he performed a non-invasive cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) and chest radiographs (x-rays) to investigate the cause of Skye’s heart murmur and to assess risks prior to a general anaesthetic. She was found to have structural changes in the left side of her heart but was considered to be low risk for an anaesthetic adverse event. Skye’s anaesthetic protocol was tailored to her conditions and designed to keep her heart rate nice and relaxed and lungs well oxygenated. She was placed into an oxygen tent for 30 minutes before her anaesthetic to allow her to take in the very rich oxygenated air.

The clinic’s nurses use a multi-parameter monitor for constant monitoring of the heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure and breathing (capnography) allowing any alterations to be made minute-by-minute. Dental nerve blocks were used, which reduce intra and post-operative pain and the amount of overall general anaesthetic required which is even better for the heart. Full mouth x-rays were taken which are essential to determine disease below the gumline and a dental chart was completed recording all details for every tooth.   Skye had four teeth removed in total, and is now making a good recovery.

If you would like your cat checked or to discuss a COHAT in greater detail to avoid your cat ‘suffering in silence’, The London Cat Clinic offers a 20-minute complimentary Dental Consultation with one of their nurses.

*Full details about COHAT available here: http://www.thelondoncatclinic.co.uk/cohats-comprehensive-oral-health-assessment-and-treatments/

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The post Which Food can and Cannot be Safely Consumed by Your Cat appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

Some pet owners suggest that cats should avoid the same foods as dogs. However, because of their different metabolism, there are certain foods that are not suitable for cats that a dog could cope with. Some of the products on this list may seem obvious, but accidents happen, and it’s important to take precautions, so your cat does not eat them by mistake.

A list of Food that cats should not consume!

1) Canned tuna (for human consumption)

Many canned fish can cause a shortage of nutrients that are important for your cat such as taurine.

1) Food for dogsIf your cat repeatedly finds its way into a bowl of dog food, it can lead to malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart and other body parts. It can also cause digestive problems. You can try to prevent your cat from eating dog food by placing it somewhere that is not available to the cat.

2) Grapes, raisins, and currants

These substances contain a  toxin, which is known to damage the kidneys. Even small quantities can be toxic.

3) Onion and garlic (raw, cooked or powdered)

Similar to Grapes this food contains a substance that is toxic to your cats. While not deadly in very small quantities and often used as a natural anti worming additive the large quantities used in human food can cause major problems, so avoid feeding at all costs.

4) Raw eggs

Eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which reduces the absorption of biotin. This can lead to skin and hair problems. They can also contain bacteria called Salmonella, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

A list of people’s regular food that cats can eat

1) Peanut butter

Peanut butter is one of the best foods that cats can eat. Natural, preservative-free, safe and tasty for cats. Most of them are very fond of it, so it can be used to hide medicine drugs or for an occasional taste.

2) Cheese

Like humans, cats love cheese. Be careful with lactose intolerance – a common phenomenon in humans that affects most cats. Feed cheese only in moderation

3) Yogurt

Yogurt is filled with nutrients and especially probiotics, which are healthy for your digestive system. Give your cat a simple, natural yogurt but again due to lactose intolerance ensure that this is only given as a treat in small quantities.

4) Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the safest fruits for cats. In fact, any melon is safe for cats to eat in moderation. Avoid mixing watermelon with other fruits.

5) Salmon

Salmon is not usually consumed by cats, but this does not mean that cats can’t enjoy this as a treat! Salmon contains a lot of protein and omega-3 fatty acids that will help your cat maintain a healthy immune system, skin and coat. The important thing to note is that as fish doesn’t contain much if any taurine this should only be given as a treat! Large quantities of any fish could  again as it’s a fish ensure this is given as a treat.

If your cat feeds on fish in large quantities, it can also lead to a deficiency of thiamine, leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases – death.

6) Rice

Rice is another safe human food that can be eaten by cats. They shouldn’t get too much of this as cats can’t easily break down carbohydrates, but this may be what your cat needs if he/she has stomach problems. White rice is the way to go when it comes to cats because it’s easier for them to digest.

7) Carrots

Carrots are not like typical cat food, but chances are that your pet will like them. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, and potassium. Try to soar or grind them to see what your cat loves most.

8) Meat

If you are a cat owner, you probably realized that cats love meat. Chicken, turkey, fish, beef, you name it, they like it.

Whatever you choose to feed them, make sure that it is bone-free and completely cooked. It is also better to feed cats with organic meat, which does not contain preservatives or additional ingredients. And as always ensure this is given as a treat in addition to complete food.

9) RAW Chicken with bones

The first thing you are probably going to ask is WHAT? Can my cat eat chicken bones?!? I thought bones are dangerous for them! This statement is correct for cooked bones but raw bones or a totally different story.

Ensure that under no circumstance you use cooked, semi cooked or otherwise altered chicken as the safety of your cat depends on only using fresh raw chicken.

Cats are after all carnivores and wild cats made due through chasing and eating prey.

While this isn’t the same with domesticated cats. Their anatomy is the same as their wild counterparts and thus are capable of eating bird carcasses without problems. In fact if your fur-friend has access to the outside world the may already have devoured a pigeon or similar without your knowledge.

Author Bio
My name is Harper Wilson, editor of Playwithmeow! I joined Play with meow to express my love for cats. Furthermore, I want to share my experience of taking care of cat’s to all pet lovers around the world.

Follow me on Twitter: @haper_wilson

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The post Looking after Older Aged Pets appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.

PDSA advice on recognising signs of illness in older pets

Looking after our pets takes a lot of commitment and devotion. As they age, they may need more of our help, but by keeping a close eye on our pets, they can continue to lead happy and healthy lives into their twilight years.

PDSA Vet Olivia Anderson-Nathan explains that many of the ailments old age pets can suffer from are similar to those we might expect to get ourselves.

“It’s incredibly common for our pets to start to slow down as they reach their senior years but, with a little extra care and attention, we can treat or accommodate for many of the things that cause them to slow down. Regular vet check-ups help to spot problems earlier and mean treatment can be started sooner, helping your pet continue to lead a happy and healthy life.

“It’s important pet owners don’t dismiss signs of disease as inevitable due to old age. Stiffness, tiredness and changes to toileting habits are just some of the symptoms that may mean there’s a problem and it’s important to speak to your vet to see what you can do to alleviate symptoms and help your pet.”

Arthritis, dementia-like symptoms and most cancers are all more prevalent in older pets, as they are in people. Older pets are also at risk of other diseases like diabetes, kidney and liver problems and hormone imbalances. A check-up at the vet every six months, even if they seem healthy, will help ensure any illness your pet might be developing are spotted at an early stage, when there’s a better chance of successful treatment or management of many conditions.

Signs your pet may be unwell are the same for older pets as they are for younger pets. In older pets, there are some subtle signs that it’s good to keep an eye out for:

• Changes in weight (i.e. unexplained loss or gain)
• Changes in energy levels (most often tiredness, but an unusual increase in activity is also a symptom)
• Stiffness when standing up or walking, or lameness that’s worse after resting
• Changes in appetite (most often off their food, but being ravenous all the time is also a sign)
• Drinking more
• Changes to toileting habits (e.g. going to the toilet more than usual or toileting in unusual places)
• Bad breath or sweet-smelling breath
• New lumps and bumps or swellings
• Seeming confused
• Barking or meowing at night

If your pet shows any of these symptoms, no matter what their age, it is worth getting them checked by a vet to get any health problems treated. Treatments and management can include medication or surgery, as well as changes to your pet’s routine or environment (like offering ramps for arthritic pets, or feeding diabetic pets at specific times).

It’s important to remember that many pets stay very healthy through later life, but spotting problems early often means treatment is more effective.

Olivia adds: “Even if your pet does develop an illness in old age, many can be treated or managed, ensuring they can lead a happy life. So if you’re worried about your pet’s health at any time, take to them to your vet as soon as possible to stand the best chance of successfully treating the condition.”

PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment. Funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. www.pdsa.org.uk

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