Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey knowledgeable recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may maintain your kitty completely satisfied, wholesome, and feline tremendous. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care on your furry companion.
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Assist! My Rescue Isn’t Very Social!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
I’ve rescued my wee boy, James Connolly, when he was about 6 weeks outdated. He was deserted together with his mother and two sisters and was very shy and withdrawn, and subsequently was usually left alone with little meals. Since he’s been rehomed with me on his personal, inside 24 hours, the semi feral kitten grew to become a cuddle monster with a foolish character. Nevertheless, he has issue socializing. He’s very jumpy and really anxious. He all the time must be with me, and I attempt my finest. I tried to be away for one weekend and left him with a cat sitter, and it was a catastrophe. The vet says he has nervousness. How can I enhance his confidence and guarantee he feels secure even when I’m not bodily there? – Sarah
Hello Sarah,
Thanks for opening your coronary heart and residential to little James Connolly; what a gorgeous identify for such a courageous little soul. From what you’ve shared, it’s clear you’ve already reworked his world. His shift from withdrawn and missed to cuddly and expressive says a lot in regards to the love and security you’ve provided him. Cats who expertise early stress, significantly those that’ve gone with out constant meals, maternal consolation, or light dealing with, usually develop what we name “insecure attachment types.” It’s much like a baby clinging tightly after being left alone too usually. It’s not simply concern, it’s a survival mechanism.
Serving to James construct confidence is a course of. Begin by making a predictable routine round meals, play, and relaxation; this rhythm turns into a security internet. Attempt utilizing interactive toys like wand teasers or deal with puzzles to shift his focus outward and encourage impartial play. Confidence can bloom by means of “secure wins,” that are small, non-threatening challenges he can overcome. In your absence, your scent generally is a highly effective comforter, you may go away behind a worn T-shirt. You also needs to think about artificial pheromone diffusers, which mimic the calming indicators cats affiliate with maternal presence. Gradual desensitization to brief absences, beginning with seconds, not hours, may help, however this have to be achieved slowly and patiently.
As a result of James has proven such intense separation nervousness, it may additionally be useful to seek the advice of a feline veterinary behaviorist to discover choices like nutraceuticals or calming dietary supplements. These are usually not sedatives however light aids that may help his emotional steadiness throughout coaching. You’ve already given him a lot. Now it’s nearly serving to him imagine that security doesn’t vanish if you stroll out the door.
Greatest,
Dr. Paola
If it’s essential converse with a vet however cannot get to 1, head over to PangoVet. It is an internet service the place you may discuss to a vet on-line and get the recommendation you want on your pet — all at an reasonably priced worth!
Assist! I Am Seeing Blood in My Cats Poo!
“Hello Dr Paola!
I’ve a 7-year-old cat referred to as Myst. Periodically, we see a small quantity of blood within the litter field after she has a BM. She has had a number of exams, fecal research, and an ultrasound. All had been detrimental. The suggestion now could be to have a colonoscopy. She eats Hill’s Z/D. She has an excellent urge for food & is playful. I simply don’t know if I ought to have this achieved. Ought to I get one other opinion? What are your ideas, please?” – Pam
Hello Pam, thanks for sharing about Myst. It’s clear how deeply you take care of her, and I can perceive how regarding it’s to see traces of blood within the litter field, particularly when all the pieces else about her appears regular. The truth that she’s consuming nicely, is playful, and is sustaining her routine is encouraging, nevertheless it’s additionally a bit puzzling when indicators like this persist and not using a clear trigger. You’ve already taken all the proper steps: bodily examination, fecal research, and even an ultrasound, which tells me you’ve been very thorough and dedicated to getting her the care she wants.
At this level, a colonoscopy generally is a cheap subsequent step. It’s the easiest way to straight visualize the liner of the colon and presumably acquire biopsies if there’s any delicate irritation, polyps, or early illness that wouldn’t present up on different diagnostics. Nevertheless, earlier than shifting ahead, it’s completely legitimate to hunt a second opinion, ideally from a veterinary internist. Their perspective may help you’re feeling extra assured about whether or not this step is important proper now or if different much less invasive changes is perhaps price making an attempt first. Within the meantime, I’d counsel intently monitoring Myst’s stool consistency, frequency, and any straining. Softer stools are inclined to cross extra simply and will scale back minor trauma that may trigger bleeding, particularly if the colon is delicate. Encouraging hydration by means of a water fountain, broth-soaked kibble, or incorporating moisture-rich contemporary or moist meals may help naturally ease bowel actions and will supply some reduction if the bleeding is mechanical in nature. You’re doing a beautiful job advocating for Myst, and she or he’s fortunate to have you ever by her aspect.
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Meows All Day Lengthy!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
My associate and I adopted a stray feminine (neutered) 1-year-old cat 6 months in the past. Her identify is Maru. The worrying challenge is that she retains meowing a number of instances a day, loudly, at partitions and doorways. She has hip dysplasia, so she will be able to’t bounce like a traditional cat.
We all know she was residing outdoors earlier than, however now she is meant to be an indoor cat. Our condominium is kind of massive, so there is no such thing as a area challenge, however the meowing is hectic for all of us. I’m practising along with her on a harness each day to get her happening outdoors walks in the summertime, however we do not know if this may assist her. We play along with her a number of instances a day (typically a number of hours in a row), she isn’t alone for too lengthy, and she or he is nicely fed and her litter field taken care of. I’m additionally giving her some no-stress treats, and so forth. We additionally hung cat climbing stairs on the wall, and she or he has a number of scraping posts and good views from the large home windows.We’ve got completely no thought what to do along with her to maintain the meowing to a
minimal and can be very grateful for some new suggestions “ – Emili
Whats up Emili, thanks for sharing Maru’s story.
She could be very fortunate to have discovered such a loving and attentive residence. From all the pieces you describe, it’s clear that you’re doing a beautiful job supporting her bodily and emotional wants, particularly contemplating her hip dysplasia and her background as an out of doors cat. Cats like Maru, who’ve needed to depend on themselves in unpredictable environments, usually develop sturdy vocal habits as a solution to specific their wants or talk uncertainty. Even as soon as they’re secure and nicely cared for, these behaviors that grew to become recurring can proceed, even when issues are calm.
Her meowing at partitions and doorways may have a number of totally different explanations. Cats have extremely delicate listening to, and typically they react to sounds we can’t detect, like plumbing, wind, and even small animals behind partitions. It may additionally be an indication of frustration associated to her mobility challenges. Cats are wired to climb and discover vertically, and when their our bodies restrict that skill, they could really feel stressed or unfulfilled. That feeling can come out by means of vocalizing. You’re already providing her an enriched surroundings, which is fantastic. Creating predictable routines round feeding, play, and relaxation may help some cats really feel safer and will scale back vocalizations over time. Your plan to begin taking her on out of doors walks throughout the hotter months sounds promising and may supply her a wholesome outlet for each psychological and bodily stimulation.
If her meowing is changing into extra frequent or intense, it’s price contemplating whether or not ache could also be enjoying a task. We even have a tele-triage veterinary service, PangoVet, the place you may converse to considered one of our skilled veterinarians on-line from the consolation of your house, the place they may help reply questions in actual time and assist information you towards the subsequent finest steps. Continual discomfort from situations like hip dysplasia can typically present up in sudden methods, and even delicate reduction can convey significant enchancment in her habits. You’re clearly providing her a secure and loving area, and that makes all of the distinction. I hope this helps!
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
