http://www.petforums.co.uk Discuss topics related to the health of cats and advice on how to help treat health problems and issues including cat nutrition. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:17:15 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.petforums.co.uk/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.petforums.co.uk http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72717-we-love-applaws.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:16:32 GMT I was in the pet shop today going to go and pick up the usual delicious james wellbeloved kibble. HOwever I stopped at a bag of applaws dry... I was in the pet shop today going to go and pick up the usual delicious james wellbeloved kibble. HOwever I stopped at a bag of applaws dry kitten.

:eek: It had all the ingrediants of James Wellbeloved just about bar the cereal/maize and it had more meat content too!! So I had to bring that one home.

Well why didn't I try it sooner?!? Every one gobbled it up very happily and quickly. Even Nefertiti :eek: and thats saying some thing !!! If Madam likes it it must be good.

So I would say to all those thinking of using dry cat food Applaws is very very nice indeed :cool: ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition Miss-Meow http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72717-we-love-applaws.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72666-bad-kidneys-crf-bad-heart-bad-vet-dietary-problems.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:25:20 GMT Hi there. This may be longwinded but I'll try and explain things as best as I can. Last Thursday we adopted a lovely older male cat called Bailey. The shelter think he is around 12 or more, after this I'm gonna give a guess around 15. We were told by the shelter to not switch his food, and they gave us Felix Senior. The first night we got him home he threw up all his food. For the next few days he also had soft stools (not completely runny) We put it down to perhaps nerves, but a couple of days later (Sunday night) he threw up alot of bile, twice. He then excreted a really large amount of really smelly diarrhea. He'd earlier that night refused to eat his Felix, so we'd given him a small amount of Almo Nature seeing as it was pretty much just chicken breast. We took him to the vet the following morning. (Monday just gone) They suggested a plain fish and chicken diet, and gave a small course of antibiotics. He also had suspected hyperthyroidism but they couldn't take blood that day because he completely freaked out. She took blood for his kidneys to test them.

A couple days on the antibiotics went fine, except that from that time he'd had the diarrhea Sunday night he hadn't actually gone since (he'd been urinating as usual though.) We were advised to bring him in again yesterday.

This visit was very testing for us, and the vet (a different one this time) checked him over and told us he hadn't gone but it didn't matter too much at that moment. Unfortunately he also said in the same breath that the cats kidney results had come back bad. Also he had a very bad heart (which was apparently seperate from hyperthyroidism even according to him). He told us not to expect much more from the cat at all. ever. He took blood for the hyperthyroidism this time and gave him a shot to try and get him more interested in food (he'd been off his chicken that day but we assume maybe he was bored of the same damn food every day because he was eating otherwise)

I was very disappointed with the outcome of this visit yesterday. Not only had we been told not to expect anything but he also didn't give us any advice for the bad kidney/heart problems and concerning diet just told us to feed him "whatever agrees with him".

I'm a bit concerned he might have CRF, not that I know for sure considering the vet didn't confirm anything so we have no idea what his bad kidney problem is.

As it is, Felix doesn't agree with him so we took him off that. He wouldn't touch Whiskas the other day and this morning he threw up bile again after we tried him on it last night but he does seem to eat Almo Nature occasionally. We're trying to feed him plain chicken after mixing it in an almo nature can to fool him. But the other vet previously had suggested James wellbeloved, royal canin, etc.

Someone also suggested Royal Canin Sensitivity Control wet food, but as I'm not sure about whats right for him I don't want to buy loads to have it not agree with him. I'm at a loss. Whats the best thing that may agree with him to not make him ill? Or that he won't ignore? I don't want to try feeding him plain chicken forever.

Any advice would be great on anything I've brought up. We're awaiting the results from the hyperthyroidism but when we take him in for check up in a week I'm going to ask them more about this. I don't want to just give up, like the vet made out we should. It's silly. I'm sure he could live another few years? ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition Saku http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72666-bad-kidneys-crf-bad-heart-bad-vet-dietary-problems.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72654-can-fucithalmic-vet-eye-drops-cause-upset-tummies.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:49:34 GMT My kittens have conjuctivitus/possible chlamydia and have been prescribed fucithalmic vet eye drops and since I have been using them their bottoms... My kittens have conjuctivitus/possible chlamydia and have been prescribed fucithalmic vet eye drops and since I have been using them their bottoms have become very bad (they haven't been great from when I got them apx 6 weeks ago) they are currently on hills feline i/d food and the vet has given me canikur pro pro-biotic as the diasansyl hasn't worked this time (it did firm them up the first week I had them)

I know I should phone the vet but I don't want to come across as completely nuerotic and crazy but I just clutching at straws as I'm at a loss of what to do now.

Oh they also did cultures on a faeces sample and nothing showed up ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition GreyHare http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72654-can-fucithalmic-vet-eye-drops-cause-upset-tummies.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72640-best-food-fussy-little-kitty.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:24:01 GMT Morgan will quite happily eat Iams biscuits and wet food although I think she prefers biscuits, any recommendations for food that isn't full of rubbish?

She doesn't like, fresh chicken or fish or any other titbits at all she is the strangest little one my other cat used to munch anything going!
thanks ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition Frin13 http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72640-best-food-fussy-little-kitty.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72614-ollie-digestive-problems-again.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:01:53 GMT Hi All My two boys had some problems the other week when I tried changing their foods, had runny poos and a few episodes of sickness. Put hem back... Hi All
My two boys had some problems the other week when I tried changing their foods, had runny poos and a few episodes of sickness. Put hem back onto chicken breat and Hill Dry and seemed to sort them out.

Now Ollie my Maine Coon boy of six months has started beign sick again. His poos are fine but he was sick on wed night, then I was in hospital yesterday but hubby said he as sick again and at night was like gagging but not sick. He said he was ok this morning though and eating, playing etc but I'm so worried.

I rushed to vet the other week and to be honest was a waste of money as they came to after a day or two and me changing their food whcih I was in the process of doing anyway. I don't mind taking him back to the vets but also don't want to waste money.

Has anyone else's cat had this problem?
THanks
Allison ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition allison6564 http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72614-ollie-digestive-problems-again.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72613-my-cat-has-bad-kidneys-please-help.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:30 GMT i there been a pretty hard year pet wise lost my beloved 14 year old cat last year to cancer and found out on Monday my other 12 year old cat has... i there
been a pretty hard year pet wise
lost my beloved 14 year old cat last year to cancer and found out on Monday my other 12 year old cat has kidney disease, or rather is showing signs that they aren't working properly

they aren't sure how advanced it is...

we just did a blood test as part of a check up and it showed up.

i understand that they can have it for years before they display any symptoms?

she is still well in herself but off her food and sick sometimes

hopefully its early onset and we can stabilise it?

i understand it cant be cured

has anyone got any tips on helping her and stopping it advancing?
poor kitty
im worried for her

also does anyone have any tips on administering tablets to cats? without distressing them?

she has a special diet but wont eat it and wont eat the tablets either

we dont know whether to tempt her with other foods although have been told to give her this special food and i understand that proteins such as chicken etc arent the best when cats have bad kidneys

we dont want her to not eat at all though

am really worried for her
i couldn't bear to lose another kittie :(
thankyou! xxx ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition journogirl http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72613-my-cat-has-bad-kidneys-please-help.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72608-allergic-sensative-chicken.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:12:53 GMT hi, my 7 month cat, billy had been having the runs since we got him 4 weeks ago. had been to the vets a few times and given special food and... hi,

my 7 month cat, billy had been having the runs since we got him 4 weeks ago. had been to the vets a few times and given special food and probiotics.

anyway 2 days ago i took him again as he wasnt getting any better. this vet put him on antibiotics and then also mentioned he might be allergic to chicken!!

i have never heard of this before but he said it is a common cat allergy!!:confused5:

so i went home and searched through my cupboard which was full of chicken flavoured food!! and found some salmon purina one and tuna feline fayre.

and the following day it seems to of worked!! :thumbup1:

now i cant be sure if it was down to the one dose of antibiotics or the change in diet the day before

my question is - if it is down to the food and he cant eat chicken, will he be able to eat other meaty foods like turkey, beef or duck? cos i imagine fish is going to get boring soon!!

has anyone else had a cat with this? ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition NEW2CATS http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72608-allergic-sensative-chicken.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72589-kittens-getting-snip.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:24:12 GMT Ahh my two little troublemakers will be getting snipped in a few hours today, im really dreading it as i'm worried something will go wrong- even though I know its a totally routine operation!!

Aww I just want to be there with them, bless- any one got any tips on the after care? i've taken the day off work to be with them for the day! I have a boy and a girl btw, see sig, also when will the fur grow back? Tabitha is long haired! ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition nn89 http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72589-kittens-getting-snip.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72540-disaster-all-cats-gone-off-raw.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:52:20 GMT Well.....they ate all the "sample" pack from food4cats - then I placed an order which lasted about 3 weeks and they all ate it - then I really went for it and bought about 6 weeks worth (freezer is stuffed) - and they all turn their noses up at it! :confused: They will still eat the diced stuff but not any of the minced flavours (and that's what contains all the necessary bits n pieces, bones n stuff)

What am I going to do? :confused5:

Any advice?

~x~ ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition Catlover2 http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72540-disaster-all-cats-gone-off-raw.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72500-what-do-you-feed-your-bsh-daily-basis.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:55:29 GMT Milo went to the vets last week, to have his yearly injection (Leukemia, Enteritis and something else) They put him on the scales, and he was... Milo went to the vets last week, to have his yearly injection (Leukemia, Enteritis and something else)

They put him on the scales, and he was 5.1kg.

She then said he was overweight?!, and she'd ideally like to see him between 4.8 and 5kg.

Now, we buy Felix or Whiskas pouches (whatever is on offer), and he has 1 pouch a day (yes, one pouch a day)... which is half at 8am, and half at 6pm. Along with 20grams of of Go-Cat Complete biscuits, at each 'meal'

We regulary get him to dash after the lazer pen etc, and can't see how we could possibly either feed him less, or get him to exercise more...

What also slightly annoyed me, is when the vet was talking about food, she very blazee said 'if you feed him a pouch in the morning, a pouch at lunch, and a pouch at night, and some biscuits then thats about right, no more than that', and my Wife and I just looked at each other in astonishment, that she reckons we overfeed Milo, then says three pouches and biscuits is about right...

I'd just like to know what other people are feeding the cats, mainly british shorthairs due to they're build, and general laziness.

Thanks in advance :) ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition Squig http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72500-what-do-you-feed-your-bsh-daily-basis.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72415-nasopharyngeal-polyps-cats.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:06:37 GMT Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats, depending of the location and the severity, can produce only minor problems, or very significant implications. They... Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats, depending of the location and the severity, can produce only minor problems, or very significant implications. They can attack your cats pharynx, which the back of their throat or the middle ear where it can cause a perforation of your pets ear drums. Although these polyps are usually benign, they can lead to several other complications and if not treated, can become malignant.

Sneezing, which is not uncommon in cats is a result of these growths, as well as snoring. You expect your cat to meow and purr very gently when they sleep, but not snore. If your cat is snoring or suddenly starts to snore, there is a very good chance that they have developed nasopharyngeal polyps.

Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats are quite often referred to as ear polyps, which is somewhat misleading. Although they do affect the ears, they also affect your cats throat, and the ratio is about fifty-fifty. These tumors can affect cats at any age and any breed, although they are much more common in younger cats between the ages of one year to four years old.

The exact cause of these tumors is not fully understood by the medical community, but it is believed to be an inflammatory process that is caused by a viral or fungal infection, but that has never been fully documented. There is also speculation that it may be a slight birth defect, but that has also never been documented. But there is one thing is fully understood with this condition; it can be very painful and challenging for your cat.

Polyps are technically described as any growth or mass that is protruding from a mucous membrane in your cat. They can occur wherever there is a mucous membrane including the nose, ears, mouth, or throat, as well as several other locations; but with these growths it will affect either your cats throat or their ears. They may also be an overgrowth of your cats normal tissues, which is where the theory of inflammation comes in.

But in some cases, they can actually be true tumors or mass growths of new tissue that is separate from the supporting membranes. However, which ever type of polyps they are, they can cause several complications in your cats overall health.

Symptoms:

There are several symptoms with nasopharyngeal polyps and they will all generally start out very slowly and than develop into chronic symptoms and eventually show very little progress when they are not treated properly. The symptoms will start in either your cats ears, or their throat.

If the ears are affected, these polyps can affect either the outer or the middle ears of your cat. The first set of symptoms that you will see will be your cat starting to shake their head or scratch at their head as they are experiencing a lot of pain. If this growth has affected the middle ear, the next symptoms may be a thick and bloody discharge from your pets ear canal.

With middle ear infections, your cat may also experience head tilting and start to have trouble with their balance when walking. They may also show symptoms of a droopy eyelid or their third eyelid may start to cover their eye as a result.

If the polyp is located in the cats pharynx, which is the back of their throat, the first set of symptoms will be your cats breathing. This may not be noticeable at first, but what will be is your cat sneezing. Sneezing is not uncommon, until it becomes chronic, and it this case, it will become chronic. However, perhaps the most telling of all symptoms is your cat snoring.

Snoring is very uncommon and almost always alerts you that something is wrong with your cat. There are some other diseases or conditions that will closely resemble nasopharyngeal polyps such as bacterial infections in your cats ears or an actual tumor in their throat. Although the cause is different, your cat will still need treatment for these conditions.

Treatments:

There are several treatments for nasopharyngeal polyps in cats, and the treatment will obviously depend on where the polyp is and how bad it is.

There are several veterinarians that may recommend removing the polyp by plucking it out if it is in the pharynx, but if this is the recommendation, you should visit with them before making a decision, or get another recommendation. Do not be timid with your veterinarian about a second opinion; it is your cat and their health that is at stake.

Plucking out the polyp rather than having surgery has been reported to be successful when followed up with oral steroid treatments, but you should challenge this success and ask for any published documentation. The reason is very simple; by plucking rather than surgically removing the polyp, the polyp has a very good chance of growing back, especially it is an extension of the middle or outer ear.

The next form of treatment is by surgery. When the bulla, which is your cats middle ear, shows up as abnormal on an X-ray, surgery to remove the polyp form the bulla will be done, especially it the polyp has passed though your cats ear drum. If the polyp is surgically removed from your cats throat, a procedure called bulla osteotomy is preformed.

This procedure will involve the shaving of your cats hair under their neck and penetrating the skin to gather access to their middle ear. With this procedure, the bulla is opened; the polyp is removed as well as the infected tissue, and than thoroughly flushed. Your veterinarian will than place an Elizabethan collar on your cats neck until the stitches are removed.

However, there are some complications that you will most likely encounter and they are very common with this surgery. Horner’s syndrome is a very common after affect of this type of a surgery, and this is a condition where your cats eyelid may droop very severely for several days. Although it is a very frightening experience for owners, it is almost always corrected with time without any type of treatment.

Another potential complication is partial facial paralysis that affects your cats ability to blink, another frightening occurrence. However, eye drops can easily rectify this condition and within a week or so your cat should have no problem at all in blinking.

Summary:

Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats can have several very painful symptoms for your pet as well as some frightening after affects for you, but in most all reported cases, after surgery and the expected complications, your cat should return to normal within a few weeks.

Liquid Vitamins for Humans Cats and Dogs ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition FEWill http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72415-nasopharyngeal-polyps-cats.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72362-tigger-has-been-back-vets.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:35:36 GMT well i had to take tigger to the vets on monday, he has got conjunctivitis sp? and a temp:( he had 2 injections 1 was anti inflamitory sp? and 1... well i had to take tigger to the vets on monday, he has got conjunctivitis sp? and a temp:( he had 2 injections 1 was anti inflamitory sp? and 1 antibiotics, he was not happy and swiped the vet round the face:o he also has ear mites (had drops for them), 10 day course of antibiotic tablets and 10 course of eye drops. bless him he must be feeling so crap:(:( his eye is starting to look a little better:) ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition marmite http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72362-tigger-has-been-back-vets.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72325-worm-flea-treatment.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:14:01 GMT First of all "hi", I've just joined this forum as I brought home two kittens last night (8 weeks old, very fluffy), and am looking for advice on worming / flea treatment.

The lady I got them from was using Frontline and Johnsons worming syrup. I'd like to continue to treat for both at home (to save money) however I wanted some opinions on this. I "think" Frontline is the same as some vets use to am assuming it's good quality (please tell me if you don't agree) so I really just wanted opinions on worming treatments. Is there a good quality one I can get without going to the vets? Or is it one of those things that is worth spending out for?

Also do you just follow the instructions or is there a set of rules as to how often I need to do both of these treatments?

The cats are going to the vets on Friday for a check up and their first of two vaccinations so want to go prepared rather than being conned into spending more money than necessary.

Thanks

Lou ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition Loulabella1 http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72325-worm-flea-treatment.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72324-uti-behavioural-issue.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:06:49 GMT Hi, Myself and my housemate recently took on two Oriental Short Hair female cats, both 2 years old. They had belonged to her brother and lived as... Hi,

Myself and my housemate recently took on two Oriental Short Hair female cats, both 2 years old. They had belonged to her brother and lived as indoor cats in a large apartment with their mother and 2 other siblings.

2 weeks into them being with us, one of the cats started urinating on the sofa, on blankets, on our beds etc. As she deficates in the litter tray quite happily, and howls when she urintates, we assumed she had a UTI and took her to the vets. She had a shot of antibiotics and we were given meds to ease her pain whilst weeing and also meds to calm and reassure her. 9 days on and she's still weeing on things.

She was spayed 2 days before moving in with us and we thought that that had given her the UTI, but i'm now thinking, what with having the operation, moving home and being taken away from their mother and brothers all in one go, may have caused her more distress than anticipated. She's highly intelligent and sensitive (her sister is dopey and care free!)
They're both very nervous cats when they're approached but love cuddles and affection when they come to you.

What do you guys think and what do you recommend from experience?
Any help would be greately appreciated. ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition ambroze http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72324-uti-behavioural-issue.html http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72301-orijen.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:53:47 GMT Am considering swapping the girls’ dry food from Royal Canin to Orijen. I know that Orijen has better content, but its quite a lot more money than... Am considering swapping the girls’ dry food from Royal Canin to Orijen. I know that Orijen has better content, but its quite a lot more money than RC, so just wondered if anyone that’s used it thinks its worth the extra? ]]> Cat Health and Nutrition xxSaffronxx http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-health-nutrition/72301-orijen.html