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How to ensure your cat enjoys a long and happy life

CARING FOR YOUR CAT – a vet’s essential tips

Kathy Barcham

Copyright©2012 Kathy Barcham

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author(s).

Edited by Will Smith

Cover design and page layout by NABO

Member of NABO

To join visit: www.nabo.biz

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Caring for your cat – a vet’s essential tips

IntroductionIntelligent, affectionate, good at keeping pests at bay and even able to lower our blood pressure, it is no wonder that cats are seen by many as perfect pets.

Due to their independence, cats are often said to be somewhere between a flatmate and a pet. However, they still rely on us to provide food and shelter and to be able to detect when they are unwell. Cats are top predators, so they instinctively mask many of the early signs of illness. Thus it takes an observant owner to spot these subtle clues and take appropriate action.

The following pages will take you through the different life stages of your cat and provide you with the information necessary to ensure that your cat enjoys a long and happy life.

Kathy Barcham

Green Pastures

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Kathy Barcham

Introducing your new cat/kitten into the homeAlthough, obviously, everyone wants their new cat/kitten to feel at home instantly, this process takes time.

When introducing your new cat to your existing pets, it is important to stay in control of the situation at all times, rather than letting the animals simply discover each other. Smell is a key communication sense for both cats and dogs, so introducing your existing pets to the scent of the new arrival is a good way to ensure a smooth transition. This can be achieved by swapping bedding and by stroking your new and resident pets without washing your hands in-between. Similarly, wiping soft tissues along the side of your new cat’s face (where the scent glands are located) and leaving these tissues where your resident pets will find them also eases the new cat/kitten into the household.

Providing your new cat/kitten with a large wire mesh crate with sufficient room for a comfortable warm bed and space for a litter tray and food bowls will also help with introductions and litter training. Plus, it is a good way to ensure the safety of your new cat when you are out.

KittensTo allow your kitten time to bond with you and your home, it will be necessary to keep them indoors for the first few months. As well as making sure that all doors and windows are shut, it is important to check for and cover any crevices in which your kitten could hide.

With regards to identification, I recommend the use of a microchip to identify your kitten. Microchip identification means that should your kitten get lost or injured, vet and rescue centres can easily check a national database and re-unite you with your pet. When compared with collars, which can break or get caught (potentially resulting in serious injuries), micro-chipping is both safer and more effective.

Nutrition

Kittens only have small stomachs and will need feeding throughout the day. In order to make the moving-in process as smooth as possible, it is a good idea to continue feeding your kitten the same diet. Once it is settled in, you should gradually introduce a quality kitten diet. A veterinary-recommended dry food is a good choice because it is better for your kitten’s teeth and digestion.

Litter training

As your kitten should be kept indoors until they are protected by vaccinations and identified by micro-chipping, litter training is very important. To ensure there are as few accidents as possible, it is a good idea to have one tray in the crate and another in a safe, quiet place. All trays should have the same litter and should be cleaned using diluted washing-up liquid.

Travelling

Travelling can be stressful, so it helps to get your kitten used to the travelling cage. A good way to do this is to leave it around the house and encourage your kitten to play and sleep in there. It is also helpful both to leave some bedding in the carrier and cover it when travelling. Further, the application of pheromones, such as Feliway, around the carrier and car can help to reduce the stress of travel.

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Vaccinations

Kittens should be first vaccinated between 8 and 9 weeks and then again at 12 weeks of age.

Vaccinations are extremely important for kittens and will protect your cat from a broad range of diseases. By providing your vets with an accurate description of your kitten’s lifestyle (indoors or outdoors) and what vaccinations it has had already, they will be able to assess which vaccinations are necessary. I generally recommend a combination of Feline Enteritis, Feline Leukaemia, Feline Herpes and Calicivirus. Vaccines are also available in the UK against Bordetella and Chlamydia.

Worms

Kittens are particularly susceptible to both roundworms and, if they have fleas, to tapeworms. From 3 weeks, kittens can be wormed against roundworms, but from 8 weeks onwards, multi-purpose wormers can be given either by tablet or spot-on. I recommend using veterinary prescription wormers because they are licensed safe and effective. With regards to treatment timing, I recommend a monthly treatment until your kitten is 6 months old. The frequency of worming after that will depend on your kitten’s indoor or outdoor lifestyle (see adult cat section).

Fleas and mites

Many kittens will arrive in their new homes with fleas and mites. There are several ways to tackle this problem, however. Ear mites can be treated with either ear drops or a spot-on product, while fleas can be treated with a spot-on treatment. Further, some veterinary-only products combine both worm and flea control.

Another excellent option is an injection to prevent fleas breeding. This is particularly useful if your kitten is to stay indoors or is likely to be cuddled before spot-on products can dry into the coat.

Grooming and dental care

Looking after your kitten’s coat, skin and teeth is very important. Many kittens are quite amenable to grooming and tooth-brushing, so it is a good idea to start early. A veterinary nurse can demonstrate proper grooming and dental care during your visits to the vet.

Neutering

Unless you intend to breed your kitten, I recommend neutering at 4-6 months of age. It is best if your kitten is over 2kg in bodyweight, as this allows for easier placement of an endotracheal tube (this enables gaseous anaesthetics to be used, which is the safest method of anaesthesia). Furthermore, each kitten I operate on has an intravenous catheter put in place and intravenous fluid administered. This may be routine surgery, but it makes sense to minimise risks.

Insurance

As your cat will almost certainly need treatment at some stage, it is a good idea to insure your kitten to cover vet’s fees. I recommend a lifelong policy. However, there are a lot of different policies out there and it pays to do proper research.

At Green Pastures, we allow a cat’s treatment to be either completed or reach a certain stage before we make a claim on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about sorting out either the administrative details or your cashflow.

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Kathy Barcham

Adult catsGenerally, the rules are the same when introducing an adult cat into your house as for a kitten.

Annual health assessments and booster vaccinations

Booking regular appointments is wise, as they help your vet to build a detailed history of your cat’s health. The booster vaccination, in particular, is an excellent opportunity for your vet to thoroughly examine your cat and record weight changes. This information is extremely valuable should your cat become ill.

There are two main types of housecat and different advice applies in each case:

• Outdoor cats. These are your archetypal cats – coming and going as they please. With these cats, it is wise to assume that they hunt and either meet other cats, or roam where other cats have been. As such, annual vaccination is recommended against Feline Enteritis, Feline Leukaemia, Feline Herpes and Calicivirus. I would also advise monthly flea treatments and worming against both tapeworms and roundworms at least every three months.

• Indoor cats. True indoor cats spend all their time indoors – they do not go outside for a walk with you and neither do neighbouring cats enter your home. If either of these activities occurs, when it comes to disease protection, you should treat your cat as an ‘outdoor cat’. For true indoor cats, there should be special provisions for interest and exercise. Further, I recommend annual vaccinations against Feline Herpes and Calicivirus, as humans can transfer these diseases from other cats. Fleas can also be inadvertently brought into your home on clothing, and thus should be managed by either monthly spot-on treatments or bi-annual injections. Similarly, worms can be picked up from fleas or remain in your cat’s body from kitten-hood. In order to combat these I recommend twice-yearly worming veterinary tablets or spot-ons.

Stress

Although it may look like they have the easiest life in the world, cats often suffer from stress. This can take many forms but the most common manifestation of stress in a cat is via cystitis.

Dental disease

Dental problems are common in middle-aged cats. Caught early enough, most problems are reversible by cleaning under general anaesthetic, followed by a dental maintenance programme at home.

Weight management

Weight gain is an increasingly common and difficult condition to manage. Whatever you do, however, don’t crash diet your cat, as this could trigger serious metabolic disturbances.

Senior cats (10-13 years)Although a cat of this age is more likely to have problems than a younger cat, it is often difficult to detect a problem because your cat will mask the early signs of disease. Don’t allow your cat to lull you into a false sense of security – the earlier a problem can be identified, the better it can be managed.

Booster vaccination and parasite prevention is still very important. In addition, I recommend a comprehensive health assessment looking for signs of common senior cat problems.

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At Green Pastures, this is our 10+ assessment. Signs we ask you to look out for include:

• A change in bodyweight or body shape, such as more prominent bones

• Lack of grooming/unkempt appearance

• Reduced mobility – staying in the same place

• Inability to relax

• Changes in thirst or appetite

• Change in vocalisation (especially at night) or angry when moved or touched

• Vomiting, diarrhoea, increased urine or incontinence

Common ailments in senior cats

• Arthritis. This affects around 90% of all senior cats, with the two main joints to be affected being the elbows and the hips. There are safe, effective lifelong medications available for your cat. Plus, you can reduce the stress on your cat’s joints by placing the food and water sources low to the ground and ensuring your cat has easy access to a safe, warm bed.

• Kidney disease. This affects around 20% of cats. Once detected, kidney changes are irreversible. Kidney disease has four stages; your aim should be to keep your cat in the mild stages of the disease. By managing the disease in this way, your cat will live a much happier life than if the kidney disease is allowed to progress unchecked.

• Hyperthyroid. This is the most common hormonal problem in cats. With this illness, one or both thyroid glands become overactive, causing your cat’s metabolic rate to increase. Left unchecked, the heart rate continually increases, causing an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to bleeding within the eyeballs, kidney damage, heart damage and weight loss. Fortunately, there are treatments to both manage and cure this condition.

• Dental disease. This is often advanced in senior cats, but this is no reason to avoid treatment, as dental disease can be very painful for them. General anaesthesia in elderly cats can be safely managed with careful drug selection.

• Diabetes. If diagnosed early enough, there is a 50% chance that your cat’s diabetes can be managed without the need for insulin injections. Left unchecked, however, diabetes will cause weight loss, liver problems and, eventually, comas.

Geriatric cats (13 years+)Although caring for any geriatric pet presents challenges, these years need not be difficult or painful for either you or your cat. The important thing is to be able to adapt how you treat your cat. The older your cat gets, the more you should be aware of its needs. For example, although playing can encourage mental stimulation for geriatric cats, forced play will cause anxiety if your cat is becoming senile.

There are several things you can do as an owner to ensure your cat’s final years are as stress-free as possible:

• Keep the same routine. This is very important for geriatric cats. If there are unavoidable changes, such as moving house, then use pheromone diffusers to minimise stress and anxiety.

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Kathy Barcham

• Help digestion by feeding them small meals several times a day. Consider your cat’s environment and ensure ease of access for a comfortable, safe sleeping place, litter tray, food and water.

• Gently groom your cat if they are unable to maintain their coat. It may also be necessary to clip the tips off their nails.

• Make sure your cat has some form of identification. Geriatric cats can wander away from home and get lost. As with all cats, I would recommend micro-chipping.

Selecting a vet for your catIt is well worth exploring your options before committing to the closest vet to your home.

Ideally, you should meet your vet before your cat is ill by arranging a health assessment. This way you can check out the car parking arrangements and assess how easy it is to carry your cat basket into the practice. You can also check out the waiting room. Is there a protected area for cats? Are there activities for children? Does the practice have any FAB accreditation (this indicates there are strategies in place catering specifically for cats)?

When inside, you can get a feel for the vet’s practice and assess how they will help you to look after your cat. Consider things like the information they provide, the extra cat-focused qualifications of their staff, their healthcare plans and how much help they provide when it comes to filling in your insurance claim forms.

It may not be something that you want to think about, but imagine if your cat is ill or injured and needs emergency treatment – does this practice provide out-of-hours care? How local is this service? What happens to cats that need overnight care? Who looks after them? Can you visit your cat during a hospital stay?

ConclusionAlthough your relationship with your cat is a unique bond, it should never be forgotten that our feline friends rely on us for their wellbeing.

Hopefully this guide has helped you to become aware of what to look out for and how, with regular visits to your vet, you can increase both the life expectancy and happiness of your cat.

About Green PasturesAt Green Pastures we are committed to providing your cat with the highest standard of care.

To give you a little extra peace of mind, we hold RCVS and FAB accreditation. We offer feline-focused veterinary care because our staff have extra feline training. We nurse cats in a special feline ward which you can visit. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are always ready to see your cat at Green Pastures in case of an emergency.

Feel free to visit our website to find out more about how we can help you to ensure your cat has a long, happy and healthy life.

Further, as a special thank you for requesting this guide, we are happy to offer your cat a free veterinary health assessment. To book yours, simply call 01934 622022 or email us at [email protected]

www.greenpasturesvets.co.uk

How to ensure your dog enjoys a long and happy life

LOOKING AFTER YOUR DOG – a vet’s essential tips

Kathy Barcham

Copyright©2012 Kathy Barcham

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author(s).

Edited by Will Smith

Cover design and page layout by NABO

Member of NABO

To join visit: www.nabo.biz

3

Caring for your dog – a vet’s essential tips

IntroductionHaving long been regarded as “man’s best friend”, dogs help us in so many ways, yet expect so little in return. From helping catch criminals to assisting the disabled, dogs are an integral part of modern society.

Furthermore, scientific evidence has proven that dogs provide us with many health benefits. Dogs keep us active, help us relax, and raise our spirits. Certainly, it is very difficult not to smile and feel happy when your enthusiastic friend greets you.

Although dogs can still survive in the wild, domesticated dogs have become quite dependant on us. As such, it is our duty as dog owners to look out for our dogs’ best interests. I believe that dog ownership is a privilege and a relationship which should be entered into only after significant consideration of the needs of you, your family and your dog.

The following pages will take you through the different life stages of your dog and provide you with the information necessary to ensure that your dog enjoys a long and happy life.

Kathy Barcham

Green Pastures

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Kathy Barcham

Introducing your new dog/puppy into the homeEveryone wants their new dog or puppy to feel at home instantly, but this process naturally takes time. One way to familiarise your new dog or puppy to your resident pets is by stroking them in turn to mix their scents.

Introduce your resident dog to your new puppy on a lead indoors, as this will allow you to control their reactions. If your new arrival is older than a puppy, however, it is a good idea to put both your new dog and resident dog on leads and let them meet outside on a walk.

Providing your new puppy or dog with a large wire mesh crate with sufficient room for a comfortable warm bed and food bowl will also help with introductions, as well as being a good way to ensure their safety when you are out.

PuppiesThe early training and settling-in of a puppy is fun, but certainly time-consuming. As such, patience is important during this stage. Puppies want to learn – it is just a matter of getting the right messages across. Reward-orientated training is the most effective way to train your puppy as this is how dogs instinctively learn. The reward can be a toy, food, or simply praise.

Do also make sure your puppy is identified with a collar and name tag. In addition, I strongly recommend microchip identification.

NutritionWith puppies, it is wise to continue to feed them whatever they are used to at first, in order to minimise the shock of entering a new environment. After this initial period, you should feed them a good growing puppy food. I recommend a veterinary-recommended dry food formulated for the growth rate of your puppy and regular weight checks to monitor your puppy’s growth rate.

House trainingRegarding this crucial stage in your puppy’s training, rather than using pads by the door, I recommend simply going outside with your puppy until they go to the toilet. When you begin to spot the signs that your puppy is about to go to the toilet, give an appropriate command and then praise afterwards. It is important to keep going outside with them every time they wake up and after every meal as this will minimise mistakes and ensure that your puppy quickly learns to link needing the toilet with going outside.

VaccinationTo ensure that your puppy has the best chance of protection against Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis and Leptospirosis, I recommend vaccination at 8 weeks, 10 weeks and then a final Parvovirus vaccination at 14-16 weeks. I also highly recommend getting a Kennel Cough vaccination in order to give your young puppy some protection against this disease.

WormsRoundworms pose a significant risk to humans, so it is vitally important to ensure your pet is wormed regularly, for the sakes of both the puppy and your family. Lungworms are potentially fatal to your puppy, so make sure prevention is included in your puppy’s worm prevention programme.

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Safe, effective veterinary-prescribed spot-ons or tablets administered monthly will take care of all worming risks.

Fleas, ticks, and mitesYour puppy is likely to want to explore the world and is therefore at risk from fleas, ticks and mites. As all of these can cause disease and discomfort, it is important to ensure your puppy is fully protected from them. This protection can come in the shape of monthly veterinary-prescribed spot-ons, tablets or collars, all of which can be strategically used to manage these risks.

Grooming and dental careGentle grooming, tooth brushing and examination of your young puppy teaches acceptance of these procedures which is invaluable in later life.

Neutering Neutering operations prevent so many serious problems in later life. In general, neutering is a good idea for both male and female puppies at 5-6 months of age. However, there are exceptions to this advice which need to be discussed with your vet on an individual basis.

Each puppy I neuter has an intravenous catheter in place and receives intravenous fluids as well as multi-parameter monitoring. This may be routine surgery but it makes sense to minimise risks. It is important to understand what is included in quotes for this surgery – this is not a time to go for the cheapest deal.

Early learningPuppies have a recognised sensitive phase in their psychological development, and up to 14 weeks they respond very positively to new experiences. By carrying them around your area, inviting friends to visit and introducing them to trusted and vaccinated older dogs, you can introduce your puppy to the world without compromising the vaccination protection. This is a good time to attend puppy socialisation classes.

We need to teach puppies not to bite us. In order to achieve this, use a distinctive, low voice as your puppy bites and then immediately praise as the bite is released. If this proves ineffective, I recommend you seek the advice of your vet or a professional dog behaviourist.

Puppies love to play with toys and different puppies like different toys. Have a selection of different toys that you can rotate and make your own using cardboard boxes or tubes with treats hidden inside. This way you keep your puppy occupied and reduce the chances of them damaging your home.

InsuranceAs your pet will almost certainly need treatment at some stage, it is a good idea to insure your puppy as early as possible to cover vet’s fees. I recommend a lifelong policy. However, there are a lot of different policies out there and it pays to do proper research (particularly regarding third party liability).

At Green Pastures, we allow a dog’s treatment to be either completed or reach a certain stage before we make a claim on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about sorting out either the administrative details or your cashflow.

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Kathy Barcham

Adult dogs (1 year until senior)The important thing to remember as your dog grows up is to keep going with regards to training, worming, general healthcare and insurance.

Annual health assessments and booster vaccinationsThis annual health assessment is a full examination which ensures your vet can detect, record and track any changes in your dog’s physical condition or demeanour. Discussing your dog’s lifestyle at these check-ups will help your vet to determine which parasites your dog is most at risk from. Your vet can then devise an individual and cost-effective parasite management plan in order to protect both your dog and, indirectly, your family.

Although some vaccinations will last for three years, it is necessary to vaccinate against Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough every year.

BehaviourGenerally speaking, at 1-2 years, your dog is mature. As such, if your dog is unruly or aggressive at this age, I strongly advise seeking professional advice on how to resolve the problem.

Weight managementKeep checking on your dog’s weight gain and follow weight loss advice whilst your dog is young and fit. Just as with humans, weight gain can lead to diabetes and worsen future heart and mobility problems in later life.

Dental diseaseDental disease is extremely common, affecting over 80% of dogs over the age of 3. The best way to manage this condition is with regular tooth brushing using a dog toothpaste. Your veterinary nurse can demonstrate and advise you on tooth brushing or other dental care options.

Senior dogs As the diagram below illustrates, the point at which your dog reaches the senior stage depends on your dog’s weight and breed.

Just like humans, senior dogs are prone to infectious diseases, so it is extremely important to continue with vaccinations and annual health assessments. In addition, I also recommend bringing your dog for a comprehensive evaluation. This can result in early detection of and intervention against disease, which can significantly improve your dog’s quality of life.

Senior age range

Small breeds 8-15 years

Medium breeds 6-12 years

Large breeds 5-8 years

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At Green Pastures, this constitutes our 10+ assessment. The signs we ask you to look out for in your dog include:

• Reduced mobility or getting tired more quickly

• Drinking water more often or from more sources

• A change in body shape or bodyweight

• A change of personality, especially getting grumpy

• Vomiting, diarrhoea or incontinence

• An inability to relax especially at night

Common ailments in senior dogs which can all be helped by your vet • Arthritis. This affects around 80% of senior dogs and although there is no cure, there are many

treatments, ranging from medications and supplements to acupuncture, all of which can improve your dog’s quality of life.

• Dental disease. This affects most senior dogs who have not received regular dental care. This situation is not just about bad breath; your dog will also have a constant source of circulating infection. Anaesthesia can be safely managed to perform tooth extractions and cleaning to solve the problem.

• Heart valve leakage. Although this affects around 60% of senior dogs, medication will both significantly improve and extend your dog’s life.

• Diabetes. Commonly starting with increased thirst, diabetes affects around 10% of senior dogs. Treatments include diet management and insulin therapy.

• Underactive thyroid. This affects around 8% of senior dogs, making them feel sluggish and withdrawn, yet once identified, regular medication will result in a much improved quality of life.

• Pyometra. This is a womb condition which affects around 50% of unspayed bitches. If left untreated, this infection can prove fatal. However, your bitch can undergo surgery, which will solve the problem.

Geriatric dogsAlthough looking after any geriatric dog can be challenging, these years need not be difficult or painful for either you or your dog. Regular visits to the vet are still essential to maintain their health, to monitor any medications and to look for the early signs of senility.

Remember, you may need to adapt how you treat your dog as they age. Doing the following will help to ensure your dog’s final years are as stress-free as possible:

• Try to keep both walks and the house layout consistent. Further, if your geriatric dog is confronted with a new environment, they may well find this stressful. In such situations, consider using a ‘security’ pheromone diffuser, spray or collar.

• Help your dog’s digestion by feeding smaller meals several times a day using raised food bowls.

• Make sure that your dog has a comfortable bed and that floors are not slippery.

• Gently groom their coat and get their nails clipped if they are overlong.

• Make sure that your dog has some form of identification.

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Kathy Barcham

Selecting a vet for your dogAs any dog owner will tell you, dogs are family. Naturally, therefore, everyone wants the best care for their dog, and choosing the right vet is a vitally important step in this process.

Ideally, you should look to meet your vet by visiting the practice before your dog is ill by arranging a health assessment for your dog. This way you can check out the car parking and waiting room arrangements firsthand. Is there space between other dogs? Are there activities for children?

By visiting the vet for a health assessment, you will be able to assess how they can help you to look after your dog. Consider things like the information they provide, the qualifications of their staff, their healthcare plans and how much help they provide when it comes to filling in your insurance claim forms.

It may not be something that you want to think about, but imagine if your dog is ill or injured and needs emergency care – does this practice provide out-of-hours care? How local is this service? What happens to dogs that need overnight care? Who looks after them? Can you visit your dog during a hospital stay?

ConclusionDogs are great friends, yet it should never be forgotten that they rely on us for their wellbeing.

Hopefully this guide has helped you become aware of what to look out for and how, with regular visits to your vet, you can increase both the life expectancy and happiness of your dog.

About Green PasturesAt Green Pastures we are committed to providing your dog with the highest standard of care.

To give you a little extra peace of mind, we hold full RCVS accreditation and have separate dog wards, enabling us to care for your dog 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Furthermore, we can see your dog at Green Pastures in case of an emergency.

Feel free to visit our website to find out more about how we can help you to ensure your dog has a long, happy and healthy life.

Further, as a special thank you for requesting this guide, we are happy to offer your dog a free veterinary health assessment. To book yours, simply call 01934 622022 or email us at [email protected]

www.greenpasturesvets.co.uk

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