Hair loss
Q: I have an old cat--16 years old. she is losing the hair on her tail and back legs. is this just old age or is there something i can give her to help?
A: If she is pulling it out, it could be nerves or allergies. i would not recommend at home meds on this one unless you had exam and blood work at vet to make sure no internal problems involved
Stray cat with sore paw
Q: I have been caring for a cat that belonged to a family that moved away without him. he has been in relatively good health until today when i noticed his right front paw was swollen and was limping a bit. i to find a vet that would take him or a program where he could get care and adopted but have not been able to find one. my question is what should i be doing for his paw as far as soaking, pain reliever, medications. i have five cats (all strays) so i unfortunately i do not have the room or money to care for another. any help that you could provide would be helpful. thank you, j. blaustein
A: Most common causes of this include injuries/trauma/cat bites. best thing i can tell you is to soak foot in warm epsom salts a few times daily for 10 minutes at a time to draw out any infection,etc. no over the counter pain meds for cats. sounds like need good antibiotic script like amoxicillin.
Hot spots?
Q: My 5 year old akita gets what i would call hot spots on his back and tail. his main time to get them is from april to october. he has two hot spots right now that he bites at and they just bleed. what causes him to get hot spots? why does he only get hot spots around the warmer months? what can i stock up on to cure or sooth these hot spots. i know he is in pain. thank you!
A: These are often due to allergies and in this case likely inhalent allergies this time of year. you can try antihistamines like benadryl at dose of 1 mg per pound twice daily during seasons as well as gentacin topical spray from 1800petmeds to have on hand
Shop for: antihistamine, 1800petmeds
Vomitting
Q: I have three cats that vomit after eating. i've changed their cat food several times, but it doesn't seem to help. i've given them hairball treatments too. nothing helps. these cats vvere born feral but have been eating food i've given them since they starting eating. my vet says that it is not uncommon. some cats are like that. vvhat do you have to say? thanks.
A: I would have workup for chronic vomiting. can be anything from dietary sensitivity/allergy to more serious liver/pancreatic/ intestinal issues. all should be checked for viruses like felv/fiv/and fip and toxo. if all negative, ultrasound and/or endoscopy will give you diagnosis. also should have feline heartworm test as some cats can vomit with this infection. if all negative like inflammatory bowel disease, an immune condition of intestines that needs endoscopic biopsy go diagnose and treat effectively. try better or naturla diet like pet guard along with prozyme added to food from 1800petmeds
Shop for: prozyme, 1800petmeds
Constipation in an elderly cat
Q: My cat is 24 years old. she is now showing signs of constipation. i asked the vet what to do and she suggested laxatone which i have been attempting. my cat fights very hard when i come near with that tube but i have been successful at time. it works sometime but not all times. my vet says she is too old to give an enema. what else is there? thank you.
A: There is a drug which is still available at many pharmacies( you can check with |pet meds) called propulsid, which can sometimes help with a weak colon.|some of these cats also do well on a stool softener known as lactulose, which you could also ask your vet about. there are some excellent hi fiber diets now available from your veterinarian as well. some of my clients try a teaspoon or two of canned pumpkin added to the food daily, which can act as a source of fiber to help with bowel movements. hope this helps.
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