A general definition of cancer is a group of cells that grow abnormally,
usually with uncontrolled multiplication of cells. Cancers can be roughly
divided into 2 groups – benign and malignant. Benign cancers are
considered to be less aggressive while malignant cancers often spread
to body parts other than the original location and are much more aggressive.
There are, unfortunately,
many types of cancer that can affect cats.
INAPPROPRIATE
URINATION
Otherwise
known as “Cats that pee where they shouldn’t” …
Inappropriate urination (urinary incontinence) is one of the most
common complaints from cat owners. Cat urine has a strong odour and
most people find it upsetting to come home to a liquid “surprise”
from their feline pal. There are a number of reasons that a cat will
choose to urinate outside their litterbox. These can usually be divided
into two general categories – medical problems or behavioural
issues. It is important to differentiate the causes of inappropriate
urination, as the treatments are quite different.
INFLAMMATORY
BOWEL DISEASE
Inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD) is a condition that can be successfully treated
and managed, but generally never cured. It is made up of a group of
gastrointestinal disorders that are usually chronic in nature and is
characterized by an increase in the number of inflammatory cells found
in the stomach or intestinal tract.
LYMPHOCYTIC
PLASMACYTIC STOMATITIS
It
is a common mouth disease of cats, which causes chronic irritation,
and inflammation of the soft tissues of the mouth, specifically the
gums, and the back of the throat. It can be a painful condition that
may even cause your cat to stop eating. The cause is unknown but it
is believed to be an immune-mediated over reaction to plaque. In other
words, your cat becomes allergic to the thin layer of debris that sticks
to its teeth and this causes sore gums and a very sore mouth.
FELINE
LEUKEMIA & FIV
When
a new cat arrives at our shelter, one of the first things we do is take
a
blood sample and run a test that checks to see if the cat is carrying,
or has
been exposed to 2 viruses. They are Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and
Feline
Immune Deficiency Virus (FIV). The reason we test for these two particular
viruses is that they can both be debilitating and life threatening,
and can be
transferred from one cat to another in an open multiple cat setting.
Thankfully,
the percentage of cats that actually test positive for one or both of
these
viruses is fairly low, but we do see at least 1-3 each year.
FELINE
OBESITY
Many owners are
surprised when they are told that their cat is fat. In fact, obesity
is the most common nutritional problem today, with as many as 50% of
household cats falling into the overweight category. While we can’t
blame a cat for indulging on the tasty side of life, it is important
to understand that excess pounds can lead to a multitude of health risks.
There is no single number used to determine whether a cat is overweight.
An ideal body condition varies depending on the individual cat’s
age, gender, activity level, diet type and feeding style. The convenience
of free choice feeding is not generally a problem if the cat is active
enough to burn off the calories. However, many indoor cats show just
enough activity to get to the food bowl and eat before heading back
to the sunbeam for a nap. In addition to this,
Commercial cat
foods are formulated to be irresistibly delicious! Cats can utilize
some carbohydrates from their diet; however excess carbs are not burned
as energy. Instead they are converted to triglycerides and stored as
fat. Protein is the main energy source and cats require higher concentrations
of certain amino acids to maintain normal body functions.
As with many
species, obesity plays a major role in potential health risks, such
as heart conditions and joint problems. Excess weight puts stress on
joints, muscles and ligaments and can predispose cats to soft-tissue
injuries and osteoarthritis. Obesity in cats is also associated with
diabetes mellitus and has been known to increase the severity of reexisting
feline asthma.
Unique to cats
is a life-threatening fatty liver disease - hepatic lipidosis. This
condition generally occurs in obese cats after a period of fasting and
results in fat accumulating in the liver. The disease progression is
rapid and aggressive and the consequences are often fatal.
Along with these more serious health issues are the everyday maintenance
challenges that a fat cat faces. Their large physical size limits their
ability to groom sufficiently and often results in matted, greasy fur
or dry, flaky skin. Cats may encounter difficulties when performing
simple tasks like jumping or stair climbing. This may not only reduce
your cat’s desire to move around the house, but can provide an
all around lethargic and depressed attitude.
Tips on reducing
your cat’s weight:
- Measured
meals - Rather than a continuous supply of food, it is a good idea
to decide how much food your cat needs each day and divide that up into
2-3 portions. You may need to consult your vet to decide what an appropriate
amount of food is for your cat, as these values vary among individuals.
These divided portions can then be fed throughout the day to provide
the cat with a relatively constant energy intake. Any change should
be done gradually and needs an adjustment period, but before long you
and your cat will have it down to an art.
- Food type
- Common weight control diets help with feline weight loss, however
many also reduce the cats lean muscle mass. Recent research shows high-protein,
low-carbohydrate diets may be an alternative for weight loss in cats
by reducing weight while maintaining lean body mass. Again, consulting
with your vet regarding a suitable diet for your cat is recommended,
especially for older cats or those with other health issues.
- Encourage
your cat to be more active - By providing some favourite toys, levelled
scratching posts or other climbing devices you can help your cat burn
off a few calories every day. You can even try distributing the meals
in different locations so the cat has to be more active to get to the
food dish.
- Avoid treats
– Limit the amounts of treats and table foods that you give. Don’t
worry, the cold stares and kitty obscenities directed at you will subside
with time!
- Don’t
expect immediate results - Typically, safe weight-loss programs
for cats take up to six months. Very obese cats may require up to one
year to safely adjust to their ideal body weight.
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