FLEAS!

It's a subject that most of us don't want to think about, fleas.
Once your cat has fleas they become infested as the fleas multiply quite quickly as they have a fairly short reproduction cycle. Once you  have fleas in the house it is a case of cleaning, insecticides and cleaning again- especially if you have carpets that harbor the fleas.
I treat my cats for fleas having found to my cost the problems that occur when you don't. My mum had a cat that collapsed with what we thought were breathing difficulties- it was fleas! The fleas itch the animal and scratching only makes the skin sore.
Last week I went shopping for preventative fleas treatments and I didn't have my spectacles with me so I could not read the label until I got home. I had bought Hugo a flea collar - a nice silver collar on my daughters insistence and then some flea treatment to put on his neck.  Only when I read the instructions did I realize you could only use one treatment- so the moral of this to check what treatments you are giving your cat and if you are not confident check with your veterinary surgeon

What should I do? My cat won't eat!

If your cat misses more than a couple of meals there could be a serious probem. If a cat loses weight it could be an indication that there is something seriously wrong with them. My cat Bagera was losing weight and not eating and then stopped eating competly. The vet diagnosed a high temperature and possibly an infection. We nearly lost him whist the anti biotics were starting to work as he had such a low weight. If your cat wont feed you can try changing the food-offerring little delicacies that he likes. If he realy wont eat, then you can syringe food into his mouth or do what I did and put slices of meat into his mouth, so he has to chew. To open a cats mouth grab his face at each cheekbone and apply pressure (gently) once the mouth is open sliup the food in. If your cat is still quite healthy it might hep to wrap him in a towel or you might get some heavy scratches.

Cat Flu

If your cat has flu like symptoms, runny nose and eyes, problems with breathing accompanied by bouts of sneezing then they may have cat flu. Like humans when we have flu, your cat will be sick and miserable, aching all over- they will want to be quiet and warm and just don't feel like eating anything.

Try not to be alarmed- cat flu is not caused by the Influenza virus and therefore you can't catch it whilst nursing her. Real cat flu, not just the odd sniffle needs looking after; it can be fatal in elderly cats or very young kittens.

The virus is caused by FHV1 which is called Feline Herpes of FCV FeLine Calici Virus. If you are worried about your cat's condition then it is best to take her to the  veterinary surgeon- it may be that a course of antibiotics is needed. There are many products on the market for the relief of symptoms that may be suitable for your cat so have a look on line or pop into your local pet store.

The one thing that I have to stress is cleanliness. An infected cat passes the infection on through secretions- those runny noses and eyes and dribbling mouth. If you have other cats within your family you will need to keep them apart. Make sure that any bedding is washed or destroyed when the cat is feeling better and ensure that feeding and drinking bowls are not shared as this will spread the virus.

Again if at any time you are not sure of your cat or kittens condition then visit your veterinary surgeon. 

How to avoid getting Cat Fleas

You may remember last year and my problem with Cat fleas which resulted in a major spring clean and bath for the cats- although we got most of them, when we put the heating on for the winter we still got the odd bite. This year I have decided to start early and try to understand the link between what my boys bring in and infestation.

It seems that the fleas lay their eggs on the cat, some hatch and turn into fleas to bite and infuriate the cat. Others eggs fall off the cat and  hatch where they have landed. This is why your cat's favourite resting place will be infested with fleas- unfortunately last year it was my daughters bed. It also explains why the other daughter did not have any fleas in her room  as she has a lock on her bedroom door.

A report by the University of California, Entomology department says that Fleas are becoming resistant to Insecticides. However the industry is concentrating on producing products that work to inhibit the growth of the flea- if the egg does not hatch then there is no flea! Did you know that the annual expenditure in the USA by owners trying to eliminate fleas exceeds $1 billion. ( So I wasn't alone last year when I had my little problem) Their research has found that if you disturb the egg of the flea then it wont hatch, also if you expose the flea to -1degree for five days it will die- (Out you go kitty). It also says that they only start biting humans once the cat is infested.

So this year, to avoid a repeat of last years drama, I am using products which inhibit the growth of fleas- particularly the spot on treatment. I guess the reason it didn't work last year is that once the animal is infested with fleas they are there feeding and biting whilst it can only inhibit growth of new fleas. I guess it would have worked in the long run, but we couldn't wait.

Since the beginning of December the boys have each received a dose of flea treatment- I didn't buy it at a cut price store I went to a specialist pet shop and asked their recommendation. Brands vary in every country but I am sure that paying a little bit more could be of benefit. Heath wise there has been no change in Bagera, my tabby but my ginger cat, Tiggy has taken on a new lease of life- within days his hair was fuller, silky and soft. He has stopped messing in the house and remembers where he is and where he has to go- which is hard when you are nearly 15 years old.

The best thing to do is to get a monthly treatment and always apply it on the first day of the month, you wont forget it and by giving them unbroken protection not only will your cat benefit but you will benefit later in the summer when you realise that you are not getting bitten all the time!

Wheat Free Cat Food

If you live in the UK check out TESCO Just Nature Cat food.

I shop at TESCO because I suffer from celiac disease and they have their own free from brand which I really recommend.

The Cat food is not Gluten free but it is Wheat free, Dairy free and free from artifical colours and preservatives.
 I have found two types, one is a pate which they really did enjoy, the favours are limited but they found the turkey with rice pate  delicious and wanted more.

There are also some sachets- normally I dont buy sachets as the boys eat too many and the last I bought reappeared on the kitchen floor in the time it took Bagera to think "yeuch I dont like this". Again the sachets are wheat and dairy free and free from those artificial colours and preservatives. I dont know if I got a duff box but half of the sachets were not labelled- never mind, my cats cant read!  They are available in a poultry selection box with 12 sachets for a reasonable £3.89

Well done TESCO!

Putting your cat to sleep

What do you do when your veterinarian says that they can do no more for your cat. A friend of mine faced this only two days ago. Her cat, adopted from another family three years ago, had been acting quite strangely for two or three days. She was not eating, which in itself was worrying, and then in the morning she was found with her head in the water bowl. On investigation the Veterinary Hospital did some tests and found that she had kidney failure and diabetes. Meg was an older cat and had enjoyed good health until the previous week. Athough failing kidneys and diabetes can be treated the veterinarian said it would involve a long hospital stay which would be stressful to the cat plus owing to her age there was no guarantee that her quality of life could be sustained. My friend took the brave decision and agreed to have her put to sleep- her pain and sufferring were over and I like to think she is jumping through the clouds chasing imaginery birds and rays of sunlight. Rest In Peace, Meg.

Getting rid of Cat Fleas

The cat's have fleas and have brought them home. I really am having problems getting rid of them.
We tried treating the cats with spot on anti flea treatment which did not work.
Last week we bathed the cats and killed many of them- my poor little ginger cat was infested with them.
This week we have been spraying the carpets with anti flea spray and vacuuming but my daughters and I are still being bitten. The weather is so warm and muggy I am sure that they are breeding.
Reference sources seem to think that the fleas will be killed by very cold weather- we are hoping for a freeze up. If anyone knows a sure fire way of killing them, please let me know. (the fleas that is)