CAT HEALTH & MEDICINE

Self-grooming only goes so far, especially as a cat ages and cant reach around to his body parts as well. Thats why you want to supplement a cats licking baths with brushing. It wont only help your cat look his best. It will remove dirt, grease, and dead hair from his coat, not to mention cut down on hairballs. In addition, it will help remove loosened skin flakes and improve circulation.

Say needle, and some people go weak at the knees. Tell them they have to inject their cat with a needle regularly, and they may feel they just wont be able to, especially because they fear they will hurt their pet. They wont. If youre among the needle phobic and are told you need to administer injections yet still dont feel convinced, keep in mind that you love your cat and want her to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. You can do this.

You know you should be assessing your cats body condition score to make sure she isnt too heavy. But what about her muscle condition score? Cats with undue muscle loss, either because of a chronic disease or simply the aging process - or both - are often weaker than they should be and may have a decreased ability to recover from illness or surgery.

My beloved cat, Tigger, has died of cancer at the age of 19, and his death has left me feeling somewhat guilty. He enjoyed going outdoors, and I would follow him around the yard to make sure he was okay.

There is no database in veterinary medicine that lets people compare records for how well different practices do with regard to health outcomes. The only resource is word of mouth - anecdotes from people you know who share their own experiences at local veterinary offices.

When a cat coughs on a fairly regular basis, people often think their pet is trying to throw up hairballs, says Tufts veterinarian Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM. But coughing and throwing up are two separate things. And unless you see actual hairballs vomited up, a coughing cat should be brought to the veterinarian, she advises.

If youre looking to lessen your impact on the environment but still want to keep your cat happy with fun toys, a comforting bed, and other accouterments, consider some sustainable alternatives to less planet-friendly fare. The products here offer a few of the ever-increasing number of ways you can lessen your cats carbon paw print. You may even decide to purchase extras for family and friends this holiday season.

I have fallen in love with a shelter cat that is deaf and would like to adopt it. Should I have any concerns?

My cat needs a $3,000 operation, and I dont have the cash or that much credit available on my credit card. I should have bought pet health insurance, but obviously Im not going to be able to get it now, after the need for a surgery has been found. Do I have any options whatsoever?

Cats are wily about concealing their pain. It comes from a genetically encoded instinct for self-protection, never wanting to let potential predators know they may be vulnerable. But if your cat has arthritis, there are frequently telltale signs.

Diarrhea is one of the most common health problems cats suffer. Its not surprising when you consider just how many different types of illnesses and situations can cause it. Loose stools can be prompted by everything from a gastrointestinal infection to a sudden change in diet, stress, feline immunodeficiency virus, inflammatory bowel disease, and even certain types of cancer.

Veterinary care via a house call is certainly not a new concept but has been of limited value because the doctor comes with little more than a black bag and a stethoscope.