CAT HEALTH & MEDICINE

As a feline-only practitioner, I look forward to kitten season every year. Nothing brightens my day more than examining a kitten and seeing all of the joy and amusement it brings to the family. I do not, however, look forward to peering inside a kittens ear - especially a kitten thats been aggressively scratching at her ears with a hind paw and shaking her head afterward. This behavior is usually the telltale sign of ear mites.

Although obesity is a major and persistent feline health problem, with an estimated 40 percent or more of cats living in U.S. homes significantly or grossly overweight, owners should also be aware of the many and frequently severe hazards associated with its opposite: significant weight loss over a brief period of time. According to Michael Stone, DVM, a faculty member in small animal medicine at Tufts: Unexplained weight loss should always be considered a potentially serious health problem, and when it is observed, veterinary attention should be sought promptly.

I have tried to do research on the best flea/tick preventative for my cat, Taylor, but the information has left me a little confused about what would be best for our particular situation.

Ive noticed recently that our grey DSH cat, Pal, is showing some lightening of his fur. He has been an indoor-outdoor cat his entire life (hes 15 years old), so while I first thought it was a matter of his becoming sun-bleached, now Im not so sure. Otherwise, his health and behavior seem exactly the same.

Youre worried about your cat Henry. About a week ago, you noticed that a small, hairless, red sore had developed mysteriously on his upper lip, and it isnt going away. Perhaps you have nothing to worry about. Maybe this angry-looking eruption will simply disappear within a few days.

For those cats who live an indoor-outdoor existence - or even an exclusive outdoor life, despite its many dangers - there are extra hazards to keep in mind during the warm weather months. There is an increase in cat fights, dog bites and road traffic accidents.

Although vaccines have been an integral part of preventive health care programs for several decades now, many cat owners probably take vaccination for granted. They shouldnt. No other medical development has been as successful as vaccination in controlling deadly diseases in companion animals.

Every so often, one of your cats comes down with a bout of the sniffles. In most cases, you have nothing to worry about. The sneezing and runny nose should simply fade away within a few days. But if the signs persist for longer than that - especially if the cat is not eating and not behaving normally, or the discharge from her nose thickens and becomes darker in color - a visit to your veterinarian is in order.

Vomiting, severe diarrhea, diminished appetite, fever, listlessness, progressive weight loss and general weakness are among the signs of a deadly feline illness called parvovirus. This potentially fatal disorder - also known as panleukopenia or distemper - is an illness for which there is no specific treatment. Fortunately, a highly effective vaccine is available to provide cats with long-lasting immunity against the feline parvovirus (FPV) - the organism that is responsible for spreading the disease.

Over the last two decades, probiotics have become a hot topic in both human and veterinary medicine. An enormous body of research has clearly indicated that probiotics can cause a positive change in the intestinal bacterial population when pathogenic bacteria overtake the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics have also been shown to have a beneficial effect on the immune system.

I am a long-time subscriber who enjoys the publication very much. I feel that the information has helped me to take better care of the cats who live with us (at present time, we have four cats). My question is this: What exactly does board-certified mean, and how does a veterinarian achieve that qualification?

I have been sponsoring a cat at a purebred rescue facility who is FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) positive. I have two cats who are elderly (12 and 14 years old), but healthy. Ive been told that if I adopt my sponsored cat, my own cats wont be affected by this disease - unless they receive a deep bite wound. Is this true?