Pet Animals - A Vet's perspective » Cats http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals Animals as pets - a vet's point of view Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:52:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Cats not getting along http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/12/05/cats-not-getting-along/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/12/05/cats-not-getting-along/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:55:58 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/12/05/cats-not-getting-along/ Frazier, who is almost 14, is a lovely, big-sized indoor tabby. He has moved with me to various apartments, graduate school, jobs…and along the way, has lived with other cats and the occasional dog. For the past 5 years, it has been just “him & Me.”

Recently (two weeks ago today), I adopted a nine-month-old neutered male. I followed all the “steps” I knew to follow in introducing the two. Silas (the new guy) was kept in a downstairs living room for the first few days. They were able to “see” each other once, and had their first “face-to-face” on the fourth day for a few minutes. Days five-to-seven they spent ten to twenty minutes together. By day ten they were at 40 minutes! (there was hissing, mind you, but overall Silas would lie down and ignore Frazier).

This weekend (days 13 & 14)has been horrible, however. Silas has run up to Frazier & they have exchanged “blows” with their paws. I am not sure what may have caused this change (I have a houseguest who has taken Silas to her room to sleep for the past few days…Silas’ room has the computer in it, so I have spent more time in there to work on a project)…But I am so sad to see this difference! They are such sweet boys separately, but together they are a mess!

So—here’s my question…Do I go back to the ‘drawing board’ and start over at step one? Because of Frazier’s age, I do not want to create excessive stress for him, and am especially concerned that he may have difficulty adjusting. I know this will take time, and I am not considering a return to a one-cat household at this point, but wonder what are the ‘deal-breakers’ when you are introducing cats? (I should also mention that Frazier does not have front claws, and Silas has all of his).

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/12/05/cats-not-getting-along/feed/ 0 kitten snoring http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/12/05/kitten-snoring/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/12/05/kitten-snoring/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:47:42 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/12/05/kitten-snoring/ I have noticed that the kitten (3mo persian mix female desexed) snores and seems to cough a bit in the mornings. No discharge from eyes or nose and all behavior is normal. The kitten is a little heavy and has slightly persian type features (which I have read can cause beathing problems). She is under regular vet care and had last check up and 2nd round of shots 2 weeks ago. How worried should I be? I can’t get her to the vet for several days due to work schedule and vet appointment availability.

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/12/05/kitten-snoring/feed/ 0 Cat with possible purple tumor http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/02/08/cat-with-possible-purple-tumor/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/02/08/cat-with-possible-purple-tumor/#comments Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:33:50 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/02/08/cat-with-possible-purple-tumor/ Are purple masses/tumors generally cancerous? Or are all tumors generally purple in cats? They were found above the knee of my cat (. Any chance they are hemangomias( or however you spell it)? There’s this purple mass above her knee – she’s a 6yo Domestic Short Haired neutered female.

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/02/08/cat-with-possible-purple-tumor/feed/ 0 Catching a feral cat http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/02/08/catching-a-feral-cat/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/02/08/catching-a-feral-cat/#comments Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:25:54 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/02/08/catching-a-feral-cat/ This is a feral cat (3yo female) that lives in my garage. She hangs around but will not let me touch her. Her hair is starting to get matted and she has fleas. I need to get her to a vet but can not get her into a cat carrier. I have tried food and catnip. No luck. She had kittens a little over a year ago and they are great. She let me pet her for awhile after they were born. That was the last time she was at the vets. Is there anyway I can help her? She is darting around the yard like a crazy cat. Because of the fleas. She needs help. Thank you in advance.

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2008/02/08/catching-a-feral-cat/feed/ 0 Chances of cat surviving with pulmonary embolism http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/10/12/chances-of-cat-surviving-with-pulmonary-embolism/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/10/12/chances-of-cat-surviving-with-pulmonary-embolism/#comments Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:45:17 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/10/12/chances-of-cat-surviving-with-pulmonary-embolism/ Jefferson my roomate’s cat (10yo Domestic Shorthair male neutered) is in the vet right now. He was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung yesterday and was put on blood thinners. This morning he is in a comma. What are his chances of surviving?

Note : Cat health question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/10/12/chances-of-cat-surviving-with-pulmonary-embolism/feed/ 0 Cat eating easter grass and vomiting http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/09/04/cat-eating-easter-grass-and-vomiting/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/09/04/cat-eating-easter-grass-and-vomiting/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:50:30 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/09/04/cat-eating-easter-grass-and-vomiting/ My cat (4yo male neutered Domestic short hair) got into some easter grass today (the green stuff that goes in easter baskets) and has been throwing it up in chunks all day. I’m very concerned about him because of the amount that he has thrown up. Also, some of the bile has been tinted red. Is this a normal reaction? Should I take him to the vet, or is it ok since he is throwing it up?

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/09/04/cat-eating-easter-grass-and-vomiting/feed/ 0 Cat with FeLV and FIV http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/09/04/cat-with-felv-and-fiv/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/09/04/cat-with-felv-and-fiv/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:44:43 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/09/04/cat-with-felv-and-fiv/ My cat (7yo Tonkinese male neutered) tested negative at 1 yr of age for leukemia and aids and has been vaccinated every year. this year he became violently sick was tested and told test was positive for both. if vaccinated every year is it even possible for the positive on feline leukemia or somewhere did the vet make a mistake? the aids I can understand.

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/09/04/cat-with-felv-and-fiv/feed/ 0 Cat vomiting after exploratory surgery http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/08/30/cat-vomiting-after-exploratory-surgery/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/08/30/cat-vomiting-after-exploratory-surgery/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:37:39 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/08/30/cat-vomiting-after-exploratory-surgery/ My cat (2yo Silver Persian female neutered) had exploratory surgery 4 days ago. She seems to have an appetite, but vomits if the tiniest amount of food is swallowed. A biopsy was taken in her stomach at the time of the exploratory. Can you tell me possible reasons why she is still vomiting?

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/08/30/cat-vomiting-after-exploratory-surgery/feed/ 0 Cat with chlamydia http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/08/30/cat-with-chlamydia/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/08/30/cat-with-chlamydia/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:33:54 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/08/30/cat-with-chlamydia/ My 9 yr old cat (orange tabby female neutered Domestic short hair) has been diagnosed with severe Chlamydia, within the last year, causing her to wheeze & cough continuously, runny-stuffy nose, wet eyes, everything. My vet won’t prescribe any more Zeniquin because continued use can cause retinal damage, but it’s the only thing that seems to help her breath easier. What more can I do?

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

]]> http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/08/30/cat-with-chlamydia/feed/ 0 Wheezy cat http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/07/26/wheezy-cat/ http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/07/26/wheezy-cat/#comments Fri, 27 Jul 2007 02:09:56 +0000 admin http://www.ask-the-vet.com/petanimals/2007/07/26/wheezy-cat/ My kitty samson is getting up there in age (he’s 8, mixed breed, neutered) and recently I noticed that he’s been weezing a lot. I’ve had him since I was young so he’s always, until recently, been an outdoor/indoor kitty. Now he’s stictly indoors since I’ve moved two months ago. At first when he was weezing I thought it was hairballs, but I’ve never seen him throw up. He just gets really low down to the ground, sticks his tongue all the way out and starts coughing. I pet him for a little while and then he’s okay. He doesn’t seem to be bothered about his little “ritual” after he’s done at all. I’ve tried giving him hairball medicated food and treats and tried to brush him on a regular basis and what not, but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Does he just have hairballs? Or could it be something more serious?

Note : Cat question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet questions.

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