Cat vaccination recommendations

Vaccination recommendations are in a state of flux at the moment. However, kittens must have their first check up and vaccination at 8 weeks of age. Boosters at 12 and 16 weeks protect against enteritis and cat flu for 12 months.
Feline Enteritis causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is usually fatal.
Cat flu caused by Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus and/or Feline Calicivirus is not often fatal. Early signs of cat flu are sneezing and watery eyes. Later, affected cats go off their food, lose weight and may develop chronic snuffles. Flu is contagious to other cats and cats with signs of flu cannot enter boarding catteries. Flu vaccination minimises signs of disease but does not guarantee full protection against infection.
Cats beginning the vaccination schedule after 12 weeks of age receive one booster a month later.
Your cat will need a booster vaccination 12 months after the initial course.
After that your vet will decide at your cat's annual checkup what vaccinations are necessary.
Vaccines work best in healthy cats, so a full examination is mandatory before each vaccination.

Simon's cat in Santa Claws

how do cats lap??

Some interesting research has just revealed what we already know - that cats are very mysterious and unique creatures!  The mechanism they use to lap water into their mouths is quite different from that of dogs or other animals.  This story comes from Scientific American online.

One morning scientist Roman Stocker was watching his cat Cutta Cutta drink, and began to wonder about the mechanism by which cats lap fluid into their mouths. He thought that there was an interesting biomechanical problem. The cat has a curious method of lapping, which involves bending the tip of its tongue downward toward its chin to pull liquid into its mouth


Stocker took high-speed movies of Cutta Cutta and found that she did not dip her tongue into the water and scoop it like dogs do. She touched her tongue, with tip bent downward, against the surface of the liquid before drawing it rapidly back into its mouth. Liquid at the surface rose with the retreating tongue, which pulled it up into a column of fluid. Cutta Cutta then trapped that liquid in her mouth, swallowing only after several laps had accumulated a significant volume of fluid in her mouth.

Fluid inertia is the prime mover in forming the column of liquid that rises with the tongue into the mouth. When the tongue leaves the liquid, adhesion pulls fluid with it from the surface, and inertia causes more liquid to follow. Gravity acts against the upward motion of the column, eventually pinching it off at a certain height. To trap the most liquid in its mouth, the researchers found, a cat should close its mouth around the column just before gravity pinches it off—a strategy that house cats, at least, seem to have internalized.

Amazing but simple research!
How do cats lap?

Buddha's cat

I haven't posted for a while because I have been away in Cambodia.  In the grounds of a Phnom Penn wat I spotted this puss curled up at Buddha's feet.  Both at peace...

Christmas holidays

Going away this Christmas?  Make sure your cat's vaccinations are up to date now.  Most good boarding catteries insist that cats are immunised against herpesvirus, calicivirus and enteritis, also known as panleukopenia.
We get very busy in December and vaccination slots are difficult to find so book in for November instead.

Snake season

The snakes are up and about.  A few days of warm weather and they shake off their winter blues and start prowling the Bush Capital again.
Binka met one on her rounds on Monday and lost the fight.  She is paralysed and in hospital on a drip and regular purrrrrrrrrr therapy until she can eat and walk again.

Binka meows a greeting and rests again

Binka on a drip and a well padded bed

Cool Cat

Coco the Cool cat in my saxophone case...

Pet loss and grief

Katrina Warren has created a website for people who have recently lost a pet or who are agonising over a decision to euthanase an old or ill pet. She encourages people to share their stories and tributes, read expert advice and honour the lives of their special pets.

Have a look at :


Our Wonderful Pets

The love we have for our pets never dies- they live on in our hearts and memories forever.

Veterinary nurse needed urgently

Our New Zealand nurse has unexpectedly had to return home to look after her dying dog and we are looking for a trained veterinary nurse to start as soon as possible. We expect a motivated, flexible self-starter ready and able to perform all nurse duties - helping in consultations, weight management consultations, kennel cleaning, pharmacy, surgical and hospital nursing, and occasional reception. If you think you would fit in to our pet-loving team focussing on high quality care for our patients and clients please email Lesa or send your CV and an introductory letter to Lesa at PO Box 259, Hall, ACT 2618.

Check us out on:
Hall Veterinary Surgery

Cat enclosures



Catnip enclosure



Sylvie hangs out in the garden

 These lucky cats run out in the fresh air under various type of enclosure.  They are safe from motor vehicles and dogs, and they can watch but not catch birds and other wildlife.

Catmax enclosed shrubs for cat explorers

Leenie

Ellie on the prowl

Both Catmax netting and Catnip enclosure are available here in Canberra!  See



Catmax and Catnip

Kitten with the runs.....

Kittens with diarrhoea are not pleasant house mates.  Unfortunately the runs are very common in kittens.  If we rule out dietary and parasite problems, and the diarrhoea continues then we must consider other rarer things.   

Six month old kitten Tully came to see us this week because he has had diarrhoea on and off for over a month and is now passing fresh red blood and mucus on very soft faeces. He’s also straining on the litter tray and repeatedly going back.

Cow’s milk or a sudden change in diet can cause diarrhoea in some kittens but Tully is on a combined cat biscuit and canned diet, and his owners are starting to build up his meat intake.  Worms can cause diarrhoea in some kittens but Tully was wormed last week.

Tully jumped up on the window sill and swung off the blind in the consult room.  His appetite is normal and he is otherwise bright and happy so we doubted that he had a viral or bacterial gut infection.

Because Tully has had the diarrhoea for a long while and originally was rescued from a cat shelter we sent off a sample of his diarrhoea to check for giardia, tritrichomonas and cryptosporidia.  These nasties are seen in kittens who have been stressed or starved, or come from crowded conditions.

Meanwhile we checked his faeces for worm eggs and other parasites under the microscope.  We also recommended that his owners fast him for 24 hours and then start a bland diet of chicken and rice or rice cereal 3 or 4 times a day.

As soon as we know what is causing the problem Tully will go on the appropriate targeted treatment.

The Pigeon Pair

Cats and dogs will live happily together – as long as the cat establishes the ground rules! You will have more success if you bring the cat home first and later introduce the dog. Better still if both are young and up for a game. As they play they will learn to socialise with each other and find their limits.
If they are older or you have had the first pet for a long time then you will have to introduce the new pet gradually and under close supervision.
Keep the new pet behind a closed door so that the two can become acquainted by smell and sound first.  Exchange their bedding or allow eye contact through a gauze door if possible.  After a few days allow them a short time together while you are present.  If all goes well increase the time they spend together.
Your cat will often show who's boss with a swipe to an eager nose so watch that this doesn't get out of hand.  Most cats will run away afterward and the dog will learnt some respect...
Pets are like children. Try not to pay too much attention to one pet or encourage competition. Share the love and make sure that both pets know what the rules are for getting attention – being calm and sitting patiently.

See this great site for other fabulous hints on keeping pets:

Pets in the City

The grass is riz...

Spring is here and Clyde thought he'd do a little gardening... trouble is a blade of grass became lodged behind his nasal passages.  Dr Alex tried to remove it last week but the blade just kept getting caught on the tiny spines along its edges.  On Saturday she tried again and this time it came out in one piece.  Here he is, still asleep, with the blade of grass safely removed:

Don't you love this???

Missy's birthday cupcakes

Missy turned 13 years today and she and her human baked us these delicious cupcakes to celebrate!

Working at a veterinary hospital is a constant delight - particularly when our patients (and clients) spoil us like this!  Thankyou Missy!

Meet Sir James and his lady friend

Some cats are remarkably tolerant! - a combination of genes, early socialisation to children, good nature and good luck!!

The Ten Commandments - according to Oliver

Beautiful black cat Oliver dropped this in during the week and thought you should know:

1. Thou shalt not feed me the same food twice
2. Thou shalt not tell me what to do EVER
3. Thou shalt not sit on my chair without my permission
4. Thou shalt not feed the birds until I have positioned myself under a nearby bush
5. Thou shalt not take me to the vet in a cardboard box
6. Thou shalt not bring a dog into my house
7. Thou shalt not rev up the car when I am under it
8. Thou shalt not put a lid on the goldfish bowl
9. Thou shalt not move me from the pillow in the middle of the night 
10. Thou shalt obey the above or I will piddle in places you will not find!

Cup Cake Day at Hall Vet Surgery

Some of the amazing cup cakes our staff baked to raise money for the RSPCA today!!!
Thanks to everyone who gave a home to a stray cup cake and helped the RSPCA with the amazing work they do every day of the year.
If you rush in early tomorrow there may still be a few left for morning tea...

Fizzy Izzy

My daughter’s cat, Fizzy Izzy, has a nasty habit of biting. One moment she seems to be relaxed and enjoying being petted and stroked. Then out of the blue she turns and attacks the offending hand.
Accepting stroking is a learned response rather than natural behaviour. Cats have to relax and trust the human who is petting them. When some cats relax beyond a certain point they feel vulnerable and react defensively by biting.
Izzy was adopted at 4 months of age and may not have been socialized to humans adequately.
Younger cats may calm down as they mature. Older cats who are set in their ways are harder to help. Reading your cat’s body language and not deliberately provoking a reaction is imperative. If Izzy’s ears twitch or turn back or if she suddenly becomes tense we stop stroking her immediately.
My daughter is trying to help her feel more secure with physical attention by sitting quietly with her, moving slowly and staying calm. When Izzy stays relaxed she scores a cat treat. We don’t stretch the point and stay tuned to the amount of tension in her body.
Punishment only reinforces this type of cat’s belief that humans are a threat and cannot be trusted.
We warn all visitors to only minimally pet her even if she invites it.
I snapped Izzy in her terrace garden earlier this week and posted the pic below. She has been a much happier and relaxed puss since she moved into a terrace with a garden. Lots of diversions and natural things to play with have helped her trust and relax with the humans in her life.
Some of this article was adapted from the FAB cats information site on cat behaviour- visit it today and see what else you can find!
FABcats on cat behaviour

FAB cats

I've just found another fabulous and, more importantly, reliable and accurate cat information site.  The Feline Advisory Bureau - FAB - have partnered with the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) to provide information on all aspects of cat care, diseases, breeding and behaviour. I've put the link under Purrfect places to visit as well.
FAB cats

and on a lighter note...

Nine Reasons to Adopt a Black Cat


1. You can always find them in the snow.
2. Black goes with everything.
3. Holding a black cat is very slimming.
4. Black cats look like little panthers.
5. No one will notice the black hair on your black pants.
6. They don't care about the color of your hair.
7. Black cats don't show dirt.
8. B.L.A.C.K. = Beautiful Loving Adorable Cats and Kittens
9. They are the least likely to be adopted.

From: "Paws in Print"
Newsletter of The Coastal Humane Society Brunswick, ME

Bladder problems

We have seen an upsurge in the number of bladder problems and blockages in young male cats this winter. Cats don’t like braving the rain and the mud to toilet and some male cats don’t urinate often enough. Crystals and mucous then plug up the urethra and prevent the passage of urine.
The urethra is the passage urine takes from the bladder out through the penis. It is very narrow in male cats and easily blocked in some individuals.
If you see your male cat straining to urinate, licking his penis a lot or squatting repeatedly he needs immediate veterinary attention. Blocked cats soon lose their appetite and become weak because of the build-up of toxins in the blood. If they are left too long they become dehydrated and weak and go into shock.
We treat blocked cats as an emergency. They need a drip and relief from a very full bladder as soon as possible. If left blown up for too long the bladder can burst making the cat even more toxic.
A catheter into the bladder is left in place for a day and treatment to prevent re-blockage is started.
There are many other causes of blocked urethras. Some cats block up when stressed or anxious. Others refuse to toilet outside or in certain litter trays because of rival cats or fear of disturbance. Whenever the urine doesn’t regularly flush the urethra the risk of blockage in male cats increases.
To increase the amount of urine produced we must increase fluid intake. Cats do not have a very strong thirst drive. They ingest most of their fluid needs in their food so the easiest way to increase fluid intake is to increase the amount of wet food in the diet. Canned and sachet food, and raw meat are great because they contain the same amount of water as natural prey like mice, rats and birds.
Water fountains or water flavoured with chicken stock also help increase fluid intake.
Avoid dry cat kibble or biscuits because they cause low level chronic dehydration, induce concentrated urine and may increase the chances of a blocked urethra.

Inner City Tiger

My daughter's cat, whoops Tiger, Isabella, known to family as Fizzy Izzie, out in the jungles of an inner Sydney terrace courtyard, keeping fit and watching out for flies.

does this happen in your house????

Big-boned Cogsworth

Cogsworth

Cogsworth shows his wares

Cuddly old Cogsworth found his way into his family's hearts when they saw him at the RSPCA.  He was a thin little street waif then but quickly established his preference for  24 hour eat-in snacks and lots of sleep between.  The sorry result is a rather large belly...
Problems later in life because of that belly will include diabetes, arthritis, chronic pancreatitis and liver troubles. 
Cogsworth has bravely recognised that he needs to slim down.  His plan:

• only two meals a day
• no cat biscuits
• no cheese, no pate or liverwurst, no treats of any kind except for cuddles 
• measured amounts of canned food and roo meat
• slow weight loss over about 6 months
• weigh in every 2 weeks
• entertain staff by chasing ribbon, butterflies and mice; running through their silly cardboard tunnels; and climbing the cat tree twice a day.

We watch with interest, Cogsworth!

Mellow Morris

Morris waits in his coccoon

Morris' family found him in a carpark.  He soon snuggled his way into their hearts and made friends with Jasper, their older cat.  Jasper was desexed when he was only 5 months old and has remained a very affectionate and kitten-like cat so Morris hopes to follow in his paw prints.  Today we will desex him. Tomorrow he should rest but by the weekend he will be back to his normal active self.  

Lap wanted

Desexed male short haired grey 12 year old cat, fully vaccinated and up to date with health checks, is looking for a new home, preferably with comfortable lap in front of fire.
Present owner not allowed to keep him.  Originally rescued and owner doesn't want to surrender him to RSPCA.
He is fully toilet trained and has no bad habits, but likes sitting in the sun outside on fine days.
Phone Hall Vet Surgery on (02) 6230 2223 for more details if you have a place for him in your heart.

Cats on the prowl

Male cats hit the tiles in late winter and spring looking for females and trouble.  Adrenaline levels rise and even the most placid felines - entire or desexed - will ready for a fight with intruders.
Already this winter we have seen a couple of cats with abscesses that have come up after a brawl in the backyard.  Sometimes the scratches and bites are obvious and carers bring their cat in for preventative antibiotics and pain relief.  More often the first sign is a swollen face, a lame foreleg or pus discharging from a soft lump.  If not treated with antibiotics and drainage of the pus, blood poisoning and infection of deeper organs develops.
Wandering cats cause anxiety in some inside cats, too.  We see cats marking doors and windows, passing blood in their urine and overgrooming because they are feeling anxious.  These behavioural problems are much harder to treat and it is almost impossible to prevent strange cats wandering through your yard.  Refer to the Indoor Cat link to the right of this blog for some suggestions to try at home.  Sometimes we have to supplement your efforts with calming medication (for the cat!).

Our star Asta!

Asta the Norwegian Forest Cat playing after her spey today

Young cats like Asta recover rapidly after desexing.  They have pain prevention before surgery and more during the operation.  Cuddles during recovery and a warm bed to curl up in afterward ensure that they are happy and ready for dinner when their carers come to pick them up.

Cat retirement condominium

Nicholas on heating pad in fleece lined bed... he has elbow arthritis and demands comfort.







Tabby is the quiet achiever.  She also has a heating pad but even though she is older does not have the arthritis troubles that Nicholas suffers.  Perhaps because she is more of a home body and doesn't jump fences.

Cinta

I thought my Cinta was the only one in the world until I met this gorgeous Blue Russian Cinta last week.  Cinta means love in Indonesian and both Cintas have a lot of love to give!

Tough decisions

Despite our best efforts sometimes we have to make tough decisions about a cat’s future. We are privileged to be able to end the suffering of animals who are in untreatable pain or have an illness that prevents them from enjoying life. Euthanasia allows a pet to die in peace, with dignity and without further suffering.
Sometimes a discussion with your vet helps clarify all the issues surrounding a pet’s illness. You may find other diagnostic or therapeutic options that you haven’t followed up. Sometimes palliative care is available that makes a pet’s life comfortable and worth going on with.
If you decide that your cat is not enjoying life and/or that you are not enjoying your cat’s company any more then euthanasia is the best option. Pets rarely die “in their sleep” or only after much suffering and discomfort.
We euthanase pets with an injection of a strong anaesthetic into a vein. They relax into unconsciousness within a few seconds and the heart stops soon afterward. Sometimes we give a sedative to calm nervous animals before the lethal injection.
Families may stay with their pet or leave the room while the injection is given. Many pets die in their owner’s arms or as they are soothed to sleep in a nurse’s arms. You may stay with your cat for as long after the injection as you need.
We understand that you will feel very sad when your pet dies. Most cats have been part of their families for a very long time and been through the rough and the smooth with you. Don’t be afraid to show your feelings in front of the vet and nurse. We have been there too.
Accept that it usually takes some time to get over any loss. It often helps to talk about your cat’s death. Try not to feel guilty or blame yourself or others for your pet’s death. Remember that you cared for your cat and did all you could when they were ill. Treasure your memories and photographs. Remember the good times and what you loved most about your cat.
The death of a pet is often a child’s first experience of death. Tell them the truth. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and tell them how you feel. Help them to understand that they are not to blame. Talk to them about your pet and concentrate on the good times. Don’t get a new pet too soon. You all need time to get over the death of the first one.

Webster the Burmilla

Burmese and Chinchillas were combined to form Burmillas like handsome Webster.  Webster joins a household of Pomeranians and at 4 months of age is already twice the weight of his Pommie sister Millie!
He visited us today to familiarise himself with his vet and to support Millie while she had her annual check up and vaccinations.  He enjoys chicken necks, meat chunks and dental cat biscuits, and has beautiful teeth and perfect body condition as a result.

The new supervisor at Hall Vet Surgery

my best side?

Loki on duty in the waiting room

The position of supervisor at the Surgery has been vacant since Dorothy was promoted to farm cat and George moved on to higher things.  Fortunately Loki has consented to fill in on a part time basis.  I snapped him this morning inspecting the premises and deciding on the best pose and place to exercise his duties...

Friends for Life

The American Association of Feline Practitioners has released a fabulous new brochure for owners of older cats.  It covers signs of aging, nutrition, disease, dental care, in fact all of the issues we've been grappling with here!  Download and enjoy!!

Friends for Life brochure

...and Sunday's weather in Canberra

Worship the warmth

Microchip activated cat flap

A cat flap that recognises your cats and will only open for them is now available from Hall Vet Surgery.
Stray cats in the laundry and mysteriously empty food bowls will be a thing of the past. You and your cats can relax at home without the threat of intruders.
The cat flap stores your cats’ microchip numbers and only opens to the numbers you programme in.
It is battery powered and simple to operate. The manufacturers claim that it is suitable for installation in most door types including glass.
You can set the flap to open either or both ways.
Other cat flaps rely on cats wearing a collar which activates the door. This one is activated by your cat’s existing microchip so there is no chance of losing the collar or your cat getting caught up on something.
We can easily implant a microchip if your cat does not already have one.
Check out Sureflap here:
SureFlap

PS checkout the videos - so cute!

Surprising seniors!

Our cats are living longer lives than ever before because of desexing, better diet and improved health care. Many of Hall Veterinary Surgery’s feline patients live well into their teens and your cat could too.

Cats are very good at hiding illness and discomfort. It is easy to overlook subtle changes in appetite and behaviour. Changes in bodyweight are often the first sign of disease. Regular examinations of the mouth, joints and eyes pick up some signs of disease. Increased blood pressure warns of kidney or thyroid disease. Many serious health problems in cats are only picked up with blood and urine tests.
Diseases commonly seen in older cats include arthritis, dental disease, kidney insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and bowel disease. Often cats have several of them at a time. If we detect problems early and manage them appropriately then our feline friends can enjoy longer, happier and more comfortable lives.
The key to detecting and managing most of these diseases is regular monitoring of body weight, body condition and blood pressure. Urine and blood tests are important in kidney and thyroid disease while serial examination of joints, eyes and teeth triggers early preventative strategies.

Annual checkups are adequate until 10 years of age. Because cats age four times more rapidly than humans we recommend twice a year checks from 10 years of age on.

Mishka

Mishka's incision

Mishka arrived at Hall Vet Surgery last Friday feeling very poorly.  She had not eaten for a few days and had been vomiting on and off all day.  Poor old Mishka would rather have stayed at home curled up in her basket but her carers decided that she must be really sick when she turned her nose up at breakfast yet again.
Whenever we felt Mishka's abdomen she winced.
Blood tests told us nothing.  Xrays showed a lot of gas in part of her intestine.  Mishka has eaten some odd things in the past so a foreign body stuck in her intestine was a possibility.
The only way to confirm and fix a blockage was surgery.  We were pleased to find nothing in her intestine, but her pancreas was swollen.  An inflamed pancreas could make Mishka feel very sick and sore and explained why she had lost her appetite.
A couple of days on a drip, antibiotics and pain relief worked wonders.  Mishka soon felt well enough to eat and was keen to get home and back to work.
We saw her again on Thursday.  Her surgical wound was healing well and she was back to normal again.
Mishka will have to lose some weight to prevent another bout of pancreatitis.  We will supervise her weight loss because sudden weight loss in cats is as dangerous as none at all.

Weight loss is not always good...

You might think that vets are obsessive about recording cats’ weights. They have good reason – sometimes gradual weight loss is the only sign of serious disease in cats. By the time a cat goes off her food or starts vomiting disease can be quite advanced.
Fur or hair ball vomits coupled with gradual weight loss indicate gastrointestinal disease. Causes of gut disease include parasites like worms and giardia. These are easy to diagnose and treat compared to other gut diseases.
Food sensitivities are uncommon but inflammatory bowel disease and bowel cancer occur relatively often in cats. Diagnosing and treating these can be quite a challenge and require much patience on the part of owner and vet.
A myriad things cause weight loss with a patchy appetite. We will nearly always order blood tests to check for kidney or liver disease, particularly in older cats.
Weight loss despite a good appetite can be due to diabetes or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Annual check-ups and weigh-ins in cats under 10 years pick these problems up early. Cats over 10 years of age should be checked at least twice a year. With appropriate treatment affected cats go on to live long and happy lives.
Even if your cat is aiming to lose weight regular weigh-ins and veterinary supervision are essential. We want gradual loss of weight because rapid weight loss in cats can lead to liver disease.

Senior health care

Why is it that dogs are taken to the vet twice as often as cats? Dogs average 2.3 visits per year while cats are only taken 1.1 times per year.
I don’t think it’s because their owners care less about them, but I also don’t think that they are inherently healthier!
Signs of illness in cats are often subtle. An unwell cat will often curl up away from you, reducing the chance of you noticing anything amiss. Cats pride themselves on their hardiness and self-reliance and are stoic in the face of chronic pain or illness.
Sometimes the only obvious sign of illness and pain is weight loss. Gradual loss of appetite and behaviour changes are harder to identify unless you are very observant.
Cats age FOUR times faster than us at equivalent ages. A 2-6 year old cat is in her prime. By 11 years of age she is starting to show signs of age but is not considered geriatric until 15. At 15 years of age she is equivalent to a 76 year old human. Many cats live up to 20 years with regular health checks and veterinary care.
To ensure that those years are healthy and happy we recommend an individualised preventative health care programme.
From about 10 years of age all cats deserve at least two wellness exams a year. This lets us detect and treat chronic diseases like bad teeth, failing kidneys, arthritis and hyperthyroidism early and reduce long term health care costs.
We will also discuss changing dietary requirements and any supplements that might improve your cat’s health and happiness.
Regular visits ensure that your cat’s quality of life is maintained and that she shares many comfortable and happy years with you.

Arthritis

Old cats suffer from arthritis just as often as old people or dogs. Over 22% of all cats X-rayed have arthritic changes in one or more joints. Many people are surprised when we tell them that their cat is arthritic. However, if you know what to look for you will identify arthritic pain in your old cat without too much trouble.
Changes in jumping behaviour are readily noticed in most arthritic cats because it is most common in elbow and knee joints.
Cats with elbow arthritis are reluctant to jump down and seem to ‘pour’ themselves off the bed or cupboard. Because they lose agility they jump down with a thud and stand a while before moving off. My cat Cleo crouches with her sore elbow angled out from her body if she jumps off the washing machine and jars it.
Cats with arthritic knee joints are reluctant to jump as high as before. They may use chairs to get onto tables or abandon high resting places altogether. Painful knees may make them hesitate before jumping, scramble rather than jump or even miss the target. Some cats pull themselves up onto the couch or bed rather than spring up.
Toilet accidents may happen because of unwillingness to strain joints climbing in to the litter tray.
Cats that move stiffly have arthritic backs. Because it is difficult for them to groom their sides and backs their coats look rough or matt into tufts. Some of these old kitties get cranky when picked up or petted because of the pain in their backs. Many spend the day resting and avoiding play.
If you suspect your cat has arthritis mention it at the next checkup. Your observations are very important to making the diagnosis.
We have many tools for reducing arthritic pain and making our cats’ senior years comfortable and enjoyable.

New vaccination guidelines

New Australian vaccination guidelines recommend that adult cats have core vaccination boosters every 3 years once they have had their first booster at 15 months of age. The core vaccine protects against feline parvovirus (also known as enteritis), feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus (also known as cat flu).

At the annual examination we review the health and vaccination status of each individual cat. Many factors influence the effectiveness of vaccination and the need for re-vaccination. These include the cat’s age, breed, vaccination history and health status, the disease prevalence in the local area, the likely exposure of the animal to other animals, including stray or feral animals, current best practice, contemporary guidelines and published veterinary literature.
The vaccination program for each individual cat is determined within a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, taking all these factors into account.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (AVPMA) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) advocate three yearly vaccination of cats.
The APVMA is the Australian government statutory authority responsible for the registration of all agricultural and veterinary chemical products in the Australian marketplace. The APVMA is working with vaccine manufacturers to update label recommendations.
The AVPMA’s position statement on cat and dog vaccinations can be found on its website:
AVPMA

The AVA’s policy on vaccination protocols is found on:
AVA

Frozen yoghurt fiend exposed

Toby Cat - Frozen Yoghurt Fiend
RIP

Goldie and Trudie

Goldie on the lookout

This is better than television, says Trudie watching Goldie's shadow

Tiger on the prowl

Tiger spent a few days in hospital this week after a paralysing encounter with a brown snake. As you can see he was unsteady on his feet and stayed close to the ground when trying to move. If he'd waited any longer before alerting his humans to his condition he would have been like a floppy doll and completely unable to walk. At the end of summer and autumn when snakes are low in venom cats can take several hours to develop the muscle weakness.  Untreated the paralysis can immobilise them altogether and stop them swallowing and breathing.
We gave Tiger brown snake antivenom as well as drugs to prevent any reaction to the antivenom and hospitalised him on a drip to flush the antivenom and venom complexes from his system.

Tiger in a cage

Places to go...people to see...Tiger after 24 hours, impatient to get home. 

Once Tiger was able to swallow his food we could take him off his drip and send him home.  He is still not strong enough to resume his neighbourhood prowls but at least he can relax and be waited on in the manner to which he has become accustomed at home.

CATcerto - Nora the famous feline pianist

Mother Cat

Cleo is such a mother!  Here she listens to my teenager's woes, nodding sagely.
This morning I had great difficulty finding the offending items on dog poo patrol.  Ahead of me I spotted her methodically scraping the dirt over my three dogs' droppings.  A mother's work is never done...

A word from above

Coco surveys the world from the top of the bunk bed

Cats need high places.  Perhaps to preserve their natural superiority, perhaps to see danger coming, perhaps so that they can watch without being seen ... who knows?
All I know is that cats who don't have high perches or hiding holes can show signs of stress.  Every day I see them with bladder inflammation, excessive grooming, urine marking and other signs of feline stress.
Does your cat have a hidey hole, high or low?

Teeth and tartar

A healthy mouth equals a happy, healthy cat.  In nature cats hide pain so that predators and rivals cannot better them. 
In our homes this is a huge disadvantage.  We don't often look in our cats' mouths so we don't realise that they are hiding holes in their teeth, loose teeth, tartar or gum disease.
Cat's teeth are prone to decay at the gumline.  Rough teeth gather plaque and tartar which rub against the gums and cause inflammation and infection, resulting in loose teeth.
Cat owners are often surprised when we recommend dental work for their cats  They are even more surprised - and delighted! - at how happy and playful their cats are after bad teeth are removed and the remainder scaled and polished.
A good Australian pet dentistry site is:
Sydney Pet Dentistry

The staff at Hall Vet Surgery are happy to talk teeth any time.

A Kitten in the Family

Looking for a new kitten?  Time spent meeting and playing with a prospective new kitten is time well spent.  After all, your kitten will be part of your family for up to 20 years.
Kittens are optimally socialised if they are left with their mother and siblings in a cat-friendly family for at least the first 8 weeks of life.  In the rough and tumble of litter life they learn to temper their play  responses so that they are much less prone to aggressive play with people later on.
 Suki's kittens, pictured on the right, have been well-handled by a variety of people including children and men.  A big labrador dog loves to 'mother' them and they are gradually meeting other species such as horses as well.  With this broad spectrum of experience in the impressionable first 8 weeks of life they will no doubt fit into any family situation.
Because they have a more uniform genetic makeup pedigreed kittens are more likely to take after their parents.  However, any calm, laid-back parents will usually produce calm and confident kittens.
Steer away from shy kittens because shyness in cats is partly genetic in origin and may never be overcome no matter how much you work on it.
Avoid feral kittens or kittens that have not been handled by humans in the first 3 months.  They have a far greater chance of remaining pathologically anxious for life.
Above all talk to the family that has raised the kittens.  They will know the budding personality of each kitten and you can choose one that will fit best into your home.

Calm cats

When cats feel safe and happy they rub their faces against the furniture, walls and other objects. They are depositing a scent known as a pheromone that makes them feel at home and relaxed.

Researchers have developed a cat facial pheromone look-a-like for stressed cats that capitalises on this calming effect. It is available as a spray or in a diffuser known as Feliway.

A couple of squirts of Feliway spray in the carrier before a visit to the vet or a trip in the car helps relax a tense puss. Many boarding catteries spray their accommodation to help the cats settle in and start eating more quickly. If you take your cat with you on holidays then Feliway spray around the holiday cottage will relax him.

We leave a Feliway diffuser on in the cat ward at the surgery to calm nervous patients.

Feliway diffusers are also great for chronically stressed cats. These cats use other marking behaviours that are less acceptable to their owners. Urine marking, aggression toward other cats or people, house soiling and cystitis are signs of stress.

Feliway diffusers left on continuously in cats’ favoured areas help restore their balance and create a feeling of well-being. Together with modifications of the environment and sometimes medications we can lower stress levels and minimise unsociable habits. 

George's spectacular appetite

My cat George was always hungry.  When he was young we called him Fat George.  As he aged he became thinner and thinner.  When he was 12 years old I noticed that his activity levels as well as his appetite were reaching record levels.
At first I thought he'd reverted to kittenhood but soon found that one of the thyroid glands on the lower part of his neck was as big as a lima bean.  A blood test confirmed the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
I surgically removed the gland and he was normal for a few years before I noticed his appetite rocket again.  This time I medicated him with an anti-thyroid drug that worked very well.  I gave him a tablet twice a day until he became too cunning for me. I switched to applying a medicated gel to the inside of his ears and won the battle.
Like most old cats George eventually developed kidney disease.  I had to ease off the antithyroid medication and nurse his old kidneys along.
This candid shot is of George not long before he died.  Even when his kidneys were about to collapse his overactive thyroid drove his appetite to spectacular heights (depths?!)

Twins Big Day Out

Twin tortis Pepper and Kimba had a big day yesterday.  They came into hospital for desexing before breakfast and were home in time for a much deserved tea!

Kimba has her premedication - a tranquilliser and pain relief injection - to help her relax and to minimise any discomfort from the surgery






This Feliway diffuser in the cat ward helps keep the twins calm before surgery.  It diffuses the natural pheromone that cats rub over their homes
and so makes them feel more relaxed and at home.

 Kimba in surgery.  The anaesthetic machine and monitoring equipment are at Dr Kate's right.  Dr Kate will remove her ovaries and uterus so that she won't come into season, get pregnant or develop problems of the uterus later on.

 Kimba and Pepper on their way home after their big day out at Hall Vet Surgery.  Because their metabolic rate will be slower now that they have been desexed, they will have to cut back on the amount that they eat each day so that they don't become tubby.