Weight loss worry

Minette has lost weight - despite a raging appetite. She has also been a lot more talkative than usual. Her owners are (and Dr Kate) are suspicious that she might have hyperthyroidism. Minette very kindly let us take a sample of blood - you can see the hair under her collar was clipped so we could see her vein.
Minette is about 20 years old and very fit for her age. She is on medication for high blood pressure and has kept her kidney disease at bay with a special diet for over a year. Her owners' vigilance and care should keep her going for a few birthdays yet!

Cool cat!

Rainbow Ginger was in for her annual check up this morning. She passed with flying colours and chilled out on top of the Chiller while we examined her brother, Burchil.
Burchil had his ears cropped last year because he had developed skin cancers on them. Rainbow's pale nose could develop sun cancers too if she doesn't keep out of the sun.
Their owner is keeping them inside for most of the day, especially the afternoon when the Australian sun is at it's most dangerous.
Not a bad idea for the humans to avoid the sun then too!

Tabby all patched up

Remember Tabitha? She was diagnosed with kidney disease earlier this year. After a bit of persuasion she took  to her special diet for failing kidneys with relish, although she misses her weekly fresh rabbit.
This week she had her progress tests. Her potassium levels were fine - diseased kidneys lose potassium - and her phosphorus levels were normal too. If phosphorous gets too high or potassium too low then cats lose their appetite and feel ill.
We were concerned to find that her creatinine levels were creeping up but as they are not affecting her appetite or quality of life we will just monitor her again in 3 months time.
Overall the special low protein, low phosphorous, high potassium kidney diet is keeping her healthy and happy so that she can properly supervise the next patchwork project - and at 16 years of age that's pretty important!

Disaster readiness

Are your pets disaster ready?

The 10th anniversary of the fires that devastated many parts of the ACT in January, 2003, reminds us that we should always be prepared for the unpredictable. Storms, fires and floods can come at any time and affect pets as well as people. Many pets were lost in the fires of 2003. Some were injured or died, others never found their owners and were re-homed or euthanased. 

Catch-me-if-you-can Cleo

Make sure that your cats are microchipped and that your contact details on the ACT register are up to date. If you have time attach a tag with your mobile number and address, and your vet’s phone number to your cats’ collars so that if someone without access to a microchip scanner picks them up you can be contacted. 
Have an emergency kit packed in advance. Include non-perishable food like dry cat kibble, water in spill proof containers, a cat carrier, litter tray and blankets as well as a first aid kit. 
The first aid kit should have gauze swabs, bandages, disinfectant, cotton wool, scissors and a towel to wrap your patient in. Even the most placid animal may react unpredictably when in pain.
Decide where your cats will go if you have to evacuate. You may have family or friends outside the danger zone who would look after them. 
If you leave your cats at home leave them in the safest enclosed room in the house, usually the bathroom, with food and water.  Leave a notice on the gate or door of the house with your contact details and saying that there are pets inside.

How to catch a cat

Some truth in this! If you put the cat carrier out in the lounge or bed room a few days ahead of your cat's vet visit he may just find it a comfy and secure hiding place.... instead of something to avoid and make a fuss about!

how to get your cat to come inside....

Cats can have hypos too!

Ivo is a diabetic on insulin. For many months his dose was stable but just lately we have had to increase it to control his blood sugar levels adequately.
The last dose increase was one too many. Last Wednesday night he was wobbly on his feet and looked a bit spaced out. His attentive owner soon realised he was having a hypo and gave him an early dinner. Within minutes he was back to his normal self.
Ivo spent a chilled out day with us today while we checked the fluctuations in his blood glucose. With the dose reduction we hope he will have a much better week this week.