Cats. Care and First Aid

It’s hardly surprising that Marshall and Till are well thought of by our cat clients - Roger and Mary have 8 and the rest of the staff average a couple each.                                                                                                                         
We understand that many cats get distressed in busy waiting rooms, especially in the presence of dogs and sometimes children. For such cats we have a dedicated quiet waiting area.

All cats should be vaccinated against enteritis (panleucopaenia) and flu. In most cases leukaemia vaccination is also desirable. Other vaccinations are only really necessary under special circumstances, for example if you are a breeder. The link about vaccination below gives you more information, but it is provided by a vaccine manufacturer. For impartial advice about your particular circumstances you should talk to us.

Worm control in cats is another necessity, but the frequency of worming depends on your individual circumstances. We use milbemax on our own pets, and the worming link below directs you to the manufacturer’s web site for more information. We are happy for you to talk to us for impartial advice concerning worming YOUR cats

Fleas can be a real problem to cats and their owners. But many people do worry unnecessarily about fleas and waste money over-treating pets and their houses, or using ineffective treatments. Remember that many of the drugs used to kill fleas are potentially dangerous and MUST be used sensibly and correctly. Please talk to us about treating and preventing flea problems in YOUR house and the best options for YOU. The flea link below directs you to the Program web-site. This is Roger’s favourite flea treatment for his cats, but as this product controls fleas by making them sterile and not by killing adult fleas it may or may not be the best for you. Talk to us!

On this page we have included links about many aspects of cats in health and disease, and we hope you find them useful.


FIRST AID AND EMERGENCIES
There are some times when you don’t know if you need the services of a vet but would like some advice about what to do. First Aid treatment and a bit of reassurance can often be enough to calm you and your animal and therefore avoid costly Out of Hours treatment.
Try this useful link Emergencies and First Aid  which gives sensible advice about dealing with most emergency situations. Try this too Basic First Aid.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE PARACETAMOL, IBUPROFEN OR ASPIRIN TO YOUR CAT. Under some circumstances very low doses of aspirin are used in cats, BUT NEVER ADMINISTER IT TO YOUR CAT UNLESS SPECIFICALLY TOLD TO DO SO BY YOUR VET. There are safe painkillers and anti-inflammatories for cats, but none of them are human drugs and none are available over the counter.
 
 We hope you find this information on Emergencies helpful but always remember that it is better to seek specialist help than allow a pet to suffer. If you think it is necessary RING THE VET.

VET 2 PET CAT CARE GUIDE                      


A TO Z OF CAT AILMENTS 1.
This site is provided by the FAB. All cat owners should consider joining, or making a donation to, the Feline Advisory Bureau. The FAB is a charity dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of cats through improved feline knowledge, to help us all care better for our cats.  info for cat owners

A TO Z OF CAT AILMENTS 2.
  diseases by name                   diseases by body/organ system              surgery & anaesthesia


ABSCESSES   One of the commonest causes of illness in cats is abscesses resulting from bites.


ACUPUNCTURE
Roger Till and Katherine Reynolds are members of the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists and the Western Veterinary Acupuncture Group. Find out about M&T Acupuncture here


HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAT A TABLET
see the video


HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAT LIQUID MEDICATION
see the video


HOW TO TAKE YOUR CAT’S TEMPERATURE
see the video


HOW TO TRIM YOUR CAT’S CLAWS
see the video


VACCINATION   Many of the serious diseases can be easily prevented by vaccination. To learn more about these diseases and their prevention, click here


WORMING YOUR CAT   All you need to know  


FLEA CONTROL     fleafree


AGEING CATS AND KIDNEY FAILURE   feline good


CAT BEHAVIOUR AND TRAINING
Blue Cross advice about scratching,spraying,nervous and aggressive cats,travelling and more.
Feliway offer useful advice
Use this as a useful starter site.
This is an American site and whilst it is useful, please remember that English attitudes and opinions may differ.                        
Much more detailed behaviour information is available here.

CAT HEALTH
 Another American site, useful as a starter. But please read the disclaimer in the paragraph above (Cat Behaviour and Training.


CAT FLU   advice from the Blue Cross


DENTAL DISEASE
This is a link to the Pfizer American site. Clavamox is known here as Synulox, and Antirobe is only available as capsules here and not as aquadrops (unfortunately).

For videos about cat dental health and cleaning your cat’s teeth click here.

DIABETES
Controlling diabetes in cats can be difficult for owners and vets. Learn more
To see a number of videos concerning diabetes in cats click here.

FELINE CORONAVIRUS / FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS / FIP
Up to date information from one of the leading researchers on this disease is available from Diane Addie


FELINE LEUKAEMIA (FeLV)   Useful info from the Blue Cross


FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV)    FIV


WOUNDS AND ABSCESSES
This is an American site and of the drugs mentioned, Clavamox is known as Synulox in this country and Zeniquin is Marbocyl (and very similar to Baytril) here.


TAKING YOUR CAT ABROAD
Please do not be tempted to take your cat abroad on a short holiday. If you are going to live abroad and may be returning, you need to be aware of the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme.


BEREAVEMENT & PET LOSS
Time to say Goodbye
When your pet dies
Cremation


COMMONLY USED DRUGS
drugs index