CAT Health Information

CAT Medicine Information

Pilling your cat

The easiest way to give your cat a vitamin or pill is to hide it in food. Bread, meat, or other favorite food items can be used to bury the pill. To ensure that the cat swallows the pill, the pill or food item should be placed as far back in the cat’s throat as possible. Once the pill is inserted, tap on or blow on the cat’s nose to get it to lick its nose. The licking motion will cause the cat to swallow.

If you have to force the pill into the cat’s mouth, first wrap the cat in a blanket or towel to prevent it from scratching you. Hold the upper jaw by both sides with one hand, and lift it up, holding the lower jaw with the other hand, and using your first finger and thumb to place the pill quickly in the tongue's base. As described above, once the pill is inserted, tap on or blow on the cat’s nose to get it to lick its nose. The licking motion will cause the cat to swallow.

CAT Vaccinations

Information from The Humane Society

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus (FVRCP) - viral diseases of the eyes, nose and throat (upper respiratory infection) plus Panleukopenia a viral disease of the blood and intestines (feline distemper or infectious enteritis).
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) - a viral disease that impairs immunity. Usually fatal.
Rabies - a viral disease fatal to humans and other animals. Vaccination is necessary for all cats.

Kitten Vaccinations

8 weeks to 1 year
8 weeks - First vaccination shot (FVRCP).
12 weeks
Feline Leukemia shot (FeLV) (only if pretest is negative). A second (FeLV) shot given 2 to 3 weeks later. Second vaccination shot (FVRCP).
4 months
Rabies and third vaccination shot (FVRCP).
Adult Cats

FVRCP - Yearly. Cats 13 weeks or older that have not been vaccinated should have an initial vaccine then a booster in 2 to 4 weeks.
FeLV - Yearly. Cats not previously vaccinated need the two injection series (only if pretest is negative).
Rabies - Yearly (depending on vaccine)

CAT Emergencies

Cat First Aid

Injured cats will react to pain by experiencing fear and panic. It is common for cats to be uncooperative during treatment, even going so far as to try and bit or scratch the caretaker. When dealing with a frightened cat, it’s important to secure the cats so it calms down and doesn’t aggravate the existing wound or cause additional harm to itself.

Treating injuries is done through basic first aid. A simple pet first-aid kit should consist of scissors, tape, bandages and basic medications such as milk of magnesia, antibiotics, mineral oil and a common antidiarrheal formula – milk of bismuth.

Poisoning

It is not uncommon for cats to get into baits (such as rat poison) or chemicals that are harmful to their system. A cat exposed to a poison may react in various ways, including, but not limited to, paralysis. Veterinary help should be sought immediately. To purge the cat’s system of poisons, you will need to induce vomiting by feeding the cat small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Give the cat about a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide about every 10 minutes for a maximum of 30 minutes.

Puncture wounds

From time to time cats may encounter barbs, thorns or fish hooks that puncture and embed themselves in the cat’s skin. If your cat gets a deep puncture wound, seek out a veterinarians help before attempting to remove the item. Veterinarians can provide the cat with pain relievers and anesthesia to relax your cat and provide the veterinarian with the best possible situation to remove the hook or barb.

If the hook or barb is only slightly embedded in the skin, be sure to cut off the sharp barb before attempting to slide it out. To remove a thorn use a needle and tweezers as you would for a sliver in your own hand or foot.

With any puncture wound, it is important to use a good antibiotic and to cover the wound with a bandage until it’s healed.

Broken bones

Bone fractures in cats will require the help of a veterinarian. Before moving the cat, be sure to secure the broken area by wrapping the injured area with a towel or blanket. Use rope or some type of cloth to tie the wrap to hold it in place. In addition to wrapping the wound, cover the cat with blankets to keep the cat warm as such injuries generally induce shock.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke can occur when cats are exposed to high heat from prolonged periods of time – such as being locked in a car or a garage during the heat of summer. A cat experiencing heat stroke will become disoriented and eventually lose consciousness. To treat heat stroke, immediately begin cooling the cat by running a hose over the cat – continue dousing the cat for several minutes. If after several minutes the cat does not revive, take the cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

To prevent heat stroke, make sure cats can find shade and have adequate air circulation. In hot climates cats should not be left outside in the sun during the heat of the day.

Bleeding

When a cat is cut and begins bleeding the wound should be immediately covered with gauze or cloth and moderate pressure should be applied. Hold the dressing over the wound for at least five minutes – do not pull the gauze or cloth back to peek and see if the bleeding has stopped. If after five minutes the bleeding has not stopped, take the cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Hair balls

As cats groom themselves they occasionally swallow hair, forming hair balls in their stomach. These obstructions can cause vomiting. To control cat vomiting, add a teaspoonful of mineral oil to the cat’s for three consecutive days. The mineral oil will compact the excess hair in the stomach and allow it to pass through the intestines much more easily. Many experts recommend that after the mineral oil treatment, that cat receive two teaspoonfuls of milk of magnesia – this will help the cats stomach to stabilize.

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