Category: cats

Breeding from your cat

Posted on July 9, 2018 by vetstream - cats, reproductive-problems-cats

A female cat (queen) can produce several litters of kittens every year throughout her life. If you don’t want the responsibility of finding good homes for the kittens you should have your queen neutered. Keeping an un-neutered queen indoors is not a good answer to the problem. A calling queen will keep you and your neighbours awake and will do her best to escape at every opportunity. There is also a risk of infection developing in your cat’s uterus (pyometra) if she is neither neutered or bred from, and cancer of the mammary gland (breast cancer) is more common in un-neutered cats. If you decide to breed from your cat there are various things to consider to make sure that both mother and kittens are strong and healthy.

How do I go about choosing a mate?

Any un-neutered female cat that is allowed out of doors will find her own mate but you may wish to have some say in this choice, particularly if your cat is a pedigree! Certain breeds such as Siamese and Persians are more likely to have problems in giving birth, so get advice from an experienced breeder. It is also a good idea to join the relevant cat club for your breed. A breeder should be able to suggest a stud cat that is known to produce healthy offspring.

Before being allowed to mate, your queen should be treated for worms, have received her routine vaccinations, and have blood tests for Feline Leukaemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Ask the owner of the stud cat for proof that he has been tested for these viruses and is up to date with his vaccinations.

When is the right time to breed from my cat?

If you let your cat out she will probably be mated before you know she is calling, but it is better not to allow your cat to have kittens until she is fully grown. Some cats are sexually mature at an early age and can, if held back for too long, lose condition.

If your cat calls persistently when you do not think she is big enough to mate, consult your veterinary surgeon for advice. Your cat can have a hormone injection or tablets to prevent pregnancy before she is fully grown, but this may affect her future fertility and is not recommended by vets except in exceptional circumstances.

How often will my cat come into season?

Most queens will have regular seasons throughout the year, apart from the winter months (November to February) – the process is controlled by day length and the cat’s general physical condition. Some breeds, especially Siamese and Burmese, will come into season at any time of the year.

Most queens will be in season (cycle) for between three and ten days and if they do not become pregnant will return to season about four weeks later. This varies between individuals and the oriental breeds, in particular, may cycle more frequently.

A queen in season will become more noisy and affectionate than usual. She will roll around on the floor and raise her hind quarters in the air, when her back is stroked. Sometimes the noise and unusual behaviour is mistakenly thought to be due to pain.

When should my cat mate?

Queens are usually taken to the stud cat to be mated around the second day of their week long season. At other times she will probably be unreceptive and could fight with the stud cat. The queen should be introduced to the stud cat with caution. Mating is short and surprisingly violent – the tomcat grips the queen by the scruff of the neck as she lies on the floor with her rear raised and after mating she will hiss, roll around the floor and attack the stud unless he leaps out of the way.

The release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) occurs only after mating and several matings over three or four day period may be required. On returning home your queen may still be sexually receptive. As the queen is capable of having a mixed litter of kittens sired by several tomcats keep her indoors for a few days.

How long does the pregnancy last?

Most pregnancies in the cat last between 63 and 68 days but it can be between 60 and 70. Your vet will be able to confirm pregnancy about three weeks after mating. During pregnancy and especially when feeding her kittens, the queen will need more food than normal.

How do I prepare for the birth?

During pregnancy the behaviour of some queens will change. She may demand more attention or become more independent. When her time is near the queen will look for a suitable place to give birth. Line a cardboard box with newspaper or old towels and put it somewhere warm and quiet.

Is kittening likely to be dangerous for my cat?

Problems in giving birth are much less common in cats than in women and queens usually do not need human assistance. However, occasionally there may be problems if the mother’s birth canal is too narrow, she is exhausted after a long labour or the muscles of the womb being unprepared to eject the kittens. Sometimes a kitten is abnormally large, has some other defect or it is badly positioned in the womb. These cases may require urgent veterinary attention to save both mother and kittens, so a queen should be watched during her kittening.

When should I call my vet?

You should telephone your vet if there is no sign of a kitten after about 20 minutes of vigorous straining, or if a kitten is visible but has still not been born within about 10 minutes. If the mother seems feverish, lethargic or there are substantial amounts of fresh blood coming out of her vagina, you may need to contact your vet. If in doubt phone your vet who will be happy to give you advice.

What if the mother is exhausted?

During a normal birth there is no need to get involved unless the litter is large and the mother is clearly tired. If the mother does not move when a kitten appears some basic midwifery may help. Pull the birth membranes away from the kitten’s nose and tear (do not cut) the umbilical cord about an inch from the body. Tearing the cord leaves a ragged edge which helps to prevent excessive loss of blood.

If the kitten has not started breathing it may have fluid in its lungs. Hold the kitten in the palm of your hand with its head toward your fingers, hold your arm straight infront of you and bring your arm down to a vertical position in a firm but gentle swinging motion to expel the fluid from the kitten. Gently rubbing the kitten’s face and belly with a dry towel will help stimulate it to breathe. Once it is breathing it should be returned to its mother as body contact is important in keeping it warm.

What are the risks after the kittens are born?

Your cat will probably want to be left in peace with her new family for a few days after the birth. Most cats cope well on their own but keep a close eye on her particularly if this is her first litter. There are a number of rare complications that can affect a mother cat in the days immediately following the birth.

Contact your vet if your cat appears unusually restless, in pain, or shows signs of poor coordination and muscle spasms. Other indications of possible problems include a hot and swollen lump on her breast, a dark coloured discharge from her vagina or any unusual swellings in the vaginal area.

Pregnancy and kittening are natural processes for cats and are rarely associated with problems. Try not to intervene but keep a close eye on her and call your vet for advice if you are worried.

Birth control in the queen

Posted on July 9, 2018 by vetstream - cats, reproductive-problems-cats

Most responsible cat owners want to prevent unplanned breeding and the production of unwanted kittens. Most forms of birth control prevent the heat cycle of queens, and so mating and conception does not occur. The cycle can be controlled permanently or temporarily. Pregnancy prevention is also possible after an unplanned mating has occurred.

Some basic reproductive facts

The reproductive cycle in queens is very different from that in women. Queens usually undergo oestrus cycling (also known as ‘heat’ or ‘season’) between one and three times every 12 months, although there is a degree of individual variation in this. Oestrus is the time at which mating, and hence pregnancy, may occur.

Queens usually develop a regular cycle and any alteration of this cycle should be taken seriously. Occasionally, factors such as ill health can act to delay or suspend oestrus cycling. Unlike women, queens do not experience a menopause and usually continue to have seasons throughout life.

The first oestrus period (puberty) usually occurs between 6 and 12 months of age, when the queen has reached 80% of her adult size. Large breed queens may be older, e.g. 12-18 months, when their first oestrus period occurs. Sometimes this initial oestrus is missed by owners as the physical signs may be subtle and not last for long.

The normal oestrus cycles lasts around 3 weeks in the queen, and can be divided into a number of distinct stages:

Pro-oestrous

Usually lasts for around 9 days. In pro-oestrus the vulva becomes swollen with a red (bloody) discharge. Male cats may show interest in queens in pro-oestrus, but the queen will not allow mating.

Oestrus

Lasts around 9 days. The bloody discharge typical of pro-oestrus is reduced. This is the time when queens will allow mating.

Dioestrus

Lasts around 45 days. After oestrus the same hormonal changes occur in the queen whether or not she is pregnant. During dioestrus, levels of progesterone rise. Dioestrus ends spontaneously in the non-pregnant state, and with whelping in the pregnant state. It is this part of the cycle that can result in a ‘false pregnancy’.

Anoestrus

The 3-4 month period between oestrus cycles. In this period the uterus shrinks down and repairs. The reproductive system is outwardly inactive during this time.

How can I prevent my queen getting pregnant?

There are 4 ways to prevent pregnancy in the queen.

Avoidance of male cats whilst in heat.
Neutering (spaying).
Chemical prevention of the oestrus cycle
Chemical intervention after unintended mating.

Avoiding male cats

This is a possible method of natural birth control. It relies on a firm understanding of the normal oestrus cycle (see above) on the part of the owner of an entire queen. Extreme care must be taken during the receptive oestrus period. Not only are male cats very resourceful at gaining access to queens in heat, but the queens themselves may stray during this period if they get the opportunity.

Nevertheless, with responsible cat ownership on the part of owners of both queens and male cats, this should be a possible method of birth control. This method of birth control is often used by owners who wish to breed from their queen at some time in the future.

Neutering (spaying)

This is the most common method of birth control, and is a permanent, surgical method of preventing oestrus cycling and therefore pregnancy. An operation known as ovario-hysterectomy is usually performed, i.e. the ovaries and uterus are removed surgically. Ovariectomy (removal of the ovaries only) is a less common method of surgical neutering that is performed in some countries. In either case removal of the ovaries stops reproductive cycling and conception is impossible.

Surgical neutering is a major procedure but most vets perform the procedure frequently, and the risk is relatively low. Most animals being neutered are young and fit. The procedure can safely be performed before puberty, (even in cats as young as 6 weeks of age). Early neutering has an additional health benefit – it results in a diminished chance of mammary (breast) cancer occurring later in life.

Chemical prevention of the oestrus cycle

Birth control can be employed using various drugs similar to natural reproductive hormones. The drugs are administered by injection or as tablets at specified intervals, and it is very important that veterinary advice is followed as regards the treatment programme. The drugs used can prevent or shorten oestrus cycles but many have potentially serious side effects which should be discussed with your vet.

This method is similar to human contraception, but the potential risks mean that it is not generally considered desirable for on-going, long-term birth control in pet cats. It may be used as a short-term measure, or as a permanent measure only in cats that for some reason cannot undergo conventional surgical neutering.

My queen has been mated - how can I stop her having kittens?

If your queen has been mated unintentionally contact your vet as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to discuss the options for terminating pregnancy if it occurs. Immediate treatment can be given (similar to the use of the ‘morning after’ pill in human females). All drugs used in the prevention of pregnancy have potentially serious side-effects and should be used as a last resort rather than a method of birth control.

If your queen has been mated unintentionally your vet may advise neutering your queen to prevent this and future pregnancies. If you want to breed from your queen later, treatment should be delayed until pregnancy has been confirmed.

When is the best time to get a queen neutered?

Queens should be neutered when their reproductive tract is inactive (during the anoestrus phase). The best time is around two to three months after the end of the previous oestrus. There is more risk of bleeding if the operation is performed during oestrus, and the surgery is technically more difficult at this time. Early spaying of queens helps prevent mammary (breast) cancer in later life.

What is pyometra?

This is a serious infection of the womb, seen most commonly in older un-neutered queens. Queens with pyometra are often very seriously ill and emergency treatment is usually required. Pyometra is best treated by surgical removal of the womb, but the risks are higher.

What is false pregnancy?

False pregnancy occurs ‘naturally’ at the end of dioestrus (see above). Some cats have very exaggerated symptoms and may show:

Poor appetite, lethargy and depression
Nest building behaviour and ‘adopt’ toys
Behavioural changes, including aggression
Mammary development and milk production

Such queens tend to have recurring false pregnancies at every oestrus and symptoms may last for weeks. Drug treatment can help during the false pregnancy, but the best solution is spaying, after the false pregnancy has ended. If your queen has suffered a false pregnancy discuss the options for treatment with your vet.

Conclusion

The reproductive cycle in the queen is complicated and during this time your cat will undergo many hormonal changes which can alter her health and temperament. If your queen is not neutered you should be familiar with all the natural changes in her cycle so that you can be alert to any signs of problems. If you do not plan to breed from your queen discuss the option of permanent neutering with your vet.

Ischaemic myelopathy

Posted on July 9, 2018 by vetstream - cats, neurological-disease-cats

Back (spinal) problems are not common in cats. If your cat has a spinal problem they may have neck or back pain or show a variety of signs including difficulty walking, jumping, using one or more legs or even complete paralysis. These signs may occur suddenly (acute spinal problem) or more progressively (chronic spinal problem).

Many different spinal problems (slipped disc, fractured spine, spinal infection, spinal tumour, ischaemic myelopathy) can cause similar signs. Ischaemic myelopathy is only occasionally seen in cats but comes on very suddenly without warning and can be very frightening. If you suspect your cat might have a spinal problem (especially an acute one) you should make sure your vet checks them over as soon as possible.

What is ischaemic myelopathy?

Ischaemic myelopathy is a disease of the spinal cord (myelopathy) caused by a poor blood supply (ischaemia). Like any other part of the body, the spinal cord relies on a permanent blood supply to bring nutrients and remove waste products. Arteries supply defined segments of the cord on each side. If one of these arteries becomes blocked the blood supply to a particular area of the spinal cord is shut off and this causes damage to the nerves running there.

The most common cause of blockage is a fragment of the cushion (disc) between the bones in the back. This disc is made of a tough cartilage (fibrocartilage) and so the term fibrocartilagenous embolism (literally meaning fragment of fibrocartilage blocking an artery) is often used to describe the condition. There are many theories, but no-one really knows how or why this fragment of intervertebral disc suddenly gets into the spinal cord artery. There are many other more unusual causes of blockage (a fragment of tumour or fat).

What are the signs of ischemic myelopathy?

Ischaemic myelopathy is only occasionally seen in cats. This condition can cause paralysis of one back leg, both back legs, all four legs or only one side of the body (depending on which portion of spinal cord is affected). Typically, this paralysis comes on suddenly, is not painful and does not get worse with time (at least after the first 24 hours).

Other diseases that cause sudden paralysis and may be mistaken for ischaemic myelopathy include spinal fracture or dislocation (“broken neck” or “broken back”), spinal cord bruising (spinal cord contusion) caused by a road traffic accident or a bad fall. “Slipped disc” (intervertebral disc herniation) is considered rare in cats and often seen as a result of spinal trauma.

How will my vet know if my pet has ischaemic myelopathy?

A diagnosis of ischaemic myelopathy is often made by ruling out other causes of acute paralysis (see above). For this purpose, diagnostic tests such as spinal X-rays, myelography and/or MRI scan are indicated. It is important to rule out other conditions causing pressure on the spinal cord (slipped disc or spinal fracture/dislocation) where an operation might be needed.

In most animals with ischaemic myelopathy the results of these tests come back as normal. Since your vet is relying on absence of findings on X-ray or MRI scan to make a diagnosis it is essential that the correct portion of the spinal cord is checked. Occasionally, swelling of the spinal cord can be detected on X-rays or MRI scan.

A definite diagnosis of ischaemic myelopathy and identification of its exact cause can only be made by examining the spinal cord after death.

Can ischaemic myelopathy be treated?

There is no specific treatment for ischaemic myelopathy but most cats tend to recover within a few weeks provided they have retained the ability to feel pain in their feet. Good nursing care (physiotherapy, assisted walking, hydrotherapy, adequate bedding to prevent bed sores) is essential for the recovery of the animal. The recovery period may be long and require intensive nursing so can be quite expensive.

Will my cat get better?

If your cat did not lose sensation in its feet then it will probably recover over a few weeks. Most cats will make a full recovery after 8 to 12 weeks but some may keep some residual deficits. In animals where there was complete paralysis, improvement may not be seen for a number of weeks and some animals may never fully recover.

Inflammatory CNS disease

Posted on July 9, 2018 by vetstream - cats, neurological-disease-cats

Animals with brain disease may show sudden, dramatic signs and become very poorly extremely quickly. In other cases the signs are more vague and it may be some time before your vet gets to the bottom of the problem. Diseases affecting the brain are not limited to brain tumours and include conditions affecting the blood supply (stroke), causing inflammation (meningitis or encephalitis), trauma or malformation of the brain. Many of these diseases can be treated (or at least managed successfully) to give your pet a good quality of life, so it is very important that conditions are investigated and an accurate diagnosis made so that the best treatment can be given.

What is inflammatory CNS disease?

The central nervous system (CNS) is the control centre for the body. It is made up of the brain, spinal cord and the covering of these, the meninges. Inflammatory CNS disease is a broad term used to describe a number of conditions causing inflammation of structures in the CNS.

Depending on which part of the CNS is involved, inflammatory CNS disease can be more precisely divided into meningitis (inflammation of the meninges), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). Each condition can occur on its own, but more usually the conditions occur in combination (e.g. meningo-encephalitis, meningo-myelitis).

What causes inflammatory CNS disease?

Inflammatory CNS disease can be the result of either infectious or non-infectious disease. In humans viral and bacterial meningitis are common causes of inflammatory brain disease. In animals infectious causes are probably the least common cause of inflammatory brain disease but include a number of infectious agents such as viruses (distemper in dogs, and Feline Infectious Peritonitis [FIP] or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus [FIV] in cats), bacteria, protozoa (Toxoplasma, Neospora) or fungi.

Non-infectious inflammatory diseases are more common. Other rare non-infectious causes include precancerous changes (inflammation that will turn into cancer with time) and paracancerous disease (cancer elsewhere in the body causing a reaction in the brain).

How would I know if my pet has an inflammatory CNS disease?

The signs of inflammatory CNS disease depend on which part of the CNS is affected (i.e. brain, spinal cord and/or meninges).

Compared to dogs, meningitis is rare in cats. When meningitis occurs on its own, pain, stiffness of the gait, reluctance to move the neck and a hunched back are the most common signs. The signs seen with encephalitis and myelitis vary according to the part of the nervous system that is inflamed but often include seizures, head tilt, depression, neck pain and ataxia.

How will my vet know that my pet has an inflammatory CNS disease?

Unfortunately, the diagnosis of inflammatory CNS disease cannot be based solely on the signs shown by a patient. Other neurological conditions such as brain cancers, and bleeding into the brain can potentially cause similar signs. Even the most severe meningitis or encephalitis may not show up on any blood test.

Further tests are always required and special imaging studies such as a CT or MRI scan can help your vet to make a diagnosis. Collection of fluid from around the brain (cerebrospinal fluid analysis) is one of the most useful tests. This can help to confirm the presence and type of inflammation and, perhaps more importantly, tests can be carried out to look for an infection. It is rare for cerebrospinal fluid to be normal if an animal has inflammatory CNS disease.

How can inflammatory CNS disease be treated?

Treatment of inflammatory CNS disease depends on the primary cause. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics and other drugs may be available for fungal and viral causes. In non-infectious disease, drugs are used to try to counteract the over-excitation of the immune system. High doses of steroids (prednisolone) is the mainstay of treatment, but other powerful drugs such as azathioprine, cytarabine, mycophenolate, cyclosporin, and cyclophosphamide can also be used in combination. Once the inflammation has been controlled using high doses of medication, drug doses are slowly reduced.

The long-term aim is to take the animal off any drugs but usually a low dose of medication is needed to control the signs. Steroids have many side-effects when used in the long term and this is why your vet will try to minimise the drug dose or combine treatment with other drugs. The main risk of using the other more powerful drugs is that they can affect the bone marrow making your pet more prone to infection.

Will my pet get better?

In most animals, inflammatory CNS disease can be controlled. This means that your pet can lead a normal life (although they may need to remain on medication for many months or even years). Unfortunately, a small number of animals with very severe disease may not get better despite treatment. Other animals appear to get better but experience relapses months after being taken off medication.

Slipped disc (Intervertebral disc herniation)

Posted on July 9, 2018 by vetstream - cats, lameness-cats

Back problems are not common in cats – they are generally lighter and more athletic than dogs. A slipped disc (also known as intervertebral disc herniation) is the most common cause of paralysis in dogs but cats are much less often affected. No-one really knows why this is but it may be that discs are made slightly differently in cats.

What is the intervertebral disc?

The spine is the name given to the collection of bones (vertebrae) inside which the spinal cord is contained. The spinal cord is made of cables of nerves (like the wires running in an electrical cable), linking the brain to the local nerves that control the movement of the limbs and other functions (the peripheral nervous system).

The intervertebral disc is a spongy, doughnut shaped pad in the main joint between the vertebrae. The disc lies just underneath the spinal cord in cats. Each disc has a semi-liquid centre (nucleus pulposus) and a tough outer fibrous layer (annulus fibrosus). The discs form a bridge between two neighbouring vertebrae and act as a cushion, giving strength and flexibility to the spine.

Why does a disc slip?

A slipped disc can happen in 2 ways:

Rupture of a healthy disc can be caused by trauma (such as a road traffic accident, or a fall from height) with tearing of the annulus fibrosus.
Degeneration of the disc is a result of a premature ageing process. This causes progressive thickening of the dorsal part of the annulus fibrosus which presses up on the spinal cord (disc protrusion).

Disc degeneration is more common in the regions of the spine which are particularly exposed to physical stress (the lower neck, mid-back and lower-back). Degeneration can also result in stiffening of the disc as the semi-liquid centre becomes dry and loses its cushioning properties. If this happens the annulus fibrosus can tear allowing the, now stiff, nucleus to bulge out and put pressure on the spinal cord (disc extrusion).

This type of degeneration is mainly seen in breeds with short bandy legs (also known as chondrodystrophic breeds) as these breeds are born with abnormal cartilage. Dachshunds, Shi Tzu, and Pekingese are the most commonly affected breeds and signs usually develop around 2 to 4 years of age.

How would I know if my pet has a slipped disc?

Spinal pain is the most common sign of disc disease. If your pet has spinal pain they will adopt abnormal posture (low head carriage, rounding of the back), be reluctant to move or exercise, cry when moving around.

A slipped disc can put pressure on the spinal cord, this damages the nerves and causes signs. If the disc slips suddenly there may also be bleeding into the spine which puts even more pressure on the nerves. This can cause any or all of the following signs:

loss of coordination
weakness
paralysis
lameness
faecal or urinary incontinence
loss of sensation in the leg

How do I know the severity of the slipped disc?

The signs that develop following disc damage are the result of:

Pressure of the herniated disc material on the spinal cord (compression component).
Bruising of the spinal cord caused by the impact of the disc as it is herniate (concussion component).

It is not possible to say how much each of these components is contributing to the signs in an individual animal by examination alone. Myelography, CT or MRI scans can help to determine how much the spinal cord is being compressed. However, it can be very difficult to assess how much bruising has occurred (even with the specialised techniques). This concussion can sometimes be seen as spinal cord swelling.

The cables making up the spinal cord are organised into groups depending on their function within the nervous system. The most superficial cables are those running from the leg to the brain. Their main function is to send messages to the brain about the position of the leg and body in space. Because this group of nerves is the most superficial, they are the first to be affected by pressure from a slipped disc. Damage to these nerves results in the animal being wobbly on his legs.

As we move deeper into the spinal cord, the next group of cables are the ones from the brain sending messages to move the legs. Damage to these cables results in weakness of the legs, which can progress to total paralysis.

The deepest cables (in the centre of the spinal cord) are the ones responsible for informing the brain that the bladder is full, and finally the one carrying pain sensation from the limbs from the brain. Loss of function in these cables results in the animal not being able to urinate and being unaware of painful stimulation in the toes.

As an animal recovers from spinal damage, their nerve functions return in the reverse order to that in which they disappeared. Depending on the site of spinal damage (neck, back or lower back), these signs may affect only the back legs or the front ones as well. Rarely, a slipped disc can cause lameness by trapping one of the spinal nerves as it exits the spine.

How will my vet know what is wrong with my pet?

If your pet has any signs of back problems or lameness your vet will want to perform a full neurological examination.

Diagnosis of a slipped disc is rarely possible using standard X-rays alone. A standard X-ray can only show the bones of the vertebrae and not the joints between them (the discs) or the spinal cord running inside them. Sometimes changes seen on conventional X-rays suggest disc degeneration without the animal showing any signs.

A definite diagnosis of a slipped disc can only be made using either myelography (X-rays taken after the injection of dye around the spinal cord), CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These special tests help to confirm if there is a slipped disc, where it is and will also show up other causes of spinal pain or paralysis if they are present.

Will my pet need an operation?

In most cases a slipped disc should be considered to be a surgical disease except where:

This is the first time the animal has had back pain.
The animal has a medical condition that contraindicates general anaesthesia.
The animal has minimal spinal cord compression and it is suspected that spinal bruising is responsible for most of the signs.

Non-surgical treatment consists of strict rest, in a cage or room, depending on the size of your pet), for at least 4 weeks and treatment with drugs that will reduce inflammation and pain. Your vet will want to see your pet regularly to ensure that they are not getting worse without surgery.

How can an operation help my pet?

Surgical treatment consists in drilling a hole in the vertebrae to remove the part of the IVD that is putting pressure on the spinal cord. Recovery times vary from 1 to 4 weeks. Despite carrying a small risk of causing further trauma, surgery should prevent further deterioration and relapse in the future.

Success of surgery depends mainly on how much spinal cord function has been lost and especially whether or not and for how long the animal has lost the ability to feel pain in its toes. The prognosis is very good for most animals that retain pain sensation. Paralysed cats with no pain sensation in their rear legs have a slightly better than 50:50 chance of recovering the ability to walk unless this sensation has been lost for more than 48 hours, when the prognosis then becomes very poor.

Will my pet recover without surgery?

Although surgical treatment is often preferred, cats with mild spinal cord compression or mostly bruising can recover with only rest and eventually anti-inflammatory medication. However those cats that do get to walk again, may take a long time to recover – sometimes from 6 to 12 weeks.

Myositis

Posted on July 9, 2018 by vetstream - cats, lameness-cats

If your cat suddenly finds it difficult or painful to take exercise they may have myositis. Myositis is an inflammation of the muscle. It can be a serious and painful condition and may be an early indicator that your pet is ill in some other way. A veterinary examination is important to try to identify a cause of the problem so that appropriate treatment can be given.

What is myositis?

Literally, myositis means muscle (myo-) inflammation (-sitis). This type of muscle disease (myopathy) represents a group of different diseases which all share the feature of inflammatory cells within the muscle. Myositis can affect:

Just one muscle
Groups of muscles, e.g. muscles used in chewing found on the top and side of the head (masticatory muscle myositis), or muscles moving the eyeball (extra-ocular muscle myositis)
All muscles in the body (polymyositis, dermatomyositis and necrotising myopathy).

What causes myositis?

The inflammation in the muscle can be due to:

Response of the body to an infectious agent (parasite or virus) within the muscle (infectious myositis).
Abnormal immune reaction of the body directed against the muscle (immune-mediated myositis). No-one knows why the immune system suddenly becomes over-excited and attacks the muscles in this way in some animals.
Myositis may also be associated with cancer. Inflammation may develop first and turn into cancer with time (pre-cancerous change), or cancer elsewhere in the body may trigger an immune reaction to the muscle (paracancerous effect).

How would I know if my pet has myositis?

The signs caused by myositis can vary considerably depending on the muscles affected. An animal with a generalised myositis (polymyositis) has a stiff stilted gait, muscle pain, weakness and cannot exercise normally. In the early stages of disease generalised muscle swelling occurs and later the muscles are wasted.

Other signs associated with polymyositis include regurgitation of food and water, difficulty swallowing and sometimes breathing problems.

How will my vet know my pet has myositis?

Myositis can be confirmed by taking a sample of muscle tissue for examination. This will show the inflammatory cells within the muscle. Other tests may be necessary to eliminate a potential infectious (blood test) or to rule out the presence of a cancer in the body (chest and abdominal X-rays and ultrasound).

Is there any treatment for myositis?

Treatment of myositis is usually aimed at trying to counteract the ‘over-excitation’ of the immune system by giving drugs to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressives). The main treatment is usually high doses of steroids (prednisolone). Other immunosuppressive drugs (such as azathioprine or cytarabine) can also be used in combination with steroids. The short-term aim of the treatment is to return the animal to normal using high doses of medication. When the disease is controlled the quantity of drugs is slowly reduced (hopefully without the animal relapsing). The long-term aim is to take the animal off any drugs, but usually this is not possible and a continued low dose of medication is needed to keep the signs at bay.

All drugs can have side-effects and immunosuppressives are particularly powerful drugs. The main risk of using these drugs is that the immune system will be shutdown too much, making your cat more prone to infection.

In the rare cases where cancer or an infection is found to be the underlying cause of the myositis, treatment should be directed against this. Unfortunately, the outlook in these cases is not good.

Will my cat get better?

The outlook for animals with myositis is usually fair – although improvement may not be seen for several weeks. Corticosteroids can cause muscle wastage and this may give the impression that the animal is getting worse, even though the disease is well controlled. Your vet will need to monitor your pet closely whilst it is receiving treatment, both to ensure it is getting better and also to check that the drugs are not causing any serious unwanted effects.

If an underlying cause of the myositis can be identified and successfully treated it may be possible to withdraw medication altogether without the condition relapsing.

Myasthenia gravis

Posted on July 9, 2018 by vetstream - cats, lameness-cats

Myasthenia gravis (MG) literally means grave (gravis) muscle (my-) weakness (asthenia). It is an unusual cause of generalised weakness in cats.

What is myasthenia gravis?

Each muscle in the body is controlled by its own nerve, but this nerve does not connect directly to the muscle. At the junction between the nerve and the muscle (also known as the neuromuscular junction) there is a small gap.

Signals travel along the nerve as an electrical current. When the electrical nerve impulse reaches the end of the nerve, the signal must be conveyed across the gap to the muscle. A chemical messenger called acetylcholine bridges this gap. This messenger is released from the end of the nerve, flows across the gap and fixes itself to a specific receptor (acetylcholine receptor) on the muscle. The acetylcholine attaches to the receptor (like a key fitting a lock) and triggers a signal, which causes the muscle to contract. In myasthenia gravis there is abnormal transmission of the message between the nerves and the muscles.

If the muscles are unable to contract properly they become weak. Muscle weakness can affect the limbs so that animals are unable to stand or exercise normally but can also affect other muscles in the body. In very severe cases the muscles involved with breathing can also be affected.

There are two forms of myasthenia gravis: congenital (a disease the animal is born with) and acquired (a disease that develops during the animals lifetime). The most common type of myasthenia gravis is the acquired form. This is seen most commonly in Abyssinians and, a close relative, the Somali.

What causes myasthenia gravis?

Animals with congenital MG are born with too few acetylcholine receptors. The acquired form is caused by a faulty immune system. The main role of the immune system is to protect the body against infection or foreign invaders, and this is often done by the production of antibodies. In acquired MG, the immune system produces antibodies (called anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody or AChR antibody) that attack and destroy the acetylcholine receptor.

No-one really knows why the immune system should suddenly decide to attack these receptors in some animals. In rare cases, MG can be triggered by cancer, or be associated with other immune diseases affecting the nerve or muscle. Whatever the reason, when the number of receptors is reduced, acetylcholine cannot fix itself to the muscle to produce muscle contraction and muscle weakness results.

How do I know if my pet has myasthenia gravis?

The typical picture of MG is severe weakness after only a few minutes of activity. This weakness might affect all four legs or only affect the back legs. It is frequently preceded by a short stride stiff gait with muscle tremors. As soon as an affected animal rests they regain their strength and can be active for a brief period before exercise-induced weakness returns.

Other signs of MG are related to effects on the muscles in the throat (laboured breathing and voice change). In the most severe form, the animal can be totally floppy and unable to support its weight or hold its head up. Muscle disease (myopathy) or nerve disease (neuropathy) can mimic signs of MG and should be considered in the diagnosis.

How will my vet know my cat has myasthenia gravis?

Sometimes the diagnosis of MG can be simple but in other animals it is not straightforward. The best test to diagnose acquired MG is a blood test which looks for antibodies directed toward the acetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR antibody titre).

Your vet may need to do other tests to re-enforce their suspicion of MG. One of these is the Tensilon test – in this test a short-acting antidote to MG (tensilon) is injected into a vein. In affected animals there will be a dramatic increase in muscle strength immediately after injection and collapsed animals may get up and run about (however the effects wear off after a few minutes).

Another test used to help make a diagnosis of MG is an electromyogram (EMG). An EMG machine can be used to deliver a small electrical stimulation to an individual nerve or muscle in an anaesthetised animal. Using an EMG machine a vet can evaluate how well the muscles respond to stimulation from the nerves. The machine is used to create an electrical impulse in the nerve.

Diagnosis of the rare congenital form of MG is based on a special analysis of a muscle biopsy.

Other investigations may be required to look for underlying causes of the disease, particularly in older animals. Chest X-Rays can be indicated to look for cancer in the chest cavity and to evaluate possible involvement of the oesophagus and to detect pneumonia secondary to inhalation of food.

Can myasthenia gravis be treated?

Specific treatment of MG is based on giving a form of long-acting antidote. This improves the transfer of the signal from the nerves to the muscle. Depending on individual circumstances, it may be necessary to give drugs that will suppress the immune system to stop it attacking the receptors. If your cat has pneumonia your vet will want to treat that first (with antibiotics and other drugs) before suppressing the immune system.

Will my pet get better?

Prognosis is generally good for a complete recovery unless severe pneumonia, severe difficulty eating or underlying cancer is present. Treatment usually lasts many months and your vet will need to re-examine your pet on a regular basis to check that they are improving. Repeated blood test to measure anti-AChR antibody levels will also be required.

Myasthenia gravis can be a very serious disease. However with an early diagnosis and a high level of care your pet may make a full recovery.

Arthritis

Posted on July 9, 2018 by vetstream - cats, lameness-cats

Arthritis is a familiar problem for most vets. An increasing number of cats are diagnosed with arthritis. Arthritis simply means an inflammation of joints and animals with arthritis usually suffer with pain and stiffness in their joints. Arthritis is typically a problem in older pets. However, many animals with arthritis will have had signs of disease from an early age if their arthritis is caused by problems with joint development.

What is arthritis?

In the normal joint the bone surfaces are covered with a thin layer of smooth cartilage. This is lubricated with a small amount of joint fluid. This structure allows the two surfaces of the joint to slide freely over one another.

In animals with arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis) the cartilage in the joint degenerates and becomes damaged and thinned. The bone surfaces begin to rub together (rather than gliding) causing discomfort as well as further damage to the cartilage. With time new bone may form around the joint and this can cause the joint to become stiff and limit joint movement. Depending on the cause arthritis may affect just one or any number of joints.

What causes arthritis?

In most cases arthritis develops as a consequence of abnormal wear within the joint. This can be due to:

Instability of the joints, e.g. when ligaments have been damaged
Damage to or abnormal development of the cartilage in the joint or
Damage caused by trauma such as joint fractures and chronic sprains

How would I know if my pet had arthritis?

Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the joints. If your pet has arthritis you may notice they are not as keen to exercise as in the past and they may limp or seem to be stiff (particularly when getting up from rest). This stiffness may get better after being out for a walk, and sometimes cold and/or damp weather may appear to make signs worse.

Animals will sometimes lick continually at a painful joint and those with pale coloured coats the saliva may start to stain the fur darker over the affected joint. Occasionally the joint may appear hot or swollen but more usually you will not be able to recognise any change in the joint. The signs in some animals can be very obvious whereas other pets may just become quieter or more grumpy if they are in discomfort.

How will my vet know if my pet has arthritis?

Your vet may suspect that your pet has arthritis from the signs you describe. By examining your pet’s legs your vet should be able to identify which joints are painful, stiff or swollen. In order to find out more about what is going on inside the joint your vet may need to do further tests.

X-rays of the joint will help to confirm the presence of arthritis and to identify any underlying causes. Your vet may also take a small sample of fluid from inside the joint for analysis. In some cases blood samples may be required to look for medical conditions that can affect the joints. If your vet suspects that there is an infection in the joint they will want to take samples to try to identify the cause.

Is there any treatment for arthritis?

The treatment for arthritis depends upon the underlying cause and the joint(s) affected. In almost all cases arthritis is worse in animals that are overweight and unfit. Treatment of osteoarthritis must be aimed at keeping the joint in use, minimising discomfort, and preserving the structures of the joint for as long as possible. Without a doubt the most important therapy for patients with osteoarthritis is the combination of weight control and exercise management, minimising the load on the joint, and maximising the range of movement and the fitness of the muscles around the joint.

Many patients will also benefit from drug therapy for a few weeks or months, and in occasional cases long-term drug therapy is useful. Initially pain relief is important and the most common veterinary analgesics used are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

If your pet has arthritis your vet may need to treat them on numerous occasions over their lifetime. The treatment used will vary both from one patient to the next, and for an individual patient over time. Your vet may recommend using multiple treatments, singly, or more often in combination, to provide the best immediate and long-term support for each patient.

What drugs are used to treat arthritis?

Chondroprotectants

As cartilage damage is such an important part of arthritis it is clearly a good idea to try to limit this. Some drugs may reduce cartilage damage – these are described as chondroprotective drugs. Drugs such as hyaluronic acid, polysulphated glycosaminoglycans and pentosan polysulphate are suggested to reduce cartilage degeneration, promote the repair of joint structures, and reduce inflammation. Unfortunately not all of these drugs are licensed for use in cats and dogs and some have to be injected into the joint.

There has been a recent rise in the use of the so-called nutraceuticals. These substances (primarily glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate) are building blocks for cartilage. Feeding nutraceuticals in the diet may provide the building blocks for the repair of cartilage within the joint and this may in turn promote relief from the signs of arthritis. Nutraceuticals have been used in the management of long-term osteoarthritis in people, and they may be a useful addition to other therapy in animals.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are commonly prescribed for management of arthritis as they have actions against both inflammation and pain. Occasionally these drugs can cause vomiting or diarrhoea as well as other side-effects. These side-effects mean that there are some warnings against their long-term use in dogs. NSAID use is quite restricted in cats as these drugs can be more toxic in this species.

In the short-term the drugs with the highest impact on analgesia and inflammation are likely to be the first choice. Often these drugs are not needed in the medium or long-term, or they are not licensed for such use due to the cumulative risk of side-effects. In such cases, particularly in cats where the therapeutic options are more limited, alternatives must be sought.

New drugs are becoming available and the development of a successful management plan for arthritis in the individual patient requires regular review of the current medication and how the patient is progressing.

Will my cat get better?

Unfortunately once the cartilage in the joint has been damaged it rarely repairs. However, although there may still be damage in the joint many pets can be made pain free by long-term use of medication and management to control further wear on the joint.

There is a great variation in the severity of arthritis between patients. Many pets cope well with their disease, and lead a full and active life without any veterinary treatment. Some patients require treatment ranging from simple lifestyle changes to complex surgery. The signs of arthritis often vary throughout the animal’s life and often result in the early onset of joint problems in old age.

Cat scratch disease

Posted on July 5, 2018 by vetstream - cats, infectious-diseases-cats

Cat scratch disease is a disease of people carried by cats. Infected cats usually do not show any sign of illness but the disease can be passed to humans via a bite or scratch from the cat.

What is cat scratch disease?

Cat scratch disease (CSD), also known as Bartonellosis, is caused by a bacteria carried in the blood of cats. CSD is a zoonotic disease, i.e. it is an infectious disease that can be transmitted from cats to other animals and to people.

The disease is well recognised in North America but is also seen in Europe and increasingly in the UK.

How is the disease spread?

The disease is spread from cat to cat via the cat flea and then can be transmitted to humans via a bite or scratch. While fleas do not directly pass the infection to humans, controlling fleas in cats may decrease the risk of infection to humans; primarily as cats are less likely to become infected if fleas are not present.

Ticks are also a major transmitter of the disease. Ticks also carry other infectious diseases such as Lyme disease. People can be infected with both infections at the same time and, since symptoms of the two conditions may be similar, CSD may be missed when testing for Lyme disease.

Infected cats carry the bacteria in their blood. It appears that the disease can only be spread via infected blood but cat’s saliva can be contaminated with blood so that the disease can be transmitted by bites or licking. Cats may also contaminate their nails with infection whilst grooming and the infected blood may enter the human body through a cat scratch. Cats with fleas are more likely to scratch themselves than so in infected cats scratching increases the risk of the cat contaminating its nails with infected blood and passing the disease onto humans.

Kittens are more likely to carry the bacteria in their blood, and are therefore more likely to transmit the disease than are adult cats.

How do I know if my cat is infected?

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Cat pox

Posted on July 5, 2018 by vetstream - cats, infectious-diseases-cats

If your cat is a keen hunter they may be at risk of catching cat pox from their prey. Cat pox is a viral infection that is also known as feline cow pox. Most cases recover without treatment but in a few cases the disease can be much more serious and veterinary advice should be sought. It can also infect humans which is important to be aware of.

What is cat pox?

Cat pox disease is also known as feline cow pox. It is caused by a virus present in the small rodent population such as voles and field mice. The virus is similar to the small pox virus and infection with this virus protects against small pox.

How did my cat catch cat pox?

Despite its other name of cow pox, cats rarely catch cat pox from cattle. The virus is carried by rodents and cats are most commonly exposed during hunting so avid hunters are most at risk. The virus enters the cat through rodent bites or when a cat grooms an existing lesion after eating a rodent.

What are the signs of cat pox?

Most cases are seen in late summer when rodents are most numerous. Over the next week nodular skin sores that may become infected develop (often around the face and nose or limbs as this is where the cats are usually bitten by their vole prey). These crust and scab over and most cats remain well or have a runny nose or eye discharges. Around 10 days to several weeks after initial infection, numerous skin lesions that are ulcerated and crusted can develop over the body. These lesions are not usually itchy. Overall infection lasts six to eight weeks and most cats recover without and treatment.

However in a few cases, primarily cats that have a poor immune system, e.g. those with FIV or receiving steroids, the disease can spread to the lungs and cause pneumonia in which case fast, laboured and noisy breathing will be apparent as well as the cat being very unwell.

How will my vet diagnose cat pox?

Your vet may be suspicious of a cat pox infection just by looking at the sores. However, these can be confused with other conditions like cat bites and ‘rodent’ (eosinophilic) ulcers. In most cases your vet will simply take a sample of the scabby tissue from the body for analysis. However tissue biopsies or blood samples can also be taken and sent to the laboratory. If your cat is unwell other tests will be required to identify any underlying cause of the immune system compromise. X-rays may be needed if there appears to be involvement of the lungs.

Can I catch cow pox from my cat?

It is rare for people to become infected with cat pox (less than 100 cases have been diagnosed in people in the last 30 years) but it is possible, usually via cat scratches. However, as with all infectious diseases, good hygiene is important and if your cat is infected you should ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly after handing your cat.

People with compromised immune systems (e.g. the young and elderly, people on immunosuppressive treatments, pregnant women) and those with severe skin disease are probably most at risk and should avoid infected cats. If your cat is diagnosed with cat pox it should be handled with gloves and contact between infected material and any human skin wounds and eyes avoided.

Will my other cat(s) catch cat pox from an in-contact infected cat?

If your cat is diagnosed with cat pox, it should be isolated from other cats. However cat to cat transmission only occurs rarely and usually is not associated with clinical signs.

What is the treatment for cat pox?

There are no treatments that will control the virus. Happily most cats recover over about 6 weeks without any treatment. Antibiotics may be required if the skin lesions are open or infected. Some cats have to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent them scratching at the sores. teroids must not be given as these can worsen the disease.