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American Veterinary Center
Happier & Healthier Pets |
30-
El Gezira EL Wosta Street
Zamalik , Cairo, Egypt. 11211
Tel .# 02 27376664
Mob.# 016 8877005 |
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Visit
Us Today
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Congratulations - you have a new kitten!
You’ve anticipated the new arrival by
‘kittenproofing’ your home and had lots of fun choosing the
carrier, bed, blanket, toys and other supplies he or she will
need. This adorable little bundle of fluff is sure to bring
you much joy. In return, you can make a major contribution to
your pet’s longevity, happiness and quality of life by
providing him or her with good nutrition, loving attention in
a safe, sanitary environment and regular checkups at your
veterinarian’s.
Spaying or
Neutering your kitten
Many veterinarians believe that
spaying or neutering not only helps solve the serious problem
of a burgeoning population of unwanted cats, but also makes
for friendlier, easier-to-live-with pets. Spayed female cats
are more relaxed, playful and affectionate, while neutered
males are calmer and less likely to ‘spray’ or urine-mark
their territory, wander away from their home or fight. Plus,
sterilization has health benefits - it minimizes the risk for
breast cancer in females and enlarged or tumorous prostate in
males.
Spaying removes the uterus and ovaries of a female cat,
usually around the age of 4-6 months. A major surgical
procedure, it is performed under general anesthesia and most
often involves an overnight stay at an animal hospital.
Complications are rare and recovery is normally complete
within ten days.
Neutering, also carried out under general anesthesia,
removes the testicles of a male cat. The small wounds that
result usually heal in about a week. Less complicated than
spaying, it is often performed on a ‘day surgery’ basis when
the cat is 4 to 12 months old.
Your kitten’s basic health check
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kitten should visit a veterinarian as soon as possible.
The first visit will probably include: |
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Thorough physical examination
to determine his or her state of health. |
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Check for external parasites
(fleas, ticks, lice, ear mites). |
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Check for internal parasites
(tapeworm, roundworm, etc.), if you can bring a stool
sample for analysis. |
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Initial vaccination and/or a
discussion of the types of vaccinations your kitten
needs and when they should be scheduled. |
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Discussion about whether your
kitten should be sterilized (spayed or neutered) and
when. |
This first health check will give
your veterinarian the information he needs to advise you
on your kitten’s immediate diet and care. Plus, it will
give him a “knowledge base” from which, on subsequent
checkups throughout your cat’s life, he can better
evaluate, monitor and manage your pet’s health.
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Make your new
kitten feel at home
With sensitive handling and friendly
contact for at least an hour a day, your new kitten should
soon be very comfortable with you and his new home. Be sure if
there are also young children in the home that they are taught
that a kitten is not a toy but a living creature who must be
treated with gentleness and respect. Also provide your pet
with lots of opportunities for interesting, challenging play
that will satisfy his natural instincts. Toys that he can
pretend to 'hunt' and capture and special posts that he can
scratch (instead of your carpets and furniture) will help make
your kitten a joy to live with.
Your Geriatric Cat
When is the best time to start caring
for your aging pet? When he's a kitten. Starting off your
cat's life with good nutrition, scheduled veterinary
appointments and a happy home life sets the blueprint for a
high quality of life in his older years. Most cats are
considered geriatric by the age of 8 to 10. Much like humans,
time takes its toll on vital organ functions as your cat ages.
Cats are more subtle than dogs in showing you when they are
sick or in pain. Paying attention to your cat's behavior will
make detecting problems easier and help them live healthy
lives well into their teens.
What you can do at home
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Check your cat’s mouth, eyes or
ears regularly. Watch for loose teeth, redness, swelling
or discharges. |
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Keep your pet’s sleeping area clean
and warm. |
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Make fresh water available at all
times. |
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Maintain a regime of proper
nutrition and loving attention. |
How old is your cat?
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If your cat is...
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In human terms, that's |
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1 month
2 months
3 months
4 months
5 months
6 months
7 months
8 months
1 year
2 years
3 years
4 years
5 years
6 years
7 years
8 years
9 years
10 years
11 years
12 years
13 years
14 years
15 years
16 years
17 years
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5-6 months
9-10 months
2-3 years
5-6 years
8-9 years
14 years
15 years
16 years
18 years
25 years
30 years
35 years
38-40 years
42-44 years
45 years
48 years
55 years
60 years
62 years
65 years
68 years
72 years
74 years
76 years
78 years
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Common Problems
Obesity
is a big health risk. An older cat is
a less active cat, so adjustments to your pet’s diet to reduce
caloric intake are imperative. This will relieve pressure on
his joints as well as manage the risks of heart failure,
kidney or liver disease, digestive problems and more. Other
changes to his nutrition should include increasing fiber,
fatty acids and vitamins while decreasing phosphorus, sodium,
protein and fat.
Arthritis’
severity can range from slight
stiffness to debilitation. You may detect this problem when he
becomes less attentive about his grooming and litter box
habits. These signs may also indicate the slowing down of his
cognitive functions. Anti-inflammatory medication can help
relieve the pain. Your veterinarian will prescribe any
necessary medication.
Intolerance to hot and cold
temperatures occurs because
your cat produces less of the hormones which regulate the
body’s normal temperature. Move his bed closer to a heat
source. If he is an outdoor cat, avoid letting him out on cold
days.
Tooth loss or decay
not only makes it harder to chew but
also increases the likelihood of infection or tumors. Cats are
very sensitive to oral pain. Brushing and cleaning the teeth
will keep tartar, gum disease and gingivitis at bay.
Constipation
may point to colon problems or hair
balls. A diet that is easily digestible and rich in nutrients
is essential.
Skin or coat problems
in aging cats means the skin loses
elasticity, making your pet more susceptible to injury while
the coat’s hair thins and dulls over time. Regular grooming to
maintain the coat’s luster and fatty acid supplements are
highly beneficial.
Frequent colds and infections
may indicate an impaired immune
system. Bring your cat in for a check-up. Your veterinarian
may suggest a test for Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus.
Increased thirst
is a possible sign of diabetes,
kidney failure or hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian will
determine this and prescribe the appropriate medication.
Decreased sense of smell
may drastically reduce your cat’s
appetite. Try serving smaller portions more often throughout
the day. Ask your veterinarian about foods formulated for
geriatric cats. They may have a stronger concentration of
aromas.
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We understand that
your pet is a very special member of your family. |
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