General and Preventive Medicine

Time for Medication – or Time to Fight?

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Kitty comes back from the vet and needs to receive medication? You start administering the medication and everything goes well after a few days! You may be tempted to stop the treatment because pill time turns into rodeo time with Kitty… Bad idea!

Studies have shown that a certain percentage of people do not follow the prescribed dosage and/or duration of treatment.

Here are a few mistakes observed over time:

  • Giving a double dose to make up a skipped dose
  • Giving a double dose in the morning instead of the normal dose morning and evening
  • Modify the dosage of a given product in decreasing doses

 

If your vet has taken the time to prepare a treatment plan, it is important to follow it! This plan takes into account the issue targeted and how long the product will be effective. Failure to follow the treatment plan properly can lead to poor results, adverse reactions and dissatisfaction with veterinary care…

If Kitty is very resistant to the pills, don't hide them in her food; she will most likely detect them. Not only will she not take them, but she may become suspicious of her food later on. You'll then have two issues to deal with!

There are alternative solutions:

  • Specially made treats to hide pills in
  • Pill launcher
  • Some medications are available in injection form

 

Make sure you understand Kitty's illness. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand why some of the medications have been prescribed. Ask for a treatment demonstration if necessary. Tell your veterinarian if you cannot keep to the dosing schedule. The treatment's success depends on it. It also prevents antibiotic resistance (when an antibiotic is involved). Keeping a treatment log can also be useful if several members of the household are involved in administering the medication.

However, tell your veterinarian if the medication seems to be poorly tolerated by your cat.

With proper management, Kitty will have every chance to get better!

 

How to Introduce a New Pet With Your Dogs and Cats

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

The arrival of a new cat or dog is often stressful, both for the new arrival and for the pets who already live in the home. Here are some tips for introducing this new pet with your dogs and cats:

 

Preparing for the Arrival of the New Cat or Dog

In order to promote a positive encounter between the new animal and your pets, it is essential to separate them for the first few days. This is especially true for cats: it is important to give them time to adapt to their new environment before meeting their new companions. Provide a safe room where your new pet can live for the first 24 to 48 hours. It can be helpful to change rooms for your pets before you have them meet for the first time, so the new pet can explore the whole house.

 

Show Available Resources

One of the first steps to take after releasing a cat or dog into their new environment is to show them the location where they can relieve themselves. It is also essential to make fresh water and food easily available, safe from competition with other animals in the house.

 

Pheromone Diffusers

There are products available in veterinary stores that promote animal cohabitation and help reduce stress in pets. Among other things, some products use synthetic pheromones to generate a soothing and harmonious environment. Find out more from the store of your veterinary clinic.

 

Supervised Meetings

After the first days of adaptation to the environment, you may proceed with the meeting between the current house pets and the newcomer. Do short, supervised, remote encounters first. Then, depending on how each animal behaves, allow them to gradually get closer. It is important that these meetings be voluntary at all times. Let the animals interact at their own pace.

 

Positive Encounters

To make every experience positive, reward them with their favorite treats. As well, promote play between your pets, which is always joyful and often allows harmonious relationships.

 

Disease Prevention

Make sure your new companion is adequately protected so as not to expose your pets to pathogens. Consult your veterinarian for vaccination, screening and deworming recommendations. This also applies to your existing pets, who will now be exposed to a new animal that could potentially carry certain pathogens.

Baking Treats for Your Cat

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Giving treats to your cat is one of the most common ways to spoil him. However, some health conditions require exclusive therapeutic food and restrict the use of commercial treats!

 

Here are two easy recipes to make at home for your cat, using canned or dry food, regardless of his medical condition (weight loss, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, food allergies, etc.). Bon appétit, Kitty!

 

From canned cat food:

  • Open the can and shake the loaf of cat food out of the can.
  • Cut the loaf into 6 mm (1/4") thick slices, and then cut the slices into bite-sized pieces.
  • Bake the cat treats in a microwave oven on high for approximately 2½ to 3 minutes.
  • Once cooked, treats can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. After this time, throw away any leftovers.
  • Homemade treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s total daily intake, as heat alters the food’s nutritional values.
  • Do not freeze the homemade treats.

To bake in a conventional oven, place pieces on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 175ºC (350ºF) for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy.

 

From dry food:

  • In a blender, add 460 ml (2 cups) of dry cat food and grind into a powder.
  • Pour powder into a mixing bowl and gradually add about 230 ml to 290 ml (1 to 1¼ cups) of water, stirring until it forms a dough consistency.
  • Shape into individual "treats" or "cookies" and flatten the dough using the back of a spoon (the cookies will not flatten like standard "people cookies" do).
  • Place treats on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 175ºC (350ºF) for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy.
  • Once cooked, treats can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. After this time, throw away any leftovers.
  • Homemade treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s total daily intake, as heat alters the food’s nutritional values.

Source: http://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/cat-care/how-make-healthy-treats-home-ktn.html

 

 

 

Is a Cat Really for Me?

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Have you fallen for the adorable kitten in the shop window? A stray cat keeps coming back to see you? Cats are unrivalled charmers - they know how to make us fall in love! However, before giving in to love at first sight, it’s advisable to ask yourself what kind of lifestyle you could offer a cat, what your expectations and needs are, and what kind of budget you can afford.

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself:

  • Do you have a busy schedule? Will you have time to dedicate to your little protégé?
  • Are you dreaming of a fluffy kitten like those featured in those toilet paper commercials? First of all, don’t forget that all baby kittens turn into adult cats! You should also be aware that a long-haired cat will require regular, deep brushing to avoid becoming thickly matted – in which case, the cat may need to be shaved! As well, a “flat-faced” cat will require daily eye cleaning.
  • Do you have leather furniture? It may fall prey to Kitty’s sharp nails. Adopting a cat also means making compromises!
  • Can you afford it? The first year, Kitty will need several vaccinations, neutering and deworming treatments. Your vet’s general examination may reveal surprises such as fleas, ear mites, ringworm, or a viral disease. You’ll be glad you had the cat checked BEFORE you brought it into your home! It’s a wise decision to budget for contingencies... they can add up your health care costs!

Once you have weighed the pros and cons, you can make an informed choice. Keep in mind that you are responsible for those you tame!

 

She’s Not Fat… She’s Just Fluffy!

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Do you like Kitty's plumpness? However, her curves are a ticking time bomb.

Obesity is defined as being 10 to 20% overweight when compared to the ideal weight for a given breed. In America, it is estimated that approximately 58% of cats are obese or overweight!

Fat is almost an organ in itself. It secretes many substances, some of which cause inflammation. Obesity increases the burden on the heart and legs. It also predisposes to diabetes, chronic respiratory problems, urinary problems, liver problems, and constipation.

Therefore, it is important to measure your cat's food intake and promote exercise. Offering canned food will reduce the caloric intake and significantly increase the water intake of your pet. Your doubts have been confirmed: Kitty needs to go on a diet! There are low-calorie veterinary diets and weight-loss programs available. However, this weight loss must be gradual and supervised. Adding an interactive bowl to the environment will spice up Kitty's life and force her to move to "earn" her food. This is a great trick for compulsive eaters!

Don't hesitate to bring up the issue during your next visit to your veterinarian. When it comes to obesity, prevention is better! It's not that easy to get Kitty back to a healthy weight!

 

Oh No… the Cat Peed on the Bed!

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

The horror! Max has urinated in the middle of the bed. Once you get over the initial shock, there are a few things to check:

  • Under which circumstances did this happen? Was there a stressful event?
  • Is the litter box clean?
  • How has Max been feeling lately?
  • Did he urinate a lot more, or a lot less than usual?

Urinating out of the litter box can hide a medical problem. Having a physical exam and urinalysis done is a smart choice. Bladder inflammation, urinary crystals, diabetes, or kidney failure are all factors that can explain this "bad" behaviour. If the tests do not reveal anything, it may be a behavioural issue.

It is very important to keep the litter box spotless! We recommend that the number of litter boxes in a house be equal to the number of cats + 1. It is preferable to use a litter box without a dome, filled with unscented material... And it must be emptied every day! The box itself should be cleaned thoroughly once a week and replaced every year. Place it in a quiet and easily accessible place. Not next to the furnace!

Despite normal test results and perfect litter box management, Max may continue to urinate in inappropriate places. In this case, anxiety may be the source of the problem. This is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that other reasons have been ruled out. Possible therapeutic approaches include synthetic hormones, milk protein hydrolysates, antidepressants, environmental enrichment. We will discuss these further in a subsequent article.

When it comes to cleaning up Max’s mess, there are different products available to neutralize odours. Cleaning should be completed quickly. Avoid bleach, as it will attract Max to the same spot! Note that bleach is an excellent disinfectant... except in this case, it’s not the best idea!

If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian!

 

Hôpital Vétérinaire du Boisé

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians, assistant technicians and receptionists is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

Bureau Vétérinaire Côté

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians, assistant technicians and receptionists is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.