Welcome to the Ask Dr. Paola series. Every Monday, we help our readers better understand their cat’s health and well-being with expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ).
Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is here to answer your most pressing questions. From nutritional tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to provide insight to keep your kitty happy, healthy, and healthy. feline Are you okay. We look forward to hearing expert advice on a variety of topics that are most important to you and your cat. That way, you can make informed decisions and provide the best care for your furry pet.
Have any questions? Send them here!
Help! My cat walks with bow legs!
” Hello. My 18 month old male tuxedo cat is like a limousine (or dachshund cat) and his brother is also long, but he is unusually long and I’ve never seen one before. He has the lowest tail of all. My question is, could he cause any extra problems with his spine because of his height? He kind of walks in a bowlegged manner. A month ago, he and his brother were running around. I hit the dresser hard and since then I have a small bump near my back. I’m assuming it’s a bruise. How long will such a bruise last? Also, I’m very tall like him. I’m curious about what kind of long-haired cat he is, so I’m going to look into it. I’ve looked everywhere, but I can’t seem to find anyone who looks like him. His face is very smooth. She has medium hair and always speaks with a small meow. ” – kathy
Hello Kathy
I’ve never heard of a cat with a long body. When comparing dachshunds to the cat version, we usually focus on Munchkin cats, which have short legs due to a genetic mutation known as achondroplasia or chondrodysplasia. I don’t think Onyx’s legs are short, but rather bow-legged, so I think Onyx’s legs are normal length. It seems like Onyx has some kind of physical abnormality, but it’s unfortunately impossible to know what exactly from your description.
However, as you mentioned, pets with abnormally long spines are more susceptible to spinal problems such as disc disease. Considering that Onyx’s long spine is combined with other anatomical changes such as a low-set tail and bow-legged gait, this can place additional stress on the spine and joints, which can increase over time. It can be assumed that this may lead to discomfort and mobility problems over time.
Since you are describing an accident that happened a few months ago and that swelling is still there, your best bet is to have your vet examine Onyx. To diagnose what’s going on, you’ll need at least an X-ray and possibly an MRI. After testing, your veterinarian may be able to diagnose the disease.
From your description it sounds like he could be a mixed cat, but if you want to confirm his genetic makeup you can do so by running a DNA test. You can get a kit for that and you don’t even need to get a medical certificate. Veterinarians are involved.
As an additional tip, we recommend observing your Onyx closely, paying particular attention to his ease of movement, and reporting any changes in activity level to your veterinarian. You may also want to make some changes to your home environment so that there are no extremely high surfaces to jump off of, such as adding a ramp for easy climbing onto the couch or bed, adding a soft landing area, or You can also add a safe playpen to minimize impact. Risk of accident or collision.
I wish you good luck!
Dr. Paola
Help! My cat has bald spots!
“Maverick has a bald patch just below his neck between his shoulder blades. He looks normal, but I’m a little worried.” – Nicholas
Hello Nicholas. There are several reasons why Maverick is bald. The area you are describing is where flea killer has been sprayed, so if he does get access to flea killer, his reaction to it would be a potential cause to rule out first. .
He may also be rubbing this area on some surfaces, so you should monitor his behavior. You should also note whether overstretching can cause the fur in this area to fall off. When this happens, the area also becomes red and appears inflamed.
Itchy skin and secondary hair loss can have many causes, but some of the most common include bacterial or fungal infections, fleas, and food or environmental allergies. Visiting your veterinarian and taking samples is the best way to get a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Help! My cat loves to bury all his toys.
“My cat loves to bury his toys under his bed or blankets and dig them up like a treasure hunt. Is this normal? – Deena (Sprinkles’ Mom)
Hi Dina, I think Sprinkles is playing. No need to worry, just enjoy the show!
This article is part of the weekly Ask Dr. Paola series.
