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. Look forward to expert guidance on a variety of topics that matter most to you and your cat. That way, you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your furry companion.
Have any questions? Send them here!
Help! My cat is suffering from allergies!
“Dear Dr. Paola.
My 6 year old cat Nikki suffers from allergies. I don’t know the exact allergen, but changing the litter, food, and water made things a little better. She was severely traumatized as a kitten. She loves being petted, but trying to hold her to give her medication causes a panic reaction. I’ve tried everything I can think of, including mixing it with food, using liquid treats, and applying it to the fur, but nothing has worked. Is there a new subdural medication that her vet can apply?” – linda
Hello Linda
Caring for a cat with a history of trauma or allergies can definitely be difficult. Working closely with your veterinarian is essential to ensure that the treatment plan addresses Nikki’s physical and mental needs. Identifying allergy triggers is an important step because it allows for targeted strategies to effectively manage symptoms.
Treatment options include antihistamines in mild cases or as part of a more extensive plan, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching, and immunotherapy to desensitize to specific allergens over time. etc. may be included. Other options, such as immunosuppressants such as Atopica (cyclosporine) or off-label use of Apoquel (oclacitinib), may also be considered, but this will need to be based on her specific case. Stress management is also important because stress can have a big impact on your overall health, as stress can make allergies worse.
If you would like to learn more and explore the different options available to Nikki while minimizing stress and ensuring Nikki’s comfort, please schedule a one-on-one consultation with a veterinarian at Recommended. PangoVet.com. PangoVet’s services provide personalized advice, help you take next steps, and allow you and your veterinarian to work together to create a plan tailored to your veterinarian’s specific needs.
I wish you good luck!
Dr. Paola
💛 😺 Consult a veterinarian online from the comfort of your couch!
If you would like to consult a veterinarian but are unable to go, please visit the following site: pango vet. This is an online service Consult a veterinarian online Get the personalized advice you need for your pet at an affordable price.
Help! My cat is a fart machine!
“Dear Dr. Paola.
I have two 5 month old kittens from the SPCA, Tux and Max. In addition to his dry food, he is fed Purina Pro Plan wet kitten food twice a day. Are they supposed to be little ferocious farting machines? I pick one up and wham, it’s so dirty I have to cover my nose. Is this normal?Thank you. “ – Mary
Hello Mary! It’s not uncommon for kittens to experience occasional farts, but persistent foul-smelling flatulence is not considered normal. There are several possible reasons for this. Dietary factors are often the main culprit. Highly processed foods may contain ingredients that are difficult for some kittens to digest, such as certain proteins, fillers, and additives. Swallowing air while eating can also cause problems, especially for avid eaters. Additionally, kittens recently adopted from a shelter may have an imbalanced gut flora or may still harbor intestinal parasites even if they have been treated for parasites.
We recommend starting by taking a closer look at their eating habits. Moving to species-appropriate, additive-free, and less processed foods may improve digestion and reduce gas. It’s best to avoid foods that include “meat by-products” in their ingredient list, as you don’t know what’s in them. Adding high-quality probiotics recommended by your veterinarian can support building a healthy gut microbiome. It’s also a good idea to check with your veterinarian to make sure Tux and Max don’t have intestinal parasites, as intestinal parasites can cause gastrointestinal problems such as gas. If the problem persists or is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, or weight changes, veterinary attention is essential to rule out other underlying concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Help! My cat needs a bath every week!
“Dear Dr. Paola.
I have a rescue cat, Catsby, who has severe environmental and food allergies. He is allergic to dust mites, so he takes weekly baths with a mild shampoo. (Additionally, HEPA filters, frequent bedding changes, steam mops, etc.) Some people recommended monthly treatments with Revolution, saying it’s effective at killing any dust mites in the environment. Is it true? I hate putting chemicals on his skin unless it has a really big effect. Thank you, Dr. Paola.”
– Kitty
Hello Kitty
Thank you for your dedication to caring for Catsby until he finds his forever home. Revolution (selamectin) is effective against many parasites, including fleas, ear mites, and mange mites, but is not effective against dust mites. Dust mites, such as the Dermatophagoids and the Dermatophagoids, live in the environment and feed on family members’ skin flakes and other organic debris. Because they do not live on or feed from pets, they are not exposed to selamectin, which primarily targets parasites that live inside and interact directly with treated animals.
Congratulations, you’re already doing a great job managing Catsby’s dust mite allergy with HEPA filters, frequent bedding changes, steam mopping, hypoallergenic baths, etc. These steps are most effective in controlling dust mites and minimizing allergens. I can understand the hesitancy to use chemicals unnecessarily, as adding Revolution is not expected to be effective against ticks. Never receive treatment
This article is part of the weekly Ask Dr. Paola series.
