Feline Asthma Awareness

Friday, May 11 2018 Feline asthma is the most commonly diagnosed respiratory disorder in cats. Veterinary epidemiologists estimate that at least 1 out of every 100 cats suffer from acute or chronic asthma. Asthma is the constriction of the air passages that lead from the windpipe (trachea) to the lungs. It is generally believed to be a result of inhaled allergens including but not limited to tobacco smoke, dust, pollen, household cleaners, perfume, and aerosol sprays. An inflammatory response occurs when a susceptible cat inhales an allergen. Cells, mucus, and muscle spasms cause constriction of the air passages. The severity of the disease can range from mild to life threatening.

Cats who suffer from asthma may show a variety of signs of respiratory distress. This includes breathing rapidly, with their mouths open, or with abnormal chest and abdominal movement. Some cats who are having difficulty breathing may keep their body hunched close to the ground and extend their necks forward. They also might appear to be gagging or about to vomit. Other symptoms of feline asthma may include coughing or wheezing. Please remember that cats are designed to hide signs of illness and distress. It is therefore possible that even signs of significant respiratory distress may be subtle and difficult to detect. A thorough physical examination, fecal testing, blood testing, and x-rays are performed to help diagnose feline asthma and rule out other diseases.

In some cases, chronic feline asthma is managed with inhalant medication to reduce inflammation and/or open up the airways. Inhalant medication targets the specific respiratory tissues involved in asthma and minimizes the effects of systemic medication. Please contact us if your cat has not been examined within the last 6 months. Regular preventative physical examinations help detect underlying disease and improve the overall quality and length of pets' lives.

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Urine Trouble: Feline Urinary Issues

Thursday, March 01 2018 Cats are particularly at risk for urinary related issues. They may avoid using the litter box for a variety of behavioral, environmental, and/or health related reasons. It is important to consider your cat's physical and social needs to help ensure that they can eliminate appropriately and comfortably.

Cats may develop anxiety surrounding urination or their litter box for a variety of reasons. Litter box type, quantity, and location are important considerations when meeting your cat's core environmental needs. Environmental changes, multi-cat relations, or negative experiences can also contribute to stress-related elimination problems. There are also many medical causes for feline urinary issues such as infection, arthritis, kidney problems, or other medical issues. Cats are also prone to inflammation of the bladder that can occur due to dietary, genetic, or unknown reasons. Male cats in particular are susceptible to urinary blockages that can easily become life-threatening.

For additional information about feline urinary issues please contact us or attend our Urine Trouble seminar on Wednesday, March 14th at 6pm. Join us at the hospital for this event and enjoy food, refreshments, raffles, and giveaways. You can RSVP by e-mailing mvhmail@moorparkvet.com, calling us at 805-529-7003, or joining our event on Facebook. We hope to see you there!

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Cats Suffer in Silence

Tuesday, August 22 2017 Cats are natural predators who instinctively hide signs of pain or vulnerability. This can make discomfort and underlying disease difficult or even impossible for cat owner's to detect. Despite their inability to show pain, cats do feel pain. They have nervous systems similar to humans and it is safe to assume that what is painful for us is painful for them.

The best medicine is preventative. Routine physical exams and preventative care can detect illness in cats before it becomes a bigger medical and financial concern. According to an American Pet Products Association Pet Ownership survey, only 40% of cat owners took their cat to the veterinarian in the past year. Most people simply assume that their cats are healthy and comfortable. Also, veterinary visits can be stressful for cats and cat owners.

Cat Friendly Practice certification is designed to improve the overall quality of cat's lives by making veterinary care less stressful for them and their caregivers. We ensure that our hospital is equipped to meet the unique needs of cats, our staff is trained in gentle handling techniques, and our doctors and staff receive the most current continued education in feline healthcare. Our hospital is the first and only in Ventura County to achieve Gold Status Cat Friendly Practice certification. Click here to learn more.

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National Cat Day

Wednesday, October 22 2014

It is a well-known fact that cats do not receive veterinary care nearly as much as dogs. In the United States, 86 million cats belong to families and 78 million dogs belong to families. Although cats greatly outnumber dogs, almost twice as many dogs than cats ever visit the vet.

Regular preventative care exams are a very important part of  maintaining and lengthening your cat's health and well-being. Some things that will be discussed and assessed during these exams are your cat's nutrition, lifestyle, environmental enrichment, disease and parasite prevention, and behavior. With the information you bring and a thorough physical examination, a health plan will be created that meets the needs of your cat and the family.

National Cat Day is Wednesday October 29th. We want to reward you for choosing to bring your cat in for a check-up by sending home a gift bag with every feline exam done on this day. The gifts include one month of flea and heartworm prevention, toys, treats, and feline calming pheromones that can help aid your cat during stressful times. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We are proud to be a Certified Cat Friendly Practice and provide cats with the best possible care. For more information about being a Certified Cat Friendly Practice visit our Cat Friendly page or click here to visit the American Association of Feline Practitioner's website.

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Are cats treated like second class citizens?

Wednesday, November 03 2010 Why are dogs three times more likely to get veterinary care than cats? Even though cats outnumber dogs as pets, why do their medical needs get less attention than dogs? Why do the health needs of cats get ignored? Do we discriminate against cats?
Veterinary medicine can work wonders, but only when patients are seen. And millions of cats go without any veterinary care. Why? Click here for some ideas.
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