Pet Problems - September 2011
This month Geraint Jones, of St James Veterinary Group, tries to unravel the mysterious knots of your veterinary related issues!
My cat hasn’t passed a motion for five days; she’s still eating ok, should I be concerned?
What’s the phrase -Does a bear “toilet” in the woods?! In a word - yes! Severe constipation can occur in cats for a number of reasons. Inappropriate diets, inappropriate litter or excessive soiling of litter trays (for house cats), excessive ingestion of hair in long haired cats. It can also occur in cats that have had pelvic fractures, pelvic nerve damage, rectal masses or any other painful ano-rectal disorders. Severe constipation can result from a condition called “mega colon” (which pretty much does what it says on the tin). Often the cause of this condition is unclear, but the descending colon becomes grossly distended with faeces. The treatment strategies involve medical management; dietary change, drugs which increase the motility of the gut, laxatives and occasional enemas. In other cases surgery is appropriate. Surgery involves removal of most of the defective colon but can leave the cat with quite a speedy gut transit time.
My two year old Weimaraner’s eye looks a bit unusual. The eye is red, and a flap of skin has come across it, what would cause this?
The visible flap of skin is known as the third eyelid. It functions to protect and lubricate the eye. The third eyelid can become more prominent most commonly due to pain affecting the eye itself. Pain usually causes the eye to be drawn back into the socket. This can be due to blunt trauma, ulceration of the cornea, or disease affecting the inside of the eye. Occasionally dehydration or loss of fat within the eye socket will make the eye retract making the third eyelid more visible. The third eyelid can also be affected by tumours. It can also become more prominent with prolapse of the secretory gland within it (so called “cherry” eye) or abnormal scrolling of the cartilage which normally provides support to it. Will any eye complaint with your pet, we would normally suggest you don’t take any risks and seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
My cat keeps on chattering her teeth when she eats, and seems to prefer to eat with the right hand side of her mouth- is this normal cat behaviour?
This sounds like a typical case of dental disease! Cats (and dogs) can be affected by a range of dental diseases. Cats in particular can develop inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) as a consequence of viral diseases (such as feline aids virus, feline leukaemia virus and calicivirus), bacteria from excessive tartar on the teeth or an “over-active” immune system. Cats can also be affected by disease and resorption of the tooth at the tooth root which may not be apparent until closer inspection- often under general anaesthetic. This can cause pain and fracture of the tooth. Treatment is usually through extraction, de scaling tartar and polishing. There are a range of different products and items for keeping your pets’ teeth ship-shape, (one or two that worryingly wouldn’t look out of place in an Ann Summers catalogue) - but that’s a whole different article!
Without finishing on too much of a downer, dental disease isn’t all bad news! September is “Pet Smile Month” and most veterinary practices are running promotions and discounts on dental treatments! So treat your pet to a belated spring clean of those pearly whites!
If your pet has been affected by any of the above issues please make an appointment to see your vet or if in any doubt ring 01792 205000 or visit the St James Vet Groups website www.stjamesvet.co.uk for some advice.
Geraint Jones
St James Veterinary Group
Main Parkway branch 01792 205000
