Lifestyle

These points come to us from the Baker Institute of Health at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

It can be tempting when your cat seems to feel just a bit off-maybe sniffling or a little sore-to use an over-the-counter (OTC) medication to give her some relief. Is this OK? The response of veterinary experts is a resounding NO!

When your cat develops a problem that might be neurologic, get her right to your veterinarian. Theres no time to waste.

Ear mites are a common presenting complaint in small-animal practice, says Dr. William Miller, VMD, DACVD, Dermatology Chief at Cornell University. The disorder can affect both dogs and cats but is far more common in cats.

Cats are stoic creatures, and they try not to let on when they are in pain. While crying out is an obvious sign of pain, its important to know the quieter symptoms that your cat may not be feeling well.

It makes us purr when we hear of an effort to help cats remain in their homes. A veterinarian in Australia is using education to help prevent relinquishment of cats by educating new owners about cat behavior.

Alley Cat Allies reports that The New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee is considering a bill that would save the lives of shelter animals and community cats around the state.

Never reach in to try to separate the angry cats. Chances are youll get scratched or bitten, and the cats will just keep on fighting.

My one-year-old domestic shorthair spayed female cat seems perfectly normal and then, without warning, shes passed out on the floor. Shes not out for long, but I dont think this is normal. What would cause such a thing?

With the American trend to consume less meat-which helps reduce the environmental effect of meat production-UCLA professor Gregory Okin began to wonder what the impact of our pets was. It turns out that U.S. cats and dogs cause 25 to 30 percent of the environmental impact of meat consumption in the United States.

Your kitten is now a young cat of eight to 12 months of age and the days of fighting kitten upper-respiratory infections are over. No more sneezing, no more runny eyes, you think. You thought you were out of the woods, but then one morning you notice your young adult cat has some trouble swallowing, maybe gagging, and a slight voice change along with some labored breathing at moments.

Safety is the first priority in an emergency situation-and that goes for both you and your cat. If your cat is sick or hurt, or if a natural disaster has occurred, you need to be able to move her without being bitten or scratched. These tips also work if you need to handle a cat that you dont know, although extreme care should be exercised when considering handling a cat with an unknown vaccine history.