2015 has been a very good year for all of us here at The Conscious Cat. Our readership and fan base grew rapidly, thanks to all of you who read this blog every day, comment here and on our Facebook page, and share what you read with your friends and followers. Allegra, Ruby and I appreciate your support more than words can say.
With close to 400 posts, it’s hard to highlight only a handful of posts. Today, I’m featuring the year’s 5 most popular posts in the Feline Health category.
Allegra Goes to the Dentist
Despite my years of working in veterinary clinics, and having been through many dental procedures with the cats that came before Allegra and Ruby, there’s not much that makes me feel as anxious as the thought of one of my babies having to undergo anesthesia. When Allegra was diagnosed with resorptive disease, I wrote about our experience in a four-part series. My hope was that it would not only put your minds at ease if you’re faced with a cat who has to have a dental procedure, but that it will also help you ensure that your cat gets the optimal level of care before, during and after her dental work. Click on the links below to read about Allegra’s experience:
Allegra Goes to the Dentist, Part One: Diagnosis, and Choosing a Veterinary Dentist
Allegra Goes to the Dentist, Part Two: Preparation
Allegra Goes to the Dentist, Part Three: Our Day at Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery
Allegra Goes to the Dentist, Part Four: Returning Home
Does Your Cat Have Pandora Syndrome?
Urinary tract disease is one of the most frustrating conditions to diagnose and treat in cats. They used to be lumped together under the term FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) or FIC (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, “idiopathic” meaning that the cause is not known.) In the 1990’s, veterinarians began to make a connection between feline urinary tract problems and interstitial cystitis in women, a chronic condition in which affected women experience increased urge to urinate and bladder pain, ranging from mild to severe. Finally, in 2011, a study conducted at the Ohio State University on 32 cats over a three year period found that stress had a significant impact on lower urinary tract health. Dr. Tony Buffington, a professor at Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and leader of the study, coined the term Pandora Syndrome. Click here to read the full article.
Why You Should Weigh Your Cat Regularly
Your cat’s weight can be a good indicator of her health – but only if you keep track of it. Gradual weight loss or gain can be difficult to recognize in cats. Consider that the average cat weighs 10 pounds. Weight loss of only 6% of a cat’s body weight is considered a clinical sign – that’s less than ten ounces. Depending on the size of your cat, visible changes to her weight may be too subtle to notice without actually weighing her. Dr. Andrea Tasi, a homeopathic vet and owner of Just Cats Naturally, considers weight the 4th vital sign. “Temperature, pulse, and respiration are awfully valuable for assessing any patient in an acute situation,” she says,”but for really tracking the chronic health status of a cat over time, there is nothing more valuable than weight.” Click here to read the full article.
How to Recognize and Treat Arthritis in Your Cat
Arthritis, a degenerative joint disease that affects as many as 1 in 3 adults, also affects cats. Cartilage within the joint is worn down, leading to inflammation, pain and decreased quality of life. As the condition progresses, the friction can wear down to the point where it damages the bones themselves. This kind of arthritis is most common and causes the most pain in the weight-bearing joints like the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, and ankles. Osteoarthritis is often not diagnosed in cats because it is difficult to recognize even for the most dedicated cat guardian. The signs can be subtle, and since cats are such masters at masking pain, it often remains untreated. As many as 3 in 10 cats suffer from this debilitating condition, but only 7% of cats with arthritis receive treatment. Click here to read the full article.
Why I Got Pet Insurance for Allegra and Ruby
I was on the fence about getting pet insurance for a long time, mostly because I’d rather put my money in a savings account than pay it to an insurance company. I’m pretty disciplined about putting money aside for Allegra and Ruby’s regular veterinary care. At five and four years of age, they’re both young, healthy cats. They get regular check ups twice a year. But while I can easily cover their regular veterinary expenses, if, God forbid, I were faced with an emergency, the hit on my budget would be more significant. Earlier this year, I finally purchased policies for the girls, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Click here to read the full article.
We’re looking forward to bringing you all the information you need to keep your feline family members happy and healthy in the coming year and beyond.
The post 2015 in Review: Our 5 Most Popular Feline Health Posts appeared first on The Conscious Cat.
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