health
VETTA LK
C
ats, especially older cats, most definitely do suffer
from osteoarthritis (OA). The reason why most people
don’t know that cats can get OA is because they usually
don’t exhibit lameness like dogs do. The most common signs
that cats will show are a change in behaviour and lifestyle,
particularly reduced activity levels and reluctance to jump
up onto objects due to joint pain. These changes tend to
develop gradually, so owners often misinterpret these signs
as ‘normal’ due to ageing. OA becomes more prevalent with
age, so we recommend that all cats over the age of six years
should have a complete health check by a vet on a yearly
basis so that the development of OA can be picked up early
and treatment can be started early to make these cats more
comfortable for longer.
Dr Vanessa Mcclure, veterinarianOsteoarthritis in cats
Do cats also suffer from arthritis,
and what are the symptoms?FA S T FAC T S
5 tips to manage ringworm and mange- If you suspect any type of mange or
ringworm on your pet, visit your vet for a
proper diagnosis. - Your vet will treat your pet accordingly. If
it is mange, the treatment may consist of a
medical dip, a topical cream, tablets or even
injectable medication to kill the mites.
If it is ringworm, the treatment might be
in the form of an antifungal topical cream
gently rubbed onto the lesions, or maybe
an oral antifungal if the condition is serious.
Antifungal shampoos might also help. - Your vet may also prescribe an anti-itch
cream to stop the itching. - If your vet suspects a secondary bacterial
infection in the lesions, he will prescribe
antibiotics. - Sterilise your dog’s bedding, blankets,
grooming equipment and toys with non-
harmful chemicals and in very hot water.
Remember to wear gloves when you
apply treatment to your dog to prevent
cross-contamination.
Swollen eyelids
The outside of my dog’s eyelids seems slightly swollen. Is this an eye infection and what should I do about it?B
lepharitis is a term that refers to inflammation
of the eyelid. The outermost layer of the eyelid
is made up of skin and hair follicles; the middle layer
is made up of connective tissue, muscles and glands.
These glands produce an oily secretion that helps
to lubricate the eyes. Blepharitis can affect one or
both eyes. The affected lid is usually red, swollen
and itchy. Your dog will tend to blink a lot and rub at
his eyelids or face. This usually leads to secondary
trauma and even more swelling. There may also be a
discharge from the eye which can be clear, mucoid or
cloudy, depending on the cause of the inflammation.
Common causes of blepharitis include allergies,
infections, tumours and occasionally other
inflammatory disorders. Allergies to insect bites,
inhalant allergens or food may cause blepharitis.
Bacterial infections may cause eyelid abscesses or
general infection of the eyelids. The most commontumours that can cause blepharitis originates
from the glands of the eyelids. These tumours are
usually benign, however, another kind of tumour,
called a mast cell tumour, is far more dangerous
and can also cause blepharitis. Other causes of
blepharitis include external trauma, localised
mange caused by Demodex or Sarcoptic mites and
nutritional disorders.
Your vet will conduct an eye examination and
perform diagnostic tests to be able to find the
underlying cause of the blepharitis, and also evaluate
your pet for any evidence of systemic disease. The
treatment will depend on the cause and severity
of the clinical signs. In general, most cases will be
able to be treated successfully, but it is important
to consult your vet immediately to enable early
detection and treatment of the disease.
Dr Letitia Swartz, veterinarianA cat sleeps on average
between 13 and 14
hours a day.