Answer: In most cases local anaesthesia is used to remove sensation from a relatively restricted and superficial part of the body. The local anaesthetic (otherwise known as a local analgesic) in the form of drug solution, is injected either around the sensory never endings of an area, or around the nerves which receive sensation from that area (the litter is referred to as nerve blocking). As a result, the transmission of sensations, including pain, from that area to the brain is temporarily prevented, and the animal is unaware of interferences to that region of its body.
Spinal anaesthesia is seldom practiced on cat, but this technique produces complete blockage of the lower spinal nerves to produce a total lack of sensation, and paralysis in the posterior part of the body.
In all types of local anaesthesia, however, the animal still remains conscious and therefore subject to fear when it observes what is going on around it. It is also able to move. For these reasons, it is unsuitable for any surgical procedures which involve the deeper structures of the body, or where sudden movement could produce severe damage (e.g. near the eye). It is also not appropriate for lengthy procedures, or if the animal resents being restrained.
As a consequence local anaesthesia in the cat is usually employed only for desensitization of the skin prior to the removal of small growths, or fro injection into deeper structures to facilitate certain procedures. For example it is useful fro desensitization of the skin before emergency drainage of the bladder, using the needle inserted through the abdominal wall, in cases of urethral obstruction.
Showing posts with label Other Diseases and Operations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Other Diseases and Operations. Show all posts
Q: Is a surgical operation the only reason for giving a general anaesthetic?
Answer: Although not undertaken lightly, general anaesthesia may be applied in other situations:
1 Where the cat’s temperament makes it extremely difficult to handle for example, with some animals it may be necessary in order to be able to clip matted hair from the coat, or to both the cat.
2 Where a long painful procedure has to be performed which unduly distress the cat, such as passing a catheter into the bladder of a male cat with a urinary blockage.
3 Where it is necessary for the cat to remain absolutely still-for example for radiographs to be taken. This is particularly necessary if such radiographs involve complex techniques e.g. the injection of contrast media to show up certain structures more clearly.
As with any type of ‘photograph’, movement produces blurring of the image so that it can be difficult to distinguish important details. For certain radiographic procedures it may be sufficient to keep the animal still by holding it, but this is usually unsatisfactory for complex procedures, as well as exposing the handlers to noon-essential radiation.
1 Where the cat’s temperament makes it extremely difficult to handle for example, with some animals it may be necessary in order to be able to clip matted hair from the coat, or to both the cat.
2 Where a long painful procedure has to be performed which unduly distress the cat, such as passing a catheter into the bladder of a male cat with a urinary blockage.
3 Where it is necessary for the cat to remain absolutely still-for example for radiographs to be taken. This is particularly necessary if such radiographs involve complex techniques e.g. the injection of contrast media to show up certain structures more clearly.
As with any type of ‘photograph’, movement produces blurring of the image so that it can be difficult to distinguish important details. For certain radiographic procedures it may be sufficient to keep the animal still by holding it, but this is usually unsatisfactory for complex procedures, as well as exposing the handlers to noon-essential radiation.
Q: Is general anaesthesia safe?
Answer: In the vest majority of cases, yes. Modern anaesthetic drugs are less toxic and have greater margin of safety then previously, and in the hands of trained, experienced veterinary staff death from anaesthesia seldom occurs. However, it should be appreciated that, just as in human medicine, there are individuals who may, quit unpredictably, react unfavorably to a particular drug. Fortunately, such idiosyncratic reactions are few and far between.
Certain groups of animals are most at risk from the undesirable effects of anaesthetics principally the very old, the very young, and severely ill, debilitated or weak animals, especially those suffering from shock. Whenever possible, it is batter to delay anaesthesia and surgery until the animal is in a stronger condition to withstand it. But clearly in an emergency situation this is not possible.
Two general rules emerge therefore:
1 Postpone noon-essential anesthesia and operations (e.g. cat spays) on sick animals until they are improved.
2 Perform any really essential anaesthesia and surgery immediately, before a cat’s condition deteriorates further.
Certain groups of animals are most at risk from the undesirable effects of anaesthetics principally the very old, the very young, and severely ill, debilitated or weak animals, especially those suffering from shock. Whenever possible, it is batter to delay anaesthesia and surgery until the animal is in a stronger condition to withstand it. But clearly in an emergency situation this is not possible.
Two general rules emerge therefore:
1 Postpone noon-essential anesthesia and operations (e.g. cat spays) on sick animals until they are improved.
2 Perform any really essential anaesthesia and surgery immediately, before a cat’s condition deteriorates further.
Q: Why did my vet tell me not to give my cat nay food or water before his operation?
Answer: Almost all the surgical operations on cats are performed under general anaesthesia. (General anaesthesia implies a generalized loss of sensation accompanied by unconsciousness.) The use of general anaesthetic is most important for humane reasons; it prevents fear and pain during the operation, and by avoiding pain, greatly minimizes surgical shock which would otherwise frequently prove fatal. In addition, general anaesthesia relaxes the muscles and avoids the possibility of movement, which is an important pre-requisite for successful surgery, particularly on delicate or complex structures.
Because of the use of general anaesthesia, the normal reflex movements are temporarily abolished, including the coughing reflex. Normally any material which attempts to enter the larynx at the back of throat provokes a violent about of coughing to prevent its passing down any further, i.e. down the trachea.
Under general anaesthesia vomiting can occur if there is food or water in the stomach, and this material will pass up to the back of the throat, where the digestive and respiratory tracts cross each other. Because of the lack of an effective coughing reflex, there is then a grave risk that some of the material may pass through the larynx and down the windpipe to the lungs. Such vomited material, containing acid from the stomach, is very irritant and would provoke a severe pneumonia, which is invariably fatal.
Furthermore the pressure of the stomach distended with food on the abdominal side of the diaphragm can interfere with normal breathing whilst the cat anaesthetized.
It is avoid these potentially serious consequence that food and water must be restricted prior to general anaesthesia. Because food can be retained in the stomach for several hours, an over night fast is usually advised, which means that an animals is not fed after its normal evening meal on the day before it is to be anaesthetized.
Water is removed from the stomach much more rapidly and it is therefore usually sufficient to prevent drinking on the actual day of anaesthesia. In all cases follow your veterinary surgeon’s advice. Longer periods of the deprivation are undesirable because they weaken the cat and reduce his chance of successfully withstanding the stress of surgery.
There are two other important points:
1 Don’t feel sorry for the cat and give it drink against your veterinary surgeon’s instructions, because you may literally kill it with kindness.
2 Tell the vet, or his nurse or receptionist, when food or drink was last consumed. If you know, or suspect, that the animal has in fact eaten or drunk after it was supposed to do, say so, don’t conceal the fact. It is usually better to postpone the operation then to expose the animal to an unnecessary risk.
Because of the use of general anaesthesia, the normal reflex movements are temporarily abolished, including the coughing reflex. Normally any material which attempts to enter the larynx at the back of throat provokes a violent about of coughing to prevent its passing down any further, i.e. down the trachea.
Under general anaesthesia vomiting can occur if there is food or water in the stomach, and this material will pass up to the back of the throat, where the digestive and respiratory tracts cross each other. Because of the lack of an effective coughing reflex, there is then a grave risk that some of the material may pass through the larynx and down the windpipe to the lungs. Such vomited material, containing acid from the stomach, is very irritant and would provoke a severe pneumonia, which is invariably fatal.
Furthermore the pressure of the stomach distended with food on the abdominal side of the diaphragm can interfere with normal breathing whilst the cat anaesthetized.
It is avoid these potentially serious consequence that food and water must be restricted prior to general anaesthesia. Because food can be retained in the stomach for several hours, an over night fast is usually advised, which means that an animals is not fed after its normal evening meal on the day before it is to be anaesthetized.
Water is removed from the stomach much more rapidly and it is therefore usually sufficient to prevent drinking on the actual day of anaesthesia. In all cases follow your veterinary surgeon’s advice. Longer periods of the deprivation are undesirable because they weaken the cat and reduce his chance of successfully withstanding the stress of surgery.
There are two other important points:
1 Don’t feel sorry for the cat and give it drink against your veterinary surgeon’s instructions, because you may literally kill it with kindness.
2 Tell the vet, or his nurse or receptionist, when food or drink was last consumed. If you know, or suspect, that the animal has in fact eaten or drunk after it was supposed to do, say so, don’t conceal the fact. It is usually better to postpone the operation then to expose the animal to an unnecessary risk.
Q: Are there any operations you would not perform on cat?
Answer: Some veterinary surgeons, especially in Britain, are unhappy about performing operation which will not benefit the animal and are simply for the convenience of the owner, and often described such procedures as mutilations. The two most common examples in the cat are the removal of the claws and of the vocal chords. Many cat owners feel that those operations are utterly appalling.
Q: What operations are commonly preformed on cats?
Answer: The operations of spaying (ovariohysterectomy) and castration (orchidectomy) are probably the most commonly performed. An alternative operation produce sterility in males, vasectomy, is much less often performed.
Also commonly performed are the opening and draining of abscesses, often caused by bite wounds but sometime involving the tooth sockets are mammary glands, cleaning and extracting teeth, suturing wounds and arresting severe hemorrhage, and removing tumours from the skin, mammary glands and mouth. Foreign bodies may have to be surgically removed from the skin, tongue and pharynx and sometimes from internal organs such as the stomach or intestines.
Orthopedic surgery to repair fractures in bones is often necessary. The two halves of a long limb bone are usually secured by a strong metal pin passing down the center of each part.
Fragments are often wired together. At times screws and plates are used to get secure fixing.
Male cats suffering from feline urological syndrome, causing blockage of the urethra, need to be catheterized to withdraw the urine which cannot be passed, or if this proves difficult, to have urine removed via a needle interested through the abdominal wall. At times males that repeatedly suffer from this condition may have the points removed, thereby eliminating the site of the obstruction, and a new opening is created for the cat to pass urine (perineal urethrostomy).
Also commonly performed are the opening and draining of abscesses, often caused by bite wounds but sometime involving the tooth sockets are mammary glands, cleaning and extracting teeth, suturing wounds and arresting severe hemorrhage, and removing tumours from the skin, mammary glands and mouth. Foreign bodies may have to be surgically removed from the skin, tongue and pharynx and sometimes from internal organs such as the stomach or intestines.
Orthopedic surgery to repair fractures in bones is often necessary. The two halves of a long limb bone are usually secured by a strong metal pin passing down the center of each part.
Fragments are often wired together. At times screws and plates are used to get secure fixing.
Male cats suffering from feline urological syndrome, causing blockage of the urethra, need to be catheterized to withdraw the urine which cannot be passed, or if this proves difficult, to have urine removed via a needle interested through the abdominal wall. At times males that repeatedly suffer from this condition may have the points removed, thereby eliminating the site of the obstruction, and a new opening is created for the cat to pass urine (perineal urethrostomy).
Q: How can I minimize the chance of catching a disease from my cat?
Answer: The basic method of controlling the spread of zoo noses to man are the same as for controlling the spread of disease between cats though, with the exception of vaccination against rabies, immunization is not available.
Cats which are discovered to be infected should be treated wherever possible, and/or isolated, depending upon the dangers inherent in the transfer of the disease. With rabies, isolation on suspicion and euthanasia if signs appear are advisable, and in many countries mandatory. Where treatments are relatively innocuous, such as worming, these may be carried out routinely as discussed previously.
Hygienic precautions are also of great important to break the chain of transference at as many points as possible. The hands should be thoroughly washed after handling cats and before putting the hands to the face or in the mouth, for example before eating. This applies particularly to young children. Cats should not be allowed to lick the face, or to sleep with humans or on their beds. Also cats should not be allowed to lick plates and utensils used for human food, and their own feeding bowls should be washed separately from crockery and cutlery used by humans.
Children’s sandpits should be covered not it is use to prevent them being used as a litter trays. Latter boxes should be changed daily and the cat’s faced ideally burned, although this should not be carried out by a pregnant woman. It is advised that a pregnant woman should avoid looking after a cat, and should wear gloves for gardening to avoid possible contact with Toxoplasma. These recommendations may appear extreme, but they have been suggested as measures to reduce the hazards of Toxoplasma infection in pregnancy.
Cats should be fed only dried, canned or cooked meat to avoid infecting the cat with parasites which in turn could be acquired by man. Also to destroy Toxoplasma in its infective form, all meat for human consumption should be adequately cooked, and hands that been in contact with raw meat should be well washed with soap and water. Finally, although it is difficult to destroy the stick roundworm eggs of cats, they can be removed from the environment by thorough scrubbing of effected surface with hot detergent solution followed by a thorough rinsing down.
Cats which are discovered to be infected should be treated wherever possible, and/or isolated, depending upon the dangers inherent in the transfer of the disease. With rabies, isolation on suspicion and euthanasia if signs appear are advisable, and in many countries mandatory. Where treatments are relatively innocuous, such as worming, these may be carried out routinely as discussed previously.
Hygienic precautions are also of great important to break the chain of transference at as many points as possible. The hands should be thoroughly washed after handling cats and before putting the hands to the face or in the mouth, for example before eating. This applies particularly to young children. Cats should not be allowed to lick the face, or to sleep with humans or on their beds. Also cats should not be allowed to lick plates and utensils used for human food, and their own feeding bowls should be washed separately from crockery and cutlery used by humans.
Children’s sandpits should be covered not it is use to prevent them being used as a litter trays. Latter boxes should be changed daily and the cat’s faced ideally burned, although this should not be carried out by a pregnant woman. It is advised that a pregnant woman should avoid looking after a cat, and should wear gloves for gardening to avoid possible contact with Toxoplasma. These recommendations may appear extreme, but they have been suggested as measures to reduce the hazards of Toxoplasma infection in pregnancy.
Cats should be fed only dried, canned or cooked meat to avoid infecting the cat with parasites which in turn could be acquired by man. Also to destroy Toxoplasma in its infective form, all meat for human consumption should be adequately cooked, and hands that been in contact with raw meat should be well washed with soap and water. Finally, although it is difficult to destroy the stick roundworm eggs of cats, they can be removed from the environment by thorough scrubbing of effected surface with hot detergent solution followed by a thorough rinsing down.
Q: If my cat has to be put to sleep, how could I dispose of his body?
Answer: Some owners wish to have the body their cat returned to them for burial at home, although most will prefer their vet to dispose of the body for them. (Subject to local laws, any grave should be made at least three feet (1 m) deep.) Usually the vet will have an arrangement with the local authority to collected any bodies either for incineration or burial, whichever method of the disposal is available in the area. Also there are various pet cemeteries and crematoriums that can offer their services, and usually your vet will be able to give advice about the facilities which are available locally.
Q: How do vets put cats to sleep?
Answer: Nowadays the method usually adopted for feline euthanasia is for a veterinary surgeon to inject an overdose of a barbiturate anesthetic, usually intravenously but occasionally in very young, elderly, or weak animals by another route. The cat goes to sleep as if being anaesthetized for an operation but does not recover. This method inflicts no pain and with an intravenous injection id extremely quick, since only a matter of seconds elapses before the animal become unconscious. With a very aggressive cat handling can present a problem and it may be necessary then to place it into an anesthetic cabinet and to let it inhale an anesthetic gas or vapour. In general, it is preferable for euthanasia to be performed on a vet’s premises, since all the specialized equipment and trained assistance will be available there.
Animal welfare societies, faced with the unpleasant duty of having to destroy many unwanted animals, but with limited charitable resources, may be obliged to use a less expensive method. Reports suggest that the most suitable is to induce unconsciousness and the death by using nitrogen to flush all the vital oxygen out of cabinet holding the animal.
Animal welfare societies, faced with the unpleasant duty of having to destroy many unwanted animals, but with limited charitable resources, may be obliged to use a less expensive method. Reports suggest that the most suitable is to induce unconsciousness and the death by using nitrogen to flush all the vital oxygen out of cabinet holding the animal.
Q: Under what circumstances is it advisable to have a cat put to sleep?
Answer: Where it is known that a cat will have to endure continual or recurrent suffering, with little or no prospect of remission, then almost certainly the most human course of action is to have it painlessly put to sleep. By suffering is meant not only acute or severe pain, but also the consequences of congenital malformation and serious injures and those slowly progressive illness which inevitably can only terminate in death, such as paralysis, cancer and uncontrollable wasting diseases; in fact any disease where severe irreversible damage has been caused.
When an animal is clearly not able to enjoy life any longer, it is unlikely that many owners would wish to prolong its suffering and would rather let it die with dignity. Although many owners suspect that their cat knows when it is going to be put to sleep, this of course, really isn’t possibly. But certainly a cat can detect when its owner is distressed, and many alter its behavior accordingly.
In law, the cat is the property of the owner and therefore at the end of the day the responsibility fro the decision to have the cat humanely destroyed must be the owner’s. This is why a veterinary surgeon will often ask the owner to sign a formal request for euthanasia to be carried out. But naturally enough, faced with such a different decision, many owners will rely heavily on the advice and judgment of their veterinarian. Sometimes there is legal requirement for a coat to be put to sleep because it represents a danger to the health of the general public and other animals, as with those suffering from rabies.
Vets themselves can face very difficult decision regarding euthanasia for instance, where owners are unwilling or physically unable, to give essential treatment, or perhaps cannot afford it, or won’t, look after it. In many cases, although the veterinary surgeon feel the task distasteful, euthanasia is usually preferably to a lingering death from illness or to the owner devising his own method of destruction, or simply abandoning the cat.
When an animal is clearly not able to enjoy life any longer, it is unlikely that many owners would wish to prolong its suffering and would rather let it die with dignity. Although many owners suspect that their cat knows when it is going to be put to sleep, this of course, really isn’t possibly. But certainly a cat can detect when its owner is distressed, and many alter its behavior accordingly.
In law, the cat is the property of the owner and therefore at the end of the day the responsibility fro the decision to have the cat humanely destroyed must be the owner’s. This is why a veterinary surgeon will often ask the owner to sign a formal request for euthanasia to be carried out. But naturally enough, faced with such a different decision, many owners will rely heavily on the advice and judgment of their veterinarian. Sometimes there is legal requirement for a coat to be put to sleep because it represents a danger to the health of the general public and other animals, as with those suffering from rabies.
Vets themselves can face very difficult decision regarding euthanasia for instance, where owners are unwilling or physically unable, to give essential treatment, or perhaps cannot afford it, or won’t, look after it. In many cases, although the veterinary surgeon feel the task distasteful, euthanasia is usually preferably to a lingering death from illness or to the owner devising his own method of destruction, or simply abandoning the cat.
Q: Is it possible to treat cancer in cats?
Answer: Treatment of certain types of cancer by surgery, radiation therapy and drug (chemotherapy), particularly if commenced in the early stages, may be successful in eliminating the tumour and preventing its occurrence. However, overall the result are disappearing; the most that can often be achieved is a slight increase in life expectancy, and to prevent prolonged and necessary suffering euthanasia should be seriously considered as a human alternative.
Q: What kinds of tumours do cats most commonly get?
Answer: The most commonly occurring tumours in the cat are lymphosarcomas (malignant tumours) which account for one-third of the total. They are an important exception to the rule about cancer becoming more common with age; 40% of cats affected are under three years’ old. The organs most frequently involved are the thymus, the kidney and the intestines.
Tumours of the skin and of the mouth are also extremely common in the cat, and as mentioned before, the lungs are often involved in the secondary spread of tumours, causing coughing and difficulty in breathing.
Tumours of the mammary glands account for almost a quarter of all tumours in female cats, and almost all of these are malignant, i.e. cancerous. In fact, a much higher proportion of all tumours in the cat are malignant then in most other species. It has been estimated that each year neoplasia arises in between two and three cats in every thousand, and that in 80% of these cases it will be of the malignant from.
Tumours of the skin and of the mouth are also extremely common in the cat, and as mentioned before, the lungs are often involved in the secondary spread of tumours, causing coughing and difficulty in breathing.
Tumours of the mammary glands account for almost a quarter of all tumours in female cats, and almost all of these are malignant, i.e. cancerous. In fact, a much higher proportion of all tumours in the cat are malignant then in most other species. It has been estimated that each year neoplasia arises in between two and three cats in every thousand, and that in 80% of these cases it will be of the malignant from.
Q: Do cats get cancer?
Answer: Yes, cancer (or neoplasia, or tumour formation) is one of the most common conditions to affect cats, and as in other animals, including man, it occurs increasingly frequently with age.
A tumour, or neoplasm (often popularly referred to as a ‘growth’) is a multiplying collection of cells whose growth can not be controlled by the normal body mechanisms. As a rule, these cells lose their normal functions and concentrate solely on growing. Tumors can essentially be classified into two groups. Those termed benign grow slowly and are usually easily separated from adjacent tissue, so that complete surgical removal is generally possible. The problems that they cause are usually related to their function, for example with the flow of blood or urine, or with breathing. Tumors on the skin can easily have their surface broken so that they bleed, or become infected by bacteria. Likewise, those in the mouth might be chewed upon, causing pain and bleeding.
Those tumors that are called malignant grow much more readily, and spread out into adjacent tissue. After a period of growth, groups of malignant tumour cells often break off and are carried away in the bloodstream or lymphatic circulation to lodge in other organs of the body, especially the lungs. This process is referred to as metastasis, and each group of cells can give rise to a new tumor which will grow and spread in the sane manner. Because of their invasive growth, complete surgical removal is more difficult and malignant tumors often recur after an operation. It is this malignant type of neoplasia which is generally called cancer (although some experts use the term cancer to refer to any type of tumor). Malignant tumors cause problems, not only because of the same type of local pressure effects, but by their rapid, progressive destruction of body tissues which inevitably leads to organs failing to function effectively.
As well as being closed benign or malignant, the name of the tumors very, depending upon this tissues from which they have been derived.
The signs of cancer depend upon its site, the tissue involved, and the way in which normal body functions have been interfered with. These causes of neoplasia is still imperfectly understood, but essentially it seems that the some time during the repeated multiplication of the body cells, a mutation occurs in the genes responsible for controlling the growth and function of cells. All further cells derived from this ‘mutant’ will perpetuate the same defects of growth and activity. The genetic make-up of the species, of the breed even of the individual all influence the likelihood of mutations occurring, but the longer the animal lives, the greater becomes the chance of such mutations appearing. Certain chemicals, e.g. the compounds, and the viruses, such as feline leukaemia virus, simulate the production of mutations and are therefore held responsible for certain types of neoplasia. Such cancer-producing agents are known as carcinogens.
A tumour, or neoplasm (often popularly referred to as a ‘growth’) is a multiplying collection of cells whose growth can not be controlled by the normal body mechanisms. As a rule, these cells lose their normal functions and concentrate solely on growing. Tumors can essentially be classified into two groups. Those termed benign grow slowly and are usually easily separated from adjacent tissue, so that complete surgical removal is generally possible. The problems that they cause are usually related to their function, for example with the flow of blood or urine, or with breathing. Tumors on the skin can easily have their surface broken so that they bleed, or become infected by bacteria. Likewise, those in the mouth might be chewed upon, causing pain and bleeding.
Those tumors that are called malignant grow much more readily, and spread out into adjacent tissue. After a period of growth, groups of malignant tumour cells often break off and are carried away in the bloodstream or lymphatic circulation to lodge in other organs of the body, especially the lungs. This process is referred to as metastasis, and each group of cells can give rise to a new tumor which will grow and spread in the sane manner. Because of their invasive growth, complete surgical removal is more difficult and malignant tumors often recur after an operation. It is this malignant type of neoplasia which is generally called cancer (although some experts use the term cancer to refer to any type of tumor). Malignant tumors cause problems, not only because of the same type of local pressure effects, but by their rapid, progressive destruction of body tissues which inevitably leads to organs failing to function effectively.
As well as being closed benign or malignant, the name of the tumors very, depending upon this tissues from which they have been derived.
The signs of cancer depend upon its site, the tissue involved, and the way in which normal body functions have been interfered with. These causes of neoplasia is still imperfectly understood, but essentially it seems that the some time during the repeated multiplication of the body cells, a mutation occurs in the genes responsible for controlling the growth and function of cells. All further cells derived from this ‘mutant’ will perpetuate the same defects of growth and activity. The genetic make-up of the species, of the breed even of the individual all influence the likelihood of mutations occurring, but the longer the animal lives, the greater becomes the chance of such mutations appearing. Certain chemicals, e.g. the compounds, and the viruses, such as feline leukaemia virus, simulate the production of mutations and are therefore held responsible for certain types of neoplasia. Such cancer-producing agents are known as carcinogens.
Q: I have heard that children can get worms from cats. Is this true?
Answer: In the case of one or two worms, it is correct that they can infect humans, usually children because their immunity is less.
The worm which has received most attention is the roundworm, Toxocara cati. In its life cycle the infective larva, still inside the egg-shell in which has developed, may be eaten by another species, often a rodent, which in turn my be consumed by a hunting cat. At times, however, these infective eggs (i.e. containing the larva) may be eaten by children. A number of the factors contribute:
1 The outside of the microscopic eggs are sticky, so that they readily adhere to a cat’s coat, at least until it groom itself, and to human fingers.
2 Young children, especially toddlers, have a habit of putting of their hands and various objects, even contaminated soil, into their mouths.
3 The infective eggs can survive for two years or longer in the ground and will withstand all disinfectants, long-term freezing and even short periods in boiling water. Only the use of horticultural flame-guns on concrete runs effectively destroys the eggs.
4 The effects of wind, rain and human activity can spread the eggs over a wide area.
In human the larvae hatch from the eggs, penetrate the wall of the intestine disperse to the liver, kidneys, brain and eyes. They do not develop further but remain in those organs, and can cause damage leading sometimes to liver enlargement, blindness or convulsion. This disease, caused by the migration or penetration of the larvae, is called visceral larva migrans, and it chiefly affects children between one and half and three years old. It cannot be considered a common disease by any means, although probably more children become infected then ever show signs. Good hygiene and regular de-worming of your cat are important in eliminating the possibility of human infection taking place. At present there is no evidence that Toxascaris leonine can infect humans similarly.
It is also possible fro a person, again usually a child, who swallows a flea infected with the intermediate stage of the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum to become infected with an adult tapeworm in their intestine, although this very rarely happens.
The eggs of the very small (½ cm long) tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis may at times infect humans. This parasite can occur in cats in North America and some parts of Europe and Asia. Man plays the role of an intermediate host and the egg develops into a tumour-like structure in the liver. It is of course unlikely that this organ will over be eaten by a cat which would be necessary if the worm were over to complete its life cycle. Only recently has this worm being distinguished from Echinococcus granulosus, which at one time was believed to occur in the cat although not able to produce eggs, so the true situation is not yet clear. Echinococcus granulosus certainly does occur in dogs, and its eggs, when eaten by man, can develop into large cystic structures in the liver, lungs or other organs, resulting in the severe, and sometime fatal illness, hydatidosis.
The worm which has received most attention is the roundworm, Toxocara cati. In its life cycle the infective larva, still inside the egg-shell in which has developed, may be eaten by another species, often a rodent, which in turn my be consumed by a hunting cat. At times, however, these infective eggs (i.e. containing the larva) may be eaten by children. A number of the factors contribute:
1 The outside of the microscopic eggs are sticky, so that they readily adhere to a cat’s coat, at least until it groom itself, and to human fingers.
2 Young children, especially toddlers, have a habit of putting of their hands and various objects, even contaminated soil, into their mouths.
3 The infective eggs can survive for two years or longer in the ground and will withstand all disinfectants, long-term freezing and even short periods in boiling water. Only the use of horticultural flame-guns on concrete runs effectively destroys the eggs.
4 The effects of wind, rain and human activity can spread the eggs over a wide area.
In human the larvae hatch from the eggs, penetrate the wall of the intestine disperse to the liver, kidneys, brain and eyes. They do not develop further but remain in those organs, and can cause damage leading sometimes to liver enlargement, blindness or convulsion. This disease, caused by the migration or penetration of the larvae, is called visceral larva migrans, and it chiefly affects children between one and half and three years old. It cannot be considered a common disease by any means, although probably more children become infected then ever show signs. Good hygiene and regular de-worming of your cat are important in eliminating the possibility of human infection taking place. At present there is no evidence that Toxascaris leonine can infect humans similarly.
It is also possible fro a person, again usually a child, who swallows a flea infected with the intermediate stage of the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum to become infected with an adult tapeworm in their intestine, although this very rarely happens.
The eggs of the very small (½ cm long) tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis may at times infect humans. This parasite can occur in cats in North America and some parts of Europe and Asia. Man plays the role of an intermediate host and the egg develops into a tumour-like structure in the liver. It is of course unlikely that this organ will over be eaten by a cat which would be necessary if the worm were over to complete its life cycle. Only recently has this worm being distinguished from Echinococcus granulosus, which at one time was believed to occur in the cat although not able to produce eggs, so the true situation is not yet clear. Echinococcus granulosus certainly does occur in dogs, and its eggs, when eaten by man, can develop into large cystic structures in the liver, lungs or other organs, resulting in the severe, and sometime fatal illness, hydatidosis.
Q: How can I tell if my cat has worms?
Answer: Ideally, at intervals throughout the cat’s life, a simple of motions should be examined by a laboratory for evidence of worm eggs, though usually this is only performed if the cat is showing signs suggestive of worm infection. If an examination is carried out after worming, it is valuable way of assessing the efficacy of treatment, especially as most modern tapeworm treatments cause the worms to break up within the cat’s intestine-so intact worms are not passed, and are therefore not visible in the motion.
As was mentioned earlier, those segments of the tapeworm furthest from the head, which contain the eggs, are continually being shed and passing out of the cat’s anus. These segments are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and they may be discovered in the motions, or sometimes seen around the cat’s anus, or in the bedding. For a time the segments retain the ability to contract the muscles in their walls, and though not capable of an independent existence, may be observed moving over the animal’s coat or across the floor. They have the size and appearance of the rice gains or cucumber seeds. The eggs of the other worms are also passed out in the motions, but individually, i.e. not contained within segments, and these are so small that they can be seen using a microscope.
As was mentioned earlier, those segments of the tapeworm furthest from the head, which contain the eggs, are continually being shed and passing out of the cat’s anus. These segments are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and they may be discovered in the motions, or sometimes seen around the cat’s anus, or in the bedding. For a time the segments retain the ability to contract the muscles in their walls, and though not capable of an independent existence, may be observed moving over the animal’s coat or across the floor. They have the size and appearance of the rice gains or cucumber seeds. The eggs of the other worms are also passed out in the motions, but individually, i.e. not contained within segments, and these are so small that they can be seen using a microscope.
Q: How does my cat get infected with worms and are they harmful?
Answer: In general the intestinal worms, roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms, cause no harm to adult cats and only large numbers produced signs of infections, usually in kittens. The other parasitic worms may cause more serious problems. Nevertheless regardless of its effect on the cat, most owners find the presence of even single worm aesthetically distasteful.
Strictly speaking all the nematode worm should be referred to as roundworms because they are all circular in cross-section. However, by popular usage this description is often reserved for the commonest member of the group the ascarids.
Ascarid worms produce egg in the intestine of the cat which pas out in the motions. An infective larva develops inside each egg and if this is eaten by a cat the larva develops into an adult worm in its intestine. More usually through the egg is eaten by another spices, often a rodent, and its by eating this animal that the cat in turn becomes infected. In a female cat some larva of Toxocara Cati do not develop to adults about remain dormant in the body tissues. If the cat should happen to give birth to kittens these larvae then pass to the mammary gland and out in the milk consumed by the newborn offspring. Consequently kitten can be, and usually are, infected very soon after they are born. Because these dormant larvae are not in the intestine they cannot be removed by conventional worming drugs, although drugs are currently being developed which are able to destroy larvae in the tissues.
Larger numbers of these worms in kittens can produce persistent diarrhea, a poor coat and a pot belly. At times worms may appear in the motions or vomit and can cause coughing.
The common tapeworms are long, flat worms (like white ribbons), attached to the lining of the intestine with book and suckers, though again the generally cause no signs. Tapeworms are hermaphrodite, segmented worms which grow continuously; the oldest segments containing the eggs, are shed one or more at a time from the end of the worm furthest from its head. To complete their life cycle these eggs, after passing out at the anus, must then be eaten by a particular spices of animal. In the case of Dipylidium caninum (the commonest cat tapeworm) this ‘intermediate host’ must be the flea or louse; in the case of Taenia taeniaeformis, a mouse or rat. An egg will develop into a cyst-like structure in the intermediate host, and if this host is then eaten by a cat the cyst-like structure develops into a new tapeworm in its intestine. But if tapeworm eggs are eaten by a cat they do not develop further.
Strictly speaking all the nematode worm should be referred to as roundworms because they are all circular in cross-section. However, by popular usage this description is often reserved for the commonest member of the group the ascarids.
Ascarid worms produce egg in the intestine of the cat which pas out in the motions. An infective larva develops inside each egg and if this is eaten by a cat the larva develops into an adult worm in its intestine. More usually through the egg is eaten by another spices, often a rodent, and its by eating this animal that the cat in turn becomes infected. In a female cat some larva of Toxocara Cati do not develop to adults about remain dormant in the body tissues. If the cat should happen to give birth to kittens these larvae then pass to the mammary gland and out in the milk consumed by the newborn offspring. Consequently kitten can be, and usually are, infected very soon after they are born. Because these dormant larvae are not in the intestine they cannot be removed by conventional worming drugs, although drugs are currently being developed which are able to destroy larvae in the tissues.
Larger numbers of these worms in kittens can produce persistent diarrhea, a poor coat and a pot belly. At times worms may appear in the motions or vomit and can cause coughing.
The common tapeworms are long, flat worms (like white ribbons), attached to the lining of the intestine with book and suckers, though again the generally cause no signs. Tapeworms are hermaphrodite, segmented worms which grow continuously; the oldest segments containing the eggs, are shed one or more at a time from the end of the worm furthest from its head. To complete their life cycle these eggs, after passing out at the anus, must then be eaten by a particular spices of animal. In the case of Dipylidium caninum (the commonest cat tapeworm) this ‘intermediate host’ must be the flea or louse; in the case of Taenia taeniaeformis, a mouse or rat. An egg will develop into a cyst-like structure in the intermediate host, and if this host is then eaten by a cat the cyst-like structure develops into a new tapeworm in its intestine. But if tapeworm eggs are eaten by a cat they do not develop further.
Q: Is it true that a tick should not be pulled from a cat’s body?
Answer: Ticks are sometimes acquired by cats outdoors, particularly in country districts. They attach themselves firmly by their mouth-parts, usually to the cat’s ear, head, nick or paws, and suck blood; consequently, a heavy infection may produce anaemia. The cat often seems unconcerned and the small dark swelling, fluctuating in size, which is the tick, may be confused with a pigmented skin tumor. In warmer climates the in Britain, some species of hard ticks produce a toxin which progressively paralyzes the cat. Simply pulling the tick off usually causes the deeply embedded mouthparts to remain behind, and this may result in an abscess forming. Preferably the tack should be caused to slacken its grip by applying a pad of alcohol or ether, or by spraying it with an insecticidal aerosol spray, before carefully removing it with forceps. Removing ticks are best burned.
Q: What other skin parasites attack the cat?
Answer: As well as fleas and mange mites, dealt with above, suggestions have already been given for eliminating infection caused by the ear mite, Otodectes cynotis, which occur commonly in cats.
The fur mite, Cheyletiella blakei, is a similar size to the ear mite, i.e. just large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and occur all over the body from head to rump. Often it produce no itching (pruritus) and the most consistent feature of its presence is a very scurfy, slightly greasy coat. The white mites and their eggs give the appearance of extensive dandruff, though close observation with the magnifying glass reveals that it is moving hence the popular name ‘walking dandruff’.
The cat louse, Felicola subrostratus, is a flat, wingless insect which feeds on hair and skin debris, and glues its eggs onto the cat’s hairs. The nits will later hatch out into a new crop of lice and can be most easily removed by clipping off the effected hairs. Although it may prove difficult to find them, the lice are intensely irritating to the cat and in young animals may cause anemia. In Britain infection is rare, except in farmhouse cats.
Both Cheyletiella and lice are transmitted by directed and indirect contact and they are treated with similar preparations to those used for the moving fleas. It is always worthwhile seeking veterinary advice about the correct preparation to use because all of them are toxic to some extent and nor all are equally suitable for every purpose. Any instructions and precautions should be carefully observed. As a general rule, special care should be taken with very young, very old, pregnant, nursing and ill cats, and those which require repeated treatment. Unless advised otherwise, avoid using number of preparations simultaneously because of the increased toxic effect.
The cat louse and all mites, except the harvest mite, differ from the flea in that they spend their entire life on the host. The harvest mite and the North America chigger are parasitic larvae which attach themselves to thin-skinned regions, usually the ears and between the toes, as the cat walks through vegetation. They need animal protein in order to develop further; after feeding they drop off and ultimately become adult mites which are non-parasitic and live on decaying vegetable matter. The larvae appear as small orange or red spots, and cause considerable irritation. As its name suggests, infections with the harvest mite are associated primarily with the summer months. Parasiticidal preparations are require for treatment.
Callophorid flies, otherwise called blow-flies may lay their eggs in open wound or in the soiled coat of the ill or elderly animal. The maggots (leave) which hatch from the egg feed from the living animal just as they would from a carcase or piece of meat. The secrete enzymes which digest proteins in the skin producing craters on the surface. This condition requires the area to be clipped thoroughly, cleaned, and treated with insecticide; treatment for shock may also be necessary.
In the southern and western United States, during the third quarter of the year, the fly Cuterebra maculate lays its eggs in soil. The larvae which hatch can attach themselves to the skin of cats, usually kittens or debilitated animals, that lie on the ground and eventually they are able to penetrated the skin. Each larva then grows inside a cyst-like cavity to be three-quarters of an inch long. An opening remains in the skin because this grubs need to breathe. Treatment requires removal of the grub with forceps and antibiotic treatment to combat secondary bacterial infection.
The fur mite, Cheyletiella blakei, is a similar size to the ear mite, i.e. just large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and occur all over the body from head to rump. Often it produce no itching (pruritus) and the most consistent feature of its presence is a very scurfy, slightly greasy coat. The white mites and their eggs give the appearance of extensive dandruff, though close observation with the magnifying glass reveals that it is moving hence the popular name ‘walking dandruff’.
The cat louse, Felicola subrostratus, is a flat, wingless insect which feeds on hair and skin debris, and glues its eggs onto the cat’s hairs. The nits will later hatch out into a new crop of lice and can be most easily removed by clipping off the effected hairs. Although it may prove difficult to find them, the lice are intensely irritating to the cat and in young animals may cause anemia. In Britain infection is rare, except in farmhouse cats.
Both Cheyletiella and lice are transmitted by directed and indirect contact and they are treated with similar preparations to those used for the moving fleas. It is always worthwhile seeking veterinary advice about the correct preparation to use because all of them are toxic to some extent and nor all are equally suitable for every purpose. Any instructions and precautions should be carefully observed. As a general rule, special care should be taken with very young, very old, pregnant, nursing and ill cats, and those which require repeated treatment. Unless advised otherwise, avoid using number of preparations simultaneously because of the increased toxic effect.
The cat louse and all mites, except the harvest mite, differ from the flea in that they spend their entire life on the host. The harvest mite and the North America chigger are parasitic larvae which attach themselves to thin-skinned regions, usually the ears and between the toes, as the cat walks through vegetation. They need animal protein in order to develop further; after feeding they drop off and ultimately become adult mites which are non-parasitic and live on decaying vegetable matter. The larvae appear as small orange or red spots, and cause considerable irritation. As its name suggests, infections with the harvest mite are associated primarily with the summer months. Parasiticidal preparations are require for treatment.
Callophorid flies, otherwise called blow-flies may lay their eggs in open wound or in the soiled coat of the ill or elderly animal. The maggots (leave) which hatch from the egg feed from the living animal just as they would from a carcase or piece of meat. The secrete enzymes which digest proteins in the skin producing craters on the surface. This condition requires the area to be clipped thoroughly, cleaned, and treated with insecticide; treatment for shock may also be necessary.
In the southern and western United States, during the third quarter of the year, the fly Cuterebra maculate lays its eggs in soil. The larvae which hatch can attach themselves to the skin of cats, usually kittens or debilitated animals, that lie on the ground and eventually they are able to penetrated the skin. Each larva then grows inside a cyst-like cavity to be three-quarters of an inch long. An opening remains in the skin because this grubs need to breathe. Treatment requires removal of the grub with forceps and antibiotic treatment to combat secondary bacterial infection.
Q: Are flea collars safe for cats?
Answer: Cats are liable to acquire fresh flea infectious from other cats which they meet outdoors. If repeated infection is problem the cat can be fitted with a flea collar. Flea collars are impregnated with an insecticide (usually either dichlorvous or lindane) which is released slowly as a vapour to kill the fleas. However, outdoors this vapour is easily dissipated by breezes, and as with other collars, there is a risk of strangulation if the collar gets caught on a projection. There has also been a number of report of flea collars causing either localized signs of poisoning (depression, vomiting, diarrhea and staggering), particularly if used at the same time as other anti-flea treatments.
If flea collar is used, it is recommended that after being removed from the packaging material the collar should be allowed to ‘air out’ for twenty-four hours, and then be fitted so that it is still possible to insert two fingers between the collar and the nick. No other treatment for fleas (tablets sprays, powders etc.) should be given to the cat for five days before or after wearing the collar, and it should be removed if untoward signs are seen.
An effective alternative is to hang a dichlorvous-impregnated fly strip above the cat’s bed, but again this should not be used at the same time as a flea collar are any other de-fleaing treatment.
If flea collar is used, it is recommended that after being removed from the packaging material the collar should be allowed to ‘air out’ for twenty-four hours, and then be fitted so that it is still possible to insert two fingers between the collar and the nick. No other treatment for fleas (tablets sprays, powders etc.) should be given to the cat for five days before or after wearing the collar, and it should be removed if untoward signs are seen.
An effective alternative is to hang a dichlorvous-impregnated fly strip above the cat’s bed, but again this should not be used at the same time as a flea collar are any other de-fleaing treatment.
Q: How can I get rid of fleas on my cat?
Answer: Adult fleas spend only short period of time on a cat, just sufficient to obtain a meal of food, and therefore may not be found when looked for on the coat. If they are present, they are easily seen with the naked eye as small, dark brown insects moving swiftly over the skin, particularly at the base of the tail and behind the ears. It is more common to find evidence of their presence in the form of flea dirts, looking like specks of dirk grit, on the skin surface. These consist mainly of dried blood and can be distinguished from grit by the fact that if they are placed on a piece of damp cotton swab a red-brown stain spreads out from them over the dampened surface.
Fleas will be most numerous in the environment of the cat, which is where the female flea lays her eggs. This includes not only the cat’s basket and bedding, but also between floorboards, tails and sections of lion, in the pile of fitted carpets and even beneath skirting boards. Therefore, the successful removal of fleas requires a concerted attack: not only treatment of the cat itself, but also of other animals in the household and of the surroundings.
Many proprietary parasiticidal powders or sprays are available for the treatment of your cat, either from your veterinary surgeon or from a pet shop. If a spray is used take care to follow the instructions carefully; it is very easy to overdo the treatment if the animal lick off, or absorbs, an excessive amount of the spray it may be poisoned. Raise the hair by brushing it the ‘wrong’ way, and spray against the ‘lie’ of the coat from six to eight inches away fro up to three seconds-no longer, and avoid the eye and mouth. The hissing noise as the aerosol discharges often startles cats. If powders are used it is advisable to thoroughly dust them into the coat, again brushing the hair the ‘wrong’ way. Leave the powder in place for half an hour, during which time the animal should be watched carefully to prevent it licking its coat, and then brush out as much powder as possible. Putting the cat in a pillowcase with its head sticking out, or wrapping it in a towel for this half-hour may help to stop it licking.
It is possible to apply special insecticidal solution to the cat’s coat, but because these are not washed of afterwards there is always a risk of the cat licking in toxic amounts. Insecticidal shampoos are also available and since they are completely rinsed out these are less likely to prove harmful; their use may sometimes be advised prior to treatment with a powder or spray. Tablet treatments are available as well; the during in the tablets passes into the cat’s blood and kills any fleas which suck blood later. Because these drugs in large amounts are toxic to the cat, the tablet must be used with care and not employed at the same time as spray containing similar drugs. In general, they are not as satisfactory in eliminating fleas as the powders or sprays.
On soft furnishing and carpets the same parasiticidal powders can be applied and vacuumed off after half an hour, or an ordinary fly spay or special environmental spray (e.g. Nuvan Staykil) can be used. These sprays are particularly useful for penetrating crevices, but they should not be used directly on cats, and animals are best kept off treated areas for several days afterwards. Old bedding and baskets are best burned. In North America flea bombs, or ‘foggers’ are available which fill the atmosphere with insecticide, but with really severe infectious it is available to call in professional exterminators. Most local authorities can offer help or advice.
After the initial treatment, further treatments of the cat and its bedding are advisable, varying from twice a week to once every two weeks (depending on the preparation) to kill any fleas which have hatched out of eggs in the surroundings since the previous treatment.
Fleas will be most numerous in the environment of the cat, which is where the female flea lays her eggs. This includes not only the cat’s basket and bedding, but also between floorboards, tails and sections of lion, in the pile of fitted carpets and even beneath skirting boards. Therefore, the successful removal of fleas requires a concerted attack: not only treatment of the cat itself, but also of other animals in the household and of the surroundings.
Many proprietary parasiticidal powders or sprays are available for the treatment of your cat, either from your veterinary surgeon or from a pet shop. If a spray is used take care to follow the instructions carefully; it is very easy to overdo the treatment if the animal lick off, or absorbs, an excessive amount of the spray it may be poisoned. Raise the hair by brushing it the ‘wrong’ way, and spray against the ‘lie’ of the coat from six to eight inches away fro up to three seconds-no longer, and avoid the eye and mouth. The hissing noise as the aerosol discharges often startles cats. If powders are used it is advisable to thoroughly dust them into the coat, again brushing the hair the ‘wrong’ way. Leave the powder in place for half an hour, during which time the animal should be watched carefully to prevent it licking its coat, and then brush out as much powder as possible. Putting the cat in a pillowcase with its head sticking out, or wrapping it in a towel for this half-hour may help to stop it licking.
It is possible to apply special insecticidal solution to the cat’s coat, but because these are not washed of afterwards there is always a risk of the cat licking in toxic amounts. Insecticidal shampoos are also available and since they are completely rinsed out these are less likely to prove harmful; their use may sometimes be advised prior to treatment with a powder or spray. Tablet treatments are available as well; the during in the tablets passes into the cat’s blood and kills any fleas which suck blood later. Because these drugs in large amounts are toxic to the cat, the tablet must be used with care and not employed at the same time as spray containing similar drugs. In general, they are not as satisfactory in eliminating fleas as the powders or sprays.
On soft furnishing and carpets the same parasiticidal powders can be applied and vacuumed off after half an hour, or an ordinary fly spay or special environmental spray (e.g. Nuvan Staykil) can be used. These sprays are particularly useful for penetrating crevices, but they should not be used directly on cats, and animals are best kept off treated areas for several days afterwards. Old bedding and baskets are best burned. In North America flea bombs, or ‘foggers’ are available which fill the atmosphere with insecticide, but with really severe infectious it is available to call in professional exterminators. Most local authorities can offer help or advice.
After the initial treatment, further treatments of the cat and its bedding are advisable, varying from twice a week to once every two weeks (depending on the preparation) to kill any fleas which have hatched out of eggs in the surroundings since the previous treatment.
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