Neutering of cats.

Spring is well underway and young animals are appearing everywhere you look, the fields rapidly filling with lambs and calves, and the shops with bunnies and chicks!
Traditionally, spring also heralds the onset of the breeding season for cats, and it is at this time when last years' kittens may reach puberty and become sexually mature.  If cats are not neutered it can unfortunately also lead to unwanted litters of kittens.

In the female signs of being 'in season' include restlessness, vocalisation, increased sociability, wandering, and adoption of the reproductive posture - crouched on front legs, paddling with her hindlegs, and deflecting the tail to one side.  This posture may be displayed to other cats or humans.  Each season may last from a few days to 2 weeks, and cats will repeatedly come into season during the breeding period from January to September.

During the breeding season male cats may roam a lot in search of females, and this can result in a lot of fighting due to territorial disputes.

To prevent unwanted litters we would advise neutering cats by 6 months of age, ideally before they begin displaying reproductive behaviour.  Neutering of males involves castration (the removal of both testicles), and females are 'spayed' (both ovaries and uterine horns are removed).  These procedures both involve a general anaesthetic and your cat would usually be admitted first thing in the morning and return home later that afternoon.  Male cats do not need stitches, generally females will have an incision on their flank which often does require stitches. Pain relief is provided routinely by injection, and cats recover very quickly.  If you would like further information about neutering cats, or wish to make a booking, please contact your local surgery.

(BL)

Flea Allergic Dermatitis.

Dogs and cats may have escaped the winter period flea and tick free, but with warmer weather around the corner, pets will be susceptible to parasite infestations unless preventative measures are taken now.  Fleas, ticks, and other mites reproduce rapidly in milder temperatures, and pets will come in contact with them readily when out on walks or from contact with other animals.

There is one particular skin problem we see over and over throughout the practices in the warmer months, and that is Flea Allergic Dermatitis.  This is an intense itching and infection of the skin caused by an allergy to the saliva from a flea's bite.  Some cats and dogs are very susceptible (a bit like some people being more allergic to midge bites than others), and the resulting skin irritation can be upsetting for your pet.
It is not always possible to find any fleas on the animal, but we always treat with an anti flea product, and advise treating the household carpets/flooring as well, to eliminate any eggs or larvae that would develop into adult fleas and allow further problems.  Pets with skin infections will also need medicated shampoos and antibiotic/other injections or tablets to help ease their discomfort.

The best way to prevent this major problem is to treat monthly with a spot on formulation, applied to the back of the pets' neck, and stop the fleas biting in the first place.  Products such as Advantage, Advantix (for dogs only), Advocate and Frontline are all available over the counter, and we will advise on how to use each one.  Some of these products will also treat Ticks, Mites, Lice and Worms.  We see many pets treated with cheap supermarket flea products such as the "Bob Martin" range.  It is our experience that these products do not control fleas. Make sure you use quality product approved by us.  It will be cheaper in the long run.

(NM)