Is the Purina Cat Chow Complete Formula appropriate for a kitten 13 weeks old (3 months),…
One of the great things about Purina Cat Chow Complete Formula dry cat food is that it contains 100% complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages. This means the nutritional needs of growing kittens, pregnant and nursing queens and adult cats at maintenance can get all the nutrients they need from Purina Cat Chow Complete Formula. Therefore, you can be assured that both your 3 month old and 3 year old cat will get the nutrition they need from this food.With respect to feeding directions, due to label space limitations it can be confusing as to how much to feed certain ages of kittens. Remember that the feeding directions on the package are just guidelines and your cat may be different. A good rule of thumb for a growing kitten is to provide food throughout the entire day. You may have to adjust the amount of food provided each day, but most cat owners usually fill a bowl in the morning and come back later in the day/evening and add more. Cats tend to be nibblers meaning they normally eat many small meals throughout the day. Since you have a fast growing kitten it is very important during this stage of life that your kitten has access to all the nutrition he needs. Also since many growing kittens can be very active and playful, the more energy available to the kitten the better. It is still very important that you keep an eye on your two cats' body condition if you change the amount of food offered. If your kitten begins to gain too much weight, you will want to adjust the amount offered so your kitten gains at a healthy rate and doesn't become obese.
Nasopharyngeal Polyps in Cats
Anders, B. B., M. G. Hoelzler, et al. (2008). "Analysis of auditory and neurologic effects associated with ventral bulla osteotomy for removal of inflammatory polyps or nasopharyngeal masses in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 233(4): 580-5.Inflammatory polyps are non-cancerous masses that develop in the nasopharynx, auditory tube, or middle ear. They are typically visualized within the ear canal or the pharynx. Most common in young cats, they are part of the differential diagnosis for upper respiratory tract signs and otitis. Clinical signs include nasal or otic discharge, swallowing difficulties, head tilt, nystagmus, sneezing, and Horner's syndrome. Treatment options include traction avulsion, and either lateral or ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO). Many authorities consider VBO to be the treatment of choice. Reported complications include Horner's syndrome, nerve deficits, damage to vascular tissues, and auditory damage. To date, information on how these masses affect hearing in cats and whether VBO can affect hearing has not been published. In this prospective case series, 17 cats met full inclusion criteria, and long term follow was available for 15 cats. Using BAER, 6 cats had deafness prior to surgery. No cat experienced a change in presurgical auditory status. Cats with deafness prior to surgery did not regain auditory function. In the immediate post-operative period, 11 cats developed short term Horner's syndrome. Polyp regrowth occurred in 1 cat. The authors conclude that VBO is unlikely to affect hearing in cats, and long term adverse effects, including polyp regrowth, are uncommon.
>> PubMed Abstract
Related articles:
Kudnig, S. T. (2002). "Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats." Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 17(4): 174-7.
>> PubMed Abstract
Esterline, M., M. Radlinsky, et al. (2005). "Endoscopic removal of nasal polyps in a cat using a novel approach." J Fel Med Surg 7(2): 121-124.
>> PubMed Abstract
More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
About eight weeks ago now I noticed my almost 8 year old calico, Angel, losing weight. I…
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your calico Angel. Your story, as sad as it is, unfortunately is not unique. Many cats do not show signs of illness until they are very ill. Weight loss is one sign that can be very significant and should not be taken lightly. There are no particular questions to ask your veterinarian unless you have noticed any changes in Turtle. In older cats, changes in weight, mobility, attitude, appetite and water drinking can be particular important. I would be sure your veterinarian does a full physical exam from nose to tail to check for any signs of disease. Lab work can also be helpful to screen your cat for any early disease as well. Hopefully, Turtle will check out well and you'll have many more good years with her.Can you please tell me the signs of overall good health in a cat because I just need…
In general the signs of good health are a healthy appetite, nice shiny coat, normal stools (usually once a day), normal urination (usually 2-3 times a day), and no vomiting. A healthy cat will usually stretch and groom regularly. Cats are tricky though. They often hide disease well and because they sleep such a large part of their day normally, it can be difficult to tell if they are lethargic. Each cat is an individual as well. I would watch your cat's normal habits and any change in her regular routine is worth noting and contacting your veterinarian if you are concerned.I have a beautiful female cat that is about 10 years old. She sheds layers of her claws…
I have seen other cats that do this as well, but perhaps not with the vigor you describe. I do not consider this to be unusual unless you are seeing changes in her skin, nails or overall health. Because she has done this for as long as you can remember, I would consider it "normal" for her!My cat Skittles is 13 years old. She is an indoor cat. Terrified of the outside. Over the…
I am sorry to hear Skittles is having some issues. Until proven otherwise, I would treat the vomiting and scratching as two separate issues. It's possible they could be related but just as possible they are not, especially given the time that separated their onset.Scratching can have multiple causes but in many cases my first thought is of allergies. Cats manifest allergies in their skin not with runny eyes and nose as in humans. Cats can be allergic to many things: grasses, pollens, dust, food ingredients, fleas, wool, detergents, etc. Allergies can be difficult to prove but allergy testing, food trials and symptomatic treatment can help to firm up a diagnosis.
Vomiting as well can have multiple causes in a cat. I think of it like a person with a headache...it could be as simple as lack of sleep or not wearing your glasses or as severe as a brain tumor. I know you said lab work was normal, but I think of lab work as a starting place. There are different levels of lab work. Some lab work may just include a small screen and others may look at more tests. In an older vomiting cat, it's important to check thyroid levels as part of the lab screen. A urinalysis, x-ray or ultrasound may also be helpful to find the cause. If all labs are normal, I will often think of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is an inflammation of the intestines, often due to an unknown causes, that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss or decreased appetite. It is very common in our cats and is best diagnosed through biopsy samples taken through endoscope or surgery. Keep working with your veterinarian until you get to the bottom of this. Your veterinarian should also be able to suggest some options to help control your cat's scratching and vomiting until you get a diagnosis. Hope this helps.
I had to take my cat to the vet because she was not herself. It turns out she had a…
First, I am so sorry about the loss of your husband. And now to have a sick cat as well. You in no way made your cat sick! I believe many cats do go through a mourning process as we do. Some cats are also intuitive and sensitive animals towards others’ feelings but do not necessarily manifest their feelings or grief physically. You need to feel the grief and feelings you are feeling. While your cats can be a great comfort, you may also need to turn to friends, family and other support systems.Fever of unknown origin can be very puzzling and frustrating, usually because of the unknown part. The simple explanation is that this is a fever we can not find a meaning for. Unfortunately, there can be many, many causes. Even in this day and age, with all the tests we can do we may not know what is causing the fever. We start with the simple tests like lab work. Often checking leukemia/aids status can be helpful, along with checking a urine sample or taking an x-ray. As time passes, more diagnostics are done and her response is noted, your veterinarian may have a better idea what is going on. Perhaps even by the time you see this, Piper's fever will have broken. I wish you the best with this and with all you’re going through. Let us know if you have any other questions.