Why Are My Cat’s Paws Sore and Swollen?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: We got Rambo from the SPCA almost a year ago. He adjusted very quickly and incredibly well to his new home and is our only pet. A few days after we brought him home, his front left paw got red and sore. A scab-like black crust developed between his toes and around his paw pad, and the skin began to open up and began to smell infected. We took him to the vet, who prescribed antibiotics and a pain reliever... Read More
Can My Cat Catch a Cold From Me?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I am home recovering from sinusitis, with my lovely purry tabby kitty on my lap. I accidentally coughed on her and I got worried: can she pick up any illness from me? Also, this summer promises to be a very nasty season for allergies — can my kitty be affected by this? What symptoms would signal nasal allergies in my cat? ~ Mary Siouxsie: Well, Mary, you’ll be relieved to know... Read More
Is It OK to Keep My Cat Outdoors?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: Can I put my new adopted kitten (from a shelter) in an outdoor kennel? It will be very spacious and roomy, it will have a cathouse that will protect against extreme hot or cold temperatures, it will have food, water, toys, and the kitten will recieve lots of attention. I may also take it out for walks to let it get more exercise. I cannot bring the kitten inside the house due to severe... Read More
My cat’s getting all scabby and phlegmy. Help!
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I had to move back into my parents’ house three months ago, and my cat has moved here with me. She has to live in basement. I am unable to sleep down there at the moment since I’m allergic and am in the process of undergoing treatment for these allergies so I can move down there. In the meantime my cat doesn’t seem to be doing well. Within a month of moving here, she started... Read More
My cat has gingivitis. We’ve done all the tests and still don’t know why. Help!
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I have a 14-year-old cat whose gums became swollen, they bled and she had difficulty eating and grooming herself. My vet suggested a dental cleaning, and when they put her under, they discovered that her teeth were in perfect condition. She was then put on antibiotics and steriod injections. The condition kept flaring up and the vet suggested removal of all her molars, which I agreed to. This... Read More
My cat’s licking her fur off. Help!
Greetings, kind readers. We’re letting Mama take a break from her NaNoWriMo efforts in order to help her write this week’s column. We told her she should do NaNo because it’s been years since she’s written a long work of fiction, and she’s been wanting to write a story to honor our beloved sister Sinéad (may she frolic forever in the catnip fields). Sinéad says it’s about time Mama got back to writing... Read More
