Hairballs. Yuk!

If you are a cat owner you know that hairballs are gross but we have to deal with them.  It's not just that they are disagreeable to us because we have to clean it up, but it can lead to intestinal blockage for your feline friend.

Even if you brush your cat regularly they are going to continue to groom themselves.  That rough little tongue of theirs catches loose and dead hairs which are then swallowed.  

Most of that hair passes through the digestive tract with no problem.  But if hair starts accumulating in the stomach a hairball will form.

Usually the cat will vomit it up but sometimes it can cause a blockage.  This may call for a costly visit to the Vet.

As a cat ages they will develop more hairballs because they become more proficient in their grooming skills.

I can always tell when Fanny has a hairball.  She gets a little grumpy and she will have some retching.  Then she will be finicky about eating.  

Two days ago Fanny ate 2 meals and then later vomited those two meals up all at one time.  And guess where?  On our bed of course.  Although it was "gross" I just had to deal with.

But I had been observing her for a day or so since she was grumpy.  I made sure she was pooping and drinking water.

Then yesterday she was in the living room, started retching, then vomited the hairball.  

We praised her and she immediately felt better and started asking to be fed.  

I suggest that after a cat vomits up a hairball to only feed them small amounts of wet food for the rest of the day since their esophagus will be irritated.

There are numerous hairball remedies out there.  I have tried hairball control food before but didn't see much benefit from it plus Fanny is now strictly on a renal diet for her kidney disease.

There are pastes and gels which you can smear on their paws if they don't lick it off your finger. Those are hit or miss depending on if your cat likes the taste or not. And watch out....they will try to flick it off their paw.

I have recently tried the two remedies I have pictured above. Both are in treat form.

I found that they are better suited for Fanny since I can incorporate them into her nightly "treat game". They are infused with lubricant to facilitate the hairball being passed through the digestive tract.

Whatever method you use be sure to consult with you Veterinarian.  

 

Hairball Symptoms:

Ongoing gagging, hacking, retching, vomiting without producing a hairball

Lack of appetite

Lethargy

Constipation

Diarrhea

Hope you and your fur babies stay happy and healthy.

Fanny's Has Something On Her Nose

Well, we were putting away toilet paper into a cupboard.  A normal thing to do after you have returned from a big box store like Sam's Club or Costco.

But later we saw Fanny laying on the bed and she had a piece of toilet paper stuck to her wet nose. 

It's kind of funny because she doesn't even seem to know it's there.

One thing I love about cats is that they do the cutest things. 

There are times when that's not true though.

They are instinctively very, very curious and that can get them into trouble.

We had to baby proof our apartment for one cat we had years ago.  He was able to open our cabinet doors and the doors would shut on him.  He'd go to sleep in the cabinet and we'd go crazy looking for him.

Anyway, I am sure you have some cute stories.  Feel free to share them here.

And don't forget to like/subscribe to this blog.

Until next time......Toodles

The Cone Of Shame

Well, I am sure most pet lovers have had to deal with the "cone of shame".

Any time your pet has abdominal surgery or being treated for any type of problem where licking is discouraged, they get the Elizabethan collar. 

 Licking and chewing of an incision can cause irritation and/or infection.

Here is a photo of Fanny after having a minor butt surgery.  She was not a happy camper.

They look at you with those big, sad eyes and you melt.

You can always take it off if you are interacting with the pet but replace it if you are going to leave them alone.  Pets instinctively want to lick their wound.

They can eat, drink, pee, poop and sleep with the collar on.

Think of it this way. It's a cheap insurance policy. If your pet licks, chews, pulls out the stitches or staples, chances are you will be making another visit to the vet and paying more money.

The tongue, especially a cat's, is very rough and can destroy healing tissue and delay the healing process.

Follow the Vet's instructions and your pet's booboo will heal faster.

Your pet will not hold a grudge.  I promise.

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