Applying topical treatments to your cat

Only use treatments prescribed by your vet and apply them as directed.
When administering drops or ointment to the eye, hold the cat's head still and aim for the centre of the eye.
To apply ear drops, hold the head still, squeeze in the drops, and then gently massage the base of the ear to ensure the liquid is evenly distributed on the affected area.
Wear rubber or plastic gloves to protect yourself when applying flea spray, massage it into the coat and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Faeces and urine
If your cat has difficulty in defecating or urinating, he needs very urgent veterinary attention. Stools should be firm, but not hard or loose, while urine should be pale yellow in colour and free from clouding and an offensive smell. Both should be free from traces of blood.

Ease of movement
Stiffness when moving around could indicate joint problems. Limping suggests a direct pain source such as a fractured limb, a wound, a thorn stuck in the foot pad, or an infected claw bed. A general reluctance to
move around, combined with crying out when picked up, or even when touched, may be due to an internal injury or ailment.

-Symptoms of concern
-Blood in urine or faeces
-Breathing difficulty
-Coughing or sneezing
-Diarrhoea/constipation
-Difficulty in eating
-Difficulty in eliminating
-Dullness or fever
-Fur loss or failure to self-groom
-Haws showing
-Increased or decreased thirst
-Lameness
-Veterinary health checks

Choose a vet who specializes in feline health, and make the effort to cultivate a good relationship with him or her. An owner who takes their cat for regular health checks and routine vaccinations, and seeks advice on parasite control and dental care, is a valued customer for whom a vet will be prepared to give more time.
Take your pet for a check-up at least once a year (combine this with the annual vaccination booster), and every six months for old cats (aged 10 or more); this can often identify health problems before they become serious. Keeping a diary of your pet's behaviour and health and being able to explain any changes you have noticed, and when these first occurred, is very useful in helping your vet treat your cat appropriately and swiftly when the need arises.



At a glance
-Loss of appetite
-Marked change in behaviour
-Nasal discharge
-Pallor of lips and gums
-Scratching or licking
-Signs of acute pain
-Stiff or unsteady gait
-Swollen abdomen
-Ulceration of mouth
-Vomiting
-Weight loss or increase