Nanny McPurrCat sitter, former veterinary nurse, kitty lover. I think it is safe to say that Spring, has finally Sprung! After that long winter it’s nice to see a few rays of sun getting through. No doubt your cats have noticed this change in season too. They’ll probably be wanting to go out more frequently and for longer. Whilst it’s important to enrich their environment as much as possible, whether your cat be an indoor or an outdoor cat, it’s also a good idea to be aware of the potential hazards the Springtime may bring to your cat.  1. Plants & Flowers: The colours of Spring are lovely to see after what seems like an endless dull winter, but just be aware, that many plants, (both indoor and outdoor) can be toxic to cats. Top of the Spring blooms that cats may come into contact with are Daffodils, Tulips, Azaleas and of course Lilies. Ensure your cats cannot ingest or even rub up against these plants and if you are ever concerned that your cat may have ingested anything toxic, contact your vet immediately. Cats Protection offer an extensive list of poisonous plants and flowers here: www.cats.org.uk/dangerous-plants 2. Grass Blades: So we all know that cats nibble on grass from time to time. This is because they are unable to digest it and it often helps them to bring up those lovely hairballs we all love! Whilst grass itself isn't toxic to cats, the structure of grass blades can cause problems to cats. Blades of grass have tiny fine backwards barbs on its surface, which can get ‘stuck’ in your cat’s soft palate or nasal cavity as they vomit. Whilst not large enough to cause an obstruction, they can cause a great deal of irritation, inflammation and stress, not to mention become a great site for infection. Signs include constant sneezing and/or coughing, pawing at their face and gagging. Most cats will need a short sedation by a vet to remove the offending blade of grass. It is important not to try and remove the grass yourself in case you exacerbate the problem.  3. Allergies: Like us, a cat’s allergies can become more prevalent in the Spring. With different pollens and warmer weather, there are lots of environmental allergens around and seasonal allergies may rear their head. Frequently, allergies can manifest in itchy irritable skin and/or eyes, which may cause a change in your cat’s behaviour. Any such symptoms need to be investigated by your vet. Do not attempt to medicate them at home with human medicine! However, bear in mind, it can be very difficult to diagnose exactly what is causing such symptoms, so often vets will diagnose atopic dermatitis, meaning itchy inflamed skin of unknown origin. It is important to ensure your cat and your home have been treated for fleas, so you can rule that out as being part of the problem. 4. Flea Products: Speaking of fleas, flea treatments definitely deserve a mention. Some flea treatment products (often intended for dogs), contain a highly toxic chemical to cats, called permethrin. Sadly, many owners have learned of this poison the hard way. In a quest to rid their cats of those annoying little parasites, some owners have turned to pet shops and even supermarkets to buy their cat’s flea treatment. Some people may even be so desperate to treat for fleas that they use a flea treatment intended for dogs. Perhaps they pick up the wrong product, and because they’re being sold by shops where the staff have no veterinary knowledge, they are not alerted to the dangers. Permethrin poisoning cases are extremely sad and often fatal. They are so easily prevented by purchasing your flea treatments from your veterinary practice. This way, you’re asked the right questions to ensure the product you’re being sold is suitable for your cat. You’ll also save money in the long run, because the products bought from your vet are licenced for prescription only use, which means they’ve been clinically tested, can only be sold by vets and will actually work. Let me get this straight. I am not anti-pet shops. Many of them have a ‘Suitably Qualified Person’ (SQP) who can dispense treatments according to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. (VMR). I’m sure some treatments they sell are safe and effective, but for the sake of a phone call and a possible 5 minute appointment with the vet, is it really worth risking it. Bottom line PERMETHRIN KILLS CATS. Do not buy anything containing this ingredient. 5. Bites/Stings: Wasps, bees, bugs and even adders could give your cat a nasty sting or bite if they upset them. As we call know, cats love to chase and swipe flying things, or stalk slithery things, and in the Springtime, there tends to be an abundance of such creepy crawlies. Should you notice any swelling, limping soreness or redness, it’s best to give your vet a call for advice. A common place for cats to get stung is on the paw, when they’ve decided it’d be good fun to play catch the wasp. Often wasp and bee stings can be treated at home, using white vinegar for wasp stings and bicarbonate of soda for bee stings. The vast majority of stings, do not warrant emergency treatment, however, if your cat gets sting around the face, neck, mouth or nose you should always speak to your veterinary practice. Swelling from bites in this area may cause your cats breathing to be compromised. Also if your cat is allergic to a bite or sting, they could go into anaphylactic shock, which is extremely dangerous and needs to be treated immediately by a vet. If you suspect your cat has been stung, give your vet a call, they can offer advice on the signs to look out for to prevent an emergency occurring.  And whilst this article is only supposed to talk about 5 hazards; I cannot sign off without mentioning the biggest hazard of all. Leaving your cat entire/unneutered/intact. Whatever you want to call it, there’s no excuse for not neutering your pet cat. It leads to a whole range of problems, from increased risk of cancers to an increased risk of injuries, pregnancy and viruses. I will not go into the whole benefits of neutering here, but the Springtime is the time when females will come into season if they haven’t already, males will be seeking females. The UK has a massive problem with the over population of cats, please don’t add to it! So enjoy the warmer weather with your kitty and keep them safe. |