Why Do Cats Have Pica? Hypothesized Causes Of Pica ExplainedĬats know that meowing will get you to look at them, and making crinkling sounds can accomplish the same goal. Ingestion of bizarre objects can result in life-threatening internal blockages requiring urgent veterinary medical attention. Likewise, many young moggies will chew and tear at objects when exhibiting predatory behaviour during play, pieces are torn off but NOT consumed. When adult moggies exhibit suckling behaviours, material isn’t consumed, simply sucked repetitively and often accompanied with front paw kneading. Pica shouldn’t be mistaken for kitten behaviour of suckling which might persist into adulthood. Often the molar teeth are used to chew holes in such materials. Frequently reported items which cats may chew include wool, fabric, wood, plastic, paper and plants (Case, 2003, Horwitz & Mills 2009). Pica involves ingestion of non-food items. And did you know that there is even a blood bank for cats in the UK, and your pet could be a suitable donor? Check out the pet blood bank for more information.Home Remedies: Keeping the litter box free of feces daily, removing any tempting objects (plastic, string, etc.) from the home environment to where a cat cannot reach them. If your pet may need this treatment in the future, it is worth enquiring with your vet if they offer this service. This procedure is becoming more and more commonly offered in veterinary practice. Severe anaemia, however, can be life-threatening, and cats often need emergency treatment whilst awaiting the results of diagnostic tests. The most effective treatment for severe anaemia, whatever the underlying cause, is a blood transfusion. In many cats, the anaemia is mild, doesn’t cause any problems and can just be monitored. The ultimate treatment of anaemia in cats will depend on the underlying diagnosis. Common cancers, such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma, can invade the bone marrow and disrupt RBC production. Feline Leukaemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (feline coronavirus) and Feline Panleukopenia Virus all cause bone marrow suppression and can cause severe anaemia.Ĭhronic kidney disease results in the reduction of the hormone erythropoietin, which is the signal for RBC production. Several common illnesses in cats can suppress RBC production and result in anaemia. RBCs are produced by the bone marrow, which has the capacity to increase production when RBCs have been lost in the healthy cat. And what can cause the reduced production of RBCs? However, vets may need to look for evidence of hidden bleeding, such as a stomach ulcer. Traumatic blood loss is a less common cause of anaemia in cats. Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, where the cat’s own immune system starts attacking the RBCs, also results in abnormal RBC loss. Examples include the infectious disease Haemoplasmosis, a parasite that lives inside RBCs and causes them to be removed by RBC waste disposal. Anaemia results from premature removal of RBCs from the circulation faster than new RBCs can be produced. In the healthy animal, ageing and damaged RBCs are removed from the circulation by organs such as the spleen and promptly replaced. A study in the UK has suggested that the most common cause is infectious causes, followed by anaemia related to tumours, with anaemia associated with liver and kidney failure the third most common cause. There is a wide range of diseases that can cause anaemia in cats. Which tests your vet selects will depend on your cats’ age, lifestyle, and medical history.Īnaemia can, put simply, arise through two mechanisms: abnormal loss of RBCs, or disrupted production of new RBCs. Once anaemia is confirmed, your vet will need to do further tests to confirm the diagnosis. The first thing to be aware of about anaemia is that it is a symptom, like a fever or rash, and not a diagnosis.
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