pet care & health including marking and vocalising. Neutering male cats also reduces roaming and decreases the risk of deadly diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus( FIV or cat Aids) and feline leukaemia virus.
I would also recommend getting your other cat spayed. This will reduce her risk of the aforementioned diseases and prevent roaming and the risks associated with that. It is also important to sterilise her to prevent mammary tumours( breast cancer) and infections in her uterus, which can become deadly.
All veterinarians offer these services, and it is worth phoning around in your area to compare prices. A number of organisations often host sterilisation campaigns, so that may be an option. Medical aid can be of vital importance for these routine procedures, as well as any emergencies in the future, and I would advise considering this.
Q:
I’ ve been using Nexgard on my pit bull for two years as she has an allergy to flea bites. I was very happy with the results until recently, when I read that it may cause behavioural or hormonal difficulties. Should I be worried?
– Jackie Smith
Nexgard and similar products have become game-changers in terms of controlling external parasites, including fleas and ticks. As with all medications, there is some risk of side effects, but Nexgard has been well studied and has minimal side effects for the vast majority of dogs. It is also important to weigh up the risks versus the benefits: if you didn’ t use a highly effective flea treatment you would have to add additional medication to control your dog’ s symptoms and also run the risk of them contracting tick-borne diseases, which can be fatal.
The only time I would recommend considering other parasite prevention would be if your pet has an underlying illness such as liver disease or kidney disease. This can affect how your pet’ s body processes the medication. In that case, other products should be recommended. If your pet suffers from epilepsy or seizures of any kind, Nexgard should also be avoided.
Q:
My cat has always been the‘ baby’ of the house, but we’ re expecting a newborn soon. What can we do before and after the baby arrives to prevent jealousy or stress in our cat?
– Sithandiwe Magona
It is important to let your cat get used to the new setup in the house. Allow them time to explore the baby’ s room and all the other baby paraphernalia. Once the baby has been born, it can help to bring some nappies and worn clothing home for the kitty to smell before bringing the baby home.
Pheromones can be very helpful in helping your cat get used to the changes in the household. Using a product like a Feliway diffuser can have a significant calming effect. Ensure that your cat has a safe space in the house that they can escape to from the noise and other stimulation associated with a baby. Although your life is going to be turned upside down once the baby comes home, try to keep your cat’ s routine the same, including feeding times and times that you give him attention. Most cats are very calm around babies and will either ignore them or enjoy cuddling with the new, warm family member.
Cats show stress in very different ways to what you’ d expect. If you notice any change in their litter tray and toileting habits, this is a major warning sign that they are stressed out in this situation. It’ s essential to seek veterinary help as soon as you notice any change in these habits in order to treat the urinary tract and stress successfully.
Meet Dr Ingrid de Wet
Dr Ingrid de Wet has been part of the Cottage Vet Clinic family since 2014. After many years working behind the scenes, she stepped into a more handson role in 2024, taking on locum work and sharing her passion for veterinary medicine directly with pet owners.
Ingrid thrives on the challenge of complex medical cases and the precision of surgery, always striving to give every animal the very best care. What truly drives her, though, is her commitment to preventing and easing pain in pets – a dedication that shines through in her work and helps ensure her patients live happier, healthier lives. www. petpals. co. za 19