Category: Diseases and treatment
Cats Siamese breed can be classified as long-livers, because with the necessary care and care they can live up to 18-20 years. But like many other purebred breeds, they are prone to certain diseases. This is easily explained by the fact that for a long time, breeders paid maximum attention to the appearance of Siamese cats, ignoring their health status. In their attempts to achieve the perfect species, breeders often crossed individuals from the same litter. This caused the appearance of genetic mutations in Siamese cats. They tried to remove individuals with genetic pathologies from breeding, but this did not help to completely protect the breed from a tendency to certain hereditary diseases.
Diseases common to Siamese
Veterinarians identify the following groups of diseases to which this breed of cats is susceptible.
1. Strabismus.
Siamese are carriers of the gene for convergent strabismus. Normally, all cats see three-dimensional images. Representatives of this breed, instead of one solid object, observe many flat ones. This occurs because Siamese cats have improperly developed optic nerves. They cannot transmit optical information to the brain synchronously. To stabilize the image, it is easier for kittens to squint their eyes.
2. Diseases of the respiratory system.
Siamese cats often suffer from diseases that develop in the upper respiratory tract. There are two main diseases: calcivirosis and rhinotracheitis.
Calcivirosis begins with a runny nose and redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes. As the disease progresses, ulcers form on the tip of the cat's nose. In the future, pneumonia and even arthritis may develop. Rhinotracheitis can be recognized by a runny nose, drooling, conjunctivitis and elevated body temperature.
3. Mental disorders.
Representatives of this breed need society more than other breeds, experience loneliness extremely difficult and are capable of becoming very attached to their place of residence and their owners. At the same time, representatives of the breed do not tolerate the slightest changes in their existing way of life. In stressful situations they often develop mental disorder, called psychogenic alopecia. The disease can be recognized by the appearance of bald patches on the cat's body. They appear as a result of excessive licking.
4. Problems with the vestibular apparatus.
Impaired coordination of movements in Siamese cats is explained by a genetic defect in the inner ear. Typically, kittens in the first weeks of life suffer from problems with the vestibular system. As the cat grows, the pathology of the inner ear ceases to affect the cat’s coordination.
Siamese breed, character description and appearance which will be presented later in the article, differs from other domestic animals in their special gracefulness and even majesty. These are the only ones that have not crossed with European cat breeds, and therefore the pristine nature of their eastern roots has been preserved.
Description and photo
Many people are well aware of what Siamese look like, because these beauties are extremely popular. However, they are often confused with Orientals or Thais. So that there is no more confusion, we will talk about the most important features of the appearance, as well as the behavior and character of these cats. 
Did you know? Katie, a member of the Siamese breed, could lay claim to the title of the fattest cat in the world in 2003. At the age of 5, she was given hormones that were supposed to tame her interactions with cats. But these hormones provoked an increase in the animal’s appetite. As a result, this one reached a weight of 23 kg, which is heavier than the average six-year-old child.
Appearance
Country of origin: Thailand Time of origin of the breed: 1960s
Weight: 3-5 kg Litter: 4-6 kittens
EMS code: SIA Lifespan: 13-15 years old The color of Siamese cats is white or light shades with points (mask, paws, ears and tail). Based on the color of the points, the main colors are divided into:
- seal point;
- chocolate point;
- red point;
- blue point;
- caramel point;
- lilac point;
- background point;
- cream point;
- cake point;
- tabby point;
- cinnamon point;
- tortie tabby point.
Cat character
In general, the character of Siamese beauties is strongly influenced by upbringing. If there is a calm atmosphere in the house where the pet lives, then it will behave in the same balanced and non-capricious manner. But, at the same time, if this animal is offended by a person, then it can be very aggressive towards the offender, as it is distinguished by vindictiveness. It is also worth noting that Siamese love children and quickly find a common language with them.
They love activity, so they will gladly take part in children's games. But children should not touch the animal by the tail or squeeze it with their hands, since Siamese will not tolerate the role of a living toy. In such situations, they may use their teeth and claws. - Siamese are loyal, sociable and loving. They painfully experience loneliness and miss their owners in their absence. Also, such pets are jealous and do not tolerate rivals and strangers in the house. These stubborn and wayward dogs are very smart and smart, so it will not be very difficult to train them.
History of appearance
Thailand is considered the birthplace of Siamese cats. More than 600 years ago it was called Siam. There, these animals were revered, believing that they were the guardians of temples and escorted dead people to the afterlife. There was a belief among the Thais that fate favors those people who have a cream color (seal point) in their home. But only a few could have such an unusual advantage. Entire scientific works. One of them is called “Treatise on Cats” (“Tamra Maew”). This work can still be seen today in the country's National Library.
A society was created in Thailand that worked towards protecting the Siamese from extinction. Representatives of this society presented such pets to Queen Victoria of England in 1870. Somewhat later, lovers of Siamese beauties established their society in the USA. Around the 1960s, such pets began to appear in the apartments of residents of the former CIS countries. Representatives of bohemia and the intelligentsia became the happy owners of these animals.
Choice and cost of a kitten
It is best to purchase (we are not only talking about the Siamese breed) at the age of 2.5-3 months. At such a time, pets are already independent and have managed to adapt to social existence. You should buy Siamese either from a trusted breeder or from a nursery that has positive reviews from other animal lovers. In order to get rid of all doubts, you can additionally order expert assessment the condition of the cat from an independent veterinarian.
It is also advisable to get to know the kittens’ parents and observe how they behave. The baby should be cheerful, playful and curious. Those who care about coat color pet, you can see his paw pads and nose, since they are the very first to color, usually during the first two weeks of life. Light-colored paws are found in cats with lilac and chocolate colors, while darker paws are found in seal and blue-point cats.
Important! Not worth buying Siamese cats from random sellers. You need to trust only trusted breeders. Otherwise, there is a risk of acquiring a weak or not purebred pet.
The price of purebred Siamese cats can range from $120 to $900. The cost is determined by a number of factors: the purebred of the animal, its appearance, and the fame of the nursery. Of course, you can find advertisements on the Internet where Siamese are sold much cheaper, but the purebred breed of such animals is extremely doubtful.
Living conditions and proper care
Siamese pets are clean animals. They independently monitor the cleanliness of their fur, so you will only need to intervene in this process from time to time.
Necessary accessories
Before you bring this graceful pet into your home, it is recommended to purchase some accessories that will help you care for your cat. These include:
- a comb with frequent but not sharp teeth for combing out the animal’s fur;
- special toothpaste;
- cat litter;
- bowls for feeding.
Did you know? The largest litter among pets was recorded in 1970. A Siamese cat living with a UK family has given birth to 19 kittens. Among them, unfortunately, only 15 survived.
Features of caring for the breed
Siamese have short hair and no undercoat. In this regard, cats need to provide warmth and minimize drafts in the house. If at some point the room is not warm enough, you will need to insulate the pet’s resting place.
What to feed a Siamese cat?
Diet is incredibly important for Siamese cats, so nutrition should be compiled based on some of the pet’s parameters:
- age;
- Lifestyle;
- physiological state.
Important!It is necessary that the animal has free access to water throughout the day.
Kitten
IN daily diet Siamese babies (up to 10-12 weeks of age) should include the following products:
- Boiled meat. Beef and chicken can be used.
- Offal.
- Boiled sea fish. You can give it once or twice a week, but be sure to remove all the seeds first.
- Baby food. Cats are very fond of various meat and vegetable-meat purees.
- Fermented milk products (preferably low-fat).
- Eggs, namely the yolk. Can be given no more than twice a week.
Adult
The fickle nature of Siamese cats is also reflected in their taste preferences which can sometimes cause confusion. Pets can eat fruits, nuts, mushrooms, etc. But despite all this, the basis of the diet should be:
- Offal and raw meat. It is very important to remove all bones and films. To prevent cats from becoming infected with helminths, the meat must first be frozen for 24 hours. The best option would be to cut the meat into pieces and then freeze it.
- Boiled low-fat sea fish. Tuna, cod, navaga, flounder and others are suitable. You should not give your Siamese river fish, as they contain the enzyme thiaminase, which destroys B vitamins.
- Fermented milk products. Curdled milk, cottage cheese, sour cream and others. In this way, it will be possible to replenish the cat’s body’s need for calcium.
- Eggs (yolks), beef liver. It is necessary to feed cats such products, since they contain vitamin A. It is recommended to give them no more than twice a week.
Important! Excess meat in the diet of Siamese cats can cause darkening of their fur.
Strictly prohibited: - fish and chicken bones;
- legumes;
- fatty meats (pork, duck);
- whole milk;
- spices;
- smoked meats;
- salty;
- sweet.
Hereditary diseases and necessary vaccinations
Siamese cats have piercing blue eyes. A gene that can cause visual impairment and strabismus is responsible for the presence of this feature. In addition, typical hereditary pathologies are hooks, kinks and knots in the tail. Also quite often, young Siamese can exhibit diseases of the respiratory system. In particular, calcivirosis can often be diagnosed - a disease of the upper respiratory tract. Young kittens may have problems with balance and coordination. A clear sign of such a pathology is the animal’s head thrown to one side. In this way, a genetic defect in the development of the inner ear manifests itself, which provokes a malfunction in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus.
Also, the breed of cats in question is prone to diseases nervous soil, including psychogenic alopecia. If there is a psychologically uncomfortable atmosphere in the house in which the pet lives, the animal will lick itself until bald spots form on its fur coat. In addition to the above pathologies, the breed in question is also characterized by the following diseases:
- asthma;
- adenocarcinoma of the small intestine (oncological disease);
- achalasia of the esophagus (increase in its size, which complicates the process of food intake);
- malignant neoplasm in the lungs;
- hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity).
Important! Siamese cats are prone to allergies. This process can be provoked by food, cigarette smoke, various types of aerosols with a strong odor, dust, and flea bites.
How long Siamese live depends on the conditions under which they are kept and compliance with care recommendations. In particular, timely vaccinations are important. The first vaccination should be given to kittens at 12 weeks of age. The next one is after a month. These pets need to be vaccinated mandatory, since the breed in question is prone to infectious lesions and can suffer from the most severe and difficult to tolerate diseases.
For example, other breeds can suffer rhinotracheitis (runny nose in cats) almost unnoticed, when Siamese are sick for a long time and may even die. It is very important to vaccinate your pet against (panleukopenia), as this disease will be fatal for an unvaccinated pet. Siamese cats must be vaccinated against rabies. Siamese cats are among those pets that require special care. But those who have placed this graceful beauty in their home will be grateful for the faithful and devoted love of their pet.
A sick animal requires specialist help. However, you should not apply for it to the first veterinary institution you come across. If possible, visit several clinics to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Small private veterinary clinics equipped with modern medical equipment enjoy a good reputation.
As a rule, young specialists practice in them, using new methods of treating diseases.
Before choosing one of the private clinics offered to your attention, try to find out whether it has a separate reception area for cats and a hospital. During your first appointment, pay attention to how the veterinarian treats your pet.
Diagnosis of diseases
It is not always the case that the cause of a change in a cat’s behavior is a disease, but you should not let your guard down. Carefully examine your pet regularly and if you notice any symptoms of illness, take your pet to a veterinary clinic.
When examining your cat, you should pay attention to the presence of the following signs ill health:
- cough;
– sneezing;
– increased body temperature;
– rapid breathing or pulse;
– lameness;
– presence of blood in excrement;
– significant weight loss or obesity;
– frequent scratching;
– loss of appetite lasting more than 2 days;
– copious discharge from the eyes, ears and nose;
– redness of the skin;
- urinary incontinence;
– wheezing in the chest, etc.
If the cat is unconscious, it is recommended to hold a cold metal surface or mirror near its nose for a few seconds. Your pet's breathing rate can be determined by observing the movements of its chest.
When examining Siamese cats, it is often necessary to take an x-ray of the animal, which helps to identify the presence of fractures and cracks in the bones. To make your pet behave calmly, treat him with a treat.
Blood is taken from a cat using a rubber band, a syringe and a syringe soaked in a 70% solution. ethyl alcohol cotton swab. Using a tourniquet, fixed slightly above the elbow, the blood flow is stopped. Then the skin at the site of the intended collection is thoroughly wiped with a swab, and a needle is inserted into one of the blood vessels.
Caring for a sick Siamese cat and methods of administering medications
A sick cat needs good care and treatment. She should be disturbed as little as possible throughout the treatment.
Cats must be held correctly so that a veterinarian can examine them.
A sick pet needs a lot of drinking water, which can be replaced with warm broth. If the animal is very weak and refuses to eat and drink on its own, it is recommended to draw the liquid into a pipette, syringe or syringe without a needle, and then slowly pour it into the cat’s mouth.
For a quick recovery, your pet needs good food, therefore, his diet should include foods rich in vitamins and minerals or special nutritional supplements that are sold in pet stores.
Sick cats are irritated by sunlight, and they prefer to lie down in heavily shaded areas of the apartment, for example, under a bed or chair, as well as near heating appliances.
If during the treatment of a cat it is necessary surgical intervention, it is recommended to include a large amount of foods high in vitamin C in the animal’s diet.
You can only give medications to a sick cat after consulting a veterinarian, since some animals experience severe allergic reaction for certain medications.
Veterinarians advise giving antibacterial drugs animal only in case of emergency, since when antibiotics enter the cat’s stomach they begin to destroy both pathogenic and beneficial microflora, which negatively affects the health of the pet.
To reduce the destructive effect of antibacterial drugs on the cat’s body, they should be given to the animal simultaneously with probiotics, which partially replenish the dead microflora.
Antibacterial drugs are often used to treat Siamese cats, but it should be remembered that insufficient quantities medicine, as well as its excess, can lead to the opposite effect, namely, aggravate the pet’s condition.
Method of administration of prescribed drugs into the cat's body veterinarian medicines largely depends on the qualitative characteristics of each individual drug.
Medicines that come in the form of tablets or capsules rarely taste good. To force a cat to swallow the medicine, you will have to make a significant effort, since the pet will resist your actions with all its might. You can limit his freedom with a thick blanket.
To force a cat to swallow the medicine offered to it, it is recommended to perform the following actions:
– open the animal’s mouth by pressing with your thumb and index fingers left hand on his cheeks;
– place the tablet or capsule on your pet’s tongue near the throat;
– close the cat’s mouth and force it to swallow the medicine.
Some antibacterial drugs for cats come in the form of a suspension and have a pleasant taste. An animal can take such medicine without coercion. If this does not happen and the pet resists, you must be persistent and forcefully pour the suspension into the animal’s throat.
Wrapping the cat in a thick blanket, fix its head and use the fingers of your left hand to pull the animal’s cheek outward. Then quickly pour the substance into the hole formed and force the animal to swallow it.
If the cat has not lost its appetite, it can be given medicine without using force. To do this, just mix the crushed tablets or powder with food (fish, meat, vegetables, etc.). Liquid medicine is usually added to milk or cereal.
Tablets, powders and suspensions are extremely easy to use, but are detrimental to the intestinal microflora, so veterinarians advise, whenever possible, to introduce antibacterial drugs into the body of animals by injection.
Siamese cats are quite shy animals and, if they feel pain during an injection, they can bite or scratch the owner, so the animal must first be immobilized, wrapped in a towel or blanket, leaving only a small area of the body free for inserting the needle.
To treat acute respiratory infections and some other diseases, the cat needs to put drops into the eyes, ears or nose. During this procedure, the animal's head is fixed in the desired position. Then, using a pipette, a small amount of medication is instilled into the nasal passage, eyes or ear canal.
Fleas
A sick cat constantly itches and bites the base of its tail. Upon careful examination, you can find redness, scratching, bald spots and sores on her skin. Moreover, if fleas and hair get into the animal's stomach, tapeworm infection can occur.
If necessary they can long time(more than 1.5 years) fast.
Fleas reproduce quickly. Females lay small white eggs, from which worm-like larvae emerge after 7–15 days, feeding on decaying food debris and organic matter. After another 3–4 days, the larvae pupate, and after 12 days, adults are born.
Getting rid of fleas is very difficult, since they can live not only on the cat, but also move freely around the house. Therefore, before you start treating the animal with insecticidal agents, you should thoroughly clean the apartment: knock out carpets, pillows, blankets, soft toys, vacuum and wash the floor.
Lice
lice eaters
Female lice eaters can lay 20–60 nits (eggs) throughout their lives, which are then attached to the animal’s hair using uterine secretions. After 1–2 weeks, larvae appear from them, from which adult insects emerge after the third molt.
Ticks are perhaps the most famous carriers various diseases. They come in two types: scabies and encephalitis.
Scabies mites are very small, so they can only be seen with a strong microscope. Some of them easily bite through the skin and penetrate under it, feeding on blood and causing discomfort. Others live on the cat's skin, eating exfoliated fragments of the epidermis.
The causative agent of ear scabies (otodectosis) is a mite 0.3–0.7 mm long. It has an oval body and 4 pairs of limbs equipped with suction cups. It feeds on exfoliated skin flakes, damaging the microflora of the ear, which can lead to inflammation eardrum, middle and inner ear. In especially advanced cases, ear scabies ends in death.
A sick Siamese cat begins to rub its ears with its paws, shake its head, loses its appetite, develops a fever and develops bow-headedness, in which the pet's head is turned strongly in the direction of the damaged ear. The main symptom of the disease is the appearance of purulent discharge from the ear canals.
Infection with otodectosis occurs through contact with a sick animal or person, as well as through care and maintenance items.
Ticks are also dangerous to humans. Therefore, at the first symptoms of the disease, the cat must be wrapped in oilcloth or thick, clean cloth and taken to a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. Then you should do a general cleaning of the house: vacuum the carpets, knock out mattresses and pillows, and burn the toys and bedding on which the pet rested.
The causative agent of pruritic scabies (notohedrosis) is a sarcoptoid mite 0.14–0.45 mm long. Its body is spherical in shape, and its jointed limbs are equipped with bell-shaped suckers. This insect lives in the lower layers of the skin. It moves actively, causing the cat severe itching. The animal begins to itch, loses appetite and becomes aggressive. His hair falls out, abscesses, wounds and bald spots appear on his skin.
Sarcoptoid mites can be destroyed by using special preparations sold in pet stores. However, only a veterinarian can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Notoedrosis is transmitted by contact with contaminated objects (combs, brushes, bedding, etc.) or sick animals (cats, dogs, rodents).
In order to reduce the risk of infection with encephalitis ticks, the cat should be examined after each walk in nature. In this case, it is recommended to pay special attention to the areas between the fingers, ears, throat and belly of the pet. The best way to look for ticks is with a flea comb, which can be purchased at almost any pet store.
The body of a tapeworm looks like a thin, narrow ribbon. It consists of many segments in which larvae develop. The mature segments break off and come out together with feces.
The tapeworm can enter the body through the meat or milk of sick animals, as well as through ingestion of fleas and lice-eaters. The affected animal loses appetite and weight. His behavior becomes restless.
At the first symptoms of a cat being infected with a tapeworm, the owner of the animal should contact a veterinarian who will prescribe treatment.
Roundworms
An infected animal begins to diarrhea and vomiting, the kitten quickly loses weight, and its fur becomes dull.
Roundworms are dangerous because they absorb large amounts of nutrients, while releasing toxins that are harmful to the health of the animal.
If roundworm larvae are found in an animal's feces, it should be taken to a veterinary clinic to confirm the diagnosis and treatment.
Flukes
Infection with flukes can occur when a kitten consumes contaminated water or during contact with a water bowl in which it was previously located.
Flukes are easy to spot in the feces of a sick animal. The infected cat should be taken to a veterinarian, who will prescribe a course of treatment.
Nematode
At the first symptoms of the disease, the cat should be taken to a veterinary clinic and shown to a specialist.
Obesity
Obesity refers to a metabolic disorder that leads to the accumulation of excess adipose tissue. The cause of obesity can be either incorrect, unbalanced diet, as well as the effects of phosphorus, arsenic, lead, fluorine, copper, and nickel on the cat’s body. In addition, to the development of this disease can result from a deficiency of pituitary hormones in the pet’s body, metabolic disorders in the cat’s body, and a sedentary lifestyle.
In sick animals there is an excess excess weight, they breathe heavily, get tired quickly, refuse to move, and their thirst and appetite increase.
If you have the opportunity, take your obese pet to the country, to the forest, or fishing more often. If not, arrange outdoor games with him.
If the cause of obesity is poor nutrition, it is necessary to carefully balance the diet. A special diet and significant physical activity on the body will quickly bring the cat into good shape.
As a rule, drugs such as adiposine, fepranon, adebit, and thyroidin are prescribed. In addition, laxatives (enemas) and diuretics are indicated.
Allergy
Sneezing, mucous discharge from the nose, swelling of the eyes and throat are signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Irritants may include plant pollen, mold, dust, certain foods, medications, bird feathers, fluff and wool.
Introduction of tablets
At the first sign of an allergy in a cat, it should be taken to a veterinary clinic. During a particularly severe attack in the absence of a veterinarian, you can give your pet 1/4 tablet of diphenhydramine.
Acute respiratory disease
The main causes of acute respiratory infections are hypothermia and the activity of viruses. A sick cat begins to sneeze and cough, its temperature rises, the animal loses its appetite and experiences a sharp loss of strength.
Subcutaneous administration of drugs
The smaller the pet, the greater the danger acute respiratory infections pose to it, since if left untreated, this disease quickly turns into severe pneumonia. Therefore, at the first symptoms of a respiratory disease, the cat should be shown to a veterinarian so that he can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is extremely contagious disease, caused by the tuberculosis bacillus and ending in death. Its main symptoms are shortness of breath, cough, diarrhea and weight loss.
A cat can become infected with tuberculosis by consuming meat and milk from sick cows, as well as through prolonged contact with a sick animal. Heat treatment of food will significantly reduce the risk of disease.
To prevent further spread of tuberculosis, the affected pet must be isolated, taken to a veterinary clinic and, after confirming the diagnosis, euthanized.
Keratitis
Keratitis is a disease that occurs when the cornea of the eye is mechanically damaged by claws or foreign objects. Most often, a wound of this kind is inflicted on a cat during a game or fight with another animal. Keratitis can also be a consequence of the activity of microorganisms, metabolic disorders in the body, and the ingrowth of blood vessels into the surface layer of the cornea. This disease is characterized by clouding and swelling of the cornea, purulent inflammation of the epithelial layer.
The affected cat begins to rub its eyes with its paw and is afraid of the light. From her conjunctival sac appear purulent discharge. To determine whether there are wounds on the animal's cornea, a 1% solution of fluorescein should be instilled into the eyes, which turns all corneal lesions light green.
If the damage to the cornea is penetrating in nature, the injured pet begins to leak ocular fluid, during which the iris of the eye partially or completely falls out.
To treat keratitis, fluorescein solution, eye drops and antibiotics are used. A sick animal should be kept in a darkened room. Cortisone-based eye ointments should not be used to treat keratitis, as they further destroy the damaged cornea of the eye.
Instilling medication into the eyes
If left untreated, keratitis can develop into a corneal ulcer, accompanied by painful sensations. The edges of the ulcer are cloudy and swollen. It is treated with antibiotics and special eye ointments. Surgery is often required.
Rickets
A disease such as rickets occurs when the functioning of the endocrine glands is disrupted or when there is a lack of sufficient mineral salts in the cat’s body. The likelihood of this disease increases significantly in winter.
Symptoms of rickets: bending of the limbs, thickening of the joints, sagging of the back. Rickets is especially dangerous for kittens because it slows down the animal's growth.
To treat rickets, the pet is irradiated with a quartz lamp. As a rule, your kitten should be taken to a veterinarian before treatment for this condition is started.
Plague
Plague is a viral disease that is invariably fatal. Incubation period plague lasts from 1 to 3 weeks.
Symptoms of the plague: loss of coordination of movements, convulsions, weakness and apathy. In acute cases, paralysis of the hind limbs develops. Death occurs 10 days after the first symptoms appear. The cat should be euthanized immediately after diagnosis.
Rabies
Rabies is an infectious disease that is caused by the activity of a neurotropic filterable virus and affects the central nervous system. Rabies is extremely contagious, dangerous to humans and always fatal.
The causative agent of the disease is a bullet-shaped vibrio, reaching a length of 180 nm. The largest number of vibrios are found in the cerebral cortex, the saliva of the animal and its blood. Infection occurs through direct contact with the saliva and blood of a sick animal, that is, mainly through bites. The main carriers of infection: cats, dogs, rodents, the bats, raccoons, wolves, jackals, etc.
The incubation period can last 3–6 weeks.
In rare cases, the disease manifests itself a year after infection.
There are two forms of rabies: silent and violent.
In the first case, the sick animal behaves restlessly and quickly develops muscle tissue paralysis. Death occurs within 2–4 days.
Rabies
The violent form of rabies is most often observed in Siamese cats. Infected animals become fearful and aggressive, their mood often changes: they are either affectionate with the owner, or rush at him with the intention of biting and scratching. Affected cats often swallow inedible objects (buttons, soil, stones, branches of garden plants, paper, etc.), their salivation process is disrupted, and their voice becomes hoarse. On last stage As the disease develops, the pet begins to have convulsions and paralysis occurs. The animal dies on the 3rd–5th day.
Cats infected with rabies are euthanized immediately after diagnosis, and their carcasses are burned or frozen for further research.
Aujeszky
Aujeszky is often called false rabies. This contagious viral disease affects the central nervous system of cats and is practically not transmitted to humans.
Infection occurs through contact with sick animals or virus carriers, as well as through eating the meat of infected rodents and pigs. The incubation period lasts 1–15 days. Sick pets become restless and refuse to eat. The main symptom of the disease is severe itching.
The final stage of the disease is paralysis.
Treatment of the disease is carried out only in a veterinary clinic. It is treated with antibiotics and gamma globulin.
Heat
A fever is an increase in a cat's body temperature. The cause of fever can be an infectious, cold or gastrointestinal disease. Transporting a cat if it has a fever is contraindicated, as this may worsen the course of the disease. It is advisable to call a veterinarian at home and begin treatment after establishing a diagnosis and receiving recommendations.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is infectious disease respiratory organs, almost always ending in the death of the animal. Symptoms of pneumonia: refusal to eat, constant thirst, purulent nasal discharge and fever. At the first symptoms of the disease, the cat should be isolated. Pneumonia usually affects animals weakened by vitamin deficiency.
Performing an intra-abdominal injection
Treatment of pneumonia is carried out solely on the basis of veterinarian recommendations using injections of antibiotics, oxytetracycline and sulfonamides.
Escherichia coli
E. coli disease leads to changes in intestinal microflora and a large accumulation of microbes in the cat’s body. As a rule, the disease progresses extremely quickly and always ends in the death of the animal.
Symptoms of this disease include fever and bloody diarrhea.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is infectious disease, which is usually carried by mice.
Symptoms of lymphocytic choriomeningitis include: fever, heavy breathing, weakness.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is also dangerous for humans and cannot be treated. Once the diagnosis is made, the cat must be euthanized and an autopsy performed to determine the causative agent of lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
Abscesses
Abscesses usually appear on the pads of a cat's paws. The causes of this disease have not been established by science. Treatment for abscesses may take several months. In this case, the pet should constantly lie down, and the places where abscesses appear should be regularly lubricated with a preparation based on fish oil and zinc ointment. The disease cannot be neglected, since in this case it will be almost impossible to cure the abscesses.
Avitaminosis
A lack of vitamin E (tocopherol) causes a cat's coat to lose its shine and begin to look disheveled. Also, if there is a lack of tocopherol in the animal’s body, irreversible changes in the muscles may occur and infertility may develop.
Vitamin supplements are created not only to improve the health of people, but also of our little brothers. Such supplements can be purchased at pet stores.
Vitamin C deficiency weakens immune system, which can lead to the emergence and development of many diseases. A lack of vitamin C in a cat’s body is especially dangerous if its sleeping place is in a draft. Also, a lack of vitamin C in the body can lead to scurvy in your pet.
Symptoms of scurvy: loose teeth, sore gums.
The solution should be changed every day, since vitamin C is chemically very active and easily reacts with water, which leads to a change in its molecular structure and properties.
Normal bone development in kittens is possible only when vitamin D, which is responsible for calcium-phosphorus metabolism, is present in their bodies in sufficient quantities. Calciferol prevents the development of rickets in kittens.
Vitamin D deficiency leads to dysfunction of the motor system, curvature of the paws, spinal column, as well as delayed development and growth of the cat.
If there is a lack of vitamin A in a pet’s body, his eyes begin to water, digestion and the development of reproductive organs are disrupted. The activity of the upper respiratory tract may also change.
An excess of retinol in a cat’s body provokes accelerated growth bones, resulting in improper development of the skeleton.
A lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in a cat’s body leads to general weakness and indigestion.
Shortage pantothenic acid causes liver dysfunction, and insufficient folic acid causes anemia.
The word “vitamin” comes from the Latin word “vita” - “life”. Indeed, vitamins are the determining factors for maintaining the life and health of cats of any age.
When a cat lacks vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), it develops a sharp decline body weight and the functions of the musculoskeletal system may be impaired.
Lack of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) leads to baldness in cats.
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) deficiency develops as a result of long-term treatment pet with antibiotics. A lack of vitamin K in the body leads to loss of appetite and increased irritability pet.
Wounds
Wounds, depending on the cause of their occurrence and the nature of the damage, are divided into cuts, stabs, bruises, lacerations, crushed, bitten, gunshot and poisoned (wounds that have received chemicals).
When providing first aid, to prevent microbial infection of the wound, the hair around it is removed, and the skin is lubricated with a 5% iodine solution.
Bleeding is stopped by applying a tight bandage, which also protects the wound from secondary contamination.
If bleeding occurs in the neck or torso area, apply a thick layer of gauze or absorbent cotton wool to the wound and bandage it tightly. In order to speed up the stop of bleeding, the dressing material can be moistened with a decoction of chamomile, oak bark, sage, alder cones, a solution of iodoform or alum.
Contaminated wounds are washed with warm soapy water or hydrogen peroxide, dried with sterile swabs, powdered with antiseptic powders and a protective bandage is applied. If the wound is very small (scratch, abrasion), it should be treated with antiseptic agents.
Bone fractures
Bone fractures are considered a serious injury and are usually the result of an accident. They vary depending on location and severity. The least dangerous of these include broken limbs, ribs and tail. Injury to the spine and skull of a cat most often leads to the death of the animal.
Fractures can be hidden or open. A hidden fracture of the limbs is accompanied by damage to soft tissues, severe pain, increased pressure and temperature, and swelling of the damaged area.
In this case, a splint is applied to the cat's damaged paw, and then the sick animal is taken to a veterinarian, who prescribes treatment.
With an open fracture of the ribs or limbs, muscles, skin, nerves and blood vessels are torn, and heavy bleeding begins, accompanied by painful sensations and an increase in temperature. The affected cat may become unconscious. To help her, you should quickly treat the wound, apply a splint, and then take the cat to a veterinary clinic.
If you have reason to suspect that the cat has damaged bones in the spine or skull, do not move it, as this will cause further damage to it. more harm. Do not try to help your pet yourself. Cover him with a blanket and call the vet.
The nature of a fracture in a cat can vary. The most common types of fractures are oblique, transverse and comminuted fractures. To treat them, first of all, you should apply a gauze bandage and splint to the affected part of the animal’s body, and then take the pet to a veterinary clinic, where he will be given painkillers, the bone fragments will be set, and a cast will be applied.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. The main causes of this disease are physical and chemical irritants and bacterial activity. Conjunctivitis can be unilateral when only one eye is inflamed, or bilateral when both eyes are affected.
The affected pet's eyes become red and swollen, tears flow and eyelashes stick together. If left untreated, the animal’s condition quickly deteriorates: vision is impaired, the eyelids swell, purulent discharge from the eyes appears, and the cornea becomes cloudy. The cat finally loses his sight.
If the owner notices that the cat's eyes are inflamed, the animal should be shown to a specialist as soon as possible. The veterinarian will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Conjunctivitis is treated with a 3% solution of albucid, which is used to soak purulent crusts on the eyes. Then hydrocortisone or tetracycline ointment is placed under the animal’s eyelids. In case of clouding of the cornea under the cat's eyelids, it is recommended to blow a mixture of powdered sugar and calomel daily 2 times a day.
Ingrown and breaking off claws
In Siamese cats that do not exercise much, claws often grow into the pads of their paws, causing soft tissue inflammation and pain. To prevent the further development of this disease, the cat’s ingrown claws should be shortened using special surgical forceps, the damaged soft tissue should be treated with an antiseptic and bandaged.
Cracks often appear in cats' claws, which can subsequently lead to inflammation and falling off of the injured claw. To avoid this pathology, it is necessary to regularly trim off hangnails and jagged edges of cracks, and then cover them with epoxy resin.
Cracks and breaking occur when the claws come into contact with a hard and uneven surface. The faster the cat moves, the more the animal’s claws suffer.
Fungal diseases
Fungal diseases are extremely contagious. Violation of hygiene standards, spoiled food, poor nutrition, insufficient care for hair and skin - these are the main reasons for their occurrence.
Under ultraviolet rays, the fur of sick animals glows green in the dark. Treatment of such diseases usually lasts 5–40 days. In this case, a solution of griseofulvin is injected into the cat’s body through the anus every day.
The small area of skin affected by the fungus allows the use of antifungal ointment for treatment, which is applied to the affected area 3 times a day for a week.
Microsporia is one of the most dangerous fungal diseases, the causative agent of which is microscopic pathogenic fungi that quickly affect the fur, skin and claws of a cat. On the skin of a sick pet's paws, neck and head, areas covered with gray scales and hairless areas appear.
Infection with microsporia in most cases occurs through contact with a sick animal. The incubation period for this fungal disease lasts from 10 to 30 days. The younger the cat, the more severely it suffers from this disease.
Microsporia is often called ringworm. It is extremely contagious and easily transmitted to humans. Therefore, at the first symptoms of the disease, your pet should be wrapped in oilcloth or thick cloth and taken to a veterinarian, who will prescribe treatment.
Dislocations
Cats of any age can easily become dislocated. Dislocations are divided into complete and incomplete (subluxations). With a complete dislocation, the contact of the bones is completely lost, and with a subluxation it is partially preserved.
In cases where the pet’s skin at the site of the dislocation is not damaged, the dislocation is called simple, but if the skin is damaged, soft tissues, tendons or blood vessels are damaged, then the dislocation is considered complicated.
The main signs of dislocation are forced unnatural position of the limb, lameness, shortening or lengthening of the limb. Signs of dislocations may be hidden by extensive hematomas.
The natural mobility of cats often causes a wide variety of injuries. Small kittens especially often suffer from them.
Treatment of dislocations is purely mechanical. Before the dislocation is reduced, the cat needs local anesthesia. Reduction of a dislocation begins with traction of the limb and ends by repeatedly bending or straightening the limb by retracting it inward or outward, placing the bone in normal position. When the head of the bone enters anatomically correct position it makes a characteristic clicking sound. After reduction of the dislocation, active and passive movements are performed.
To prevent secondary dislocation, the kitten is given an immobilizing bandage, which is not removed from the injured limb for 10–15 days.
Bruises
Bruises disrupt the integrity of the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. There are four degrees of bruises.
1. Damage inner layers skin and subcutaneous tissue.
2. Significant damage to tissues and organs.
3. Severe damage to the skin, muscles, tendons and even bones.
4. Complete crushing of tissues and crushing of bones.
To treat bruises in a cat, she is given complete rest and preventive measures are carried out. septic complications, prevent and eliminate swelling, hematomas and lymphatic extravasation. The skin is lubricated with a 5% alcohol solution of iodine or aqueous solution potassium permanganate.
For 2nd degree bruises, apply cold objects to the injury sites and put on pressure bandages.
For third-degree bruises, apply compresses, alcohol-drying bandages, use antiseptics and novocaine blockades, take anti-shock measures.
Grade 4 bruises are fatal for a cat.
Rhinitis
Rhinitis is strong inflammatory process affecting the nasal mucosa. This disease can be primary or secondary. Primary rhinitis develops immediately after exposure to the cat's body irritating factors, which include smoke, draft, chemical fumes, etc. Secondary rhinitis is a consequence of the influence of various viruses on the animal’s body and manifests itself after 1–5 days.
The main symptoms of the disease are profuse nasal discharge, swelling of the nasal passages, fever, swelling of the eyelids, difficulty breathing, inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymph nodes. Sick animals sneeze, rub their noses with their paws, refuse food and quickly lose weight.
To diagnose and treat rhinitis, it is best to consult a veterinarian. As preventive measures During the procedure, exposure of the cat’s body to harmful chemical fumes and low temperatures should be avoided.
It is also necessary to prevent any contact between your pet and sick animals and people.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammatory process affecting the mucous membrane of a cat's larynx. It occurs when the animal’s body is exposed to viruses, chemical fumes, drafts and dampness, as well as when the animal eats frozen foods.
The main symptoms of the disease: cough, heavy breathing, loss of appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, sputum production, swelling of the laryngeal mucosa, change in voice. In particularly advanced cases, an increase in body temperature, rapid breathing and pulse are observed.
A sick animal must be placed in a dry, clean and warm room. The affected cat should be fed only warm food, and its throat should be regularly warmed with compresses. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, expectorants and disinfectants for treatment.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis usually affects weakened or old animals. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial respiratory tract.
The main causes of bronchitis are as follows:
– sharp changes air temperature in the room where the cat lives;
– drafts;
– dampness;
– a large number of mechanical and chemical impurities in the air that the animal breathes.
The main symptoms of the disease are a painful cough, decreased appetite, increased body temperature, rapid breathing and pulse, and shortness of breath.
A sick cat should be placed in a dry, warm room with good ventilation and no drafts. The animal's diet should be well balanced and contain a large amount of vitamins. Treatment includes the oral administration of disinfectants, expectorants, anti-allergenic and laxatives into the pet's body.
Gastritis
Gastritis is the most common disease of the digestive system in cats. It is characterized by inflammation of the stomach and occurs as a result of a cat eating spoiled, dry, too cold or hot food for a long time.
Symptoms of the disease are pain, vomiting, belching, general weakness, lack of appetite, bad smell from oral cavity. To treat gastritis, veterinarians recommend improving the quality of food fed to the cat and changing the feeding regimen.
Stomach ulcer
Gastric ulcers in cats can be a consequence of the development of diseases of the internal organs or the lack of treatment for gastritis. The development of this disease occurs when the gastric mucosa is destroyed.
Treatment of ulcers should only occur under the supervision of a specialist. A sick pet needs rest and light, nutritious food.
The main symptoms of the disease are pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, exhaustion, loss of strength, and elevated body temperature. There is blood in the vomit of a sick animal.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus mainly develops in cats suffering from obesity, physical and psychological trauma, inflammation of the pancreas and certain infectious diseases.
At diabetes mellitus In animals, there is a lack of insulin, which leads to disruption of protein metabolism and a decrease in the amount of antibodies formed.
The main symptoms of the disease are constant thirst and hunger, exhaustion, general weakness, and the presence of large amounts of sugar in the animal’s urine.
To treat a cat, you should give it insulin injections. It is necessary to introduce fruit juices, boiled meat, still mineral water and fish into her diet.
Tartar
Tartar occurs mainly in older cats. It is greenish-gray in color and forms on the outer lateral surface of the teeth.
Tartar consists of calcium salts, food debris, calcium carbonate, etc. It forms gradually, first capturing the area of the tooth in the immediate vicinity of the gums, and then moving higher - to the crown.
Tartar has a bad influence on the condition of the cat’s oral cavity. It irritates the gums, causing inflammation of the oral mucosa. A sick cat's gums begin to bleed and bad breath appears. Tartar deposits on tooth enamel harmful effects do not, however, extensive inflammation of the gums can lead to tooth loss.
Tartar can be removed using special forceps. This is done in a veterinary clinic. Before the procedure begins, the cat is rigidly fixed in one position or given anesthesia.
Dental caries
Dental caries is a disease that leads to the destruction of tooth enamel. Dark spots appear on the surface of the tooth, in the center of which hollows form. A sick animal experiences severe pain, loses appetite, and has an unpleasant odor coming from its mouth.
The causes of caries are unknown. Cats with cracks in the tooth enamel and a large amount of tartar are especially predisposed to the disease. To treat this disease, the animal must be taken to a veterinary clinic.
Hematoma of the auricle
An ear hematoma appears as a result of scratching and biting the ear and is a small accumulation of blood under the skin.
The main symptoms of the disease: swelling of the auricle, restless behavior, itching of the affected area.
To treat a hematoma, apply a cold compress to the affected area and contact a veterinarian who will prescribe treatment.
Otitis externa
Inflammation ear canal called otitis externa. The main cause of this disease is the penetration of foreign objects (insects, twigs, earth) or water into the auricle. Water gets into a cat's ears, usually while swimming or walking in the rainy season.
The main symptoms of the disease are restless behavior and the presence of purulent discharge from the affected ear.
To treat otitis externa, you should cleanse it daily. auricle from pus with a damp cotton swab, which should not be wetted with liquids containing alcohol. The cleaned ear is treated from the inside with zinc ointment.
Herpes
Herpes is a contagious disease that does not require special treatment. Infection occurs through contact with a sick person or animal. As a rule, the cat does not show symptoms of the disease.
Infectious rhinotracheitis
Infectious rhinotracheitis is often called herpesvirus tracheitis. During this disease, cats' vision and respiratory organs are affected. This disease is extremely contagious and easily transmitted to humans.
The mortality rate among Siamese cats affected by herpesvirus rhinotracheitis can reach 5–20%. Infection occurs through contact with sick animals.
The main symptoms of the disease are fever, cough, conjunctivitis, purulent discharge from the nose and mouth, ulcers on the tongue, etc.
Infectious rhinotracheitis is dangerous because during its development other diseases arise, so its diagnosis is difficult, and the treatment prescribed by a veterinarian must be carried out comprehensively.
Accidents
The Siamese cat is a very restless and curious animal that needs to be constantly monitored. An unattended cat can accidentally eat poison intended to kill rodents, fall from a balcony, get hit by a car, get burned, drown, get a splinter on its paw, scratch its tail on the branches of bushes or trees, swallow a foreign object, or suffer from an insect bite.
To minimize the likelihood of an accident, the animal should not be allowed to eat carrion, dead birds and rodents, or food thrown by someone else. It is not recommended to let cats go for a walk on the balcony of a high-lying apartment, near a deep pond, an apiary or a construction site.
If an accident does occur with a Siamese cat and it is seriously injured, it needs to be given first aid as soon as possible, and then call a specialist or take the animal to a veterinary clinic.
Cats are very hardy and rarely become unconscious. As a rule, this happens when falling from high altitude, poisoning, drowning, heart attack, shock or electric shock. The injured pet's breathing and pulse are slow, its eyes are closed, and its body is motionless.
Fall from a great height
Cats, unlike many other domestic animals, can move on surfaces located not only in the horizontal plane, but also in the vertical. Excellent eyesight and strong muscles allow these agile animals to climb trees, sit on high window sills, walk on roofs and jump onto the floor from high cabinets. However, situations often arise in which the cat, for one reason or another, was unable to maintain balance or stay on a high surface. If she falls, she will certainly experience severe shock and, most likely, lose consciousness. In the worst-case scenario, a fallen cat will suffer serious injury from multiple broken bones, wounds, internal bleeding, or traumatic brain injury.
The greater the height from which a Siamese cat falls, the more it will suffer. However, there is a known case when a 3-month-old kitten, who fell from a balcony located on the fifth floor of a residential building, not only did not lose consciousness, but also did not receive any injury.
Poisoning
Cats are very curious and have a habit of tasting any objects they like (poison for killing rodents, matches, medications for humans, detergents and cleaners, antifreeze, some house plants, toxic gases and acids), which can become a source of poisoning. Stale food is no less dangerous.
Some rodent poisons and sulfur coatings for matches are created using phosphorus. A cat can eat poison out of curiosity, and chew matches while playing. Symptoms of phosphorus poisoning include vomiting and bad breath. In some cases, the vomit of an injured cat glows in the dark.
One of the main components of some rodent poisons is warfarin. The main symptoms of poisoning with this chemical are: bleeding from the nose, ears, respiratory tract, anus, etc.
Mercury, used to make some ointments and thermometers, often causes severe poisoning, often fatal. A sick animal begins to vomit profusely, small ulcers appear on the oral mucosa, body temperature quickly drops, convulsions begin, uremia develops and paralysis occurs.
In case of acid poisoning ( vinegar essence, acid-containing detergents) is affected in a cat digestive system and respiratory tract. This type of poisoning is very rare. In a sick animal, digestion is disrupted, salivation increases, breathing becomes heavy, and the lips and tongue become swollen. To provide first aid, the injured cat should be given water. soda solution, which neutralizes acid.
When poisoned by toxic gases, the cat begins to vomit, the gums and lips become red, salivation increases, belching appears, breathing becomes heavy and rare, and the gait becomes uncertain. Toxic gases include combustion products of wood and petroleum products, exhaust gases, household and carbon monoxide. The injured pet must be taken out to Fresh air and drink strong black coffee.
Poisoning is perhaps one of the main causes of death for many domestic animals. Often toxic substances act on the animal’s body very quickly, and the time during which the pet can be helped is limited. Therefore, if you notice that your pet has eaten poison or has gotten dirty in a toxic substance, he needs to be given first aid and then taken to the clinic as quickly as possible for a thorough examination and treatment.
To help a Siamese cat that has been poisoned, you should do the following:
– establish which toxic substance caused the animal’s illness. Different pesticides and medicinal products have different chemical compositions; knowing it, the veterinarian will be able to make a diagnosis faster;
– try to understand how much of the toxic substance entered the cat’s stomach;
– if your pet starts vomiting, place its sample in a separate plastic bag for analysis;
– if the cat has swallowed antifreeze or a large number of tablets, it is recommended to perform gastric lavage as quickly as possible. To do this, the cat should be given a 30% solution of hydrogen peroxide;
– if a cat has swallowed a caustic, toxic substance (acid-containing detergents, kerosene, alkali), do not try to make her vomit, as this will greatly worsen the situation. The fact is that the toxic substance will act even during its removal from the body. In such a situation, the animal should be given a drug that neutralizes the poison;
– to neutralize alkali, it is recommended to give your cat 3 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar, diluted in 4 tablespoons of cold boiled water. You can neutralize the acid, which is usually contained in many bleaching and cleaning products, using a solution of magnesium oxide, which is prepared at the rate of 1 teaspoon of oxide for every 2-3 kg of the pet’s weight;
– if a toxic substance gets into the cat’s stomach, you can give it an activated carbon tablet, which will partially absorb the toxins; however, the poison will remain in the body, so the animal will still have to be taken to the veterinarian;
– milk is a product that greatly weakens the effect of poison on the body. However, it should not be given to cats with obvious symptoms of poisoning, since any liquid can cause suffocation;
– Chocolate contains a large amount of theobromine, which is bad for the health of cats. A few chocolates will not have a clearly defined negative effect on the animal’s body, however, if the pet has eaten one or more chocolate bars, the animal should be taken to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible for examination and treatment;
– Some house plants, such as Dieffenbachia, caladium, foxglove, holly, philodendron, cyclamen, dragonweed, mistletoe and azalea, can cause poisoning in cats. In this case, the animal does not have to swallow a leaf or a fragment of a stem, it is enough to just chew it. When you contact your veterinarian for help, show him the leaf of the plant that caused your pet’s illness. This will help him quickly make a diagnosis and select an antidote;
– if, in the process of treating a cat for any disease, it becomes necessary to give it a certain amount of a drug, you must strictly adhere to the veterinarian’s recommendations, since an overdose of the drug will produce exactly the opposite of the desired effect.
In this case, the animal should undergo gastric lavage as soon as possible and call a veterinarian;
– if poison gets on the skin or fur of a cat, the animal should be bathed, given milk and taken to a veterinary clinic.
Drowning
Cats are poor swimmers and try not to come close to water. If an accident does occur and the animal in the water is not breathing or moving, it should be pulled onto land as quickly as possible and held firmly by the hind legs and swing strongly, freeing the pet’s lungs from fluid. Then the cat needs to do artificial respiration and, if necessary, cardiac massage, and then take him to the veterinary clinic.
– remove foreign objects from her mouth and move her tongue to the side; – take the cat’s face into your mouth and forcefully blow air into its mouth and nostrils for several minutes. This should be done until the animal’s breathing returns to normal.
First aid for drowning
Artificial respiration can be alternated with indirect cardiac massage, which is done by rhythmically pressing the palms of the hands on the chest cats.
Seizures
Seizures can be caused by poisoning, brain injury, epilepsy, etc. During a seizure, the cat breathes heavily, begins to convulse and vomit, and involuntary urination may occur.
During a seizure, you should not put your finger in the animal’s mouth to pull out its tongue, since it cannot control itself and may accidentally bite. Also, you should not move the cat to another place. If the seizure lasts more than 5-10 minutes, it is recommended to call a veterinarian.
Suffocation
If a cat feels suffocated, it begins to shake its head violently. Her gums turn pale, salivation increases, and her movements become abrupt. During a particularly severe attack, the animal may lose consciousness.
To help your pet, you need to carefully examine its mouth and throat. If there are foreign objects in them, it is recommended to grab the animal by the hind legs and shake it. If you were unable to remove the foreign body yourself, take your pet to a veterinary clinic, where specialists will examine the cat and take the necessary measures.
Heart attack
Heart attacks in cats are quite rare. Its main symptoms are: rare and heavy breathing, high blood pressure and body temperature, dark gums, and the final stage is collapse. When the first signs of illness appear, the cat should be doused with cold water, which will quickly lower its body temperature. Then you need to wrap the animal in thick cloth and take it to a veterinary clinic to receive the necessary help.
Shock
If there is severe pain as a result of a fall, hypothermia, burn or severe nervous shock, the cat may fall into a state of shock.
The affected cat's heart rate and breathing become rapid, and the gums become pale. The animal reacts poorly to the voice and actions of people near it. The cat's movements become uncertain. In such a situation, it is best to wrap the pet in a blanket and take it to a veterinary clinic.
Electric shock
Cats, especially young ones, left unattended, can chew on a live electrical wire while playing. After passing through the animal's body, the electric current instantly causes collapse.
The main symptoms of electric shock: lack of movement, burns of the lips and tongue, respiratory and cardiac arrest. If the affected animal has a bitten wire in its mouth, it should be carefully unplugged from the outlet and, without touching the cat, call a veterinarian.
A bite of an insect
The short hair of Siamese cats provides these animals with poor protection from the bites of mosquitoes, bees and wasps, which only in rare cases pose a danger to the life and health of the pet, but are always accompanied by pain.
If a cat has been stung by a bee, you should carefully examine the site of the bite to make sure that there is no or no sting. If the insect has left its sting, it should be carefully removed using tweezers.
To soften the pain associated with the bite and reduce skin irritation, it is recommended to moisten the affected area every 10–20 minutes with milk, magnesium oxide, ammonia, aloe juice or a soda solution, which is prepared at the rate of 1 teaspoon of soda to 4 tablespoons of water.
Pain and skin irritation from a bee sting can also be relieved with the help of 0.5% hydrocortisone ointment, which is applied in a thin layer to the affected area, or a cold compress, for the preparation of which you should take several ice cubes and wrap them in a napkin.
The sense of smell helps cats receive information about the world around them. They diligently sniff every object that interests them, endangering their nose, which most often becomes a victim of insects. Small kittens can also be harmed during play. If they catch a bee or wasp in their paws or mouth, the insect will probably sting them on the roof of their mouth or tongue. This kind of bite is very dangerous, can cause suffocation and cause the death of the animal, so the injured cat must be taken to a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible.
Splinters
A cat can get a splinter on its paw from a plant thorn, wood chip, splinter, metal shavings, glass wool fiber, or fish bone. Having penetrated under the skin, a foreign body injures soft cloth, causing inflammation and pain.
To remove deep-seated splinters, you should seek help from a veterinarian, as surgery may be required.
Bites
Unattended cats often become victims of larger cats, dogs and even rats.
The saliva of all animals contains a large number of bacteria, so every wound resulting from a bite is potentially dangerous to the health of the animal.
Rabies is a disease that is quite rare in most civilized countries. The disease is usually transmitted by bites from dogs, wolves, raccoons and other wild animals. A cat infected with rabies becomes a carrier of the disease and poses a considerable danger to people. In order to exclude the possibility of spreading this virus, it is recommended that an animal with bite marks on its body be taken to a veterinarian and quarantined until a final diagnosis is made.
If the likelihood of your pet becoming infected with any disease during a bite is minimal, the cat can be treated at home. Of course, if there are severe injuries, the animal will still have to be shown to a specialist.
The main symptoms of illness caused by a strong bite: pain, open wound, bleeding.
Before you begin to provide first aid to your cat, you should protect yourself from a possible attack from her. Even the lightest touch to the injured area will cause pain in the animal, and it can scratch or bite the owner. If a cat's paw is injured, the animal can be wrapped in a thick blanket or towel, and the injured limb can be secured with a splint. If the wound is on the body, the animal will have to be held by the paws while bandaging.
It is almost impossible to do this alone, so it is recommended to enlist the support of another person before starting the procedure.
The Siamese cat is a small animal, so it cannot be muzzled. If such a need does arise, it is recommended to use an “Elizabethan collar,” which can be easily made using improvised means. To do this, cut out a circle with a diameter of 25 cm from thick cardboard with a small segment cut out of it (1/6 of the workpiece), in the center of which cut a hole slightly larger than the circumference of the animal’s neck. The collar is secured with a cord passed through holes located on the sides of the product.
When treating wounds received by your pet, it is recommended to use strong antibacterial drugs, commercially available in the form of creams and powders. Then a bandage is applied to the injured area.
Owners of Siamese cats, when traveling, often take their pets with them, which can become victims of poisonous snakes or spiders, whose bites are very dangerous. The breathing of the injured animal becomes heavy, and movements become constrained. In this case, to provide first aid, the cat should be injected with a special anti-snake serum and given coffee or tea to drink, after adding a little alcohol to the drink, and then take the animal to a veterinary clinic.
It should be noted that the lack of qualified assistance in case of a poisonous snake bite can lead to the death of a cat.
Burn
Contact of animal fur or skin with fire, hot water or air, as well as hot objects, leads to soft tissue burns in the cat. The injured pet feels severe pain, its skin turns red, its body temperature rises, its fur partially burns, and its breathing and heart rate increase.
Complications during the postpartum period
After finishing birth process a veterinarian conducts an examination. Modern medical methods (x-rays, palpation, etc.) make it possible to examine the condition of the uterus and definitely exclude retained placenta or fetus.
The doctor will give an injection of oxytocin, which promotes uterine involution and stimulates lactation, and also prevents the spread of postpartum infection. The veterinarian will examine the milk using various parameters and make a conclusion about its quality. If your cat's milk is found to be thick, curdled, clear or yellowish, this will mean that the animal is sick and the milk is infected.
Throughout the first postpartum week, the mother's temperature is kept under control (measurement is carried out once a day). Its rise to 39.4° C and higher signals complications.
Dark green or reddish discharge from the genital tract is considered normal. They are observed in the first 7–10 days and last, as a rule, up to 3 weeks. On the contrary, brownish or green serous-hemorrhagic discharge indicates infection of the uterus or retained placenta. They last over 3 weeks and, in addition, they are accompanied by intermittent fever, depression, and loss of strength.
Postpartum complications include different degrees of mastitis (acute mastitis, mastitis, congestive mastitis), postpartum hemorrhage (hemorrhage), hypogalactia, milk fever. These also include some mental disorders and emotional disorders, which can be expressed in aggression and rejection of kittens.
Purulent discharge that lasts more than 3 weeks also indicates the seriousness of the complications and requires urgent assistance from a specialist.
Siamese cats are one of the oldest and most... popular breeds in America, in accordance with CFA. Like any purebred, Siamese cats are prone to certain genetic diseases. The fact is that the more diverse the gene pool, the healthier the animal. This is why mixed breeds tend to be healthier.
We were not once so fragile and tender, but today everything has changed. Responsible breeders worked to develop the breed in order to eliminate the genetic predisposition of these cats to certain diseases. But, alas, it is not possible to completely rid this sensitive animal of the onset of diseases.
Siamese cats, as a rule, have always been quite difficult to tolerate anesthesia, unlike cats of other breeds, therefore usual procedures, such as sterilization or dental work can be much more difficult for them. In addition, some Siamese cats still carry the gene for convergent strabismus or cross-eyedness. Although it looks funny, it does not change behavior or ability to good eyesight in a Siamese cat. Another common problem is a bent or broken tail, which is often found in cats of this breed in various forms. It was once mandatory for a show cat to have a curved tail or multiple coccygeal hemivertebrae, but breeders, recognizing the kink as a violation of the breed standard, have worked to eliminate the gene that causes this trait.
Respiratory problems in Siamese cats
Siamese cats tend to be prone to respiratory problems, but this is only a problem in young cats. An upper respiratory tract infection is usually caused by one of two common pathogens. Calicivirus lasts about a week and manifests itself with nasal syndrome and discharge from the eyes, ulcers around the mouth and nose, general malaise, and widespread pain in the cat's nose and mouth. Feline rhinotracheitis can last from two to four weeks and is characterized by sneezing and increased salivation. However, most healthy adult Siamese cats do not suffer from these viral diseases because, like other purebred cats, they usually live indoors and are not vaccinated according to the vaccination schedule.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Siamese cats are sociable and intelligent, they need company. This is why so many Siamese cats in shelters need help. They do not tolerate living and staying in such institutions well, because they become depressed. They are better off in foster families. One way to highlight the Siamese's refusal to live like this is the emergence of a psychological disorder called psychogenic alopecia, in which they obsessively lick their fur and develop bald patches. This tendency to excessively lick can also be caused by boredom or anxiety, such as when moving to a new home, having a new family member, or problems with other cats.
Vestibular disease in Siamese cats
Some Siamese cats develop vestibular disease. This is a genetic problem that is associated with inner ear, in particular the nerve serving hearing aid. A cat with vestibular disease exhibits signs consistent with loss of balance, such as head tilt. The cat may be disoriented and dizzy. This is a relatively minor problem and the issue usually resolves on its own within a few weeks. If this seems to be too much for your cat, your veterinarian may prescribe medication.
Scientists have also identified a number of other diseases that a Siamese cat may be prone to, but they are still much less common. These include the following:
- mammary cancer (most often in unspayed or unspayed cats);
- some hereditary myocardial dystrophies;
- cutaneous asthenia is a hereditary connective tissue disease in Siamese cats, when the skin becomes soft and easily bursts;
- gastric hypokinesia – frequent vomiting;
- asthma - in rare cases, allergic in nature;
- endocrine alopecia – if not psychogenic, the cause must always be established;
- feline hyperesthesia syndrome - licking the back and tail with purring;
- pyloric dysfunction - narrowing of the lumen between the stomach and intestines;
- sphingomyelinosis is a disease nervous system, the appearance of blindness due to insufficiency of the enzymatic system.
Siamese cats live longer than other breeds - about 20 years or more, and are known to be a very healthy breed.
Just like humans, cats' eyes are a reflection of their health and state of mind. When your cat's eyes shift unusually, this is a sure sign that there is a problem with the nervous system. Rhythmic vibrations of the eyeballs (nystagmus) occurs in both cats and dogs. The animal's eyes twitch involuntarily, the pet is unable to control the vibrations.
Types of nystagmus in cats
There are two types of nystagmus - jerking and pendulum. Jerk (jerk) is characterized by slow eye movements in one direction, and then a sharp return to the previous state. With pendulum nystagmus, slight fluctuations of the pupils occur, in which eyeball hardly moves. However, the jerk type is much more common in veterinary practice.
There is another classification of nystagmus - horizontal and vertical (according to the plane of eye oscillation). The vertical type occurs only with deep brain lesions and is a minor symptom. In other disorders of the nervous system, the most common is the horizontal type.
There is one more important circumstance. So-called congenital nystagmus often occurs in Siamese cats. In most cases, this is not a pathology, but a normal physiological reaction that allows you to adapt to the situation environment. The same can be observed in people who have overloaded their vestibular apparatus (see below).
Symptoms of nystagmus
In addition to the main symptom of “shifty” eyes, your pet may also turn its head and even spin in place.
Causes of nystagmus in cats
Most of the reasons for “shifty” eyes lie in the nervous system. Disorders of both the peripheral and central nervous systems can lead to the development of nystagmus. Shifty eyes are often associated with problems with the vestibular system, which is sensitive to the balance of the head and body.
Examples of causes of peripheral nerve diseases that lead to nystagmus include hypothyroidism, neoplastic tumors, and physical damage resulting from trauma (car accident, etc.). Diseases of the central nervous system can occur due to: thiamine deficiency (vitamin B1), tumor, viral infection (particularly feline infectious peritonitis), inflammation, heart attack, heart hemorrhage, toxin poisoning (lead and others).
Severe stress can also cause short-term nystagmus. This condition includes motion sickness in transport, as well as childbirth. Over time, the cat's vestibular system stabilizes.
Diagnosis of "shifty" eyes
Disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system can most often be diagnosed using CT ( CT scan). Sometimes a urine test is done to check for infections. If these procedures do not lead to any result, they resort to the most complex method in very prestigious clinics - analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.
Treatment of nystagmus
Treatment directly depends on the disease that caused the nystagmus and its severity. Only by getting rid of the main problem can this symptom be eliminated along with it. Diseases of the central nervous system will have to be treated more intensively than lesions of the peripheral nervous system. If your cat has anorexia and vomiting, you will need to give a special fluid by mouth to prevent dehydration. However, the list of medications for each case is individual, and the veterinarian draws it up based on the diagnosis. The same goes for aftercare.
Most neurologists recommend examinations every two weeks to monitor the progress of treatment. Secondary symptoms, such as vomiting and dehydration also cannot be ignored. Experience shows that cats recover faster after diseases of the peripheral nervous system.
Prevention of "shifty" eyes
It is impossible to formulate a specific system of preventive measures for nystagmus, because There are many reasons, including congenitality. The only thing we can advise is to avoid poisoning your cat with lead and other toxins. In addition to Siamese cats, cats with albinism are predisposed to this disease, keep this in mind. Some kittens under one year of age may exhibit nystagmus, but this is very rare and will go away soon.
