Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
WATCH YOUR BOY
There is a subtle posture difference when a cat urinates or defe-
cates. If you observe your male cat straining to eliminate and you
are not sure he is constipated, you should consult with a veterinari-
an immediately. Male cats can get life-threatening urinary block-
ages, and straining to urinate may be the only sign they show.
product or you can get plain Metamucil and give your cat one to three
teaspoons a day. One tablespoon of canned pumpkin two to three times
a day also works as a laxative.
Kitty Gets Carsick
Whether it is stress or motion sickness, some cats vomit when they trav-
el in a car.You can give a cat half a 25-mg tablet of Dramamine 30 min-
utes before travel to calm his stomach.This drug is an antihistamine, so
your pet may get sleepy. Removing your cat's food and water for a few
hours before travel also decreases the likelihood of vomiting during a
car ride.
Kitty Was Stung by a Bee
It is unusual for a cat to have an anaphylactic reaction to an insect bite
or sting, but it is normal for redness and swelling to occur at the site.
(An anaphylactic reaction is a severe and potentially fatal allergic reac-
tion that can occur within seconds of contact to an allergen.)
Benadryl can be given to cats to help prevent the localized allergic
reaction that results from a sting.You can give half a 25-mg tablet to a
cat or 12.5 mg of the liquid. Be sure the medication you are using is
diphenhydramine only, because many antihistamine preparations also
contain acetaminophen, which can be life-threatening to a cat.
Chlor-Trimeton, the brand name for chlorpheniramine, can be used
for cats. It comes as a 4-mg tablet and a cat can take half a tablet, twice a
day. This antihistamine can be used for an allergic reaction or for itchy skin.
Encounters With Oil
Cats who go outside often crawl into spots they shouldn't. One of the
possible results is that they can become covered in oil or grease from
