Ask the Expert.. July Aug 13

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: Polka, my Persian, keeps grooming himself. He kind of retches and vomits some fur too. How can we reduce his excessive grooming habit?
-Kavita, Mumbai

Dr KG Umesh: During the routine activity of grooming, cats swallow varying quantities of hair. Length of grooming is highly variable among cat breeds with short or long hair coat. If small quantities of hair accumulate in the stomach or small intestine, the cat can cough and retch until the hairball is vomited. Occasionally a large mass of entangled hair called trichobezoar accumulates and can be as large as nine cm long. Clinical signs include vomiting, anorexia and may lead to a potentially serious obstruction. This condition is very rare. Hairballs can be diagnosed by radiograph or endoscopy. Hair ball diets containing high fibre diets to bulk the lumen, or lubricant laxatives such as paraffin wax are prescribed to treat the obstruction. Itching in some cats, sometimes, manifests as excessive grooming behaviour. Fleas, allergies, mange or fungal infections that stimulate itching must be ruled out.

For queries about your cat, call us at 1800407112121 (Toll free) (toll free from all BSNL nos.) or email us at whiskas.india@eu.effem.com

Ask the Expert.. March April 2013

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: I am shifting from Bengaluru to Pune. I have two cats - three and five years old - who have never travelled. What is the best manner to travel with them – by road or flight? How do I accustom them to travel? Should I buy separate crates for them?
- R Murli, Bengaluru

Dr K G Umesh: One of the best investments you must make when you have cats is to buy a modern carrying

[caption id="attachment_8375" align="alignright" width="250"] Shy and Molly[/caption]

cage/crate that can be easily cleaned and disinfected. Cats being transported by whatever means should always travel in a safe carrier. If your cats live together and are familiar, you can put them in a single carrier. The pets should also have a tag to make it easy to track them if they get lost. Visit a vet prior to your journey to ascertain that the pets are in good health and are vaccinated. Give them a light meal about two hours before they travel. Let your pets ‘try out’ the carrying container before the trip and put a familiar-smelling stuff in the container to help your pets settle. Give your pets the opportunity to go to the toilet before they are put in the carrying containers. If you are planning to travel by road, make sure your cats are accustomed to car travel. This can be done by letting the cats just sit in the car without the car moving. When the cats are comfortable with this, take the cats round the block, and gradually move up to taking the cats on journeys for 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. You will also know if they are likely to be sick or excitable in the car. If your pets’ car sickness is truly motion related, your vet can also prescribe medications to fight travel illness.

Ask the Expert.. Jan Feb 2013

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My three-year-old cat Tom is having a lot of hair fall, especially in certain area patches. Is this some allergy? What should we do?
- Ashish Shukla, Ghaziabad

Dr K G Umesh: Hair loss/shedding is a common complaint with skin disorders and results from number of

[caption id="attachment_8385" align="alignright" width="300"] Chokki[/caption]

causes. Cats may shed excessive hair because of stress, worms, harsh climate and general illness. Therefore, my approach would be to find underlying cause(s) like fleas, ticks, mange or allergy, hormonal imbalance, bacterial or yeast infection, etc and then your vet will be able to recommend suitable medications that will eliminate the cause and therefore hair fall. Balanced and complete nutrition is most important for healthy skin and hair coat.

Ask the Expert.. Nov Dec 2012

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My two male Persians get into ego hassles and start battling each other. How do we make them more cordial

[caption id="attachment_8395" align="alignright" width="250"] Billu[/caption]

to each other and if they get in an aggressive situation- how do we separate them?
- R Ramesh, Mysore

Dr KG Umesh: Cats are territorial creatures and they do like to go outdoors to establish a territory in relation to neighbouring cats. This is far more important for toms (male cats) than it is for queens (female cats). Tom cats may establish a territory which is 10 times larger than that of queens. The territory of a domestic cat will be centred on his own home-base and he will use smells, sounds, scratches and other marks to define the boundaries. The territory of a cat only remains fixed for as long as the cat dominates the area - if another cat arrives on the scene, there may be a confrontation, boundaries may have to be redrawn, and life goes on. Treatment for aggression between cats living in the same household requires separation when supervision is not possible. Treating intercat aggression takes time (sometimes months), so, patience is a necessity. The aggressor is banished to a less desirable location (for example, spare room) while the victim is allowed free range or access to favourite locations. The aggressor can be fitted with a harness or collar and bells, allowing both victim and pet parent to hear the aggressor at all times. At the first sign of aggression, the aggressor should be startled using the mildest stimulus necessary. The stimulus (for example, calling his name) used to startle the aggressor is meant to interrupt and distract but not to terrify the cat, as fear can increase aggression. Reintroduction is gradual and supervised at all times, with you vigilant during these sessions. It is also important to provide strictly indoor cats with a stimulating environment that includes playing and searching opportunities, hiding places, and high perched resting areas. Neutering and medications to controlling undesired behaviours are other options.

Ask the Expert.. Sep Oct 2012

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My cat is extremely vocal when I put on my shoes to step out- he keeps following me and keeps a close contact. My family says after I leave, he sulks and hides in a corner - he sometimes eats very little too. How do I calm him?
- Karuna, Pune

Dr KG Umesh: Cats communicate in several different ways, using not only sounds but also posture and

[caption id="attachment_8388" align="alignright" width="300"] Paly[/caption]

behaviour. Tactile communications include rubbing against others including people, grooming and nose touching which is used as greeting. Auditory communications include purring, which occurs primarily during contact with other individual. The trill or meow is used as greeting calls. As long as cats are given plenty of stimulation and space, they can live contented lives. Enrichment of the living space is particularly important to ensure the cat feels secure and avoids boredom. Environmental enrichment is a means of providing your cat with opportunities to express his normal range of behaviour when he lives in a physically limited environment. Allowing your cat interesting opportunities to play, ‘hunt’, feed and be friendly will help prevent problems which can arise from boredom in confined cats. Toys (particularly hanging or moving), feeding puzzles, making use of resting places at a range of heights and different locations and access to a view of the outdoors all help stimulate indoor cats. For example, cats love watching birds attracted to a feeding table outside a window! Food treats or toys left in cardboard boxes encourage cats to explore, hide and play. It’s important that cats kept exclusively indoors are given plenty of contact from their pet parents as this helps make up for less stimulation in other ways.

Ask the Expert.. July Aug 2012

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My five-year-old Persian cat is having hard stool; he sometimes passes stool after 2-3 days. We give him a mix of home and cat food (dry). Is he suffering from constipation?
- Hari, Vadodara

Dr KG Umesh: Constipation is a frequent sign of large intestine problem in cats. Constipation can result from simple causes like bone, hair ball, and lack of exercise or old age. Other causes include injury to pelvis or motility disorders, mega colon (dilated intestine) or problem with nerves controlling intestine. Administration of safe laxative is usually sufficient to take care of simple problems. However, if constipation continues and cat shows signs of pain or discomfort, then vet attention should be sought. Mix of home and dry manufactured food may not meet your cat’s requirements. Feed complete pet food from a reputed pet food manufacturer.

Ask the Expert.. May June 2012

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: I have a five years old cat (male) and want to get another three and a half months old kitten in. How should I introduce them and take care of both of them? Is it ok to adopt a female cat or should I look at adopting a male cat?
– Sudhakar, Gurgaon

Dr KG Umesh: Whatever your reasons to add another cat to the family, just be aware that bringing in a new cat is a huge change for an older cat - and unless you go about it the right way, it could create a lot of stress. When a new cat is introduced into the household, it is wise to let her familiarise herself with her surroundings before she meets any resident cats or other animals. Here are a few ways you can help make the process of introducing your older cat to a new cat less stressful: All you need to do is rub your new kitten with an old piece of your clothing, one that holds your smell. That way, your new kitten will already have something familiar about her and will be accepted more easily. Since your new kitten is still young, there shouldn’t be any major problems. The pecking order will immediately be determined by the difference in ages. In most cases, the kitten will follow the lead of the older cat, who’ll protect the new and vulnerable arrival. It’s slightly more tricky if an older kitten is being introduced to a younger one, since her more developed self-confidence can lead to minor fights. Tom cats may establish a territory which is ten times larger than that of queens. In this case, start by making much more fuss of the younger kitten and then let the two of them settle. While they get used to each other, make sure that they have separate food and water bowls, and their own sleeping places and litter trays. Feeding old cat first at meal times is a good trick. They’ll soon be completely content in each other’s company.

Ask the Expert.. Mar Apr 2012

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My cat is sneezing, has a runny nose and is coughing. Please help.
– Prashant Das, Kolkata

Dr KG Umesh: These signs are often caused by a combination of infectious diseases, with chronic recurrent viral infections complicated by secondary bacterial infections. Primary bacterial or fungal infections and non-infectious causes (foreign body, immune-mediated, dental disease, polyps, and growths) should be considered as well. Initial diagnostic testing is not indicated if clinical presentation fits with simple viral infection, but testing should be performed in complicated cases or if other causes are suspected. Isolation, good hygiene, and supportive care help control viral infections, and antimicrobial agents are often needed. Regular vaccination and other preventive health measures help. Please consult your vet for further treatment.

Ask the Expert.. Jan Feb 2012

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: I have two Persians – Bhombol (female) aged three years and Bhodka (male) aged two years. When can I breed them?
– PK Bandyopadhyay, Goa

Dr KG Umesh: Female cats have generally their first season during six and nine months of age. Cats do not

ovulate unless they are bred. The stages of oestrus cycle (season) in the queen are anoestrus, proestrus, oestrus and interoestrus. Proestrus lasts for 2-3 days without showing any signs and queen won’t want to mate. Oestrus lasts between 2-10 days and shows signs such as vocalisation, rolling and rubbing against inanimate objects and sticking her back end in the air. This means she is in season and will want to mate. Interoestrus occurs if queen doesn’t mate and may last for 3-14 days. Anoestrus is period when there is no hormonal activity. Pregnancy length for cats is approximately 64 days and may vary from 53-65 days.

Ask the Expert..Nov Dec 11

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: I have three cats - the problem I have is that they keep peeing everywhere - how do I stop this? How do I get them used to using the litter box?
– Shanaz Kader, Mumbai

Dr KG Umesh: Cats are naturally clean animals, for whom litter tray training is usually a relatively simple procedure. Kittens should start to use a litter tray as soon as possible. Ideally, the day that you bring your new kitten or cat home, you should make her aware of the location of the litter tray. The litter tray should be positioned in a quiet area of the house so that the cat may use it in private. The tray should not be sited near the cat’s feeding bowls, since cats do not like to soil the area near their food. It is best to provide a plastic litter tray which sides are not too deep, so that the kitten may easily get in and out, but will provide an adequate depth of litter in which she may bury her faeces. As the kitten grows up, the litter tray will need to be increasingly deeper. This will not only ensure that the litter is not scratched everywhere when the faeces is buried, but also that the cat does not ‘miss’ the tray when urinating.

Young kittens will often want to urinate and defecate when they wake up and after they have eaten. When litter training kittens, it is important to place them on the litter tray at these times and reward them for eliminating in the appropriate place. You will soon know when your cat is looking for a suitable place to use as a toilet, since she will start sniffing, scratching and begin to crouch, try to catch her and place her in the litter tray at this point. If your cat has a little ‘accident,’ clean up the soiled area, best with a non-ammonia based product, since your cat may perceive the smell of ammonia to be similar to urine.

Soiled litter should be removed at least once a day, ideally faeces should be removed as soon as you discover them. At least once a week the litter tray should be completely changed and the tray thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

If none of the above solves the problem of your cat soiling in inappropriate places, you should have your cat checked by a veterinarian to ensure that the problem is not due to an underlying medical condition.

Ask the Expert..Sep Oct 11

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My cat Bella gets wax frequently and keeps scratching her ears with her paws. There seem to be some small lumps inside her ears. Please help.
– Bhavya Mohan, Mumbai

Dr KG Umesh: Otitis externa (inflammation of ear canal) is a complex disease process involving primary, predisposing and perpetuating causes. The first goal of treating otitis externa is to discover and treat the primary cause. Identifying and treating/eliminating these causes is the key to resolving the condition. Foreign bodies and larger parasites, such as ticks, can often simply be removed under tranquilization or general anaesthesia. Ear mites can be treated with one of many commercially available products and appropriate treatment of endocrine and immune-mediated disorders help to resolve associated otitis. Management of allergic diseases, although sometimes difficult, also helps resolve associated otitis. Tumours and growths can be surgically removed. Perpetuating causes of otitis are the next concern for treatment. Infection, excessive exudates and inflammation of the canal are addressed through various ear cleaning protocols, topical therapies, and systemic therapies-often in combination. Finally, it is important to evaluate and manage or eliminate potential predisposing factors.

Ask the Expert..July-Aug 11

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My cat Rani, who is seven years old, seems to have swollen gums with little bleeding. She also has bad breath. Please help.
-- R Muthy, Bangalore

Dr KG Umesh: There are many oral and respiratory diseases that contribute to bad breath in cats. Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion, periodontal diseases and feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) are some of the common dental diseases seen in senior cats. Bacteria associated with dental tartar and dental pain due to diseased teeth and gums contribute to the bad breath and bleeding. Control of gingivitis (gums inflammation) should involve regular dental home care, including tooth brushing, use of oral antiseptics, special diets and chews. Professional periodontal therapy including tooth scaling and polishing may be required. Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis which involves the irreversible destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth. Treatment of periodontitis requires professional periodontal therapy, including supra- and subgingival scaling and polishing, root surface debridement and teeth extraction in cases of advanced disease. Older cats should continue to receive regular dental cleanings and extractions to make sure good dental health is maintained. Take your cat to your vet ASAP.

I would like to know what food..

Q: I have a one-year-old GSD male. I would like to know what food should be given to him in summer and if any special care needs to be taken in the hot months. He sometimes is not very keen on eating food though otherwise his appetite is not much of a problem. I would also like to know certain tips on the overall health of this particular breed. How many times should we bathe him in summer?
- Snigdha, Pune

Dr KG Umesh: Heat and heat stress affects skin health and digestive health and in addition to heat stroke, the susceptible pets (puppies, young dogs, aged pets) are prone to develop a number of heat related diseases due to hyperthermia and reduced immune function. Dogs tend to eat less in summer but they spend more energy in an effort to lower the body temperature (e.g., panting). Therefore, a well-balanced nutritionally complete diet like Pedigree (which also contains some natural antioxidants) confers some protection against the effects of heat stress. Feed during cooler part of the day, if possible, or increase frequency of feeding. Make sure that you feed total recommended quantity of food for your pet in 2-3 meals. Remember to give them plenty of water so they don’t become dehydrated in the warm weather. Avoid exercising your pet in the midday heat. It’s extremely dangerous to leave a pet alone in a vehicle/room/outdoors in the sun – even with a window open – as an overheated car/room can have fatal consequences. Your pets can only cool down by panting, so make sure they have access to shade, proper shelter and water when outside. Dogs only need bathing when they are dirty or on the advice of your veterinarian.

Q: I have a five-month-old Labrador. His ears remain half erect most of times. It was alright till three months. Do I need to worry and is there something I need to do?
- Kunwar Partap Singh

Dr KG Umesh: If there are no signs of ear infection, this can be considered “normal” and many a time they become erect as ear cartilage becomes tough. Wait and watch is simple answer until he grows to an adult.

Q: My female Labrador has conceived for second time. The first time there were five puppies but were not healthy. Do advice how do I take care of her. Also in the life span of the dog, how many times is it okay for her to become pregnant? What should be the time difference between each pregnancy- so that the mother keeps healthy? If we do not want more puppies- when is it a good time to spay her?
- Rohit Medade

Dr KG Umesh: Lactation represents the most nutritionally demanding life stage for the female dog. During the first four weeks post whelping, she must eat enough to support both herself and her rapidly growing puppies. She may need to eat up to four times. Failure to meet these demands means that she will nurse her young at the expense for her own body reserves, with a resultant loss of weight and condition. The reproductive efficiency is generally greatest between three and five years of age. A female dog spayed before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary cancer but spaying can be done anytime now for your dog (avoid when she is in heat). Spaying removes both the uterus and both ovaries and is crucial in the prevention of many medical problems like mammary cancer and uterus infection etc.

Q: I want a house pet and am confused between a GSD and a Rottweiler. Can you advice what points should I consider before adopting either of them.
- Dr Vishal Shah, Ahmedabad

Dr KG Umesh: Why do you need a dog? Most people choose to keep a dog for companionship, but your choice may be influenced by whether you expect your dog to have a protective or working role, or if you intend to show or breed from your dog. You must consider your own environment (space, time for exercise etc) and the characteristics of your chosen breeds and try to match up the two and select the one who match your environment and preferences. For example, GSD is acclaimed for his versatility, renowned for his intelligence, and beloved for his devotion and loyalty to his owner. The Rottweiler is a large intimidating-looking dog with muscular and powerful body. They must be thoroughly socialized at an early age as most Rottweilers are inclined towards dominance/aggression and will test for position in the family pecking order.

Q: My Lhasa Apso puppy is 45 days old. We are feeding him four times with four hours gap: 6 am (milk), 11 am (Pedigree weaning or cerelac), 3pm (curd rice), 7 pm (cerelac), but the pup is still hungry and is asking for more. He urinates more than 20 - 30 times, sometimes white in colour and sometimes yellow. He does poop four times. Should we feed him more?
- Dinesh Koti

Dr KG Umesh: As the owner of a new puppy, you’ll want him to grow up fit and healthy, and reach his full genetic potential; all you have to do is provide your puppy with the correct diet right from the start. Proper nutrition allows for the puppy to reach his full genetic potential. It is difficult even for an experienced breeder to get the nutritional balance just right by preparing home made food. Overfeeding or too much of cereals may cause frequent and loose stools. Remember that puppies grow approximately 12 times faster than baby and baby foods/home prepared diets do not meet nutrient requirements of puppy. Mixing Pedigree with home food make his diet unbalanced. The best idea is to get your puppy used to eating only commercially prepared foods like Pedigree from the very start as they are designed to meet all their nutritional requirements.

Q: I have a Labrador who is four months old. My puppy’s front legs are becoming lean and chest/abdomen is growing and his weight is 18 kg now. He is currently having dog food four times a day with a four-hour gap. Is his growth normal?
- Manjith, Trivandrum

Dr KG Umesh: A nutritionally balanced diet is crucial for the healthy growth and development of a puppy in order to prepare him for an active, long and healthy life. Growing large breed puppies like yours are prone to develop skeletal problems by either overfeeding or underfeeding energy or/and calcium. It is therefore important to monitor his general condition and record his weight regularly on the puppy growth. The best idea is to get your puppy used to eating commercially prepared foods from the very start. The advantages of reputed commercially prepared foods are that they meet all a dog’s nutritional requirements and they don’t require any food supplements including calcium.

My four months old English Mastiff puppy

Q: My four months old English Mastiff puppy is on dog food. Her weight is 29 kg. What quantity should I feed her per feeding – I feed her three meals a day. My puppy is not ready to walk long distances. At what age will she be ready to walk long distances? Do advice her exercise needs according to her age.
-Prabhakar R Patil, Kolhapur

Dr KG Umesh: Feed the required quantity as mentioned on the pet food label, three to four times a day. All dogs need exercise but the amount depends greatly on the individual dog. Puppies don’t need to be encouraged to exercise. However, you have to be careful not to over-exercise them because their bones aren’t very strong. Large breed generally becomes adult by 24 months of age. The rule is to exercise them a little, and often, probably not lasting for longer than 20-30 minutes for each exercise. Exercise to your dog’s abilities, not yours.

Q: I have a three years old female German Shepherds, who is facing skin problem at chest and thigh. My vet prescribed medicines. After using the medicines on a regular basis, my observation is that the problem reduces in a slow manner but also spreads in the other areas rapidly. I am facing this disease with my dog since last 5-6 months. Please advice.
– Suman Kar, Chittaranjan

Dr KG Umesh: German Shepherds are highly susceptible to certain chronic skin diseases. All chronic or recurring skin problems require some lab tests to find underlying cause. Your vet can do simple skin and blood tests that will help to identify causes like parasites, allergies, fungal or yeast infection, etc. Therefore, my approach would be to find underlying cause and then your vet will be able to recommend suitable shampoos and medications that will eliminate the cause and therefore recurring problem.

Q: Buddy- my four and a half years old Golden Retriever’s platelets count is very less (76000) and is undergoing treatment since Dec’10 for the same. It increased from 55000 to 76000. Moreover he’s got a ringworm problem too. Lately the test showed a reduced thyroid too. Please advice.
- Anupam Sharma, Mumbai

Dr KG Umesh: It is difficult for me to suggest specific treatment or diagnostic plan with the available information. Considering his multiple medical problems, I would suggest a complete medical examination and lab tests to arrive at a confirmatory diagnosis. These medical problems may be complications from an underlying disease or may be unrelated also.

Q: My two and a half months old Lab male puppy is frequently urinating and defecating inside the house. How do I house train him?
– Amrutha Sanish, Mysore

Dr KG Umesh: House training rarely presents a problem with puppies who have been reared under normal conditions. A young puppy needs to urinate and defecate frequently as he has a very small bladder and bowel. This gives you as a puppy owner plenty of opportunity to praise your puppy for performing in the right area, allowing him to learn quickly. Do not punish your puppy for doing wrong. It is your responsibility to ensure that you take your puppy to the chosen toilet area as frequently as he needs to go, generally as soon as he wakes up, after every meal and at hourly intervals. Take your puppy outside, wait with him until he performs and then praise him by giving him a snack or playing with him. Whilst he is learning, it is essential that you wait with him, so that you can praise him at the correct time. Young puppies will inevitably have ‘accidents’. It is important to ignore these, and to clean up well so that the smell does not linger, as this may encourage him to repeat the performance on the same spot. Do not scold your dog for mistakes, but rather reward him when he is correct and he will soon want to go outside. It is also possible to train your dog to urinate and defecate on command.

Q: How can I take care of a Rottweiler during summer?
– Kannan Ramakrishnan, Bangalore

Dr KG Umesh: Generally dogs eat less in summer because of heat or heat stress. But energy requirement increases with increase in ambient temperature. This means he may need to eat more during hot summer. A well-balanced nutritionally complete diet like Pedigree confers some protection against the effects of heat stress. Feed during cooler part of the day, if possible or increase frequency of feeding. Remember to give them plenty of water so he doesn’t become dehydrated in the warm weather. It’s extremely dangerous to leave a pet alone in a vehicle/room/outdoors in the sun – even with a window open – as an overheated car/room can have fatal consequences. Avoid exercising your pet in the midday heat and stick to early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler. It’s important your pets get their annual vaccinations and regular worm/parasitic treatment during summer.

one year old cat prefers wet food..

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My one year old cat prefers wet food and is not eating her dry cat food. Is it ok to feed her wet food only? We are mixing the wet food with rice and feeding her twice a day. Also can I feed her fish, chicken or mutton?
-Thelma, Kottayam

Dr KG Umesh: A typical wet food contains 70-120 Kcal per 100g, whereas a dry food contains around 350-400 kcal per 100g. Both wet and dry cat food from reputed manufacturers like Whiskas are complete and balanced food, the difference being water content. Therefore cat will drink more water while eating less dry food compared to wet food. Feeding only wet food also benefits urinary tract health in cats. Feeding one format may encourage the cat to eat the other, i.e. if cat doesn’t like dry food, you can add wet to encourage the cat to eat the dry food. A nutritionally balanced diet is crucial for the healthy growth and development of a cat in order to prepare him for an active, long, and healthy life. Cats cannot thrive on the same basic nutrients as human beings due to their different physiology and the nutrients are needed in proportionately larger quantities. Prepared pet foods from reputable pet food manufacturers come with a guarantee of nutritional adequacy, quality and safety. Our research indicated that most homemade diets/foods fed to cats in our country are inadequate. Therefore do not feed any supplements or home diet while he is feeding on commercial cat food from reputed manufacturer.

three-month-old female Persian kitten.

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: I have a three-month-old female Persian kitten. What is the breeding cycle of cats and at what age should one breed them? What is the gestation period of kittens? - Rajiv, Goa

Dr KG Umesh: Female cats have generally their first season during six and nine months of age. Cats do not ovulate unless they are bred. The stages of oestrus cycle (season) in the queen are anoestrus, proestrus, oestrus and interoestrus. Proestrus lasts for 2-3 days without showing any signs and queen won’t want to mate. Oestrus lasts between 2-10 days and show signs such as vocalization, rolling and rubbing against inanimate objects and sticking her back end in the air. This means she is in season and will want to mate. Interoestrus occurs if queen doesn’t mate and may last for 3-14 days. Anoestrus is period when there is no hormonal activity. Pregnancy length for cats is approximately 64 days and may vary from 53-65 days.

Ask the Expert.. | Jan Feb 2011

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My cat who is nine years old is showing pain and difficulty in movement. Please do advice.
Ajith, Coimbatore

Dr KG Umesh: Your pet may be having neuromuscular, skeletal or joint problem considering age and symptoms mentioned here. Some causes of pain in senior cat include joint diseases, inflammatory or infectious diseases and neoplasia. The definitive diagnosis for pain is made by evaluating your cat’s history, clinical signs, radiographic/scanning findings and relevant lab tests. The treatment plan depends on the underlying cause and also includes weight management (in overweight/obese cats), exercise moderation, physical therapy, nutritional and anti-inflammatory medications. Do not administer human pain killers as they are toxic to cats

Ask the expert..Nov-Dec 10

Q: My cat Oliver is a two-month-old Persian. Please advice about cat training and flea prevention.
- Asma Nadeem Ahmed, Bangalore

 

A: Dr KG Umesh: Early socialisation is the process by which a cat learns to relate appropriately to people, other cats and to her environment. The 'sensitive period' for socialisation lies between two and seven weeks of age in kittens. Getting the socialisation of your kitten right in the first few months of life ensures your kitten will develop a secure, well-adjusted personality. It also improves the quality of the cat-owner relationship and is very important for preventing behaviour problems. As with all training, it should be kind and based on positive reinforcement, rewarding correct action and ignoring all unwanted behaviours. Effective training should contain a combination of information (what you want the cat to do), motivation (a reason for the cat to do it) and timing (when to give the reward for a good action).

Flea control must be done in her environment before treating infested cat. Your veterinarian will recommend a suitable de-fleaing agent and will advise you on an effective flea-eradication programme that is safe for cats. Always follow the directions carefully, and remember to treat other pets in the household as well. Remove all of your cat's bedding and wash it well (hot wash cycle), along with the box or basket. Don't forget to vacuum thoroughly around the carpets and furniture.

Ask the expert..Sep-Oct 10

Q. Please do advice about behavioural abnormalities in cats.
– Ashimi Das, Guwahati

 

A: Dr KG Umesh: Cats make good pets because their needs are simple and they like the security of their own home, from which they can explore their own territory and hunt. In a few respects, cats are fussy - they can be fussy about their food and even more so about getting wet. Cats are known to be solitary hunters when their way of life allows it and therefore, hunting is a normal, instinctive behaviour in cats. A comprehensive history including behavioural assessment, history and diagnostic tests are required to identify what is really a behavioural problem in cats. For example, a cat who is urinating inappropriately could have urinary tract problem or may have joint problem that makes the cat difficult to use the litter box. Cats who are deprived of social interaction with humans or other kittens during socialization period may not be able to develop normal social relationships and may demonstrate behavioural problems. These problems include rejection of or aggression toward humans (especially children), aggression toward other cats, failure to mate successfully, and rejection. Cats who begin eliminating outside the litter box on a regular basis after being trained may do so for many reasons including illness, anxiety, an aversion to the type or location of the box or litter, or a preference for another location or litter. Intact males who show urine-marking (spraying) behaviour may require neutering. An owner who appreciates the natural, instinctive behaviour of their cat such as his body language or when he is showing sexual behaviour is much better equipped to react appropriately in any situation. Proper socialization, handling, good care and understanding normal cat behaviour will prevent many of these behavioural problems.

Ask the expert..July-Aug 10

Q: Please give inputs on different areas of kitten care.
– Vrushali Makarand Pandit, Pune

 

A: Dr KG Umesh: Cats are solitary animals and like to spend some time alone. Best time to bring home a kitten is when they are six weeks old or more. A small box with high sides placed in a warm, draft-free location is an ideal environment. The floor should be padded with washable towels or disposable papers. The first few days after your kitten comes home, continue to feed the food she’s used to have, to help prevent tummy upsets. Then you can gradually introduce a new food. Growing kittens have specific nutritional requirements, and the simplest way to fulfil them is to buy a good quality complete diet from a reputed manufacturer (for example, Whiskas dry or wet). Play is the key to kitten learning – and also provides exercise. It develops their physical and mental abilities, strengthen their muscles and increases their social skills. Make time to play so that she can continue to develop her ‘cat skills’ – like stalking and pouncing. Toys should be small and light enough to bat and carry around in her mouth – but not small enough to be swallowed. Short-haired kittens only need grooming once or twice a week, but long-haired breeds need at least 15 minutes every day. Until your kitten is used to being groomed, keep sessions short, and make her stand on a folded towel, to help her feel secure while you brush her. There are vaccinations (from age of nine weeks with two booster every three weeks) and deworming that will protect your kitten from a number of serious and highly infectious or parasitic diseases. Lastly, your kitten needs to learn the house rules–proper training, litter training and socialization (introduce to everyday sights, sounds people, etc). Consult your vet for further information and vaccinations schedule.