Ask the Expert.. May June 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: My cats are two and three years old. What is the best age to neuter and are there any side effects in terms of health?
- Ayush, Delhi

Dr K G Umesh: Spaying/castration is an irreversible means by which a cat is rendered sterile. Spaying at a young age prevents mammary cancer and neutering at any age prevents unwanted kittens, noisy heat cycles, roaming, fighting and possibly even urine marking in the house. The procedure entails complete removal of the uterus and ovaries in females and testicles in males. Surgery is preceded by a fasting period and requires general anaesthesia and hospitalisation. However, most hospitals/clinics discharge cats the same day as surgery. Complications are unusual/rare but may include post surgical haemorrhage or infection. Postoperative care includes restriction of exercise for a week, protection of the incision from contaminants, and daily monitoring of the incision for inflammation or discharge. The incision must stay dry and suture removal is usually performed 7-10 days after surgery. There are also hospitals/clinics, which conduct spaying with Keyhole or Laparoscopy methods, with minimum invasive surgery and on out-patient basis. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on what exactly is involved with the operation and also on the best time for it to be performed. The traditional age for spaying is six months. However, the last few years has brought us a great deal of research into 'early' spaying and we now know that there is no problem with spaying as early as eight weeks of age.

Cats & Kittens May June 2012 Issue

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  From Russia with love

  
  Long body, wide-set green eyes, long and dense fur, and mild disposition – that’s how a Nebelung kitty is!


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  Kool kitties

  
  Sun is the powerful giver of life but it can be dangerous... especially in summer. Here’s how to keep your kitties cool in summer.


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  Ask the Expert..

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


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  It’s purrfect!

  
  Most cats communicate through a variety of vocal noises, such as purring, hissing, meowing, to name a few. They generally display their own personalities through these vocalisations and most people find them very endearing... sometimes though they can be very annoying.


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  We are carnivores!

  
  Cats are carnivores and they need to eat a meat-based diet. Certain nutrients are available in meat-based diet only and these are lost to the cat if she is fed only vegetarian diet. For healthy growth, cats need amino acids from proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and water.


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  Gulp with a touch of the tongue

  
  


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  What to do if you find a stray pet?

  
  Don’t panic if you see a stray animal - you can help. Here are sensible ways to help.


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  Kitty Facts...

  
  You have probably heard many interesting facts about cats like they have more bones than humans; they can feel with their whiskers, their urine glows in the dark, etc. Here are a few more interesting facts about your cool felines.

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.

Cats & Kittens May June 2011 Issue

Savannah the Mini Cheeetah Blessed with the marking and attitude of the magnificent Cheetahs and an affectionate temperament, the Savannahs are simply superb. Abscess in felines Abscesses developed due to puncture wounds inflicted during fights among male cats are very common. Here are some symptoms and protection measures of abscesses. Ask the Expert.. Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia. Little miss PURRFECT Cats are smart – and have their own personalities, here’s how to teach kitty etiquettes. Being ‘Nosey’! There is no animal who will investigate a different smell more earnestly than the cat. Their sense of smell is highly developed and very little escapes them. Beat the Heat! Summers can be hard on our felines too. Here are a few tips to make summers comfortable for your kitty. Solving litter box problems You can resolve litter box issues by taking a closer look at your cat’s environment.