Every year, I compile a list of New Year’s Day resolutions. Typically, the same items top my list each year. For instance, I always desire to lose weight and spend more time with my family members. Perhaps, you want to get healthier in the New Year. You may also wish for your beloved pet to enjoy better health this year. To help you accomplish this important task, schedule regular appointments for your pet with his or her veterinarian. A veterinarian can inform you of any health problems your pet may be experiencing. On this blog, I hope you will discover the importance of taking your pet to annual veterinarian appointments. Enjoy!
If your cat has been diagnosed as anemic, it means that your cat has an inadequate blood supply. When a cat doesn't have enough blood, it makes everything more difficult, as the blood is needed to feed organs like the brain, as well as transferring oxygen throughout the body. If your veterinarian has determined that your cat is anemic, here are the four steps they may take to treat your cat.
Nutrition
Anemia can be caused by a lot of things, but poor nutrition is one of the most common reasons. Your vet will probably ask you about what your cat eats on a daily basis. If your cat isn't eating a balanced diet of cat food, they may become anemic. This is especially common when pet owners make their own homemade cat food. If there's a poor balance of nutrients like iron, your cat may suffer as a result.
Thankfully, putting your cat on a balanced diet is one of the easiest things you can do, and it should help your cat to start feeling better immediately.
Flea/Tick Killing
In many instances, cats will experience anemia as a result of tick or flea bites. These nasty pests not only bite and drain your cat's blood, but they can transfer a disease called haemobartonella that causes red blood cells to break down. If a vet finds evidence of ticks or fleas on your cat, killing the fleas with medication will be their first step. This will allow your cat to begin building its blood supply again. Antibiotics may also be required if your cat tests positive for haemobartonella in order to kill the bacteria that's causing the red blood cells to break down.
Bone Marrow Stimulant
Whether your cat's anemia is due to one of the above problems or a more serious issue like cancer or kidney disease, one option may be stimulating your cat's bone marrow with medication. Your cat's bone marrow is what produces red blood cells that make up a cat's blood supply. In some cases, the bone marrow will produce inadequate red blood cells, like when a cat has kidney disease.
Blood Transfusion
Finally, if your cat's anemia is severe, a blood transfusion may be necessary. Veterinarians can transfer blood from a donor cat to your cat, just like humans can receive blood transfusions. However, this step may take time, as it's necessary to determine what type of blood your cat has and to find a suitable donor.
If your cat is anemic, the condition will usually be reversible. However, you should work with your vet to make sure that your cat doesn't become anemic again in the future, especially if it's due to a problem like fleas or ticks.
Share24 February 2017
