Use common sense to diagnose your feline's health needs

Some feline caregivers are surprised to learn that their felines may suffer from some of the same medical symptoms they do.

I am convinced that if we take a common-sense approach and find the analogy in the similarity of symptoms, you are probable going to be able to diagnose your feline's medical issue at an earlier onset.

With that premise in place, let's say you find your feline is suffering from bad breath that may rise to the level of halitosis. That means your feline's breath is really offensive.

The problem may be solved by merely implementing a home health care, dental program, if you do not already have one in place. There are many oral hygiene products that you can add to your feline's water that can assist with breath odor and plaque reduction. You can ask your veterinarian for suggestions if you need assistance in picking the proper solution for your pets's needs.

Every time you take your feline in for a dental, I would venture to say, you receive a bottle of oral hygiene solution to put in the water as aftercare. Why not continue the practice on a daily basis, instead of only following the procedure after a dental?

Your feline's breath may also be impacted by the type of food you are feeding. If you are feeding a fish-based food, how can you expect your feline to not have bad breath?

Feline halitosis can also be the indicator of a significant medical condition. Feline periodontal disease is usually the first culprit and the easiest to remedy, unless you have a feline that is a juvenile-onset periodontal problem.

Problems that begin juvenile are usually predisposed by genetics. That is especially true for some purebreds like Abyssinians, Siamese, Orientals, Egyptian Maus and Persians. After having all of the following as a purebred or mix in my home, all have enjoyed better health once most of the teeth were removed, but then we are discussing an advanced case of periodontal disease because of juvenile onset.

Even when a feline has the onset of plaque, which is an early stage of periodontal disease, your feline's breath will be bad. If you cannot get this stuff off at home, a dental may prevent the next stage of the disease. If the soft tissue and the bones of the mouth are impacted, the gums will recede and bone loss will occur. At this stage, you will need your veterinarian to remove the hard tartar and possibly an extraction.

If a tooth infects or begins to die at the root, your feline's mouth odor will become worse. An untreated feline mouth can even be the site of a tumor, which can smell. Once you neglect your feline's mouth to this stage, you risk a host of problems. The most obvious being squamous cell carcinoma, (an almost, always, deadly cancer tumor of the mouth). I say this because once you see signs of this type of tumor in the mouth, it has progressed to the point of not being treatable, except for pain management.

Problems in a feline's mouth can also cause other medical problems. The problems are better understood if you think of your feline's mouth as a gateway to the health of the rest of the body's organs. The kidney is a good example. Your feline's kidney is meant to filter toxins from the body. This process slows down with age and get labored with toxins from the mouth. As a kidney begins to dysfunction, blood finds its way into the urine. On and on, a healthy mouth, helps all the organs.

The bottom line, all mouth odors of your feline should be a cautionary light to seek advice from your veterinarian. You can only hope the problem can be solved with a dental and a change of diet.

Featured felines:

• Stanley is a blue Maine coon that will rival any purebred. Not only does Stan "The Man" know his name, he will greet you when called. Stanley gives hugs and kisses and body rubs. This feline is full of personality and self-assurance. He seeks a home with his black and white sister, Maddie.

• Maddie could be lost in Stanley's shadow she is so small. She is friendly, just not crazy-freindly like Stanley. They came to Buddy as a pair and they must find their forever home as a pair. To make this happen, please inquire about the couple's special adoption rate. You will be pleasantly surprised. These two will win you over at first sight.

Fundraising

Join the Buddy Foundation's Mutt Strut and help raise money and awareness for Buddy's dog and cat rescue shelter. Mutt Strut will be held at 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Melas Park, 1500 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect. Come walk with or without your dog. All ages are welcome. Dogs must be leashed at all times and current on their vaccinations. Proof or rabies vaccination is required (tag on collar). Owners are responsible for their own dog's activities and cleanup. Register at www.thebuddyfoundation.org.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.