Have a happy holiday! Christmas can be an exciting time for your feline friend, but all the bright lights, presents and enticing new foods can be a danger to your cat. Tinsel and other Christmas decorations can dangle temptingly and are exciting for cats to play with. However, chewing on lights can lead to electrical burns in the mouth, tinsel, if swallowed, can lead to obstruction of the guts which can be very dangerous and glass baubles can shatter and cause cuts. Make sure you keep cables tidy and try to keep tinsel and ribbons to higher branches, away from playful paws. Climbing the Christmas tree can prove very exciting for your cat, but it they fall out or knock the tree over they can injure themselves, so make sure your tree is secure with a heavy base. Keep any water in the pot inaccessible, as a lot of Christmas tree feeds contain toxic chemicals. Other items of Christmas greenery can also be highly toxic to cats. Holly, ivy, mistletoe and poinsettia can all cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain if they are eaten. Lilies in particular are extremely toxic even if only a small amount is eaten as they rapidly cause renal failure. Whilst we humans enjoy indulging in a wide variety of foods at Christmas time, many of these can be very harmful for your fuzzy felines: Chocolate treats, raisins and sultanas in Christmas puddings and mince pies; onions in gravy; stuffing and artificial sweeteners can all be toxic. Cooked bones and nuts if swallowed can potentially cause damage or obstruction to the intestines. Having a lot of visitors to us can be fun but the noise and bustle they produce can be stressful for your feline friend. Keeping their food, water and litter tray in a quiet area that they can easily access, as well as making sure they have comfortable beds in high places can help reduce this stress. We wish you and your cats a very happy and safe Christmas! Enjoy the time you spend together this holiday. If you have any worries, there is a 24 hour service available. Call us on 01865 24300 if you have any questions.

Keeping your cat cool Keeping your cat cool inside your home is important too. Place fans around the house to keep the air circulating, remembering not to point the fan directly at your cat. Another handy tip is to freeze a bottle of water, wrap it in a towel or pillowcase and place it somewhere your cat goes regularly. This stops them from feeling overheated during hotter spells. Remember to ensure that your cat can get away from the bottle if they chose to, and make sure the bottle does not leak! How can I tell if my cat is dehydrated? When your cat does not take in enough fluid through drinking or eating a wet (canned) diet, your cat can become dehydrated. During the summer months, this is more likely to happen. Normal hydration is important for cats as it helps maintain a normal body temperature, removes wasteproducts and maintains proper circulation. To assess whether your cat is dehydrated, look at our top tips: Assess your cat’s gums. If your cat’s gums are sticky or tacky, this may be the first sign of dehydration Test skin elasticity. In a well-hydrated cat, the skin should snap back into place immediately. If it doesn’t, it could well be dehydrated Check your cat’s eyes. Severely sunken eyes that appear dry can indicate significant dehydration Feel your cat’s paws. If the paws feel cool or cold, this could be a sign of dehydration If dehydration is suspected, please seek veterinary advice Ways to keep your cat hydrated To prevent your cat from getting dehydrated, encouraging them to drink water is key. Here are some ways to get your cat to drink more water: Avoid plastic bowls. In the heat, these can taint the taste of the water. Use glass, ceramic or metal instead Place water bowls away from food bowls. Cats don’t like to drink in the same place that they eat Make sure the water bowl is large, with a big surface area too Keep the water topped up so your cat doesn’t have to put their head into the bowl, and to make sure your cat isn’t left without any water at all Many cats prefer running water, so try offering a cat fountain Putting water bowls in different places around the house will help cats always find somewhere to drink If your feed your cat tinned food, small amounts of water can be mixed into the food, which will increase fluid intake. Should I use sun cream on my cat? For cats most at risk, such as white cats or cats with thin or no hair, the answer is yes. Applying sun cream to vulnerable areas will offer protection and help prevent sun damage. When choosing a sunscreen for your cat, use one specifically for pets and, if in doubt, speak to your vet for a recommendation. Filtabac is an excellent option. https://www.viovet.co.uk/Aniwell-FiltaClear-Sunblock/c17393/ When applying, focus on your cat’s nose, tips of the ears, belly and groin areas as well as anywhere that has thin to no fur. It is important when choosing a sun cream to avoid ingredients like zinc oxide and a group of chemicals that are referred to as salicylates. Repeated exposure to zinc oxide on the skin could lead to zinc toxicity, which can damage red blood cells, and it could also cause a stomach upset or allergic reaction if ingested. If eaten in large amounts, it could even cause stomach ulcers or liver problems, although this is rare. Salicylates are products in the same category as aspirin, and cats are particularly susceptible to salicylate toxicity. Don’t forget to keep an eye on your own skincare products – keep them far out of paws’ reach! Concerned about their health in the heat? If you're worried about your cat's behaviour, or they're displaying signs of ill health, please speak to your vet immediately. Information sourced from Cats Protection https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/cats-and-warm-weather

Did you know that your kitten can become pregnant from 14-16 weeks onwards, when she herself is just a kitten? Cats can have 3 or 4 litters per year, which can be as many as 20 kittens for each unneutered female per year. This means that shelters and charities are inundated with unwanted kittens in the spring and summer. All of the major cat charities in the UK support neutering cats from 16 weeks of age, to prevent unwanted pregnancies in cats. This is known as "early neutering" because it is sooner than the traditional 6 months of age that has been the norm for many years. At the Oxford Cat Clinic, we support early neutering too, and we routinely neuter cats from 16 weeks of age. We are part of the Cat-Kind kitten neutering database, a resource involving Cats Protection, Blue Cross and the RSPCA to help provide other vets with support when the choose to switch to early neutering. There is no physical or medical disadvantage to neutering your cat at this age, in fact the procedure is often quicker and has less complications than neutering an older cat. What does spaying my cat involve? Spaying, or neutering, is a routine procedure to remove the uterus and ovaries of your cat. She will need to be dropped off at the vet in the morning and go home that evening. The procedure is carried out under a general anaesthetic. When she goes home she will have some fur clipped and a small incision on her tummy. Cats bounce back straightaway and she will be her usual self just hours after the procedure. When should I spay my cat? At The Oxford Cat Clinic we routinely spay cats from 16 weeks of age, before she reaches puberty and before she produces a litter of kittens. This is known as early neutering. However, we will neuter any cat that is older than 6 weeks of age and weighs more than 1 kg. We see the consequences of failure to neuter every single day and it is the single most important factor contributing to the excessive number of stray and shelter cats. For these reasons we love to neuter, and will facilitate you in any way we can to help get your cat neutered, male or female, of any age. What happens if I do not spay my cat? If you do not spay your cat she will come into heat every couple of weeks during the spring and summer months, and sometimes during the rest of the year as well. This can be very disrupting as she will be very vocal day and night. If she is not spayed she will get pregnant if she goes outside and mates with an unneutered tom cat. A cat can have up to 6 kittens in a single litter. You can go from one cat to 20 cats in the blink of an eye. What are the advantages of spaying my cat? Firstly, she, and you, will not be contributing to the cat overpopulation epidemic. Unneutered cats are also at risk of contracting the feline version of HIV, which is called FIV. This is a viral disease that is spread through mating and fighting in semen and blood. Many stray tom cats carry the virus and pass it to female cats when they mate. FIV is not contractible to humans but it does impact your cat’s immune system for the rest of her life and makes her more susceptible to illness. Cats that are not neutered also wander further in search of mates, often crossing busy roads, making them the most at-risk group of being involved in a road traffic accident and being seriously injured or killed as a result. Are there any disadvantages to spaying my cat? Neutered cats have an increased tendency to gain weight. Happily, there are lower calorie foods available for neutered cats to offset this tendency and it can also be mitigated by an active lifestyle. Research tells us that there are no physical disadvantages to neutering cats before puberty, as cat vets, given the choice; we would opt for early neutering for our own pet cats. Neutering is just for girls, right? Wrong! Male cats wander far in search of unneutered females; as a result they are frequently the victims of road traffic accidents. Unneutered male cats often contract FIV from fighting with other tom cats and mating with female cats. They also contract horrific injuries from fights with other tom cats. Your neutered boy will still be your boy, just one that is healthier and that prefers your company to that of female cats. Neutering male cats is a routine procedure and requires him to stay at the vet clinic just for the day. As with female cats, we carry out this procedure routinely at 4 months of age. What if I cannot afford to neuter my cat? Cats Protection helps to financially support people who cannot afford to neuter their cat. If this is you call us on 01865 243000 to talk to us, we will arrange financial help to neuter your cat through Cats Protection. What’s the bottom line? Having a pet is a great privilege, but it is not without responsibility. There are thousands of unwanted and unloved cats and kittens in shelters and on the streets in the UK, and around the world. Shelters and charities struggle to cope, especially during the breeding season. All cat owners are individually responsible to help to NOT contribute to this overpopulation; you can do this by neutering your cat before puberty. In addition the homes that you may have found for your cat’s kittens can then be given to kittens whose mum did not have the opportunity to be spayed. You are also providing your cat with a better life, one without the burden of physically coping with litter after litter of kittens when she herself is still only a kitten. If you would like more information or have concerns about early neutering you can call and talk to us on 01865 243000 (Botley) or 01865 950700 (Marston). You can also read The Cat Group's policy statement on early neutering below. Please, don’t let kittens have kittens.

ALERT - Update Friday 18th June 2021 You may have heard reports about a spike in cases of feline pancytopaenia over recent weeks. Pancytopaenia, a sometimes fatal condition marked by low numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, usually indicates an underlying cause, such as exposure to a bone marrow suppressing drug or a toxicant. Thus far, an underlying cause has not been identified. However, researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London are investigating a potential link with certain cat foods. https://www.rvc.ac.uk/news-and-events/rvc-news/feline-pancytopenia-update As a precaution, certain products have been recalled from the market with immediate effect. Products include selected dry food ranges from AVA (Pets At Home), Applaws & Sainsbury’s. For full details see here and below: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-36-2021 We are aware of over 200 cats that have been affected across the UK - but more cases are suspected as not all may be reported. Unfortunately, this condition is associated with a high rate of mortality in severely affected cats. Important Questions and Answers for owners My cat has been eating a recalled food brand, what shall I do? 1. Do not feed your cat any more of this food. Check if you have bought the affected products and batch code(s) / «use-by / best before» date(s). You can do this by taking a picture of this information from this link https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-36-2021 or writing down the batch code(s) / «use-by / best before» date(s) for reference with your food items at home. It would be helpful to photograph or record the same data on your own food packets if at all possible Return the product(s) to the store for a full refund (with or without a receipt) - but ONLY after you have recorded the details above The tracing system will be vital in establishing any potential links with food. If your cat is affected we will need these details, alongside an idea of exactly which food your cat was eating and for how long, when flea and worming treatment was last applied, and the batch numbers should you have them, what cat litter the cat is using. More information: If you have bought an AVA product contact www.petsathome.com and fill out the contact form on the help page or livechat. If you have bought an Applaws product contact www.applaws.com/uk/contact-us If you have bought a Sainsbury’s product contact www.sainsburys.co.uk/help or their Customer Careline on 0800 636262 2. We recommend screening any cats that have been receiving the listed diets. Contact us to book and examination and blood test to look at the levels of red and white blood cells and platelets in your cat’s blood. Decreases in these levels are seen if your cat is affected with pancytopaenia. The initial examination visit is £48.50 and the costs of the blood screen is £69.96. You will be informed of the results by phone. If abnormalities are discovered we will likely book a follow-on visit or telephone consultation to discuss the changes and any treatment that may be indicated. What signs should I be looking out for? Cats initially show no ill-effect or only non-specific signs such as lethargy and loss of appetite. In more severely affected cases there are signs of spontaneous bleeding or bruising; the gums may appear pale or have little blood bruises (petechiae), or larger areas of bruising. Similar signs may be seen in thinly furred areas of the skin. Occasionally a cat may be very collapsed. We encourage owners to contact the veterinary practice ASAP if you are worried that your cat may be affected. We will arrange an appointment to examine your cat and discuss the further investigation necessary. What happens next? Normal blood test results will offer immediate peace of mind - but because we do not fully understand the course of the condition animals fed affected diets for any length of time should continue to be monitored for any changes. Where abnormal platelet or white cell counts are found we would recommend repeat sampling after 3-5 days. Animals with more overt clinical symptoms may be admitted for treatment. Currently, there is not enough information to fully understand the nature, cause and outcome of this condition. The link with diet is not proven and the recall is precautionary. The RVC research is ongoing. If affected your cat may add to the body of information that we have, so, with your permission, we will submit cases details to the RVC survey and in that way hope to help even more cats. As part of the data collection, we will ask if you are willing to be contacted by the RVC and for a number they may use for this purpose Please do not hesitate to ring or e-mail the clinic to book an appointment or if you have further questions.

Although many people will be travelling less currently, we thought it was important that we kept you up to date with changes to travel with Brexit. From the 1st of January 2021 things will be slightly different. The Pet Passport will no longer be valid however please KEEP your old ones for proof of Rabies vaccinations. You need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for travel to and from the EU and Northern Ireland (NI). This certificate can only be issued within 10 days before travel to the EU or NI and is valid for 4 months for travel within the EU or back to the UK. You will need to see one of our Official Veterinarians for the certificate to be issued, and your pet needs to be examined at the time of issuing. Documentation to travel can NOT be issued at your initial appointment. Please allow 3-4 working days for paperwork to be completed. As before, your pet will need to be microchipped and have an up to date rabies vaccination. If you have any questions, we will do our best to help. Additional information is available on the government website at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-from-1-january-2021

We have had a significant rise in lily poisoning cases in the last few months. We speculate that this may be due to the increase in people giving and receiving flowers and plants more than usual. Flowers are not always labeled if they are dangerous for cats. If you look at the list of most popular flowers in any florist, lilies are likely to feature close to the top. They’re an attractive, fragrant flower and it’s no surprise they’re so commonly given as gifts and used in bouquets. They are however extremely toxic to cats, causing severe kidney damage, and even minimal contact with them can prove to be fatal. In a study of 57 cats exposed to lily poisoning, almost half of the cats had come into contact with lilies that were received as a gift. In the same study, only 27% of owners said that they knew lilies were toxic before their cats had been affected¹, which suggests that the majority of these cases could have been avoided if the threat that lilies pose to cats was more widely known. Which lilies are we talking about? Many different plants have lily in their name, for example, peace lily and lily of the valley, and whilst these may have different toxic effects, it’s all species of Lilum (true lily) and Hemerocallis (day lily) that are being discussed here and are listed in the table below. How toxic are they? The reason why cats are so susceptible to lily intoxication isn’t exactly known, other animals such as rats and rabbits don’t seem to be affected at all, but for cats, all parts of the plant are toxic; the pollen, flowers, stem, and leaves. Ingesting less than one leaf, part of a flower, pollen, or even drinking water from a vase holding cut lilies can be fatal. The toxin causes severe damage to the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure and result in death. Are all cats at risk? Indoor cats, especially kittens, may be particularly likely to interact with flowers and floral arrangements as they make an interesting addition to an otherwise predictable environment that might lack vegetation. However, it is also easier to control the presence of lilies inside the home. For free roaming cats, removing lilies from the home and garden is no guarantee that they won’t come into contact with them elsewhere. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of poisoning include: Drooling Vomiting Refusing food Lethargy Depression On examination a vet may find enlarged and painful kidneys If you suspect that your cat has come into contact with lilies, it’s important to seek veterinary advice immediately. As the toxic effects are so severe and develop so rapidly, ensuring that they receive treatment as quickly as possible is crucial to improving their chance of recovery. Prevention is better than the cure, so the best way to keep cats safe from lily poisoning is to ensure that they can’t come into contact with them. For free roaming cats this is easier said than done, so knowledge of the symptoms is useful as the poisoning can be identified and treatment sought. ¹Slater MR and Gwaltney-Brant S. Exposure circumstances and outcomes of 48 households with 57 cats exposed to toxic lily species. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2011; 47: 386–390. Original article featured on: https://icatcare.org/keeping-cats-safe-lilies/

We would like to assure all of our clients that the Oxford Cat Clinic is currently open as normal during the Coronavirus (Covid 19) outbreak and at present we are continuing to provide our usual service and opening hours. We will be posting updates on Facebook and our website, and sending you e-mail updates as the situation develops. Reducing Spread of the Virus within the Clinic: We continue to maintain our high standards of cleaning, with additional frequent cleaning of high contact points such as handles, keypads and consulting room tables. To minimise risk further we respectfully ask that you restrict the number of people coming in with your cat to the clinic, and that you clean your hands on entering and leaving the building. We have hand sanitiser wipes available in reception and hand-washing facilities in our consultation rooms and bathroom. If you prefer to wait in your car with your cat that is quite acceptable. We are still taking cash but would encourage you to use a credit or debit card if at all possible. We thank everyone for helping us in protecting our staff and clients, so that we can remain open and caring for our patients as normal. If you are self-isolating or concerned that coming into the Clinic may not be the best course of action for you, then please call the clinic in the first instance. We are happy to arrange a telephone consultation to discuss your cat’s issues. Some problems can be fully addressed during this call but if we do need to see your cat we can then work with you to find the best way of getting your cat to the clinic. Following the NHS guidelines, if you are suffering from any symptoms i.e. sore throat, persistent cough and/or fever, please stay at home. If your cat is unwell, please contact us as normal, and we will make arrangements to see your cat ASAP. Regarding supplies of food and medication: Currently stocks are fine with no concerns at our wholesalers, but please do give us 48 hrs notice, to cover increased demand, when ordering repeat prescriptions or food, and give us warning if you will be ordering a larger than usual amount of food. To place an order please click here. We respectfully remind all of our clients to remember to check in on any elderly or vulnerable friends and neighbours. If they are concerned about pet food and medical supplies please ring us to discuss the options. We are more than happy to help care for our vulnerable local community by dropping off cat food or medication whenever possible. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding throughout this current situation. We hope that you remain safe and well. If you have any questions or are worried about your cats health, please call us: We will always do our best to help. The Cat Clinic Team

Have a happy holiday! Christmas can be an exciting time for your feline friend, but all the bright lights, presents and enticing new foods can be a danger to your cat. Tinsel and other Christmas decorations can dangle temptingly and are exciting for cats to play with. However, chewing on lights can lead to electrical burns in the mouth, tinsel, if swallowed, can lead to obstruction of the guts which can be very dangerous and glass baubles can shatter and cause cuts. Make sure you keep cables tidy and try to keep tinsel and ribbons to higher branches, away from playful paws. Climbing the Christmas tree can prove very exciting for your cat, but it they fall out or knock the tree over they can injure themselves, so make sure your tree is secure with a heavy base. Keep any water in the pot inaccessible, as a lot of Christmas tree feeds contain toxic chemicals. Other items of Christmas greenery can also be highly toxic to cats. Holly, ivy, mistletoe and poinsettia can all cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain if they are eaten. Lilies in particular are extremely toxic even if only a small amount is eaten as they rapidly cause renal failure. Whilst we humans enjoy indulging in a wide variety of foods at Christmas time, many of these can be very harmful for your fuzzy felines: Chocolate treats, raisins and sultanas in Christmas puddings and mince pies; onions in gravy; stuffing and artificial sweeteners can all be toxic. Cooked bones and nuts if swallowed can potentially cause damage or obstruction to the intestines. Having a lot of visitors to us can be fun but the noise and bustle they produce can be stressful for your feline friend. Keeping their food, water and litter tray in a quiet area that they can easily access, as well as making sure they have comfortable beds in high places can help reduce this stress. We wish you and your cats a very happy and safe Christmas! Enjoy the time you spend together this holiday. If you have any worries, there is a 24 hour service available. Call us on 01865 24300 if you have any questions.

Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific points of the body to alleviate pain and hopefully increase the recovery rate from illness. It is thought that about 70% of human and veterinary patients may respond to acupuncture treatment. Although the technique originated in Chinese medicine, Western medicine has established the neurophysical effects of acupuncture and integrated it into treatments for chronic pain from musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Veterinary acupuncture started in the 1970’s. In cats it is used mainly in the treatment of chronic painful musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis. This is very common in cats, but poorly recognised by owners as cats rarely limp, they just become less active. Inability to cope with stairs, difficulty ascending onto furniture, or just increased sleeping and reduced sociability can indicate chronic joint discomfort. Fine solid needles are inserted into chosen points to inhibit pain transmission via nervous pathways and also to stimulate pain relieving chemicals in the brain and spinal cord. Inserting needles directly into painful areas of muscle can also provide good pain relief. Acupuncture is a very safe treatment when administered by a trained practitioner. Side effects are rare but do exist. The cat’s condition can seem worse for 48 hours after the first treatment. Others may feel lethargic for 24 hours after treatment. It is more difficult to help a patient with longstanding problems in several areas than one with a recent injury in one area of the body. Most cats tolerate the needles very well and become quite relaxed once needles have been placed in position. Some humans report tingling, numbness or cramps, and we should assume such symptoms may occasionally occur in our cats too. Treatment is tailored to the individual, so may involve just a few needles placed for a few minutes. Cats with a lot of painful trigger points may receive more needles and they may be left up to 15 – 20 minutes. The cat’s temperament can also influence how much treatment is attempted. However, even naughty cats often respond well once the needles are placed. Treatment usually begins quite intensively, with 4 treatments at weekly intervals. We hope to see some improvement after 2 treatments and a good response after 4. If so, we might suggest a few sessions 3 – 4 weeks apart or even more. We can use acupuncture with any other medications or diets. Treatments are usually done in consulting times with the owner present. The initial assessment and treatment lasts 30 – 40mins. If you think your cat may benefit from acupuncture do give the Clinic a call 01865 243000 or visit our website. We also accept referrals from other veterinary practices.

…. The firework season is upon us, with peak activity now (Bonfire night) and another burst on New Year’s Eve. For most of us a joyous time, for others a more troubling celebration as their feline friend is terrified. Generally, most cats struggle with fireworks. They may cower or hide behind the sofa, soil the house, try to run away or escape, overgroom or show restlessness. Any of these behaviours can indicate that your cat may not be coping. The earlier we can put some coping mechanisms in place, the easier our friend will get through the firework season. In terms of behaviour modification, we try to control the impact of fireworks by playing music and keeping the cat inside, etc. If the anxiety isn’t extreme, by the introduction of classical counter-conditioning we try to create a positive association with fireworks by giving high-value food rewards; playing games or offering a food puzzle. Or, we can teach our friend a coping response, ie retreat to a safe place until the frightening thing ends. Safety first, ensure your cat is microchipped, even indoors can bolt and escape if frightened. Tags and collars can be lost. If your cat is already microchipped, make sure the details are up to date. A few top tips for calming your cat during fireworks: Keep your cat indoors Stay at home if your cat is frightened by fireworks Don’t leave windows open, make sure the cat flap is securely closed Close curtains and blinds before fireworks begin Provide a safety spot for your cat where they have has access to a litter tray and water bowl Create a cozy cat cave – ideally at least 3 weeks before the start of the season and place it in the safety room. Remember, cats feel more comfortable up high; think 3D. Create a sound buffer – play music (classical) or put the television on, not to drown out the fireworks, but at comfortable volume, to create noise distraction Comfort your cat but let her set the pace Use a calm voice and display calm body language Offer fun and playtime for your cat Use Feliway in your cat’s safe room – ideally start using prior to the season If your cat has a history of being absolutely terrified at this time of year, talk to one of us at the Oxford Cat Clinic. We might feel a nutriceutical supplement such as Zylkene or a prescription only anxiolytic is necessary. Always try to prepare ahead!

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, autumn is approaching. But see it as a time to reflect and reminisce over the gorgeous summer we had, how our feline friends managed to enjoy those glorious days outside and explore the “wide world”. Exploring the fields, back gardens, catching the odd mouse or bird and meeting other feline friends or foes, exposes our felines to more parasites. Not only fleas and ticks, roundworms and tapeworms but also the aptly named mites – Trombicula autumnalis aka the Harvest mite. The mites are commonly found in forests and grasslands, and increasingly in suburban environments too. They are related to spiders; hence the adult mite has 8 legs. The six-legged larval stage is the only stage that feeds on mammals (pets and humans) and birds. The larvae (“orange little dots”) will jump onto the feline when it is roaming through the vegetation and will attach onto the skin, especially in thinly haired areas. In cats, you will therefore, find them most commonly around the ears and between the toes, but can be found anywhere on the body. They will feed for 2-3 days and then fall off to complete the life cycle. The larvae live on the skin and during feeding pierce the skin and release enzymes. These enzymes are irritating to the skin and result in intense itching. The cat will start chewing or scratching itself, leading to self-inflicted wounds. These lesions can vary from crusted spots to areas of hair loss to raw moist bleeding areas. Diagnosis is made mainly on a history of intense itch late summer/early autumn (however, we are seeing cases as early as July), the location and appearance of the lesions and visualisation of the orange larvae. There are currently no products licensed for the treatment of harvest mites in cats. Some flea treatments on prescription will be effective in treating them. In most cases, the cat will not require any treatment once the mites are killed. However, some cats develop a hypersensitivity to bites from harvest mite larvae and they will benefit from additional glucocorticoid treatment So, moral of the story – keep one step ahead of the parasites and keep your feline’s flea and worm treatment up to date. We offer a Pet Health Plan for as little as £10.99/month to help you just do that. Please contact the Oxford Cat Clinic from more info.

Cats have enchanted us for thousands of years and have gradually moved themselves into our homes and lives. They are very special creatures, often adored for the wildness, elegance and grace they bring into our lives. We all love to play with our cats and know how they love to hunt. This is an important skill and built-in survival instinct because cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they are unable survive with a diet that is meat-free. However, cats in the wild would also eat the organs and bones as well as the meat, and this is important to remember as a meat-only diet can lead to deficiency in vitamins and minerals. Feeding a complete diet is essential for your cat’s good health. Many animals and humans are able to gain these nutrients from plant-based sources however, cats don’t process these in the same way and are therefore unable to sustain their requirements from plant only diets. Cats have developed to use protein and fat as their main source of energy and this means animal-based sources are required to sustain sufficient quantities of amino acids and essential fatty acids, vital for normal, healthy bodily functions. For these reasons, cats have developed with a reduced ability to digest and utilise carbohydrates, so a high carbohydrate diet can lead to weight gain and consequently obesity, which holds its own health risks including a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease or arthritis. Another common area for confusion is cats love of milk. To digest the lactose (a carbohydrate) found in milk we require an enzyme called lactase which is only found in low levels within the digestive system. This means giving normal milk to your cat could result in diarrhoea. We suggest a diet including; High quality animal protein- for amino acids and energy Low carbohydrate- to reduce weight gain and digestion problems Moderate fat content- for essential fatty acids and energy Feeding multiple small meals per day at body temperature Make feeding interactive- toys and feeders can help simulate hunting activities Watch out for complimentary foods- these will require you to provide another source of nutrition to ensure the diet is balanced. Our recommendations for a balanced feline diet aim to guide you to choosing healthy and tasty options for your furry family members, so please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any concerns or questions. Alternatively, book in with our nurses for a free six-month health check or nutritional clinic to have a chat about what is right for your cat.