Blog News

Canberra Cat Vet has launched a new dental program to catch dental disease in the early stages. Dental disease prevention in cats is a high priority for us because cats rarely show us the full extent of the pain and discomfort they suffer because of tartar on their teeth and gum disease. It is only after we have treated the dental disease and our cats return to their playful, happy former selves that we realise how much pain they were in. Cats enrolled in the dental program receive: A free dental check up every 6 months Advice on minimising plaque and tartar buildup A discounted scale and polish if we find your cat has early stage dental disease You can enroll your cat in the program at the annual check up or vaccination, or just phone for an appointment for a free dental check at any time on 6251 1444. Smokey has a lot of tartar on his molars, infected gums and osteomyelitis. This is what Canberra Cat Vet's dental program wants to prevent!

Macey doesn't like sneezing one little bit! Snuffles, sneezing, noisy breathing, snoring and nasal discharge are signs of nasal and sinus disease. In young cats the flu viruses – feline herpesvirus and calicivirus – are the most common cause. These viruses damage the nasal mucosa and then bacteria infect the nasal passages causing a pussy discharge and a loss of appetite. In some cats this leads to chronic or lifetime infection of the fine bones within the nose and sinuses. Young to middle age cats sometimes acquire fungal infections like cryptococcosis and aspergillosis if they spend a lot of time outdoors. Inflammatory polyps at the back of the nose in the nasal part of the throat cause snuffles and snoring in some cats. Physical damage from foreign objects in the nose like grass seeds, cat bites or car accidents, or associated with severe dental disease will cause snuffles and nasal discharge in any age cat. More seriously, some cats develop tumours in the nasal passages or extending from other areas into the nose. What tests can be done to find the cause of the disease? We first do non-invasive tests, such as a blood test for cryptococcosis, a blood count, biochemistry or tests for feline Leukaemia virus and FIV. Then we consider a general anaesthetic to X-ray the nose and examine the nose, throat and mouth. We take samples and look for bacteria, fungi, evidence of inflammation or cancer cells. If the teeth and gums are diseased a dental treatment often resolves the problem. We can control but not cure chronic bacterial rhinitis because the chronically damaged bones cannot be repaired. Antibiotics reduce secondary bacterial infection and steam inhalation in a steamy bathroom or from a vaporiser helps clear the passages. The most essential aspect of treatment is good nursing care: keeping the cat’s face clean and clear of discharge, and stimulating the appetite with warm, strong smelling foods. Other diseases require specific treatments. We remove polyps surgically, treat fungal diseases with antifungal drugs and control some cancers with chemotherapy.

Christmas Eve: 8.30am - 2.30pm Christmas Day: Closed Boxing Day: Closed 27th December: 8.30am - 12.30pm 28th December (Sunday): Closed 29th December: 8.30am - 5.30pm 30th December: 8.30am - 5.30pm 31st December: 8.30am - 5.30pm New Year's Day: Closed If you have an emergency and we are closed, phone the Animal Emergency Centre on 6280 6344 Merry Christmas from Ollie and all at Canberra Cat Vet!