Question
Tiny - About 12 months
Hello,
Background:
I have two cats. A neutered male 31 months, and a unspayed (until friday) female unknown age aprox 24 months. I hand raised the male, had him neutered at 6 months. The female was rescued from the streets this spring.
Diet:
At about 5-8 months the male stopped eating the wet canned food I put down for him twice a day. He would take maybe two or three bites, and it would just sit there untouched. I then switched to a high quality dry food (Purina Naturals) which they absolutely love! Still tried some wet food from time to time with the same results, they wont touch it. I then began supplementing his diet with 'real' food. A raw egg blended, with a calcium supplement so they can process the high phosphorus content. Usually some baked powered eggshells, or a touch of cows milk when I keep it. Also about three to four times a week feed either canned tuna, jack mackrel, or salmon.
Problem:
I moved to a rural location 7/4/08, and the cats began truely hunting. They get lizards, bugs, rabbits etc. About a month ago I woke and walked into my living area to find a dead adolecent rabbit. Great! I think. Now my cats can hunt and survive should anything happen to me, and become orphaned. I dont know what the killing blow was, but there was a golfball size hole in the side, ovular shaped, quite shallow, but the intestines had been slightly broken. I know in the wild cats need to consume the partially, and completely digested contents of their kills because they cant get the needed vitamins from their own digestion. Anyway, I went to prepare the rabbit to feed to the cats later (no kill should be wasted IMHO). However during the skinning process, some of the intestines that were broken squeezed out, and I saw two tape worms. I had planned to boil the meat anyway, so it shouldnt have been a problem, but I was more concerned with contaminating my kitchen with eggs from the tapeworms. So I declared it hazmat, and took appropriate actions for clean up, and disposal.
Since then I have been monitoring their feces for egg sacks, and have seen none. I used to use piprizine about every second or third month because the urban area I lived in had many strays, and didnt get medical. They kept giving my cats roundworms. After I moved out here, they had brought with them a nasty case of earmites. I was treating them with Ivermictin injectable, dropping it into their ears, and was quite effective, but decided to switch from frontline plus to selamictin (revolution) about a month ago which subsequently finished off the ear mites. I will probably go back to frontline since there are alot of ticks out here. I check them every other day for ticks.
In the past 10 to 14 days have I noticed excessive water consumption. Its strange because in the past two weeks it has actually been unseasonably cooler. I noticed in the past couple of days they do seem to be eating a bit more aswell. I usually put down two bowls each with about 3/4 to 1 cup dry food, plus the supplements already stated. Normally that will last them a full day, but now I noticed I am puting down again that much at night. For example all food was consumed this morning where usually there will be a little left from the day before that I discard. This morning I put down their normal about of food, and in two hours it is half gone. Usually they regulate their food really well, eating just a few bites, then out to play for a couple of hours, then back for more food. Sorry this is so long.
Anyway, I had planned to treat them for tape worms out of precaution. What I'm wondering is this: Would tapeworms cause excessive consumption of water? Also alot of vets dont want to sell the tapewormer without an exam. I know a VERY reputable vet that said they would wave the office fee, but I must still bring them in to get weighed. I know I can obtain the tapewormer without a vet, and would weigh them, and follow proper procedure for administering dosages, but is there anything alse the vet is going to do besides weighing them? Reason, I cant afford office visits for both the cats, and that one vet is 25 miles away riding in a car without A/C. Are their any other considerations to tapeworming them except weight?
Also, what else could possibly cause excessive water consumption? I keep reading diabetes, diabetes, diabetes, but given their age I seriously doubt that considering they both exibit the same behavior at the same time.
Sorry I'm so long winded, I just wanted to be thorough. Thanks for any help and advice.
S
AnswerHi Steve - Thanks for the info..I wish all my clients would give such great details.
Here is your answer for the tape worms... the same thing the vets would sell to you - You can go to the Breeder/Kennel site and get many things that you thought only the vet could supply to you.
Here is a link to the Wormer.
This company is wonderful and they will get it out to you in about 48 hrs..
( follow the directions for the cat dosage)
http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/2482-Trade-Winds-Tape-Worm-Tabs.aspx
As far as the increased food and water intake.... It could be because you changed over to the Revolution product? Makes sense that this and the new home could have changed the regular routine.
By-the-way, You should have your kids on NuVET Feline supplement program...It will make the bugs jump off of them...the blood will be so Healthy that the bugs won't stay on...ONE bite and they jump off.
NuVET Feline will strengthen the Immune System so they can fight off worms and other parasites. Keep your little hunters healthy with NuVET feline every day: Call Joan and ask her for a 90 count bottle of NuVET Feline - This will cover them for 45 days ( 90 Count )...If you order a 90 count every 45 days they will give you 15% off. This is the Auto ship Discount Program.. Ask Joan about the Auto ship.
Tell her Marie sent you from All Experts and The Doggie Chalet Hotel-
Give VET code 81098 ( they can't sell to the public without a VET/BREEDER code.. Not sold in any stores..
1-800-474-7044 Ext 265 ( ask for Joan)
NuVET is guaranteed or they will refund your money - It is a powder you can mix into the dry food... Guaranteed to eat it!
I would be glad to talk with you about your kids...anytime: just ask Me... Thanks...
Marie Peppers
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