Can Cats Digest Milk ?

Many cats can tolerate a minimal amount of milk, but that does not mean they can digest it easily, nor does it mean they cannot digest it at all.

Most adult felines cannot tolerate lactose, which means they lack lactase, the digestive enzyme needed to break down lactose, the sugar in milk, which is possible and can cause problems.

These problems include drawing excess fluid into the gastrointestinal tract, leading to diarrhea. Some cats are more prone to this than others. Diarrhea can cause dehydration and reduce the absorption of essential nutrients.

Kittens can digest cow's milk better than adult cats because they have more lactose. However, this enzyme is rapidly lost with age. A 2019 study found that most cats completely stop producing lactase by the age of 12 months. Most cats can tolerate very little lactose before they develop symptoms.

It is best to get advice from a veterinarian Chesapeake, VA to know the pros and cons of giving milk to pet cats.

Schiff-Sherrington Posture in Manx Cats

Like any other animal, feline breeds like Manx cats develop age-related conditions concerning their mobility as their age progresses. Some of these conditions include arthritis-like degenerative joint disease (DJD), and a more uncommonly heard of condition which is the Schiff-Sherrington syndrome. 

If you have observed that your cat is having difficulties with movement, be quick to contact your veterinarian as it would be best for your cat to be assessed and examined to pinpoint the cause of such immobility. Mobility issues do not always mean that your Manx cat is suffering from Schiff-Sherrington syndrome, however, it could be a symptom.

Schiff-Sherrington is a condition that develops as a result of spinal cord injury wherein the spinal cord is transected or severed due to a lesion on the feline’s low back area. A lesion forms when there has been previous trauma on the area of the spine or occurrence of intervertebral disk conditions which is deemed to be a more common cause. If this is present, they might exhibit symptoms like inability to walk or stand, unusual or unsteady gait, front limbs are rigid in extension, and the possibility of having paralyzed rear limbs.

Any sign of illness exhibited by your pet should require a visit to your veterinary hospital Chesapeake, VA for proper medical attention.

What to Do If Your Teddy Guinea Pig Is Acting Odd

If your Teddy guinea pig acting abnormally then you should give your vet a call to schedule an appointment. Behavior changes can often signal an illness. It’s important to handle and monitor your guinea pig in order to get to know him and recognize his behaviors. If your cavy is generally happy, alert and “talkative,” but then all of a sudden isn’t acting so perky then it could be a sign he is getting sick. It’s important to keep an eye on his food and water intake as well. If you think your Teddy guinea pig is getting sick, check his cage for poop and wet spots. Note all of your findings and report them to your vet when you go in for your appointment. Other things to look out for include wheezing, watery eyes, loss of balance, loss of hair, loss of appetite, etc. Consult with your animal hospital Chesapeake VA to learn more about treatments.

Helping your dog participate in holiday activities

 

You have a dog in your life who means a lot to you and it’s important that she feels included in family activities. How can you help her get involved in holiday celebrations?

There are likely a lot of different activities taking place when holidays come around, so take a good look at them to determine which are pet-friendly and which could easily be made appropriate for your pet to take part in. Offer her some training and guidance if necessary to help her feel at ease in these situations. Encourage her to interact with you when these times roll around so she can get comfortable participating in holiday gatherings and really enjoy this special time with the rest of the family so you can create new traditions together. For more information, please contact your local vet clinic Chesapeake, VA.