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People love the warm summer air, cats do too! With warmer weather already upon us, people will be spending more time outdoors and cats that are allowed outdoors are may start to venture out further. Although summer is a lovely time to be out and about in the sunshine, there are also many things to watch out for in your furry feline friend.

FLEAS
Fleas are tiny wingless insects that are typically a light to dark brown colour. They typically infest cats and dogs but can sometimes bite humans as well. When we think of fleas, we usually picture an animal riddled with these ectoparasites when in reality, you might not even spot fleas on your furry friend. This is because fleas don’t always live on cats (and dogs). Yes, you might see them crawling around on your cat if there is a heavy infestation but fleas like to jump onto cats to have a feed, then jump off and hide in the environment- this includes carpets, in between floorboards, your pet’s bed, your bed and sand pits to name a few.

It is very easy to assume that your cat is free from fleas if you are hardly able to find any crawling around. However, you may start becoming suspicious if your cat suddenly becomes itchy or if you start finding flea dirt (flea faeces). Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a common condition in cats. It causes itching and hair loss usually around the base of the tail, but can develop around the neck and the head. FAD can be managed with corticosteroids but prevention of fleas is most important.

Cats are extremely fastidious groomers and as a result ingest fleas as part of the process. This is part of the reason fleas are hardly ever seen on cats. Ingestion of fleas can result in the transmission of tapeworm and you will know your cat has tapeworm if you find small white segments that look like grains of rice in their stool. Not only can fleas cause itching and transmit tapeworm, but it can also cause anaemia as a single flea is able to consume 15 times its body weight in blood!

Once you find fleas in your home, it takes a lot of time and effort to get rid of them. This is why prevention is key. Make sure that you are staying on top of your cat’s parasite control especially in the summer time when fleas become most prevalent. Remember that your cat doesn’t have to be an adventurer to pick up a flea. Fleas (and flea eggs) can hide in your clothing after you have been out and hitch a ride into your home. A monthly spot-on is all it takes to prevent a big problem. An example of a very effective topical medication that is available at Perth Cat Hospital is Advocate.

Treat all pets in your household (cats and dogs) as fleas can spread from one pet to another. If you find fleas on your furry companion, start by making sure all pets are treated. All bedding (pet’s and human’s) and carpets should be washed in hot water (or steam cleaned) and left in the sun to dry to remove fleas, larvae and eggs. Finally, vacuum every nook and cranny of the house, especially if you have floor boards, because fleas love hiding in small dark places.

SNAKE BITES
Cats are natural born hunters and some can be very inquisitive. This does not bode well when it comes to encountering snakes. The summer months welcome lots of new visitors into the garden so it’s always handy to know what to do if your cat is ever confronted by a slithery assailant.

The two most common snakes found in Perth are the Dugite (“Brown Snake”) and Tiger snake, both of which are venomous. A bite from either one can be fatal unless treated quickly. Cats are often bitten around the head and/or limbs. If you suspect that your cat has been bitten, contact our hospital immediately for one of our vets to examine him/her.

It is imperative that you stay calm and quickly and try to restrain your cat on your way over as movement (such as walking) can cause an increase in heart rate which would accelerate the spread of venom through the system. Do not attempt to catch or kill the snake- you run the risk of getting bitten yourself and snakes are a protected species in Australia.

Symptoms of a snake bite include vomiting, drooling, weakness, panting, shaking, blood in the urine, pupil dilation and sensitivity to light. Some cats may also develop paralysis. Bite wounds are not always obvious, so don’t assume your cat has not been attacked if you do not find a wound. When you arrive at the vet, a full assessment will be done. Several different tests may be recommended based on the history, clinical signs and physical exam to determine the severity of the envenomation and help us form a treatment plan. Complete blood counts, biochemistry profiles, blood smears and clotting times are some of the common tests performed when a snake bite is suspected.

Treatment of envenomation in cats depends on the severity of the attack. Antivenom (may) be administered to counter the snake’s venom, but supportive care and time are necessary for a full recovery. Antivenom is a medication that counters the effects of snake venom. It is not a vaccination and does NOT protect your cat from future snake bites. If your cat gets bitten by another snake, it will likely need antivenom again as part of its treatment.

There are many things that you can do around your garden to reduce the chance of your cat coming into contact with a snake. Keeping the grass short and removing any loose shrubbery will help to prevent snakes from hiding in your garden and will also help you to spot them so that you can move away in a timely manner. Be sure to remove any food (e.g. birdseed) as this will attract rats- snakes love to feast on rats!

Summer is coming to an end in a matter of days but fleas and snakes will still be prevalent for the months leading into winter. Make sure you are keeping up to date on your parasite control and keeping your gardens clean and de-cluttered. If you are ever unsure if your cat may have fleas or a snake bite, speak to one of our friendly staff members who will be glad to assist and help you to organise a visit to our hospital.

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