Ask Dr K

I just had my annual physical examination and, of course, the nurse checked my blood pressure. Coincidentally, my cat had her annual exam the...

Sometimes my cat eats toilet paper! Im worried that this will hurt her. Is toilet paper poisonous? How can I get her to stop eating it? Im unaware of any substances in toilet paper (like perfumes or dyes) that would be particularly poisonous to cats. However, should your cat eat enough of the stuff, Im concerned that a wad of it could collect somewhere in her stomach or intestines and cause an obstruction. Nevertheless, Ive not…

Editors Note: My apologies to longtime readers of CatWatch whove read about George in previous winter issues, but to shield feline roommates of recent subscribers from his shocking problem, I decided to run it again. ---------- I have a fluffy cat named George, and in the winter his coat is dry and he is very prone to static electricity. All I have to do is touch him and I give him a shock. When he comes…

I guess I have flu on the brain. Id already been worried about the upcoming flu season, and then I read that some cats in Asia had gotten the flu from birds. I have lots of questions, but my two most burning ones are these: Can my cats get the flu from me, and can I get the flu from my cats? …

About once every month or two my three-year-old cat will suddenly run throughout the house and then throw himself on the floor and shake uncontrollably. He sometimes foams at the mouth and loses control of his bladder. This lasts for several minutes, then afterwards he looks confused and disoriented. Within an hour or so hes back to his old self. My veterinarian ran some tests, but found nothing. What can be causing this? …

Question: What is the teeth cycle of cats from kittenhood to adulthood? Do cats lose teeth as they grow older? Ive looked in one of my cats mouths and found fewer teeth than in my other cat. Is this normal? Also, is their tooth maintenance similar to ours (that is, regular cleaning, checking for cavities and periodontal disease, etc.)? How often do they require a checkup? …

Question: My two-year-old female cat has been going into heat two or three times a month since she was about five months old. Is...

Question: I was wondering why each time that I pet, stroke or otherwise show affection to my cats, they salivate continuously - so much...

Question: My elderly cat has always been healthy, but recently hes developed a black discharge in one ear. On two occasions my veterinarian has...

Question: What is the purpose and name of the pocket fold of skin at the base of the outside edge of a cats ear?Answer:...

Question: Ive always heard that one dog year equals seven human years, so a ten-year-old dog is like a 70 year-old person. Is this...

Question: I live in North Carolina and my veterinarian suggests I start my cats on heartworm preventative medication.  I have a dog, too, and...