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Strokes
True strokes are uncommon in cats and those that
do have them usually recover faster and more
completely than humans though they may remain
slightly lopsided. Following a stroke, the cat may
be temporarily blind or partly paralyzed and may
lose control of bladder or bowel. Most vets advise
a "wait and see" approach. Once the
initial effects have worn off, many cats go on to
live very long, healthy and happy lives with
little more than a head tilt, minor tremor or
slightly wobbly gait as a reminder.
Saddle Thrombus (described in more detail
later) is sometimes called the feline equivalent
of a stroke and can cause permanent weakness of
the hind legs. Affected cats may need ramps or
steps to compensate. He may temporarily lose
control of bowel or bladder depending on the
severity of the damage. One of my elderly cats
recovered well, but afterwards she always leaned
on the wall when going up or down stairs.
How Can I
Prolong My Cat's Life?
Ageing is affected by both genetics and
environment. Good genes are down to luck or
careful breeding, but the environment can be
managed. There is a danger of becoming paranoid -
whatever you do, you must accept that your cat is
not immortal. Keep a diary or file detailing your
cat's vaccinations, diet and weight. If you can,
record its heart-rate, breathing rate and
temperature - your vet will show you how and tell
you what the normal figures are.
If your cat
becomes sick, injured or behaves unusually make a
note of this since cats often behave totally
different in a vet's consulting room! Your
observations will help the vet work out what, if
anything, is wrong with your cat. Some cats do
developed unexplained and harmless behavioral
quirks, don't panic - this is called "being a
cat".
Some diseases are hereditary and reduce
life-expectancy. Genetics is a key factor in
determining the rate of ageing, how well cells
multiply and how well the body repairs itself.
Providing good health care for your cat right from
kitten hood assures its genetically determined
life span. If you don't know much about your cats
past history, the "good health care"
routine starts with you!
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