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Dear Pete,
Our 14 year old cat has always been talkative but has started meowing ridiculously in the past six months. day and night.
The vet has checked him out and done the “older cats” checks, but everything is normal. The constant meowing is frustrating: help!
BM, Berkshire
Dear BM,
It’s good that you’ve been to your vet: this will help rule out some of the more serious causes (like overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, etc).
Other possible causes include cognitive dysfunction in cats (a type of senile dementia) that affects more than 55 percent of cats 11 to 15 years of age and more than 80 percent of cats 16 to 20 years of age. Vision, hearing, memory and personality can all be impaired and unusual vocalizations can occur.
Make your surroundings as comfortable as possible: a warm, soft bed (with an electric heating pad if you can afford it), delicious food, and a night light in the dark. Talk to your veterinarian about anxiety medication for them if this doesn’t help.
Dear Pete,
Last year my vet told me that my eight-year-old Cavalier King Charles had a very low heart murmur. This year he told me it’s a third grade mumble now. He suggested trying medication even though it showed no sign of malaise. Will this keep it from getting worse?
KM, Liverpool
Dear KM,
In the past, veterinarians usually did not start medication on dogs with heart murmurs until they showed signs of heart disease (such as cough, difficulty breathing, etc.).
Recent studies have shown that if the murmur worsens and the heart is enlarged, it may be worth starting treatment earlier. The drug can delay the onset of signs of heart disease and extend the dog’s health.
Unfortunately, regardless of early intervention, this type of disease tends to be progressive and eventually leads to signs of illness. Your veterinarian’s advice will surely help your dog stay healthy longer.
Coronavirus-linked pet concerns
Veterinarians are seeing an increasing number of dogs requiring treatment for ingestion of discarded face masks and other personal protective equipment.
In addition, there has been an increase in reports of pet poisoning after consuming hand sanitizer and other cleaning products.
Remember to carefully store, use, and dispose of all of these items so they don’t get within the reach of your furry friends.
