Feline Health Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nothing - this is within accepable range.

A cat's normal temperature is about 100-102°F (38.0-38.5°C). Should the temperature go higher than that, then make an appointment with your veterinarian. NEVER give a cat aspirin, tylenol, or any human pain or fever reliever. A cat also should never be wrapped in any type of electric blanket.

Question contributed by melodramatic

Answer: feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an inherited weakness of the heart muscle that will often initially cause no symptoms and often go unnoticed for a long time. It is prevalent in several cat breeds and responsible breeders will have their cats screened by a genetic test before breeding them. If detected early, the condition can be controlled relatively well with beta blockers and heart-strengthening medications, however the changes to the heart cannot be reversed and affected cats will usually require lifelong daily medication.

Question contributed by WesleyCrusher

Answer: FIV can be successfully treated with antiviral medications.

Although HIV (the human disease) is successfully combated with antiviral medications, studies have not shown that antivirals significantly improve the outcomes for cats with FIV. Instead, owners are encouraged to vaccinate their FIV positive cats against other infections, keep them indoors to minimize their exposure to other infectious diseases, feed them a healthy diet, and treat opportunistic infections as they arise. There is no cure for FIV, but infected cats may still live many healthy years!

Question contributed by duchessjlh

Answer: poinsettia

Poinsettia can irritate the mouth and stomach, and may cause vomiting. It is basically considered non-toxic, compared to the negative responses of the other three, which can cause severe diarrhea, severe vomiting, depression, and even death.

Question contributed by babsr

Answer: high activity and restlessness

Feline cancer can affect any cat regardless of age and breed. Being aware of some of the symptoms can help you in caring for your cat and getting treatment while there is still a good chance to save your animal's life.

Question contributed by lynnstigger

Answer: warm the area with warm, moist towels

When a cat is exposed to cold temperatures for an extended amount of time, frostbite may occur. The most likely areas of a cat to be affected are the ears and tail tip. Frostbitten areas of a cat are black or red. To treat these areas, place a wet towel on the frostbitten area. The towel should be dipped in warm, not hot water; 75 degrees Fahrenheit (approx. 24°C) is the preferred temperature. If the skin gets darker, seek veterinary help immediately.

Question contributed by looli

Answer: protein from animal sources

Cats are strict carnivores and their dietary needs are very different from humans or dogs. Cats do not effectively metabolize plant protein and should be fed a meat-based diet as well as plenty of water. A diet high in carbohydrates leads to obesity in cats which can lead to diabetes mellitus, liver disease, arthritis and other health problems.

Question contributed by Heleena

Answer: inhaler

Inhalers depose the medication, e.g. fluticasone, right where it is needed. Additionally, no other organs will be compromised by the corticoid. The risk for an inhaling asthmatic cat to get diabetes is not significantly higher than that of any other cat. Some cats who already had developed diabetes from injections or pills have normal sugar levels again once they inhaled for a while.

Question contributed by Lwaxy

Answer: reluctance to jump up or off of a couch or bed

Because of their habit of hiding disabilities, cats will often not show any signs of pain until the condition has become severe. As arthritis progresses the cat will usually have an overall reduction in activity, sleep a lot more, fail to groom completely, and may develop a limp or hold up a paw or leg.

Question contributed by lacybear

Answer: Flea allergy

Flea allergies are responsible for up to 90 percent of itching in cats. Other possible symptoms include licking, biting, hair loss, small scabs and excessive grooming behavior. The best treatment is simply to eliminate the fleas.

Question contributed by Louise17