Vet Services

There is usually a vet in our premises at Bahar Ic Cahaq during the following hours:

Monday from 6 pm – 7 pm

Wednesday from 6 pm to 7 pm 

Friday  from 6 to 7 pm

Saturday  from 10 am to 12 am  

General Check up

The vet will carry out a brief examination, check mouth, ears, heart rate, and if warranted check for common problems such as Diarrhoea, Ringworm, Jardia  and Cat Flu. 

If necessary the vet will provide a prescription that can be fulfilled at a veterinary pharmacy.

The cost of the general examination is EUR xx.   Clients are requested to make a donation of EUR yy to cover the vets fee, plus a small donation to C.L.A.W.S for making the facility available.

Defleeing and deworming

The cost is EUR   xxx 

First Vaccination

The cost is  Eur xx

Second Vaccination

The cost is EUR xx 

How do I pay

The vet will let you know what the fee is for your treatment and provide you with a payment envelope with your name and amount written on the front.   You will be asked to leave the completed envelope in the collection box  at the exit to C.L.A.W.S 

 Your cat may have a urine infection (cystitis) which is causing him or her to feel the urge to urinate frequently. 

Cats with cystitis will squat and attempt to pass or pass a small amount of urine which may be slightly blood tinged. A cat with cystitis may try to do this several times an hour and they often have a preference for soft surfaces such as duvets, sofas, cushions and carpets.

 Cystitis is very painful and your cat will probably seem uncomfortable and may be quiet, a bit withdrawn or moody.

If your cat is showing symptoms of cystitis you should seek veterinary attention as you cat will probably require medication and pain relief.

Cystitis can occur as a one off occurrence and once treated your cat will cease urinating inappropriately. 

If the cystitis continues to recur the cause will need to be investigated and could be caused by the presence of Urinary crystals.

Urinary Crystals

Crystals can form in the urine and then irritate the bladder wall and cause inflammation and symptoms of cystitis.

 Urinary crystals can cause a blockage so that the cat cannot urinate at all – this is an emergency as a total blockage will be fatal if not treated as soon as possible.

Partial blockage and long term irritation can be a cause of cats urinating in the wrong places over a longer period of time as opposed to a sudden bout of painful cystitis.

Treatment is usually to feed your cat on a special veterinary prescription food to prevent crystals from forming in the cat’s urine.

Diabetes

Cats can develop diabetes, symptoms include increased thirst and urination, and this can be exhibited as urinating in the wrong places, e.g. corner or rooms, work tops.

A simple glucose test can be carried out either by testing your cat’s urine for traces of glucose or via a blood test. 

A cat with diabetes requires treatment for his or her condition but once the disease is under control should stop urinating in the wrong places.

Feeding your cat a species appropriate high protein, very low carbs canned food diet can help with some many health issues  especially diabetes. 

Kidney/Renal problems

Cats with kidney disease drink more and urinate more and may urinate in the wrong place. 

Any cat with increased thirst and urination needs veterinary attention to check for kidney problems or diabetes.

Elderly cats

Frail elderly cats are best provided with an indoor litter tray so that they do not have to struggle to go outside.

Elderly animals can have accidents from time to time and a responsible pet owner should be understanding and treat their pet with kindness when this occurs.

If you are struggling to cope with an elderly cat being dirty please seek veterinary advice or contact us for support.

Not using the litter tray – urine

Once a cat starts to urinate in a particular place they tend to keep returning to that same spot. Thorough cleaning to remove rather than just to attempt to mask the smell is required to try and break the pattern of using that particular place.

 Some cleaning products however make the situation worse because they contain ammonia (an ingredient of urine) – avoid products such as bleach which actually make the problem worse. 

Some household disinfectant products are dangerous to cats. 

We recommend a simple solution of biological washing powder (the stuff you put in your washing machine) and warm water. The enzymes in biological washing powder break down the protein in the cats urine. Wash the affected area as thoroughly as you can, pat it dry and then allow to naturally dry. 

Keep your cat away from the area or item whilst it’s drying. If the affected area is a floor area such as the corner of a room, and is not somewhere that you want to position a litter tray, once cleaned and dried try to block your cats access to that point – you could place a solid item of furniture there such as a cupboard, or if that is not practical such as in a hallway place a sheet of tin foil (cats don’t like walking on foil). 

Make sure a litter tray is provided somewhere else, and that you have shown your cat where it is.

 If your cat has urinated on items such as duvets and sofas, wash and clean them as best you can with biological washing powder solution, and then you will have to shut your cat out of that room for at least two weeks to attempt to break the pattern of returning there to urinate. A happy cat again.  

A combination of thorough cleaning, reassurance and helping your cat feeling more relaxed through the use of a product such as Feliway will hopefully overcome a behavioral cause over a matter of weeks. 

When a solution cannot be found Despite everyone’s best efforts, sometimes the problem cannot be resolved and your cat cannot be made happy again. The most common situations include when two or more cats in a household just cannot get on with each other, or where a cat is very upset by the arrival of a new baby and cannot get used to the new situation. 

Sometimes it is better to find a new home for the unhappy cat where they will not have to endure the stress of being bullied by another cat or be so unhappy because of a noisy baby or boisterous toddler.

Defecating in the wrong place

Defecating in the wrong place is less common than inappropriate urinating.

If you cat has loose stools or diarrhea it may simply be a case that they cannot make it to the garden or litter tray in time.

If your otherwise healthy adult cat develops an upset stomach, provide a litter tray and feed a bland diet, e.g. boiled chicken or in mild cases just dry food for a couple of days until your cat has recovered.

 If the problem persists or you cat has other symptoms, e.g. lethargy or vomiting, you should seek veterinary advice. Kittens are more vulnerable when unwell so veterinary advice should be promptly sought.

Behavioral problems- stress

Once you have established that there isn’t a medical cause for your cat being dirty then you need to look at the problem as a behavioral one and to try and establish and resolve the cause.

Cats are sensitive animals and pick up on human emotions within their home.  When stressed they can show it by urinating and occasionally defecating in the wrong place.  Neutered male cats can start to spray (urine mark) within your home, males and females may squat and urinate on soft furnishings or in corners of rooms.

 If your cat suddenly starts being dirty try and think if there have been any changes within your  home or with your cat’s outdoor territory in the last few weeks. 

Typical causes include: 

A new and territorial cat in the neighborhood:  Often  an unneutered male – often stray but some are owned, they are territorial and will fight with other cats and also mark the area with strong smelling urine. The solution to this problem is to get him neutered, once neutered his hormones will settle down, and after two weeks he will no longer want to fight and will  cease urine marking his territory.    We can help with neutering him.  

For owned cats it may be necessary for you  to the owner; they will probably be unaware of the havoc their cat is causing in the local area and we can offer help with neutering and even transporting him to be neutered if required.

For strays, including those who are nervous or feral, animal welfare and ourselves  can assist with capturing and neutering and discuss with you either returning him or re-homing on an individual case basis.

Once this cat is neutered your cat will gradually relax again and cease being dirty.

Changes to your home :  a new baby,  a new pet, not getting on with another cat/pet in the home, house moves, divorce, relationship  breakdown, arguments within the home, new partner, building work, redecorating, new furniture. 

Family disputes, upset and bereavement: Try and avoid arguments when your cat is present and try and spend some quiet, quality time with your cat stroking and playing with them. Your cat will be reassured by human contact. 

Often your cat will settle down again and the problem will cease, but for some cats a pattern starts to be established and your cat gets used to urinating or defecating in the wrong place.

 If you can resolve the cause of the problem then you should do so.