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About Michael Broad

Hi, I'm a 71-year-old retired solicitor (attorney in the US). Before qualifying I worked in a many jobs including professional photography. I have a girlfriend, Michelle. I love nature, cats and all animals. I am concerned about their welfare.

Can pumpkin help cats with diarrhea?

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Pumpkin contains soluble fibre which absorbs excess water and therefore it firms up a cat’s stool. Adding a teaspoon of pure canned pumpkin to your cat’s food might help with diarrhea. Some of my knowledgeable colleagues who I communicate with … Continue reading →

The meaning of “lines” in cat breeding

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The goal of cat breeders should be to found (establish) a line of healthy cats which excel in reference to the breed standard of the cat association at which their cats are registered. The word “line” in cat breeding comes … Continue reading →

Unwillingness to eat: a classic sign that a cat is dying of old age

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People search for signs that their cat is dying of old age. I have just read about a 31-year-old Maine Coon cat living in England. The Daily Mail reported his death of old age yesterday. His name was Rubble. He … Continue reading →

Can cat vaccinations cause diarrhoea?

Yes, cat vaccinations can cause diarrhoea. Sometimes cats have an allergic reaction to a vaccine. These are called type I hypersensitivity responses or anaphylaxis. It is a well documented adverse response associated with vaccine administration in companion animals.

Nasty reaction to cat vaccine

Nasty reaction to cat vaccine

The hypersensitivity reaction usually occurs within minutes and shows in symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, upper respiratory issues such as sneezing and coughing. Other symptoms include anaphylactic shock, issues with the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system and skin. There may be cardiovascular collapse. It appears that in very rare cases the reaction may prove fatal.

The treatments include the administration of anti-inflammatory agents such as antihistamines, corticosteroids or epinephrine. Cats suffering from an allergic reaction need to be monitored for at least 48 hours because a relapse might occur.

Source: Brooks R. Adverse reactions to canine and feline vaccines. Australian Veterinary Journal, 68:342-344 (1991) as referred to in Linda P Case’s The Cat.

Note: I am not a vet. I have a studied biology and am a careful researcher.

Some more on cat vaccinations

The balance of risk of cat vaccinations

Can cat vaccinations cause diarrhoea?

Yes, cat vaccinations can cause diarrhoea. Sometimes cats have an allergic reaction to a vaccine. These are called type I ...
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Distracting a domestic cat during vaccination jab with a very tasty paste from a tube.

Is this the best way ever for a vet to give a cat a jab?

Is this the best way ever for a vet to give a cat a shot 🐱 ? The distraction of ...
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Cat vaccination sites

Are cat vaccinations really necessary?

The word necessary means 'essential'. So are cat vaccinations really essential? You cannot say that cat vaccinations are essential. This ...
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Cat vaccination

Anti-vaccination pet owners are putting their pets at risk. Discuss.

In the UK, veterinarians believe that millions of dogs, cats and rabbits are being put at risk to potentially fatal ...
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Cat vaccinations

Ninety-eight percent of veterinarians challenged by owners about vaccinations

In the UK cat owners are going off the idea of vaccinating their cat. Is the same trend occurring in ...
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Why do mountain lions have so many names?

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The reason is twofold. This famous wild cat species has a very wide distribution across the Americas although it is shrinking. Also, it has been recognised and recorded for many hundreds of years which has given widely disparate races and … Continue reading →

How can I tell if my cat has a temperature?

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If you want to tell if your cat has a temperature you will need to check it with a thermometer. The procedure is quite straightforward but gentleness is the order of the day. If you don’t already have one, buy … Continue reading →