Vet and Diet Advice

[SpencerTheLion]

Please note that there is no substitue for a vet. TalkPets members might offer general information that could be helpful in regards to medical and dietary information. Members might share experiences in regards to a specific situation, but again, it can not replace a vet.

Please note that even among professionals, medical opinions will vary. There is very little consensus on feline diets.

I will offer some advise of a general nature on warning signs when you should get your pet to a vet and good feline care. I will usually back them up with links to reputable sources.

On Seeking Help
We at TalkPets! would like to help all legitimate needs or at least refer members to experts. From time to time, a newbie will post a distress call with very little information to go on.

In such instances, we will ask for more information about your cat, dog, or other pet. It's the only way we can assist...or identify a troller pulling a prank. TalkPets! has the technical tools and human experience to discern the person in need from an imposter. It's our commitment to keeping this site a friendly place.

[SpencerTheLion]

At TalkPets! we encourage the sharing of our pet's medical experiences while acknowledging it's not from a vet

Cats can be like men in concealing they don't feel well until it's serious. Therefore it's important to observe a cat's behavior, general physical condition, irregular eating and bowel habits.

This link (http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/firstaid.html) should be helpful in determining if a trip to the vet is necessary. By "rule of thumb" that means an educated guess, not a diagnosis.

Examples: coughing up hairballs can seem like a near-death experience, but are usually no cause for alarm. On the other hand, a cat that becomes less active could have a serious illness. It's important to keep a watchful eye and consider everything.