Mancat Monday with Another UTI

Poor Evan is having urinary issues again.

I believe Evan has another UTI, and so I've emailed his vet to see if he thinks we can again just start Evan on antibiotics given his symptoms. (Edit: Evan's vet agrees that Evan almost certainly has a UTI and so he'll start on antibiotics today.) This time around Evan has started showing a number of his usual UTI symptoms, as well as blood in his urine, which is also not terribly new for Evan. Given his hind limb paralysis and urinary incontinence, he will always be at a higher risk for UTIs.

Evan also has megacolon and resulting constipation, and so he's on various meds to loosen his stool and help with colon motility. Sometimes that causes something akin to diarrhea, though, and given Evan's back end situation, that causes a mess that can also then lead to UTIs. I wash Evan's back end with an antimicrobial cleaner daily, but it can't work miracles.

I just had to share that last photo, since it shows our housemate Winky checking on Evan and giving him a little kiss. Yeah, we'll pretend that's what she was doing and not that she really wanted the sunny bed he was sleeping in. I gave Winky a different bed to cozy up in, though, so she and Evan both got to take a nap in the sun.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

 

Today's summer safety tip is all about sunburn. Just like us humans, our furbabies can get sunburned. This can happen during time outdoors, or even by sunbathing in windows or doors. And, just as with humans, sunburn can result in skin cancer in our cats and dogs. This is why it is incredibly important to be aware of this and to take precautions.

Keep in mind that cats and dogs with little to no fur are of course more susceptible to sunburn. In addition to this, those with light fur and skin, such as those that are white or orange coats, are also more susceptible. That doesn't mean furbabies of other colors are not at risk, though. In addition, the areas of the body most likely to get sunburn are the ears, nose, and belly, as in most furbabies these areas have less hair coverage. Again, though, this doesn't mean sunburn or skin cancer cannot occur elsewhere on the body.

What are the signs of sunburn in your furbaby? They are very similar to those in humans. A cat or dog with sunburn will typically develop pink or red skin, which is often inflamed as well. The sunburn is often painful, and the affected skin can also become dry and flaky. Hair loss can also occur around the sunburned area. These are all signs to be aware of, but they are also things that you want to try to prevent from happening in the first place.

So, what can you do to protect your furbabies from sunburn and potential resulting skin cancer? You can of course minimize their time in direct sunlight, whether that be while outside or while sunbathing in a window or door. You can opt for outdoor activities when the sun is not at its peak, as well as opting for shade when outdoors. When it comes to indoor furbabies, you can close doors and curtains to help protect against sunburn during the sun's prime time of the day. In addition to this, there are certain window types and window covers that can help block UV light. These could certainly be useful for frequented windows and doors, but this also of course may not guarantee full protection against sunburn or resulting skin cancer.

Finally, another option for sun protection is, of course, sunscreen. This is especially important for furbabies who frequently go outdoors in the summer sun, or even for those who frequently sunbathe indoors. There is pet-safe sunscreen available on the market. Many sunscreens designed for humans can contain ingredients that are potentially toxic to cats and dogs, so it is indeed important that you look for products formulated especially for your kitty or pup. What's more, as we always say, if you have any questions at all regarding sunburn and skin cancer in your kitty or pup, be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian.