by Nomi Berger
 
Feline stomatitis (often called feline chronic gingivo-stomatitis (FCGS) by veterinary dentists) is a complex and painful disease that causes severe inflammation of cats’ entire mouths, including the gum tissue around their teeth and their mucous membranes.
 
While the precise cause of this disease isn’t clear, most experts believe that it results from an abnormal and overactive immune reaction. The immune systems of cats suffering from frequent viral or bacterial infections may start “attacking” their mouths’ healthy tissue, resulting in swelling and pain. Cats with weakened immune systems due to FIV or FeLV infections may also be more prone to developing stomatitis.
 
The earliest symptoms of stomatitis in your own kitty are: a foul odor eminating from her mouth, often accompanied by excessive salivation and/or drooling; she isn’t grooming herself as often; she may drop food from her mouth or cry out while she’s eating. Some cats’ mouths become so painful that they’re hesitant to eat and may avoid food to the point where they begin losing weight.
 
Should you notice any of these symptoms in your kitty, bring her to the vet immediately for a thorough examination. A diagnosis of stomatitis is based primarily on her medical history and her symptoms. Blood and urine tests will look for some underlying systemic disease that may be responsible for her inflamed gums and oral tissues. Dental x-rays will determine if there’s any damage to the tooth roots and other supporting structures.
 
The first step in treating your cat (most often, no specific underlying cause can be identified) is a complete oral health evaluation of her mouth and the removal of all plaque and tartar under general anesthesia. The deposits of plaque and tartar are removed with ultrasonic scaling followed by polishing of the tooth surfaces. It’s essential to meticulously clean the tissues beneath the gumline in order to remove any accumulated plaque or tartar. Afterwards, the gingivitis should subside, although some cats will require frequent dental cleanings to help keep their mouths as healthy as possible.
 
Treating your kitty at home involves brushing her teeth and using either chlorhexidine rinses or gels to manage the disease. Your vet may prescribe pain medications, broad-spectrum antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory medications for her. If she’s hesitant to eat in the first few days following this procedure, your vet can prescribe an appetite stimulant for her. If she’s accustomed to eating hard kibble, feed her canned food instead and keep her on a softened diet while she’s healing. Once the gum tissue has healed, she may be willing and able to eat kibble again.
 
If, however, at some point, several or all of her teeth need to be extracted, she can still do very well – provided she continues to have routine dental evaluations and treatments. Once her mouth is free of pain and inflammation, not only will her appetite improve so will her attitude and, most importantly, her quality of life.

by Nomi Berger
 
Does YOUR favorite feline companion enjoy licking the carpet? If so, have you ever considered the paws-ible reasons behind this behavior?
 
1. It “tastes” good: Because cats have a highly developed sense of smell, spilled drinks or food may have attracted your cat to the carpet and she’s simply licking up the residue. But if you want to deter this behavior, you have three options. The first is to distract her with a toy. The second is to spray the carpet with a cat-safe deterrent that will, quite literally, repel her. The third is to have your carpet steam-cleaned.
 
2. Comfort behavior: Cats lick and suck as a comforting gesture. If your kitty is licking the carpet, she may find it makes her feel extremely comfortable and is doing this as a form of relaxation. She may even be lying down and “kneading” the carpet at the same time. Just make certain that she’s not ingesting any parts of the carpet. But again, if you don’t want her licking the carpet, try redirecting her attention to a toy – perhaps a new and exciting one -- or to several high-value treats.
 
3. Boredom: If your favorite feline is feeling either frustrated or bored, she might resort to licking the carpet as a way of “entertaining” herself. The best solution for both is to purchase several new toys, particularly interactive ones, get down on the floor and play with her and/or add a climbing structure such as a multi-tiered cat tree to the room.
 
4. Behavioral issues: An anxious cat is at risk of developing pica (the act of licking, chewing or sucking on inappropriate, non-food items) as a coping mechanism. Hence, your carpet. On the other hand, she could be suffering from some form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If so, monitor her for other obvious signs of stress like: aggression, digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation, excessive grooming/hair loss, excessive scratching, increased sleeping, isolation, loss of appetite, reactivity and/or urinating outside the litter box. Pheromone diffusers may help since they emit calming scents intended to soothe a cat’s nerves. But the best and safest course of action is to take your kitty to the vet for a thorough examination. The solution may be as simple – and reassuring – as making some changes to your home environment or putting her on prescribed anxiety medication.
 
5. Disease: While a poor diet and malnutrition can lead to pica, malnutrition can also occur in cats on a healthy diet due to anything from parasites and inflammatory bowel disease to cancer, leaving them unable to absorb the nutrients properly. If your cat is or feels sick, she may lick your carpet as a form of coping strategy. Once again, only your vet can give her a thorough physical examination and order whatever tests may be deemed necessary to successfully treat the cat you cherish.

by Nomi Berger
 
Does the sight of your kitty shaking her head and scratching either one or both of her ears have you worried? If so, the likely culprit is an ear infection.
 
Not only are ear infections (otitis externa) uncomfortable and painful, they make the ear canals extremely sensitive. As a result, cats will shake their heads and scratch their ears in an effort to remove the debris and fluid from their ear canals. Their ears will often become red and inflamed, develop an offensive smell, accompanied most often by a yellow, brown or black discharge.
 
While an infestation of ear mites can cause many of these same symptoms, ear mite infections are generally found in outdoor cats and in kittens. Ear mites in adult cats tend to occur after a kitten already infected with ear mites is brought into your home.
 
Sometimes ear mites create an “environment” within a kitten or cat’s ear canals that prove to be a fertile breeding ground for a yeast or bacterial infection, i.e., a secondary infection. Ironically, by the time you bring your kitty to the veterinarian, the mites may be gone but a serious ear infection may remain.
 
To determine the precise cause of the problem, your vet will examine your cat’s ear canals with an otoscope, an instrument that provides both light and magnification. This allows for an excellent view of the ear canal and enables your vet to determine if the eardrum is intact and if there’s a foreign object, polyp or even a tumor in the canal. Should the canal be severely inflamed or should there be a large amount of debris and/or discharge inside it, a thorough examination may be impossible. If this is the case or if your kitty’s ears are extremely painful, and she refuses to allow them to be examined, she may require sedation or a general anesthetic.
 
Your vet will then examine a sample of the material taken from her ear canal under a microscope for any signs of infection. For a bacterial or fungal infection, a specific medication will usually be sufficient, but if more than one type of infection is identified, it will require multiple medications. (Some medications combine both antibiotics and antifungal treatments with an anti-inflammatory agent). If a foreign object is lodged in her ear canal, she can always be sedated to have it removed.
 
Of even greater importance, though, is determining whether or not your kitty has some underlying condition. If this can’t be determined, she’s either less likely to respond positively to treatment or she may respond temporarily only to relapse once it’s discontinued. The possibilities include allergies, an ear mite infestation or an oddly shaped ear canal. Not to mention, closing of the ear canal when an infection becomes both severe and chronic. Some medications may help shrink the swollen tissues and open the canal. However, some cases may eventually require surgery.
 
On the plus side, nearly all ear infections that are correctly diagnosed and treated can be cured!

by Nomi Berger
 
If YOUR favorite feline finds drinking from the toilet a paw-leasure, have you ever wondered why? And how to break her of this less than sanitary habit?
 
Cats don’t “consider” it a toilet. To them, it’s a giant water fountain in the bathroom! And so, drinking from this particular water supply seems purr-fectly reasonable.
 
Because toilets are typically made of porcelain, they work best at keeping the water cool – which felines, naturally, favor. While some cat water bowls may also be made of porcelain, the majority of them are made of stainless steel, plastic, glass or ceramic, materials that fail to keep the water as satisfyingly cool as porcelain does.
 
The toilet’s constant flushing causes water oxygenation, which helps freshen the water supply, making it more appealing for cats since it’s often fresher than the contents of their water bowls.
 
Constantly curious creatures, cats can be fascinated by watching water swirl down the drain. If they enjoy playing with or drinking water running from a sink faucet, they’ll likely be interested in playing with toilet water as well, which can, of course, lead to drinking it.
 
When cats drink water in a high traffic area, they often feel vulnerable and exposed. A toilet bowl affords them the privacy they prefer because they can keep their backs to the wall while enjoying a quiet drink.
 
Excessive water drinking (Polydipsia) may be a sign of several conditions, including diabetes, hyperthyroidism, an infection or kidney disease. Cats with polydipsia will drink from any source: the toilet, dripping faucets, the shower, drinking glasses and even puddles. If you suspect your cat is polydipsic, bring her to the vet who will likely run some blood and urine tests to determine the cause of her increased thirst.
 
Consider these ways to temper your cat’s passion for drinking from the toilet:
 
Purchase a porcelain water bowl, and refresh the water in it at least once a day. For warmer conditions, one or two ice cubes in the bowl can make a substantial difference.
 
Separate her water bowl from her food bowl by two to three feet and place them both in a quiet location where she can keep an eye on her surroundings, thereby reducing her sense of vulnerability.
 
Because most cats prefer to drink from several different sources of water, place multiple water bowls (six inches or smaller will do) in various areas throughout your home.
 
Since it’s vital to keep the water bowls clean, they should be washed thoroughly every day (twice a day would be even better), and then filled to the brim with fresh, cold water.
 
Knowing that cats are drawn to running water, particularly those who ONLY want to drink from running faucets, another possibility is a cat water fountain. Not only will the water be constantly circulating, allowing for oxygenation, a sturdy, quiet fountain that’s difficult to knock over is easier than keeping multiple bowls that require multiple cleanings throughout your home.
 
Last but not least: the simplest solution of all is to keep the toilet lid closed. In fact, it’s recommended that you ALWAYS close the lid before you flush. Research shows that putting the toilet lid down before flushing reduces airborne particles by 50%. 

by Nomi Berger
 
Addison’s disease or hypoadrenocorticism is the result of decreased hormone production in the cortex (outer part) of a cat’s adrenal glands. While rare in cats, hypoadrenocorticism is most common in middle-aged cats and seems to be equally common in males and females whatever their breed.
 
Located close to the kidneys, the adrenal glands are a pair of small glands, each of which is comprised of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. These glands produce two vital hormones: cortisol, a stress hormone, and aldosterone, a hormone that regulates the body’s levels of sodium and potassium. The proper level of these two minerals is essential for maintaining the body’s fluid balance.
 
Clinical signs of this disease are usually vague and can include lethargy, vomiting, increased thirst, increased urination, unplanned weight loss and intermittent shaking episodes that may wax and wane. While such non-specific treatments as the administration of fluids or the use of corticosteroids may help temporarily, the signs will soon return. And if they do, Addison’s disease may be the culprit.
 
Sometimes, however, a cat’s symptoms may appear abruptly and severely, causing an Addisonian crisis. These symptoms include sudden weakness with severe vomiting and sometimes collapse. Deemed a true medical emergency, prompt hospitalization and supportive treatment are a must.
 
Any diagnosis by your vet will be based on your cat’s medical history, including her medications, clinical signs, and the results of blood and urine tests – with special attention being paid to electrolyte imbalances. The most definitive diagnostic test for Addison’s disease, however, is the ACTH-stimulation test where her cortisol levels are measured before and after an injection of a synthetic form of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). To rule out a different cause, additional tests such as basal cortisol levels, natural plasma ACTH, an ECG, x-rays and an abdominal ultrasound may be performed.
 
Fortunately, though, once diagnosed, most cats with Addison’s disease can be successfully treated. They will typically receive two medications: one to supplement glucocorticoids (steroids) and another to supplement mineralocorticoids, which regulate electrolytes. Either of these medications can be given as daily oral tablets of Fludrocortisone acetate (brand name Florinef®) or as a long-acting injection of Desoxycorticosterone pivalate, DOCP (brand name Percortin®). Both of these medications will have to be continued for the rest of your cat’s life, together with regular veterinary care and monitoring.
 
She will likely see your vet for follow-up blood tests at least once a month in the early stages of regulating the disease. This frequency will decrease over time if she responds well to treatment. In general, the prognosis for cats with Addison’s disease is good. If your cat can be successfully treated during the initial crisis and started on appropriate long-term therapy, she should continue to lead a normal and loving life.

by Nomi Berger
 
When dead skin cells accumulate on a cat’s skin, hair follicles or coat, it’s known as a condition called seborrhea, or simply put, dandruff.
 
Presenting as small white flakes or flecks that appear throughout her fur or attached to her skin, they may be visible in specific areas -- most commonly at the base of her tail or hind end – or everywhere on her body. Oftentimes these flakes are accompanied by such skin irritations as redness, scabbing or lesions. 
 
The most common causes of cat dandruff include:
· Allergies: from fleas and food to genetics and the environment
· External parasites on the skin: fleas, mites and ticks
· Hormonal issues: diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism  
· Internal parasites: coccidia, giardia and worms
· Malnutrition or poor diet: diets lacking in omega-3 fatty acids
· Obesity: overweight cats find grooming themselves difficult
· Orthopedic diseases like arthritis: pain can deter cats from adequately grooming themselves
· Temperature changes or changes in the humidity
 
While stress may be a culprit, dandruff may also be a symptom of a more concerning medical condition that requires a visit to the vet.
 
Your vet will begin by reviewing your kitty’s medical history and then perform a thorough examination on her. To determine if the dandruff is the result of some underlying condition, the following tests may be ordered:
· Full blood work: complete blood count, serum chemistry, thyroid levels and electrolytes to check for any systemic disease
· Fecal testing: to check for an intestinal parasite infection that can cause dry skin and a poor haircoat
· Skin scraping or hair plucking: to check for fleas, lice, mites or ticks
· Skin culture: to check for either bacteria or ringworm on her skin
 
If nothing reveals an obvious underlying medical condition, your vet might suggest changing your cat’s diet, changing or improving your environment (proper temperature/humidity) and her grooming habits as well as providing her with either holistic or feline-specific supplements designed to treat the dandruff. Anti-seborrheic shampoos and topical treatments such as Douxo-S3 or DermaBenSs can also be helpful. Should there be little or no improvement in her condition over time, oral antibiotics, steroids and/or immunosuppressive medications may have to be considered.
 
If a food allergy is suspected, your vet may recommend changing your kitty to a novel protein -- duck, whitefish, venison or rabbit -- diet or to a hypoallergenic diet. Brushing and flea prevention are also recommended, particularly for indoor/outdoor cats and those who can’t groom themselves properly because of arthritis or obesity.
 
However, if your cat’s dandruff not only lasts for weeks but is accompanied by scabbing, itching, behavioral changes, decreased appetite, lethargy or vomiting, or if you see fleas, mites or ticks on her skin, schedule an immediate appointment with your vet.

by Nomi Berger
 
If so, you’re definitely not the only one. What is it about bathrooms that our feline friends find so utterly fascinating?
 
Some cats see bathrooms as the purr-fect playrooms – whether their owners are in there or not. From a tub to circle or slide around in to rolls of toilet paper to unravel, from towels and robes to tug at to rugs or bathmats to roll around on – MEOW! Is it any wonder cats can’t get enough of such tempting “play things”?
 
Then there’s the sink. Its rounded sides are ideal for cradling a cat’s body, creating a cozy place for lounging and sleeping.
Its coolness may feel wonderfully refreshing during the warmer months, while her own body heat will warm it during the colder months, making it ever so comfortably toasty.
 
Although it’s common knowledge that most cats dislike being wet, many LOVE being near water – especially fresh, running water. In the bathroom, they can drink fresh water from both the sink and tub faucets, while some cats fancy licking a wet tub and lapping up bathwater.
 
Nothing piques a pussycat’s interest or provokes her ire more than the sight of a closed door – particularly a closed bathroom door with you on the other side of it. If you and your kitty share a special bond, not only does she know all of your habits and daily routines, she’s understandably curious about what you’re doing and wants to spend time with you. She yearns, even demands, to share in whatever activities are going on without her. Simply put, she doesn’t want to miss out on “all the fun.”
 
Notorious for seeking affection on her terms, a kitty who finds you seated on the toilet will take full advantage of your “trapped” paws-ition, knowing she now has your undivided attention. What could be more alluring or inviting than the sight of your warm lap exposed for her – if you allow it -- to settle in and purr up a storm? What better way for her to garner some extra strokes and pets, head and chin scratches from you than by rubbing herself back and forth against your legs? Or … if you’ve just taken a bath or a shower, your kitty may relish her role as devoted “dryer” by lovingly licking your wet skin with her tiny tongue.
 
In short, a bathroom contains all of the subtle scents and smells of you: your cat’s most cherished being. This is where you spend much of your time each day performing so many of life’s little rituals. What you may consider mundane – combing your hair, washing your hands, flossing and brushing your teeth, drinking water, swallowing pills -- may seem nothing short of miraculous to your cat as she watches every move that you make – from her perch on the vanity, the sink or the closed toilet lid.
 
Ironically, then, bathroom time can prove to be extremely valuable and pleasurable bonding time for you both.

by Nomi Berger
 
Feline epiphora, simply put, is an overflow of tears from a cat’s eyes. A symptom rather than a specific disease, it’s associated with a variety of conditions.
 
Normally, a thin film of tears is produced to lubricate your cat’s eyes, leaving the excess fluid to drain into the tear ducts, located in the corner of each eye next to her nose, which, in turn, drain tears into the back of her nose and throat. Usually associated with insufficient drainage of this tear film is a blockage of the tear ducts or poor eyelid function due to some sort of deformity. Conversely, epiphora may result from the excessive production of tears.
 
The most obvious signs of epiphora are dampness or wetness beneath her eyes, reddish-brown staining of the fur beneath her eyes, odor, skin irritation and skin infection. In some instances, you may even see tears rolling down your kitty’s face.
 
A vet visit is the first step in determining if there is an underlying cause for her excess tear production. Some of these causes include abnormal eyelashes (distichia or ectopic cilia), allergies, anatomical abnormalities such as rolled in eyelids (entropion) or rolled out eyelids (ectropion), conjunctivitis (viral or bacterial), corneal ulcers, eye infections, eye injuries and glaucoma.
 
Should these causes be eliminated, it’s essential to determine whether or not there IS proper and adequate tear drainage. Your vet will perform a thorough ocular exam, paying special attention to your cat’s tear ducts and nearby tissues, and checking for any signs of inflammation or other abnormalities. One of the simplest tests involves placing a drop of fluorescein stain in the eye, holding her head slightly downward, and watching for drainage into her nose. If the drainage system is functioning normally, the stain should appear in her nose within minutes. If none is seen, it doesn’t definitively diagnose a blocked tear duct and merits further investigation.
 
Your cat will then be anesthetized and a special instrument inserted into the duct to flush out its contents. In some instances, the duct may not have opened during her development, and if so, it can be surgically opened during this procedure. If chronic infections or allergies have caused the ducts to narrow, flushing may help widen them. If, however, the cause is related to another eye condition, other treatment options may include surgery.
 
If your cat has an eye infection, your vet may prescribe a topical antibiotic such as oxytetracycline, triple antibiotic ointments intended for pets or topical antivirals like idoxuridine. If, however, she has an upper respiratory infection or nasal discharge or can’t tolerate eye drops, your vet may prescribe an oral antibiotic like doxycycline or azithromycin.
 
Unless an underlying cause can be found and treated, most cats with epiphora will experience intermittent episodes all of their lives. If your cat’s facial anatomy (such brachycephalic breeds as Persians and Himalayans) prevents adequate drainage of the tear film, some degree of epiphora will persist regardless, and in most cases, no significant problems may arise, and the tear staining may merely be cosmetic. The most you can do in this case is clean the area under your kitty’s eyes with gentle wipes designed specifically for pets.

by Nomi Berger
 
Our feline fur-iends are famous for staring!
 
They are the most curious of observers, whether it’s staring at you, at the wall, outside a window (for up to five hours a day) or seemingly at nothing at all. Have you ever paw-ndered the reasons for these legendary and oh-so-photogenic stares? If so, consider the following:
 
Whatever the breed, cats have huge eyes when compared to the size of the rest of their bodies. They also blink about twice a minute while we, as humans, blink between 15 to 20 times a minute.
 
Compared to humans, cats are nearsighted. The average human visual acuity is 20/20. What does this mean? It means that when our visual acuity is tested, the detail we’re able to see is from 100 to 200 feet away. Feline visual acuity, however, ranges from between 20/100 and 20/200, indicating that cats can only see clearly from 20 feet away. What’s clear to us at a distance of 100 feet, therefore, appears blurry to cats.
 
But whatever they lack in visual acuity, they compensate for -- thanks to other advantages. The more numerous rods in their retinas allow them to see in one-sixth the amount of light that we require. They also have a wider field of vision at 200 degrees whereas our field of vision is 180 degrees. Blessed with the ability to detect the tiniest insect or speck of dust at close range, this, paired with their superior peripheral vision, lets them fixate on things we wouldn’t even notice.
 
Since domesticated cats have adapted to people’s habits and use our “signals” to gather information, they don’t merely notice a person’s gaze they actually follow it. Not to mention staring at YOU!
 
Examples:
 
Affection: If your cat is staring at you through squinted eyes and giving you a slow blink while her body’s relaxed, she’s demonstrating the feline version of love and trust. Commonly referred to as cat “eye kisses,” they’re that much more meaningful when you respond to her “advances” by slow blinking back at her.
 
Hunger: If your cat is hungry, she may stare at you in an effort to get the message across. If it’s either close to mealtime or if she’s actually standing near her food bowl, she’ll make direct eye contact with you – often accented with a “meow” -- until her obvious request for food has been met.
 
Hunting: Given that cats are innately predators, they will focus on their prey by staring at them intently. Have you ever observed your own kitty staring at a bird outside the window and seeing her flinch with every movement the bird makes? This means she’s hyper-focused on staring that bird down.
 
Other cats: If yours is a multi-cat household, you’ve no doubt observed them staring at each other, i.e. staring each other down. Because all cats are territorial, this behavior can be one of dominance, aggression over beds or access to litter boxes or something far more pleasant such as initiating playing and wrestling.

by Nomi Berger
 
What precisely is acupuncture and how does it work?
 
According to the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, illness is caused by an imbalance of vital energies in the body. Acupuncture, an important aspect of this philosophy, focuses on restoring the body’s energy balance, thereby promoting healing.
 
Just as with people, acupuncture involves inserting very fine, filament-like needles into your affected cat’s body at points where the nerves and blood vessels converge. Called meridian sites, they’re believed to be energy channels responsible for transmitting energy throughout your cat’s body. Once these needles are properly placed, they enhance blood circulation, stimulate the nervous system and increase the release of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substances in order to reduce your cat’s discomfort.
 
Research has shown that acupuncture works through modulating the nerve pathways by interacting with nerve fibers in both the skin and its underlying tissues. This leads to the release of beneficial chemicals, including opioid-like neurochemicals, from the brain and spinal cord. Close to the needles themselves, substances that encourage blood flow to the area are released, interrupting pain signals and releasing the trigger points that cause painful spasms.
 
By increasing the tissues’ oxygenation, acupuncture reduces the amount of waste products produced and enables the body to remove them more efficiently. By relaxing the muscles, it relieves pain locally and generally. By stimulating the release of naturally occurring pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory substances, it may also decrease the dosage of any pain medication or anti-inflammatory drug your cat currently takes. And since it has no systemic side effects, it’s especially beneficial for a cat in poor health.
 
Among the assorted ailments aided by acupuncture are allergies and other forms of non-infectious inflammation, arthritis and vertebral disc pathology, gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, pain, paralysis, respiratory problems such as feline asthma, skin problems such as lick granuloma and various reproductive problems. (Acupuncture should not, however, be used as an alternative to drugs or surgery to treat severe or acute pain. Nor is it always appropriate for cats with cancer. As always, discuss this with the person you trust most: your vet.)
 
Before your first appointment with a veterinary acupuncturist, your vet will have already sent ahead your cat’s medical records outlining a history of her condition, all lab results, x-rays if applicable, and her present medical treatment(s). The acupuncturist will perform their own physical examination of your cat, discuss various treatment options, and explain precisely what happens during an acupuncture session.
 
Although some cats can’t or won’t tolerate acupuncture, most of them do. Despite a slight initial prick, it subsides when the needle is left in her skin. Experienced acupuncturists are especially sympathetic to a cat’s needs. Using as few needles as possible, inserting only a few at a time, and allowing your cat to rest and stretch out between needles will ensure that her treatment is both gentle and pleasant.
 
A session typically lasts between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the condition(s) being addressed, after which the acupuncturist will outline a treatment plan for your cat involving one to three sessions weekly for several weeks. While there are few side effects with acupuncture, your cat may be stiff, sore or seem tired after a session, but these symptoms usually resolve themselves within 24 to 48 hours.
 
As your cat improves, the number of sessions will be reduced accordingly. And although acupuncture’s beneficial effects are cumulative, the aim is to achieve and maintain the highest level of improvement with the fewest possible sessions. But if your cat can’t tolerate needles, consider trying low-level lasers and infrared light instead.