Artificial intelligence (“AI”) technology is being introduced in various ways in UK cities, including self-driving cars, traffic management systems and sensors in lampposts and pavements. In the following Professor Noortje Marres describes […]

The post Rectal Polyps in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs & Treatments by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Overview Signs Diagnosis Treatment When to the Vet Other Similar Conditions If your cat is straining to pass feces, or you’ve noticed some blood in their poop, there are several possible reasons this could be happening, one of which is rectal polyps; small growths from the lining of the rectum that can cause bleeding and discomfort. Rectal polyps are usually benign, rarely painful, and not very frequently diagnosed in cats. However, it’s not unusual for owners to report blood on or in their cat’s feces, so it is possible that rectal polyps could be more common than we realize. Let’s learn a little more about rectal polyps in cats so you know what to be on the lookout for, and when you need to see the vet. What Are Rectal Polyps? A polyp refers to a growth or outpocketing of tissue from the mucous membrane, in this case, of the rectum. They are typically benign, but in rare cases, they may be cancerous. Rectal polyps are not commonly reported in cats, and cancerous ones are even less so. Polyps come in two forms: Pedunculated – looks like a small sac attached by a stalk Sessile – a raised, flat outpocketing What Are The Signs of Rectal Polyps in Cats? Polyps bleed quite easily, and the most common sign of rectal polyps in cats will be fresh blood on the feces, although they do not usually appear to be painful. If the polyps grow large enough, they may cause difficulty passing feces (tenesmus), or result in diarrhea due to inflammation. Occasionally, straining may cause a polyp to prolapse through the anus, where it would be visible as a moist, red, or bleeding lump. How Are Rectal Polyps Diagnosed? The diagnosis of rectal polyps is usually based on physical and visual examination. Your vet will use a finger to feel for any abnormalities inside the rectum, and may even use an endoscope to examine the lining of the colon. If the polyp is removed, your vet may also recommend sending the tissue away to confirm the diagnosis and ensure there are no signs of malignancy (cancer). Image Credit: mojo cp, Shutterstock How Are Rectal Polyps in Cats Treated? In many cases, polyps are just monitored, as treatment may not be needed. However, if the polyp(s) is growing in size, causing discomfort, or difficulty with passing feces, surgical removal may be needed. The most difficult aspect of removing rectal polyps is getting good access and visualization; the removal itself is usually straightforward, and recovery tends to be quite quick and uneventful. When Should My Cat See The Vet? It’s not uncommon for cats to experience occasional bouts of mild constipation and a small amount of fresh blood in the feces isn’t necessarily a major cause for concern. However, that doesn’t mean we should be ignoring these signs. If you are seeing any of the signs below, it’s time to book your cat in for a check-up: No feces for more than 48 hours Straining to pass feces for more than 24 hours Frequent constipation (more than 2 or 3 times a year) Frequent blood in/on feces Large amount of blood in/on feces Intense licking of anus/genitals Swelling or lumps around the anus Bloated abdomen Reduced appetite Any other signs of illness/pain Image Credit: Melissa Sue, Shutterstock What Can I Do For My Cat With Rectal Polyps? If your cat has been diagnosed with rectal polyps, the most important step you can take to minimize the risks of them causing problems or prolapsing is feeding your cat the right diet. Being carnivores, cats do not need fiber in their diet from a nutritional standpoint, but it does play an important role in producing healthy stools in domestic cats. Formed, firm stools are always ideal, particularly if your cat has rectal polyps. Poops that are quite soft or loose will get caught up on these polyps, putting your cat at risk of further inflammation and infection. However, we need to avoid overly large poops, as this can cause stretching and bleeding of polyps, as well as the rectal wall and anus. Look for a diet that contains around 5% fiber for active cats, and close to 15% for our more sedentary felines. Making sure your cat has regular checkups with the vet is also important so that they can monitor the size of the polyps. What Other Conditions Have Similar Signs To Rectal Polyps in Cats? Being a relatively uncommon condition in cats, it is important to be aware of some other, more common conditions that may have similar clinical signs to rectal polyps. They include: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Constipation Anal Sac Disease Intestinal Parasites All the above conditions can cause tenesmus, blood in the feces, and inflammation & irritation around the anus, and all of the above conditions require veterinary help to solve. Final Thoughts Rectal polyps are not very common in cats and are rarely cause for major concern. However, they occasionally need to be removed, and can also mimic several other conditions. While the occasional trace of blood in the feces isn’t an emergency, if your cat is regularly having difficulty going to the toilet, spending a lot of time licking ‘down there’, or if bloody poops are becoming a frequent occurrence, do not hesitate in booking your cat in for a checkup with the vet. Sources https://www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diseases-of-the-rectum-and-anus/rectal-polyps-in-dogs-and-cats https://www.msdvetmanual.com/cat-owners/digestive-disorders-of-cats/disorders-of-the-rectum-and-anus-in-cats Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock The post Rectal Polyps in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs & Treatments by Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Toronto Humane Society Celebrates Success of Taylor Swift-Inspired Cat Adoption Campaign by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Look What She Made Them Do Forever & Always How You Can Speak Now and Help Out The Toronto Humane Society should be celebrating like they’ll never go out of style after a successful Taylor Swift-inspired cat adoption campaign. Launched to coincide with the Eras tour stop in Toronto, this campaign aimed to bring Swifties and cat lovers together in a meaningful way. After naming 17 of their adorable adoptable cats with names inspired by the billionaire songstress, 16 of them were swiftly adopted. Catsters in Toronto, I’m speaking directly to you here: Whether you’re a Swiftie or not, it’s time to get that 17th cat adopted!!! And, Swifties, I’m speaking directly to you here: Whether a cat is named after Tay-Tay or not, there are so many ways you can help cats and make Mother proud. Look What She Made Them Do Even without her physical presence, the mere suggestion of Taylor’s name can inspire the crowds. While there are some unsubstantiated claims of Taylor donating to shelters herself, there are many verified reports of her fans donating to animal shelters and adopting cats in her name. That begs the question, does it really matter where the support is coming from, so long as the cats are being saved, loved, and cared for? Whether a fan or not, it’s hard to ignore the influence that Taylor has on cat lovers. For example, with this campaign alone, just by having her music mentioned, 16 Swifty families were inspired to begin their feline Love Story, fill in the Blank Space, and write their new cat’s name. “We’re grateful for Taylor’s music and her influence, which brought an incredible sense of excitement to our shelter,” says Melissa Shupak, Director of Animal Sheltering at Toronto Humane Society. The Toronto Humane Society played Swift’s music throughout the adoption halls during the campaign. Many fans also supported the campaign by sharing their enthusiasm across social media and helping to raise awareness for shelter animal adoption. Cats with names “Folklore,” “Evermore,” “Cornelia,” and “August” have had their Wildest Dreams made by becoming cherished members of their new families. The hope is that their unique names continue to bring joy to their adoptive parents and spark conversations about shelter animal adoption, providing a ripple effect and getting more animals into their furever homes. Though she was unable to attend during this campaign, the Toronto Humane Society extended an open invitation to Taylor Swift herself for a behind-the-scenes tour to meet these feline super-fans. The invitation remains open for a future visit. Forever & Always Image Credit: 99mimimi, Pixabay According to their website, “the establishment of Toronto Humane Society was inspired by an anonymous $2 donation to aid an old, worn-out white workhorse. In November 1886, a Toronto resident sent a letter about the horse, a familiar sight on city streets, to The Toronto World, a daily newspaper. ‘Why,’ he asked, ‘don’t we have a society for the prevention of cruelty?’ was the comment added to the letter by 22-year-old reporter John J. Kelso when it was published in the World. In answer to his question, an anonymous donor sent the $2 donation to the newspaper office the following day. The fund kept growing until $74 had accumulated. John Kelso’s presentation to the Canadian Institute on February 19, 1887, marked the launch of the humane and children’s aid movement in Ontario.” They had their inaugural meeting on February 24, 1887, and have been going strong, supporting animal rights and welfare ever since. While the Toronto Humane Society credits the success of this campaign to Taylor’s music and her fans, I think that it is truly a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all of the support crew at the Humane Society themselves. Their unyielding optimism and love for animals have allowed them to think outside of the box and create this campaign. The Toronto Humane Society is known widely as an educational resource, support system, and leading voice in animal welfare and accessible care throughout Ontario’s capital. And with their mission to improve the lives of animals, this campaign was born and made successful. But, they are very humble, which is a true testament to who they are and why this organization is so important to support. “We are so thankful to everyone who opened their hearts and homes to the ‘Swiftie’ cats,” says Shupak. “Your compassion has not only given these cats a second chance but also brought a powerful sense of community to our shelter.” The Toronto Humane Society remains dedicated to connecting animals in need with loving homes while raising awareness of the joys of adoption. With the continued support of the community, the legacy of this campaign will help more animals find the care and compassion they deserve. How You Can Speak Now and Help Out There’s one kitty, Swiftie, that still needs adopting from this campaign, so first, let’s find him a home. Visit www.torontohumanesociety.com for more information. Image from Toronto Sun Then, support your local animal shelter! Whether you’re in Toronto or not, there’s one, or many near you. They always need help, whether financially or through fostering or adoption. There is truly no better feeling than adopting or rescuing an animal, but if you can’t do that, get in touch with them and see what they need. Would you adopt a cat with a Taylor Swift-inspired name? Or another artist? Or do their names matter to you at all? Let us know in the comments below! The post Toronto Humane Society Celebrates Success of Taylor Swift-Inspired Cat Adoption Campaign by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Grief is a complicated emotion. It often comes without warning. There is no one specific way to handle it and no given time for recovery. In fact, some people never get over their grief at all and fall into a downward spiral of depression, closing themselves off from the world around them. Although the people […] The post 10 Incredible People Who Took Their Grief and Used It for Good appeared first on Listverse.

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