Q: Can cats and do cats know swim? I will likely be spending a lot of the summer season on a ship with my cat and I need to know if she will likely be alright if she had been to fall overboard. I’ve seen life preservers for pets on-line however the very last thing that I need to put her via is having her put on one all the time, particularly when it will get sizzling outdoors. My different query is a few small raised pink development on her chin that has not too long ago sprung up. She is now 9 years previous, and it doesn’t appear to trouble her It appears to be like like a clean wart. What might it’s?
A: Cats can swim and accomplish that when they should. That mentioned, most cats hate swimming, not like canines that usually take pleasure in it lots. In the wild, massive cats are sometimes in conditions when they should swim to both keep away from hazard or to catch prey. Truthfully, most mammals can swim. There are a couple of that supposedly can not corresponding to giraffes, camels and porcupines. Swimming additionally doesn’t come naturally to many apes.
We communicate of the canine paddle, however cats additionally do the identical, as do most four-legged creatures when they should swim. During your summertime on the boat, I might take into account placing a vest in your cat if the waters are uneven and the boat is rocking an excessive amount of, particularly if you’re at sea. If the boat will likely be stationary and at a mooring or dock, then you could not should be involved with that.
As for the small development, it may very well be absolutely anything. It may very well be a granuloma, a pores and skin polyp, a dermal cyst or one thing else. Any time you discover a new development, it’s advisable to have it seen and probably biopsied primarily based on what your veterinarian deems applicable. Now that your cat is older, I might have it checked out and eliminated if essential. Have a great summer season!
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He might be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”