Savannah2of2

Your Savannah

Caring for Your Feline Companion

Savannahs: What a Unique Breed!

Your cat is special! She senses your moods, is curious about your day, and has purred her way into your heart. Chances are that you chose her because you lot like Savannahs and you expected her to take certain traits that would fit your lifestyle, similar:

  • Energetic, active, and athletic
  • Loves jumping and being in high places
  • Affectionate – forms potent bonds with family
  • Has a curt, like shooting fish in a barrel-to-care-for coat
  • Large, strong, and athletic

Withal, no cat is perfect! You may accept too noticed these characteristics:

  • Strong hunting instinct – will hunt annihilation flying or scampering
  • Needs early socialization to have other pets and strangers
  • Must be properly socialized with humans and other animals

Is it all worth it? Of grade! She's full of personality, and you love her for it! She is a rare and exotic ready for your love and dedication.

The Savannah is a cross between a wild African Serval and a domestic true cat. Most Savannahs notwithstanding conduct a high percentage of undomesticated blood. It is of import to understand the F or Filial rating to know how much undomesticated blood a Savannah might carry. An F1 Savannah has a parent, usually the male, equally a Serval. An F2 has a Serval for a grandparent. For the F3 the Serval is the bully grandparent and and so on. Some states restrict the ownership of the Savannah to the later filial ratings. A nifty bargain of a Savannah'southward personality may depend on how close they are to their F1 cantankerous. A Savannah can be black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby or black smoke. Black Savannahs are solid black but may take faint "ghost spots" that tin exist seen below the black color. Some are very social and friendly with new people, while others may run and hide or revert to hissing and growling when seeing a stranger. Savannahs take strong hunting instincts and dearest to climb and jump. Early socialization is crucial to their development. Well socialized Savannah's tin can be affectionate and playful members of the family.

Your Savannah's Health

We know that because you care so much well-nigh your cat, you lot want to accept cracking intendance of her. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Savannah. By knowing about the wellness concerns common amidst Savannahs, nosotros can help y'all tailor an individual preventive health program and hopefully prevent some predictable risks in your pet.

Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, significant they are related to your pet's breed. The conditions we volition draw hither have a significant rate of incidence or a strong touch on upon this breed particularly, according to a general consensus amidst feline genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners. This does not mean your cat will have these problems, merely that she may be more at risk than other cats. We will draw the near common bug seen in Savannahs to give yous an thought of what may come up in her future. Of course, we can't embrace every possibility here, and then e'er check with us if y'all notice whatever unusual signs or symptoms.

This guide contains general health information important to all felines as well as information on genetic predispositions for Savannahs. The information here tin can help you lot and your pet'south healthcare team plan for your pet's unique medical needs together. At the end of the booklet, we have also included a description of what you can do at dwelling to continue your Savannah looking and feeling her best. Nosotros hope this information will help yous know what to watch for, and we will all feel amend knowing that we're taking the all-time possible care of your friend.

General Wellness Information for your Savannah

Weight Management

Obesity is a major affliction that contributes to a surprisingly big number of illnesses and deaths in cats.

This revelation is more than well-known and well-understood today than in the terminal few decades, but also many owners are still ignoring the dangers of extra weight on their pets. Excess weight is one of the about influential factors in the development of arthritis, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases. Anybody knows—many firsthand from personal experience—how even shedding only a few pounds can upshot in improved mobility and increased overall motivation to exist active. And the same is true for your pet.

Research suggests that carrying excess weight may shorten a pet's life by every bit much as two years, and tin crusade the onset of arthritis two years sooner. Diabetes, an inherited disease, has a much college take chances of developing in overweight pets, and may never go a problem for a salubrious-weight cat. The more obese a cat becomes, the more likely it will go diabetic. Hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver, is another potentially fatal illness in overweight pets; hepatic lipidosis tin develop in as few as 48 hours when an overweight true cat stops eating for any reason.

And so how can we aid our pets stay trim? Understanding your cat's dietary habits is fundamental. The average cat prefers to consume virtually 10-15 times a day, just a few nibbles at a time. This method, free-feeding, works well for most cats, but boredom may increase the number of trips your cat makes to the food bowl. Past keeping your cat playfully active and engaged, you'll aid your pet stay healthy and have some fun at the same time! A cord tied to a stick with something crinkly or fuzzy on the other terminate of the string, and a little imagination—you and your cat will both be entertained. Food puzzles, like kibbles put in a paper pocketbook or nether an overturned handbasket or box, may aid to motivate cats with more than food-based interests to romp and tumble.

For really tough cases of overeating, yous volition have to accept a firm stance, and regulate your cat's food intake. Instead of filling your cat's bowl to the summit, follow the feeding guide on the food package and exist sure to feed a high-quality developed true cat diet as recommended by your vet. Supplant your cat'south habits of eating when bored with extra playtime and amore. Cats typically adjust their desires for personal interaction by the amount of affection offered to them, so in other words, ignoring your cat ways your cat will ignore you. By the same token, loving on and playing with your true cat a lot will cause your true cat to want that time with you. A more active true cat means a healthier, happier pet—and possessor!

Inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding the molar teeth. Daily tooth brushing will help prevent dental disease.

Inflammation of the mucilage tissue surrounding the tooth teeth. Daily tooth brushing will help prevent dental disease.

Dental Disease

Dental affliction is one of the nearly mutual chronic problems in pets who don't have their teeth brushed regularly. Unfortunately, most cats don't take very expert intendance of their own teeth, and this probably includes your Savannah. Without extra aid and care from you, your true cat is probable to develop potentially serious dental issues. Dental illness starts with nutrient rest, which hardens into tartar that builds up on the visible parts of the teeth, and somewhen leads to infection of the gums and tooth roots. Protecting your true cat against dental disease from the start past removing nutrient residue regularly may help forbid or delay the need for advanced treatment of dental illness. This treatment tin can be stressful for your cat and expensive for you, and so preventive care is benign all around. In severe cases of chronic dental infection, your pet may even lose teeth or sustain damage to internal organs. And, if nothing else, your cat will exist a more pleasant companion not knocking everyone over with stinky cat jiff! We'll show you how to keep your cat'due south pearly whites clean at abode, and help you schedule regular routine dental exams.

Vaccine-Preventable Infections

Like all cats, Savannahs are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections such equally panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and rabies, which are preventable through vaccination. The gamble of your cat contracting these diseases is loftier, then the corresponding vaccines are called "cadre" vaccines, which are highly recommended for all cats. In addition, vaccines are available to offer protection from other dangerous diseases like feline leukemia virus (FeLV). In making vaccination recommendations for your cat, we will consider the prevalence of these diseases in our area, your cat's historic period, and any other adventure factors specific to her lifestyle.

There is no treatment for heartworm infection in cats. Prevention is the best therapy for this potentially fatal disease.

At that place is no treatment for heartworm infection in cats. Prevention is the all-time therapy for this potentially fatal illness.

Parasites

All kinds of worms and bugs can invade your Savannah's torso, inside and out. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites tin infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms tin become into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can exist transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. For your feline friend, these parasites tin can cause pain, discomfort, and even death, and then it's important that we test for them on a regular basis. Many types of parasites can be detected with a fecal exam, and so information technology's a adept idea to bring a fresh stool sample (in a stink-proof container, delight) with your pet for her twice-a-year health exams. We'll also recommend preventive medication as necessary to go along her healthy.

Spay or Neuter

Ane of the all-time things you tin practise for your Savannah is to have her spayed (neutered for males). In females, this process includes surgically removing the ovaries and unremarkably the uterus; in males, the testicles are surgically removed. Spaying or neutering your pet decreases the likelihood of sure types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted litters. Both sexes usually become less territorial and less likely to roam, and neutering particularly decreases the occurrence of urine spraying and marking behaviors in males. Performing this surgery also gives u.s. a run a risk, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your true cat is likely to develop. For example, if your pet needs hip X-rays to bank check for dysplasia or a thorough dental exam to look for stomatitis, these procedures tin can be conveniently performed at the aforementioned fourth dimension as the spay or neuter to minimize the stress on your true cat. Routine blood testing prior to surgery as well helps us to place and have precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. It sounds similar a lot to keep in mind, but don't worry – we'll discuss all the specific problems we will look for with you lot when the fourth dimension arrives.

Genetic Predispositions for Savannahs

General Affliction Risks

Some cat breeds seem to be predisposed to all the diseases. Other cats, like your Savannah, are remarkably healthy, with little or no increased risk for inherited disease. In order to make preventive healthcare recommendations for these cat breeds, we generally brand some educated guesses based on common disease risks for other cat breeds. Based on these similarities, the following disease risks may carry college chance, although supportive inquiry has not been identified.

An illustration of a feline heart with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Notice how the thick heart muscle becomes too stiff to pump blood effectively.

An illustration of a feline heart with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Notice how the thick heart muscle becomes likewise stiff to pump claret effectively.

Heart Affliction

Cardiomyopathy is the medical term for centre muscle disease, either a primary inherited condition or secondary to other diseases that damage the heart. The nearly common class, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a thickening of the middle muscle often acquired by an overactive thyroid gland. Another example is dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, which can exist caused by a dietary deficiency of the amino acid taurine. While DCM was a big trouble in the past, all major cat food producers now add taurine to cat food, so DCM is rarely seen in cats with high-quality diets today.

Communicable signs of cardiomyopathy early on is important, merely a cat's normal tendency to hide illness tin can brand symptoms difficult to spot. The first matter a pet parent usually notices is rapid breathing, lethargy, and a poor appetite. These symptoms may announced to come on suddenly, often between a few hours to a few days, simply in most cases, the cat has actually been suffering quietly for weeks to months and is at present in serious trouble.

For a few breeds of cats, genetic testing is available for a specific factor aberration that causes HCM. Virtually cats with cardiomyopathy have a heart murmur that can be detected during a wellness concrete exam, merely a specific diagnosis requires more advanced medical imaging. Finding this problem early, when treatment is nigh effective, is another important reason to have your pet evaluated twice a year for life.

Arterial Thromboembolism

Cats with heart disease may develop blood clots in their arteries known equally FATE (feline aortic thromboembolisms). Blood clots nearly commonly become lodged just by the aorta, the large claret vessel that supplies blood from the heart to the trunk, blocking normal blood flow to the hind legs. When this happens, one or both hind legs may become paralyzed, cold, or painful. FATE is a life-threatening illness, and requires quick action and prolonged medical care. Cats who survive thromboembolisms, however, usually regain total role of their limbs. If your cat is diagnosed with middle affliction, nosotros may prescribe medications to assistance lower the risk of blood clots. If your cat of a sudden tin't walk or is dragging ane or both dorsum legs and crying, don't await! Your pet needs firsthand emergency care.

FLUTD

When your true cat urinates exterior the litter box, you may exist annoyed or furious, especially if your best pair of shoes was the location called for the human action. Simply don't become mad also speedily—in the majority of cases, cats who urinate effectually the house are sending signals for help. Although true urinary incontinence, the inability to command the bladder muscles, is rare in cats and is usually due to improper nerve role from a spinal defect, most of the fourth dimension, a cat that is urinating in "naughty" locations is having a problem and is trying to get you to observe. What was once considered to exist ane urinary syndrome has turned out to be several over years of research, but electric current terminology gathers these unlike diseases together nether the label of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases, or FLUTD. Many of these diseases cause similar symptoms, for case, a cat with urolithiasis, or bladder stones, shows many of the aforementioned symptoms as a true cat with a urinary tract infection, which may also nowadays like the symptoms of a blocked tomcat. Watching for any signs of aberrant urination, like urinating on absurd surfaces (a tile flooring or bathtub, for case), blood in the urine, straining to urinate with little or no urine production, or crying in the litterbox tin can help you place the commencement signs of a FLUTD. If your true cat demonstrates whatever of these symptoms, call us correct abroad for an urgent appointment. Particularly for male person cats, if the urethra is blocked with stones or crystals, the cat is non able to expel any urine, which tin become an emergency within only a few hours. The inability to urinate is painful and rapidly fatal, and then if your true cat may be blocked, seek emergency care immediately.

Cats are very good at hiding how ill they are, then the early signs of FLUTD are piece of cake to miss. Bringing your cat in for regular urinalysis testing allows united states to check for signs of infection, kidney illness, crystals in the urine, and even diabetes. X-rays and ultrasounds tin can also assist notice the presence of stones in the float or kidneys. Lower urinary tract disease can be controlled with medications and special diets, though astringent cases of FLUTD may besides require surgery.

Illustration of the inside of a kidney from a cat with chronic kidney disease. The chronic changes have caused indentations of the outer surface of the kidney.

Analogy of the inside of a kidney from a true cat with chronic kidney illness. The chronic changes have caused indentations of the outer surface of the kidney.

Renal Failure

Renal failure refers to the disability of the kidneys to properly perform their functions of cleansing waste from the blood and regulating hydration. Kidney illness is extremely common in older cats, only is usually due to exposure to toxins or genetic causes in young cats. Even very immature kittens tin can have renal failure if they have inherited kidney defects, and so we recommend screening for kidney problems early, before any anesthesia or surgery, and then regularly throughout life. Severe renal failure is a progressive, fatal disease, but special diets and medications tin can help cats with kidney disease live longer, fuller lives.

The thyroid glands rest on both sides of the neck alongside the windpipe.

The thyroid glands residue on both sides of the neck alongside the windpipe.

Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland is located at the front of the throat, and has a very important part. It produces a hormone called thyroxine, or T4. Thyroxine regulates the overall speed of metabolic processes throughout the body. Cells in every part of the body start to piece of work faster when T4 levels in the blood rise; when T4 levels fall, the thyroid gland produces more T4, thereby continuously and closely regulating T4 levels in the body. Many middle-aged cats, nevertheless, develop a benign (non-cancerous) tumor in the thyroid gland. The cells that make upwards this tumor nonetheless produce T4, only their control mechanism is faulty. The normal feedback system that maintains a balanced T4 level in the torso has no event on these tumor cells, so that they go along to pump out T4 despite signals to stop. Cats with these tumors take their "go" switch permanently stuck in the "faster" position. This illness is termed hyperthyroidism. Typically, hyperthyroidism affects cats nearly x to twelve years of historic period—the true cat will become more active, just with a nervous energy that masks the true affliction they are feeling. Vomiting, weight loss, and increased thirst are mutual symptoms of this illness, but they often come on so gradually that the problem is not easily noticed. In advanced cases, hyperthyroidism tin can lead to heart failure, kidney failure, and fatal claret clots. Hyperthyroidism can be readily detected with a standard claret test performed as part of your true cat's routine health plan. Today's effective handling options tin can really cure the illness by killing off the abnormal tumor cells while leaving the normal thyroid cells undamaged, resulting in a normal life span for many affected cats.

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a genetic illness that tin can occur in whatsoever true cat breed. With some forms of diabetes, a cat will become diabetic regardless of other health problems. Other cats may have a susceptibility to diabetes, but will merely become overtly diabetic if they are allowed to become overweight or eat a poor diet. If a cat'south weight and diet are managed appropriately, the risk for diabetes in your pet is much lower. Recently, indoor inactive lifestyles accept caused a tremendous increment in the number of diabetic cats. Cats were not bred to exist simply window gazers, but the majority of feline pets alive exclusively sedentary lives indoors. Keeping your indoor pet active with daily do is very important to keeping your cat slim and preventing illnesses related to weight gain. Diabetes can also be related to a painful condition called pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis, which is thought to be genetically inherited, can lead to harm of the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, and therefore can lead to a diabetic land in the cat.

Symptoms of diabetes include weight loss despite a good appetite, excessive thirst, and increased urination. We will test for the disease at least once a year and more often as your cat ages. Every bit with people, many diabetic cats do non need to receive insulin injections if they lose weight and switch to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate prescription nutrition. Because diabetes is thought to be a genetic predisposition in Savannahs, managing the type and quantity of food that your pet eats and incorporating practise into your cat's daily routine is essential!

Allergies/Atopy

In humans, an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust makes people sneeze and their eyes itch. In cats information technology makes the skin itchy. We phone call this form of allergy "atopy." Commonly, the legs, belly, face up, and ears are very likely to take this problem. Symptoms typically get-go between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking (over grooming) the affected areas, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs. You may observe thinner or shortened pilus in those areas or cerise, sore skin lesions. We will need to investigate the cause of the trouble since food allergies and mites can crusade similar signs. The good news is that in that location are many treatment options available for this condition.
Savannah1of2

Taking Intendance of Your Savannah at Habitation

Much of what you tin can practise at abode to go on your cat happy and healthy is mutual sense, just like it is for people. Watch her nutrition, make certain she gets enough of do, regularly brush her teeth and coat, and call the states or a pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual (see "What to Lookout For" beneath). Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for your pet. During your cat'due south exams, we'll perform her necessary "bank check-ups" and test for diseases and atmospheric condition that are common in Savannahs. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing her up for pet wellness insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet wellness insurance will help yous comprehend those costs.

Routine Care, Nutrition, and Exercise

Build your pet's routine care into your schedule to aid your Savannah live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine for your pet.

  • Supervise your pet equally you would a young child. Keep doors closed, pick upward later on yourself, and cake off rooms as necessary. This will help keep her out of trouble, off of inappropriate surfaces for jumping, and abroad from objects she shouldn't put in her rima oris.
  • Their short coats require picayune maintenance. Material or hand rubbing as needed with the occasional bath.
  • Savannahs have generally adept teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!
  • Check her ears weekly for wax, debris, or signs of infection and clean when necessary. Don't worry—nosotros'll show you how!
  • She needs daily play sessions that stimulate her natural desire to chase and explore. Go along her heed and trunk active or she may develop beliefs issues.
  • Cats are meticulously clean and demand a clean litter box. Be sure to provide at least one box for each true cat and scoop waste daily.
  • Information technology is of import that your cat drinks adequate amounts of water. If she won't drink water from her bowl endeavor adding water ice cubes or a flowing fountain.
  • Feed a high-quality feline diet advisable for her age.
  • Do your cat regularly by engaging her with high-activeness toys.

What to Spotter For

An abnormal symptom in your pet could be but a pocket-size or temporary issue, just it could likewise be the sign of serious disease or affliction. Knowing when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently, is essential to taking care of your cat. Many diseases can cause cats to accept a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Savannah needs aid.

Office calls

Give us a phone call for an appointment if yous notice any of these types of symptoms:

  • Change in appetite or h2o consumption
  • Tartar build-upwards, bad jiff, ruddy gums, or broken teeth
  • Itchy peel (scratching, chewing, or licking), hair loss, or areas of shortened fur
  • Lethargy, mental dullness, or excessive sleeping
  • Fright, aggression, or other behavioral changes
  • Poor appetite, weight loss, sluggishness, increased thirst and urination
  • Voracious appetite, weight loss, excessive thirst and urination
  • Abnormal skin or coat, excessive preparation

Emergencies

Seek medical care immediately if you lot discover any of these signs:

  • Scratching or shaking the head, tender ears, or ear discharge
  • Cloudiness, redness, itching, or any other abnormality involving the eyes
  • Inability or straining to urinate; discolored urine
  • Weakness or do intolerance; rapid, labored, or open up-oral fissure animate; sudden-onset of weakness

Partners in Health Care

DNA testing is a quickly advancing field with new tests constantly emerging to aid in the early diagnosis of inherited disease even before your true cat shows symptoms. For the most up-to-appointment information on Deoxyribonucleic acid and other screening tests available for your pal, visit www.Genesis4Pets.com.

Your Savannah counts on y'all to take good care of her, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that she lives a long and healthy life. Our goal is to provide y'all both with the best health care possible: health care that's based on your pet's breed, lifestyle, and age. Please contact the states when you have questions or concerns.

References:

  • Bell JS, Cavanagh KE, Tilley LP, Smith FW. Veterinary medical guide to domestic dog and true cat breeds. Jackson, Wyoming. Teton New Media; 2012.
  • Gough A, Thomas A. Brood Predispositions to Illness in Dogs and Cats. 2d Edition. Wiley-Blackwell; 2010.
  • Feline Informational Bureau. Inherited disorders in cats – confirmed and suspected [Internet]. [cited 2013 May 1]. Bachelor from: Pages Used

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