May 4th, 2008 at 01:48pm
Under Cat Health
By L Johnson
When many of us think of Aspirin, we think of a very common
medication that is found in a lot of homes; almost everyone has
heard of Aspirin, and many of us have had to take it on
occasions, for pain or some other complaint.
It is a commonly found household medication that many people
take as they please for minor aches and pains. However, vets
tell us that this is not a safe solution for your cat. Although
cats can be safely treated with Aspirin under veterinary
supervision, it is not recommended to ever give your cat Aspirin
without prior approval from your veterinarian.
Aspirin has a very long half-life in cats—meaning that it is
present in the body in its active form for a long time–much
longer than in humans or dogs. Cats are also much smaller than
humans; therefore, a safe dose for us can be very dangerous for
a cat.
Aspirin is readily absorbed from the intestines in cats and may
cause damage to the intestinal lining. This can lead to ulcers
and bleeding into the intestinal tract. Signs of Aspirin
toxicity include vomiting, weakness, fever, and eventual coma
and death. To make sure your can does not accidentally consume
Aspirin, we need to make sure medications are not in easy reach
or access—for instance, don’t leave a few pills just lying
around—cats are known to be curious. If, however, your cat
ingests Aspirin and you notice any of the signs, notify your
veterinarian immediately! If treated within a few hours of
ingestion, most cats will have a good chance of recovering.
Treatment will usually consist of IV fluids, and giving charcoal
to your cat to bind the excess drug. The veterinarian may also
need to give the cat something so that she vomits to clear her
stomach of excess Aspirin.
To prevent a possible toxicity in your cat, never give any
medications of any kind without previous instructions from your
vet. If you are in doubt about whether a certain drug is safe
for your cat, call your vet and ask about this. Pet owners
should never just assume that a drug that is safe for you will
be safe for your cat!
All pet owners should check with their vets for further
information on their pets’ general health; other important
helpful points, in addition to those stated above, can be
obtained from vet professionals who are used to seeing various
kinds of pets and therefore, can provide assistance to pet
owners.
About the Author: Author lives in Illinois; loves
animals—especially cats, dogs; and is a home entrepreneur. See
information on author’s business at:
mysite.verizon.net/limoore Training a dog?
paydotcom.com/r/9416/limoore/401261/ Dog Healthcare:
paydotcom.com/r/4603/limoore/399717/
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: www.isnare.com/?aid=105104&ca=Pets
By Fred
April 4th, 2008 at 01:45pm
Under Cat Care+ Cat Owner+ Pet Behavior
By David P Lee
Cats are very interesting animals. They have certain behavioral
habits which, although confusing to their owners, have
explanatory reasons. One such act is purring. People wonder why
their pets purr – does it just mean they are happy or is there
more to it than that?
Why do cats purr
Cats communication using purring. A kitten and its mother will
purr as a sign of comfort and, after this, the kitten will
continue the behavior through its life. Cats usually purr when
something pleases them or when they feel safe and comfortable.
It is known also that an anxious cat or one at death’s door
might purr too, obviously for different reasons.
Purring is interesting because no one is really sure how the
cat’s body produces the sound. It might be because of blood
moving through the blood vessels. It might be because of soft
palate vibrations. Cat purring has been tested
electromyographically, to show the electrical activity in the
muscles of the cat. This could indicate that purring is caused
when the muscles of the larynx, containing the vocal chords, are
activated. the larynx partially closing, or glottis, could be
responsible for the purring sounds.
Face rubbing
Cats rub their chins, cheeks and bodies on everything. It might
feel good to them but that is not the primary reason for this
behavior. Cats have scent glands located on their lips, chins,
mouths and foreheads. They might rub against their owner as a
form of greeting or when trying to communicate something, such
as a request for food. Cats in a group will rub against one
another to swap their scents. Cats together have a ‘colony
scent’ which is useful for detecting intruders. If you bring a
cat back from the veterinarian, the other cats in the colony
might growl or hiss because of the unfamiliar scents on the
returned cat. Cats recognize one another largely through their
heightened sense of smell.
Why does my cat scratch things?
Cats like to scratch (or ‘strop’) all sorts of things.
Obviously you would prefer your cat to scratch a tree or its
scratching post rather than your best sofa. A cat deprived of a
tree or scratching post will strop its claws on whatever it can.
Scratching gets rid of loose nail sheath parts which cover the
growing claws. Cats also have scent glands located in their paws
and the act of scratching will leave the cat’s scent on whatever
they scratch, to mark it as part of the cat’s territory. If a
cat is declawed, it will still try to scratch at things, even
though they have no claws to sharpen. This could be inbuilt
habit or maybe the cat wants to leave its scent on the thing it
is scratching. Cat furniture gives your cat a personal item to
scratch on while saving your favorite furniture.
Why does my cat knead things?
Cats often knead your lap before they will lie down. In fact,
they often knead any surface they plan to lie down on. Kneading
is when a cat extends the claws on its front two paws and digs
them into the surface which an alternating rhythmic motion.
Kneading (also known as milk tread) is first used in kittenhood.
When a kitten is sucking at its mother’s teats, it extends its
legs and kneads the area around the teat. This makes the milk
flow out faster. Perhaps as adults, a cat continues this
behavior because it feels happy and safe and associates the
comfort and joy of lying on your lap with the happiness he
shared with his mother. Kneading can also be a sign of good cat
health .
About the Author: www.AceCatFurniture.com
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: www.isnare.com/?aid=171606&ca=Pets
By Fred
