April 16th, 2008 at 12:34pm
Under Cat Care+ Fleas
You know how annoying it can be when you have an itch, but you can’t reach it to give it a scratch? Well, when your cat has fleas it’s like your problem, just multiplied a hundred times.
If your cat has fleas or ticks, you need to take action. If they are scratching or have irritated skin, your cats need you to bring this problem under control because it can become a much larger problem if you do not.
Even clean cats can end up with fleas. All it takes is a stray animal to come close enough to the cat. Or, the cat can pick them up outdoors as well. Even just one flea can leave many eggs and cause a full scale attack on your pet.
To stop them before they start, you can use a product such as Frontline or Advantix. These are pre measured liquid treatments that are applied directly to the cat’s skin and coat. When fleas get onto the pet, these products kill them before they can lay eggs. Those who want preventative measures for keeping the cat safe should use these.
For most though, it takes seeing the fleas to get them to start fighting them. If you see tiny black or brown insects on your animal, these are no doubt that your cat is flea infested. If you do see them, realize that the problem is already a big problem.
What you need to do is make sure to check your pet for fleas all the time. You can do this with a flea comb. Carefully comb through the cat’s hair and pay attention to the hair around the cat’s head and his belly. These are the ideal places for fleas to hide including the ears, eyes and the nose. And, they like to burrow in the creases where the cat’s legs and body meet.
When combing your pet, if you find a flea you know they are throughout his body. But, if you end up with a few black or brown specks, this too is a sign that they are hiding somewhere on the pet’s body.
To find them, run your hands over the cat’s body. Look for raised spots on him. If you find one or more, check it closely to see if it has little legs. If so the cat has ticks. You’ll need to ask your vet about having the tick removed as you can not do this yourself without risking the tick’s head staying behind in your pet’s skin.
In order to get them under control, you’ll need to use one of the liquid flea and tick treatments. You can also use flea or tick collars and baths as well. If the fleas are in your house, as they probably are, then you will need to use a powder or spray for the bedding and upholstered furniture too. As a last resort, you can use a flea and tick bomb in your home. But, in this case, the animals will need to stay out of your home for at least 24 hours.
Fleas are a serious concern and you need to keep them from affecting your pet. If your pet has them, also talk to your vet about treatments he can provide as these are professional strengths that can help. Before they make your pet sick, take measures at the first sign of trouble.
About the Author: Niall Kennedy is a lifelong pet lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about many aspects cat health. You will also find great deals on flea medication for cats such as Frontline, Advantage and Revolution. www.Best-Pet-Health.info
By Fred
February 22nd, 2008 at 01:29pm
Under Cat Health
By Romi Matsushita
As a cat owner, your first responsibility is to keep your pet
healthy. However, even with balanced nutrition and a good amount
of love and attention, cats can still get sick. Learn about the
most common ailments that affect cats so you can try to prevent
them or cure them quickly with the proper medical care when you
first spot the symptoms.
Fleas
Although cats and dogs can live with fleas, flea infestations
should be controlled for several reasons. The most common flea,
the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) may carry the Dipylidium
caninum tapeworm larvae. If cats eat fleas during grooming, they
may become infested with these tapeworms.
Fleas could also transmit other infectious agents to both you
and your pet. If kittens are exposed to fleas, they may become
anemic. Cats can also develop an allergy to flea bites,
resulting in excessive scratching or possibly skin disease.
Finally, humans are also susceptive to itchy flea bites, usually
on the ankles.
You may suspect your cat has fleas if he seems particularly
itchy, or you see bites on human members of your household. To
check if your cat has fleas, groom him over a sheet of white
paper. Look for a few fleas caught in the comb’s teeth or flea
dirt on the paper. Flea dirt is actually excrement of undigested
cat blood, and appears black and comma shaped to the naked eye.
If you place it on damp cotton wool, the flea dirt dissolves
into bloody streaks.
To control fleas, all mature fleas must be killed and
reinfestation prevented. Many commercial products are available
both to kill adult fleas and remove fleas from the environment.
Ask your vet for specific recommendations. Make sure what you
use kills both the adult mature fleas, as well as the eggs left
behind, usually on carpet and bedding. Nothing is worse than to
think you have conquered the problem, than several months later
to have your family and pets attacked by blood hungry new
hatchlings.
Hairballs
When cats cannot digest hair and food debris, they regurgitate
hairballs. Hairballs are formed either at the back of the throat
or in the small intestines. Hairballs not only sound disgusting
while your cat is producing them for you, but they also make an
unsightly mess on your carpets and floors. Any cat owner who has
had the thrill of watching their pet suffer through the process
of hacking up fur balls will be highly motivated to prevent new
ones from forming.
The simplest method of hairball prevention is grooming your cat
to remove excess hair. The next step involves many products
already on the market to prevent hairball build-up such as oils,
treats, and diets. If your cat vomits frequently and the problem
isn’t resolved with regular brushings, you should consult with
the veterinarian to be certain that a more serious problem is
not the cause.
Overactive thyroid
Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, is a condition where
the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and produces excess amounts
of thyroid hormone. The condition is often provoked by a benign
tumor on one or both lobes of the thyroid gland. The good news
is that thyroid tumors have only a 2-5% chance of malignancy.
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include: increased appetite
or thirst, unexplained weight loss (particularly muscle mass),
nervousness or irritability, frequent vomiting, lethargy and
weakness, diarrhea, or a coat that looks ungroomed. A cat with
the condition may not present every symptom, but the presence of
two or more should prompt a visit to the veterinarian’s office.
At the vet’s, your cat will be given a physical exam. If she
notices enlarged glands, a CBC (blood panel) and a
thyroid-specific test can make the diagnosis more conclusive.
There are three treatments that offer a good chance for your
cat’s full recovery: anti-thyroid medication, surgery, and
radioiodine treatment. Each method has its own advantages and
disadvantages, so you should learn more about the disease and
its treatments and discuss your options with the veterinarian
before making a decision.
Diabetes
Feline Diabetes can affect cats of any age, but is most common
in older, obese cats—typically males. There are two types of
diabetes. Type 1 is caused by insufficient insulin production
while Type 2 results from a body’s inability to handle insulin
effectively. Another type of diabetes, secondary diabetes,
occurs as a side effect of drugs or diseases that impair the
natural secretion of insulin or its effects in the body.
The symptoms of feline diabetes include vomiting, dehydration,
weakness and loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination,
weight loss, breathing abnormalities, and an unkempt-looking
coat. If your cat has any or several of these symptoms, take him
to the vet. The vet will test for blood sugar levels and sugar
levels in the urine. Doing both tests rules out an increased
blood sugar level due to the stress of the office visit.
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, it is usually treated
through one or a combination of five methods: diet and weight
control, insulin injections, oral medications, monitoring
glucose and insulin levels, and nutrient and botanical
supplements. Each method of treatments has unique benefits and
drawbacks, so be sure to decide on a treatment plan with your
veterinarian.
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
This disease is a painful inflammation of the lower urinary
tract that has the potential to be fatal. Feline lower urinary
tract disease has a number of causes from decreased water intake
and urine retention to viruses, bacteria, or diet. Symptoms that
your cat may have FLUTD include inappropriate or difficult and
frequent urination, appetite loss, listlessness, blood in the
urine, or frequent licking of the genitals.
Vet treatment for FLUTD can include catheterization, fluid
therapy, antibiotics, or even (rarely) surgery. At home, cat
owners are often encouraged to change their pet’s diet and style
of feeding (more frequent, smaller meals). It is also important
for your cat to drink plenty of water.
We all want to keep our cats healthy and with us for as long as
possible. Understanding and being on the lookout for these
common ailments will allow the discerning cat owner to take
action before a small health problem turns into something more
serious. Using good observation skills to evaluate any potential
change in your cat’s condition will allow you to take simple
steps to keep your cat healthy, happy, and disease free. If you
notice a continuing pattern of symptoms that may point to flea
infestation, hairballs, an overactive thyroid, urinary tract
disease, or even diabetes, timely consulation with your vet will
allow you both to plan the best course of action. Your happy,
healthy cat will thank you.
About the Author: Romi Matsushita craves constant close contact
with her calico cat. Find great tips, articles, and cat care
advice at www.cat-advisors-online.com
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: www.isnare.com/?aid=79114&ca=Pets
By Fred
