A Guide to Worms in Cats
There are many different kinds of worms in cats. Knowing their characteristics, how they affect your cat and how to prevent them will help you properly identify and treat them. Although these worms can be easily treated, they can also be harmful to people. Treatment and prevention of worms is a necessary action for the health of your cat.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are flat long worms that measure from 15 to 60 cm in length and attach themselves to your cats intestines. They consist of a head and many segments all with its own reproductive organs. Their appearance is similar to rice or seeds and is usually seen near the rear end of your cat, in your cats feces, or where they sleep. If your cats are infected with tapeworms they may experience vomiting and diarrhea. Tapeworms intermediate host is the flea but your cats can also get tapeworms from eating rodents.
Roundworms
Roundworms are the most common worm that cats get. They live in the intestines of infected cats. Most cats will get roundworms sometime in their lives showing little or no symptoms. Roundworms are common in summer, fall and winter. Adult roundworms are light brown or white and are several inches long. They can be seen in a cat's vomit and stool. If infected with roundworms, your cat may experience weight loss or a "pot belly" appearance. Cats can get roundworms if they eat worm eggs from the soil in the environment or if they eat an animal such as a rodent that has worms. Kittens can become infected through nursing, if the mother cat was infected in pregnancy.
Hookworms
Hookworms are common in the summer months. They have a hook-like mouth that attaches to the walls of the small intestines and they feed on blood. Hookworms are passed through cat feces. The larvae live in the soil and penetrates through your cats skin usually through the belly or feet. They may also get hookworms when grooming themselves, if the larvae is on their body. Hookworms can cause diarrhea, weight loss, internal bleeding and possibly death in kittens.
Whipworms
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An Introduction to Cat Pink Eye
Cat pink eye, also known as cat conjunctivitis, can be a chronic problem. This disease requires treatment to prevent further damage to the cat's eye. It's necessary to know the symptoms of cat conjunctivitis, so that it's treated before the infection advances and poses a risk to other cats.
What is Conjunctivitis?
A cat's eye contains the conjunctiva, a mucus membrane that surrounds the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which leads to swelling and redness in the eye.
How Do Cats Contract Conjunctivitis?
Foreign objects that may enter the cat's eye could cause irritation and lead to conjunctivitis. However, the most common cause of cat pink eye is a viral infection such as Feline Herpes Virus (FIV). Bacteria like chlamydophilia can also cause it. The infection may occur in either one eye or both. Although other factors such as fungal infections trigger conjunctivitis in cats, the occurrence is rare.
Feline pink eye may also be attributed to congenital defects. Persian cats are born with a turned in eyelid, so their eyelashes constantly come in contact with the eyeball, causing conjunctivitis. Cats that suffer from conjunctivitis due to environmental factors will have a sudden onset of pink eye, followed by speedy recovery.
Cat pink eye that occurs due to infections is more chronic in nature. Feline herpes virus-1 can lay dormant for a long period and become active when the immune system is low. Cats with conjunctivitis often show symptoms of respiratory illness. This occurs when the cat develops conjunctivitis due to low immune system functioning and an active herpes virus-1 infection.
Symptoms of Cat Pink Eye
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Black Mold Poisoning in Cats
Black mold poisoning was first documented in 2007 when a veterinarian noticed unusual symptoms in a couple of his feline patients on which was performing a dental procedure. The cats died soon after being treated. The cause of the cats' deaths were not the veterinarian's fault as blood tests done on the cats before they died revealed toxic black mold in their systems. The black mold is believed to have been the cause of their deaths. Mold is not just an unattractive substance one may find in their home, it is a substance that can cause toxicity and death in cats.
An Overview of Black Mold
Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, is known to cause illnesses in humans, but it was not until the unfortunate incident with the two cats did people in the animal care community learn that the spores were harmful in felines. The home in which the cats lived had water damage a couple of years prior to their deaths. The water damage was not properly remediated and mold began to grow in the home, which poisoned the cats.
Mold loves humidity and thrives in damp locations. Black mold contains myotoxins, a liquid or gas compound that is secreted. The toxins released by mold are known to be one of the most deadly chemicals on the planet. Mold growth can be prevented by making sure property that has gotten wet is thoroughly dried. If there is mold damage to a home, the mold must be killed (even if that means calling specialists) so it does not continue to grow and further destroy property and the lives of those in the house.
Black Mold Poisoning in Cats
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Bordetella Vaccine Treatment for Cats
Feline bordetella is a highly contagious respiratory infection. In dogs, the condition is known as kennel cough. Although it passes easily and quickly between kittens and weakened or older cats, an effective bordetella vaccine is available at veterinary offices. With adequate preparation, this disease should never pose a great risk to your cat. However, in case your cat does contract bordetella, familiarize yourself with the warning signs and treatments of the disease.
Causes and Symptoms of Feline Bordetella
Feline bordetella is passed from cat to cat or from dog to cat through the air, generally through hissing, meowing, spitting or howling. Although bordetella is, in and of itself, not a severely dangerous disease, it compromises the immune system, leaving the cat weakened and prone to other, more serious diseases.
Some of the most common symptoms of feline bordetella are:
•Discharge from the nose, eyes and mouth
•Sneezing
•Fever
•Loss of appetite
•Swelling of the lymph nodes
•Lethargy
In some cases, cats may carry the disease without displaying symptoms. This is one reason why bordetella is of particular concern in multi-cat households.
If your cat displays any of these symptoms, take him for veterinary examination immediately. A prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to restoring your cat's health efficiently and quickly.
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Cat Dandruff Treatment with Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
Cat dandruff is dry or greasy flaky skin that commonly appears towards the base of the tail and on the back in pets. The cause of dandruff may be attributed to a variety of factors such as improper nutrition, obesity, seasonal changes and inadequate grooming. Pet owners may also notice that the dandruff reappears after a several weeks of treatment. Cats often suffer from a certain skin disease that causes symptoms of dandruff. This skin condition is cheyletiellosis, commonly known as walking dandruff. The symptoms of cheyletiellosis are similar to cat dandruff and some pets may experience severe itching and redness of the skin.
Cheyletiellosis
This is a contagious skin condition that's transmitted to healthy cats that live in close proximity with infected pets. This condition is caused by cheyletiella mites that shed their eggs in the environment and increase risk of infection. Cats suffering from severe dandruff are subjected to skin scraping tests to differentiate dandruff from cheyletiellosis as medication such as Ivermectin is prescribed to treat the parasites.
Diagnosis of Cat Dandruff
The vet will perform a thorough physical examination of the cat to detect any skin lesions or sores. In addition, the vet may use a flea comb to examine the scales collected for the presence of cheyletiella mites. The vet will then perform a skin scraping test to rule out other skin conditions such as dermatitis, scabies or mange. If the diagnosis reveals absence of other skin disorders or mites, the vet will commence treatment to determine initial response to medication. Since cats are susceptible to dandruff due to obesity, thyroid problems and diabetes, it's important to control these underlying health concerns to maintain healthy coat and skin.
Treatment of Cat Dandruff with Omega 3 Supplements
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Your Cats Vet Records
One of the most important responsibilities of a pet parent is establishing a trusting relationship with a quality health care provider for your cat. Open communication is essential with any veterinarian, but if you feel like your questions are not being addressed, please don’t hesitate to find a new doctor for your furry friend.
Please note, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the laws regarding patient veterinary records vary in each state. For a summary of state laws that govern the release of patient veterinary record.
When Should I Look for a New Vet for My Cat?
Guardians seek out new vets for a variety of reasons, including a recent move, more competitive prices and services, concerns about a current vet’s quality of care or treatment for a pet’s specific health problem. Before the transition, however, it’s essential to get a complete copy of your cat’s health records for your new veterinarian.
What Items Should Be Included in My Cat’s Health Records?
You’re entitled to a complete copy of your cat’s records, including his medical file, exam and test results and treatment sheets if he’s been hospitalized. When you receive records from your old vet, check for the following pages:
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Why Does Your Cat Shake?
If you've been noticing your cat shake, periodically or steadily, one of several underlying conditions might be to blame. Generally, a cat will shake or vibrate as his muscles react to a good stretch. This is normal behavior, especially after a healthy nap. If your cat shakes while awake, as if cold, there are other symptoms and signs to look for when determining a possible problem.
Generalized Cat Tremors
Tremors are an involuntary and rhythmic shaking of the limbs, head or body. The location of the tremors, if localized, would be the first step in indicating a potential cause. Generalized tremors where the entire body is shaking could indicate a few things, the most common of which would be poisoning. Whether your cat goes outside or stays indoors, check to see if there are any toxic substances that may have been accessible. Anti-freeze, chemicals of any sort, and some plants may be particularly harmful to your cat. If you have recently made a change to your cat's diet, administered medication, or applied any type of flea and tick product, this may be causing your cat to shake. Some cats have been reported to be violently allergic to certain types of flea and tick medication.
Toxic food substances or medication may be causing a reaction as well. If generalized tremors are accompanied by problems using the litter box, an intestinal blockage due to disease or ingestion of a foreign substance may be to blame. Other causes of full-body shaking may include neurological disorders or hypomyelination, a condition that generally affects kittens and most often resolves itself without treatment.
Localized Cat Tremors - The Head Region
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10 Causes of Feline Heart Murmur
Feline heart murmurs are unusual sounds the blood makes when leaving or moving through the heart. A cat heart murmur is rated from Grade 1 through Grade 6, with Grade 6 being the most severe.
10 Causes of Feline Heart Murmur
There a number of causes resulting in feline heart murmurs. Some conditions may be resolved with surgery.
1. Sometimes a cat heart has some abnormality or defect with the heart wall itself or the valves within the heart due to genetics (hereditary). Often a kitten is born with a heart murmur that he will grow out of in several months. This condition is not unusual and does not impair the cat heart. Often surgery can repair deformities in the heart valves.
2. Severe anemia resulting from flea and/or tick infestations can affect the heart. Nutritional supplements can treat the heart murmur.
3. The narrowing of the outflow area of the pulmonary artery at the exit from the right ventricle of the heart is called pulmonic stenosis. Here the murmur is the result of the abnormal turbulence of outgoing blood meeting resistance.
4. The same condition as above except occurring in the aorta outflow area is called aortic stenosis.
5. Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex defect affecting emerging arteries of the heart and more than one segment of the heart. Pulmonic stenosis causes the heart murmur.
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3 Symptoms of Diabetes in Cats
Cats with diabetes symptoms tend to fall into three categories; be sure to look for these in order to protect the health of your cat. Diabetes is frequently caused by an unhealthy diet and obesity. Watch out for the following in order to diagnose your feline.
Increased Appetite with Weight Loss
Because your cat isn't getting the adequate nutrients to sustain itself from a normal amount of food, it eats more to correct the balance. However, as the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin to regulate glucose levels, the cat loses weight.
A change in diet may be enough to control the symptoms in the early stages of feline diabetes, as obesity is the number one cause of diabetes. The diet of cats in the wild is made up of mostly raw meat, so consider replacing processed foods with protein-filled meat products, like ground turkey or chicken. This will decrease the amount of sugar your cat intakes, reducing the amount your cat's organs need to process.
Other vets recommend a diet of complex carbohydrates and fiber in order to control the cat's blood sugar levels. Discuss your options with your vet before making any decisions in your pet's diet. If you notice a sudden drop off in insulin levels, increase other nutrients in your cat's diet, like Vitamin B, C, E and potassium.
Cat is More Thirsty than Usual
Because your cat is eating more but still losing weight, the organs work hard to correct the imbalance. Your cat's kidneys will use huge amounts of water in order to rid the excess glucose in the blood no longer regulated by the pancreas. Consequently, your cat will become very thirsty in order to allow his or her organs to work.
If a change in diet wasn't enough to control the symptoms of diabetes in your cat, insulin treatment can maintain health for years. A combination of blood-glucose levels and insulin dosages will let you regulate feeding schedules accordingly.
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A Guide to Cat Acne Treatment and Prevention
Cat acne is one of the most common feline diseases. When mild, cat acne does not show any clinical symptoms. Severe feline acne, however, can cause swelling of the chin and draining of the lymph nodes on the head and chin. Here are some tips for the treatment and prevention of cat acne.
Cause and Symptoms of Feline Acne
Your cat has two types of glands in his skin:
Sweat glands that help regulate body temperature.
Sebaceous glands that secrete sebum, a greasy substance.
Sebaceous glands occur in large numbers on the chin, lips, top surface of the base of the tail, prepuce and scrotum. These secretions are meant to keep your cat's fur waterproof and his skin moist and supple. When your cat's sebaceous glands secrete too much sebum, feline acne can form.
Cats have a tendency to mark their territories, usually by rubbing their chins and faces against surfaces. If your cat leaves behind greasy, black spots on objects when he rubs against them to mark his territory, it could be a sign that his sebaceous glands are producing too much sebum. If your cat is prone to excessive marking behaviors, he's probably at higher risk for developing feline acne.
Symptoms of feline acne include:
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Fractured Legs in Cats
Fractured legs in cats are by far the most common type of fracture, but bone fractures can occur any where in your pet body. When these fractures do affect the legs, however, although the fracture itself may not be that severe, it can cause a tremendous amount of stress in your cat. Once they lose their ability to walk normally, it starts to place pressure on the legs that are not affected as well as mental pressure.
In fully understanding fractured legs in cats, it is very helpful to understand the four most common types of fractures that might occur: closed, compound, epiphyseal or growth plate, and greenstick or hairline. The first three forms can also be categorized by whether they are simple forms of fractures in which your cats bones have broken in only two or three places, or if they are comminuted. Comminuted is where your cats bones have shattered into several pieces.
Closed Fractures:
Fractured legs in cats begin with the simplest form of fracture, which is referred to as closed. This is a situation where the bone itself is fractured, but the overlying skin is still completely intact and as a result, it is not penetrated.
Greenstick Fractures:
This form of a fracture in your cat is where small cracks have occurred within their bone. The bone is still basically intake but it is considered cracked. With this form of fracture, your cats bone is not completely broken and is considered a hairline fracture.
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Shock in Cats
Shock in cats is not only one of most horrifying situations you will ever face as an owner, it is also a life threatening situation. Any situation or condition that affects your cat's heart, their blood vessels, or their blood volume can cause this potential killer in your cat. It can affect perfectly healthy cats, weak cats, and cats of any age as it does not discriminate.
The actual causes of shock include blood loss, dehydration, heat stroke, blood infections, as well as some types of poisoning. There are also several types of shock, but by far and away there are two forms that affect the vast majority of cats. Both will have different types of symptoms and if do suspect that your cat has gone into shock, every minute that passes places them in greater danger.
The two most common type of shock in cats include Anaphylactic and Septic shock.
What is shock?
Shock in cats is technically defined as a lack of blood flow to your cats organs and tissues. When this occurs, it deprives both oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and as a result allows waste products to build up in your cats body. Once this occurs, it can cause serious damage to your cat and if it is not treated, it can rapidly take their life. Each type of shock will have a different set of symptoms, but there are signs that will be common with either type.
The major warning signs that you can watch for that your cat is going into shock include a very sudden paling or muddy appearance in their gums, as well as a rapid change in their heat rate. This change may be a very sudden weakening or just the opposite; a very rapid heart rate. If your cat suddenly starts breathing at over forty breaths a minute, they are going into shock.
However, there is one other very common sign; your cat cats temperature will suddenly drop. When your cat starts to go into shock, their rectal temperature will drop below 100 degrees Fahrenheit but taking their temperature is probably the last thing you will think of in this emergency situation. However, if you can, it will confirm it; it you can not, quickly feel both their legs as well as their skin in several places. It shock is occurring; they will feel very cool which as any owner knows is extremely uncommon in cats.
Anaphylactic Shock:
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Sneezing in Cats
Sneezing in cats is almost always associated with nasal discharge, and out side of coughing is perhaps the most dangerous sound you will ever hear from your cat. All cats will sneeze occasionally as well as have some nasal discharge, but if it becomes severe, chronic or reoccurring, it should signal you that there is an underlying problem. Unfortunately for some cats, especially if they are older, the underlying problem is usually something very sinister.
For this reason, sneezing should be treated with a sense of urgency and you should immediately check your cat for any type of a nasal discharge. Cats by nature are extremely meticulous and if you do not check very quickly, the early warning signs of a discharge may go unnoticed.
Sneezing in cats is a reflex of their upper airways and is meant to activate irritating material from their nasal cavities. In most all cases, this activation is explosive in nature and you will be able to see the discharge. If there is no discharge at all, it is usually a one and done type of occurrence and you have nothing to worry about. However, if a discharge is present, it is usually the sign of an irritation, the beginning stages of a nasal disease, or something serious.
Finding the nasal discharge at first may be very difficult as your cat will quickly lick away any secretions, but if it does intensify, it will build in volume. Once this occurs, the type of discharge will also begin to change and you will be able to see secretions start to accumulate on your cats nostrils or their surrounding hair. If it does become severe, you will also see what is referred to as nasopharynx, which is a retching or a reversed form of sneezing.
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What Food to Give a Cat With Urinary Blockage - A Guide For Smart Cat Lovers
If you're wondering what food to give a cat with urinary blockage, then you're smart. A lot of pet owners just don't realize that what they feed their cat is essential to their cat's urinary health. In this article, you'll learn what to look for in a quality cat food and how to supplement your cat's diet to prevent your cat from ever suffering from urinary problems again.
Urinary Tract Cat Food
We all know that food is our first medicine. Eating the proper food is our primary defense against disease. What is true for humans is also true for your favorite feline. To give your cat the best possible diet, you need to start reading labels. Although I could recommend a brand, you may not be able to find it in your area, so the best way to start is at your local pet store chain or health food store. You can also try big health food stores, like Whole Foods.
What Food to Give A Cat with Urinary Blockage
Look for food that contains the following. The first ingredient on the label should be the first ingredient listed below:
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Your Guide to Home Remedies For Cat Urinary Tract Infections
Home remedies for cat urinary tract infections are very effective at treating and preventing this common medical problem. In this article, you'll learn more about home remedies, the best ingredients and why they are much more effective than drugs.
First, let's talk about antibiotics. It's unfortunate, but most of us have been sold a bill of goods by the drug companies. Look at all the advertising they do. No wonder they've managed to program us. There are three things you need to know about the use of antibiotics in treating cat urinary tract infections:
Antibiotics suppress symptoms, but do not heal the conditions that caused them.
Antibiotics have side effects which can make your cat's condition worse. Plus, we all know how sensitive cats are.
Since antibiotics do not heal cat urinary tract infections, this can lead to recurring problems.
Natural Treatment for Cat Urinary Tract Infections
Contrast the points above with the points below (note: we are talking about using a homeopathic remedy that is specifically formulated to treat cat urinary problems):
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Cat Urinating Issues - A Life-and-Death Situation For Cats
Cats have become part of the family for most of us; therefore, when a cat starts to show problems such as cat urinating issues, we often get upset. When our cat starts to pee outside the litter box and urinates in inappropriate areas of the house frequently, we may either get worried or get pissed with their change of behavior. We may want to throw the cat out of the house or bring it to the veterinarian to get an explanation why it is acting so weird lately. But what if your cat is not urinating at all? Should it be a cause of alarm?
Litter box problems can be easily noticed especially if the cat has been well trained with it. However, cat not urinating may not catch the attention of the owner immediately as a cat owner may not particularly be interested in the cat's urinating habits. It is vital that the owner be aware of his cat's urinating habits to avoid serious problems from happening.
Cat not urinating is a sign of a serious condition in cats, especially in males. If left in this condition, the cat may not be able to live longer. This is one reason why cat owners should take notice of the cats' urinating pattern. Cat not urinating may mean that a cat is suffering from urethral obstruction, which is a life-threatening condition. It is imperative that a cat with this problem be taken immediately to the vet for medication.
Urethral obstruction is a form of feline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD) in cats. This condition happens when bladder stones or crystals, mucus, and fibrin form a plug and block the urethra of the cat, disabling the cat from excreting urine out of its body. When this happens, the pressure in the cat's bladder will increase and may result to rupture. This is highly dangerous for the cat.
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Cat Incontinence - 5 Things to Do When You Notice Your Cat Dribbling Urine
Cat incontinence is unpleasant to say the least. You may find that your house starts smelling like a litter box because your cat can't seem to control his urine flow.
Incontinence in cats can be solved however. It has many underlying causes including:
old age
birth defects
a tumor
bladder stones
bacterial infections
illness.
Why not follow these 5 tips to keep it from being so problematic for your cat?
1. Be prudent with conventional prescription medications (always consult your veterinarian). Most medications have side effects. Be aware of the impact of these types of approaches. Instead, consider giving your cat some Vitamin C. It will help to improve his immune functioning and improve his overall health.
Cat incontinence caused by infection can be prevented and alleviated with Vitamin C because it improves his ability to fight off infection.
2. Keep your cat's litter box tidy. Try to clean it each time he soils it. This is important because some cats avoid their litter boxes when they get messy. Holding urine in for too long can actually lead to bacterial infections and thus incontinence in cats.
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Feline Ear Infections
Feline ear infections are different in a lot of ways than dog ear infections, in that while outer ear canal infection is not very common in cats, the middle or inner ear infection is. These infections can be caused by several things such as allergies, especially food allergies, parasites, micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeast, plant awns, excessive moisture in the ears, hereditary immune conditions, and tumors. However, again very much different than dogs, these infections in your feline are primarily caused by ear mites.
The symptoms of these infections will be an almost continual scratching or rubbing of the ear, redness and or swelling of the ear canal, shaking of pets heads as they are trying to get the infection out, and pain around the ears. In advanced stages of these infections, there will also be a yellow or black discharge in the ears and your cat may have behavioral changes such as irritability and even depression. There will also be an unpleasant odor coming from your cats ears as the infection increases, and this raises the risk of middle or inner ear infections.These sections of the ears are separated from the outer ear by the ear drum.
You can not see these portions of the ear visibly, unless the ear drum has become ruptured. If this happens, you need to contact your veterinarian immediately. These two portions of the ear are what coordinate the control mechanisms and the hearing functions of your feline. If left untreated, it could cause permanent damage and deafness in your feline companion. Most causes of infection in the middle and inner ears are a result of extenuating circumstances involving an original infection of the external ear. If caught in the early stages, these infections involving the middle and inner ear can be treated very effectively. Again, these infections almost always are caused by ear mites. The symptoms that you can watch for and immediately identify as an ear mite infection would be a black discharge coming from your cats ear. If you look for this discharge closely it is very easy to spot. Ear Mites are very tiny organisms that are very infectious. They will closely resemble small ticks, and are very difficult to spot with the human eye as they are so small. They will appear as a white dot, when you can spot them.
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Routine Geriatric Examination For Cats
Throughout her life, your cat should have a routine examination at least once a year, but as she grows older, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent checkups. Early detection is the key in managing some of the problems that may come with age, and changes can occur quickly, so for most healthy seniors, six month intervals between exams are about right.
At each routine visit, your vet will:
- examine the teeth and gums for tartar, swelling, or inflammation
- examine the ears for infection, ear mites, or other problems
- examine the eyes for pupil response and retinal health
- examine the skin and coat for parasites and other problems
- check weight, temperature, respiration and heart rate
- draw blood samples for laboratory analysis
- examine a fecal sample to check for intestinal parasites
You can help your veterinarian diagnose and treat problems your older cat may experience by observing and writing down physical or behavioral changes that you notice over time.
The devil, as they say, is in the details, so write down the following information:
- when you first saw each physical or behavior change
- whether each condition or behavior is present all the time or only sometimes
- how often the condition or behavior occurs
- how long the condition or behavior lasts
- what was happening around your cat at the time
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Stress Linked to Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases
You might blame your teenager for your ulcer, or even your high blood pressure, but researchers now know that stress can cause many medical problems for companion animals, too. One of the most frustrating disorders veterinarians commonly treat in cats is feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is the broad term for diseases including, urinary stones, urethral obstructions and cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). Despite years of research, experts still do not know what causes the mysterious disease.
Dr. Julie Byron is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. She says that "although we do not completely understand the disease, we believe it is related to an increased sensitivity to stress." Flare-ups of the disorder also seem to be brought on by high anxiety levels. Interestingly, a virus or bacterial infection does not cause FLUTD. Instead, experts blame it on an inflammatory process gone awry.
To diagnose the disease and rule out a different disorder your veterinarian may run blood work, a urinalysis, a urine culture, and look for stones with an ultrasound or an X-ray.
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Feline Lymphoma Can Go All Over
The number one cause of death in companion animals in this country is cancer. In our feline friends a specific type of cancer, lymphoma, is very common. The disease originates in the lymphocytes (white blood cells) of the immune system and frequently invades the lymph nodes causing them to enlarge.
Dr. Laura Garrett is a veterinary oncologist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana. She says, "lymphoma is common in middle-aged to older cats." Although it usually starts in tissues associated with the immune system (lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and bone marrow), it can set up shop in almost any part of the body because it has basically hijacked the blood supply.
Today, the most common form of lymphoma in cats is the gastro-intestinal variety. Patients present with symptoms such as weight loss, a loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, years ago there was a different kind of lymphoma that predominated.
Multicentric (lymph node invasion) and mediastinal (a structure in the chest) forms used to be the most common. But as less and less cats become infected with the feline leukemia virus, these forms of the disease are less common. "If a young cat is diagnosed with lymphoma it is usually FeLV [feline leukemia virus] positive," explains Dr. Garrett.
This virus is directly linked to most forms of lymphoma, except the gastro-intestinal type that is now most prevalent. A cat infected with FeLV is 77 times more likely to develop lymphoma, and researchers have now shown that the virus can cause certain cells in the body to turn into malignant varieties.
A different type of virus that many cat owners have heard of, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), or more commonly known as "feline AIDS," can also increase the risk of lymphoma developing in infected cats.
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Treating Hyperthyroid Cats With Just One Shot
Although injecting a cat with radioactive material might sound like it would do more harm than good, it's the best treatment option for cats with an overactive thyroid gland. The disease, which is common in middle-aged cats, causes several symptoms such as: weight loss, hyperactivity, anxiety, vomiting, increased thirst and urination, along with an increased appetite. Once diagnosed, there are three treatment options: radioiodine therapy, surgery, and lifelong oral medication.
"Radioiodine therapy is arguably the safest and most effective treatment," explains Dr. Thomas Graves, a veterinary internal medicine specialist and endocrinology expert at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. Surgical removal of the thyroid glands can cause laryngeal paralysis, as well as other complications, such as hypocalcemia (low calcium levels). Lifelong oral administration of methimazole, an anti-thyroid drug, also carries risks and can be expensive long-term.
Although the thought of injecting your cat with radioactive material may cause concern, it does not seem to bother cats or cause any discomfort. In fact, the procedure is incredibly simple. The cat arrives at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a catheter is placed. One injection of radioactive material is given, and then the patient relaxes in a special room until being released from the clinic.
Some owners grow concerned that leaving their beloved cats in the hospital for five days is too traumatic. However, Dr. Graves mentions that, "Over the years I don't know how many hundred cats I've treated with radioiodine therapy. I've never had a patient that did not easily acclimate to hospital life." In short, cats residing in the hospital after treatment have a good quality of life.
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A Squinting Cat May Signal Conjunctivitis
If your handsome Maine coon winks at you from across the room and doesn't stop, it's probably not saying, "Hey baby, can I buy you a drink?" In all likelihood it's squinting because its eye hurts. By definition, conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the inner eyelid and the superficial layer of the eye.
Dr. Mitzi Zarfoss is an ophthalmology resident at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. She says, "early/mild conjunctivitis may go unnoticed by some cat owners, and may progress if untreated." Frequent squinting may go overlooked and tearing or red eye might be attributed to allergies, which are a relatively uncommon cause of eye disease in cats. Veterinary attention is indicated whenever eye symptoms are noted.
The most common cause of the conjunctivitis in our feline friends is a herpesvirus. "Feline-specific herpesvirus is a very important cause of eye disease in cats," says Dr. Zarfoss. She also notes that this same feline herpesvirus frequently causes respiratory diseases, too (sneezing and nasal discharge).
Although most veterinarians blame the feline herpesvirus when they see a cat with conjunctivitis, confirming the real cause of the disorder is very challenging. "We believe that most cats are positive for herpes," says Dr. Zarfoss, "and just because they have it doesn't mean it is necessarily causing the conjunctivitis." In short, testing is not always practical for the diagnosis and treatment of conjunctivitis in cats
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Me-Ow! Inflammatory Bowel Disease Can Affect Cats
Humans are not the only animals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer from ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, two specific disorders that fall under the umbrella term of IBD. Although it is hard to keep statistics on how many of our feline companions have the disease (dogs can be affected as well), it is not an uncommon diagnosis.
Dr. Julie Byron is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. She explains that, "IBD is a chronic disease that develops over weeks to months." In fact, according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Associations' GI standardization group, one of the symptoms an animal must show to meet the criteria for an IBD diagnosis is gastrointestinal upset for more than three weeks.
"Owners may notice signs such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, and a decreased appetite," says Dr. Byron. This is because inside the cat's intestines an inflammatory process is eroding the mucosal barrier of the intestinal wall.
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The Best Herbs For Cat Immune System Health And Healing
The use of herbs for cat immune system health is hardly a new concept. For thousands of years, animals in the wild have sought out certain plants for their healing power. Now homeopaths are offering that same natural healing power to domestic cats in order to promote proper immune system function.
Much like their human counterparts, cats need a certain daily amount of vitamins and minerals in order to maintain good health. When illness does strike, it makes perfect sense that we would turn to the natural world in order to find substances which can help. In the case of our pets, this includes immune boosting herbs for cats.
Because housebound cats do not have access to herbs and other plants which can help to heal and maintain good overall health, we need to do what we can as responsible owners to make up for that. Using herbs for cat immune system protection is a safe and simple way to make sure that your cat is getting all the help it needs. It can also help to counter the effects of exposure to household irritants and the lack of nutrition in most standard diets.
Everything from artificial colorings and preservatives in packaged cat food to household toxins such as pesticides and even the over use of prescription medicines can have a detrimental effect on the feline immune system. Once the immune system is weakened, it becomes that much more difficult for your cat to remain healthy. Immune boosting herbs for cats can help to bolster immune function and improve your cat’s overall health.
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Ibs And Your Cat
Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome is among the most common gastrointestinal disorders among cats. It is the condition which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract.
When a cat suffers from feline irritable bowel syndrome, this only suggests that it is subject under abnormal contractions of the intestines. This then interferes with the normal passage of food and waste material, which therefore creates more toxins and mucus in the tool.
This accumulation of digested material will set stage for obstruction of stool and gas in the digestive tract. The whole process will result to bloating, diarrhea and constipation.
Like with human irritable bowel syndrome, the cause of the feline IBS is not known. Contributing factors, however, provide us ideas of what must be fixed to facilitate treatment. Stress, poor eating habits, allergies, improper use of antibiotics, viral and bacterial infections, and viruses can all help in the exacerbation of the symptoms.
Symptoms of feline irritable bowel movement include abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, bloating, anorexia and flatulence.
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The Advantages of Neutering Your Male Cat
Most male animals that are not used for breeding purposed are castrated, neutered, so that they can no longer impregnate a female. For cats especially, this is crucial, since there are hundreds of kittens every year that go without homes. There are many advantages to neutering your male cat, and the process is quite safe, so you should consider it if your furry feline friend is male and not yet neutered.
Male cats that have not yet been neutered are called tomcats. Simply put, it can be difficult to live with a tomcat, no matter how well trained he may be. When your cat is not neutered, he will want to get outside as frequently as possible to mate with female cats in heat. This can be disastrous if you live in a busy street with lots of traffic or if your cat is not used to being outdoors. Tomcats also roam a lot, meaning that they may travel far distances in search of female cats, and it is possible for your cat to roam too far and not know his way home. It is also possible for him simply to resist coming home at all, since he will be shut indoors. To protect your male cat, neutering it the best choice.
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Ring Worms In Cats
If we're talking about cats, the M Canis fungi will be responsible for 95% of all cases of Ringworm. Usually, they will get this disease from objects that are contaminated, like clippers or bedding, or from other pets that are already sick. If you have another pet that already has this disease, other animals should be kept away from it, so they don't get it as well.
The Ringworm disease is much more likely to show up in cats or kittens that have less than a year since birth. A kitten that is allowed to go outside is more likely to get it, either by meeting a cat that has it or by entering in contact with something that is contaminated. This happens because when they're young the immune system isn't as strong, so the Ringworm disease is more likely to affect them.
The Ringworm symptoms are broken or rough hairs and losing their hair around their paws or head. If you see a patch of skin that looks scaly, inflamed and itchy, chances are that the cat has Ringworm disease. Near that area of skin you should also see some broken hairs. It's a sensitive area, so touching it can hurt the cat. Avoid doing that.
Once those symptoms are observed in your cat, get on the phone and get that vet appointment. The treatment for this disease is usually tables or ointments. What he will give her depends on how serious the disease is. Tables are usually given to cats together with their meals.
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Ways to Prevent Feline Leukemia
When a cat has Feline Leukemia, his immune system will be compromised. Apart from this, he also develops anemia and the growth of abnormal tumors. He develops other diseases such as cancer. He will most likely live around 3.5 more years, as a majority of FeLV-infected cats do.
If you are a cat care giver, it is essential for you to know how you can prevent the spread of the disease among cats in your foster cat home. Knowledge and understanding of the disease, as well as other contagious diseases, can certainly be a big factor in lengthening the lives of cats.
Licking is one of the common forms of transmission as FeLV can be acquired through licking. Moreover, placenta-transmission (i.e. mother to baby) is also another common form. Kittens are more vulnerable to the condition because their immune system are still weak until they reach 4 months old, thus resistance to the disease is also not that strong.
The sad truth is that it takes awhile for symptoms to become evident. In fact, it could take months, or even years, before the symptoms show. Unless you get your cat tested, it is unlikely that you will find out if he has FeLV during the first few months that he has it.
How can you keep your cats safe from this rather deadly disease? Below are some of the things that you can do. Actually, these are what you SHOULD do, if you want to keep your cats free from FeLV, and this is particularly important if you have a foster cat home.
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As Old as He Feels – Caring for Your Elderly Cat
They say old age creeps up on a person like a thief in the night. This is especially true of your cat. Cats seemingly race through adolescence and adulthood, and suddenly at around 8 years of age, they are entering their golden years. As our cats age, they may have specific needs or problems that must be addressed. The aging process brings about a gradual decline in a cat's physical and sometimes mental abilities. Becoming aware of these issues allows you to provide the best possible care.
Not all cats age at the same rate. A cat's biological age depends upon genetic background, the quality of his diet, his general state of health, and the quality of his living conditions. Research estimates that old age for cats begins somewhere between the 8th and 9th birthday. This is the equivalent of about 55 human years.
Ideally, caring for the geriatric cat should focus on preventive measures.
Whenever possible, it is better to prevent a problem from occurring, rather than to wait for a problem to develop. Detecting diseases in the early stages greatly improves the outcome. Different cats have specific risk factors that influence the diagnostic approach to geriatric medicine. Characteristics of the breed, genetics, environment, and lifestyle of your cat may put him or her at greater risk of developing a particular disease or other age-related changes.
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FELINE DENTAL DISEASE
The current status of feline dental disease consists of several well-recognized conditions. Proper and aggressive treatment of these conditions can greatly contribute to the well being and longevity of the patient.
Some conditions are similar to those experienced by humans, while others are unique to felines. The most common condition seen in cats is gingivitis and periodontal disease secondary to plaque and tartar accumulation on the teeth. As in humans, plaque and tartar contain high concentrations of bacteria which cause inflammation and eventual damage to the gums (gingivitis) and as this is allowed to progress the inflammation destroys the bony tissue which anchors the tooth in the socket (periodontitis). In addition to the local damage to the oral tissue, these high concentrations of bacteria enter the bloodstream through the gingiva resulting in cardiac, liver and kidney involvement. Frequent, regular dental cleaning is the key to preventing this condition from becoming irreversible problems. Keep in mind; virtually any dental procedure must be performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. While there is no "perfect' anesthetic agent, the newer inhalant anesthetic agents truly increase the safety margin.
Feline lymphocytic, plasmacytic gingivitis (LPG) is a condition unique to cats that is seen fairly frequently. This condition is characterized by an exaggerated inflammation of the gum tissue in response to a relatively mild accumulation of plaque. The gingival tissue is also very thickened and painful. Sometimes the affected tissue may extend all the way back to the tonsillar area. These patients should be checked for Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodefiency Virus, and other possible metabolic disease (kidney failure). Most cases of LPG are thought to be some form of immune reaction to relatively low concentrations of bacteria in the plaque. Early cases can sometimes be managed with frequent cleaning, steroids, and antibiotics. Eventually most cases become chronic and non-responsive to this form of treatment. Therefore, the best current long-term treatment for this is total extraction. Although this may sound extreme, by eliminating the surfaces on which plaque is allowed to accumulate, the gingival reaction ceases. Furthermore, by stopping the chronic inflammation, the potential systemic effects are also limited.
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CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE
The kidneys of a cat can become diseased in a number of different ways. Cats can be born with congenital kidney disorders or the kidneys can become damaged due to injuries, infections, kidney stones, tumors and toxins (such as antifreeze). While all of these conditions are life threatening they are, luckily, all fairly uncommon. The kidney condition of cats which is very common is a progressive deterioration of the kidneys with no apparent underlying cause that progresses with age. We refer to this as Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). This condition is the most common cause of death in aged cats. When deterioration of the kidneys occurs, they are not able to function normally. The kidneys have several important functions. They help clear toxic waste products from the body, keep several blood chemicals at normal levels, and control fluid balance to maintain normal hydration. They also produce a hormone necessary for the production of red blood cells and are involved in the regulation of calcium and vitamin D.
In the very early stages of renal failure the body is able to compensate so symptoms may not be evident. As the disease progresses and imbalances become more marked, symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, dehydration, loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, and vomiting may occur. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the state of your cat's kidney function using blood and urine tests. In some cases veterinarians may also use x-rays, blood pressure measurement, ultrasound and even kidney biopsies to gain more information about kidney function.
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TOXOPLASMOSIS
Toxoplasmosis (commonly called toxo) is a disease caused by a microscopic protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii. You may have heard about this infection because of the danger to newborn children if a woman becomes infected while pregnant. Another reason cat owners should be aware of toxo is that the cat is considered the "definitive host" of the toxoplasma organism, meaning it is the only animal that sheds infectious toxo in its feces.
All mammals can become infected with toxo. Infection can occur in two ways. One is by ingesting toxo that has been shed in the feces of a cat. This can occur through contact with soil where cats have defecated or through direct contact with a cat or its fecal matter. This is a very uncommon occurrence. The much more common method of acquiring toxo is by eating meat or prey which contains toxo in the form of a tissue cyst. In cats and other predatory animals this occurs commonly when they eat uncooked prey. In people it occurs most commonly through eating raw or undercooked meat since beef, pork and lamb can all contain toxo.
When any animal, including people and cats, become infected with toxoplasma it usually is an inapparent infection with no illness. This is because the body's immune system puts up a defense that stops the spread of the toxo and walls off the organism into a tiny tissue cyst which remains dormant for years. These are the same tissue cysts which if eaten can cause infection.
In people the situation is different if the person who becomes infected has a compromised immune system, such as a person with AIDS or a person on immune-suppressing drugs. In these cases, the spread of toxo may not be held in check and it can develop into an overwhelming and sometimes fatal infection which may affect many organs including the lungs, liver, eyes and brain. The situation is also different if the person who becomes infected is a pregnant woman.
The woman will generally have no apparent illness, but the toxo organism can pass to the fetus and result in damage to the eyes or brain causing congenital disease.
When mammals other than people become infected a similar thing happens. The vast majority never have illness but may carry tissues cysts of toxo for life. Only a few whose immune system fails to stop the toxo will become ill. This holds true for cats as well. A high percentage of cats have toxo cysts but are not ill, but we only occasionally diagnose toxoplasmosis in cats where it causes disease of the eye, lung, brain or other organs.
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Why Chemotherapy for an Older Cat Is Less Effective
It's difficult to watch your suffer from cancer, and even harder to choose a course of therapy, like cat chemotherapy or radiation, to try to improve the situation. However, for older cats, many veterinarians recommend against treatments like chemotherapy, as they can be less effective.
Age Is an Important Factor for Chemotherapy
When he was a kitten, you never had to worry about recovery time. One minute your kitten had a cold, the next she was bouncing off the walls. Recovery time is increased with age, and it takes longer for your cat to heal.
As a result of the cancer, your cat may have suffered damage to his or her immune system. Before setting on a course of chemotherapy, understand that the procedure includes pumping chemicals into your cat's system, causing sickening side effects. Your cat may not be able to recover from the drugs themselves.
Consider Other Options for Older Cats
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Three Common Feline Skin Diseases
Feline skin diseases are some of the most common health problems that can affect your cat. The condition of your cat's skin and coat of hair is an important indicator of your cat's overall health, so it's important to be aware of it. Let's take a look at a few common feline skin diseases.
Acne
One of the most common feline skin diseases is acne. The most noticeable symptom of this condition is the formation of blackheads on your cat's chin. Although an exact cause is known, dermatitis, food allergies, and poor grooming can play a role. The veterinarian may not choose to treat feline acne is the case is mild enough.
If treatment of the acne is necessary, it usually comes in three forms. Your may have to bath your cat in a special shampoo that helps get rid of excess oil on your cat's skin. You may also have the option of using an antibiotic twice a day to get rid of the condition. If your cat is experiencing excessive inflammation, the veterinarian may choose to use corticosteroids.
Ringworm
Ringworm is also one of the most common feline skin diseases. This skin fungus frequently affects young, old, and long-haired cats although any cat can be affected. Symptoms include crusting, redness on the skin, and scaling. Some cats react to the fungus by over-grooming themselves which can cause hair loss. Treatment methods of ringworm include oral medication, shampoo, or clipping the cat's coat. You may also need to get rid of the fungus in the surrounding environment.
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What Is Feline Infectious Peritonitis?
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a virus which is a variant of the Corona virus. Unfortunately there is no proven effective vaccine to immunize cats from its deadly outbreak. This virus is so elusive that the only way to accurately diagnose the disease is after the cat's death. Sadly, there also is no cure for this disease.
The reason the virus is so difficult to diagnose is that it comes from a group of over forty viruses, in the Corona family. The tests that we have available to us today can only detect that the cat is infected with a Corona virus, but it cannot differentiate which one is actually infecting the cat. Since most cats who test positive for a Corona virus actually survives, it makes it difficult with certainty which cat has FIP, until it dies. This makes diagnosing Feline Infectious Peritonitis almost impossible without an autopsy.
The actual Feline Infectious Peritonitis disease is always fatal to cats. It is estimated that most household cats have actually been exposed at one time or another to the Corona virus. These cats will most times carry on with their lives just fine, with no outward signs of being infected, nor do they appear sick. For some unknown reason, in a small percentage of infected cats, the Corona virus will mutate into the Feline Infectious Peritonitis virus. This autoimmune disease then proves to be fatal.
The majority of the cats who do contract Feline Infectious Peritonitis are either very young, or they are quite old. Either way, death is eminent. There are certain procedures which can prolong the life of the cat for a short while, and even make the cat more comfortable for a short time, but the eventual result is always the same.
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8 Must-Have Ingredients for Your Homemade Cat Food Recipe
If you want to know exactly what your cat is being fed each day, then the best way is to prepare a homemade cat food recipe yourself. However, for your cat to remain healthy, it is important to ensure that your homemade cat food recipe includes sufficient animal protein, calcium, phosphorus, iodine and vitamins. This is usually obtained from red meat, liver, kidney, heart, chicken and sometimes milk.
Generally, raw food contains more nutrients as cooking destroys some vitamins, especially vitamin B. If you are squeamish about feeding raw food to your cat and intend to feed your cat cooked food instead, then you may need to provide pet food supplements in your cat's diet. Your vet will be able to advise you on appropriate pet food supplements, based on your homemade cat food diet.
Here are some important ingredients which you should incorporate into your homemade cat food diet:
INGREDIENT #1 - Meat and Meat By-Products
Both red and white meat contains protein, B-group vitamins, fat and energy. Highest sources of protein are beef, chicken (meat) and liver, followed by heart, chicken skin, lamb, kidney and chicken necks.
All types of meat are deficient in vitamin A therefore, it is good to feed liver to your cat as it is rich in vitamin A. However, liver should not be more than 10% of your cat food diet as too much vitamin A can lead to skeletal problems and other abnormal bone growth. If you are worried about an overdose of vitamin A, feed cooked liver to your cat instead of raw liver. Or as a rough guide, feed raw liver not more than once a week.
INGREDIENT #2 - Fish
It is good to have a mix of the 2 main types of fish: white fish and fatty/oily fish (such as tuna). White fish is leaner but is weak in vitamins A, D, E and K.
Fatty and oily fish on the other hand, contain high levels of vitamins A and D but your cat may suffer a case of steatites (a painful inflammation of fat deposits under the skin) if it is fed too much fatty fish.
In the case of fish, it is advisable to cook the fish first. Raw fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme which destroys thiamine, an important vitamin B. Cooking destroys thiaminase and helps to retain more vitamins in the food.
Whole fish (including the bones) is very nutritional cat food as fish bones contain calcium and phosphorus. However, to prevent fish bones from getting caught in your cat's teeth or throat, it is good to soften the bones first. You can do this by pressure cooking, boiling or stewing.
INGREDIENT #3 - Eggs
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FELINE AIDS
In 1986 in Northern California a disease that was causing illness and death in cats was found to be caused by a virus similar to HIV, or the AIDS virus found in humans. Since then, much research has been done on this virus and the disease it causes. To date scientists have not been successful in formulating a vaccine to prevent this infection in cats. There has also been little success in finding methods to treat those cats that have the disease, but we DO know enough about the disease to safeguard our pets from this fatal disorder.
Because of its similarity to the HIV virus, it was named FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), and the disease it induces is known as FAIDS (feline acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The virus is classified in the same group of viruses as the HIV virus, but it is not identical. The HIV virus does not infect cats, and likewise the FIV virus does not infect humans. There is no danger that a person could catch AIDS from a cat or vice versa.
There is now a reliable blood test, which your veterinarian can perform on your cat to see if it is infected with FIV. As in people, we refer to a cat that tests positive as being "FIV positive" but that cat does not necessarily yet have FAIDS, and may not become sick for months or years or in some cases not at all. When a cat does develop illness, the body's natural defense against disease is broken down. The cat is then susceptible to a great variety of infections, cancers, etc. No one specific symptom is typical. It might be a sickly cat that is not recovering promptly from an illness, or has a chronic illness such as infected teeth or gums, frequent diarrhea or discharge from the nose or eyes. While we do our best to control other infections these cats may acquire, we cannot cure them of the FIV infection, and it is usually fatal.
The FIV virus affects only cats, so the risk for any cat of catching the virus comes through contact with another cat that is infected. The virus does not survive outside the cat's body, so it is not blown through the air or carried on a person's hands or clothing from cat to cat. An indoor cat that does not come in contact with other cats would be at no risk of catching the virus. Cats that are allowed to roam outdoors and may encounter stray cats have to be considered at risk to catch FIV. Studies have shown that the infection is worldwide, and in every area of the United States where stray cats have been tested the infection is present in a certain percentage of those cats. Because cats can live for months or even years while infected, they can transmit the infection to other cats.
Many studies are currently investigating exactly how FIV is transmitted cat to cat. The most common method of transmission is through a bite wound inflicted by an infected cat. In this case the virus in its saliva enters the blood stream of the bite victim. Bite wounds, however, are not the only method of transmission and virus-to-blood contact is not always necessary. FIV infected mothers can transmit the virus to their offspring but not in utero. The transmission to offspring probably takes place during nursing, and experts feel the majority of kittens nursing FIV positive mothers don't get the disease. It is still unknown whether transmission takes place during mating, but since biting can be part of the mating ritual, we have to assume it could. Experimentally scientists have been able to infect cats by giving the virus orally. We don't know, however, in the natural setting of mutual grooming, sharing food bowls, etc., how often this occurs. It appears that in a setting where one cat in a house is FIV positive and has non-biting contact with other cats, those cats have a low probability of becoming infected.
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The Ten Most Common Cat Tumor Symptoms
It's difficult to watch your suffer from cancer, and even harder to choose a course of therapy, like cat chemotherapy or radiation, to try to improve the situation. However, for older cats, many veterinarians recommend against treatments like chemotherapy, as they can be less effective.
Age Is an Important Factor for Chemotherapy
When he was a kitten, you never had to worry about recovery time. One minute your kitten had a cold, the next she was bouncing off the walls. Recovery time is increased with age, and it takes longer for your cat to heal.
As a result of the cancer, your cat may have suffered damage to his or her immune system. Before setting on a course of chemotherapy, understand that the procedure includes pumping chemicals into your cat's system, causing sickening side effects. Your cat may not be able to recover from the drugs themselves.
Consider Other Options for Older Cats
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Several Classic Cat Health Warning Signs
As a cat owner, cat health problems are at the top of my list of concerns. The various illnesses your cat may face are many and varied, and your cat can't tell you how she's feeling, at least not in words. Feline illness symptoms, like that in humans, often overlap.
As a rule, your cat is at higher risk for developing a disease if she has been stressed recently. Pre-existing health problems, recent surgery, or a life change of some type can all add stress to your cat's life. Life changing events may include the addition or removal of a family member or other pet, or perhaps a change of homes.
Cats can catch a cold or the flu, or develop any number of feline specific problems, such as cat parasites. She can also be affected by heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Some of these cat health issues will require treatment.
If you notice something is not right, it's best to call your veterinarian up front and let her know. That way, if things seem to get worse, both you and your vet will be better prepared to handle the situation later. Below are some problems to watch out for.
General signs -- Your cat may exhibit some of the same signs that you'd expect to see in people if she has the flu, a cold, injury, or infection. General symptoms of cat illness include sneezing, coughing, lethargy, and nasal discharge. Your cat may experience excessive drooling if she has an infection or the flu, and may also have a fever.
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How to Know If Your Cat's Not Feeling Well
You may find it difficult to identify how well your kitty is feeling. And unfortunately, she can't speak to you in specific terms to tell you. So it will be up to you to recognize behavioral changes or irregularities in routine so you can diagnose symptoms of kitty illness
I suggest you take great care in following and understanding your kitty's normal routines. This includes level of activity, food habits and potty habits. Remember that cat's often exhibit very subtle changes in their behavior when they don't feel well.
It's important to pay close attention to any changes in your cat's behavior and even take notes on the changes in behavior or habits.
Gathering more information about your cat's symptoms can also help the veterinarian know where to start when working on a diagnosis for the feline illness. Sometimes the diagnosis for cat health problems is determined quickly, but other times it can be complicated and any additional information from you can be helpful.
The more quickly you realize there may be something wrong the better. Starting treatment quickly can cut down on additional problems and provide a better success rate. Plus your kitty will start feeling better sooner.
Another good reason to act fast is because certain feline illnesses can contribute to cat behavior problems like urinating or defecating outside of the litter box. This behavior can become an unpleasant cycle of problems so avoiding this behavior when at all possible is of course best for both you and your feline friend.
How do you know if your cat has a cat health problem?
Sometimes it's more obvious than others, but as discussed earlier changes in your cat's normal behavior can be a good clue that something is wrong. There are also some specific symptoms to watch for:
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Cat Hyperthyroidism-a Brief Introduction
As cat owners, there's nothing more distressing than finding out that your feline friend is sick. In the case of a disorder such as feline hyperthyroidism, the consequences can be severe and have the potential to rob your pet of its health, comfort, and even its life. However, when armed with some basic knowledge, you'll be better able to help your cat through its illness and to hopefully catch the problem early on so you can ease your pet's suffering and improve its health with early treatment and intervention.
The Feline Thyroid Gland
The thyroid is a double-lobed gland located in the cat's neck, wrapped around its trachea. Consisting of spherical follicles, this gland is responsible for secreting the two thyroid hormones -- thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These two iodine-containing hormones play a significant role in a number of physiological functions and have an effect on every cell in the feline body. In particular, T4 helps to regulate the cat's metabolic rate, or the rate at which the cat's cells burn energy.
Feline Hyperthyroidism
When a cat's thyroid does not function properly and produces too much of the T4 hormone, the cat develops the endocrine disorder known as hyperthyroidism. This disorder is most common in middle-aged and elderly cats and affects male and female cats equally. Since thyroid hormones have an effect on every part of the feline physiological system, hyperthyroidism can also affect every organ. As a result, this endocrine disorder can have numerous negative effects on a feline patient and can quickly become extremely dangerous if left untreated.
Consequences of Hyperthyroidism
Since the thyroxine hormone controls the metabolic rate of a cat's body, elevated levels of this hormone result in a higher rate of metabolic function. This causes an increase in blood pressure as well as an increased heart rate. This excessive stress upon the feline heart can eventually cause it to expand in size. Known as myocardial hypertrophy, this heart condition causes the organ to wear out more quickly than a normal heart and will eventually lead to heart failure if the myocardial hypertrophy and hyperthyroidism continue to go untreated.
Symptoms and Warning Signs
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Understanding Cat Arthritis Symptoms - Caring For An Arthritic Cat
The increasing amount of cat owners feeding highly processed commercial cat food is reported by many veterinary experts to be a contributing factor in the increasing amount of cat arthritis happening in cats.
It is certainly not coincidence that owners who feed their cats homemade and raw food see lower occurrence of degenerative arthritis in their cats.
Today, although there are no concrete proof to show that commercial cat food contribute to arthritis development in cats, it is widely believe that they play a big part, From there, we understand that your cat’s diet would play a major effect in preventing this stressful cat disease.
Apart from diet, overweight older cats are also more likely to develop arthritis because of the extra pressure they put on their joints causing the cartilage and bones to wear off faster. Naturally, a cat who enjoys a healthy diet and who exercise regularly will be less likely to suffer from the same condition.
The symptoms of arthritis in cats would be that he will find it difficult to walk around and run. Moving around stiffly, he will not make jumps that he use to make and will have difficulty in climbing up stairs. Showing signs of depression, your cat would hide away and appear listless and even bad tempered. Not allowing you to touch and stroke him in areas where he is painful, he might cry out if you touch him on a painful joint.
To diagnose arthritis in cats, veterinary will observe, use blood test and most importantly the x-ray examination. The X-ray will show joint degeneration in areas of worn, irregular bone position and possible distortion of the joint and see if the bone is causing pain and forcing the cat to stand in an awkward position to compensate for the discomfort.
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