There are many health related issues to consider regarding the happiness of your cat and the deworming process should be a top priority. In order to effectively deworm your cat you should understand, how often the procedure should be done, the kind of worms that typically infect cats and the ways in which various types of worms can affect you cat’s health. Before exploring theses issues further, here is some background information for you to consider.

Just about all kittens are infected with some kind of parasitic worm at the time of birth, which were transmitted while the kitten was developing inside the mother’s womb. Alternatively worm eggs can be transmitted via the mother’s milk during the nursing stage. Unless the mother is medically confirmed to be worm-free and lives in an immaculate indoor environment, there is a high probability the her kittens will have worms. With that being said, it is important to understand the following conditions as well as the deworming process involved.

All stray kittens will have worms. Don’t assume otherwise. Any stray kitten recovered must be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible for deworming and other treatments. If your cat is a hunter and catches and consumes small animals such as birds or mice, it is highly likely that your cat will have worms from ingesting worm larvae that commonly exist in these animals.

Indoor cats can also be infected with worms. Chronic heaving and retching behavior is suggestive of a possible worm infestation in your cat. If a cat vomits and the worms are visible, this of course is a clear proof that the cat needs to be dewormed immediately. The most common type or worm to infect cats are Roundworms that look like spaghetti and Tapeworms that are flat and with box shaped sections.

Veterinarian worm testing may not always show a positive result for worms even if they exist. The common fecal test will only show a positive indication of worms if they are active and migrating within the cat. Quite often, worms can exist dormant within the cat’s body for a long time and only manifest themselves in a fecal exam after some sort of stress event like pregnancy or surgery.

Sudden changes in appetite or diarrhea are possible signs of worm infection. Fur that loses its sheen or the developing of a protruding belly are other signs. Cats that are observed eating feces must definitely be put through a deworming process.

Determining the exact type of worm infecting a cat will be critical to successful treatment because medication is specific to the type of worm. For example medication to rid a cat of round worms will not work for tape worms or other types of worms. Generally fecal testing is the best method for determining the type of worm infecting cat.

Worm medications can be in the form of a liquid or a pill and when administering medication to a cat it is vitally important to confirm that the cat actually ingests it. Concealing the medication in cat food or a treat is a simple way to accomplish this. It is also important to understand that it typically takes several deworming treatments to completely rid a cat of worms. This is due to the fact the worms in their various developmental stages will vary in their susceptibility to the medication.

In conclusion, you should subject your cat to a deworming process as warranted by conditions mention earlier. Regular veterinary fecal tests and closely monitoring your cat for symptomatic and behavioral signs of worm infection is the key for determining when and how often your cat should be dewormed.

About The Author
Ariel Keis is the webmaster of http://www.PawHouseOnline.com The Paw House – a 501(c3) charity dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned and abused animals and restoring them to their rightful place a loving human companions.

In cats, chronic viral nasal disease develops from one of two viruses involved in upper-respiratory tract diseases. Both the feline rhinotracheitis virus (FVR) and feline calici virus (FCV) are extremely contagious. Clinically, the difference between these two viruses is unnecessary for diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms and Causes

The typical signs associated with chronic viral disease include sneezing, bilateral nasal discharge, nasal bleeding, increased breathing sounds, and discharge from the eyes. Any bleeding associated with viral disease is usually very minimal; however, if nasal bleeding becomes extreme, it may be suggestive of a tumor.

Nasal discharge from one side of the nose is more typical of a foreign body, tumor, or tooth-root abscess. Moderate to severe bleeding or deformity of the facial bones suggests an erosive process, such as cancer fungal or a foreign body.

To differentiate chronic viral nasal disease from other causes of feline upper-respiratory disease, you must know the past health of the cat. Any previous signs of acute infection would be expected with viral disease. An old injury or prior trauma might have healed externally but resulted in deep bone damage or changes in the nasal anatomy which can lead a patient to be predisposed to nasal disease.

Diagnosis

A cat with chronic viral nasal disease is generally in good condition. Chronic viral nasal disease can be diagnosed only by the elimination of other upper respiratory conditions, such as cancer, foreign bodies, bacterial disease, allergic disease, fungal disease, polyps, dental disease, and prior trauma. Not only will this guide your veterinarian in the proper course of treatment, but will also give you an accurate prognosis. If the diagnosis becomes chronic viral nasal disease, you may expect a long-term treatment or potentially negative results.

Your veterinarian will examine the skull and hard palate very carefully, along with an eye examination. The viruses involved in upper-respiratory diseases do not cause mass lesions or inflammation of the inner structures of the eye. If these problems are identified, then viral disease is unlikely.

To rule out the possibility of cancer, the lymph nodes around the cat’s head and neck are also carefully examined. Your veterinarian may also look for a discharge from both sides of the nose or from the cat’s eyes. After antibiotics are discontinued, there may be sneezing and relapse of symptoms. These signs are similar to what would be seen in a cat with a polyp.

If the history suggest a systemic cause, then a complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, and chest x-rays are indicated. These tests should also be done if there is any concern about anesthetic risk for the next phase of the examination.

The second phase of examination involves more aggressive testing, such as skull x-rays, endoscopy, and nasal biopsies to eliminate non-viral causes for the nasal disease. You may or may not want to continue with this aggressive diagnostic path, depending on the severity of clinical signs and the evidence provided by the history, physical examination, and other less invasive tests.

Treatment

Some form of antibiotic treatment is often prescribed for a cat with chronic viral nasal disease. If the chosen antibiotic is going to be effective, symptoms should improve noticeably in three to five days.

If improvement is evident, your veterinarian will determine the length of time that the antibiotics should be continued. Normally, the dose is tapered off slowly. In some cats, intermittent bouts of sneezing can be controlled by continued administration of low-dose antibiotics.

Symptomatic treatment also includes the use of decongestants, cortisone, and humidification. Your veterinarian will determine the best treatment for your cat. Local decongestant therapy can be very helpful. Local treatment also decreases the chance of systemic side effects. Decongestants can be given topically or orally.

The problem of using cortisone is that it can mask the development of other problems or decrease the ability of the abnormal nasal cavity to cope with infection. Cats who are virus carriers may start actively shedding the virus. Consequently, cortisone should only be used if absolutely necessary and with close monitoring.

Humidification is a very simple way to provide relief to some patients. Increasing the moisture content of the nasal secretions makes it easier for all the material in the nose to drain. Home vaporizers are inexpensive and easily obtainable from local drug stores. Placing the cat in a bathroom while the shower runs may also be helpful.

To increase your cat’s comfort, frequently clean your cat’s face, nose, and eyes with cotton balls and water. You can also heat the food to help your cat smell it and increase the appetite.

Although cats with chronic viral nasal disease are prone to intermittent attacks of upper-respiratory symptoms, they can lead normal lives. As with any chronic disease, open communication with your veterinarian and realistic therapeutic goals are essential.
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About The Author
Anita Hampton http://www.eliminatecatodour.com

The last thing you expect from your furry little friend is a blizzard of flaky skin. Dandruff.

Cat dandruff…..Now what should a caring pet owner do?

“Pet dandruff looks like a really bad case of people dandruff – you can easily see it with most animals,” says Nancy Scanlan, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in California.

While occasionally dog dandruff and cat dandruff can indicate a serious health problem, like allergies, parasites, or skin infections, more often it occurs when skin cells naturally proliferate — They form, die and then flake off — at an accelerated rate.

Scott Weldy, D.V.M. says, “Since pet dandruff is a sign of flaky skin, giving your pet regular baths will help wash the flakes away before they accumulate. Bathing your pet once a month in winter and twice a month in summer may clear up the problem for good.”

* To bathe your pet, use warm water, Not hot water.

* Use a mild shampoo and massage it well into your pet’s skin.

* Then rinse thoroughly and dry your pet well.

* Don’t use medicated shampoos made for humans because they can be harmful for pets.

* Check the label carefully! Products that may be safe for dogs, may not necessarily be safe for cats.

* To prevent making dandruff worse, avoid using shampoos that include an insecticide.

* Most flea shampoos are very drying to the skin, thus creating more dandruff problems.

Regular brushing and grooming your pet will help distribute natural oils evenly over dry skin, which will help keep dandruff down.

Choose a brush that’s not too harsh. You can tell by rubbing the brush against the back of your hand to see if it will hurt. Something you would use on your own head will be excellent for your pet.

“If you’ve tried shampoos, regular brushing and new foods and it still looks like winter on your pet’s coat, you’re probably going to need professional help,” says Jan A. Hall, D.V.M.

“While dandruff is usually nothing more than flaky skin, in some cases it can indicate serious problems. Warning signs to watch for, besides the flakes, include scabs, crusting or itching.”

“Problems with the skin can be an indication of internal disease. After a month or so, if there is no improvement, you should take your pet to the vet.”

According to Mollyann Holland, D.V.M., “Sometimes we’ll see dandruff when animals aren’t getting enough fat in their diets. Giving your pet fish oil supplements will help improve the metabolism of fats in skin tissue. Some generic and supermarket brand foods do not provide the full range of vitamins and minerals your pet needs to maintain a healthy skin. Many pets have been taken off generic foods and put on a high quality food and the cases of dandruff have disappeared.”

http://www.eliminatecatodour.com

About The Author
Anita Hampton http://www.eliminatecatodour.com

We are all used to seeing the many advertisements on our televisions about protecting ourselves and our children from the summer sun, but do we ever think about protecting our pets? Probably not. However cats and dogs can get sun burnt too and with the same terrible consequences that causes, including the possibility of skin cancer.

Cats who are outside a lot during the summer, especially those with light coloured fur are particularly at risk from the effects of the sun and the heat. So before we let our pets outside on a summer’s day we must make sure we provide adequate care for them, just as we would for our children and ourselves.

Areas particularly at risk on your pets are their ears. They often have a much lighter covering of fur and this makes them much more likely to burn in the sun. Add this to the fact that cats will often spend hours laying in the sun and the risks of skin cancer rise dramatically. Often in Mediterranean countries you will often see a lot of cats with both their ears missing. This is because that the region receives a lot of hot sunny weather and skin cancer on cats has become so common that owners will often ask the vet to remove the cats ears to reduce the risk of them catching skin cancer. Another method used is to have the ears tattooed all over in black; this helps to reflect the sun and provides protection.

Of course there are other simpler methods to protect your pet from the effects of the sun. Simply remember when you let your pet out on a hot summers day, make sure you rub a high factor sun cream onto the ears and areas which are not as covered with a thick layer of fur. Some breeds have a very thin covering of fur all over, and it might be safer to keep these breeds inside on very hot sunny days.

Also make sure that you provide plenty of fresh water for your pet which is readily available all through the day. Perhaps have several bowls of water dotted about the garden in a cool spot. Of course making sure that there are plenty of shady places that your pet can keep cool is essential. The affects of heat stroke can come on very fast and if not treated promptly can be fatal. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heat stroke i.e. is panty very heavily and seems to be wobbly on their legs and disorientated. Cool them down immediately in a bath of cool water and then take them immediately to a vet.

All of the above are quite simple and affective steps, which will protect your pet during the summer months. A little time and thought could save both you and your pet any suffering and will ensure that summertime is enjoyed by every member of your family. More helpful tips for looking after our cat can be found at http://www.our-happy-cat.com

Obesity as commonly perceived is not just a problem with human beings. It is also prevalent in animals, both wild and domestic, but usually domestic. According to a recent research it has been found that around 25% of our pets are obese or overweight. This indicates that the problem has reached proportions where it can no longer be ignored.

A pet’s weight cannot be evaluated by just weighing them on the scales. You will get a better idea by observing the physical condition of your pet when compared with one of its own breed or species. The overall appearance of the pet is of prime importance since the ideal weight can be very varied and obesity not always obvious.

A scale of body condition scores is used in observation of the physical condition of a pet. The body condition score is normally between 5 and 9, and a score of 7 is optimal or ideal. This score is assigned after observing a pets build, fat coverage on rib cage and the waist. Other factors that influence this score are sex, breed, age and life style.

Some observations that can help in your own assessment of your pet are suggested. The ribs should not be visible to the eye but should be easily felt without pressing. The stomach or the abdominal area should be tucked in. These simple tests can be carried out at home if the owner can objectively record them. A veterinarian should be consulted for advice if you are in doubt or find that your pet does not possess the much sought after hour-glass physique. The owner should have a good reference point to infer the results from his observations, i.e. he should have good knowledge and information about the general physical appearance of the species of his pet.

Obesity decreases the life span of your pet, and an overweight pet is generally not healthy. Obesity may lead to diabetes, arthritis, heart complications, endocrinal diseases and bad joints. The effectiveness of the medication for these conditions can also seriously compromised due to underlying obesity factors.

You pet is overweight due to the simple fact that it eats too much and does not take enough exercise. The over feeding trend arises from the owners’ wish to show love to their pets by feeding tidbits and unhealthy snacks. It is very important to keep tabs on your pet’s feeding habits. Many pet food packs carry portion guidelines, but this is not always accurate. It is up to the owner to take responsibility on how much feed the pet, taking into account a lot of other factors such as life style, exercise, activities, age etc. Most animals tend to overeat given the opportunity, again, curbing this is the owner’s responsibility. Taking advice from a veterinarian on determining the pets ideal weight and creating a weight loss and maintenance plan if required would be ideal.

The answer to that depends upon several factors.

The care that you give your cat, the quality of the food that your cat eats the kind of lifestyle that your cat lives. All these things play their part in the chances of your cat enjoying a long life.

Veterinary medicine has made some great advances in recent years, and this is one of the reasons the average age of domestic cats is increasing. A well cared for cat that is kept indoors and is fed a good nutritional diet, would be expected to live for about 15 years.

Some cats do live to 20 plus years and there are records of a few cats reaching over 30 years. These sort of ages for a cat are very much the exception however.

The genetic make up of a cat can be a factor in determining its life span. Some breeds of cat appear to be more resilient than others. Selective breeding can have the effect that some breeds are genetically prone to ailments which shorten their life expectancy. Mixed breeds, the typical moggie or mouser, is usually more vigorous in its genetic make up and may expect to live slightly longer than a pure breed cat.

Cats that are kept strictly as indoor only cats stand a better chance of living to a ripe old age than cats that are allowed outside. The reasons for this are many. Outdoor cats face danger from traffic, from being attacked by other cats or by other animals. They run increased risk of being accidentally poisoned by pesticides or deliberately poisoned by malicious humans. Outdoor cats are also at risk from catching feline diseases particularly from the feral cat population.

The are many things to consider in deciding to keep your cat as an indoor only cat or an outdoor-indoor cat, life expectancy is only one of them.

Overfeeding your cat is a good way to shorten its life. An overfed cat stands more chance of health problems than a cat that is weight controlled. Diabetes, arthritis, breathing difficulties, heart and liver disease can all result as a consequence of overfeeding. All of these conditions may mean your little pet not living a long and healthy feline life. Your veterinarian can advise on the best diet for your cat.

Exercise too, is important for your cat’s health and in maintaining its weight. Healthy cats mostly exercise themselves of course, but the playtime you enjoy with your cat can contribute to keeping kitty healthy. Elderly cats particularly benefit from gentle play-exercise.

Regular visits to the vets for routine checks will give your cat the best chance to live a long life, and to live that life healthily. Many life shortening problems can be tackled successfully if detected early.

Neutered or spayed cats often enjoy a slightly longer life than unaltered felines. This is particularly so for male cats as an unaltered male will often receive injuries defending his territory. There are many other good reasons for spaying and neutering of course, aside from extending the life of your cat.