Cats and Their Health Problems

Many new cat owners are unaware of the problems that their new found friend might have. Some of these problems are even new to those who have owned cats before. Some of the problems that cats encounter can be prevented while other problems are hereditary.

The most common problem among cats is hairballs. Because cats constantly groom themselves, they often swallow hair that is removed by their tongue. The hair that is removed goes down the throat and collects in a ball in the cat’s digestive track. This hair does not always pass through their system. Cats will show signs of coughing and hacking when they have hairballs caught in the digestive track. They will throw up and release the hair ball that way.

Sometimes the hair will pass through their digestive track into the intestines of the cats. This will cause a blockage which is more life-threatening. Owners of cats can check for signs and symptoms in order to get immediate help from their vet. One for sure sign that there is a blockage is that the cat will be constipated and will not eat. The lack of food causes a lethargic cat with a dull fur coat. A vet will be able to examine your cat to determine if this is the problem.

In order to prevent your cat from experiencing troublesome hairballs, you should groom your cat with a brush that is designed to remove any loose hair that it might have. There are also special brands of foods that will help your cat to control hairballs.

Another problem that is relevant in cats is worms. Most often cats are infected with roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. Cats will also develop heartworms as in dogs. Signs include cats not gaining weight, a serious infestation of fleas; stool will contain white specks that resemble rice. You should immediate seek the attention of a vet in order for your pet to be examined. When treated promptly, worms can be eliminated with only medication however if left untreated the ultimate result would be death.

A common health problem in cats is urinary tract infections. Infections of this type are common in male cats that are not neutered and in female cats as well. Signs of urinary tract infections are visible when your cat stops going to the litter box. Also a urinary tract infection displays a strong urine smell. This infection can also be treated by a vet who will also be able to introduce ways that will reduce your cat’s chances of developing such infections.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis or FIP is a problem that is caused by a mutated corona virus. Experts have found that cats that live in an environment where there are multiple cats often test positive for enteric corona virus. This virus will remain in the intestines of the cat and some will show no signs of the disease over a lifetime. In some cases, however the virus will develop into FIP.

When FIP develops, the cat will show signs of a upper respiratory infection. Cats will display symptoms of sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge and diarrhea along with weight loss and loss of energy. Quite often cats will recover from this illness however some may still continue to be carriers. A very small amount of cats that were exposed to FIP will have lethal reactions.

Cat also can contract an illness known as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or FIV, a form of cat AIDS which could be fatal if left untreated. This disease decreases the natural ability of the immune system to fight off infections. Symptoms may not appear for many years however when it does present itself, it usually comes along with other illnesses that are in chronic stages.

Other illnesses include oral-cavity infections, upper-respiratory infections, weight loss, even ear infections and diseases that attack the kidney’s of a cat. To date, there is not just one vaccine that can be administered to cats to protect them. Viruses are transmitted through saliva when cats are bitten or have been in fights.

Feline Leukemia Virus used to be the most common fatal disease of all that affect cats. There is a vaccine that is now available which has caused the number of affected cats to decrease. This virus is not only associated with leukemia as the name actually means (cancer of the white blood cells), it also involves many others such as anemia, arthritis, and all respiratory infections. Feline Leukemia Virus can be controlled if your cat received their immunizations prior to being exposed to the virus. Again, if left untreated, it could be fatal and therefore infected cats should be kept away from other cats.

Lyme disease is a common problem among cats that spend time out of doors. Owners of cats should check them for ticks which is the carrier of the disease. Symptoms include pain and loss of energy. Lyme disease can be passed to people as well as other animals.

Symptoms are so hard to recognize and are sometimes confused with other illnesses or just simply old age. Owners should be aware of their cat’s normal behavior and routines in order to spot signs if Lyme disease if ticks are not common in your area. Other symptoms besides loss of energy are failure to jump or climb resistance to weight on limbs and changes in appetite. Early diagnosis of Lyme disease is the key to dealing with this potentially deadly disease. Owners can also prevent contraction by taking precautions early and spraying the surrounding landscape to avoid the presence of ticks.

Cats are fun and can be good companions to anyone who has the patience. As with any animal, making sure that your cat receives regular check-ups will prevent infections and diseases that can be fatal to you friend. Many people have found that cats that spend their lives inside have a longer life span than those that are free to roam outdoors. Inside they are free from environmental dangers such as insects, other animals and cars. Cats will enjoy outdoors however it is important to keep an eye on them in order to preserve their life span.

Dogs and Cats and Flea Allergies

Dogs and cats are at a great disadvantage when it comes to the many allergies and the suffering they cause that can be due to fleas and their presence. The identification of cause is in the fleas own saliva, particularly when the flea has bitten the animal and broke the surface of the skin of the dog or cat. Since fleas can multiply at such a quick rate and they do not leave the body of the pet on and of their own free will, the flea allergy can be long lasting in its duration.

There will be many signs and symptoms that will alert the cat or dog’s owner that they are suffering from, and are troubled by a flea allergy. Some signs or symptoms that dogs display can often be different than what a cat may exhibit to alert the owner to a problem. But in both animals, they will show similarities of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to fleas and those are usually a continuous and unrelenting itching, hair loss, the sign of sores, and a showing of unexplained depression.

Where dogs are concerned, their specific symptoms of an allergic reaction to fleas may be:

• Huge amounts of hair loss

• The show of red and swollen sores

• Scratching incessantly and irritation of certain areas, such as:

-Along the tail of the animal
-On the animals hind quarters
-Covering the hind leg area

Groin area or the sensitive area which is found between the back legs
Where cats are concerned, their specific symptoms of an allergic reaction to fleas may be:

• Constant and incessant scratching on various body parts

• Painful lesions or scabs in areas that are sensitive, such as:

-Neck area of the animal
-The facial area
-The groin area
-The main body

Gone are the days of testing for a flea allergy that involves scrapings of the skin and numerous blood tests. Just seeing evidence of a fleas mere presence is a clear indication that a flea allergy has taken place on the pet. The pet’s owner can even carry out his own testing or examination by simply searching for fleas in the dogs or cats hair and fur. Fleas are very parasitic insects in nature in and of their need to feed on the blood of their host. They are small but are capable of causing extreme irritations. Fleas are black in their coloring, which will make them even harder to spot particularly if the fur or coat of the pet is also dark in color.

Fleas also have the ability to be fast movers. This makes it next to impossible to catch the fleas on an individual basis. They leave their litter and feces all over the body of the animal and irritates the animal’s skin even further. The dirt from a flea looks like normal black dust when it is in a dry state. But when it becomes wet, the flea’s dirt appears reddish and can look copper in color.

In good news, there are ways that have been proven in flea removal and can allow the pet’s and their bodies to heal itself from the onslaught of the flea related allergy. Here are some on those ways:

• Use a comb designed for fleas – Combs are readily made for this specific use and can be easily purchased from the many pet supply stores or most veterinarians sell them. Flea combs are made with specifics so that they allow you to comb out the fleas along with there dirt and debris from the hair and coat of the animal.

• Dipping or bathing the animal in a solution is recommended – The forms of these solutions are usually a made with mixtures of water and a particular type of detergent which your pets vet can recommend. The ingredient of the detergent allows immediate killing of the fleas and will break their hold on the skin allowing them to be washed out with ease.

The pet’s owner will then see dead fleas surfacing and floating in the bath water when using the solution. It is not uncommon to notice that the water itself can turn reddish in color due to the loosening and abundance of flea dirt.

• Keeping the pet’s environment clean – A thorough scrubbing or cleaning of the pet’s areas will also aid in flea riddance and removing the source of the fleas. Simply cleaning of the pet will not suffice as the fleas can lay their eggs and they will keep resurfacing causing repeated flea allergies and outbreaks. The areas of the pet and their environments must be soured too.

• Application of medications providing anti-itch relief – Medications can be taken orally by the pet or by directly applying it onto the affected skin area. These are found to be beneficial in reducing the painful irritation and non-stop itching and can provide protection of further infection.