Cat Health Worm and the Heartworm

Heartworms do affect cats, but not as much as they do dogs. The sign of heartworm in cats is anorexia. A cat will become so underweight and experience bouts of vomiting causing concern in for owners. These worms are deadly and need prevention rather than treatment to protect the kitten and full-grown cat.

Roundworm and the Cat Health Worm Issue

Roundworms grow to be about four inches long and live in the intestine of the cat. Roundworms appear in the stool and vomit of a cat as they populate inside the cat. The cat may also show signs of bloating and in some cases, will block the intestines to prevent bowel movements. If you catch this problem early enough, you can prevent some further complications that may put your cat at risk of death.

Hookworms and the Cat Health Worm Problem

Hookworms live inside the cat and suck the blood from the cat usually causing the cat to become anemic. These worms live in the intestines and are generally found in younger cats rather than in older cats. Older cats seem to develop an immunity to fight the hookworm that kittens do not have at such a young age.

Cat Health Worm Problems and the Tapeworm

Tapeworms feed from the cat and cause the cats to become weak and listless if not treated. In young kittens, these worms hinder the growth and can cause death if not treated early. You see these worms by the rectum and they appear to be little pieces of rice.

Treatment of Intestinal Worms

If you bring a kitten home without treating it for worms, chances are, if you have other cats, they will become infected. The thought that all kittens have worms, is not true. Kittens born outside probably do, but kittens born inside to a properly cared for mother may not. If you have a kitten with worms, an over the counter de-wormer works great. You may need to treat more than once, but generally speaking, one dose for an inside cat usually cures the problem.

Heartworm prevention is the only way to protect the cat. If an animal contracts the heartworm, killing the worm may and not of the time does kill the pet. These worms affect cats and dogs, but for cats, it appears to cause health problems earlier than with a dog. Prevention always saves lives and keeps the cat happy and healthy. Cat health worm and potential problems need immediate attention to prevent further health complications.

You can also find more info on Neutered Cat Post Operative and Pregnant Cat Health. Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cat health.

Author: Mandi Fain
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Cats Have Lower Insurance Rates than Dogs

The great thing about having a cat is that they have lower insurance rates than dogs. If you start your cat in a health insurance plan while it is young, you’ll also save money. As long as it never has any serious illnesses the insurance rates will continue to be low. However, if it gets injured or becomes ill, you’ll have something to fall back on to help pay many bills.

Routine Checkups and More

As your cat continues to age the health insurance is going to come in handy. You’ll need to have routine checkups and there may be some other procedures needed along the way. Having cat health insurance will help you afford the checkups and preventive health care that your cat will need.

Making Your Cat’s Prescriptions Affordable

If you are a cat owner, one of the most expensive things to pay for can be its prescription drugs. Whether you cat needs a prescription after a procedure or due to an injury, it can really get quite expensive. As your cat gets older, it may need drugs to help with arthritis or other health conditions. These medications can get expensive and may cost more than $100 each month. However, if you have insurance for your cat the prescriptions may be covered by the insurance company.

Pure Bred Cats Really Benefit

If you have a pure bred cat, then you can really benefit from having cat health insurance. You see, many pure bred cats, as well as dogs, have specific physical problems that occur later in their lives. This can get expensive as your cat grows older, so having the cat insurance can really save you money as you endeavor to care for your pure bred feline.

It is important that you don’t wait until your cat gets injured or sick to begin thinking about health insurance. You can save a huge amount of money by insuring your cat now. Yes, you’ll be paying on a monthly basis, but the benefits of the insurance are enormous.

In summation, you may be risking your cat’s life if an unexpected sizable health expense surfaces and you are not prepared.

Yes, cat health insurance can make the difference between risking your cat’s life to euthanasia and being able to afford proper health care.

For More Detailed information visit, http://www.allthingscat.com/cat_health_insurance.html

Sheri Davis Collins is a responsible pet owner for 20+ years, practicing holistic and homeopathic care. She is also the webmaster of http://www.allthingscat.com The website for alternative views on cat health care. Which includes correct feeding, health problems, harmful cat litter, hairball resolution and cat lover gifts.

Author: Sheri Davis Collins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

DIET: Cat health is strongly affected by what your pet eats. Obesity is a major factor in heart disease particularly as you cat gets older. Choose a pet food for your cat that is right for it’s age but feed it regularly. Consistency is the key to a well-fed pet.

GROOMING: Longhaired cats should be groomed regularly for optimum cat health. Use a pet brush and groom no less than once a week.

LITTER: The litter box can be a danger to both cat health and human health if it isn’t cleaned regularly. Change your pet’s letter no less than once every four days and keep a small dish of baking soda near the litter area.

ELDERLY CATS: Some diseases occur because your pet gets older. These can be labeled elderly cat health problems. As cats age their kidneys and eyesight fail and may need special diets.

SCRATCHING: Scratching is a major cat health concern because if a cat scratches regularly it is often a sign of other problems. If your cat is scratching an area a lot try a delousing product and then take your pet to the vet.

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS: Many cat health problems relate to difficult or uncommon behavior. Listlessness can be a symptom of depression. Strange aggression is sometimes caused by hormone imbalances.

DECLAWING: Choosing to declaw can be a major factor in Cat health. If you choose to declaw your pet it is important to remember to keep them inside at all times.

PARASITES: Parasites like ringworm, heart worm and rabies can greatly affect cat health. Blood in a cat’s stool or uncommon appetite are common signs of parasites.

STRESS: Stressful situations like moving, traveling, natural disasters or even changes in the family can affect cat health. To minimize the effects of stress on your pet, purchase a tranquilizer for distance traveling and have a place in your home where your cat can escape if there are busy changes in the house.

POISON: Part of managing cat health is making sure dangerous poisons like antifreeze are inaccessible to your pet. Some plants are fatal to cats so make sure to raise your plants and lock your toxins.

MOUTH: Cat’s often have mouth diseases and this can impact cat health. Cat’s are just as prone to gingivitis as humans and cats can also develop. For problems like rodents ulcer or bad breath, brush your cat’s teeth with a small child’s toothbrush.

INDOORS/OUTDOORS: One of the greatest factors in determining cat health is whether you cat goes out of doors. Cars, children, other animals and toxins are all dangerous and should be avoided by keeping your cat indoors.

Cat health is an issue that concerns us all and hopefully this article has provided you with information that will make your cat’s life safer and healthier.

For more more information about cat health please visit http://www.1health-center.com/articles/How-to-Make-Your-Pets-Healthier-and-Happier.php

Author: Peter Lenkefi
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Because quality care is important, the point of the adopting benefit cat health shelter procedures keeps your cat happy and healthy. Because every cat is an individual personality and health need, these shelters take time to know each of the needs of any given cat. These shelters protect the cats until somebody comes to adopt them.

Most shelters have a veterinary that visits the shelter regularly to check the health of the cats and this is another reason for adopting benefit cat health shelter procedures to ensure the health and welfare of your cat. Cat health problems arise from bacterial and viral sources and need to be monitored constantly.

Feeding and watering your cats are one important part of caring for the cat, but their health must remain at 100% in order to be a great companion. Other health concerns that leave the need for adopting benefit cat health shelter procedures are tumors, diabetes and abscesses to name a few. Some illnesses or injuries require surgery to correct, which can cost the owner quite a bit of money. Ensuring your cats health will remain perfect requires safety and proper care by their owners.

Viral diseases become fatal to cats if not properly cared for with medical treatments from a qualified vet. Vaccinations and boosters need to be given yearly to protect the health of your cat. Bacterial infections clear up rather easily with proper medication such as antibiotics. With a viral infection, your cat may need confinement away from other animals until treatments clear up the infection. One top viral infection is the feline distemper and leukemia, which in some cases requires the cat to live in confinement for months and can result in death.

Some concerns seen by cat owners are chocolates and food poisoning. Cats love to explore and get into everything, especially kittens. Adopting benefit cat health shelter procedures help you learn what will harm your pet and what to do in the case of an emergency. If your cat consumes chocolate, they likely will experience stomach upset with diarrhea and vomiting.

Keeping all the health issues in mind, you will see that adopting benefit cat health shelter procedures help you raise a healthy and happy cat. Once you know the needs of your cat and the health issues, you may need to get another kitten for them to play and run around together, this helps with exercising your cats. Try to follow adoption benefit cat health shelter procedures to protect your cat or kitten from harm and disease,

Author: Mandy Fain
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Some may only result in small digestive disturbances, whereas, others can cause serious sickness, and even death.

The following common food items should not be given to cats. This list is, naturally, incomplete as we can’t possibly list everything your cat shouldn’t eat.

…

Applaws Chicken Cat Food – Economy pack: 2 x 7.5 kg

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies are a veterinary emergency, having the potential to make the canine or feline patient very sick, cause severe pain and discomfort, and ultimately cause death left untreated.

Clinical signs of gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction include: not eating, drooling, vomiting, lack of ability to hold down any food or water, lack of feces production, distended/painful abdomen, lethargy, and depression.  In the cases of sharp foreign bodies that can puncture the gastrointestinal tract, a very dangerous condition can ensue due to leakage of the bacteria ridden gastrointestinal material into the sterile intra-abdominal environment, called peritonitis.  Peritonitis can quickly lead to shock, septis (bloodborne infection), and death.

As previously stated, gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction is an emergency that necessitates immediate veterinary attention.  Time is often of the essence in these cases, so be certain not to hesitate in seeking veterinary attention for your pet if gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction is suspected.

Gastrointestinal foreign body obstructions are diagnosed by a combination of history, physical examination, x-rays, and a special x-ray imaging technique called a barium series (when a foreign body is not readily evident on simple x-ray).  If foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal (esophagus, stomach, upper small intestine) are small enough, they can sometimes be retrieved non-surgically with an endoscope.  However, larger and more distal foreign bodies must be surgically removed.

Prognosis following gastrointestinal foreign body surgery depends on how stable the patient was at the time of surgery, how compromised the gut is at the time of surgery, and whether or not there was any leakage gastrointestinal tract material into the abdomen.  Post-op care includes aggressive IV fluids, antibiotics, gastrointestinal protectants, and narcotic pain management.

Worms

No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and repeating problem.  Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats.  Cats who have problems putting on weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms.  Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can  be fatal if they are left without treatment.

Hairball

Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats.  All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats.  Occasionally, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool.  When your cat begins coughing and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball.  Although it can be rather disgusting finally, most cats can dislodge hairballs with no problems.

In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage.  Blockages are very serious problems, and can be dangerous for your cat’s life if they aren’t treated.  If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage.  If you observe any of these symptoms, you should take him to the veterinarian at once.  You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to get rid of loose hair.  You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs.

Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats.  Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that have not been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well.  When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. An additional symptom is when the cat’s urine begins to smell very strong.  If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet.  Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukemia

In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease.  To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed.  Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span.  If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is extremely contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups.  If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life.  Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can.  You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems.  If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy.  As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.

Cat fleas can be difficult to get rid of once they have established themselves in your home. Cat fleas can live off dogs and other pets. The larvae can live for a long time in your pet’s bedding, feeding off of dropping of adult fleas. Fleas can hurt your cat when they bite. They can be very annoying to your pet.

If your cat develops an allergy to the flea saliva then his health could be at risk. Cat fleas bite humans too and can transmit disease. When you have a problem with cat fleas, you must quickly take action to rid your home of those unwanted pests.

Your veterinarian can give your cat medication that will keep him free from fleas although it will take a few days for the medication to begin to work. In the mean time, the vet may recommend you give your cat a flea bath or use a flea spray.

Getting your cat free of fleas is just half the battle. If the fleas avoid your cat, they will be more likely to go after your dog or humans living in the house. You must treat your home to rid it of fleas as well. Your cat’s bedding should be washed and treated to get rid of both the larvae and adults. You may need to treat your carpet and upholstered furniture that your cat spent a lot of time on. Using a carpet spray that contains malathion will prevent larvae from growing into adult fleas. Preventing cat fleas from taking over your home and cat is a lot easier than getting rid of an infestation.

Take your cat to your veterinarian for regular checkups so the vet can look for telltale signs of fleabites. Regular use of flea medication as prescribed by your vet will keep fleas off your cat and hopefully out of your home.

Cat fleas are far more than just an annoyance to your beloved pet. They can spread disease to your cat and your family members. Fleas can make your cat miserable, so always be alert for signs that your cat has fleas. Take action even if you see just one flea. If there is one, there are more hiding somewhere and they are all reproducing. It doesn’t take long for a full blown infestation to develop.

All kidding aside, you know that your cat’s muscles and bones get tired and sore, too!

Your cat may think you’re a little off your rocker at first, but minimal resistance, your cat will learn to love getting a quick massage. It is best to wait until he or she is relaxed before you attempt the first few times, this way you won’t catch them off guard or anything. The best times are always after playtime or just before nap/bedtime.

Make sure that your cat is comfortable before you begin the massage. The best position is for him or her to be lying down or sitting comfortably. Then, begin at the back of the neck. You know your cat better than anybody, so if there is an area that you know he or she doesn’t like to be touched, I would strongly recommend not trying to massage there!

Basically, you want to use your fingertips or the meaty part of your hands to gently massage your cat in circular motions. Go in-between the shoulder blades, under the chin, neck and chest area, your cat will let you know which areas he or she likes. Make a mental note for future reference if he or she seems to dislike one particular area. This will also give you a chance to check the animal for any bumps or lumps you might not normally notice, too.

The trick is the amount of pressure that you apply to the body. You will want it to be hard enough to be able to feel the muscles, but not hard enough to make the cat uncomfortable. Don’t worry, it’s pretty easy to figure it out and soon, both you and your cat will come to enjoy this precious time together!

It is possible that you have a cat that is not crazy about being massages. If this is the case, there are other ways to help them wind down and relax. Maybe he or she likes to lounge on an electric blanket. Some crazy cats even like to sleep in the tub; it doesn’t matter, as long as you are okay with it!

There are some people that will inevitably try to use an electric massager on their cat. I would strongly recommend against this idea. If you really want to go that extra mile, then ask your vet if there are any safe massagers on the pet product market. You don’t want to hurt your furry friend, so don’t go overboard!

Keeping your pet cat healthy is usually not a complicated process. Most cats stay naturally healthy as long as you give them a nutritious diet, clean water, a comfortable home and plenty of love and attention. But there are a few things you should do when you get a new cat in your home to prevent health problems later.

The proper vaccinations have saved the lives of millions of cats. Vaccines have been developed that now routinely prevent once common fatal diseases in cats, including feline leukemia, distemper, rabies, upper respiratory infections and ringworm.

While most vets agree that an initial vaccination is important, there is controversy over whether your cat needs regular annual booster shots throughout its life or if the first shots give lifelong immunity to the targeted diseases.

Shots used to be given in the traditional fashion using a needle but new vaccines can now be administered through the cat’s nostrils. Typically, kittens should receive their shots at between four and 20 weeks of age but you should discuss the matter with your veterinarian and follow his or her advice.

Cats are vulnerable to catching colds, just like humans (but never give your cat aspirin, Tylenol, or any other human pain reliever or cold medicine). If your cat just has a mild case of the sniffles and still seems playful and energetic, then the problem will likely go away in a few days by itself. But if your cat becomes listless, loses its appetite or if you see a discharge from its eyes or nose, talk to your vet right away.

Your cat loves to chew on greenery and often the only thing it can find indoors will be your house plants. Unfortunately, some of these plants can be poisonous to your cat (and even if the plant isn’t toxic, there may be pesticides sprayed on the plants that are harmful). It can take only a small mouthful to make your cat seriously ill. If this happens, take action immediately to save your cat’s health and possibly its life.

One way to discourage your cat from chewing your plants, even the ones you know are safe, is to regularly spray them with diluted lemon water. Your cat hates that taste and will learn to avoid the plants. You can give your cat catnip and other “cat grass” sold at pet stores to satisfy your pet’s desire to chew plants.

A beneficial side effect is that your cat’s digestion will improve and you will help it eliminate hairballs. It’s possible that your cat will occasionally throw up a bit of greenish bile but as long as it doesn’t do this constantly, it’s nothing to worry about.

If your dog or cat suffers from arthritis pain, don’t make it suffer any longer. Relieve joint pain, lubricate the joints, increase flexibility and improve mobility when you buy spray pet pain.

This may come as a shock but 50% of all cats over the age of 10 have some form of cancer.

Extensive research and advances in veterinary medicine and oncology have helped to extend the life of cats with cancer. Unfortunately, these treatments often take a large physical toll on the pet, as well as a great expense to the owner. Alternative therapies offer great hope, whether they are used to offset the toxic effects of cancer treatment, or, as an alternative to conventional treatment.

The ability of your cat to survive cancer depends on how quickly it is diagnosed, the type of cancer, and your commitment to ferret out the potential causes in your home. Different types of cancer will require slightly different treatments, but in all cases, the underlying cause of cancer is a weakened immune system.

The Cornerstone of Health- The Immune System

The body is made up of billions of cells. As old cells die, they are automatically replaced with new “identical” cells. In a healthy body, the amount of cells replicated equals the amount of cells that die off: Any cells that are abnormal are targeted by the immune system and removed before they replicate.

Two things happen when the immune system breaks down:

1. The old cells do not die off when they should,

2. Abnormal cells that are not being recognized by the immune system begin to replicate. These conglomerations of abnormal and damaged cells begin to bind together, and form a mass- cancer.

Primary Causes of Cat Cancer

It is now known that the cornerstones of pet ownership- vaccinations and manufactured pet foods- are involved in immune system break down!

You can minimize the potential for cat cancer, by reducing the frequency of vaccines and changing you cat’s diet away from packaged cat foods. Also, adding immune system supplements encourages the immune system to fight back against cancer cells in sick cats.

If you are one of the millions of pet owners who have struggled to treat you pet’s dog UTI and are still battling the problem, perhaps you need to try a natural approach. Antibiotics often only relieve the symptoms but do not get to the core problem.

That’s why your dog continues to have a urinary tract infection. Read on to understand how using a natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs brings permanent relief to your dog and you peace-of-mind.

There are different causes of bacterial infections of the bladder. Sometimes they can recur because of a birth defect such as an ectopic ureter. Other times they can be caused by an illness like bladder stones or a bladder tumor.

In order to determine the cause and give a correct diagnosis, it is important to go to a veterinarian when you first notice the signs that something is wrong. If the infection is detected in its late stages, conventional treatment with antibiotics may be necessary. It the infection is in its early stages, a natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs will most likely do the trick. If the underlying cause of the infection is bladder stones, a tumor, or a birth defect, surgery may be necessary to keep the infection from coming back. In any case, in order to promote a healthy bladder, a healthy flow of urine, and a strong immune system that can fight off infections, a natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs can be highly beneficial.

When you get your dog on a program using a homeopathic medicine, you provide your dog with a stronger immune system that prevents the dog bladder infection – and other infections from returning. If you give your dog repeated doses of antibiotics, all you do is suppress symptoms and can bet that the underlying problem is not fixed. This means the infection will return to cause your dog pain again.

Many pet owners are worried about giving their dogs antibiotics because of the potential side effects. Dogs metabolize most of the drugs which then pass through the urine so they have to take high doses of them to compensate. These high doses can lead to an aggravation of the symptoms of UTI.

In contrast, a using a natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs is far safer for your dog and you can give it as part of his daily nutritional program. All you do is mix it in his food and he’ll never know its there. There is a pleasant taste and such a small amount dog’s never realize they are taking medicine.

So there you have it. If you are concerned about using antibiotics over and over again you now know you have an alternative. Find a natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs that is not only affordable it is safe too.

Get away from the toxic medicines that really don’t do much to help your dogs overall health. Consider giving a homeopathic remedy a try and see how your dog’s overall health improves dramatically.

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Resources Canine Urinary Tract Support (120 Tabs) An optimum blend of herbs and mushrooms individually formulated for dogs designed to support the urinary tract. Contains natural antimicrobial agents such as Uva Ursi and Cranberry, which studies have shown may reduce the ability of bacteria to adhere to the lining of the bladder and urethra. Poria and Polyporus mushrooms have been shown to act as natural diuretics, while Marshmallow soothes inflamed and irritated membranes. Nutritionally supports pets suffering from temporary deficiencies due to cystitis, bladder stones, bladder inflammation and associated symptoms. Pets should be off dry and drinking plenty of liquids such as water, rice milk, soy milk or apple cider vinegar. Tablets may be given orally or crumbled and mixed with moist food. Responses to natural dietary supplements may vary by animal