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Archive for May, 2007

05 4th, 2007

Colds in Cats and Kittens
Author: admin

Cats get colds just like humans; however cats have their own virus that is unique to their species. This means we can't catch colds from each other.

Cats experience pretty much the same symptoms as we do when we have a cold. They get snotty runny noses, runny eyes, sneezing, and temperature and probably feel just as miserable. And like humans they also are susceptible to the sinus and chest infections that are sometimes the result with a human’s cold.

Since your cat cannot blow it's nose, you need to keep the mucus and discharge clean by wiping the nose as needed with a damp, warm rag or tissue. Just like in humans, a cat cold will last from 7 to 10 days.

Cats smell their and therefore will refuse to eat when having a cold, because they simply can’t smell it. Keep a very close eye on the cat for dehydration!

When kittens have runny eyes and noses, chances are that they have a respiratory infection. Unfortunately, many of these respiratory infections never go away completely. They may seem to disappear, and return whenever the cat is stressed, or they may just never go away.

The Cat Flu is still an extremely common problem in cats. It rarely causes death in healthy adult cats but it can be fatal in kittens, old cats and cats which are already ill. Upper Respiratory Infections can be caused by a variety of infectious agents including Feline Pneumonitis, Rhinotracheitis, and Calcivirus. Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infections in cats are similar to a head cold in humans and can include sneezing, nasal discharge, runny eyes, cough, oral or nasal ulcers, hoarse voice, sniffles, fever or any combination of the above.

Cats that recover from cat flu may become carriers of the virus and can transmit the disease to other cats for many years. If this 'carrier' cat is stressed, this can be by moving house or other activities which are out of the ordinary, it may show signs of cat flu, this being a runny nose and most commonlyby sneezing.


This post was submitted by Hannah Thomson, she regularly contributes to Search marketing blog . Hannah is a noted specialist on the topic of non surgical treatments london.

05 4th, 2007

Feline Heartworm Infection
Author: admin

Heartworm infection in cats is a very real clinical problem with an increasing incidence and awareness. Heartworm disease in cats was originally reported in Brazil In 1921 and has been reported worldwide ever since. Cats with heartworm disease are consistently diagnosed in heartworm endemic areas where dogs have the disease.

The increased awareness of the disease has made ante mortem diagnosis more common. The frequency of heartworm infection in the cat is generally accepted to correlate with the dog population of the area, but at a lower incidence. The clinical signs and diagnostic approach are different in the cat as compared to the dog; which has impaired the veterinarian's ability to detect this parasite in the cat. New techniques and methodologies have now made the cat owner and veterinarian better able to be aware of this potentially severe disease.


This entry was written by Morgan Pickford, she is a regular poster to ABB4 and Future of email. Morgan is building up herself up as a online specialist on facial redness.

05 3rd, 2007

He’s my Baby!
Author: admin

The moment a dog enters our lives, he will find out what emotions are all about, because in Nature, dogs do not show emotions. But we shower them with affection, while they see us as getting excited. This is exactly why dogs do not listen to humans. Their mother didn’t act like this. Where did the calm and assertive leadership go?

We often come up with a different agenda for our dogs. We make these puppies our babies. When we see a nervous or shy dog, we see him as human and comfort him like we would comfort another person.

In the animal world this creates instability, because this is something a pack of dogs would never do. From day one the human fulfills his own needs and ignores what is important to the dog.

The dog, even if submissive, will fill what he sees as a vacant role. He will ignore you or act out in other ways. This is the start of turning over control to the dog. One of the most important things you need to remember is that dogs are animals.

If you don’t fulfill him as a species, he won’t live a balanced life. Understanding and projecting a pack leader’s calm and assertive energy will create a positive and lasting connection with your dog.


This entry has been submitted by Steven Bice. Steven is also one of the three orginal writer on Modern Cleo and has been quoted often on the topic of oak tables.

05 3rd, 2007

Internal Parasites in Dogs
Author: admin

The most common internal parasites of dogs are:

Coccidia - Giardia - Hookworms - Roundworms - Tapeworms - Whipworms

Coccidia are small protozoans that multiply in the intestinal tracts of most commonly puppies and kittens less than six months of age. Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable with drugs your Vet will have handy.

 

Giardia are protozoa that live in the small intestine of dogs and cats. In the rare cases in which disease occurs, younger animals are usually affected, and the usual sign is diarrhea. Usually the infected animals will not lose their appetite, but they may lose weight. The feces are often abnormal, being pale, having a bad odor, and appearing greasy. In the intestine, Giardia prevents proper absorption of nutrients, damages the delicate intestinal lining, and interferes with digestion. There are several treatments for giardiasis at your Vet’s office.

Hookworms have either teeth-like structures or cutting plates with which they attach themselves to the wall of the intestine and feed on the animal's blood. Hookworms can cause a skin disease in humans called cutaneous larval migrans. Hookworms, especially A. Caninum can cause severe disease. By feeding on the oxygen-carrying blood of the host, hookworms can rapidly cause anemia. The mucous membranes e.G., gums will appear pale, the animal will become weak, and sometimes black, tarry stools can be seen. Growth in young animals is stunted, and the hair coat may appear dull and dry. Animals may become emaciated and eventually die from the infection. Most of the wormers that kill roundworms will also kill hookworms. Common wormers and their effectiveness against hookworms work as well.

Roundworms, are the most common parasite of the digestive tract in dogs and cats. Animals with more severe infestations may be thin, have dull hair coats, and develop a pot-bellied appearance. Some may become anemic and have vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. There are many wormers that kill roundworms. Most wormers, however, kill the adult worms but do not affect the migrating or encysted larvae.

Tapeworms are flat worms that are segmented. The head usually has suckers or muscular grooves that enable the tapeworm to attach itself to the animal's intestine. In heavy infections, we may notice abdominal discomfort or nervousness in the animal. The animal may vomit and sometimes have convulsions. It is thought that the convulsions are due to toxins produced by the tapeworm. The active segments around the anal area may cause an animal to lick or 'scoot' on the floor. There are several treatments for giardiasis at your Vet’s office.

Whipworms are common in dogs and found throughout the United States. Whipworms get their name from the whip-like shape of the adult worms. Whipworms live in the large intestine and cecum. The signs of infection vary with the number of worms in the intestine. Small numbers of worms cause no signs, but larger numbers can result in inflammation of the intestinal wall. Large amounts of mucous are produced by the inflamed intestine. Sometimes hemorrhage into the intestine occurs, and anemia can result. Animals may have diarrhea and loss of weight. Common wormers and their effectiveness against whipworms will work well.


This entry was written by Joeanne Garvin, she regularly contributes to Pet Haven . Joeanne is building up herself up as a online specialist on home information packs.

Once your new puppy has had all of his required vaccinations, check out whether there are any puppy obedience training.  You can usually find a notice about these in your veterinary’s waiting room.

Most puppy owners at this stage are going through a number of issues regarding barking, chewing and other anti-social behaviour and so are not really keen on attending. They are afraid that their puppy will be the worst behaved in the group!  The truth of the matter is that most puppies are going through the same stage and so the emphasis isn’t really so much on obedience at this age, but rather about getting your puppy to socialize well with other puppies as well as learn some basic training commands.  It’s also about teaching you as his owner how to give those commands so that even the most mischievous of puppies will stop whatever he’s doing when you tell him to, and to come when called!

Apart from the basic instruction, your puppy will also become accustomed to the training environment and so when he’s a little older, will be more settled if you then choose to enrol him into a more advanced.


This entry was composed by David Faulkner. David also regularly contributes to the Pet Haven and has published many articles to do with cosmetic surgery.

05 1st, 2007

Dangerous Toys
Author: admin

Many household items that become pet toys can become dangerous, and in some cases fatal, to your cat. Even some store-bought pet toys can cause problems. You, therefore, should pay attention to the following potential toy hazards.

It is better to avoid soft toys that have a squeaking mechanism, for the toy can be shredded and the squeaker can be easily swallowed. Children’s socks and small pieces of cloth can be swallowed and it is better to hide them. Some cats enjoy hiding in plastic bags, but they face chocking if their heads are stuck. If you ever see your cat with a string in its mouth, NEVER try to pull it out, for if it is swallowed, it can cut its intestines. You should also be aware of sharp objects that can hurt the skin, feet, eyes or ears of your cat.

There is not doubt that toys can provide hours of entertainment and exercise for your cat, but it is always better if you can supervise your cat during play, providing it with quality time and minimizing the chance of accidents occurring.


This entry was composed by Samuel Bates. Samuel also regularly contributes to the Comedy hogwash and has written lots of different articles concerning male cosmetic surgery.