Own A Feline? Beware Of These 5 Common Cat Health Problems

If you are a cat owner, you may or may not be aware that felines suffer from health problems too. While some of these problems are easily preventable, there are others which are hereditary and hence cannot be prevented.

Still, it is good that you are aware of these 5 common cat health problems:

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1. Cat viruses

You may not have heard of these but cat viruses do exist. Some common ones are Feline Infectious Peritonitis(FIP), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus(FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus(FLV).

FIP is a very serious disease that is related to Corona virus. There is no known treatment for Feline Infectious Peritonitis although there is a vaccine for FIP. However, many veterinarians and scientists say that it is not very effective. Fortunately, this disease is not as easy to catch as some other diseases.

FIV, or cat AIDs, does not spread to humans and is not always fatal either. So there is no fear of you or your family member catching it.

FLV - you can prevent it if the cat has not been exposed to the virus before being immunized. Although not always fatal, somehow cats with FLV don't live long.

2. The Hairball

What is the Hairball? This is a common cat health problem that comes about because from cats constantly groom themselves with their tongues and swallowing hairs! The swallowed hair can form into a ball instead of passing through the cat's body, thus giving you a hairball. If your cat starts coughing and hacking, she may have a hairball. How do you prevent you feline from suffering from hairballs problems? Groom her frequently to remove loose hair and feed her food that helps control hairballs.

3. Urinary Tract Infection

This infection is very common in un-neutered male cats but female cats can also develop it. If you notice your furry friend suddenly stopped using her litter box, she may have a urinary tract infection. If her urine smells strong, you definitely should suspect a urinary tract infection. Your vet can treat this type of infections.

4. Ticks

You should be mindful of your cat getting ticks if she spends lots of time outdoors. If she has been acting lethargic or moving slowly and acting as if she was in pain, look for ticks on her body. If you find some, ask your veterinarian to test her for Lyme Disease which is a disease that is transmitted to people and animals by ticks

5.Worms

Worms - Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms are the most common types that can infect the feline species. If your feline friend seems unable to put on weight or is infested with fleas or has white specks that look like grains of rice in his stools, you should take her to the vet to test for worms immediately. Don't worry, your vet can cure worms with a few doses of medication but you must remember that worms can prove fatal if left untreated.

Own A Feline? Beware Of These 5 Common Cat Health Problems

Note: You can get more info on cats breeds. Also, check out these resources: cat vitamins and cat pain relief products

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Seven Signs of Feline Urinary Tract Infection

Pet owners who may be on the lookout for warning signs about their pet's health can use these tips for identifying a feline urinary problem in their pet. Cats are completely self-contained creatures, seldom giving away the fact that something is amiss.

But if you have spotted your cat urinating in the wrong places, and more frequently, as well grooming the genital area again and again, don't delay in getting your beloved pet to your local vet and seeking a diagnosis for a feline urinary problem. Here are seven tips you could use to spot an existing feline urinary tract infection (feline UTI).

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I) Moaning or wailing sounds: Have you noticed your pet whining in pain while urinating? If this happens more than once and in quick succession, you will be sure that the cat is in pain. Remember that cats tolerate pain better than do dogs, for instance, so if you hear the cat in pain, take her to the vet straightaway.

II) A change in the frequency of urination can also be a pointer to a feline urinary problem. If your pet is urinating more or less than before, take note of this.

III) A complete cessation in urination means that there is a blockage in the cat's urethra. This can be fatal to your pet so have it looked at immediately.

IV) Droplets of urine constantly leaking from your pet's urethra can be a sign of a feline urinary problem. Feline UTIs can result in incontinence.

V) Grooming habits will also show a change when cats have urinary problems, as they try to soothe the itching and burning sensation in their genital area by grooming it again and again.

VI) 'Accidents' begin happening more regularly as cats start to urinate just outside their litter boxes and even around the house as they try to escape the discomfort and pain of the urinary infection, because they think it comes from using the litter box.

VII) The final and most definite way of identifying a feline urinary problem is seeing the presence of blood in the urine. Once again this requires urgent action to help your cat.

Your best bet as an owner would be to keep an eye open for these warning signs but at the same time work to prevent these feline urinary problems. Food supplements, homeopathic remedies, and diet changes can all provide protection from urinary tract infections in pets. Visits to vets can be avoided altogether, if these infections are spotted early, and treated with natural remedies at home.

Feeding your cat the right food will also keep UTIs at bay. Prevention is better than cure as they say, and it is no different in the case of your beloved pet. Keep in mind that recurrence of the problem can lead to an extended, difficult and traumatic period of treatment.

In case your pet has contracted feline UTI, your aim should be to get her well and then take the care that is necessary to prevent further outbreaks or recurrence of the problem.

Seven Signs of Feline Urinary Tract Infection

Janet Markowitz has been a German Shepherd Breeder for over 20 years. She has always been interested in using natural and holistic remedies for her Shepherds whenever possible. She has found that by using natural Remedies in conjunction with conventional medicine, she has achieved great success in the health and longevity in her dogs.

http://www.PetsNaturalRemedies.net

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Does Your Cat Have Feline Distemper?

Feline distemper, also known as feline panleukpenia, is a disease that, perhaps unsurprisingly, affects cats. Unfortunately, other animals, such as raccoons, mink and otters can also be susceptible and therefore these animals can transmit the virus to household cats. So, how do you know if your cat is suffering from feline distemper and how can it be cured?

The Symptoms

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It can be difficult for an owner to recognize feline distemper, because the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of numerous other diseases. For example, a cat with feline distemper may experience diarrhea and vomiting. You may also notice a lack of interest in food and water, a poorly conditioned coat or lack of self-grooming, listlessness and a general disinterest in everything. Other signs to look out for are abdominal pains, which can cause a hunched posture, and problems with the third eyelid or haw.

Of course, symptoms will vary from one animal to the next, so if you are concerned for your cat's health, it is wise to seek the immediate assistance of a vet. Fortunately, a medical diagnosis of feline distemper is easily made, as a simple blood test to assess the presence of certain antibodies will confirm the disease.

The Treatment

Feline distemper, like canine distemper, cannot be cured per se. Instead, a veterinarian will prescribe medication to reduce the symptoms (known as supportive treatment), such as vomiting and diarrhea, which can cause dehydration and subsequent death. The cat will be kept in a warm, clean environment to prevent the contraction of secondary infection. If the animal is not eating or drinking, then an intravenous drip may be necessary. These supportive treatments will lesson the symptoms, so the cat's immune system has a chance to fight the virus.

How to Prevent Your Cat from Contracting Feline Distemper

Unfortunately, feline distemper is an incredibly robust virus that can survive for months or even years. However, unlike canine distemper, which is an airborne virus, feline distemper can only be transmitted by contact. In other words, it is contracted through sharing food, water and litter boxes. In addition, a pregnant cat can transmit the disease to her unborn kittens. More worryingly, a human can transmit feline distemper by touching a cat that is infected and passing it to one that is not. Additionally, cat's can pass it to each other by grooming one another and, of course, the spread of fleas from an infected cat to others will also transmit the disease.

Therefore, it is crucial to disinfect all areas that an infected animal may have been. It is advisable to use a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water when disinfecting surfaces. In addition, it is wise to ensure that no fleas, eggs or larvae have been left behind by an infected animal.

However, the good news is that feline distemper is preventable with a vaccine. Therefore, owners do not need to be concerned if their cat has received the vaccination. Because the virus can be transmitted by other animals, such as mink, otters and raccoons, not to mention other cats, it is imperative that your cat is vaccinated if he, or she, is free to roam outside. Nevertheless, even if your cat is kept indoors, it is wise to protect your pet from possible contact with the virus.

If you are concerned about your cat or want to learn more about the vaccination for feline distemper, visit your veterinarian.

Does Your Cat Have Feline Distemper?

Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer from the UK. She is currently writing articles on behalf of Remmeer.com, a high quality supplier of pet products. Visit Remmeer.com for an array of cat items, including cat picture frames and cat memorial markers.

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Five Cat Food Factors That Discourage Feline UTD

One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is what your cat eats. A feline diet that is too high in carbohydrates and magnesium, and low in protein can lead to FLUTD. When their cat is initially diagnosed with FLUTD, feline owners will usually first try to get their kitty to eat the prescription food recommended by their vet.

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But what if the cat rejects their offering? As an alternative, there are specific, non-prescription cat foods available to maintain your cat's urine pH balance at 6.6. A high urine pH value indicates struvite crystal formation in your cat's urinary tract. The challenge is to find the right cat food that appeals to kitty, contains the proper amount of protein and magnesium, and has few or no by-products.

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If you turn out to be one of those owners who has to find an alternative cat food, then here's five things to evaluate when selecting cat food to prevent future FLUTD occurences in your kitty:

1. What's the Most Common Ingredient?

The first and most common ingredient that should be listed is protein - meat or fish. Read the label carefully - here's some variations you could see:

Canned cat food:

Beef

Chicken Liver

Deboned Chicken

Beef Broth

Dry cat food:

Chicken

Organic Chicken

Herring Meal

Chicken Meal

Some other good ingredients that will help your kitty maintain good urinary tract health are blueberries and cranberries. Vegetables such as carrots are good, and rice is a good grain
for your kitty to consume.

2. Are There Any By-Products?

Are by-products listed as one of the ingredients? If so, put that food back on the shelf and keep looking. By-products are filler material, and have limited nutritional value for your
kitty. By-products are typically carbohydrates, and since cats are carnivores, they need protein, not carbs, for proper nutrition.

Here are some examples of by-products:

Canned cat food:

Corn gluten meal

Ground yellow corn

Soybean meal

Beef By-Products

Meat By-Products

Dry cat food:

Ground Yellow Corn

Chicken By-Product Meal

Corn Gluten Meal

Wheat flour

Corn Meal

Soy flour

3. How Much Moisture Is In the Cat Food?

What's the percentage of moisture in the cat food you're evaluating? The higher the number, the better for your kitty. More moisture means your cat will urinate more. Increased
urination will flush out any crystals that may be trying to form in your cat's urinary tract. Canned cat food has a higher moisture content than dry.

4. How Much Magnesium Does the Cat Food Contain?

An excess of magnesium will contribute to struvite crystal formation (FLUTD). Some magnesium is necessary, but generally look for cat food that has a maximum of 0.025% magnesium to
prevent struvite crystals.

5. Does the Cat Food Contain DL-Methionine?

DL-Methionine is an amino acid with sulfur, which helps regulate ammonia formation in urine. This amino acid helps maintain your cat's urine pH balance around 6.6, which is normal and does not encourage crystal formation.

And...since cats are cats (which means they are in charge!), be aware that what you select for them may not be what they want to eat, if they don't like the taste. If this happens, you'll need to start over again until you find a wholesome, nutritious cat food that merits two paws up from your feline!

Keep these five factors in mind when shopping for cat food to maintain your kitty's urinary tract and prevent FLUTD.

And remember, when you're considering changing your cat's diet, consult with your vet. She or he will give you expert guidance and information to make the transition easier for you and your kitty.

Five Cat Food Factors That Discourage Feline UTD

Nancy has successfully eliminated cat urine odor from her home, and kept the kitty that caused it. The Cat Urine Odor Advisor helps you save money and stop the damage in your household by offering solutions that work together to eliminate cat urine odor from your home.

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Cat Leaving Wet Spots Around? - Main Causes of Feline Incontinence

A cat with incontinence is unable to control their urination. The cat may dribble urine or leave wet spots in an area where they have been sleeping. Feline incontinence is often a problem that they are unaware of , and there can be many things that will cause it. Below are some of the top causes of feline incontinence.

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Cause 1: The most common reason is a lower urinary tract disease. This disease will often cause the need to urinate often, and it might be causing your cat to be unable to reach the litter box in time.

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Cause 2: If your cat has had frequent urinary problems, then it could be that the bladder has become scarred. This will prevent it from being able to expand to hold more urine, which will lead to a more frequent emptying of the bladder.

Cause 3: Bladder stones can cause a blockage in your cat's urethra. This will make it impossible for the cat to completely empty their bladder. Pressure when the bladder fills with urine could force out some of it. If you suspect this problem get your cat to the vet right away, as it can be fatal within a day or two.

Cause 4: A weakening of the urinary sphincter will often cause feline incontinence. It doesn't happen very often in cats, but it does happen occasionally in spayed cats. This is especially true if the cat is overweight. It is often a result of hormones, and usually develops later in life.

Cause 5: Diabetes can often cause incontinence in cats. A cat who is diabetic will often drink a lot more water than usual, because the disease will make the cat thirsty. It does this to help the cat flush excess sugar out of the body. Unfortunately, this will also make the cat urinate more often. They may have trouble making it to the litter box in time.

Cause 6: Simple old age can cause incontinence in your cat. The bladder muscles may become weak, causing your cat to be unable to hold in urine.

Never ignore cats who need to be let out to relieve themselves. The reason is that when she holds her water this puts added pressure on her kidneys and bladder and can result in loss of bladder control. Lastly, keep your cat's immune system in tip-top shape by following healthy nutrition (organic where possible) and giving them plenty of exercise, fresh air and love!

Cat Leaving Wet Spots Around? - Main Causes of Feline Incontinence

Feline incontinence has many causes. Luckily, many of these causes are treatable, so you will no longer have to worry about finding cat urine on the carpet, couches, or hard wood floors. If you suspect your cat may be incontinent, your best bet will be to seek the assistance of a veterinarian, who can tell you the cause and help you fix it. Many cat's are helped by the natural remedies at http://Cat-Bladder-Problems.com too. Watch the free video on Diagnosing Kidney Disease In Cats.

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