Cat Worms - Icky But Very Treatable!

There are three usual culprits for cat worms - tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms. It can be very hard for you to tell just by symptoms which type of worms your cat has. The best way is to take a stool sample to the vet to be tested. This will give you an exact answer and help with treatment.

You can take a stool sample to the vet in a ziploc bag, or some vets provide stool sample kits to their clients. In either case, it must be as new a sample as your cat decides to give you (if it has cat litter on it, that is normal!).

In a multi-cat household it can be almost impossible to tell whose stool is whose. Separating the cat you think has cat worms in a different room with food, water and a litter box until your cat goes to the bathroom is the easiest way.
The most common type of cat worms are Tapeworms.

Tapeworms:

Cats can get tapeworms by eating prey (usually rodents) or uncooked meat, or from infected fleas. The adult tapeworm attaches to the cat's intestinal wall and absorbs nutrients. Eggs produced by the tapeworm pass out in the cat's stool.

The most common signs of tapeworm infection are worm segments or eggs that can be seen on the cat's rear end or in the stool. Tapeworm segments are white or pinkish white, flat and rectangularly shaped. They can move in a stretching and shrinking motion. Dried eggs can look like a grain of rice or a sesame seed.

In a more severe infection, worms can be seen in the cat's vomit.

Other symptoms can be more general - weight gain or loss, loss of appetite or voracious appetite, bony appearance or big distended abdomen, dull coat, hair loss, and excessive licking around the anal area.

Treatment is relatively easy - your vet can prescribe you a dewormer, usually in tablet form. For help in giving your cat a pill, read our cat pilling tips. Since many tapeworm problems are caused by fleas, a good flea treatment program is also helpful to prevent re-infection.

Roundworms:

There are several kinds of roundworms, but the most common kind are called Ascarids. They are white, cylindrical and pointed at both ends. Cats can become infected with ascarids by eating prey (rodents or cockroaches). Ascarids are also very common in kittens because they can be passed through the mother's milk.

The symptoms of roundworms in adult cats are very similar to tapeworms. In kittens vomiting, diarrhea, dull coats, a pot belly on a thin body, and weakness are symptoms of roundworm. It is a good idea to get your kitten checked for roundworm by your vet, as it can cause serious illness in kittens.

Your vet will prescribe a dewormer, and it may have to be repeated several times before the roundworms are gone. Ascarid eggs are very resistant, so during the treatment litter should be scooped daily and litter pans washed with hot water and detergent regularly. Throw out the litter and disinfect the boxes before the end of the treatment.

Hookworms:

Hookworms are less common cat worms, but are found in hot humid areas. They also infect the cat through prey, partially rotten meat, or through their mother's milk. Larvae can also penetrate the skin, especially around the toes, and migrate to the small intestine. Migration through the skin can be seen by scratching, redness, scabs and bumps on the skin.

Hookworms can cause severe anemia, diarrhea, weight loss, a rash between the toes, and dark red or black stool. Hookworm is a very serious parasite infection - it must be treated by a veterinarian. Your cat may require a short (day or two) stay at the vet to be treated for hookworms. The used cat litter needs to be thrown out, and all bedding, litter pans, food and water bowls should be washed in hot water.
If you live in a hookworm area, have your cat tested every few months. It is best to keep your cat indoors and wash litter pans thoroughly.

To see symptoms of cat ringworm,

If you suspect cat worms, have the vet analyze a stool sample to see which type of worms you are dealing with. Always use vet-prescribed dewormer - over the counter dewormer is toxic and does not work on all worms. The dosage needs to be correct for your cat's weight and size. The over the counter wormer is at best ineffective and toxic at worst.
If your cat vomits too soon after you give the dewormer, you may need another dose from the vet.

In a multi-cat household you will need to treat all cats (and probably dogs - you know what dogs like to do with kitty litter...) if they share food, water and litter.

Source : www.quality-cat-cat.com

Dental Care Plan for Cats

You understand the importance of a regular dental care routine for your cat, you're probably ready to start one now. If you need convincing, or you think just feeding dry food will handle "teeth cleaning," read "Open Wide, Kitty," linked at the sidebar to the right. Veterinary professionals advise a three-step program for maintenance of your cat's teeth and gums. I have added a couple more.

1. Veterinary Dental Exam, Your veterinarian will look for plaque and calculus, oral lesions, and signs of gingivitis or stomatitis. If indicated, s/he will clean and scale kitty's teeth
2. Home Dental Care
3. Annual Veterinary Re-examinations. Make it a point to ask your veterinarian to check kitty's teeth at her annual checkup. If your cat has shown any sign of dental disease, increase the oral checkups to at least twice yearly.
4. Monthly At-Home Oral Examination
5. Once your cat has gotten used to a daily toothbrushing, you can add a complete mouth examination at least once a month. See the sidebar for how-to instructions. Floss!
6. No kidding. Rope-type chew toys claim to provide a flossing action.
7. Home Dental Care
8. Brush. Brush daily, if possible, and at least twice-weekly. Special cat-sized toothbrushes are available, also one that slips over your index finger. Experts recommend starting early with kittens and a tuna-juice soaked brush. Specially flavored pet toothpastes help make the brushing a "treat" for your cat. Don't try to do the whole mouth the first day, just one tooth will suffice. Once kitty gets used to the idea, you can add more teeth each day. For detailed instructions, see the "How To" linked in the sidebar.
9. Rinse. Other products for cats with especially tender mouths, or who already have dental problems include antiseptic dental gels, rinses, and sprays. Although not a substitute for brushing, rinsing also helps protect and clean teeth on days you can't brush.
10. Chew. Several pharmaceutical companies offer dental chews for cats. Flavored with fish or poultry, these chews offer an abrasive texture, which may help remove food debris and plaque from your cat's teeth. Cat owners who feed raw may offer raw chicken wing tips for the same purpose.

With a regular at-home dental maintenance program, combined with veterinary dental examinations, your cat should be assured of sound dental health for life. This is a very good thing, because cats don't wear dentures.

Rabies--The Great Pretender

There have been more cats with rabies than dogs in the US in recent years..

Rabies has significance because it is a public health concern as well as being ~100% fatal in unprotected pets..
What is rabies?

Rabies is a fatal viral disease of cats, dogs, and wild animals. All warm-blooded animals are susceptible to this disease including human beings. When most people hear the word rabies they think of the classic rabid dog image. However, according to the Center for Disease Control, the number of cases in cats is on the increase, and cats have the highest level of rabies of all domesticated animals. The highest incidence of cat rabies cases is in areas where wildlife rabies cases are on the increase.

Feral cats and domestic cats which are kept outside have the most contact with the wildlife species commonly infected with rabies. These species include foxes, skunks, bats and raccoons. Cats are natural hunters so it makes sense that outside cats would come into contact with potentially rabid wildlife. Also, with the advent of suburban sprawl and new residential areas, cats are being exposed to larger numbers of displaced and potentially rabid raccoons.

How can cats pass rabies virus to human beings?

Cats infected with rabies are generally reclusive but they may attack human beings, even their owners, when disturbed. The virus is found in the saliva of infected cats. Rabies virus is most commonly transmitted to human beings through a bite from an infected cat. The virus can also enter the human body if the cat saliva enters a break in the skin or the mucous membranes.

The incubation period for the disease varies greatly. The virus spreads through the body to attack the central nervous system. Typically, one to three months lapse between the cat becoming infected, and the development of the first signs but that interval can be as short as a week or two, or as long as a year!

Clinical symptoms in cats primarily show up as a change in behavior. They may appear apprehensive, nervous or anxious. They may seek solitude or hide, or act unusually friendly and snuggle up with you, then suddenly bite. The cat may stop eating or drinking. This may be due to paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles. Cats may begin to salivate excessively since they can’t swallow. This paralysis spreads rapidly to all body parts. Once neurological symptoms are observed, death is rapid and most cats die within 7 days. In humans, this disease is also fatal. For this reason, rabies is considered to be THE most significant viral zoonosis. Another worrisome aspect of rabies is that some reports of animal transmission to people indicate that rabies virus may be shed into the saliva before the animal shows obvious behavioral changes—this makes this a very dangerous virus indeed!

How is rabies controlled?

Rabies is effectively 100% fatal once an unvaccinated animal develops signs, therefore prevention is extremely important. Stray cats should be handled by the local animal control. Any suspicious looking wild animal should be reported to animal control. However, the single most effective measure in the control of rabies is vaccination of your cats by a licensed veterinarian. Though not 100% effective, especially if the cat is heavily bitten around the head, the vaccine is considered one of the most effective vaccines on the market. Vaccination is the only way to assure the public that the animal has been properly protected.

Within a month after vaccination, peak antibody titer is achieved and the animal can be considered to be immunized. If a person is exposed, the wound should be immediately and thoroughly washed with soap and water, and physician and health authorities advised. Exposed people also undergo immediate post-exposure treatment with immunoglobulins, followed by a series of vaccines.

Source: www.cathealth.com

How To Clean Your Cat's Teeth By Franny Syufy, About.com

Langitlangit.com

Dental health is every bit as important to cats as it is to humans. A regular program of teeth cleaning will ensure your cat will enjoy his senior years with all his teeth intact.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 5 minutes



Here's How:

• Assemble supplies: sterile gauze, scissors, cat toothpaste (available at pet ores) or a weak sterile solution recommended by your veterinarian.
• Wrap a strip of gauze around the index finger of your dominant hand and either dip it in the sterile solution, or apply a small amount of toothpaste to your fingertip.
• Holding the cat in your lap, open his mouth
• Gently rub your 'finger brush' in a circular motion on his teeth, concentrating on the area next to the gums. Gently massage the gums at the same time. It's not necessary to do the back sides of the teeth.
• Once your cat will tolerate this procedure, you can graduate to a small child's toothbrush.
• Give kitty a few loving pats and kind words, along with a little treat to polish off with his shiny clean teeth.
  

Tips:

• You might want to experiment with flavored toothpaste for cats. There is a fish-flavored one that is quite tasty.
• If you start practicing examining your cats teeth at a very young age, this process will be much easier. See 'How To Gentle a Kitten' for suggestions.
• Bleeding of the gums is a sign your cat needs professional dental scaling by your veterinarian, so attend to that as soon as possible.

Health Care Guide for Siamese Cat Breed by Manseo

Siamese are known for their distinct coloring and blue eyes. Its refined coloring and too cold-blooded on appeal and he was at the height of its popularity in the 1950s. It is a well-loved breed today, but less attention is paid to today from its peak.
Almost everyone knows what that looks like a Siamese as they are known. This is partly due to their popularity in the mystery film genre. Many people think, it is curious nature makes them an ideal choice for a detective in the wizard.

Appearance - The characteristics of a Siamese cat are rectangular in shape along its body, a head wedge-shaped, large ears, long thin legs and elegant, a long graceful tail and brilliant blue, almond-shaped eyes. The Siamese is a breed of cat with short hair and is available in several colors and patterns such as Seal Point, Chocolate Point, Blue Point and Lilac Point. Should there be different coloring, it is considered a totally separate race, color point Shorthair Breed. Behavior and Characteristics - The Siamese cat is a loving, fun-loving and expect the owners of about most of the time. Siamese, which tend to have problems, are usually the cats that are too left to themselves and have nothing interesting to do or they can be thought of escape.
However, if you are a career oriented person and still have your heart on the possession of a Siamese, May you want to add a second cat at home. This allows your Siamese not to be isolated, and a partner in crime. But do not worry; they will wait patiently for their masters when masters not walk in the house.

This breed of cat is particularly devoted to his family and is more than willing to help with household chores, keep you company while you move from room to room or in your corner for a nice relaxing round of the evening. Siamese are very outgoing and meet and greet anyone who comes to the door. The older generation seems to have a penchant for elegance and affectionate Siamese breed. The Siamese is alert and lively and can take a lot of new stuff, such as to look to move forward in case of appeal or even recovery.

The Siamese: Siamese are a fickle race, which will require your attention and you need to give them. They do a lot of noise and if you leave them on their own for long periods of time, they will tear all around them. While these are the disadvantages to have a Siamese cat, it does not mean they cannot be very clean. This is especially true when you rise from infancy.
In most cases, Siamese cats have blue eyes and brown ears. You've probably seen this race if you've seen the film "Lady and the Tramp". But the cats in the film were average, not the usual type of a Siamese cat. In most cases, the Siamese are affectionate breed that loves people. When they call the attention of their master, they meow a lot, just like babies do when they cry.

Cat Health - Heartworm Treatment by Jeff Boo

Heartworms are serious and should be treated as soon as possible. I suppose most of us would know that cats' and dogs' treatment for heartworms are different and so, never ever treat a cat's heartworms problem the same way as that of a dog's or vice versa. Heartworms condition should be carefully treated, and hence feed your cat with only medicines especially prescribe for it.

Unlike other common health conditions, heartworms treatment isn't sound as easy as it is. When such condition surface in your cat, the first thing you should do is to get your veterinarian's advice. To first consult your vet is important as there are many factors, besides getting rid of the heartworms, which you should be looking into.

With the professional help from your vet, you should be able to find out the number of heartworms in your pet as well as to determine if your feline friend be able to withstand any side effects caused by the prescribed medicines.

Heartworms condition should not be left untreated because the vital parts of the heart can be damaged by these tiny creatures. Extra care should always be given when treating heartworms as the heart is the vital organ of an animal. In spite the fact that you may be able to purchase certain medicine from the local departmental stores, it is always best to get your vet's advice prior to feeding your cat with the medicine.

There's another issue regarding the treatment you have to take note. The side effects which caused by the dying heartworms may bring about serious problems to your cat. There is a tendency that dying worms become stuck in the blood vessels of the heart and hence when the dead worms began to decompose, the consequences can be devastating. Cats which are diagnosed with serious heartworms problem will most probably be requested to stay in the animal hospital for observation.

No matter what kind of health problems, the best is always prevention. Have your little furry friend check up by the vet regularly and ask for advice on how to go about preventing your cat from the attack of heartworms. With better precaution taken, your cat will be free from the suffering of having heartworms problem and hence, the side effects of the treatment that follows.

Tips For Buying Furniture For Cats by Mark Richard

When you want to purchase cat furniture, there is nothing more important than looking for a piece that fits your pet's needs. You can find a wide selection of pet furniture online, including simple scratching posts and large cat condos that provide a nest for your kitty to relax in. Cat furniture is available in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles so it helps to consider your options and know what you are looking for, so that you can quickly find the cat furniture you want.

Styles of Cat Furniture There are many different styles of cat furniture available to meet the demands of your pet and your budget. A scratching post is a simple and affordable piece of cat furniture that provides a place for your kitty to stretch and sharpen his claws. If you have a cat that tends to scratch your home furnishings, then this is an excellent choice for you.

Cat towers available are also used for scratching, as well as climbing and napping. In most cases, each of the tiers on a cat tower have an individual cubby, making this form of cat furniture perfect for use in homes with multiple cats, or for one cat that loves to climb and play on his own.

Benefits of Cat Furniture If you have been hesitating to purchase cat furniture because you are not sure that your cat will enjoy it, fear not. Regardless of age, cats love to have their own little playground (or napping area.)

You'll love it too because nearly all cats abandon scratching furniture when a simple piece of cat furniture is introduced. Furniture for cats is designed to be comfortable for your pet and the posts on cat furniture are covered in carpeting, so that your kitty's claws will not be damaged (and neither will your furniture!)

Because cats love to climb and play, cat furniture will provide entertainment for many years to come. All premium cat furniture is made from real wood, and won't contain any harmful glues or solvents that can harm your cat. You can choose from one to four tiers on your cat furniture, making it a great investment when you have several cats in your home. Cat furniture is also easy to clean and care for.

Caring for Cat Furniture Almost all cat furniture is covered in carpeting, making it simple to clean. All that you need to do is vacuum the carpeting on the cat condos regularly, and spot clean as needed. If you have cat furniture that is home to multiple cats, then you may need to clean and vacuum the cat condos more frequently, but in most homes one to two times a week is plenty to remove loose hair the cat furniture. Whether you have one cat or several cats, there is nothing more entertaining than having cat furniture for climbing, scratching, and stretchin so that you can keep the rest of the furniture in the house such as your sofa free of tears and claw marks.

Eye Care for Cats by Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc – Marty Smith, DVM

Healthy eyes of cats are moist and clear. If there is redness or swelling, or if your cat squints or you see a discharge of mucus, these may be indications of an eye infection. Monitor your cat's eyes closely and do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you suspect something is wrong. Your cat's eyes are too valuable to take any chances.

To properly care for your cat's eyes, be sure to:

1. Keep eyes clear of mucus at all times. Infections are often caused by bacteria that overgrow on mucus. Use a sterile eyewash and/or eye wipes to keep the eye area clean. This is especially important in young kittens who may have considerable eye discharge resulting from upper respiratory infection

2. Apply a protective ophthalmic ointment under the top lid to protect the eyes before bathing, facial cleanings, and insecticide treatment. Even 'tearless' shampoos can irritate if too much gets in the eyes or if it is not rinsed out soon enough

3. Keep all hair out of your cat's eyes since scratches to the cornea (the clear membrane across the surface of the eye) can result from contact with hair. In long-haired cats, when it is necessary, trim the hair using only blunt-nosed scissors, cutting parallel to the edge of the eyelid. This is especially important where the skin folds near the eyes in breeds like Persians.

Tear staining' is a common problem with particular breeds of cats, especially Persians, and can get unsightly if not taken care of. Tears are bactericidal, which means they kill the bacteria that can cause infections of the eye. Normally, tears flow across the surface of the eye and quickly drain through the tear duct. This discoloration at the corners of the eyes is caused by normal tears that spill out and lay on the surrounding hair. For breeds that tend to have tear stains, you could clean hair in affected areas at least weekly with a tear stain remover product.

Diagnose and Treat Your Cat's Bad Breath by TheraBreath

iStock.com

Halitosis coming from your cat's mouth can be unpleasant for multiple reasons. Not only is the smell unwelcoming, but it can also signify various diseases. Cat owners can buy many different products, like cat toothbrushes, toothpastes, treats and drops that help with cat breath, tartar, and other cat dental issues.

There are many underlying diseases that could be causing the smelly odor from your cat's mouth:

• Gingivitis, inflammation of the gums
• Abscessed tooth/teeth
• Bone/hairball stuck in mouth
• Oral ulceration
• Foreign bodies in mouth, (i.e. grass awns, plant material)
• Tumors in mouth (oral neoplasia)
• Lung diseases (i.e. cancer)
• Kidney disease
• Periodontal disease, inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the teeth

Warning signs to Look Out For:

• Oral pain/discharge (especially if there is blood)
• Drooling
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Difficulty eating
• Depression

Treating Your Cat:

If you feel your cat has any of these problems, the best bet is to take it to a vet for a professional opinion. Veterinary care may involve various diagnostic tests to reveal the cause of the bad breath, which include:

• Thorough medical history and physical examination
• Complete oral exam (may require brief anesthetic)
• Full-mouth X-rays with dental machine
• Periodontal probing to identify possible periodontal diseases

Home Treatment:

Home treatments are dependent on what specific problem the cat has. Here are some prevention mechanisms you can take to help your cat's foul-smelling breath:

• Daily cat teeth brushing (look for special brushes/pastes available from a vet)
• Spraying .12% chlorhexidine (prescribed from a vet) into your cat's mouth once daily for one to two weeks.
• Follow special dietary considerations. Get input from your vet on what works the best for your cat.
• Diagnosis by a vet if the halitosis persists.

Source: Dr. Debra Primovic

How to Make Cat Food/ By Sarra Jackson, eHow Editor

Making cat food is a great way at knowing exactly what your cat is eating. There are plenty of recipes available that gives your cat the nutrition that they need to be healthy and making your own cat food can save you money as well. Give your cat a balanced diet changing the type of meat you're giving them or else they may refuse to eat anything else over time.

1. Choose the type of meat you want to feed your cat. Cats prefer fresh (not aged) liver, fish, turkey, chicken, lamb and yeast.
2. Grains should also be added into a cat's meal. This can be wheat germ, kibble, whole wheat bread, or cooked oatmeal. Half of the meal should be carbohydrates, while the other half is meat.
3. Cook the meat until it is tender so you can remove the bone. For cats, you will probably want to grind the meat so it's easier for them to eat.
4. Add small amounts of vegetables to a cat's meal is also very nutritious.
5. Make a mackerel dinner by heating 1 teaspoon of corn oil in a large skillet and fry 1 small mackerel until it flakes easily. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. Once it's cooled, add 1/2 cup of hot water into the pan to help scrape the bits left in the pan. Separate the fish from the bone and add the fish and juice into a grinder. Grind until it is small enough for a cat to chew.

Make a liver meal for cats by heating 1 teaspoon of corn oil in a pan. Fry 1/4 pound of beef liver on both sides until it's cooked but not dry. Add 1/2 cup of water and mix it with the bits left in the pan. Grind the juice and liver in a grinder.