Heartworm Medicine For Cats

By Harvey Glick

The use of preventive heartworm medicine in your cat is very important, since it effectively helps to keep heartworm disease at bay. When this disease spreads the end result is very uncomfortable for your cat and may result in death.

Heartworm disease is so-named because adult worms live in the right side of the heart. It is a more common heart disease in dogs. It has also been found to infect the cat, although rarely. In most cases cats are only accidental hosts.

The heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis is spread by the bite of a mosquito which harbors infective larvae in its saliva. The larvae burrow into the cat's tissues and undergo several changes of form which lead to the developments of small adult worms. The worms then make their way to a vein and move to the heart. This process takes about six months. Mature heartworms produce microfilariae which circulate in the blood stream and can be identified by a blood test.

Due to the small size of the cat's heart , one or two worms may be enough to cause serious heart trouble or even sudden death.

The signals that your cat might exhibit if he or she is infested by heartworms are:

. A cough made worse by exercise

. lethargy

. anemia

. loss of weight and condition

. production of bloody sputum

Because treatment is complex and potentially dangerous, it should be undertaken only under veterinary supervision. Drugs are available to kill both the larval stages and adult worms. In theory the two best ways to prevent heartworm is to keep your cat from being bitten by a mosquito or treat your cat beforehand with a preventive heartworm medicine.

The Best Preventive Heartworm Medicine for your cat is Revolution

Revolution is a topical medication used on dogs, puppies, cats and kittens for the treatment and/or prevention of the following parasitic conditions:

. Heartworm preventive

. Intestinal wormer for cats

. Flea control and prevention product

. Treatment for ear mites

. Tick control product for dogs

. Treatment for sarcoptic mange in dogs

This once-a-month topical treatment (on-the-skin) is a revolutionary idea in parasite elimination. It is effective as a heartworm preventive, killing the immature form of the heartworm. It will also kill adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month. Additionally, it is used for the treatment and control of ear mites and sarcoptic mange. Revolution is also effective in controlling tick infestations due to the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis).

As always, talk to your veterinarian to determine which heartworm medicine is the most appropriate for your cat.

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Nail Care in Cats

By Gary Pearson

If you are planning on declawing your cat, is it for your pet's health, or for the health of your furniture? Most people believe that declawing a cat is the best way to train a cat not to destroy your household items, but many people do not understand the circumstance they are putting their cat's in by declawing them.

Declawing a cat is best if your cat will never be going outside. If your cat even has the inkling of going outside, do not declaw them. This is their first line of defense and can affect your pet health by injury and infection. But not only is declawing your cat a physical change for them, but it can also leave them vulnerable to medical conditions later in life.

First, let's examine what exactly declawing a cat entails. It is not just trimming back the nails. It is not a trip to the nail salon to have them filed down. It is a surgical procedure in which the cat's bones are removed from their paw so that the nail bed does not grow anymore. Think of it this way, declawing a cat is the equivalent of having your fingers surgically removed up to the second knuckle. This procedure not only physically scars your cat, but can have long lasting affects on the pet health emotionally. How would you feel if you lost all of your fingers?

Secondly, most cats develop lasting medical conditions which deteriorate pet health. They can develop painful arthritic conditions, as well as aggressive behaviors due to psychological duress. Since claws are natural to pet health, cats can become quite confused on what is going on once their claws are gone. They will be unable to properly dig to cover their waste, so they may begin to urinate and defecate in odd places. This displacement is due to the fact that their natural behavior pattern is disrupted by being declawed.

Declawing is basically a procedure for pet owners and do not benefit their four legged friends at all. It is understandable for pet health to spay and neuter an animal, but declawing a cat serves no purpose other than to relieve owners from any destructive behaviors. If at all possible, avoid this act and develop over techniques to distract your cat or kitten from scratching. There are plenty of scratching posts and furniture designed for this case. Utilizing a water gun to stop a cat from scratching can be productive. You can also wrap furniture in aluminum to distract your cat. They will respond to the noise made by the foil and be confused by this. It also a good tip for cats that jump up on counters. Placing foil on counters will unnerve cats that jump on counters and scare them into changing their behavior. There are plenty of alternatives to declawing that are less damaging physically and emotionally to your feline, so before jumping into surgery, please try other alternatives. Your cat will definitely thank you.

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cat nail care visit American Short Hair Cats for current articles and discussions.

Feline Viral Diseases - What Are They?

By Gary Pearson

Did you know that the average life span of an indoor cat is around fifteen years? In contrast, an outdoor cat lives on average of just over three years. That is an amazing difference of twelve years, and longevity in pet health can be linked to two cat viruses that are very similar to our own AIDS virus. Both Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are viruses that affect only our feline friends. Even though these viruses are similar in some ways they are also very different.

The most common of these two viruses is FeLV. This virus primarily affects cat's immune systems, destroying the cells that fight off infections. So in actuality, FeLV doesn't kill its host, simple mild infections in your pet's health will be the fatal blow. Small infected scratches, upper respiratory infections, and other common infections are usually mild but if our cat's immune system didn't work they could easily be deadly. This virus can also cause certain types of cancers that can be deadly to our cats. Unfortunately, seventy-five percent of cats will die within two years when infected with this virus. Of the twenty-five percent that survive and clear the virus one out of five will become re-infected. The virus can hibernate in the bone marrow and return at a later date. FeLV is very prevalent in intact male cats because these cats have the most contact with other cats via fighting and sexual contact. The virus is transmitted in all body fluids even saliva, and mothers' milk.

FIV, on the other hand, is a virus that is very similar to AIDS in both what it does and how it is transmitted. It is important to understand is only transmitted from cat to cat. FIV also affects and eventually destroys the immune system also allowing common infections to your pet's health to become deadly. Unlike FeLV though there has been no link to certain cancers. Cats with this virus typically live longer. The major difference is that unlike FeLV this virus is incurable, they will always be infected. FIV has also been found to be harder to transmit than FeLV. Only blood or sexual contact can cause the spread of this virus unlike FeLV which can be transmitted via water bowls in the saliva or nursing mothers. While it is spreadable, there are only low numbers of infected cats within the United States.

On the positive side, both ailments to pet health are preventable and manageable. There are some great vaccine options for FeLV so your pet cannot catch this deadly disease. To date, there are no real effective vaccines for FIV. But, with both of these diseases spaying and neutering greatly reduce the risk for infection. Outdoor males pose the biggest safety threat since they are the main instigator of fights. It is especially important to have your animals spayed or neutered, particularly if they are going to remain outdoors. Most veterinary offices recommend testing for FeLV and FIV yearly for indoor and outdoor cats. Even if your pet has previously been vaccinated for FeLV, they can still get infected with FIV. Even if your pets get these two viruses they can still live mostly normal lives. Also, any little sniffle or scratch in these animals could be life-threatening so it is very important to visit your local veterinarian and get good antibiotic coverage. These viruses are easy to detect and most veterinarians can do a simple blood test, so please get routine checkups.

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about feline diseases visit Pet Knowledge Site for current articles and discussions.

Cat Vaccinations - What Should You Get?

By Gary Pearson

Bringing home a new cat means that you are now responsible for your new pet's health. It is important to your cat's health to get the proper vaccinations from your veterinarian to keep your feline healthy. Most assume that a cat, since it is able to survive in the wild, does not need medical attention, but it is not true. There are plenty of diseases that can infect your cat, regardless if they are indoor or outdoor pets. Providing your cat with the proper vaccinations can help them avoid these deadly diseases.

One of the deadliest diseases that can be exposed to the feline family is rabies. Generally speaking, people do not consider rabies a cat disease, but it can be passed to felines through infected animals. A cat fighting with an infected animal, such as a raccoon or coyote, or eating meat from an infected animal can contract rabies. It is one of the few diseases that can be passed from cat to human, which is why vets highly suggest cat owners get their cats vaccinated to protect both the owner's and the pet's health. Regardless if the cat is going to be indoor or outdoor, it is best to protect yourself and your cat from this terrible and agonizing disease.

An early age vaccination that is vaccines given in the first few weeks of life offer protection include a serum to protect from the flu, feline leukemia virus, feline infectious enteritis, and feline chlamydophilosis. These are all nasty infections which can be transmitted to other felines in the household and be fatal to them. One simple shot can protect your pet's health in an afternoon. It does not take multiple oral medicines or any struggle between you and your cat. Just one visit to the vet can protect your cat, so isn't it worth it?

It is also wise to get your feline dewormed while you are medicating them. If you have the cat there at the vet's office, why not? Intestinal parasites are unsightly and can be fatal in smaller and older cats, so to avoid any future medical conditions, ask your vet to deworm your cat there. Or, if you are hands on with your pet's health care, there is a topical solution which you can place on your feline's skin that will kill any intestine parasites that your cat may have. It generally kills roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, pin worms and heartworms.

It is also important to manage your pet's health through flea control as well. Since certain parasites are transmitted by fleas, keeping your cat on flea control can keep you and your cat comfortable and happy. Many flea controls are topical now, lasting upwards to thirty days and preventing hookworm and roundworm infection. Unfortunately, flea control is not yet protecting your cat from heart worms and tapeworms just yet, but it is good to have this medicine in your arsenal now.

Keeping your pet's health stable and balanced will allow you and your cat much happiness throughout the years. Just a bit of dedication and commitment to your pet's health will increase her longevity.

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cat vaccinations visit Life With Cats for current articles and discussions.

Cat Health - How to Tackle Hair Loss in Cats

By Gary Pearson

Cat care means a full belly, a lot of attention and of course, a shiny, health, well-groomed coat. Every cat loves to be brushed, right? Having their long, luxurious hair brushed for hours and hours, but if your cat is shedding much more than normal when you look at the cat hairbrush, there may be a problem with your cat's health. If you are noticing hair loss in your cat, then may be a medical condition that needs treatment.

One of the most common causes for cat hair loss is simply fleas. Yes, fleas. If your cat has an allergy to fleabite, they can chew at their skin and hair to get to the flea, effectively removing the hair in that area. Cats severely allergic to fleas that can scratch their skin raw in discomfort. The veterinarian will give you medication to ease the inflammation and a topical treatment for the fleas. If you have hair loss in your cat, check it thoroughly for fleas. Chances are good that she's been bitten and is not responding well to it.

There are medical conditions that can cause hair loss in cats. One of the common is a parasite, such as mites. Parasites are a common health problem in cats. Cats with a mite infection will develop hair loss due to the intense itching caused by the mites. It can eventually lead to mange if not treated. There are some thyroid cat diseases which can causes hair loss, so it is best to consult a veterinarian to get a full physical work up on your cat's health to make sure.

Cats with allergy related hair loss could be treated not only with inflammation medications, but also with soothing medicated bathes and a change in diet. Lamb and rice dry food can increase the fatty acids your cat ingests causing an increase in skin moisture. An oilier skin can make a cat's skin less irritated and allow the cat to feel some comfort. Ensuring that there is no flea infestation in your household can mean healthier skin and coat for kitty. Take measurements to rid the house of any fleas, no matter how few you seem to have. A healthy, organic way to kill fleas is to sprinkle salt on your carpet. Vacuum the carpets the following day to remove all the dead fleas.

Following the simple cat care tips can help you and your kitty maintain a happy and healthy home environment for all. Sometimes, just a simple change in diet and exercise can mean the difference to your cat.

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about hair loss in cats visit Life With Cats for current articles and discussions.

Cat Bites - What Should You Feed Your Cat?

By Gary Pearson

Generally, pet health begins with the food you give them. If you offer your cat a diet high in fat and preservatives, or even worse, people food, they will not develop a healthy internal system and chances are that they will develop a terminal medical condition. So pet health begins with what is in their food bowl. Provide a balanced diet that is high in protein; remember, in the wild, they eat raw meat and tissue, so provide them a diet that is high in protein relatively similar to a diet they would receive in the wild. However, just providing raw meat to your cat, while they may be satisfied, will not satisfy their nutritional needs. They need additional vitamins and nutrients that raw meat alone cannot provide, so pick a cat food that is a well rounded meal.

As we do, cats need a balanced, nutritional and well rounded diet. To guarantee that you cat is getting a balanced diet, the food given to them should be high in proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. It should also have such vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, C and Niacin to make certain that proper pet health is obtained. Cats also need two essential amino acids, taurine and arginine, that aid in development and preservation. Cats will not survive with a solely vegetarian diet, so refrain from giving your cat all vegetables. Cats require animal meat to get hold of the arginine and taurine to properly function. A diet low in these essential amino acids will result in your cat's death.

A raw diet is the best for animals, particularly where felines are concerned. Animals in the wild are used to ingesting raw meat, so their internal organs are designed to handle raw meats. Do not worry about feeding them raw meat. With the rise of contamination in pet food, pet health care has become of major importance. Just make sure if you change your pet's diet, that is includes all the nutrients they will need to have a happy and healthy meal. They have certain nutritional needs that must be met to ensure proper pet health. Feeding your pet a diet which will increase their pet health means that your cat or dog will live a long and healthy life by your side. Giving a kitty a raw meat diet is not advisable either. If you want an organic diet for your cat, it is best to consult your veterinarian to help design an organic diet for your cat. By asking a veterinarian, you can ensure that your kitty is getting the proper nutrients it needs to ensure the best for your pet's health. While protein is the main constituent of their diet, raw meat does not have the absolute composition of nutrients that your cat can receive from dry food or a well balanced organic, physician designed diet. If you wish your cat to have a more organic diet, there are plenty of resources that can aid you in drawing up an organic diet for your feline that has the entire, essential nutrimental requirements it needs for a joyful, fit lifestyle.

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cat care visit Best Cool Pets for current articles and discussions.

Cat Allergies - What to Expect

By Gary Pearson

Allergies in our cats are just as important as in our canine friends; they can just be harder to detect. Dogs with allergies usually show pet health symptoms such as intense itching, hair loss and sores. The symptoms of allergies in cats can be similar to dogs except for the most major symptom of intense itching. Cats do have the hair loss and the sores on the skin but lack the scratching.

Most causes for pet allergies are common: 80 percent of dogs are allergic to airborne particles, 15 percent fleas, and five percent to food. Cats are a lot different. The biggest pet health offender on the kitty side is fleas, probably as much as 80 percent of cats are allergic to fleabites. This is a major concern for cats that can be very hard to detect. Cats are meticulous groomers and can erase the signs of fleas with their tongues and their constant licking. Flea allergies lead to a syndrome known as feline military dermatitis. This process begins with fleabites, which leads to scratching, but this can be very subtle. Due to the allergies the immune system can go haywire and ignore other problems. So, after the scratching begins the skin's surface is broken and normal bacteria called staphylococcus hop into the open wounds. Pinpoint sores develop along common scratching points of the neck and tail head. This skin infection just makes the overall allergy complex worse and causes even more problems as the infection spreads and leads to hair loss and new sores.

Feline military dermatitis and allergies can be a very common problem in pet health, particularly your cat's health, but can look similar to other infections. Skin parasites can cause very similar sores and usually have more intense itching. Doing a skin scrape and examining it under a microscope is the only way to identify the parasites such as sarcoptic mange. Ringworm is a fungus that reflects the same symptoms as allergies in cats and like sarcoptic mange it can also infect humans. Ringworm causes sores around the ears, head, and feet. There is also a simple test for this fungus. Cats can also have baldness and occasional sores due to their constant licking behavior. It is up to your vet to determine what is ailing your pet health. Finally, there are also other bacterial infections that can look similar to feline military dermatitis. Once the diagnosis is made for allergies the next issue becomes is how to treat the problem and keep it from arising again. If the problem is severe enough we have to use steroids to control the allergy and antibiotics to stop the infection.

Sometimes steroids can get the body back in balance and allow the infection to go away on its own. But far more important is flea control within your household, backyard and on your pet. There are many good products out there; some that are topical medications that kills fleas, intestinal parasites, heartworms, and mites so it is a great all parasite-killer. Watch out for some over-the-counter medications that contain pyrethrins because in common dosages they can cause a seizure disorder, cripple pet health or even cause the timely death in cats. Remember treating allergies can be frustrating and costly, but keeping the fleas off our pets is the only way to prevent the allergy from returning again.

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cat allergies visit Pet Knowledge for current articles and discussions.