Submitted by randall
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other creatures. Among cats, parasites generally feed on the animal's blood. Detecting internal parasites can be difficult, but a close inspection of skin and fur is usually all that is needed to uncover traces of external parasites such as ear mites and fleas. There are many types of worms that are internal parasites to cats. If you see small, rice like debris around your cat's anus or in her bedding, take her to your veterinarian. He will need to run simple tests to identify what type of worm is present so that he can prescribe the proper medication to eliminate the parasite.
Coccidia are microscopic parasites. They live in cells within the lining of the intestines. The most common symptom is diarrhea. Left untreated, the animal becomes extremely weak and dehydrated. Fortunately coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) are effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. However, these drugs do not kill the parasites, but rather inhibit reproduction - elimination of coccidia from the intestine is slow.
Ear mites take up residence in a cat's ear canals. As they feed, they cause intense itching. A cat suffering from an infestation of ear mites scratches behind her ears often and is seen violently shaking her head on a regular basis. If you look inside her ears, you will see dark flecks that resemble coffee grounds - these are the mites' droppings. If you suspect ear mites, contact your veterinarian.
There are several effective treatments for ear mites, such as Fipronil (Frontline) and Selamectin (Revolution). Ear mites are easily treated with eardrops, but are very contagious to other cats. If you have a multi-cat household, isolate the infected cat as soon as possible. Ear mites are not transmitted from cats to humans.
Ringworm is not a true worm, rather the name for a type of fungus, related to the fungus that causes athlete's foot in humans. It usually causes no discomfort, but is highly contagious to other cats and humans. If left untreated it weakens the immune system and leaves your cat vulnerable to other, more serious diseases.
Fleas are perhaps the most infamous pet parasite. Although they eat no more than a drop of blood each, a flea infestation can cause anemia in adult cats and death in kittens. In addition to literally sucking the life from your cat, fleas often transmit tapeworms, as serious internal parasite. Just a few fleas can cause great discomfort to your cat, especially if she is one of the many animals allergic to fleabites. The best way to conquer a flea invasion is to prevent it in the first place.
Daily grooming, especially if you allow your cat outdoors will help you keep one step ahead of the flea hordes. As you flea-comb your cat, dip the comb into a container of soapy water to kill the fleas. The soap film coats and suffocates the fleas.
Ask your veterinarian about preventative flea medications. These are given to your cat orally. The chemical they contain is harmless to your cat, but makes fleas sterile. It is absorbed into your cat's blood, so when a flea bites her it cannot reproduce.
If your cat has had fleas in the past, it is very likely that you have flea eggs and larvae in your carpet and upholstery. Your veterinarian can suggest a "flea bomb" based on how bad the infestation is. It is important to follow the package instructions carefully and repeat treatment as directed in order to make sure all the generations are eliminated.
About the Author
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The Cat and the Evil Parakeet
Parakeets were “in” during the winter of 1952, and my little brother David had his heart set on one. On December 24, Mamma, Daddy, and I went to a parakeet breeder, paid $7.95, and brought home the pretty green bird we had reserved. The parakeet was hidden in the back bedroom overnight, but, in the early morning dark of Christmas Day, the softly glowing bubble lights on our tree revealed the birdcage on the living room floor among the other gifts.
At six that morning, Daddy and Der Doc the cat came into the house after milking the cows. Der Doc always supervised as Daddy and the hired man milked. He was rewarded for his efforts with a bowl of fresh milk and a good many compliments from Daddy. Pussycats can tell by your tone of voice that you are complimenting them. They love compliments and believe every one. Therefore, though Der Doc was a rather ugly grey tiger-striped cat, he believed he was good looking. He further believed that he was a superior member of the milking team.
The Superior Milking Team of Daddy and Der Doc stepped through the living room door side by side, heads held high. Der Doc saw and smelled the parakeet in the same instant. Without thinking, he instinctively made a flying leap across the room and onto the cage.
And, without thinking, Daddy instinctively gave Der Doc a boot with his foot that sent him flying.
Our good-looking member of the Superior Milking Team did not believe for a moment that Daddy, who was so very kind, had given him the boot. Clearly we had an evil bird, one who could, from inside its cage, send a cat flying.
Der Doc never again stayed in the same room as the parakeet. This inconvenienced him a good deal, particularly when the parakeet flew into the room while Der Doc was asleep on the living room sofa. He nevertheless stuck by his motto, “Better safe than sorry.”
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Enjoy our cat mystery sleuth and find gifts and stories for cat lovers, at Janette Blackwell’s Cats and Flowers -- or visit her at Food and Fiction
This article comes from Article Avenue - free articles and downloads
http://www.articleavenue.com
The URL for this story is:
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At six that morning, Daddy and Der Doc the cat came into the house after milking the cows. Der Doc always supervised as Daddy and the hired man milked. He was rewarded for his efforts with a bowl of fresh milk and a good many compliments from Daddy. Pussycats can tell by your tone of voice that you are complimenting them. They love compliments and believe every one. Therefore, though Der Doc was a rather ugly grey tiger-striped cat, he believed he was good looking. He further believed that he was a superior member of the milking team.
The Superior Milking Team of Daddy and Der Doc stepped through the living room door side by side, heads held high. Der Doc saw and smelled the parakeet in the same instant. Without thinking, he instinctively made a flying leap across the room and onto the cage.
And, without thinking, Daddy instinctively gave Der Doc a boot with his foot that sent him flying.
Our good-looking member of the Superior Milking Team did not believe for a moment that Daddy, who was so very kind, had given him the boot. Clearly we had an evil bird, one who could, from inside its cage, send a cat flying.
Der Doc never again stayed in the same room as the parakeet. This inconvenienced him a good deal, particularly when the parakeet flew into the room while Der Doc was asleep on the living room sofa. He nevertheless stuck by his motto, “Better safe than sorry.”
-----------
Enjoy our cat mystery sleuth and find gifts and stories for cat lovers, at Janette Blackwell’s Cats and Flowers -- or visit her at Food and Fiction
This article comes from Article Avenue - free articles and downloads
http://www.articleavenue.com
The URL for this story is:
http://www.articleavenue.com/article1259.html
Your Diabetic Cat -- Can You Care For A Diabetic Cat?
Tips for your pet’s health and happiness...
If you have just been told that you have a diabetic cat, you may be afraid of what the future holds for your pet. The good news is that diabetes is not a death sentence for cats. Your cat may live a long and happy life with diabetes. All this requires is for you to care for your cat and provide the pet health supplies that he or she needs. The following information may help you understand what you need to do for your diabetic cat.
Regular checkups: If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is vital that you visit your veterinarian regularly. Your cat will need blood sugar checks to make sure that he or she is receiving the right amount of insulin. This should be done every 3 months or as frequently as your vet suggests. While diabetic humans can check their blood sugar levels at home, this is not possible with cats unless you buy a glucose monitoring system.
Giving your Cat Insulin: Diabetic cats’ insulin shots are usually given at 12 hour intervals. The amount of insulin that your cat will need will vary, but most cats will receive between three and five units of insulin in each injection. It is important that you establish a routine for your cat. It is best to give the cat insulin injection at the same time every morning and evening, and keep your cat around you for a while after, so that you will see if anything is wrong. Be sure to have phone numbers for at least two 24-hour emergency vet clinics available just in case your cat needs help.
It is not difficult to learn to give a cat insulin shots. Your veterinarian will walk you through the process so that you can repeat it at home. Most veterinarians recommend that you give your cat injections in the scruff of the neck, between the shoulder blades. As you become more practiced, your cat will barely feel the injections. In fact, most diabetic cats soon learn when it is time to get their shot and they may actually remind you!
Stocking the Correct Supplies: It is important that you have the right supplies on hand. You will need a supply of insulin in the refrigerator as prescribed by your veterinarian, syringes and alcohol swabs. It is always a good idea to order your insulin when you are about halfway empty, as it may take a few days to arrive. Your veterinarian may also recommend vitamin supplements for your cat vitamin supplements and perhaps prescription cat food.
Many people worry about the cost of caring for a diabetic cat. It is true that there are costs involved in buying insulin, syringes and prescription food. However, most cat owners do not hesitate spending this money on their pets. You can easily work out a budget as you will know the cost of each item and how long it will last, according to how much your vet has advised that your cat needs.
Most of all, you will need patience and love when caring for your cat. It is not always easy to care for a sick cat. Consult with your vet regularly and ask him or her all of your pet health questions. With good care, there should be many more years of happy life for your diabetic cat.
About The Author:
Do you care about your pet's health? Learn more about it at HealthiPet.com
This article comes from Article Avenue - free articles and downloads
http://www.articleavenue.com
The URL for this story is:
http://www.articleavenue.com/article10209.html
If you have just been told that you have a diabetic cat, you may be afraid of what the future holds for your pet. The good news is that diabetes is not a death sentence for cats. Your cat may live a long and happy life with diabetes. All this requires is for you to care for your cat and provide the pet health supplies that he or she needs. The following information may help you understand what you need to do for your diabetic cat.
Regular checkups: If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is vital that you visit your veterinarian regularly. Your cat will need blood sugar checks to make sure that he or she is receiving the right amount of insulin. This should be done every 3 months or as frequently as your vet suggests. While diabetic humans can check their blood sugar levels at home, this is not possible with cats unless you buy a glucose monitoring system.
Giving your Cat Insulin: Diabetic cats’ insulin shots are usually given at 12 hour intervals. The amount of insulin that your cat will need will vary, but most cats will receive between three and five units of insulin in each injection. It is important that you establish a routine for your cat. It is best to give the cat insulin injection at the same time every morning and evening, and keep your cat around you for a while after, so that you will see if anything is wrong. Be sure to have phone numbers for at least two 24-hour emergency vet clinics available just in case your cat needs help.
It is not difficult to learn to give a cat insulin shots. Your veterinarian will walk you through the process so that you can repeat it at home. Most veterinarians recommend that you give your cat injections in the scruff of the neck, between the shoulder blades. As you become more practiced, your cat will barely feel the injections. In fact, most diabetic cats soon learn when it is time to get their shot and they may actually remind you!
Stocking the Correct Supplies: It is important that you have the right supplies on hand. You will need a supply of insulin in the refrigerator as prescribed by your veterinarian, syringes and alcohol swabs. It is always a good idea to order your insulin when you are about halfway empty, as it may take a few days to arrive. Your veterinarian may also recommend vitamin supplements for your cat vitamin supplements and perhaps prescription cat food.
Many people worry about the cost of caring for a diabetic cat. It is true that there are costs involved in buying insulin, syringes and prescription food. However, most cat owners do not hesitate spending this money on their pets. You can easily work out a budget as you will know the cost of each item and how long it will last, according to how much your vet has advised that your cat needs.
Most of all, you will need patience and love when caring for your cat. It is not always easy to care for a sick cat. Consult with your vet regularly and ask him or her all of your pet health questions. With good care, there should be many more years of happy life for your diabetic cat.
About The Author:
Do you care about your pet's health? Learn more about it at HealthiPet.com
This article comes from Article Avenue - free articles and downloads
http://www.articleavenue.com
The URL for this story is:
http://www.articleavenue.com/article10209.html
Cats And Children Getting Along
By Ron King
Children benefit very much from being in charge of a pet. Cats and children go well together. Cats will give children a sense of responsibility and comfort, and are a healthy supplement to a child's wellbeing.
Growing up with cats as pets is definitely great for your child. A different experience of learning respect for animals and the importance of affection is also learned. Giving cats as gift-pets would really make your child happy. When you do this, you can be giving your child something not temporary.
When you are looking for tips on how to bring out the best between your child and the pet, this article can be useful.
Show to your child the proper way of handling cats. Kids could be very excited and it can be they will not be prepared to care for the cat well. Your function is to teach them proper way of caring for the cat. With this, you would not only teach him or her concern for animals but more life skills.
Be a guide between cats and children. If it is your child's first time to experience having a cat, teach your child why a new pet can be a bit aloof, so that he or she would understand.
Tell your child some facts about felines. This could make your child understand what are some important aspects about cats; this could let them become able to care for pets.
Teach your child not to play roughly with the cats. This would be entailing risk. Cats may find rough play to be hostile; the cat may use its paws or other parts of the body that can hurt your child.
Introduce the use of cat toys, because they are better than playing roughly with your pet.
Let your child understand the importance of how animals sleep and how he/she could help in letting them sleep.
Remind your child the importance of not allowing the cats to stay inside homes. To keep their pets safe, it is important that your child learns how to save the cat from any untoward incident.
These are things you have to remember about building and keeping relationship with cats and children as a possible source of emotional growth.
For more info, see Cats And Children and Caring For A Pet. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Cat Care.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Children benefit very much from being in charge of a pet. Cats and children go well together. Cats will give children a sense of responsibility and comfort, and are a healthy supplement to a child's wellbeing.
Growing up with cats as pets is definitely great for your child. A different experience of learning respect for animals and the importance of affection is also learned. Giving cats as gift-pets would really make your child happy. When you do this, you can be giving your child something not temporary.
When you are looking for tips on how to bring out the best between your child and the pet, this article can be useful.
Show to your child the proper way of handling cats. Kids could be very excited and it can be they will not be prepared to care for the cat well. Your function is to teach them proper way of caring for the cat. With this, you would not only teach him or her concern for animals but more life skills.
Be a guide between cats and children. If it is your child's first time to experience having a cat, teach your child why a new pet can be a bit aloof, so that he or she would understand.
Tell your child some facts about felines. This could make your child understand what are some important aspects about cats; this could let them become able to care for pets.
Teach your child not to play roughly with the cats. This would be entailing risk. Cats may find rough play to be hostile; the cat may use its paws or other parts of the body that can hurt your child.
Introduce the use of cat toys, because they are better than playing roughly with your pet.
Let your child understand the importance of how animals sleep and how he/she could help in letting them sleep.
Remind your child the importance of not allowing the cats to stay inside homes. To keep their pets safe, it is important that your child learns how to save the cat from any untoward incident.
These are things you have to remember about building and keeping relationship with cats and children as a possible source of emotional growth.
For more info, see Cats And Children and Caring For A Pet. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Cat Care.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Pets: Giving Your Cat A Pill
By Nicholas Tan
Giving a cat a pill can be a nightmare. No cat wants something shoved down his throat, and he will fight you tooth and nail to prevent it. Although most cats are small in size, you’d be quite amazed with how much power they actually have. There are ways that you can get your cat to take his pills, which we will cover below.
The easiest way to give a cat pill is to crush the power into a powdery form by putting it between two spoons. Once the pill is powder, mix it in with some wet cat food. Cats that are used to eating dry cat food will see the wet food and think of it as a treat. They will normally eat it up, unaware that they just took their medicine.
If the medicine happens to be in capsule form, all you have to do is pry the capsule apart then sprinkle the medicine on some wet food and serve it to your pet. If the food also contains the pill or if your pet is sick, chances are he won’t eat it. In this event, you should look into a pet piller. You can get these handy devices from your veterinarian. They are plastic rods that hold the pill until you press a plunger. When you get one, you should always get a long one with a softer tip.
When you get your gun, your vet should show you how to use it. The most difficult aspect of using the gun is getting your cat to open his mouth. The gun will more or less shoot the pill in the cat’s mouth, and down his throat. You’ll need to hold him tight, to make sure that he doesn’t wiggle his way loose. Once you have his mouth open, you’ll need to squeeze the trigger and pull the gun away quickly. After the pill has been inserted, make sure you give your cat a treat.
If you aren’t comfortable using the gun, you can always try giving your cat his pills by hand. To do it this way, you’ll need to hold your cat still, and open his mouth with your hand. Once you have his mouth open, you should aim for the back of his throat and throw the pill in. Once it is in his mouth, you should close his mouth with your hand and hold it shut for a few moments. This way, your cat will swallow the pill if he hasn’t already.
If you can’t get any of the above techniques to work, you can always go to a local pharmacy and get them to a make flavored gel or liquid using your cats medication. You should use this as a last resort though, as it can tend to get expensive.
We provide grooming for dogs and cats, and free pet grooming consultation services and free grooming tips by breeds! Our pet products include fashionable carriers, embroidered shirts, reversible raincoats, pet shoes, cotton dresses, pet food, pet carrier, dog ribbons, and other related pet products.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Giving a cat a pill can be a nightmare. No cat wants something shoved down his throat, and he will fight you tooth and nail to prevent it. Although most cats are small in size, you’d be quite amazed with how much power they actually have. There are ways that you can get your cat to take his pills, which we will cover below.
The easiest way to give a cat pill is to crush the power into a powdery form by putting it between two spoons. Once the pill is powder, mix it in with some wet cat food. Cats that are used to eating dry cat food will see the wet food and think of it as a treat. They will normally eat it up, unaware that they just took their medicine.
If the medicine happens to be in capsule form, all you have to do is pry the capsule apart then sprinkle the medicine on some wet food and serve it to your pet. If the food also contains the pill or if your pet is sick, chances are he won’t eat it. In this event, you should look into a pet piller. You can get these handy devices from your veterinarian. They are plastic rods that hold the pill until you press a plunger. When you get one, you should always get a long one with a softer tip.
When you get your gun, your vet should show you how to use it. The most difficult aspect of using the gun is getting your cat to open his mouth. The gun will more or less shoot the pill in the cat’s mouth, and down his throat. You’ll need to hold him tight, to make sure that he doesn’t wiggle his way loose. Once you have his mouth open, you’ll need to squeeze the trigger and pull the gun away quickly. After the pill has been inserted, make sure you give your cat a treat.
If you aren’t comfortable using the gun, you can always try giving your cat his pills by hand. To do it this way, you’ll need to hold your cat still, and open his mouth with your hand. Once you have his mouth open, you should aim for the back of his throat and throw the pill in. Once it is in his mouth, you should close his mouth with your hand and hold it shut for a few moments. This way, your cat will swallow the pill if he hasn’t already.
If you can’t get any of the above techniques to work, you can always go to a local pharmacy and get them to a make flavored gel or liquid using your cats medication. You should use this as a last resort though, as it can tend to get expensive.
We provide grooming for dogs and cats, and free pet grooming consultation services and free grooming tips by breeds! Our pet products include fashionable carriers, embroidered shirts, reversible raincoats, pet shoes, cotton dresses, pet food, pet carrier, dog ribbons, and other related pet products.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com