By : Alison Grimston
Introduction- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine illness in which there are high levels of glucose in the blood. It is seen in dogs and cats as well as humans, and in each species is commoner in the overweight and obese. There is no cure, but treatment, which in cats may or may not include insulin injections, can maintain a healthy and active life.
Pathology - Diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, the Islets of Langerhans, stop producing sufficient insulin to cope with the body's glucose load (Type 1 diabetes), or when the peripheral tissues in the body that react to insulin become resistant to its effect (Type 2 diabetes).
Symptoms:
* Weight loss (more likely in type 1 diabetes)
* Thirst, excessive drinking (polydipsia)
* Increased urination (polyuria)
* Increased appetite
* Increased blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)
* Blindness
* Weakness
* Depression
Causes:
* Obesity
* Chronic Pancreatitis
* Stress (cortisol, one of the stress hormones, makes fat cells less sensitive to insulin)
* Genetic predisposition - it affects cats of all ages, sexes and breeds, but is commoner in older, castrated male cats, especially Burmese cats Diagnosis
Diagnosis depends on a urine test followed by a confirmatory blood test for glucose levels.
Effects of Diabetes - There is an increased incidence of:
* Cataracts
* Premature death
* Problems in pregnancy
* Infections, especially bladder
* Pancreatitis
Current Western Treatments
* Insulin
* Diet
* Exercise
* Neutering of diabetic female cats
Insulin - The discovery of insulin in 1921 ( see www.discoveryofinsulin.com) was pivotal in changing diabetes mellitus from disease that was fatal within weeks to a chronic and not necessarily life-threatening condition.
Insulin is the most important treatment in many cats, although some cats, once stabilised, can be managed with diet alone. Diet
Diet needs to be specific and timed correctly. Glucose control is easier to obtain if you feed a fixed formula feed, low in fat and high in slowly digested complex carbohydrates. However, if your cat's routine is to eat several times per day, your vet is unlikely to change this.
If your cat is overweight, weight reduction to the normal for his or her size is essential over the first 3-4 months after diagnosis.
Exercise - Your cat should be allowed to take exercise as normal. Other considerations
A diabetic cat will take up a lot of your time and finances over the years, but will reward you with years of companionship.
Complementary Therapies - Stress Reduction by whatever means will help with glucose control, and can be helped by:
* Spiritual Healing
* Reiki
* Crystal Healing with crystals such as amethyst
* Massage
* T-touch technique
Herbal remedies
* Stinging nettles - for fatigue, poor appetite
* Garlic - for digestive problems
* Fenugreek - for fatigue and weight loss
* olive leaves - for blood pressure and glucose control
Bach Flower Remedies tend to be favoured over aromatics by cats. Your choice of remedy will depend on your cat's personality and current circumstances.
Conclusion - With Diabetes mellitus it is very important that you work closely with your vet in order to get optimum glucose control. The triad of insulin (where needed), diet and exercise is pivotal. Other measures can be used to help support your cat's management.
Article Source: http://www.articles4free.com
I am a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. My natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide. www.TheNaturallyHealthyPet.com
Common Health Problems Affecting Felines
Author: Moses Wright
Cats, like any other animals will suffer from common diseases and illnesses. Many of them are not life threatening and can be cure easily by your local veterinarian. On the other hand, there are also diseases that are terminal and most often fatal.
On the top of the list of common afflictions a cat can get is hairballs. Hairballs occur as the result of cats performing their everyday grooming routine. Loose hair and debris collect in quantity on the cats tongue and are then swallowed into the stomach. When there, these elements become lodged and eventually form a round ball of mucus.
Typically, a cat can dislodge the hairball by coughing, but on occasion one may become lodged in the intestines creating a serious and sometimes life threatening situation. Regular grooming, specialty cat food and cat treats along with visits to the veterinarian are all great ways to both prevent and treat this common ailment.
Just like humans, cats are prone to urinary tract infections as well. The cause for this ailment can be infection and poor quality food. The good news is this ailment is treatable with medication prescribed by a veterinarian. It is also preventable by providing specially formulated cat food created to prevent this infection from occurring.
If a urinary tract infection is present, common symptoms are that your cat may show signs of infrequent urination, fowl smelling urine, and urinating in places other than the litter box. Males cats that have not been spayed are usually the ones that are most easily affected; however, female cats can be affected as well.
Common Cat Viruses - The three common viruses that felines are prone to suffer from; Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Feline Immune Deficiency Virus. FIP or Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a very dangerous illness as it is related to the Corona Virus. Testing for FIP is also a problem as the results are not completely reliable. A positive test result has the possibility for being false as the same results appear for the Corona Virus. There is a vaccination available for FIP; however, many vets believe that such results are still debatable. With no known cure, it is extremely beneficial that this disease is not as easily contracted as some other diseases may be.
The feline version of the AIDS Virus known as FIV has not yet proved to be fatal. However, many owners are left in doubts and fear that they are susceptible to catch the diseases as well. This belief is false and truly unwarranted.
Feline Leukemia Virus is another disease that is preventable. A vaccine is available from a veterinarian's office and must be acquired before exposure to other infected cats has occurred. If you own a cat with FLV it is highly recommended that you do not expose him to other cats. Cats with FLV have a short life expectancy.
Common Cat Worms Problem - In addition to hairballs being one of the most common afflictions in cats, worms are another. Tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms are all cause for immediate concern. Although heartworms are not commonly found in cats, they can be a source of problems.
Medications are available from the veterinarian that will assist in preventing these nasty parasites from making a home in your cat. Signs of worm infestation cam come with flea infestation or as tiny white specs appearing in the stool, almost resembling a grain of rice. Weight loss or having difficulty gaining weight is a sign of worm infestation as well. This illness is fortunately one that comes with a treatment and it is usually an affordable one. However, if this infestation goes without treatment, the results are most commonly fatal.
Fleas and ticks are another form of common diseases, cats that spend time outdoors are known for contracting. The tick however brings another illness to the table, Lyme disease. If a tick has been found on your cat's body, symptoms of possible Lyme disease include lethargy, sluggish movement and acting as if in constant pain. This disease is also able to be transmitted to humans by ticks as well. If you have an inkling that your cat has contracted this disease or should you find a tick on his body, a check with the vet will help in the removal of the tick and medication will help in treatment.
Last, but certainly not least is feline obesity. This disease affects other parts of a cat's body and is a serious, potentially fatal ailment. It is also the number one cause for feline Diabetes. As usual, prevention is the best cure in preventing such illnesses. Providing a proper diet in combination with exercise is essential in the fight to keep your cat healthy. Luckily, cats with diabetes do live, but need to be put on a special dietary supplement as well as medication.
The most important thing you can do to defend your cat against common illnesses and disease is to remember that prevention is the key.
------
Moses Wright is a pet lover and loves to help new pet owners deal with their pet problems at home. You can also find cat problems and solutions on his site.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_215397_54.html
Cats, like any other animals will suffer from common diseases and illnesses. Many of them are not life threatening and can be cure easily by your local veterinarian. On the other hand, there are also diseases that are terminal and most often fatal.
On the top of the list of common afflictions a cat can get is hairballs. Hairballs occur as the result of cats performing their everyday grooming routine. Loose hair and debris collect in quantity on the cats tongue and are then swallowed into the stomach. When there, these elements become lodged and eventually form a round ball of mucus.
Typically, a cat can dislodge the hairball by coughing, but on occasion one may become lodged in the intestines creating a serious and sometimes life threatening situation. Regular grooming, specialty cat food and cat treats along with visits to the veterinarian are all great ways to both prevent and treat this common ailment.
Just like humans, cats are prone to urinary tract infections as well. The cause for this ailment can be infection and poor quality food. The good news is this ailment is treatable with medication prescribed by a veterinarian. It is also preventable by providing specially formulated cat food created to prevent this infection from occurring.
If a urinary tract infection is present, common symptoms are that your cat may show signs of infrequent urination, fowl smelling urine, and urinating in places other than the litter box. Males cats that have not been spayed are usually the ones that are most easily affected; however, female cats can be affected as well.
Common Cat Viruses - The three common viruses that felines are prone to suffer from; Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Feline Immune Deficiency Virus. FIP or Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a very dangerous illness as it is related to the Corona Virus. Testing for FIP is also a problem as the results are not completely reliable. A positive test result has the possibility for being false as the same results appear for the Corona Virus. There is a vaccination available for FIP; however, many vets believe that such results are still debatable. With no known cure, it is extremely beneficial that this disease is not as easily contracted as some other diseases may be.
The feline version of the AIDS Virus known as FIV has not yet proved to be fatal. However, many owners are left in doubts and fear that they are susceptible to catch the diseases as well. This belief is false and truly unwarranted.
Feline Leukemia Virus is another disease that is preventable. A vaccine is available from a veterinarian's office and must be acquired before exposure to other infected cats has occurred. If you own a cat with FLV it is highly recommended that you do not expose him to other cats. Cats with FLV have a short life expectancy.
Common Cat Worms Problem - In addition to hairballs being one of the most common afflictions in cats, worms are another. Tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms are all cause for immediate concern. Although heartworms are not commonly found in cats, they can be a source of problems.
Medications are available from the veterinarian that will assist in preventing these nasty parasites from making a home in your cat. Signs of worm infestation cam come with flea infestation or as tiny white specs appearing in the stool, almost resembling a grain of rice. Weight loss or having difficulty gaining weight is a sign of worm infestation as well. This illness is fortunately one that comes with a treatment and it is usually an affordable one. However, if this infestation goes without treatment, the results are most commonly fatal.
Fleas and ticks are another form of common diseases, cats that spend time outdoors are known for contracting. The tick however brings another illness to the table, Lyme disease. If a tick has been found on your cat's body, symptoms of possible Lyme disease include lethargy, sluggish movement and acting as if in constant pain. This disease is also able to be transmitted to humans by ticks as well. If you have an inkling that your cat has contracted this disease or should you find a tick on his body, a check with the vet will help in the removal of the tick and medication will help in treatment.
Last, but certainly not least is feline obesity. This disease affects other parts of a cat's body and is a serious, potentially fatal ailment. It is also the number one cause for feline Diabetes. As usual, prevention is the best cure in preventing such illnesses. Providing a proper diet in combination with exercise is essential in the fight to keep your cat healthy. Luckily, cats with diabetes do live, but need to be put on a special dietary supplement as well as medication.
The most important thing you can do to defend your cat against common illnesses and disease is to remember that prevention is the key.
------
Moses Wright is a pet lover and loves to help new pet owners deal with their pet problems at home. You can also find cat problems and solutions on his site.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_215397_54.html
Cat health - A good cat nutrition
Author: hafizsteen
NUTRITION
A BALANCED DIET
Like all animals, the domestic cat needs a diet that is properly balanced and contains all the essential nutrients in the correct quantities. These nutrients are water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins.
The wild members of the cat family, such as the lion, tiger, cheetah and European wild cats, are carnivores. Between them they hunt and kill a wide variety of other animals, ranging in size from small lizards and birds to large antelopes. They don’t just eat the meat or muscle, but consume all, or almost all, of their prey, including the skin, hair or feathers, and the internal organs such as liver kidneys and intestines. Their diet therefore contains a substantial amount of animal protein, and supplies them with all the other essential nutrients that they require.
To remain healthy, domestic cats also require a diet containing animal protein. This is because they need a particular amino acid (one of the blocks of protein) called taurine, which helps to prevent heart and eye diseases. Taurine is plentiful in animal protein, but only present in small amounts in plant protein.
While dogs are able to manufacture the amino acid taurine within their body, cats can only manufacture a little, and it is not enough to meet their needs, and plant protein cannot supply them with enough to make up the shortfall. Therefore, although a pet dog could remain healthy if fed properly balanced vegetarian diet, a cat could not. For this reason cats are known as obligatory carnivores; they must eat some animal protein on a daily basis in order to survive
WATER
Water is the most important element in a cat’s diet. Whereas most animals can survive after losing up to half of their protein and stored fat, in a cat, even a 10 per cent loss of total body water will cause serious illness, and a 15 percent loss will result in death. Animals can ingest water in 3 ways. They drink it, eat food that contains it, and their body manufactures some water as a by product during the chemical processes involved when converting proteins, fats and carbohydrates into energy.
The daily amount of water required by a cat is roughly the same amount (in mililitres) as its energy requirement (in kilocalories). A sedentary cat needs a daily intake of about 65-70ml (roughly four tablespoons) water for each kilogram of body weight, while an active cat needs about 85ml (roughly six tablespoons).
PROTEIN
Protein occurs in animals (animal protein) and in plants (plant protein). There are many different types of protein, each of which contains a particular combination of amino acids, the substances that provide the materials needed for the growth and repair of all body tissues.
Proteins vary in their digestibility. The most digestible are those contained in foods derived from animal sources, such as meat, eggs and cheese. The least digestible are those contained in foods derived from plants, such as grains and vegetables. Most domestic cats consume a diet containing a significant amount of animal protein. They do eat some plant material, either in the stomach and intestines of prey that they catch, or by voluntarily eating specific plants such as grass, but plant protein is a comparatively unimportant part of the domestic cat’s diet.
When a cat eats grass it is probably doing so to consume fibre and as an aid to digestion. Quite often a cat will vomit soon afterwards, bringing up a bolus of grass mixed with mucus, so eating grass may be a useful method of getting rid of excess mucus from the cat’s stomach.
FATS
Fats and oils contain substances called fatty acids, some of which play an important role in helping to maintain internal body functions and a healthy skin. They also act as carriers for the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).
Fats are concentrated form of energy (for a given weight, fat provides more than twice as many kilocalories (kilojoules) as carbohydrates or protein).
If the diet that a cat consumes contains more energy than the cat needs, the excess is converted into fat that is stored in various parts of the body, such as under the skin and around the intestines. This stored fat acts as a fuel store that can be drawn upon in times of need.
CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates occur in plants and include sugars, starch and cellulose. There are various types of sugars, among which are sucrose and glucose. These are two of the simplest sugars and therefore more easily digested. Cow’s milk contain the milk’s sugar lactose, but many adult cats are unable to digest lactose properly – for this reason specially formulated lactose reduced or lactose-free milk is available for cats from pet food stores and supermarkets. For cats, one of the most useful sources of dietary carbohydrate is rice.
MINERALS
Like other animals, the cat needs to consume many different minerals to ensure that its body process function normally. Some are required in comparatively large amounts, while others, known as trace elements, are only required in very small quantities. Two of the most important minerals for felines are calcium and phosphorous, which are involves in the formation and growth of bones and teeth. Minerals also play an important role in the growth and repair, skin and hair. They are also required in the formation of red and white blood cells, and in various digestive processes.
VITAMINS
Certain vitamins are essential for the proper working of body processes. Four of them, vitamins A, D, E and K, are soluble in fat, so fats and oils provide a good dietary source. Vitamin E plays an important role in normal muscle function, vision and reproductive processes. Vitamins of the B-group, and vitamins C, are soluble in water. The B-group vitamins have a variety of functions associated with the metabolism of amino acids, fats or carbohydrates. Vitamin C I involved in wound healing, preventing haemorrhages from small blood vessels (capillaries) and maintaining healthy skin. As in humans, vitamin C is important in the prevention of scurvy. Cats, like dogs, have the ability to manufacture this vitamin within their bodies and, unlike humans, they don’t need a source of vitamin C in their diet.
FIBRE
Derived from plant materials (often ingested along with prey), fibre does not provide a cat with any nutrients but it does play a very important role in digestion. It acts as a bulking agent, absorbs any toxic by products of the digestive processes, and increases the rate of passage of food through the gut
For more interesting cat care and health tips, please visit my blog at:-
http://cuteycats2u.blogspot.com/
Cuteycats2u.blogspot.com is a highly entertaining and informative blog containing useful cat care and training advises, funny cat videos, cute cat pictures and cat stories. Have fun!!
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_226317_54.html
NUTRITION
A BALANCED DIET
Like all animals, the domestic cat needs a diet that is properly balanced and contains all the essential nutrients in the correct quantities. These nutrients are water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins.
The wild members of the cat family, such as the lion, tiger, cheetah and European wild cats, are carnivores. Between them they hunt and kill a wide variety of other animals, ranging in size from small lizards and birds to large antelopes. They don’t just eat the meat or muscle, but consume all, or almost all, of their prey, including the skin, hair or feathers, and the internal organs such as liver kidneys and intestines. Their diet therefore contains a substantial amount of animal protein, and supplies them with all the other essential nutrients that they require.
To remain healthy, domestic cats also require a diet containing animal protein. This is because they need a particular amino acid (one of the blocks of protein) called taurine, which helps to prevent heart and eye diseases. Taurine is plentiful in animal protein, but only present in small amounts in plant protein.
While dogs are able to manufacture the amino acid taurine within their body, cats can only manufacture a little, and it is not enough to meet their needs, and plant protein cannot supply them with enough to make up the shortfall. Therefore, although a pet dog could remain healthy if fed properly balanced vegetarian diet, a cat could not. For this reason cats are known as obligatory carnivores; they must eat some animal protein on a daily basis in order to survive
WATER
Water is the most important element in a cat’s diet. Whereas most animals can survive after losing up to half of their protein and stored fat, in a cat, even a 10 per cent loss of total body water will cause serious illness, and a 15 percent loss will result in death. Animals can ingest water in 3 ways. They drink it, eat food that contains it, and their body manufactures some water as a by product during the chemical processes involved when converting proteins, fats and carbohydrates into energy.
The daily amount of water required by a cat is roughly the same amount (in mililitres) as its energy requirement (in kilocalories). A sedentary cat needs a daily intake of about 65-70ml (roughly four tablespoons) water for each kilogram of body weight, while an active cat needs about 85ml (roughly six tablespoons).
PROTEIN
Protein occurs in animals (animal protein) and in plants (plant protein). There are many different types of protein, each of which contains a particular combination of amino acids, the substances that provide the materials needed for the growth and repair of all body tissues.
Proteins vary in their digestibility. The most digestible are those contained in foods derived from animal sources, such as meat, eggs and cheese. The least digestible are those contained in foods derived from plants, such as grains and vegetables. Most domestic cats consume a diet containing a significant amount of animal protein. They do eat some plant material, either in the stomach and intestines of prey that they catch, or by voluntarily eating specific plants such as grass, but plant protein is a comparatively unimportant part of the domestic cat’s diet.
When a cat eats grass it is probably doing so to consume fibre and as an aid to digestion. Quite often a cat will vomit soon afterwards, bringing up a bolus of grass mixed with mucus, so eating grass may be a useful method of getting rid of excess mucus from the cat’s stomach.
FATS
Fats and oils contain substances called fatty acids, some of which play an important role in helping to maintain internal body functions and a healthy skin. They also act as carriers for the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).
Fats are concentrated form of energy (for a given weight, fat provides more than twice as many kilocalories (kilojoules) as carbohydrates or protein).
If the diet that a cat consumes contains more energy than the cat needs, the excess is converted into fat that is stored in various parts of the body, such as under the skin and around the intestines. This stored fat acts as a fuel store that can be drawn upon in times of need.
CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates occur in plants and include sugars, starch and cellulose. There are various types of sugars, among which are sucrose and glucose. These are two of the simplest sugars and therefore more easily digested. Cow’s milk contain the milk’s sugar lactose, but many adult cats are unable to digest lactose properly – for this reason specially formulated lactose reduced or lactose-free milk is available for cats from pet food stores and supermarkets. For cats, one of the most useful sources of dietary carbohydrate is rice.
MINERALS
Like other animals, the cat needs to consume many different minerals to ensure that its body process function normally. Some are required in comparatively large amounts, while others, known as trace elements, are only required in very small quantities. Two of the most important minerals for felines are calcium and phosphorous, which are involves in the formation and growth of bones and teeth. Minerals also play an important role in the growth and repair, skin and hair. They are also required in the formation of red and white blood cells, and in various digestive processes.
VITAMINS
Certain vitamins are essential for the proper working of body processes. Four of them, vitamins A, D, E and K, are soluble in fat, so fats and oils provide a good dietary source. Vitamin E plays an important role in normal muscle function, vision and reproductive processes. Vitamins of the B-group, and vitamins C, are soluble in water. The B-group vitamins have a variety of functions associated with the metabolism of amino acids, fats or carbohydrates. Vitamin C I involved in wound healing, preventing haemorrhages from small blood vessels (capillaries) and maintaining healthy skin. As in humans, vitamin C is important in the prevention of scurvy. Cats, like dogs, have the ability to manufacture this vitamin within their bodies and, unlike humans, they don’t need a source of vitamin C in their diet.
FIBRE
Derived from plant materials (often ingested along with prey), fibre does not provide a cat with any nutrients but it does play a very important role in digestion. It acts as a bulking agent, absorbs any toxic by products of the digestive processes, and increases the rate of passage of food through the gut
For more interesting cat care and health tips, please visit my blog at:-
http://cuteycats2u.blogspot.com/
Cuteycats2u.blogspot.com is a highly entertaining and informative blog containing useful cat care and training advises, funny cat videos, cute cat pictures and cat stories. Have fun!!
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_226317_54.html