Giving cats pain relief is not recommended without the say so of a veterinarian and prescription and should always be under supervision. No one likes to see their pet in pain but before giving your cat any non prescriptional medication, do make certain that there is something wrong. Bone and joint disease is the most common factor for pain in cats. One common problem is cat arthritis pain. Cats are extremely cunning and can hide that they’re ill.

 >>  Vet secrets. Find out how to tell when a cat is in pain

The best place is the vets when your cat is ill for some unknown reason. A lot of people can mistakenly believe that their cat is healthy when in truth their cat is suffering but hiding it well. Some symptoms of a cat that is unwell are as follows; lack of appetite, increased sleeping pattern and increased howling or hissing. If you think your cat might be ill, keep an eye on it to check if it still grooms itself, as this is often a symptom of illness. Cat’s skin can be very sensitive so you have to be careful when grooming them.

Signs of illness can include obvious agitation and growling, as well as fast breathing. No one knows your cat better than you so as soon as you feel that something is not quite right with it, an appointment at the vets should be made. Pain relief for cats is often varied as a lot of the time it is hard to predict just how much pain the cat is in or how the cat will react to the medication. Through the combination of various medications, scientists have discovered that cats do not have to be given such high doses which often lead to side effects.

Pain in cats should always be treated as soon as possible before it develops into anything critical. Health issues manifest themselves differently in animals, so when your cat acts differently then normal, it may be the first sign of a problem with its health.

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Cat scratch fever is caused by cat scratch and bites. Read on to know more…

Dr Robert Debre identified the cat as the vector of the cat scratch disease in 1950. Catch scratch fever is a bacterial infection, which typically causes the lymph nodes to swell. This infection is usually a result of a scratch, bite or in some cases a lick from a cat. Kittens that are a few weeks old are more likely to cause the infection when compared to full grown cats.

The bacteria that causes cat scratch disease is called Bartonella henselae. For no particular reason, this disease is more likely to occur in the fall and winter when compared to summer. In America, about 20,000 cases are diagnosed annually. Majority of these cases are seen in children, as they are more likely to play with stray cats than adults.

The bacterium in the cats is spread via fleas. However, there is no evidence that the fleas transmit the disease to the humans directly. The bacteria stay in the saliva of the cat without harming the cat in anyway. Experts believe that all cats are infected with these bacteria once at least once in their lifetime.

The cat scratch disease is not contagious and is only transmitted by cats and kittens when ther saliva comes in contact with broken skin or the eye. Also, one episode of the cat scratch disease makes people immune to the disease for the rest of their lives.

Symptoms and Signs

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Within a couple of weeks after the victim is scratched, bit or licked a few lymph nodes close to the area of the inoculation lesion swell and become tender. The swollen lymph nodes are usually seen in the underarm or the neck areas. However, if the victim is bit on the legs, then swelling may occur in the lymph nodes present in the groin.

Usually within a couple of weeks of a scratch or bite, a few lymph nodes close to the area of the inoculation lesion become tender and in some cases swell up (Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and are also known as glands). The swelling may range for half inch to about two inches in diameter and can also be surrounded by a general swelling under the skin. The skin over the swollen lymph nodes may turn red and can also drain pus.

Swollen lymph nodes are the main symptoms in both children and adults although in some cases the swelling may be accompanied with a mild fever usually referred to as the cat scratch fever. The fever is also accompanied with fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, sore throat and an overall felling of not being well.

If the infection is not treated in time, then the infection may spread to the liver, spleen and bones along with a lingering high fever. Some people also develop an eye infection wherein the symptoms are sores on the conjunctiva, redness of the eye and swollen lymph nodes in front of the ear. In very rare cases, victims have also developed inflammation of the brain or seizures. However, if the treatment for car scratch disease is started even at this stage, then complete recovery is usually expected.

Diagnosis

The doctors usually try to trace the exposure of the patient to a cat to diagnose cat scratch disease. Swollen lymph nodes along with a cat scratch or bite usually help the doctor identify the disease. However, the doctors may use laboratory tests in some cases to identify the disease. The tests include:

• Various skin and blood tests along with cultures to rule out any other cause for swollen lymph nodes.
• A routine blood test that for cat scratch disease.
• Microscopic examination of the swollen lymph node. These examinations can shows signs of the cat scratch disease.

Treatment

Antibiotics are usually recommended for cat scratch disease. In some cases, the swollen lymph nodes become very large and painful. In such cases a doctor will have to remove the fluid using a syringe. However, if the swelling is not very big, then warm and moist compress on the lymph nodes relieves the soreness. Some over the counter prescription drugs may also be used.

If you identify you family cat as the vector of the disease, do not worry that you will have to get rid of the cat. Cat scratch fever is a relatively rare disease and teaching your child not to play rough with the cat, which might result in scratch and bites, is usually a sufficient preventive measure. Also, keep your house clean and  your pet cat free from fleas reduce the probability of your cat contracting the bacteria in the first place. A little precaution will go a long way.

By Anju Shandilya

There are a couple of articles here about cat scratch fever and if you check out previous posts you’ll find some advice about declawing your cat

Ani Trone : Cat Scratch Fever
Cat Scratch Fever. So last week I brought Saku in for the night and he sunk his claw in my neck, the next morning I noticed a small pea like bump behind my right ear…didn’t think anything of it until later in the day

Richardson Zoo: Pet Hair is a Condiment Here
The doctor noticed that he had a couple of infected cat scratches on his hand, so he thinks that he maybe has Cat Scratch Fever

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Learn how to recognize cat illnesses using only the knowledge of its symptoms. Read what are 7 the most common cat illnesses symptoms and make the best of it. Spot the symptoms in time and nip your cat illnesses in the bud.

Save your beloved cat from stress and pain and yourself from bills from your vet.

It is a big responsibility to posses a pet. As cat is not a toy you can not take it home only for having fun or just for cuddling. Cat’s health and safety are in your hands. As an owner you have the biggest influence on his life expectancy as well. That is why knowledge of cat illnesses symptoms is so important here. If you know them you have a great chance to nip the illness in the bud and the same safe your cat from suffering from it. By recognizing the illnesses symptoms correctly and in time and by reacting in the right way you may even safe your cat’s life. So be the responsible cat owner and read the common cat illnesses symptoms listed below. Make your cat feel safe and healthy with you.

1) Gastric/Digestive problems
If you notice your cat vomiting (and it has nothing in common with hairballs) or if your pet has a diarrhea, constipation or suffers from incontinence then you can be sure that there is something wrong with his stomach or bowels – or both of them. It is not normal for cat to vomit and either to have diarrhea and constipation. It is also not normal for cats to do not go outside or to their litter box for urinating or stooling because the biggest cats’ nature is their cleanliness. Be sure that these are the symptoms of some digestive problems.

2) Abnormalities connected with cat’s stool and/or urine
If you spot the blood trace in your cat’s stool and/or urine, different and strange smell, color and consistency and more or less urine than usually then this is a certain sign of an illness.

3) Strange manners, attitude different than usually
Be sure that it is not a good sign if your cat changes from being calm and nice to aggressive or withdrawn. If your cat has not his normal energy, is hiding and instead of spending his time in his favorite way laying on top of things he prefers staying on the floor most of his time. When the behaviour of your cat is out of ordinary it is a red light for you.

4) Butter fingers behavior – disorientation
Every type of disorientation belongs to the common cat illnesses symptoms. When you see your cat being a little bit confused, stumbling and falling during walking or falling trying to jump somewhere then remember to do not ignore it. The butter fingers behavior is not a good sign and if you do not react in time to check the root cause and treat it then you will observe your cat getting only worse.

5) Abnormalities connected with cat’s drinking and eating
Any changes in eating or drinking maybe a disease symptom as well. Your cat loses his appetite, does not drink a lot or drinks much more than usually. Check what illnesses corresponding to these symptoms and treat your cat as soon as possible Do you know that for example any increase in thirst may be a kidney infection sign. Do not overlook and do not disregard them.

6) Anomalous connected with cat’s fur and body
First of all when you see flaking skin, hair falling out more than normal or dull coat – check it. These are some serious cat illnesses symptoms. Second if your cat lick herself so much that she has bald areas – check it as well as it maybe a fleas symptom. Others like discharge coming from the nose and eyes or the third eyelid visible with cat’s eyes being wide opened are also significant symptoms of some illnesses and need to be checked and eliminated quickly. These maybe signs of sinus infection or an allergy.

7) Your cat become untouchable
If your cat has been injured or has an infection on a part of his body then be sure that he will not allow you to be touched on this particular part. It’s an alarm signal for you!

These are 7 the most common cat illnesses symptoms. If you have had a cat I am sure you have already met some of these symptoms with him. And if you are a fresh cat owner you will see some of these diseases sings with him sooner or later.

It is a part of life to be sick from time to time. It is as normal for pets as for people.

It is so obvious your cat will be meeting some healthy problems at least few times a year that possessing a medical book about cat illnesses is really worth of it for every cat owner.

In spite of consulting a vet every time you notice something strange going on with your cat you will: take your book, check what type of illnesses correspond to the symptoms you have noticed.

Read how to treat it at home, take an action and help your cat to recover

Do not fetch your vet every time your cat gets diarrhea – just check it out by yourself with the right e-book. Do it in time, at the beginning of an illness or even before it starts and take a chance to nip it still in the bud.

To achieve this I would like to recommend you a great e-bookand it is called Veterinary Secrets Revealed You will find there everything about cat illnesses symptoms, what illnesses do they correspond to and how to treat them at home. The e-book is written by a vet doctor so advises and tips given in it are 100% safe and credible. It is the most advisable and handy e-book ever and every pet owner should have it at home.

Cat Illnesses Symptoms Learn What Illnesses Do They Correspond To And How To Treat Them At Home.

By Aleksandra Zurakowska

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