I hear about cat dander problems all the time and it’s really sad if you love cats. If you’re one of the unlucky pet owners who have an allergy to cat dander, then great news, you may not have to give up your kitty.

Cat dander are very tiny pieces of cat skin shed by your pet and spread all over your home. If you have an allergy, here are some ways to minimise your problem:

1) Don t let your pet into the bedroom or onto the bed. I know this is difficult especially for those who share the bed with the cat, but the close proximity of your body to the bedsheet and pillow means that you ll be inhaling cat dander whenever you lie on the bed. Try to train your pet to know that your bedroom is a no go zone and you should see some improvement.

Also clean your bedsheets, pillow cases and blankets with hot water as much as possible.

2) Does your home have carpets? You may want to throw them out as cat dander cling on to them and bacteria breeds easily there. If that isn t an option, give them a good vacuum whenever you have the time.

3) Ditto for fabric sofas. The cloth of the sofa act as a breeding ground for cat dander. Replace them with leather sofa sets or wash the fabric as often as possible.

4) Now you need to take a look at your curtains. If you own the heavy fabric ones, cat dander might stick to them easily. You might want to consider curtains of another material or alternatives like blinds.

5) As cat dander can be airborne due to their small size, you have to look into cleaning the air too. It would be a great idea to purchase a good air purifier.

These 5 simple strategies should help you get started though by no way are they the only solutions. More cat dander advice can be found at CatDandruffAway.com

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Treatment, diet, medicine for cat with hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common disorders of the endocrine (hormone) gland that affects a huge population of cats. It can severely affect pet health and needs to be taken care of before it causes severe pet health problems.

Surgery Or Medicine For Cat With Hyperthyroidism?

The thyroid gland is situated in the neck of your cat and is quite small in size. It produces a thyroid hormone also known as thyroxine (T4) as well as small amounts of triodothyronine (T3). These hormones help in regulating the metabolic rate of the cat’s body and can affect the working of every system or organ in his body.

The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) produced in the pituitary gland controls the production of thyroid hormones. If this production stops or if the required amount of hormones is not produced then it can adversely affect pet health.

When you bring home kittens, you need to take advice from your vet regarding its food, diet and ask different types of pet health questions. The pet health questions can vary from understanding the various diseases to knowledge of symptoms and treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats. Hyperthyroidism is actually caused when the thyroid gland of your cat starts producing excessive thyroid hormones and this condition is known as hyperthyroidism.

The immediate cause for hyperthyroidism is due to the increase in non-cancerous cells of the thyroid gland. These are abnormal cells and can vary in different sizes from small nodules known as adenomas to bid nodules known as multiple adenomas. In the last 25 years, there has been a rise in the number of cats affected by hyperthyroidism. This is a medical condition that needs good pet health care.

Hyperthyroidism normally occurs in those cats, which are aged between 4 years and 22 years. Normally, this medical condition occurs as your cat will grow older, which means that you will have to take better care of pet health . Hyperthyroidism can affect both male and female cats.

The various symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

Increase in the consumption of food
Weight loss
Vomiting
Increase in water consumption
Increased urination
behavior changes
Nervousness and restlessness
Increased activity or hyperactivity
Hair loss
Tremors
Diarrhea
labored breathing
Loss of appetite

These affects overall pet health and can be taken care of only if you are able to identify any of the symptoms and take your cat to the vet immediately. Some cats even show rapid heart rate due to hyperthyroidism leading to high blood pressure. Those cats that are not treated for hyperthyroidism might develop a fatal heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to death.

What is the treatment of Hyperthryoidism?

There are currently three main treatments for hyperthyroidism in cats and your veterinary surgeon will discuss the most appropriate treatment options with you.

• Medical treatment
• Surgical removal of the thyroid gland
• Radioactive iodine therapy
• Medical treatment

Using anti thyroid drugs is often the first line of treatment for a hyperthyroid cat. These drugs often have to be given two or three times a day so can be difficult for some owners to administer in an uncooperative cat. They act by reducing the amount of thyroid hormones released by the thyroid gland. The effect of these drugs may need to be monitored by blood tests at regular intervals. They are often successfully used in the long term treatment of hyperthyroidism and some cats can be maintained on these drugs alone. Occasional side effects of these anti-thyroid drugs include anorexia, vomiting and lethargy.

Surgical removal of the thyroid gland

Surgical removal or thyroidectomy is a delicate operation performed if the medical treatment of hyperthyroidism is proving unsuccessful. Possible complications include nerve damage and parathyroid gland removal. The parathyroid gland is a very small often unidentifiable gland which is positioned adjacent to the thyroid gland. This gland is responsible for the control of calcium levels in the blood and its accidental removal can cause signs of hypocalcaemia which owners should be aware of in cats that have undergone thyroid surgery.

Radioactive iodine therapy

An injection of radioactive iodine is a relatively safe and successful curative treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats. The radioactive iodine is selectively taken up by the thyroid gland where it works by destroying this overactive thyroid tissue. It also destroys thyroid tissue not accessible by surgery. Because it only selectively targets thyroid tissue, no other tissues in the body are harmed including the parathyroid glands so there is no risk of developing hypocalcaemia. There is also no anaesthetic involved.

By: Scribbler

Cat health Problems:Hair Loss

Some glandular diseases such as Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism can give rise to hair loss in cats, generally in a symmetrical pattern along both sides. This condition may arise from overproduction of steroids 

Cat Illness Prevention

In short a good quality wet food diet low in magnesium and acid is the best for cats with a propensity to contract this disease. In this instance cat illness prevention is possible.

Little Big Cat

Not all cats will have all symptoms, and about 20% of hyperthyroid cats will be sluggish and depressed instead of hyperactive. Untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause a serious heart problem called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Cat Hyperthyroidism-A Brief Introduction

When it comes to possible contributing factors for cat hyperthyroidism, there is still much that is not understood. however, it’s believed that factors such as age, environment, and diet could be related to the development of thyroid .

Cat Food

Statistically it has been found that cats fed a diet of fish-based cat food develop more hyperthyroidism and other glandular ailments. This may be due to rancid polyunsaturated fats found in poorer animal-quality fish products. 

How Can I Change My Cat’s Diet?

Some cats develop strong food preferences. These cats may resist diet changes. In my experience, the best way to transition cats from one food to another is to do it very gradually.

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If you need further information on pet health you can find many articles at our resource centre on pet matters. We also have a great section for pet health questions with information on many varied subjects related to cats and dogs.

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Cat Health Stricture Colon Problems

A problem that cats encounter and is commonly seen is the cat health stricture colon problem. The large intestine reduces in size and limits movement causing the large intestine lumen size reduction.

This problem may result from injury or because of an underlying health problem. In any case, the problem needs immediate attention to correct so the cat can return to good health.

Causes: One cause of a stricture colon problem comes from genetics or from a nutritional imbalance. Immune disorders and infection also cause a blocked colon in a cat. The problem with the colon can be  the result of many reasons and with proper medical care, this problem will clear up in most cases. Determining the cause, helps determine how to treat the health problem.

Signs : The first sign that the cat may have a colon stricture is diarrhea or constipation. If your cat has an upper intestine problem, it will come with vomiting, whereas a lower intestine problem causes diarrhea. You may notice blood or mucus in the diarrhea as the cat becomes less and less able to go to the bathroom at all. Along with this stricture, the cat eats less and will become listless as they take in less food and become weak. It is possible for a cat with this problem to miss the litter box, as they need to relieve themselves immediately.

Diagnosis : of the large colon disorder deals with knowing the history of the cat and how long the diarrhea has been exhibited. The veterinary clinic may keep the cat overnight to watch for other signs and may decide what treatment will best work on the cat. Radiography works well for finding the affected area in the colon as well as ultra sound, which has proved the effectiveness of finding the problem  and any other problems a cat may have in that area.

Treatments : A veterinarian must determine what is causing the problem and then determine what the proper treatment must consist of to cure the cat. If by chance the cause results from an allergy, the vet will recommend changing the diet to eliminate the problem. If the problem stems from an infection of some kind, the vet will prescribe an antibiotic, but if the problem looks severe, the vet may recommend surgery. Without proper treatment, the cat can become so ill they will die.

Pain relief treatments for cats with this problem may also be needed until fully cured. They may include cortisol or tramadol or more natural herbal or homeopathic treatments

Cat health stricture colon treatments help eliminate the problem, but you still need to watch the cat in case of a reoccurrence. The major concern with a large intestine issue is dehydration and lack of appetite. If these things are not corrected immediately, conditions that are more serious will cause the cat to possibly die from this health problem. Early prevention prevents this from happening and the condition becoming more serious.

By: Judy Wellsworth

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Natural Herbal Remedies

Assist in the treatment of diabetes-related conditions like circulation problems, eye disease and wound healing. Increase milk production. A safe and natural combination of herbal ingredients for optimizing colostrum and milk production in … Fur balls in cats. Improve digestive functioning, and keep bowels regular and prevent constipation and throwing up associated with fur ball obstruction. 

Ruptured bowel – Pet Forums Community

Cat Health and Nutrition Discuss topics related to the health of cats and advice on how to help treat health problems and issues including cat nutrition. 

Natural Health Solutions For Your Cat’s Health Problems

Make sure to check for parasites in the feces and to get to the vet if the problem persists. For general, non-parasite based, digestive and bowel disturbances (vomiting and diarrhea for example), powdered slippery elm bark is the remedy 

Getting kitty to use the litter box

Constipation also is a very common problem, particularly in overweight, older cats. Typically you will see only one or two small, hard and dry fecal balls and sometimes you will find a little trail of them vs. an entire bowel movement

Keep Your Cat Safe From Accidents With Cat Diapers

This is why it’s a crushing experience when your cat experiences a health problem. Urinary and bowel problems are some of the common health disorders that felines go through. Fortunately, you can use cat diapers 

Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Feline irritable bowel syndrome is a general term for gastrointestinal problems in cats. It can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms match many other diseases. Food is the cause approximately 50% of the time 

You can also find more info on urinary cat health problems and domestic cat health problems. Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cat health.

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Understanding FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and how it affects your cat

Can it be treated?

These are the questions asked about this deadly feline virus.

It can also be a very painful condition due to secondary infections and complications.

So the cat owner may also be left looking for treatments for

cat pain relief

Feline Immuno deficiency Virus, more commonly known as FIV, is what is known as a retrovirus.

Cat Health Questions

When retroviruses invade a host, they replicate inside the host by using an enzyme called “reverse transcriptase”. The process is to use its own RNA as a template to create new DNA within cells of the host. In this way they evade the host body’s natural immune defense mechanisms while they make new copies of themselves. The virus then attacks the host’s immune response cells (antibodies) causing a reaction in the host’s body, in this case your cat, to produce elevated levels of antibodies. It becomes virtually a war waged within your cat’s body. With increasing destruction of antibodies, the host’s body then becomes vulnerable to other diseases and infections that it normally would find easy to fend off. The FIV virus and the HIV virus which causes AIDS in humans work in very similar ways.

How is FIV Transmitted? FIV  cat disease prevention

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is fragile. It can be inactivated or destroyed with ultraviolet light, exposure to high temperatures, drying of the liquid medium it’s transmitted in, or when subjected to detergents. Since these things can also be harmful to your cat, this weakness can be only exploited when the virus is outside of her during the transmission stage of the virus from one cat to another. Basically, this means that keeping your cat’s environment clean can help reduce transmission of the disease.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is most commonly transmitted through bodily fluids, i.e. saliva or blood.

Male cats are more susceptible to FIV than females since they tend to fight more often. The first line of defense against this disease is to neuter your cat to reduce the instincts for territorial or sexually aggressive behavior. Limiting your cat’s contact with stray or feral cats will also reduce the incidence of FIV infection. If your kitty comes home with fresh wounds, clean them immediately. It may not be sure prevention, but any and all efforts can only be helpful to prevent the infection of your favorite kitty.

The transmission of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus from a mother cat to her kittens is very rare.

If it does occur, it’ll usually happen when the mother is infected during lactation or gestation. Generally speaking, Queens infected before pregnancy do not have infected kittens. And, good mothers don’t leave bite wounds on their kittens.

One other thing about retroviruses… they are species specific. FIV occurs only in cats (including the big wild cats, i.e. lions, snow leopards, etc.), just like HIV only occurs in humans; though it is a derivative of a primate virus occurring in chimpanzees. Which leads me to think that we shouldn’t be surprised if the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus should mutate and invade species which share genetic, physiological, environmental and/or other similarities with cats.

FIV Has 3 Stages of Development

The first stage of the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infection is called the “acute” stage and is characterized by fevers, susceptibilities to skin & intestinal infections, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms usually occur 4-6 weeks after infection. At this time there may be elevated levels of your cat’s antibodies present.

The second stage is called the “latent”, more formally the subclinical stage, and there’re no signs of the disease. This stage may last for years, but during this period the immune system is slowly being destroyed.

The third stage is the final, AIDS-like stage when the immunodeficiency becomes severe. It occurs most commonly in cats 5-12 years of age. In this clinical stage the cat’s immune system isn’t operating properly and she is prone to infections that under normal circumstances her body would easily ward off. But since her immune system cannot keep these infections under control, they multiply rapidly causing disease. Infections such as these are called “opportunistic infections”.

Clinical Symptoms of FIV

Infected cats will show non-specific symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss and swollen lymph nodes. In addition symptoms of FIV and FeLV (Feline Leukemia) are very similar. Additionally, other signs of the infection can occur:

• Oral Infections such as gingivitis, mouth pain and refusing to eat.

• Eye Diseases, redness, discharges, cloudiness or even glaucoma.

• Gastrointestinal signs such as chronic diarrhea, bacterial or parasitic infestation.

• Upper Respiratory Disease with sneezing & nasal discharge, breathing difficulties or coughing.

• Skin & Ear Infections which are chronic. Ear mites, ringworm, mange, itching and hair loss.

• Neurologic Diseases which can cause changes in behavior, loss of house-training habits, and dementia.

• Anemia

When the immune system is depressed lymphoma and leukemia are always a dangerous possibility.

The above symptoms are not the final test for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus since they can indicate the presence of any number of infections and diseases. If your kitty displays any of these signs the  best care for your cat would be to take her to your veterinarian to be given specific tests based on the doctors analysis of her condition. Most chemistry tests show cats with FIV to be normal. But, these tests might indicate anemia and decreased numbers of white blood cells in ill cats. Also, a protein called globulin may be elevated in FIV infected cats.

Testing For FIV

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infection is diagnosed with tests which detect a cat’s antibody production against FIV. Remember, antibodies are usually present 3-6 weeks after infection. But, it takes 8-12 weeks for detectable levels of antibodies to appear. Keep in mind the scuffle that Beauregard got into with that strange Tom… which, by the way, you never saw again.

Therefore, testing should be performed 8-12 weeks after the suspected infection occurs. If the infection occurrence timeline is unknown, kitty should be tested once, then again in 8-12 weeks. Tests can prove problematic since the occurrences of false and false positive tests is quite common. It usually takes a series of tests to reach a sure and accurate conclusion.

FIV Treatment

At this time there is no cure for FIV. If your cat is infected with the disease, she should be kept indoors to prevent secondary infections and to keep her from infecting other cats. Your veterinarian will use aggressive treatments of any infections she acquires as a result of her lowered immune system. Antibiotics for secondary infections, a good diet with adequate fluids will help your cat enjoy a quality filled life, and in the case of FIV, a sometimes long life. Remember, FIV can remain dormant for years.

By Robert Gallegos

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)

FIV of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a type of lentivirus that has the ability to cause a disease that develops slowly and can severely affect pet health. The disease can be extremely fatal for your cat.

We just lost our cat who had FIV and lived a good life with us

Cat question: We just lost our cat who had FIV and lived a good life with us. How long do we need to wait before getting a new kitten or cat? 

Feline FIV

Feline FIV guide. Read about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of feline feline immunodeficiency virus.

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Common Pet Medications

Online vet advice, vet secrets

There are lots of veterinary and pet medication websites to be found on the Internet nowadays, and all claim to be the foremost authority and source for your pet’s needs. Buying medication for your pet is okay, as long as you know exactly what you’re buying and the proper amounts to administer to your pet. Thus, the professional advice of a registered veterinarian is invaluable. The information to be found in this article does not intend to replace the care of a professional; its purpose is to be used as an educational guide to your pet’s medications only.

Adequan

In treating cat arthritis , injections are given twice a week for 4 weeks for a maximum of eight injections. Injections are given intramuscularly. Dogs, cats, and horses are the usual patients.

Buspirone Hydrochloride

In veterinary medicine, buspirone has been especially helpful in the treatment of phobias (such as fear of thunder, people in uniform, etc.) and in the treatment of urine marking in cats.

Carprofen

Carprofen is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the same class as such common over-the-counter remedies as Advil (ibuprofen), Orudis (ketoprofen), and aspirin. The chief use for such drugs in the dog has been pain relief, usually joint pain or post-surgical pain relief.

Cephalexin

Cephalexin is a good broad spectrum antibiotic, which means it is useful in most common and uncomplicated infections.

Chlorpheniramine Maleate

It’s an antihistamine and it’s used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites, and to manage itchy skin.

Clemastine fumarate

Clemastine fumarate is one of the more effective antihistamines albeit relatively expensive. Its efficacy makes it a common first choice for itchy skin. It has found to be helpful in 30% of itchy dogs and 50% of itchy cats.

Diazepam

There are many uses for this medication since it is effective as an anti-anxiety medication, a muscle relaxant, an appetite stimulant, and a seizure control drug.

Diphenhydramine

Most obviously, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and it’s used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites.

Enrofloxacin

This medication may be used in either dogs or cats to combat different types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas.

Fenbendazole

In dogs, it is useful against roundworms, hookworms, and the more difficult to treat whipworms.

Griseofulvin

This medication is used to treat ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin involving fungi.

Meclizine hydrochloride

An excellent product for people that can also be used for car-sick pets, meclizine hydrochloride is generally used for nausea relief due to motion sickness.

Metoclopramide

Motility disorders are common and may be chronic or of sudden onset. When motility is reduced in the stomach, food pools there and creates a sensation of nausea and bloating.

Orbifloxacin

Orbifloxacin may be used in dogs and cats to combat different types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas. This medication is also active against Staphylococci, and thus is commonly used for skin infections.

Phenobarbital

In dogs and cats, phenobarbital is probably the first choice for seizure suppression. It is effective, safe if used responsibly, and is one of the least expensive medications in all of veterinary practice.

Phenylpropanolamine

Phenylpropanolaminecan be used to help control appetite or as a decongestant, but in veterinary medicine it is used almost exclusively for the control of urinary incontinance in the female dog.

Pyrantel pamoate

is effective against numerous parasitic worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, and stomach worms. When a new puppy or kitten is adopted and has been said to have been dewormed, the chances are it is this product that was used.

Ranitidine

Ranitidine is useful in any situation where stomach irritation is an issue and ulceration is a concern.

Terbinafine

Terbinafine has activity against other types of fungi but at this time it is mostly used against ringworm.

Trimethoprim Sulfa

Trimethoprim sulfa is known by many names as it’s a commonly used antibiotic in both human and veterinary medicine. It’s become a popular choice thanks to its broad spectrum and inexpensive cost.

Find information about cat health here

By: Chiun Master -

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Chiun Masters is a researcher and writer for www.callpetmeds.com, which provides high quality pet medications at great prices. Visit us for all your pet medication needs.

More information can be found below about pain relief for cats

Information Cat Arthritis

If it involves a fracture then the pain can last a longer time and may even need surgery to heal the fracture or dislocation. As in the case of Osteoarthritis the pain is severe and your cat will need some relief from the pain.

Being in pain due to arthritis or painful joints is not pleasant at all, it can leave you unable to do even the most simple of tasks, so you rely on pain relief and supplements to get you through it.

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