Thursday, August 28, 2008, 03:48 AM
Cat scratch disease is a disease spread by cats, but that affects only humans; it's also called cat scratch fever. It is most commonly diagnosed in the colder winter and fall months of the year for reasons scientists don't understand; it's possible that cats are more likely to be indoors at this time, raising the chance of human exposure overall.
Cat scratch disease is caused by bacteria called Bartonella henselea that generally lives in the mouths of cats. They spread it to their claws through routine grooming. Interestingly, cat scratch disease is not spread through cat bites, only through cat scratches.
Most Americans have been exposed to cat scratch disease, and 5% of the US population has antibodies in their blood but no history of clinical illness. Because antibodies are only made in response to the invasion of a disease, it is clear that they were exposed to Bartonella directly. It is possible that they did not subsequently become ill, or that the disease was mistaken for the flu.
Cat scratch disease does present with flu-like symptoms. The most common symptoms include fever, chills, and lethargy, but they last for only a few days, much shorter than most flu’s.
There is a more severe form of cat scratch disease that causes high fever, anorexia, weakness, and badly swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the armpits and groin area. Sometimes the lymph swelling gets so bad that the swelling spontaneously ruptures; at other times, doctors choose to surgically drain them to prevent the rupture and relieve the pain.
Typically, the most serious form of the disease is seen in younger children and the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, such as those who have HIV, are receiving chemotherapy, or who have been the recipient of an organ donation. When the serious form of the disease presents itself, the consequences for the victim can be disability or even death.
If the disease in humans is treated immediately with antibiotics, the outcome is usually good, but it's very hard to diagnose because it's so similar to flu and because it is not a common disease. Cat scratch disease is often overlooked in its earliest stages, and only caught when the lymph nodes are involved. Almost every verified case of cat scratch disease follows a cat scratch wound; a few occur after a bite, and a few even crop up with no obvious cause.
Another oddity of cat scratch disease is that only rarely are adult cats involved in the transmission. Generally, a kitten scratch passes the disease. This does not mean you should not worry about it with an older cat, but only that you should worry more about the kittens. It is contagious for only about two or three weeks in a kitten, after which it goes dormant. It can recur, however.
Kittens can be diagnosed as cat scratch disease carriers through a simple blood test, and positive kittens can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Because this disease can come back, however, this is not a silver bullet for preventing cat scratch disease. Declawing kittens at an early age is the best way to prevent infection. You should be aware of the ramifications to the cat before declawing it, however. Not only can it be dangerous for the cat to go outside, it can also be psychologically traumatic and cause unexpected complications like arthritis.
There are a few alternatives to declawing your cat, such as claw covers or trimming back their claws, but you will have to be vigilant if you are in a home with an immunocompromised person.
Fewer than ten percent of family members scratched by a cat carrying cat scratch disease will develop the disease, and very serious illness from the disease is rare. If you've had cat scratch disease once, you are almost certainly immune to it afterward.
Cat scratch disease should not be confused with another cat-borne disease, toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is deadly to a pregnant woman's fetus, but presents in different ways and is more likely to be inhaled when a woman changes her cat's litter box. Cat scratch disease can be dangerous to a pregnant woman as well, but in an entirely different way.
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( 3 / 618 )Friday, March 30, 2007, 05:08 AM
Cats, like humans, often need to eat a special diet. Often, your veterinarian will recommend a special diet for your cat if your cat is pregnant or nursing, under the age of one, older, has a medical condition or needs to lose weight. Many cat food brands offer special food for cats needing a specialized feeding program. There are also many kinds of prescription foods available through a vet’s office.
If you have multiple cats and one needs a special diet, it will be necessary to find a feeding system that works. Often, you will need to separate your cats during feeding time when one is eating a special kind of food. Here are some reasons why your veterinarian might have your kitty on a special diet.
Pregnant and Nursing Cats: Cats that are pregnant or nursing will require a special diet. Pregnant females need more protein and vitamins than a cat that is not expecting. Also, cats that are pregnant or nursing will eat a much larger amount of food, especially in the final stages of pregnancy. When your pregnant cat gets larger in the last stages of pregnancy, she may not be able to eat as much at one meal. It will be necessary to provide your pregnant cat with several small meals throughout the day. When a mother cat is producing milk for her kittens, her nutritional requirements will increase. Remember that mother cats will nurse for at least six weeks and it is usually recommended that they nurse their babies for eight weeks. Veterinarians often recommend feeding a pregnant or nursing cat premium brand kitten food during this time.
Kittens: Kittens grow and develop very quickly. Just like human babies, kittens need a special diet for the first year of their lives. There are many premium brand foods available for kittens. Kittens do eat more and tend to eat several smaller meals. A kitten who has not given up nursing may rely more on the food, as he or she gets older. When helping a kitten wean from the mother it is a good idea to offer solid foods as young as four weeks. Sometimes soaking the food in a little water helps the kitten chew the food easier.
Older cats: As cats age, the will also have different dietary needs. An older cat uses less energy and will often need a specially formulated food. Older cats also might have more issues with their digestive system and might need special food for aiding the digestive system. There are several kinds of food just for older cats, ages seven and above.
Cats with medical conditions: Cats of any age with medical conditions will probably require a special diet. These medical conditions can range from cats with diabetes, to problems with the digestive system to kidney problems. Most of the time, a cat with medical conditions will already be under a vet’s care. Your vet will recommend what type of food will work best for your cat. Cats with diabetes will require a prescription diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. When you have a cat that requires special prescription food, it is important to follow the instructions given to your by your vet. Most cats will eat these kinds of food that are available in both canned and dry. When you have multiple cats, you will need to separate your cats during feeding time and take the food up when they are done eating.
Overweight cats: When a cat is overweight, the easiest way to get back to a healthy weight is through a special diet and exercise. Most vets agree that cats that are overweight can suffer from other medical conditions. It will be necessary to feed your cat the diet that your vet recommends to help your cat loose the excess weight.
Most cats do well with special diets. To make the transition easier, you can mix the old food with the new food. Gradually add in more of the new food until your cat is only eating the special diet food. If your vet recommends a special diet for your cat, it is important to always follow the advice to ensure that your cat is happy and healthy.
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( 3.2 / 1603 )Sunday, December 31, 2006, 12:16 AM - General
This is my special friend Goliath. He's an American Shorthair.
Goliath is very happy to let me be his people. He's very affectionate. Sometimes he acts more like a dog, always wanting to be near me. I love it!
We have been together for 8 years now. I found Goliath at the local animal shelter. I went in looking for a kitten, but Goliath was so vocal, he practically demanded that I take him home with me. So we have been together ever since.
It's funny, he's only vocal now when I have to put him in his carrier to take him to the vet. He simply hates the carrier, and sure let's me know it.
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( 2.8 / 1874 )Saturday, December 30, 2006, 12:14 AM
Before you introduce a new cat into your family, consider all of the issues related to ensuring its good health. Regular flea treatments, veterinarian visits, vaccinations, kitty kibble and of course, entertaining toys are all a part of maintaining a happy, healthy cat. There is one major consideration to think about as well in regards to their health – the deworming process. How often should this be done? What types of worms plague cats? What are the health concerns in regards to worms? These worm issues, many times, consist of a large part of their health maintenance.
Practically all kittens are born infected with some type of worm. These worms can and usually are transmitted through the mother’s milk or while the kittens are still inside the mother’s womb. Unless the mother lives in pristine conditions (think sterile clean rooms), expect that your newborn kitten will have worms. The same goes for an older cat as well. It takes a lot of work to keep cats worm-free. For the most part, veterinarians will say to deworm your cat, as needed. But how do you know exactly what “as needed” means? There are a few indicators which will help you decide when the deworming process is necessary.
Indicator #1 – If your kitten was found as a stray, don’t assume anything. If you decide to keep the kitten, make sure that a veterinarian visit is on your list of priorities. Deworming will be a given. If your cat is a pet that likes to prowl, catch mice or other small animals, it is more likely than not highly susceptible to worms. Wild animals are the perfect hosts for carrying worm larvae and if your cat consumes it, they will develop a worm problem.
Indicator #2 – Suppose your cat is predominantly an indoor pet. They can still develop worms but the problem could be harder to detect. If your cat develops a heaving problem or occasionally has retching episodes, these behaviors are a good indicator that your cat is trying to rid itself of worms. Also, vomiting the worms up is, of course, a clear indication that your cat needs to be dewormed immediately. More than likely, the worms vomited up are roundworms and resemble spaghetti in appearance. Sometimes, tapeworms are a culprit. Tapeworms are flat and segmented.
Indicator #3 – It is important to note that worm testing at the veterinarian’s office does not always show a positive result for worms. Vets test the feces of your cat and unless the worms are actively migrating or on the move, these worms can lie dormant within the cat host body for long periods of time. It is only when some type of stress factor occurs (like pregnancy or surgery) that the worms would show itself in a fecal exam.
Indicator #4 – If your cat’s appetite changes or it develops diarrhea, those are some possible indicators of a worm infection. A dull coat of fur or the growth of a pot-belly is other indicators. In addition, if you ever see your cat nibble on the feces of another animal, you might as well be prepared to go through a deworming of your cat.
For the most part, testing of your cat’s feces is the best bet to determine what type of worm infestation your cat may have. Without a proper worm diagnosis, your cat cannot receive the correct medication. This means that medication for roundworms sometimes does not work for tapeworms or other species like the hookworm or whipworm. By determining the correct species, you can be ensured of a successful deworming.
It is important to note that most medications come in liquid or in some type of pill. Since cats can be a bit ornery, you have to ensure that they actually take their medicine and ingest it. Disguising the deworming medication in their cat food or other treat is the simplest way. Another thing to be aware of is that it may take several treatments of deworming medication to completely rid your cat of worms. The reason for the possibility of multiple treatments is that the worms may be in different stages of development and not all stages are susceptible to the treatments. However, multiple treatments will ensure a worm-free kitty.
The bottom line on deworming your cat is just as your veterinarian says: do it on an “as-needed” basis. Frequent trips to the vet for fecal testing as well as keeping a sharp eye on your beloved cat will make all the difference in the world when it comes to determining the frequency of the deworming process.
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( 3 / 1803 )Thursday, December 28, 2006, 06:59 PM
Did you know that baking soda will clean your cat?
Just rub a small amount of baking soda on and be sure to rub into the coat. Let set a few minutes and brush off! The smells will be gone, and you don't need to get all wet!
Please know that ingestion of large amounts of baking soda can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium), congestive heart failure or muscle spasms.
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