October 31, 2008
When humans have any pain in there bodies, they can just tell someone they are feeling ill or are in pain and the individual they tell, will either call a doctor or take them to a infirmary, Cats obviously are not able to manage this, but by observing them you can tell you lots of things about there health. This is why pet owners should practice cat care and be alert of any symptoms that may arise.
Here are a few diseases you should watch out for and their symptoms.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared disease and in fact is the leading cause of death among cats. It is caused by a coronavirus infection and the worse part is that the symptoms are very common with other ailments, so it is really hard to tell if your cat has this.
There is also Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) that is similar to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Just like the version in humans, it is a life long infection that progresses slowly and kills the cat.
Cats can also be infected by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). It is a retrovirus that causes fatal cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. As Luck Would Have It, it can be treated using some household detergents and bleach as well as warmth and drying. It is carried through the saliva, tears, urine and feces of infected cats. Unlike the other two, it cannot survive that long in the environment so it is only transmissible when the infected cat stays with some other cat for a long period of time.
Worms are another threat to cats and this is caused by a fungal infection that is spread through spores.. Since this disease is self limiting, you will not have do anything to make it clear up. It will in eventually clear up on its own, but it may take a few months to do so.
If you have a obese cat, then the prospects are it will already have feline diabetes. The symptoms of this disease are pretty easy to see and are excessive urination and thirst as well as weight loss or gain. Veterinaries are of yet uncertain what is the cause of this, but recent research studies that have been done, have showed that there is a link between pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalance and certain medications.
The symptoms of most of the above diseases mentioned are very similar. These include diarrhea, vomiting, lameness lasting for more than five days in one leg, a reduction in vision, excessive panting, a seizure, blood in the stool or urine, hair loss, repeated coughing or gagging and breathing heavily or rapidly while at rest. In order to find the answer, your cat will have to undergo some tests, at your local veterinaries.
The veterinary will take some blood, urine and feces samples. Any input that you have observed and give will also be useful. When the tests come out, only then will the proper treatment be administered to the cat as every case varies, so what worked for one cat may not have the self same positive result with yours.
Your cat should still be healthy if you gave it constant attention. This can be done by feeding it high quality food, giving it fresh water, allowing it to exercise, proper grooming, making for sure it remains inside and taking it on a regular basis to the veterinarian.
If you have neglected any of these simple steps, something wrong is bound to happen and you will soon detect a change in the behavior of the cat and doing nothing about it, it is just going to make things worse. So observe proper cat care and look out for symptoms.
For further Free information on Long Term Cat Care try visiting Caring For Your Cat Help.
October 30, 2008
Poodles are generally fun-loving dogs that have a pretty reserved temperament, so if you're looking for an agreeable pet that your family will love, you may want to consider a miniature poodle. Here is some general information about these dogs that will help you to make the right decision, as well as some things you can expect once you bring your pet home.
The Concerns
One of the things you may be concerned about when it comes to your miniature poodle is grooming. Poodle hair tends to be thick and curly, so you'll need to make sure that your puppy is groomed as often as possible. The standard grooming cut for puppies is relatively short hair all over the body, and you may need to do this about once a month or so to keep your pet looking great. Colors of miniature poodles include brown, cafe-au-lait, white or black varieties will be featured in pet stores across the country, and you can also have your pet grooming professional apply temporary dye to your poodle's coat for a special occasion; red, apricot, blue, silver, or gray are acceptable colors, and won't damage your dog's coat.
Learning about your dog's temperament is also ideal before you buy your miniature poodle. You may have to socialize your dog as a puppy, since poodles tend to be very reserved when dealing with strangers. Miniature poodles tend to bark a lot as well, which means that will do a good job of alerting you if something goes wrong in the home. In most cases, your dog will like to play with children, but some poodle varieties can be a little high-strung, so try to see the parents or even grandparents of the puppies you are considering before taking them home. Your miniature poodle will also be great at learning tricks in most cases, which means you can entertain family and friends.
The life span of a miniature poodle is relatively long compared to other dogs, so it will be essential for you to look out for any genetic issues that could possibly arise. Cataracts are common problems that occur in all varieties of poodles, and blindness could be caused by retinal atrophy, so you need to regularly take your miniature poodle to the vet to be checked up for vision and nervous system problems. Often it may also be necessary for your pet to be checked for you ear infections and runny eyes. Finally, the poodle's skin tend to be very sensitive, for example skin rashes and allergies may occur with the use of certain shampoo or dyes, and in addition the use of clippers may also cause skin conditions to occur.
For more great information on how to care for your miniature poodle, visit www.poodle-lovers.com.
