Owner's Guide to Jaundice in Cats

Jaundice in cats occurs when their bodies have too much Jilirubin.**Causes,Symptoms,Diagnosis,Treatment ,....

Owner's Guide to Jaundice in Cats

Jaundice in cats occurs when their bodies have too much bilirubin. Bilirubin is a substance produced after red blood cells have been processed. It's important to distinguish that jaundice is not a disease. It is a sign that your cat is affected with one of many different diseases.

Causes

This condition can occur for many reasons. One of the most common causes is destruction of red blood cells within your cat's body. The cells can be destroyed within the liver, spleen, or blood vessels. Diseases of the liver may also bring about this condition. Another one of the common causes is an obstruction of the bile duct. This can occur anywhere in the bile duct or inside the gall bladder. Certain medications can also cause jaundice.

Symptoms

The most common sign of jaundice in cats is a yellowish color to the skin, gums, or whites of the eyes. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, breathing difficulty, and lethargy. It is also common for cats with jaundice to lose their appetite which usually results in weight loss.

Diagnosis

It is relatively easy for your veterinarian to determine if your cat has this jaundice. However, as mentioned earlier, many different diseases can cause this condition. Therefore, the vet will need to determine the underlying cause.

Treatment

Since jaundice in cats is not a disease, the underlying problem needs to be treated before it will go away. If the underlying disease can be determined, it will need to be treated. However, some diseases that cause jaundice such as certain cancers are very severe and incurable. These diseases are usually fatal.

Besides jaundice, there are many other illnesses that can affect your cat such as feline hyperthyroidism. Luckily, cat-illnesses.com provides all of the information you need to learn about these illnesses. So, stop by today to read up on common conditions like cat ringworm.

By D Swain
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

An Owner's Guide to Colitis in Cats

Colitis in cats is characterized by the inflammation of the large intestine...Causes,Symptoms,Diagnosis,Treatment.....

An Owner's Guide to Colitis in Cats

Colitis in cats is characterized by the inflammation of the large intestine. The condition can occur suddenly or be chronic and progress over a few weeks. If not diagnosed and treated in time, it may be life-threatening to your cat. So, what are some of the causes?

Causes

There are many different causes of feline colitis. Some of the most common include certain viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Also, internal parasites such as protozoa and worms can bring about the condition. Your cat may also develop this condition as the result of dietary allergies or indiscretions. Other common causes are stress, cancer, and pancreatitis.

Symptoms

Colitis in cats can range from mild to severe. The most prominent sign of a mild case is diarrhea containing excessive mucus, water, or blood. Cats with a more severe case start having more frequent bowel movements and may also have to strain to pass stool. Cats with this condition also commonly experience vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, weight loss, and loss of appetite.

Diagnosis

After reviewing your cat's medical history and performing a physical exam, your veterinarian will have to perform a range of diagnostic tests. A stool sample will need to be examined to check for the presence of internal parasites, viruses, or bacteria. A biopsy and colonoscopy are also useful tests. To rule out secondary diseases, tests to check for other illnesses will also likely be conducted.

Treatment

In order to deal with colitis in cats, the underlying cause needs to be determined and treated. Deworming medications and antibiotics will get rid of parasites and bacteria that may be the cause of the condition. Your cat will likely be placed on a special low fat, high fiber diet to make it easier for his body to digest the food. Since vomiting and diarrhea and common problems, it may be necessary to provide fluids to prevent dehydration.

Now that you know everything about colitis, it's time you learned about some of the other illnesses that can affect your pet like cat hypothyroidism. Cat-illnesses.com provides all of the information you need to learn about a wide range of diseases. So, stop by today to learn about some of them such as cat lymphoma.

By D Swain
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Owner's Guide to Cryptorchidism in Cats

Cryptorchidism should be taken care of while your cat is still young. Now that you know everything about this disease, you should take it a step further and learn about other illnesses that can affect your cat such as feline asthma. Luckily,....

Owner's Guide to Cryptorchidism in Cats

Cryptorchidism in cats is a condition in which one or both of the testicles fail to descend properly into the scrotum. Cats with only one descended testicle can still produce offspring, but those with two undescended will be sterile. You may be wondering what causes this condition.

Causes

Cryptorchidism is present at birth. This means that the trait can be passed down through family lines. That's why it's a good idea to ensure that cats with the condition never produce offspring, or their descendants may be affected also. All breeds can be affected. However, certain breeds such as Persian, cocker spaniels, and chihuahuas are usually more affected than other breeds.

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will have to palpate the scrotum in order to detect the absence of one or both of the testicles. However, if you don't know your cat's entire medical history, it could be difficult to diagnose cryptorchidism in cats easily. Instead of having two undescended testicles, your cat may have just been castrated already.

In these cases, the veterinarian will have two options. He can perform an abdominal ultrasound to look for one or both testicles. He can also measure the level of testosterone in the blood.

Treatment

With cryptorchidism in cats, the undescended testicle is non-functional and not developed properly. However, cats with an undescended testicle are much more likely to develop a certain type of cancer later in their lives. Therefore, it's best to have the testicle removed. Also, you know that one properly descended testicle allows the cat to produce offspring. It too should be removed because any descendants will carry this trait in all likelihood.

Cryptorchidism should be taken care of while your cat is still young. Now that you know everything about this disease, you should take it a step further and learn about other illnesses that can affect your cat such as feline asthma. Luckily, cat-illnesses.com provides all of the information you need to learn about these illnesses. So, stop by today to read up on common conditions like cat distemper

By D Swain
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Your Guide to Spotting, Treating & Preventing Feline Urinary Tract Infections

Treating & Preventing Feline Urinary Tract Infections,When a cat has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, this means there is a proliferation of bacteria in the urinary tract....

Your Guide to Spotting,
Treating & Preventing Feline Urinary Tract Infections

Preventing feline urinary tract infections is important because recurring infections can seriously compromise your cat's health. In this article, you'll learn what causes a urinary tract infection (UTI), how to spot them, what to do and how to prevent them from happening in the future.

When a cat has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, this means there is a proliferation of bacteria in the urinary tract. Since the urinary tract should not have any bacteria at all, this situation is a symptom of other health issues, such as cancer of the urinary tract, trauma, kidney problems, bladder stones or a blockage of the urethra. Since some of these problems can be life-threatening, it is imperative that you take your cat to the vet for a urine test to help determine the cause. Depending upon the cause, your vet may recommend antibiotics, natural remedies or other treatments.

Before you can even think about preventing feline urinary tract infections, you'll need to know the signs to watch out for: excessive licking of the genitals, straining during urination, urinating in places other than the litter box, unquenchable thirst, and blood in the urine. In fact, it pays to know your cat's habits with regard to drinking and urination, so you will notice immediately when your cat's behavior has changed.

How to Prevent Cat Urinary Tract Problems

Once your cat has been diagnosed with a UTI you will need to learn all about preventing feline urinary tract infections, so your kitty can stay strong and healthy.
Here are some of the things that you should do:

* Encourage your cat to drink a lot of water. Water keeps your kitty hydrated and helps to flush toxins from the bladder. If your cat refuses to drink more water, feeding kitty wet food can help because it has a higher water content than dry food.

* Feed your cat high quality cat food. Although this food may be more expensive than what you've fed kitty in the past, it will provide better nutrition and prevent more trips to the vet. The healthier your cat is, the stronger kitty's immune system.

* Give your cat a daily remedy designed to specifically for preventing feline urinary tract infections. These natural remedies can also be used in place of antibiotics to get rid of infection, soothe the bladder tissues and restore overall health without side effects. Once kitty is healthy, they can be used for prevention because they work daily to support a healthy bladder. Think of kitty's supplement in the same way you do when taking a daily multi-vitamin and mineral for your health.

So there you have it. Make sure to pay attention to your cat's behavior, so you'll know when something is wrong. Take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice any of the symptoms listed above. Beyond that, take good care of kitty by preventing feline urinary tract infections with high quality cat food, lots of water and a daily supplement to support bladder health.

Laura Ramirez is a passionate researcher of natural remedies which heal disorders and keep pets vibrant and healthy. Find out more about safe, effective ways to maintain your pet's urinary tract health at http://www.pet-ut-health.com.

By Laura Ramirez
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Owner's Guide to Heart Disease in Cats

Heart disease in cats is a relatively common condition. It can be very difficult to detect in early stages since most common exhibit no symptoms.....

Owner's Guide to Heart Disease in Cats

Heart disease in cats is a relatively common condition. It can be very difficult to detect in early stages since most common exhibit no symptoms. Felines of any age or breed are at risk for developing heart problems. So, what are some of the most common types?

Types

There are three main types of feline heart disease. They include restrictive, dilative, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Dilative cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the muscular walls of the heart become thinner and weaker. The hypertrophic variety is characterized by the walls become more rigid and thicker. The restrictive type is less common and occurs when the walls are progressively replaced by scar tissue.

Symptoms

Feline heart disease can be fatal quickly and suddenly since cats usually experience no symptoms early on. When signs do appear, they may be very subtle and hard to notice if you're not paying close attention. Common symptoms include difficulty breathing, vomiting, loss of appetite, and breathing with an open mouth. More severe signs include paralysis, fainting, and sudden death.

Diagnosis

Most vets usually only find something wrong with your cat's heart during routine examinations. A heart murmur could suggest that your cat may be having problems with his heart. A variety of tests will likely be done including chest x-rays, echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms. An echocardiogram is one of the more useful tests for determining exactly what problems exist if any.

Treatment

Heart disease in cats can usually be controlled effectively as long as the heart hasn't started to fail already. Treatment include administering diuretics to remove excess fluid so that the heart doesn't have to work as hard. If your cat has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, he will need to take calcium channel blockers to reduce the stiffness of the muscular walls.

Vasodilators are medications that lower blood pressure. This also helps reduce the heart's workload. Other common medications used to treat this condition are aspirin and betablockers.

By D Swain
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Four Common Causes of Hair Loss in Cats

Four Common Causes of Hair Loss in Cats--Fleas**Mites**Ringworm**Medical Conditions**

Four Common Causes of Hair Loss in Cats

There are many potential causes of hair loss in cats. Some conditions are minor and easy to deal with, while others can be a bit more serious. Let's take a look at some of the main reasons why your cat's fur could be falling out.

Fleas

If your cat spends a lot of time outside, then he will easily be exposed to fleas. One of the more common reasons why cats start losing their hair is because they're allergic to flea bites. Also, it doesn't take many of these parasites to cause a problem, as some cats develop an intense reaction to just one bite. This condition can be treated using effective flea control, antihistamines, and steroids.

Mites

Another parasite that can cause hair loss in cats is the mite. Mange is a condition that can be brought on by various species of mites. An infestation of these parasites will cause intense itching that prompts your cat to lick and chew himself excessively. This eventually causes the hair to fall out. Mites can be dealt with by using medicated shampoos. Cats with longer hair will also need to get it trimmed closely.

Ringworm

Ringworm is caused by a fungus that can also affect dogs and humans. If it affects your cat, it will cause hair to fall out especially around the ears, paws, and face. Your cat will also develop dry, flaky skin in the affected areas. Ringworm can be treated using either topical or oral medications.

Medical Conditions

There are a range of medical conditions that can cause hair loss in cats. These disorders usually affect the thyroid or adrenal gland. Addison's and Cushing's disease are two conditions that affect the adrenal gland. The former is characterized by increased adrenal activity, while the other results from decreased in activity from the adrenal gland.

Two other disorders that can cause feline hair loss are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Like their names suggest, they are brought on by problems with the thyroid gland. These hormone imbalances are common reasons why cats start to lose their hair.

These are some of the most common causes of hair loss in cats. Now that you know this, you should learn about other conditions that can affect your feline like chronic renal failure. Cat-illnesses.com provides a wealth of information on a wide range of diseases. So, stop by today to learn about some of them such as the feline leukemia virus.

By D Swain
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Tips to Having an Outdoor Cat

If you have a cat like this or if you want your cat to live outside then there are a few precautions and things that you should do. You need to make sure that you keep them as safe as you can even though you can't keep your eyes on them all the time.....

Tips to Having an Outdoor Cat

When it comes to deciding what type of cat you want to adopt there are a few things that you first have to think about. You want to make sure that you are getting a breed that will behave around children if you have any or that can be left alone all day if you have to work. One of the biggest questions people ask themselves is whether or not they should let their cats be indoor or outdoor cats.

Many people will make arguments on this subject and the majority of them will tell you to keep them indoors. This is fine for some cats - but what about the ones that love to be outside? I owned a cat that did all it could to get outside. We were afraid something would happen to her so we never let her - but she did end up by escaping every chance she got. It was really sad to see and I wonder even now whether or not we should have let her have her way.

If you have a cat like this or if you want your cat to live outside then there are a few precautions and things that you should do. You need to make sure that you keep them as safe as you can even though you can't keep your eyes on them all the time.

The most important thing you should do (for both indoor and outdoor cats) is to spay or neuter them. When your male cat is not neutered they will fight often and will be at risk for open wounds that can cause serious infections. When you male cat is neutered they will usually stay close to home and will not have the desire to fight as much as usual. And of course when they aren't fixed they have a tendency of knocking up other people's cats and those owners don't appreciate it.


When you don't spay your female cat she will be at risk of getting pregnant and then you will have many kittens on your hand. Plus they will be in heat and when this happens they become irritable. You don't want an irritable cat on your hands!

Outdoor cats need to get vaccinated to prevent them from getting any infectious diseases. It will also help them if they get into fights with other cats or animals. Infections can be caused from these wounds. They also need to be wormed on a regular basis because they will go hunting often.

Your cat will explore and have a tendency to wander off every now and then. Sometimes they will lose the scent and will get lost. That is why you always need to keep a collar on them with your name and phone number. That way if your cat is found by someone else and if they are injured or just lost they can be brought back to you. Make sure that the collar you give them has a safety catch or is elasticized. This helps them to get free it they get caught on something.

Some owners place a tiny microchip under the cat's skin. This microchip has an identification number specific to your outdoor cat. The majority of cat rescue centers will scan for this microchip and match it to the address that they have on file.

You will find that your Outside Cat will be very healthy in the fact that they will constantly be getting exercise. For tips on how to keep them from getting into fights and other helpful tips visit Cat Health.

By Naomi West
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/