What about Parasites and Cats?

Posted by Jeanne on December 30, 2008

No matter how clean you keep your cat, there is always the chance that some little parasite is going to call your cat’s body its home. If you are keeping a good eye on the health and well being of your cat, you might be able to determine when one of these pesky parasites is moving in.

Listed below are some of these parasites that you need to keep a look out for and how to treat them if they invade your cat’s body:

• Ticks and lice can be a very annoying problem for you and your cat. To determine if your cat is suffering from ticks and lice, you need to check your cat’s body. You can decipher a tick because you will either see the parasite or will feel it like a bump on your cat’s skin. You can actually remove these yourself if you know what you are doing. You just have to pull the tick out with tweezers, but don’t break the body while doing so.

After the tick is removed, you should clean the area with an antiseptic. Lice are much easier to remove; you might notice your cat scratching a lot and find that these pests are the cause. Just use a spray or powder to send these parasites packing.

• Fleas are a common problem with cats. Again, you can find these parasites with a quick examination of your cat’s body. This can even be done while grooming your cat. Fleas are not something that you can get rid of on your own; you will need your veterinarian’s assistance for this.

You may also need to look over your cat’s environment to see if there is a particular reason they contracted the flea infestation. Make sure that after you have treated your cat that you do a thorough cleaning of your cat’s things, wash beds, vacuum, and use other flea killing products to help clear these pests out of your home and away from your cat.

• Ear mites are quite common in cats and can lead to many other health problems. This is why it is recommended to clean your cat’s ears on a monthly basis. If your cat’s ears begin to look a bit questionable and are not pink and clean but waxy and icky smelling, your cat might have ear mites. You should take this concern to your veterinarian and have your cat treated right away.

• Mange can be transmitted by a variety of different mites, but you should be wary because this is something that humans can be affected by as well. If your cat begins to lose fur in patches, bleeds, or has issues around the ears, nose, and ears, your cat might have mange. You need to get your cat to your veterinarian right away if this is a concern for your feline friend.

How to Protect Your Cat’s Health

Posted by Jeanne on December 23, 2008

Before you decide to take on any kind of pet, you need to understand that different breeds of cat are susceptible to different health issues. Even if it seems like you have a healthy cat in the beginning, it is possible that he will be diagnosed with some sort of disease or health-related issue as he gets older.

There are precautions that you can take as a cat owner to protect your cat’s health and well being:

• Make sure that all harmful plants are removed from the area where your cat lives. Some plants can be poisonous when a cat chews on them.
• Cats can suffer from diabetes. Some people might find it strange that humans and cats can share the same illnesses, but it is quite common for a cat to be diagnosed with diabetes. If you suspect this from your cat, you should definitely call your veterinarian for further measures.
• You might not be aware that certain medications can be hazardous to your cat if not taken correctly or with the right medication.
• If there is anything that sparks your concern, such as if your cat acts listless, has yucky stuff coming from his eyes or nose, or if he looks like he isn’t eating (even though you know he is), you should trust your instincts and contact your veterinarian with your concerns.
• If you notice that there starts to be a buildup in your cat’s ears, he might have ear mites. If this is the case, your veterinarian will be able to instruct you on the best way to treat this and prescribe medication.
• Do not let your cat play with yarn or string. All can be fun and games until your cat swallows it, and then it becomes a serious matter. If such an instance occurs, you need to contact your veterinarian. It might help to know that white petroleum jelly helps to coat the stomach so that the string or yarn can get out of your cat’s tummy with little harm.