7 Ways to Know Your Cat is Having Feline Urinary Problems

Tell me, does this sound like your cat? Is he frequently urinating, grooming his genitals, and urinating in inappropriate places? These are signs of feline urinary problems and you need to take your cat to the veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment. Here are 7 ways to know if your cat is having urinary problems so you can seek treatment before it is too late.



1. Is your cat whinier than usual? If your cat is crying often, this could be a sign that he is in pain. Often feline urinary tract infections are difficult to detect because cats have a high tolerance to pain but if your cat is whining more than usual and you notice other signs of infection, take your cat to the veterinarian.



2. The first sign of feline urinary problems is a change in normal urination patterns. If your cat is urinating more or less than usual, it could be a sign of a problem.



3. Has your cat stopped urinating altogether? If so, get to the vet immediately because a complete blockage can be fatal if not treated in time.



4. If your cat is constantly dripping urine, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Feline urinary tract infections cause frequent urination and incontinence.



5. If there is blood in your cat's urine, he is most like suffering from feline urinary problems and needs to be taken to the vet immediately.



6. If your cat is grooming his genitals more frequently than usual, it could be a sign of urinary tract infection, especially if it is accompanied by crying.



7. If your cat is urinating outside of his litter box in inappropriate places, feline urinary tract infections are most likely the cause. Your cat is probably urinating outside of his litter box because he associates the pain accompanying urination with the litter box.



Do yourself and your cat a favor by keeping these signs of feline urinary problems in mind. Quick diagnosis and treatment are important in order to keep your cat out of harm's way. Better yet, preventive treatment through the use of homeopathic remedies and implementation of lifestyle change are the most beneficial ways to keep urinary tract infections at bay. If you spot the infections early enough, you can take care of them at home and won't ever even have to go to a vet. After all, prevention is the best medicine and homeopathic treatment can maintain your cat's bladder health as well as combat infection. The ultimate goal is permanent recovery and it can be achieved most effectively with lifestyle change and homeopathic treatment.

Cat Illness Symptoms For Liver Disease, Rabies and Tapeworms

What are liver diseases? The liver regulates the chemicals in the body, controls metabolism, processes fats and carbohydrates, and rids the body of toxins. It also manufactures proteins, bile, and blood clotting factors. Liver function slows as cats' age, and liver disease is common in older cats.



Liver failure is life threatening. With aging, the risk of developing liver problems increases. Causes of liver disease include parasitic infections, dietary deficiencies, tumors and hepatitis. Signs of liver disease or failure include lack of appetite, a distended abdomen, increased thirst, dark urine, vomiting, weight loss and diarrhea.



What are rabies symptoms? Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system, spinal cord, and brain. It is transmitted through saliva when the victim is bitten but can also enter the bloodstream through a scratch. Symptoms can appear one week to one year after the initial bite and include aggression, headaches, and trouble swallowing.



A rabid animal may attack anything or anyone who comes too close. Make sure that your cats are vaccinated against rabies, especially if they go outside and could have contact with other animals.



What are tapeworms' symptoms? Tapeworms are long, flatworms that release their eggs into feces of infected animals. These parasites live in the intestines if kittens and cats and rob the body of nutrients. If left untreated, a tapeworm infestation can be fatal to a small kitten. Tapeworms cause anemia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, an increased appetite, weight loss and lethargy.



A cat who has fleas also may have tapeworms, and he could swallow tapeworms eggs when he grooms himself. If you suspect that your cat has a tapeworm, lift the tail and check the area around the anus. If you spot white or yellow rice like worms moving under the base of his tail or anus, take him to the vet and ask for a deworming treatment.

Living With A Cat With Diabetes

Learning your kitty has diabetes can be overwhelming at first. You may be wondering how in the world you'll ever learn everything you need to know, and how you're going live with a diabetic cat.



When your kitty is first diagnosed, he'll more than likely need to be hospitalized for a few days until his blood sugar levels are stabilized. Then you and your vet can work together to develop a long-term treatment plan.



The most important thing you'll need is a good working relationship with your vet. You'll have many questions about managing diabetes, and your vet is the best person to answer your questions. You need to feel comfortable talking to him or her. Being satisfied with the answers you receive is very important. If you don't understand something, keep asking questions until you do.



Developing a treatment plan you can live with is essential. The biggest reason pet owners put diabetic cats to sleep is because the owners don't understand how much time is required to treat and monitor this disease. It's not because the kitty doesn't respond to treatment well. To manage this disease successfully, you'll need to work out a schedule that you can actually stick to. Plus your kitty needs to tolerate it, too.



Most people are horrified at the thought of giving their furball a shot, but it's not that difficult. Your vet will show you how to give the injections. The needles used are very small, so it won't hurt your furry friend much at all. It's scary at first, but believe it or not, most kitties would rather get a shot than have someone give them a pill! Giving your buddy his shots every day will soon become part of your daily routine.



You may feel guilty and wonder if it's your fault your kitty developed diabetes. You may feel angry about having to deal with this condition, or sad that he has it. These feelings go with the territory. You'll need to accept that you'll feel these emotions sometimes. But try not to dwell on your feelings or your buddy's illness too much. It's best to move forward and learn how to live with it.



Finding a friend or a relative who can give you emotional support is important. A fellow pet-owner, who understands what you're going through, will be more sympathetic. Look online to find support groups and forums for owners of pets with diabetes.



Some people won't understand why you're committed to taking care of your kitty. They'll make comments about wasting time and money on a "silly cat." It hurts to hear comments like that, especially if they come from well-meaning relatives and "friends." Don't worry about trying to explain anything to them, as they won't understand anyway. Don't waste your time and energy. Just smile and change the subject or wander off if they persist in bugging you about it. Your good friends will understand!



Vet bills can be a financial strain, so be upfront with your vet. Very few of us have unlimited funds, so you may need to work out a payment plan with him or her. Your vet can show you how to check your kitty's blood sugar at home, and how to give insulin shots if necessary. If you can learn how to do these things, you can probably keep your vet bills lower, especially after your cat's blood sugar is stabilized.



There's so much information about feline diabetes online that it can be overwhelming. Concentrate on learning what you need to know first. The more you can learn about this condition, the better off you and your furball will be. There is no cure for this disease, but if properly managed, it's neither fatal nor progressive.

Cat Vomiting: Causes and Treatments

Vomiting that occurs occasionally in an otherwise healthy cat is generally not a cause for concern. Vomiting that persists for over 72 hours with or without signs of illness such as appetite loss, depression, lethargy, or diarrhea can indicate a more severe problem and should be addressed. The fluids lost during vomiting result in dehydration which could be potentially life threatening. The food, acids and other material expelled during vomiting can in other cases be lifesaving. Since cats are naturally carnivores, vomiting is a protective reflex used to eliminate bones, for example, after consuming a bird or rodent.



CAUSES



* Hairballs are the most common cause of periodic vomiting.



* Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the most common cause of chronic vomiting. Vomiting hairballs daily is often the predominant sign of IBD in cats.



* Eating linear foreign objects - ribbon, tinsel, string are holiday favorites



* Parasites - round worms in kittens can cause vomiting



* Cancer - Mast cell tumors are a type of stomach cancer in cats that cause vomiting which may contain blood. The vomit may be blackish in color with a fowl odor because of the blood.



* Liver disease can result in stomach ulcers



* Chronic kidney failure



* Poisons - aspirin, antifreeze, plants, pesticides, cleaning agents, lead, herbicides, and heavy metals.



* Distemper virus in unvaccinated kittens



What you and your vet can do:



* Withholding food and water for 12 to 24 hours allows the body to recover and controls most mild cases of vomiting.



* Giving food and/or water at this time usually makes vomiting worse.



* Gradually reintroducing small frequent meals several times daily over the next 2-3 days resolves most cases.



COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY



Homeopathic



* Nux Vomica 6c - Use for cats that acts moderately ill and want to be left alone or are hiding. No food 10 minutes before or after treatment.



The dosage is 1 pellet every 4 hours until the signs are gone. Discontinue if cat is not better after 24 hours. Continue up to 5 days if the cat is responding.



* Pulsatilla 6c - Use for cats reluctant to drink. Use same dose as for Nux Vomica.



Herbal



* Chamomile Tea - This herb is soothing and relieves nausea. Use for mild stomach upsets.



Recipe: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 TBSP of the flowers, steep 15 minutes, strain and dilute with an equal amount of water. Give a teaspoon at a time after food and water have already been withheld for the first 12 to 24 hours.



* Note: Peppermint tea also relieves nausea but unlike dogs and people, cats don't like mint.

Feline Arthritis Symptoms - Help For Cat Hip and Joint Pain

Feline arthritis symptoms like limping up stairs or refusing to jump up on the couch without your help are painful to accept. Knowing that you cat hurts is something you want to fix. Here's some tips on how to help him.



Arthritis is not a friendly disease and it's one of the more common ones that hit middle to older aged cats. Feline arthritis symptoms develop in many of the same places humans deal with the disease, which is wherever there are joints - elbows, knees and hips.



There isn't a cure for arthritis in cats. You can, however do a lot to help your buddy live comfortably, even pain-free for the rest of its life. But the faster the symptoms are noticed, the sooner the arthritis can be treated.



This is why it's important to be aware of your cat and know its regular routine. The speed with which you're able to pick up on feline arthritis symptoms will only help you in the long run. While some of the signs are more gradual and can be the cause of something else, it's good to get them checked out or at least mentioned when your cat has its regular veterinarian visit.



One symptom that may be noticed before others is limited motion. When a cat has developed painful joints, he might suddenly start doing things a little differently. For one, he might totally avoid the stairs or start taking short hops so there's less stress on its joints. He will most likely move slower than normal, or it won't be as quick to jump up to its scratching post or favorite place to watch the activity of the day.



Limping might become more noticeable on a gradual level, unless you know your pet well enough to notice every detail. It will be worse in the morning or right after the cat has been napping. The limp will decrease as the day goes on, as activity helps stiff joints. It is sometimes more noticeable during cold and damp weather.



The other feline arthritis symptoms tend to relate to moods. It's probably because of the cat's inability to do the many things it was accustomed to. A cat's mood will normally change if it isn't feeling well or it's in pain. This means if a cat is struggling with arthritis, it's not uncommon for it to become depressed or irritable. It may also not want to be touched, because the brushing or petting hurts it.



If nothing is done about your cat's arthritis, then your cat is only going to become more and more lethargic and moody. He's going to sleep more than normal. There may even be an appetite decrease because depression has set in or because it isn't moving around as much. The reason is everything is painful and every movement hurts.

Cat Symptoms of Sickness and How to Detect Early Health Issues

If you are looking for cat symptoms it is always the right idea to keep and try to detect for those unwanted sick cat symptoms in your furry family member, because it is not a very good idea to act like they do not exist.



I think it is safe to say that you know your kitty cat best, and most times if you observe any problems in his or her attitude it very well may be some cat symptoms of some sort of illness. although we do not like admit it, diseases like diabetes can affect house cats just like the human owner. You may uncover that your kitty cat has this sort of disease, if he or she drinks a unusual very large sum of water and urinates all over the place.



Other Sick Cat Symptoms is coughing or choking, if your cat has a foreign blockage in the cats throat that they want to remove. Whereas, a hard fast cough from your cat is fine, you should watch your cat it if it continues for more than seven days. Keep in mind that if this takes place be sure to take your cat to a doctor, it is one of the many sick cat symptoms.



Most sick cat symptoms need to be verified by a doctor or vet. A sick cat symptom like coughing could very well indicate lung tumor, bronchial diseases, cardiac arrest as well as many other issues.



Please, for your cats sake, take these cat symptoms serious.



Problems like tension in the immune system along with the retrovirus is another sick cat symptom of FIV or feline immunodeficiency virus infection. The decrease of energy as well as loss of weight, appetite loss, cat running a fever, are cat symptoms and signs of this harmful disease. Now This can heighten the probability of your cat having leukemia. It is always a good idea with this sort of cat symptoms to take your feline to the vet for FIV testing.



Remember when it comes down to you cats health, it is important to stay aware for sick cat symptoms like you would look for illness symptoms for a loved one. I know you want to provide your cat with the best health care, so trying to notice the sick cat symptoms at the beginning will help you in giving your cat the happy, healthy life he or she deserves to have.

Bladder Infection In Cats - Causes, Symptoms, and Cures

Bladder infection in cats are not as common as they are in dogs but are not uncommon either. Most statistics have bladder infections in cats affecting one out of every five felines overall but if you were to factor in the reality that few animals under the age of 5 will have one of these types of infection and that the bulk of bladder infections in cats are concentrated in those felines over the age of 8 the picture starts to look a whole lot different. There are studies suggesting that 50 percent of all cats over the age of 8 will battle this type of infection and many of the infections will end up becoming chronic.



Female cats tend to have the highest incidence of infection with male cats tending to have the highest probability of developing a potentially fatal urinary blockage.



Bacteria which sets up shop in the urinary tract and is able to overwhelm you cats immune defenses is the cause. That said, there is a long list of possible contributing factors which can, and often do, play a role in the development of the condition. This list could include stones (uroliths), poor diet, other illness which have weakened the immune system (diabetes, cancer), regular exposure to bacteria laden litter boxes, failure to fully empty the bladder, not enough trips to the bathroom, inactivity, old age, and something called idiopathic bladder infection in cats where no cause can be found.



What are the signs and symptoms?
I believe most pet parents who have been through this type of infection with their cat will tell you that the very early signs were very subtle and included things like changes in behavior, loss of appetite, excessive urination, and above average water consumption. They will likely also tell you that while they suspected something might be wrong they simply didn't have enough evidence to justify a costly trip to the vet.



On the other hand as these types of infection increase in severity the signs often start to become quite obvious and include urinating in other places other than their litter box, blood in the urine (hematuria), unusually pungent urine smell, howling when trying to urinate, straining to urinate as if they are constipated, avoiding the litter box area because they associate it with pain, and licking the genital area for relief. Cats may also pace around the home for no apparent reason.



The most dangerous symptom of bladder infection in cats is not being able to urinate. In just a couple of days urine backup can cause the bladder to swell to the size of an orange. This in turn causes urine to flood the kidneys and uremic poisoning to occur.



What to do next?



Catching the infection early is important and if you start to notice the signs, or even suspect a cat bladder infection could be knocking on the door a trip to the vet is the best course of action. Your vet will likely feel to see whether the bladder is swollen or sensitive to the touch. He will likely then run a urine analysis, draw blood, and take a few X-rays.



If the cause is bacterial antibiotics such as Clavamox, Amoxicillin, or possibly Clindamycin Hydrochloride will be prescribed. If a urinary blockage is present more drastic measure will have to be taken possibly requiring hospitalization.



Prevention



Without a doubt the best way to treat bladder infection in cats is through prevention. Sound preventative steps include age appropriate food that balances pH level, feeding your pet primarily wet food instead of dry, keeping litter boxes bacteria free, adding a few drops of cranberry or raspberry juice to their water daily, reducing stress levels, and administering a urinary tract condition supplement (preferably homeopathic) two or more times a week.



Homeopathic urinary tract supplements are also a safe and affordable way to reduce the chances of recurring infection after treatment.

Canine Diabetes Symptoms Are you worried that your dog might have Canine Diabetes? Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of taking care of him, knowing that he might have this incurable disease? It's understandable. Canine Diabetes has a scary prognosis if you're unaware of what it entails. The name alone "Diabetes" is a little ominous to the average dog owner. After all, you never went to veterinary school. You don't know how to treat dog health problems of this kind of magnitude. Well, here's the good news...the outlook isn't as gloomy as you might imagine. Take a deep breath and relax. This article will shed some light on Canine Diabetes Symptoms AND what you can expect if treatment is necessary. The information you're about to learn is invaluable so take your time and read through this short article knowing that it just may save your dog's life. Here we go... Before we get to the symptoms, it's important to know what canine diabetes is. The most common form is called diabetes mellitus. In short, canine diabetes is an incurable illness whereby your dog's endocrine system is malfunctioning and unable to produce insulin. Insulin allows your dog to turn sugar into energy to burn a feed muscle. Because he doesn't produce insulin, sugar isn't converted to energy and sugar buidup occurs. This causes high blood-sugar levels. The sugar eventually stores as fat and this leads to the first canine diabetes symptom...obesity. Here's a quick list of the symptoms for your reference:

obesity weight loss excessive drinking excessive urination vomiting weakness poor skin and coat dehydration

Kind of a scary list, I know.

Each symptom has its own reason for occurring, but they all revolve around the improper digestion and processing of glucose (sugar) in the body. For example, the excess urination is causes by excess blood sugar being flushed into urine, filling up the bladder faster.

This is one reason why urine tests are used so often to diagnose a canine diabetes condition.

What Causes Diabetes in a Cat?

For many years, veterinarians have recognized that heaviness in cats seemed to make the plump patient more expected to get feline diabetes. In truth, the majority of us thought that being overweight in fact caused diabetes. Today, veterinarians do not believe surplus pounds in a cat are an actual root of this state.



It is believed now that obesity in the cat and feline diabetes contain the identical parent causes, but are not a root of one another. Although there are many feline diabetics that are also fairly chunky, these cats are most likely hereditary predisposed to get both of these troubles from the same core causes. Often veterinarians see cats that have one, but not both, of these conditions, this is unquestionably because of every cat's exclusive genetic composition.



The considerable numbers of always slim cats that have full-scale feline diabetes imply that being correct mass does not guard from this sickness. Also, veterinarians see very overweight cats that become diabetic, but then turn around from their diabetes by being on a proper diet and insulin, long before they drop the mass they have to lose.



If heaviness doesn't directly cause feline diabetes, then what does? With cats just as with people, it absolutely pays to have good quality genes. There are some cats that merely have genes that make them more of less likely to contract diabetes, and more or less probable to get heaps of additional diseases as well. The tale doesn't end there. Additional environmental factors play a huge piece in whether getting or avoiding a illness such as diabetes. With no question, for the cat the most significant environmental issue that causes diabetes is their diet.



Because today's inside cat is roughly forever ingesting dry cat food, with its tremendously elevated sugar content, a cat with some inherited propensity to become overweight and or become diabetic will do just that when sugar is a huge element of its diet. Veterinarians have never seen a diabetic cat that was consuming canned cat food or a homemade meat based diet only. Also, they have never seen a drastically obese cat that was consuming such a low carbohydrate diet only.



The beginning of obesity and feline diabetes is triggered by the continuous flooding of the cat's body with refined carbohydrate from the dry diet, day after day, and year after year. In lots of cats, this stable sugar charge exhausts the cat's small pancreatic capabilities of the carnivore for the reason that the cats evolution never equipped it for a continuous high diet of sugar. In many cats, these persistent sugar surges cause the cat pancreas to twist that sugar to fat. Obesity with or devoid of diabetes will follow.

Common Diabetes Symptoms That You Should Watch Out For

Unlike other diseases, diabetes does not have obvious symptoms that define if one person has it or not. It does not cause constant high fever, it does not make a patient vomit for no apparent reason and most of all, no bleeding ever occurs. And because of that, any person can have it without really knowing it.



Now that can be a pretty disturbing thought right? Then again, knowing that you have diabetes is not really that hard especially if you are in tuned with your body. According to a diabetes blog, you just have to watch out for certain symptoms including:



1. The weird feeling of being thirsty all the time. Note that the "thirst" of course should not be considered a symptom if you live in a pretty humid area and if you have just spent a few hours getting some exercise.



2. Together with being thirsty all the time, you also feel unusually hungry quite frequently and even if you have just finished a meal.



3. Frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate.



4. Unexplained feeling of fatigue.



5. Quick weight loss even if you are not trying to do anything to shed off some pounds.



Those are the common symptoms that you should be watching out for. Now if you notice that you have been experiencing them for quite some time, then stop the guess work and go to a doctor to have your sugar level be tested as soon as possible. This is important because delaying it may cause you to eventually have more problems.



If after testing your doctor unfortunately confirmed your great fear, then the only thing left for you to do is to agree to get appropriate diabetes treatment and maybe think of getting a healthier lifestyle to help your condition from getting worse.

Caring For Older Cats - Feline Diabetes

Feline diabetes is more common than people realize, with some studies suggesting as many as 1 in 400 cats have the disease. Obese and older male cats have an increased risk of developing diabetes, though, just like in humans, it can affect cats of any age or breed.



While no one definite cause of feline diabetes has been diagnosed, it is believed that pancreatic disease and/or improper hormone levels, plus a genetic predisposition may cause the onset of the disease. The body is no longer able to use glucose the way it needs to. The result is the accumulation of glucose in the blood causing hyperglycemia.



Keeping a close watch on your aging cat's routine is very important. If you notice anything unusual, have it checked out by your vet. The earlier a problem is diagnosed, the better chance you and your cat have of keeping on top of it.



Feline diabetes presents much the same way as it does in humans. Things to keep a watch out for are drinking much more than normal, increased urination, eating more while sometimes still losing weight, lethargy, fur and skin changes, weakness of the hind legs and a wobbly gait. Urination outside the litter box is another one to watch out for.



If you suspect your cat has developed diabetes, it is imperative that you take it to the vet as soon as possible. Diabetes, if left untreated, can kill. It can also cause liver and kidney disease as well as blindness.



If lab tests show very high levels of sugar in your cat's urine and blood, your cat will be diagnosed with diabetes. You need to discuss the different methods of treatment with your vet and together decide how the diabetes can be best managed.



At this stage I would urge you to learn what you can about feline diabetes. Research online and at your library, read and take notes if necessary. You need to understand a problem before you can treat it properly.



Diet is crucial with any diabetic, human or feline. Your cat will need regular meals and if you are injecting insulin, you must make sure your cat eats something just before or after the injection. Your vet may also put your cat on a low protein food or specialized diabetic cat food. High protein can lead to kidney problems in diabetic cats.



Exercise is also important for cats with diabetes. Exercise helps reduce the blood glucose levels so make extra time to play with your cat, even gentle play. It is also very important to try to keep stress levels at a minimum. This includes heat and cold stress as well as mental stress. Since I was diagnosed with diabetes, I find I cannot tolerate the summer heat as easily. My sugar levels go up, and they will do for your cat as well.



I cannot stress strongly enough to monitor your cat at all times. Call your vet if you are worried about anything. It is better to err on the side of caution, although you will get better at recognizing anything that needs immediate attention as you get used to the diabetes and how your cat is tolerating the treatment.



Always be on the watch for other complications such as arthritis, the need for extra warmth in winter and coolness in summer. If possible, put an electric warmer turned on very low under your cat's bedding during winter. In summer, a fan or a cool breeze under the trees can be wonderful. Blindness is another complication of diabetes so watch to make sure your cat is not walking into furniture or other objects.



Remember that our human years are much longer than cat years and while we may think our cat is only 12 or 14, in reality they are probably in their eighties. You need to decide what constitutes an acceptable quality of life for your cat, and make decisions accordingly.



Feline diabetes doesn't have to be a death sentence for your older cat. With proper medication, care and love from you, your cat could be around for years.



Please note: This information is intended as a guide only. Do not use in place of professional advice for the identification or management of feline diabetes. If you are unsure or worried about your pet, you should take him/her to a licensed veterinarian.

Diabetes Has Now Become A Global Problem

Diabetes has indeed become a global problem, and in almost every country of the world, it is on the rise. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects as many as 16 million Americans. The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, is also becoming increasingly common in The United States. This type of diabetes is strongly associated with inactivity and obesity of modern day living, and is in fact the most common form of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is also now starting to plague developing nations, and is found in children, teens and adults within all racial and ethnic groups. It is a serious disease and should not be ignored. The cause of diabetes is unknown, although genetics plays a role.



The key to managing diabetes is knowledge. Diabetes is a chronic (life-long) condition that without treatment can have serious consequences. It is the number one cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the leading cause of blindness among adults in USA.



With diabetes being on such a dramatic increase in the United States, and in fact worldwide, it's helpful to understand what diabetes is, and what to look for. Diabetes is, simply put, a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. The symptoms of diabetes are often silent and it's not until a complication, often heart disease, happens that a diagnosis is made. If you wait for symptoms in diabetes, then you are already too late. Although the most common symptoms of diabetes are usually excessive thirst, excessive hunger, and excessive urination, other symptoms may include sweating, trembling, hunger, dizziness, moodiness, confusion, and blurred vision. Although the symptoms in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar, they tend to develop gradually in type II Diabetes, and are not as noticeable as they are in type 1 diabetes.



Even though there is no actual cure for Diabetes, it can be kept under control. Monitoring your blood sugar (also called glucose) level can help you take better care of your diabetes. This is easily checked with a blood glucose meter (glucometer), and is one of the most important steps you can take yourself in managing your diabetes. Keeping your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible will help you to feel better, and also reduces the risk of long-term complications of diabetes. High blood sugar can cause heart and kidney problems, blindness, stroke, the loss of a foot or leg, or even kill you. Low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, only occurs as a result of treating your diabetes, and it can quickly become an emergency that needs to be treated immediately.



Blood sugar increases after you eat or drink anything besides water, so you have to watch your diet carefully, as too much sugar in your food will give a high blood sugar level. As mentioned previously, being able to check your blood sugar levels on a day-to-day basis can greatly improve your diabetes control. Spreading carbohydrate intake throughout the day also helps to keep your blood sugar levels within a safe range.



While some diabetics can manage their blood sugar levels with just oral medication, others need insulin. You will be guided by your medical team as to the best course for you personally.



Diabetes is a truly global problem, and a very serious disease which is tough to tackle. Diabetes is no respecter of age, class or race and is on the rise, both in men, and women, young and old. The key to managing diabetes is knowledge, so try to equip yourself with the information you need to control your diabetes properly.



Please feel free to use this article, but keep the author information and resource box as it is, with all links working.

Type 1 Diabetes - Symptoms and Treatment

Type 1 diabetes affects about 1 million people in America. In most cases people that develop symptoms are less than 30 years old. The bodys immune system destroys the part of the body that creates insulin. Thus, without insulin the body cannot use the glucose it needs derived from the food you eat. With a high level of glucose in the blood, known as Hyperglycemia you develop symptoms that include.



· Thirsty all the time



· Your hungry all the time



· Tired or fatigued



· Weight loss



Type 1 is a common cause of blindness, amputation, heart disease and many other life threatening complications from the disease.



What treatments are there? Everyone with Type 1 diabetes should take insulin and watch their diets. The foods and quantities of each you eat are vital to maintaining proper levels of glucose in your blood. Your health care management team will help you with this important aspect. You also learn how to titrate the amount of insulin you will need to inject with an insulin syringe. Injections are done right after you test your blood glucose level with one of many meters. Usually type 1 patients test several times per day and may require several injections also.



Insulin Injection Alternatives Many diabetics will need alternative methods of insulin delivery due the need for multiple injections or an inability to do injections at all. Insulin pumps are available as well as insulin that is inhaled in a powered form. Both of these methods have their pluses and minuses and your physician will offer them only if necessary.

The Problems With Diabetes And Hair Loss

The connection between diabetes and hair loss was established long ago.



Diabetes is a hormone related disorder that often leads to hair loss or thinning of the hair.



Frequent loss of hair is often considered one of the early symptoms of diabetes, which requires prompt treatment in order to avoid further complications. The growth of hair is affected by diabetes, which gradually leads to thinning of hair.



Stress is directly related to diabetes and hair loss, as the disease causes excessive anxiety, which in turn becomes the prime cause of hair loss.



Diabetes Leads To Hair Loss:



Diabetes occurs when it becomes difficult for the body to metabolize carbohydrates properly. Diabetics are highly sensitive to skin ailments, as their blood circulation and blood sugar levels are impaired.



Bruises and small wounds often take a relatively long time to heal; therefore, the recovery rate is comparatively slower and obstructs the re-growth of hair.



This causes visible hair reduction, as diabetics cannot maintain the normal cycle of re-growth process. Bacterial and fungal infections on the scalp because of diabetes could also result in hair loss, thereby making diabetes and hair loss inter-related.



Normally, a healthy person would lose around fifty to hundred strands of hair every day. Therefore, if hair loss increases rapidly, you could require medical assistance, since untreated diabetes can escalate hair loss further.



The process:



Diabetes often leads to diffused hair growth that could be a result of medical stress or side effects of certain prescribed medicines to diabetics. It usually depends on the individual's body, as each person responds differently to specific medications. The stress caused by chronic diabetes reduces the growth of hair.



After a period of seven to eight months, hair follicles undergo a resting period and are gradually replaced with the growth of new hair. The replaced strands push the old hair to the surface of the scalp, and the hair falls out, this is known as telogen effluvium.



An autoimmune problem:



The other cause of hair loss due to diabetes is an autoimmune problem, which leads to one or more small bald patches developing on the scalp. This ailment is called alopecia areata.



Other additional autoimmune problems like a dysfunctional thyroid gland, the skin rash vitiligo, pernicious anemia, or Type 1 diabetes, often accompanies it.



Generally, Type 2 diabetes occurs when a hormonal imbalance causes polycystic ovary syndrome. Both the conditions are related to insulin resistance, which refers to the reduced ability of cells in the body to react to insulin.



Early detection and monitoring:



Diabetes often remains undetected because the symptoms at the early stage are not considered significant.



This is a major problem because early detection could slow down its harmful effects. Some of the symptoms of diabetes could be blurred vision, frequent urination, acute hunger, increased thirst, unusual weight loss, fatigue and unnecessary irritation.



Early detection of any of these symptoms, and early treatment could help in early recovery from both diabetes as well as excessive hair loss.



Careful monitoring of blood sugar levels provides relevant information that helps maintain control, which would consequently delay the development of various long-term complications.



Some of these long-term complications of diabetes could be the damage of blood vessels and nerves, loss of functioning of the kidneys, loss of sensation, heart disease and strokes.



Hair loss normally begins at the onset of diabetes and gradually becomes worse after the disease takes charge of the body.



It is very important to get the hair loss symptom diagnosed, to know the root cause of hair fall.



You need to seek a qualified doctor's advice, so that you can avoid further problems, and to desist from using hair lotions and conditioners, which will not help to solve the problem.

Diabetes - Signs of Diabetes and Symptoms

There are a growing number of people with diabetes. Diabetes is a condition in which the glucose levels within the blood are abnormally high; yet the glucose levels within the cells are not high enough. There are two types of diabetes, Type I is when there is not enough insulin within the body, while Type II is when the body is resisting the insulin.



Unfortunately there are signs of this disease that often go unnoticed due to their subtle nature. Signs of diabetes are commonly mistaken for a number of other conditions, issues, or other environmental factors surrounding the body. The most common is an unexplainable, but significant drop in weight. Though it is easier to notice in those with Type I, unexplained weight lose is a sign of a serious diabetic problem. This sign means that your body is breaking down both fat and muscle tissue in order to search for energy. A less noticeable sign is constant thirst, combined with frequent urination. This sign is often blamed on weather, exercise, or a host of other things. Yet it may be a sign of diabetes, meaning that in the search for energy and insulin your body is pulling the extra water from the blood, causing a feeling of dehydration and creating frequent and urgent trips to the restroom. The last sign the disease is weakness or consistent fatigue. This sign is commonly confused for other things; so, it important to track how often you feel this fatigue and for how long. In elderly persons, this sign should not be ignored.



Though the signs of diabetes often go unrecognized, the symptoms are a little easier to spot. Diabetic symptoms are a clear indicator that you need to see a physician. One of the most common diabetes-symptom is when the hands, legs, or feet experience either tingling or numbness. Officially called neuropathy, this symptom usually improves once your diabetes is under control. This particular symptom is caused by the glucose levels in the blood attacking the nervous system.



If, you begin to, notice that you are becoming more prone to vaginal or bladder infections or infections or irritations of the skin, you should see a physician. Obtaining this type of infection on a frequent or uncommonly regular basis is another symptom of diabetes. However, this diabetic symptom will take good judgment on your part to distinguish between what is normal versus more frequent. If you are unsure, you should contact a physician.



The final, most common symptom is blurred vision. Though it may seem a bit less serious than other symptoms, blurred vision often hints at a real diabetes concern and should never be ignored. Blurred vision, in those with diabetes, is caused by varying levels of glucose and will usually decrease once glucose levels are controlled. Since this particular symptom can lead to a coma if left untreated, it is taken very seriously by physicians and should be quickly addressed by the individual suffering from this symptom.



The signs and symptoms of diabetes should be taken seriously, and if there is a family history of diabetes, you should contact a physician as soon as possible.

Natural Treatment For Cat Bladder Infection

Like people, cats can have urinary problems. The most common urinary problems that can beset them include bladder infection and urinary tract infections. Cat bladder infection can occur in cats at any age.



When cats are diagnosed to have bladder infections, the vet would usually prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics are effective in treating the disease but aside from killing the harmful bacteria, they can also eliminate the beneficial ones. Furthermore, antibiotics only treat the symptoms of feline bladder infection; they do not address the root causes of the problem. Consequently, the cat may experience a recurrence of the infection after treatment.



Another downside to the use of antibiotics is that these medications can predispose the cat to bladder infections. For this reason, many cat owners have resorted to using alternative treatment in treating urinary problems in their cats.



There are certain alternative treatments for feline urinary problems such as bladder infections. These alternative treatments use the holistic approach of treating the problems in pets. One natural treatment for cat bladder infection that is rapidly rising in popularity nowadays is the homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic remedies have shown great improvements in pets suffering from urinary tract problems. These natural treatments do not only treat the symptoms of the problem but eliminate the root causes as well. These natural remedies are also 100% safe and highly affordable. Moreover, these treatments do not contain properties that may bring about the occurrence of unpleasant and unwanted side effects and health complications as compared to medications.



To date, there are a variety of homeopathic remedies available in the market. The most commonly used homeopathic remedies are those that contain ingredients such as cantharis, uva ursi, berberis vulgaris, and staphysagris. Cantharis has properties that can help soothe the bladder. It helps maintain the healthy flow of urine. Uva ursi helps maintain the cat's normal pH level. Berberis vulgaris, on the other hand, can have a restorative effect on the cat's urinary tract and bladder. Meanwhile, staphysagris can provide symptomatic relief for a variety of feline urinary problems. When combined together in one formula, these homeopathic ingredients can help keep the cat's overall health in top condition.



Another natural treatment that is effective in treating feline bladder infection is the use of herbal remedies. Like the homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies are safe and affordable. They can also eliminate the root cause of the urinary problems instead of just treating the symptoms.



Two of the most commonly used herbs in the treatment of urinary problems in cats are the barberry and the bearberry. These herbal remedies contain antiseptic and antibacterial properties that are very effective in treating feline urinary tract infections. They also have properties that can help reduce inflammation. Prolonged use of these herbal remedies can help strengthen the cat's immune system.



If you are wary of giving your pet medications because of their side effects, you can choose to administer herbal remedies or homeopathic remedies to your cat for treating cat bladder infection. However, you may also want to consult the vet first before you give your cat any treatment. The vet's advice is very important.

Diabetes Hair Loss - Causes and Symptoms

Living with diabetes can be hard if you don't know the many effects it has on your body and how to deal with them. One of the many effects of diabetes, and one that is known for a long time, is hair loss. Since diabetes is a hormonal related disorder, it can also lead to the thinning of the hair. Diabetes loss hair is even considered as one of the early signs of the illness.



To know what diabetes hair loss is, let's first understand diabetes more. It is a condition where the body is not able to metabolize carbohydrates - specifically sugar - effectively. Diabetes can lead to other illnesses that affect the skin. Since the head is part of the skin, diabetes can impede the growth of hair or heal damaged one.



When a person suffers from diabetes, it makes that person prone to other illnesses and infections. This makes it a worrying problem in terms of the overall health of the body. Infection may affect the skin and scalp, which will cause hair loss - especially it the infection is caused by fungus. An example of this would be the fungus that is known as ring worm or tinea capitus.



A stunt of hair growth is quite apparent in diabetes hair loss. However, the loss of hair may not be the direct effect of the illness itself, but it may be due to the many medications that are used to control and heal diabetes. The extent of the hair loss will depend on the general fitness and health of a person, as well as how the body response to such diverse medications. Also, you do not want to undermine how stress that is caused by diabetes, can also worsen the diabetes hair loss.



As the diabetes progresses, the body may become autoimmune. This could lead to the over production of self-defense system in the body, which could then easily backfire. When this happens, it may cause more patches of baldness on the head.



How would you know if you are suffering from diabetes hair loss? The normal person shed around 60 to 100 strands of hair daily. If you lose more hair than that and have diabetes, it should be the initial point of concern and you may want to immediately contact your doctor. Because the sooner you can detect the condition, the more chance you have to overcome it.

Cat Diarrhea and Cat Cryptosporidium

Cat diarrhea, or gastroenteritis, is an all too common of a problem in our four legged friends and although many cases are simply an upset intestinal tract, a cryptosporidium infection could be the cause.



A nasty parasite, cryptosporidium is a single celled organism that causes diarrhea by reproducing within the intestinal cells. This eventually kills the intestinal cell and as the number of cryptosporidium increase, the number of intestinal cells killed increases as well, resulting in sometimes severe bloody diarrhea.



Cryptosporidium is based in contaminated water and is in the same family as giardia. Symptoms of cryptosporidium infection include mild to severe watery diarrhea with or without blood, poor appetite, weight loss, abdominal cramping, and lethargy.



The most common diagnosis is a fecal exam but the cryptosporidium oocysts are so small, they are difficult to detect under normal testing and the magnification of microscopes in the average vet clinic. Instead of the usual 'in house' fecal exam, samples should be carefully sent to the lab for special staining and examination. Blood work to detect serum antibodies can often detect exposure to the infection and in rare cases, an intestinal biopsy may be necessary to confirm the presence of the parasite.



Treatment of Cryptosporidium



How severe the disease becomes is dependent on the overall health and immune function of the patient. Some infected individuals will not show any clinical signs of the cryptosporidium infection and are considered carriers. Eventually, the healthy immune system will kill the parasite and you may not have been aware your pet was ever sick.



For young kittens, older cats and cats suffering from a suppressed immune system, the severity of the condition can become life threatening and it is strongly recommended to hospitalize your pet. Dehydration from the diarrhea is as dangerous as the disease and IV fluids may be necessary to balance fluid levels and replace electrolytes.



There are antibiotics that slow down the reproduction of cryptosporidium protozoa, however, the only 'cure' is for the animal's immune system to fight off the disease. In healthy, immunocompetent cats, the disease is self-limiting and a full recovery is possible without medication. Some veterinarians prescribe antibiotics to prevent secondary infections although this practice is controversial as the medication kills the healthy bacteria and intestinal flora, leaving the body less capable of fighting off the parasite.



Life Cycle of Cryptosporidium and How Cats become Infected with Cryptosporidium



Like most parasites, cryptosporidium has a life cycle that involves multiple stages. The non-infectious oocysts are sloughed off in the intestinal tract and then eliminated in the feces. Once the environmental conditions are right, the non-infectious oocysts mature and become infectious (sporulated oocysts). Other cats, dogs, humans, livestock, or rats then accidentally swallow the infectious oocysts and another infection develops. Outdoor cats are more likely to be exposed to infected feces then indoor cats.



The oocysts contain sporozites and sporocysts and once in the intestinal tract, the 'zoites' attack and invade the intestinal cells. These develop into schizonts that release more zoites, then compromising more intestinal cells. These zoites then form gametocytes. The male gametocyte release gametes that fuse with the female gametocytes to form oocysts and the cycle continues.



Cryptosporidium Infection in Humans



Cryptosporidium is easily transferred to humans and, like cats, the immune system normally fights off the infection without any problems. For someone who is immunosuppressed, however, the infection can become life threatening and hospitalization is recommended.



Infected animals should be kept isolated from young children, the elderly and anyone suffering from an immunosuppressed condition such as HIV/AIDS.



How Common is Cryptosporidium Infection



In a study done by on stray dogs and cats in the San Bernardino City and County animal shelters, it was found that 2% of the 200 dogs were carriers, shedding the infectious cryptosporidium oocysts while 5.4% of cats were similarly infected. In itself, it is not a conclusive study as the detectable oocysts are only one part of the life cycle of the parasite and animals may have been infected but the disease was in an undetectable stage. Estimates of 15 to 20% of animals as carriers are considered more realistic.



Cryptosporidium transmission is possible to humans from cats, dogs and livestock. Cryptosporidium, a coccidian protozoon, is the cause of 2 to 6% of self-limiting diarrhea in pediatric cases.



Preventing Cat Diarrhea and Combating a Possible Infection of Cat Cryptosporidium



Cryptosporidium oocysts, the infectious stage of the life cycle, are hardy, resisting bleach and most normal cleansers. Extreme temperatures and prolonged exposure to ammonia is the only effective way to kill the oocysts.



If your cat is diagnosed as a carrier, keep them inside to prevent further infection of other animals. Clean their kitty litter and water dishes regularly with ammonia. Rinse well after cleaning.



Feeding high quality, high fiber food helps regulate the diarrhea associated with cryptosporidium in cats and always provide fresh, filtered water.



Supplements to help support the immune system will shorten the length of the infection and help reduce the impact or severity of the disease. A vital part of your pet's immune system is a healthy digestive tract and will reduce the impact of the cryptosporidium oocysts on the intestinal walls. Adding soil-based probiotics to your cat's daily regime can help prevent this common parasite from infecting your beloved pet.



Cryptosporidium is a common problem amongst outdoor cats and although it can be devastating, supporting your cat's immune system and always feeding her the best quality food can help lessen the overall impact.

Signs of Diabetes - Frequent Urination

First of all how do we define frequent urination? It is urinating more than required. Urination can be the symptom of many diseases including diabetes. But for defining frequent urination one must know the quantity of normal urination. The estimated amount of urine daily produced by an adult body is one and a half liters.



Excessive, less or urination all these are a symptom of some serious dysfunction in the body.



The routine method used to examine urine to diagnose or to curtail ailments is urine analysis. If the test shows that there is glucose in the urine then it means that the said person is suffering from diabetes. If there are bacteria in the urine then the urinary system might have certain infections. If there are blood cells in the urine this can be the probable sign of cancer of the urinary tract.



Causes of frequent urination



Urination may occur due to number of reasons.



--Enlargement of Prostrate Gland



Prostrate gland enlargement is one of the causes of frequent urination. The blown up prostrate gland tighten the urethra. Thus the bladder is temporarily obstructed. It actually happens because of the thickening of bladder wall. This prostrate enlargement may lead to a concentrated urge to urinate, problem in passing the urine, and night time urination.



--Prostrate disorder



There are several reasons of prostrate disorder. It may affect the men of all ages.



Other causes of  urination are



--Renal failure



--Chronic Renal Failure



--End-stage renal failure



--Urinary calculi



--Bacterial infections



--Polycystic renal disease



--Hypospadias



Frequent urination combined with increased thirst, excessive weight loss, and blurred vision is the symptoms of diabetes. If these conditions persist the person should consult the doctor.

Cat Illness Symptoms - What Do They Mean?

As with humans, cats occasionally have days when they feel a bit off colour or lethargic but if they show more than one symptom, then there may be something serious amiss. Cats' noses are typically damp to the touch so if your cat's nose is dry and he is displaying other symptoms, he may be ill.



Cat illness symptoms can include: high temperature, sickness, diarrhoea, lethargy, excessive drinking, sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, loss of appetite and weight loss.



1. Cat flu or Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a viral infection of the respiratory tract which is extremely contagious amongst felines. The symptoms are similar to those of human flu including sneezing, coughing, high temperature, no desire to eat and runny eyes. Although antibiotics may help, there is really no treatment for this except general nursing. The cat may end up with a damaged or useless eye. Every responsible cat owner should have their cat vaccinated against cat flu.



2. Feline leukemia is likely to be fatal. It is the equivalent of human leukaemia and is cancer of the blood. Symptoms include high temperature, sickness, anaemia and respiratory difficulties. Again, be a responsible owner and have your cat vaccinated,



3. Feline infectious enteritis is a virus which can spread amongst cats very easily. The symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting sometimes accompanied by apparent depression. There is a readily available vaccination - please use it!



Catteries in Europe will not accept a cat which hasn't had immunisation against Cat flu and enteritis. Check with your boarding kennel if there are any other vaccinations or treatment required.



4. Excessive drinking may indicate one of a couple of serious diseases including diabetes, which can be treated or kidney failure which can't. It could also indicate a urinary tract infection when coupled with high temperature, blood in the urine or general listlessness.



5. Weight loss and excessive eating without other symptoms may indicate that your cat has worms. If you can get a look at his stool, you may be able to tell, but administration of a worming tablet should fix the problem. If the symptoms persist, it may be something more serious.



6. A cut or swelling probably indicates that your cat has been in a fight but combined with lethargy may indicate an infection which needs to be treated with antibiotics or at worst surgery.



There are other cat illness symptoms as well as other diseases which your cat may contract, such as aids, if it is an outdoor cat. In any event, if your cat seems to be out of sorts or behaving differently to normal for more than a couple of days, please see your vet. If you can't afford to see a vet, there are charitable organisations in Europe which will help you out. If you can't identify a charity to help you, please talk to your vet anyway and explain your situation as most vets, by their very nature, are animal lovers and won't want to see your pet suffer.



You may well be able to save yourself expensive vet bills by taking out pet insurance as soon as you get your cat. This may seem like an expensive option but if your cat needs lengthy drug treatment or an operation, you'll be glad you did.