Some Common Cat Illnesses and Symptoms

Your cat may already be suffering from an illness and you haven't noticed. There are some cat illnesses and symptoms that seem to be normal behavior just like lethargy and frequent trips to the litter box. What you have to know are the other signs that your kitty needs to be checked by a veterinarian. Prevention may not always work so it is best to be acquainted with some of the common cat illnesses and symptoms to at least have your cat treated immediately once the symptoms start to manifest.



• Urinary tract infection in cats has similar symptoms in that of humans. Cats that frequently go to the litter box to urinate and show unusual signs of pain while urinating may indicate this. Observe your cat when it starts to go to the litter box a little too often than usual. Urinary tract infection causes a lot of pain in cats and they would usually howl in pain while urinating. There will come a point that the cat will start urinating in other places aside from the litter box to relieve the pain. This can be deadly once the urinary tract has been totally blocked.



• Diabetes in felines is also a common illness. Just like urinary tract infection, it can present similar symptoms as the human counterpart of the disease. Older and overweight tomcats are most likely to be affected with this disease. Cat illnesses and symptoms may not be evident just like for feline diabetes. Cats usually exhibit lethargy, excessive thirst and urination, and weight loss even with increase in appetite. The symptoms may develop into digestive problems and hair loss as the disease progresses.



• Feline panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is an illness caused by a virus transmitted through contaminated litter box, food and water. Symptoms for this are easy to spot since aside from being lethargic, the cat will also start having extreme diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite. In some cases, the fur becomes dulls and may start to fall off. Distemper is a fast progressing illness and may be hard to fight. Good thing is that there is a vaccine available against the virus.



• Another virus-brought disease is the feline infectious peritonitis. The symptoms are hard to detect and are most commonly detected places with more than one cat. Abdominal swelling is one symptom and may be followed by recurring fevers, seizures, eye hemorrhage, and loss of balance. Though it may be treated, all cats struck by the disease-causing virus eventually die.



Cat illnesses and symptoms often present themselves in the most unexpected times. As an owner, it is your responsibility to be vigilant and be always ready in case your cat starts to manifest unusual behavior. Keep your cat in a clean environment and make sure the food and water are also free from contaminants. Make occasional visits to the vet since there are cat illnesses and symptoms that only they can do something about.

Cat Illnesses

The first time you decide to take in a pet cat feels similar to taking home your first baby. You're excited, scared, happy and undoubtedly proud of your newest addition to the family - all at the same time. And just like taking care of a newborn baby, taking care of a kitten would require an equal amount of attention and affection. When I first got our cat, with which my daughter named Miming, my daughter and I had a long talk with the veterinarian on how to take care of little Miming.



Among the first things we wanted to learn about were the illnesses that cats acquire. My daughter was quite vocal about her confusion whether cats also get colds and stomach aches just like she does. And she continued to ask on about the food that we could not give Miming. And yes, cats also get sick.



Here is a list of the most common signs that your little kitty may not be feeling too well:



1. Refusal to eat and loss of appetite - Most cats are always eager to eat; you would often hear them purring when they hear utensils and plates clinking or when they smell food cooking. Once there are changes in your cat's pattern and environmental factors such as stress, outside home feeding, and change in surroundings are eliminated, there is a high probability that your cat is really sick.



2. Refusal to socialize, or in such bad humor - a cat has always been keen to keeping her place high on the ground. More often than not, a cat may be playful and sweet, but a cat will always be demanding. Once a cat retreats to its cot or to a quiet and dark place, without the usual playfulness and upbeat character, she is most likely suffering from an illness of some sort.



3. Unimpressive fur or "Bad Hair Day" - Cats are known to keep their furs at tip top shape. When you notice your cat having a "bad hair day" for consecutive days, and hair is erect and separated, the cat is trying to regulate its body temperature. Yes, cats can also have fevers.



4. Profuse vomiting - Hair balls tend to grow in their stomachs and vomiting is the cat's way of eliminating the foreign object from their system. When they have eaten too much, or have eaten something that upsets their tummy, vomiting is the first aid that cats resort to.



5. Difficulty in urinating and Constipation - Cats have urinating and defecating patterns, and once these patterns are altered, cats usually are not feeling well. Changes in the behavior including the above mentioned, suggests an illness or your cat may be suffering from stress.



Different cats exhibit different symptoms when they are sick. However, feline illnesses are usually diagnosed once one or two of the above symptoms manifest.



Common illnesses of cats include ear infections and ear mites, which are marked by foul odor, inflammation of the ear cavities, itching and scratching, continuous head shaking, and swollen ear flaps; Ringworm and other skin allergies are manifested by continuous scratching and itching, head shaking, scaly and darkened skin and hair loss; and Flu and Respiratory Tract infections signaled by sneezing, nasal mucus discharge, loss of appetite and refusal to eat and excessive saliva.



Cats can also have degenerative illnesses like Fatty liver disease, which stemmed from over consumption of high cholesterol food and is characterized by vomiting, seizures, reduced muscle mass and depression; and Cancer, which is characterized by severe loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, frequent urination, depression and enlarged lymph nodes.



Our cats are similar to us human beings, they also suffer from bouts of upset stomachs, colds and flus, diarrhea, skin allergies and yes, even depression. Most cats will eventually feel better after a day of full rest and proper food and water intake.



Once you feel that your cat has remained unresponsive, has refused to eat or unable to urinate and have bowel movements for more than 24 hours, it is best to bring her to a veterinary clinic right away.



It is important to be observant of your cat's daily routine and be mindful of her health so that these symptoms can easily be spotted and cat illnesses easily cured.

Common Dog Illnesses and Meds That Can Help

When you first get a dog, you never really think that down the road at some point your pet will get sick. Thankfully, most common canine ailments are readily treatable with medication, so dogs can live long happy lives as modern medicine keeps their illnesses at bay. Common dog illnesses that can be managed with medication include ear infections,heart disease, heartworm, kidney disease and arthritis.



Ear Infections



Ear infections are a very common treatable ailment that can affect dogs. Some breeds, especially those with large floppy or hairy ears, are more prone to these types of infections of the outer ear canal (otitis externa). Dogs with ear infections exhibit symptoms such as head shaking and ear scratching. Ears can also become inflamed, crusty, and malodorous.



One medication used to treat ear infections is Mometamax Otic Solution. This medication is used to treat otitis externa caused by various strains of yeast and bacteria. Mometamax Otic Suspension contains gentamicin sulfate, mometasone furoate monohydrate, and clotrimazole in a mineral oil-base. For dogs weighing less than 30 pounds, four drops per day must be used for each infected ear. Dogs over 30 pounds should receive 8 drops per infected ear daily.



Heart Disease



One of the more serious dog ailments is congestive heart failure. This condition is caused by an abnormality in the function or structure of the heart, which leaves it unable to pump blood normally to the tissues of the body. This leads to fluid retention in the lungs and body cavities. This in turn causes congestive heart failure.



Benazepril hydrocloride is one of the medications used to treat congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and some types of kidney disease in dogs. It is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor; a vasodilator and anti-hypertension agent. This means it dilates the veins and decreases fluid retention. Dosage is usually once daily, but it is necessary to follow your veterinarian's instructions as prescribed. Dogs taking this medication will usually need to remain on it for the rest of their lives.



Kidney Disease



Chronic renal (kidney) failure (CRF) is a common problem in all dog breeds. With CRF, the kidneys are unable to remove waste products cause by food digestion. This leads to the buildup of toxins in the blood. Symptoms of CRF include excessive thirst and urination, weakness, bad breath, uncoordinated walking, vomiting and lethargy.



CRF usually affects older pets, but if caught early enough, dogs with this disease can still live a comfortable life with medication. One such medication is Furosemide(Rx). Furosemide is a diuretic, which removes the excess body fluids that are a byproduct of CRF. This medication is available in tablet or liquid form. Dosage is usually one to three tablets per day as prescribed by your veterinarian. Pets that are dehydrated or have an electrolyte imbalance should not use this drug.



Heartworm



Heartworm (dirofilariasis) is a common yet deadly disease that is spread by a simple mosquito bite. When a mosquito bites an infected dog and then goes on to bite another dog,the infected larvae of the heartworms are passed on. Heartworms are essentially long white worms that live in the right side of the heart in the adjacent blood vessels of an infected dog. These worms impair blood circulation, which in turn damages the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. These worms can be present long before any symptoms show up,so it is important to check for the disease before you see signs.



As with any disease, prevention is the best solution, so treatment with products such as Heartgard Plus is advised. Heartgard prevents heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae for 30 days. Heartgard Plus is a combination of the anti-parasitic drugs Ivermectin and Pyrantel Pamoate. Heartgard prevents heartworm infection and treats and controls roundworms and hookworms. This product is chewable and may be given with or without food. Veterinarians will usually authorize a maximum of 12 months of heartworm preventative medicine per pet per year to insure proper dosing.



Arthritis



Just like people, older dogs can suffer from arthritis, making it difficult to climb stairs and even walk without stiffness and pain. Symptoms of canine arthritis include stiffness,reluctance to jump, run, stand or climb stairs. But rather than watch your dog suffer doing the things he enjoys, there are drugs that will ease mobility.



One such medication is Deramaxx chewable tablets. These pills will not cure osteoarthritis, but they will help control the pain and inflammation that comes with it. Deramaxx is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the coxib class. It is flavored to make giving it to your pet a bit easier. Consult with your veterinarian for the proper dosage for your dog's age, breed and weight.



Though no one wants to see their pet suffer from diseases or ailments related to age, thankfully, modern medicine can provide either a cure or some relief from the symptoms that hamper their lives. By taking your dog to annual veterinary check-ups and being an observant pet owner, you can catch any problems before they become unmanageable. Though no one wants to see their dog on medication, these drugs can help not only their quality of life but prolong it as well.

Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems - The Most Common Diseases And Illnesses In Yorkies

A Yorkie has a life expectancy of fourteen to sixteen years. They don't suffer any major health problems if they maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, this breed of dog can suffer from the following health issues:



Canine Diabetes in Yorkies



Just like humans, Yorkies can become diabetic. In most cases this is the result of a lack of exercise or a poor diet. The main symptoms of canine diabetes include excessive drinking and urinating. This disease has the potential to shorten your dog's life and lower its quality of life.



However, if Yorkshire Terrier diabetes is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully with the proper medication and help from your veterinarian. Once this health problem is addressed, your pet stands a much better chance of living a relatively normal life when this disease is treated in time.



Yorkie Eye problems



A number of Yorkie eye problems are common amongst this breed of canine. A Yorkie can suffer from a range of eye disorders including cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) degeneration, Keratoconjuctivitis Sicca and Entropion. Some of these problems are hereditary, while others can be acquired as your dog gets older. In most cases blindness can be prevented, so long as the problem is treated early.



If your pet develops diabetes, this can also cause loss of vision because of cataracts. When this condition is left untreated, it eventually leads to blindness.



Liver Shunt



This illness is also known as Portosystemic Shunt (PSS) and is a disorder associated with the blood flow in a Yorkshire Terrier. Your pets blood gets diverted away from its liver. This leads to a build-up of toxins in the blood, and can result in serious illness for your dog. Liver Shunt is a canine health problem that can be acquired or present in Yorkies when they are born.



Luxated Patella



Many Yorkies suffer from a kneecap problem called Luxated Patella or Trick Knee. You're pet may have this health issue, and you as an owner, may not realize it exists. If you believe your dog has this health problem, you should pay a visit to your veterinarian as soon as possible. It does not sound like a serious condition, but Yorkshire Terrier Luxated Patella can become a serious health problem and restriction to you dog, if it's not treated early.



These are just some of the Yorkshire Terrier health problems that can occur, but most can be treated and even avoided by keeping an eye on, and taking care of your Yorkies health.