Cat Lymphoma - An Owner's Guide to Lymphoma in Cats

Lymphoid tissue is found throughout your whole cat's body. Lymphoma in cats, a disease that affects this tissue, can cause damage to a number of organs. This cancer normally affects cats around ten years of age. Also, cats infected with the leukemia or immunodeficiency virus have an increased risk.



Forms



Cat lymphoma can occur in one of three forms. They include the alimentary, mediastinal, and multicentric forms. The alimentary form affects the digestive tract and surrounding lymph nodes. The mediastinal form affects the chest, thymus, and associated lymph nodes. This is commonly a problem with cats infected with the feline leukemia virus.



The last form of this disease is multicentric. Like the mediastinal variety, it is usually a problem for cats with the leukemia virus. It causes damage to multiple organs and their surrounding lymph nodes.



Symptoms



Unfortunately, lymphoma in cats causes unspecific symptoms. Common signs of this disease include weight loss, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Any other symptoms that your cat experiences will depend on the specific organs that are affected.



Treatment



Cat lymphoma is mainly treated with chemotherapy. If the disease has already spread to multiple areas, this is the only treatment option your cat will have. This medication can be given by an injection, although some cats can take it orally. Radiation, laser, and surgery are options if the cancer is still localized.



Prognosis



Lymphoma in cats is easily a life-threatening disease. The outcome of treatment depends on various factors. These include how early the tumor was detected and its location. If your cat is also battling the leukemia virus, the prognosis will be much worse. Most cats don't survive more than two years, while many die around six months after diagnosis.

Signs of Feline Kidney Trouble - Common Yellow Flower Provides Tonic For Cats With Kidney Problems

Thinking back to a few weeks ago you began noticing changes in your cat's normal daily habits. Now you are wondering if she is exhibiting signs of feline kidney failure. The feeling of dread closes in on you and your mind kind of tunes out the thought that your kitty is dying. Don't give up because there is a lot you can do to help your cat live longer.



I won't kid you by promising you that chronic kidney failure in cats can be completely cured. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the painful symptoms and even improve her condition. Remain optimistic, because the first big step in helping a cat with kidney disease is recognizing that she is showing the symptoms of it. Now you can take action.



The most commonly recognized sign of feline kidney problems is a marked increase in your cat's drinking and urination patterns. I mean, it feels like she just can't get enough water - you're filling her water bowls much more frequently.



Then there is the litter box. She's going in it, but she's going and going and going. She's astounding you with the baseball size litter clumps - and lots of them.



Other symptoms of feline kidney failure include weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, and general weakness. If your cat is older, these could be the warning signs of Chronic Renal Failure (CRF).



Your cat is drinking and urinating more because her kidneys can't concentrate the urine and she pees it out. Then she feels dehydrated and thirsty so she drinks a pint of water. If you see these problems in your cat she should be quickly brought to the vet for a blood test, because these symptoms will only show up after 75% of the kidney tissue is damaged.



Ok, I promised not to "snow" you on the prognosis. CRF will shorten your cat's life and she will die of it or complications from the disease. There is no known way to reverse its affects as it changes healthy kidney tissue to scar tissue.



I know this scares the wee out of you, but hold on! There are treatments that can slow down the progression of the disease, subdue the uncomfortable symptoms and ultimately give your cat a longer life. The progression of feline kidney problems can vary from cat to cat, some can live happy and healthy for months to years.



Cats with chronic renal failure can benefit from a special "kidney friendly" diet and watchful care. Some cats need at home intravenous rehydration too. Now a lot of vets insist on kidney specific diets, but some cats just flat out refuse to eat them.



If your cat refuses to eat the special diet food your vet recommends, ask about using something to stimulate her appetite. Certainly there are synthetic pharmaceuticals that will do this, but your cat's kidneys are already damaged - why compound the problem with costly drugs? This is exactly why parents of cats suffering from kidney ailments choose a homeopathic remedy.

How to Tell If Your Pet is Suffering From Cat Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms

Cats are cuddly, lovable animals. Sometimes, however, they become irritable and show signs of unpleasant characteristics. They may start to act weird and to pee in the most inappropriate places in the house. If this is the case, your cat may be suffering from cat urinary symptoms.



Instead of giving your cat punishment for such a behavior, try to observe your cat closely and look for other cat urinary tract infection symptoms. Signs of UTI in cats may include frequent urination out of the litter pan, blood in its urine, increased thirst, urinary incontinence, pain or straining during urination, blockage in the urethra, foul-smelling and dark urine, arching of back while walking, hesitation in jumping, straining in pain when you touch its belly, and constant squatting in the litter box without producing any urine or, if there is, only a small amount of it.



The symptoms of feline urinary tract infection may or may not be accompanied with inflammation. Most of the time, these symptoms remain unnoticed and are determined only when closely examined. To tell if your cat is suffering from cat urinary tract infection symptoms, it is best that you observe your cat's behavior and urinating pattern intently. If you notice an abrupt change in your cat's behavioral pattern especially in its urination pattern, it is best that you immediately bring your cat to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Cat urinary symptoms may aggravate and result in a more severe infection in your cat if untreated for too long. In the case of urinary tract blockage in male cats, complete urinary tract blockage would mean death to the cat within 48 hours if left untreated.



The main culprits behind the urinary tract infections in cats are bacteria and fungus. Approximately 9% of cases of UTI in cats are caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus spp. while approximately 46% of cases are found to be caused by the E. coli bacteria. Usually, UTI occurs most often in cats which are overweight, is suffering from diabetes mellitus, are spayed female cats, cats older than 10 years old, and those cats which are Abyssinian.



If your cat is any of the above-mentioned categories, and if you see tell-tale signs that may be symptoms of UTI, seek the help of a veterinarian.



The veterinarian may feel the belly of the cat to look for signs of bladder problems such as stones in the bladder. A sample of the cat's urine and blood may also be extracted and tested in the laboratory for signs of bacteria and other underlying causes. If this is not enough, the veterinarian may perform x-rays and radiographs, processes which would help determine the formation of crystals or stones or possible blockage in the urethra. There are instances, however, that the underlying causes could not be determined no matter what tests the veterinarian would apply to the cat.



Ways to Prevent Cat Urinary Infection Symptoms from Happening



The diet you are giving your cat has a lot to do with whether or not it will contract cat urinary infection, better known as FLUTD.  Since cats do not usually drink a lot of water, you can increase its fluid intake by giving it wet food. Feeding your cat natural food supplements and natural diet also helps a lot.



All cats may experience cat urinary tract infection symptoms in their life-span. However, it is still best that as cat owner, we know how to prevent our cat from experiencing such a discomfort.

Pet Diabetic Supplies And How To Treat Your Pet At Home

If you own a pet that has diabetes and have decided to manage the disease from home then there is a large selection of pet diabetic supplies available on line. A pet is part of the family and their health is as important as any other family member so many people want to give their pets the best medication available. There is no need to go broke managing a pet's disease, particularly diabetes, because on line sellers offer the necessary supplies for relatively little expense.



Some of the pet diabetic supplies offered include veterinary syringes, U-40 (a form of insulin), syringe dispensers, syringe disposals, urine testing strips, and blood glucose meters. Veterinary syringes are sold that make the injection of insulin less painful for the animal with diabetes. The needles are extremely sharp and thin, making for easy insertion. Further, the syringe dispensers and disposals are highly recommended pet diabetic supplies for the safe storage and disposal of syringes. The items feature tamper-proof locks which keep the used syringes out of the reach of small children and animals safe.



Many people are initially reticent about managing their pet's diabetes from home because they are unfamiliar with the disease and feel that they are unqualified to handle the animal. It is important to develop a relationship with your vet. The vet can give you advice and show you what needs to be done to take blood glucose readings for example. As you gain more experience with the disease you will be able to manage it better.



Many people don't like taking blood from their pet because they think that they will inflict pain on the animal and it will start to dislike them. There are many ways to take blood which will be pain free for the animal (or at least tolerable)



If you think about it, the animal endures more stress going to a veterinary surgery and having a blood glucose reading than it would at home. Once you have been adequately advised it makes more sense to treat the animal in a place that it knows and feels comfortable in.



You will never be fully qualified to make judgment calls on the dosage of insulin or if the disease has altered so it is important to keep a dialog going with your vet. It is important to keep track of a pet's diabetes so that the vet will have the information at hand. You should keep a logbook of all the details of the diabetes.



You should note blood glucose levels and when the animal last received an injection. This is where logbooks come in handy. Logbooks should be added to the list of needed pet diabetic supplies. You can either make your own with a standard notebook out of a newsagents or you can order a proper logbook that has columns for the types of information to be kept.



Finally, when ordering pet diabetic supplies the pet owner should always remember to order them in advance. Delivery can take a week to arrive and you don't want to run out of pet diabetic supplies.

Common Genetic And Non-Genetic Cat Health Problems

If you are a new pet owner or are planning on getting a kitten, you should be aware that it is pretty normal for your kitty to fall ill every once in a while. However, cats are also prone to several genetic ailments and other serious diseases. As a cat owner, it would help you to know about some of these more common diseases. Though being cautious while getting a kitten can help you avoid a few genetic disorders, there are some cat health problems that you cannot prevent.



A majority of cats are vulnerable to worms. The presence of ringworms, hookworms, roundworms or tapeworms may make your cat suffer from stomach ache and vomiting. The presence of these worms may also cause discoloration of her coat and give her a bloated tummy. But you need not worry too much about these conditions as there are various medicines that can successfully cure such problems.



Cats love to groom themselves. However this frequent grooming can also result in hairball problems. While grooming themselves, cats often gulp hairs that remain undigested. Later, cats vomit these hairs out as hairballs.



Fleas too may bother your cats. These fleas would feed on the blood of your loving pet and too many fleas can also make it anemic. This uncomfortable situation may cause it to scratch itself more often, thus resulting in skin diseases. Keep a close watch on your pet and take her to a vet before the infestation gets serious.



Genetic cat health problems may include some kinds of kidney diseases, blindness and many others. Many Abyssinian cats are born with retinal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy and familial amyloidosis. Burmese cats are genetically more prone to diabetes, glaucoma and hypokalaemic myopathy. Gingivitis is another genetic condition that is present in many cats.



Despite their adorable appearance, even Persian cats have their share of genetic illnesses. The major genetic disorders that this breed suffers from include Chediak-Higashi syndrome, dystocia, progressive retinal atrophy and corneal sequestrum.



The list of cat health problems also includes feline leukemia. Unfortunately there is no permanent medication for this terminal illness and vomiting and weakness are some of its symptoms. Cats can also develop urinary tract infections and conjunctivitis. Injuries to the inner ear and ear mites can cause ear infection in cats. You should check the ears of your cat on a regular basis during her grooming sessions.



If your cat is falling ill, do not panic and remember to consult a vet or any reputable resource as soon as possible to prevent her condition from worsening. Good luck!

Hyperthyroidism in Cats - Warning Signs and Origins

Hyperthyroidism is among the most commonly seen disorders of cats involving the endocrine system. This system involves glands which generate hormones. The adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands usually three of the most familiar.



Hyperthyroidism is normally a result of the overproduction of hormones via the thyroid gland. The hormones created by this amazing gland normally accountable for regulating metabolic rate combined with impacting on other body systems.



What are the signs pointing to hyperthyroidism in cats?



First, they can suffer from weight loss at an alarming rate. Nevertheless they are actually taking in additional food ordinary, the loss of weight will probably persist.



One additional warning sign may be the activity output. It will likely be enhanced and the pet will discover it almost difficult to be without motion for almost any time frame. Diarrhea, nausea additionally decrease of hair are other signs and symptoms of this illness.



Although these signs and symptoms usually do not suggest that the feline has hyperthyroidism, they are one specific very good sign. This is the reason normal examinations using your vet tend to be integral. Lab tests could be carried out to evaluate regarding other issues with related signs.



Progression of the Disorder



Most cats less than eight years of age do not develop this particular illness although it may happen. Their standard age of the starting point of this malady can be approximately thirteen years of age.



Striking female and male felines alike, hyperthyroidism does not seem to choose a particular breed. The good news is an extremely minimal percentage - 1% to 2% - of cats experiencing the condition seems to have it resulting from cancer.



Within the past Two-and-a-half decades, this disorder has increased drastically. Although the particular reason will not be known, vets theorize that it may be the quality diets of our furry friends. Actually, the main cause regarded as a compromised immune system or the environmental affects.



It is actually regarded of which cats that aren't dealt usually are prone to come up with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is in essence when the heart muscle thickens and it will gradually cause the passing away of the cat because of cardiovascular system failure.



Management of Hyperthyroidism



At this time, your vet typically utilize three ways to handle hyperthyroidism. An anti-thyroid medicine, methimazole might be used. This isn't a cure for the challenge. It is a medication that has to be given regular for the rest of the cat's existence. This really is often not a option and there is side-effects connected with this specific drug which the cat might be unable to tolerate.



An additional alternative will be removing using surgical treatment. It does require the cat to be strong enough for the surgical treatment. This may be a successful treatment provided that all of the structure involved is removed. There is a possibility that repeat surgical treatment will be needed.



A treatment using radioactive iodine can be an alternative means of removing the tissue involved. This is an expensive procedure and requires the cat to be hospitalized between a couple of days to a week. This is the preferred method when the cat has a malignancy.



Considering that most veterinarians would not have the facilities to carry out this treatment, it might be necessary to go a lengthy distance to find the one that has the necessary equipment. Regular examinations play a key role in the diagnosis as well as treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats, so keep your cat healthy and he can be around for quite a while.

Diabetes Dietary Treatment - Timing of Meals

The feeding schedule of pets receiving insulin should be planned so that nutrients are delivered to the body during peak periods of exogenous insulin activity. This span will be determined by the type of insulin used and the time of day it is administered. Several small meals should be provided throughout the period of insulin activity, as opposed to feeding a single large meal. Feeding several small meals helps minimize postprandial fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Other factors that affect the degree of hyperglycemia that occurs following a meal include the composition of the food and the type of insulin administered.



If insulin is administered early in the morning, the first meal should be given immediately before the insulin injection. If the pet refuses to eat on any occasion, the insulin injection can be withheld, thereby preventing the subsequent possibility of hypoglycemia. The remaining three or four meals in the day can be given at equally spaced intervals, depending on the action of the insulin used. Taking blood samples and measuring blood glucose levels every 1 to 2 hours throughout a 24-hour period will indicate if the feeding schedule coincides adequately with insulin activity. If postprandial blood glucose levels rise above 180 milligrams, (mg)/deciliter (dl), the interval between feeding and insulin administration should be decreased. If hyperglycemia still occurs, the size of the meal should be decreased and/or the number of meals provided per day should be increased. Likewise, a meal should always be provided within 1 to 2 hours following the lowest blood glucose level.



Once an appropriate pet food and feeding schedule have been selected, the management program should be strictly adhered to. Pets that have previously been fed free-choice should be gradually switched to the new regimen. Although most dogs will adapt quickly, cats can be very resistant to changes in their feeding routine and in the type of food that is fed. This resistance can make dietary management of a diabetic cat difficult for some owners. Mixing the new food into the cat's previous food and changing to a meal-feeding regimen over a period of several weeks can help decrease these problems. Allowing cats to nibble over the period of insulin activity is also effective in some cases. Supplemental food should not be given, and feeding times should vary as little as possible. Periodic monitoring of blood glucose levels can be used to adjust the diet as the pet loses weight, changes the amount of exercise it gets, or requires adjustments in insulin dosage.