"How to Keep Your Cat Free from Diseases with This Quick Guide to Cat Parasites"Written by NS Kennedy
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other creatures. Among cats, parasites generally feed on animal's blood. Detecting internal parasites can be difficult, but a close inspection of skin and fur is usually all that is needed to uncover traces of external parasites such as ear mites and fleas. There are many types of worms that are internal parasites to cats. If you see small, rice like debris around your cat's anus or in her bedding, take her to your veterinarian. He will need to run simple tests to identify what type of worm is present so that he can prescribe proper medication to eliminate parasite. Coccidia are microscopic parasites. They live in cells within lining of intestines. The most common symptom is diarrhea. Left untreated, animal becomes extremely weak and dehydrated. Fortunately coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) are effective in treatment and prevention of coccidia. However, these drugs do not kill parasites, but rather inhibit reproduction - elimination of coccidia from intestine is slow. Ear mites take up residence in a cat's ear canals. As they feed, they cause intense itching. A cat suffering from an infestation of ear mites scratches behind her ears often and is seen violently shaking her head on a regular basis. If you look inside her ears, you will see dark flecks that resemble coffee grounds - these are mites' droppings. If you suspect ear mites, contact your veterinarian. There are several effective treatments for ear mites, such as Fipronil (Frontline) and Selamectin (Revolution). Ear mites are easily treated with eardrops, but are very contagious to other cats. If you have a multi-cat household, isolate infected cat as soon as possible. Ear mites are not transmitted from cats to humans.
| | "You Can Help Reduce the Number of Unwanted Cats - Spaying and Neutering of Cats"Written by NS Kennedy
Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens are destroyed because they are unwanted. Animal shelters that take in these animals and try to find them homes are overcrowded. With so many animals in need, they cannot support all animals indefinitely. The solution is not to open more shelters, but for cat owners to become more responsible about spaying and neutering their pets.A female cat can have two litters of kittens each year. The average survival rate is about 2.8 kittens per litter. If her offspring are not spayed or neutered, result is 12 cats first year, 66 cats in second year, and at end of ten years, total would be 80,399,780 cats. "Spay" is term used for surgical removal of a female animal's uterus and ovaries. When a male's testicles are removed, it is called "neutering." Both procedures leave animals unable to reproduce. Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, spaying and neutering of pets has other benefits for cats and their owners. Benefits of neutering a male cat * Neutered cats are less likely to spray strong urine * Neutered cats will lose urge to fight * Neutered cats will be less likely to try to escape * Neutered cats will not suffer abscesses from fighting * Neutered cats will be less likely to contract diseases such as FeLV and FIV * Neutered cats will not be subject to testicular cancer * Neutered cats will not likely develop "stud tail," caused by overactive glands in tail * Neutered cats have a decreased risk of mammary cancer Spaying a female cat prevents mating behaviors such as fighting and yowling/hyperactivity in females. Spayed cats don't roam neighborhood as much, protecting them from dangers of vehicles and aggressive dogs. Their tendency to stay closer to home also provides protection against deadly diseases such as FeLV and FIV. Finally, "fixed" pets tend to be more loving, because they are not subject to erratic effects of hormones.
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