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Cats

Flower Essence Remedies for Cats
Flower essences are specially prepared from setting blossoms in water and gathering the essence it leaves behind.  That is different from essential oils which are derived from pressing the blooms themselves.  Read how flower essences can help your cat's emotions in a gentle manner.

Causes of Feline Ear Discomfort
Apart from the difference in frequency, cats and dogs are susceptible to practically the same types of infections of the external ear. For example, cat ear mites maybe a less common occurrence than dog ear mites but when infested, can lead to similar symptoms and develop into serious conditions in both, if not attended to in time.

Homeopathy for Cats - Ear mites
Pet ears infections pose a perennial problem, equally for owners and the specialists who are called upon to treat them. The fact that your pets have been domesticated and made to change their natural habitat is one of the major causes behind their vulnerability to attacks from infectious bacteria and parasites like ear mites.

Common Cures for Ear Mites in Cats
Of all the organs in the body of a cat, skin and ears are the most vulnerable. While skin conditions are more visible, an infection in the ear requires keen observation and can be detected only if you are regular and observant while grooming your pet cat or dog.

Treatment and Prevention of Hairballs in Cats
Cats are excellent at self-grooming. Besides other reasons, they groom to heal wounds and minor abrasions with the ‘antiseptic saliva’. However, the cat tongue is rough and during the process quite a few loose or dead hair tend to stick to it, which are then swallowed.

How to Deal With a Mean Cat
Most people bring home a cat or a kitten expecting a friendly cat that will become a companion and lie cozily in the lap. It is unlikely that a cat will be confident enough to adjust easily to a new home and people.

Primary and Secondary Symptoms of Diabetes in Cats
Male cats are more susceptible to diabetes and so are obese cats of either gender. Genetic predisposition is usually suspected to be behind this condition but steroids and other clinical conditions like a pancreas disease and steroidal drugs used for treating other diseases are also known to cause diabetes.

Feline Diabetes Mellitus - an Overview
Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by excessive urination and thirst. It is a metabolic disorder marked by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas.

Treating Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes in cats is treatable and normally has a good prognosis. Cats usually respond to lasting insulin and low carbohydrate diets. If diabetes is detected early, treatment is usually successful in preventing nerve damage and in some cases, even remission.

Causes of Diabetes in Cats
All cells in the body need glucose for energy. There is a typical method by which glucose enters the cells. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that signals the opening of a ‘door’ so that glucose can enter the cell.

Causes, Symptoms, and Prognosis of Auto-Immune Disease in Cats
The immune system in a cat’s body has a committed task. It is a complex interconnected system of white blood cells, antibodies and other substances that are released to combat infections and eliminate foreign proteins. On recognition of a foreign invasion, the system releases antibodies which chemically bind with antigens to destroy them.

When Does Feline Liver Failure Occur and How to Avoid It
There is a difference between liver disease and liver failure. Liver disease is a general term applied to any disorder that is affecting liver.

Symptoms of Worms in Cats
Parasitic worms in dogs and cats normally reside in the intestines. The one aspect of these parasitic worms is that worm larvae and eggs can remain dormant for years in tissues and wait for an appropriate trigger to surface and infest your pet.

Different Types of Parasites in Felines
Canine or feline parasites are a potential source of danger for pets and humans alike. A single female Toxocara canis, commonly known as roundworms, can shed up to a hundred thousand eggs in a single day.

Handle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Cats with Care
Most cat owners do not realize that pets face stress like humans. When you bring home a cat you are actually denying her the company of her mother and litter.

Cat Acne Treatment and Prevention
Your cat’s skin has two types of glands in the dermal layer. The sweat glands that keep the body temperature in check and the sebaceous glands that secrete a greasy substance called sebum. The sebum is a source of one of the most common cat skin diseases that we know as feline acne.

Cat Skin Problems
Of all the body organs, the skin is not only the biggest but also the most problematic organ of the cat’s body. Most medical conditions demonstrate symptoms that relate to skin and coat.

What Does Hair Loss in Cats Signify?
The condition of skin and coat is an important indicator of your pet cat’s general health. Many common cat and dog skin problems are similar to human skin afflictions.

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Causes of Feline Ear Discomfort   Apart from the difference in frequency, cats and dogs are susceptible to practically the same types of infections of the external ear. For example, cat ear mites maybe a less common occurrence than dog ear mites but when infested, can lead to similar symptoms and develop into serious conditions in both, if not attended to in time.

Minor Irritations - The first sign of discomfort in cats is scratching due to irritation caused by an infestation of parasites or infection due to injury or an allergic reaction. Some of the conditions are a direct cause of excessive scratching and itching when an initial sign of ear discomfort is ignored by cat owners.

Ear Mites - These are small external parasites that look like crabs. Ear mites in cats are easy to eliminate and this can be done simply by cleaning the ear regularly. However, in the absence of a timely intervention they can lead to bacterial and fungal infections. In severe conditions, mites can move further to the inner ear and rupture the tympanic membrane (ear drum). This may lead to seizures and deafness.

Bacterial and Fungal Infections - These are secondary infections and often a direct result of ear mites and poor grooming by owners. Ear mites create an environment that promotes yeast and bacteria within the ear canal. Since cats naturally resist ear infections, by the time you take it to the veterinarian, the mites may have vanished. But make sure that there is no secondary infection remaining.

Polyps - Polyps are small vascular growths that usually occur in cat ears and can lead to symptoms similar to ear mites like scratching and irritation. These need to be removed surgically lest they lead to permanent damage or the inability to walk straight.

Hematomas - These are one of the numerous secondary conditions caused by excessive scratching that lead to rupture of an external ear blood vessel. The vessel swells and fills with blood, which, in extreme manifestations, can block the ear canal totally.

Chronic Conditions - All primary infections need to be attended to seriously. Left untreated, all of them develop into severe and chronic infections. Chronic infections can potentially affect a cats’ immune system and lead to life threatening conditions.

Prognosis of ear infections in cats is extremely encouraging. With proper diagnosis and treatment nearly all infections can be cured. Ear discomfort obviously always has an underlying condition that causes it. If the underlying disease or infection is not identified properly in its early stages, it can prove to be detrimental to the overall health of the cat.

Prevention is the best remedy for keeping ear infections at bay. Home remedies for dog ear mites like vinegar or mineral oil solutions can play a pivotal role in eliminating primary infections. Regular grooming with extra care to cleaning cat ears can go a long way in avoiding discomfort to your cat due to ear problems.

Homeopathy for Cats - Ear Mites   Pet ears infections pose a perennial problem, equally for owners and the specialists who are called upon to treat them. The fact that your pets have been domesticated and made to change their natural habitat is one of the major causes behind their vulnerability to attacks from infectious bacteria and parasites like ear mites.

The limitations of conventional medications, including side effects that lead to more problems than they are supposed to cure, has been instrumental in giving a boost to alternative therapies. These holistic therapies take a holistic view of disease. The relatively less popularity of alternative therapies like homeopathy stems from the fact that they are slow in treating an ailment. At the same time, the established fact that homeopathy attempts to remove the root cause of a disease and not just the symptoms, is not properly advertised.

Homeopathy is a treatment that treats the disease on the basis of how a disease manifests itself in an individual. It treats symptoms as the body’s own attempt to cure. Rather than trying to provide a temporary relief, it focuses on the condition causing an ailment. Having proved its mettle in treating human conditions, it is now being extensively used for treat pet ailments also.

Cat and dog ear mites remain one of the most common underlying conditions behind ear infections in pets. As in dogs, cat ear mites live in the ears of a cat and cause irritation and incite the cat to scratch its ears. If not handled in its early stages, mite infestation can further lead to:

* Increased production of wax in the ears.
* A black and dry discharge from the ears.
* A foul smell.
* Secondary infections.
* Aural hematomas - a localized swelling of a blood vessel.

Homeopathy offers natural remedies for treating ear mite infestation and does not have any side effects. The remedy aims at improving the autoimmune system of the cat. A strong immune system helps in combating any future infections.

Homeopathy suggests different remedies for ear infections depending upon the type of symptoms and behavior of the pet. For example Sulphur is advised for cats that prefer cool places. Psorium is indicated where cats love warmth. For intense itchy ears and sore ears, Rhus Tox is the most recommended remedy. For cats that show signs of a thick, sticky and foul smelling discharge, Graphites is the preferred remedy.

Being holistic in nature, homoeopathy lays more stress on prevention. Bi-monthly cleaning of ears is highly recommended and homeopathy has remedies for this aspect of managing ear infections also. A combination of Calendula Officinalis, Verbascum Thapsus, Pulsatilla Causticum, Conium Maculatum, and Kali Muriaticum is highly effective in eliminating ear mites and cleaning the ears. Unlike allopathic therapies, homeopathy does not restrict the use of home remedies for dog ear mites as both homeopathy and home remedies are based on natural products.

Common Cures for Ear Mites in Cats   Of all the organs in the body of a cat, skin and ears are the most vulnerable. While skin conditions are more visible, an infection in the ear requires keen observation and can be detected only if you are regular and observant while grooming your pet cat or dog.

Ear mites live by tunneling into the ear canal of cats. The automatic response of the cat’s body is to produce more wax to combat the invasion by cat ear mites. Severe infections give rise to an offensive smell. If not attended to in time ear mites can lead to secondary infections in cats.

Cat and dog ear mites cause intense itching compelling the pet to shake its head vigorously. This can cause abscesses or cuts. Treating ear mites at the first sign of their prevalence can save a lot of discomfort to the cat as well as owners.

Severe infection of ear mites may require you to visit your veterinarian for a properly cleaning of the ear. This procedure is so thorough that it might even necessitate a general anesthesia in certain cases. Mild to moderate infections are treated with topical ointments, injections and oral medication.

Many topical ointments kill only adult mites and are ineffective in eradicating the mite eggs. The entire ear mite lifecycle of three weeks is spent off the host. That means that topical treatment must continue for the total span of mite lifecycle. Topical treatments that contain antibiotics to contain inflammations and secondary infections are preferred as they require lesser time to show results.

Injections for treating ear mites in cats are not approved by the FDA but are still used by veterinarians. Depending upon the severity of the infection a course of two to four injections is normally used to eradicate mites.

Ear mites by themselves are not a very big problem if proper and timely attention is paid to their treatment. The problem starts when ear mites lead to secondary infection. Groom your cat regularly and pay special attention to its ears for signs of wax accumulation, thickening of the external ear (pinna) and bad odor.

The worrying fact is that ear mites may never completely disappear from the body of your cat. In such a scenario, prevention is the best cure. Some very effective home remedies for dog ear mites block the breathing pores of mites to suffocate and kill them can be of great help for cat ear mites too. Periodic cleaning of the ears will save your cat from developing serious infections. In multi-pet homes this is all the more necessary because ear mites are highly contagious and can transmit to other pets as well as humans.

Treatment and Prevention of Hairballs in Cats   Cats are excellent at self-grooming. Besides other reasons, they groom to heal wounds and minor abrasions with the ‘antiseptic saliva’. However, the cat tongue is rough and during the process quite a few loose or dead hair tend to stick to it, which are then swallowed. Hair tissue is not easily digestible and accumulates in the cat’s stomach or intestinal tract, forming what we know as a ‘hair ball’. A cat retches out the hair ball when it irritates the stomach. If the hair balls do not pass out with stools, they can block the intestinal tract leading to loss of appetite, constipation and weight loss.

Formation of hairballs is natural in cats. Unlike medical and physical conditions like feline hair loss, cat dandruff and feline acne, it does not require any complicated process for prevention. If you pay good attention to hair growth and hair shedding in your cat, you will be able to limit the accumulation of hairballs in the cat’s body.

Comb your cat’s coat regularly, preferably daily. Use a comb that helps you in removing dead hair effectively. The choice of the comb should depend upon the breed of the cat that you have and the length of the hair. If the dead and loose hairs are removed regularly your cat will tend to swallow lesser hair in the process of self-grooming.

Treatment for hairballs in cats is even easier. It does not involve medication like other cat and dog skin problems. Like self grooming cats are very good at self treatment too, at least in as far as it concerns hairballs. A cat with hairballs indulges in eating grass and plants in an effort to rid itself of hair balls. The fiber in grass and plants facilitates easy elimination. In case you want to help your cat in getting rid of hair balls, this is exactly what you need to do to augment its own efforts.

* Feed extra fiber to your cat. Catnip, wheat, oats and barley, pumpkin, oat bran, green beans, flax and psyllium husk are natural sources of fiber. Add small quantities to the feed every alternate day. A high fiber diet helps in easy elimination of hair balls.

* Petroleum jelly acts as a lubricant and makes it easy for the cat to excrete the hairballs. Petroleum jelly is perfectly safe for cats and passes out unabsorbed. There are commercial products available that contain petroleum jelly. If you do not wish to buy some, the best way is to either administer it directly as a treat or apply some on the leg below the elbow for the cat to lick.

A word of caution regarding high fiber diet needs to be added here. High fiber may be necessary for treating hairballs in cats but it can cause certain symptoms that you need to be aware of.

* High fiber holds more water in the system and this can lead to concentrated urine making your cat more susceptible to a urinary tract disorder.
* Fiber does not guarantee elimination of hairballs that get stuck in the stomach.
* Too much fiber can lead to diarrhea or a significant increase in the bulk of stools.

Hairball formulas available commercially may deny your cat some other nutrients that are necessary for growth. These formulas can also be expensive. If you do have to opt for a hairball formula, choose a natural product over chemical ones to avoid any further side effects.

How to Deal with a Mean Cat    Most people bring home a cat or a kitten expecting a friendly cat that will become a companion and lie cozily in the lap. It is unlikely that a cat will be confident enough to adjust easily to a new home and people. However, apart from the initial short period that the cat may take to get used to a new environment, most cats adjust easily in new homes.

On the other hand, some cats remain fearful of the new surroundings despite patient efforts of the cat owner. Su situation may be the start of a problem. If the fearful and anxious situation continues you can be sure that you have landed yourself with a stressed and unhappy cat.

A fearful or defensive cat is likely to resort to aggressive behavior like fighting, biting and scratching. Understanding cat behavior is critical to handle an aggressive cat or to stop cat biting behavior. Unlike treating aggressive dog behavior , which requires re-training, handling a mean cat may require a little bit more than that.

However, before you try anything it is recommended that you take precautionary measures and trim the cat’s claws. Trimming the claws should actually be a regular practice since the feral wild traits can manifest anytime.

It is normal for owners to confuse playful aggression of cats with typical aggression. Cats need to play aggressively to spruce up their survival instincts. Play activities of cats include cautious, exploratory and investigative behaviors. This may appear as aggressive behavior to owners who have other expectations from their cat.

Play that looks like aggression may be initiated by the owner or the cat himself. Do not use your hands and feet as toys for the cat. Do not play rough games with him nor indulge in any physical punishment. Cats are not likely to understand the association of the punishment with an act that they have done.

On the contrary, they are likely to associate it with the individual who metes out the punishment. Try to divert the cat’s attention and offer toys so that he can play in a manner that is acceptable to you.

Although domesticated cats have all their food available at home, they are prone to practice hunting skills. For some inexplicable reason cats get fed up with petting very quickly. Watch out for signals that resemble predatory behavior and stop the moment you see those shifting eyes, pulled back ears and a twitching tail.

Maternal dog aggression seems soft when compared to the maternal aggression of cats. Cats are very protective mothers and therefore it is best never to disturb a cat when she is with her kittens. Such aggression usually dies as the kittens grow up.

Cats are instinctive hunters. If you have small pocket pets at home, keep them out of reach of the cat. A cat may play with a pet canary is equally capable of eating it at a later date. Also, cats are expert predators like tigers and should not be let outside alone. They are likely to like the predatory killing if they get a flavor of it once.

Both cats and dogs need a significant amount of socializing while they are young. Cat and dog biting is common among pets that have been weaned away early in life. It does not provide them with enough opportunities to learn to control their aggression.

If you have brought a kitten that has not had enough time with siblings, gradual introduction to other cats will slowly but surely teach him that aggression is not acceptable.

Primary and Secondary Symptoms of Diabetes in Cats   Male cats are more susceptible to diabetes and so are obese cats of either gender. Genetic predisposition is usually suspected to be behind this condition but steroids and other clinical conditions like a pancreas disease and steroidal drugs used for treating other diseases are also known to cause diabetes. An increased incidence has also been observed in neutered cats above six years old.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease where insufficient insulin production causes the blood sugar levels to rise. As the disease develops within the cat’s body, sugar is revealed in the urine as well. It is a complex disease and symptoms of diabetes in cats can remain concealed for a long time. Many times the disease is discovered when the cat’s blood is checked for another evident disease.

The pancreas in the cat’s body, situated close to the stomach, has two primary functions - that of releasing insulin and enzymes meant for digestion. Due to certain reasons, not yet firmly known to veterinarian science, the pancreas are unable to produce sufficient insulin, necessary for the storage of glucose in the liver and the oxidation of sugar in cells.

In some cases tissues develop resistance to insulin and cannot make good use of the glucose, which is necessary for building energy. Both the conditions lead to high sugar levels in the blood, a condition known as hyperglycemia.

Chronic hyperglycemia persists even on fasting and is a common characteristic of diabetes mellitus. Even if your cat has high blood sugar it is wrong to presume that it is suffering from diabetes. In certain cases stress and medication can cause a temporary condition of transient hyperglycemia.

Prognosis of diabetes is fair to good provided it is detected early. Knowledge of symptoms of diabetes in cats can enable owners to assess them and seek early medical aid.

Primary Symptoms

* Polyuria: This is a primary symptom associated with diabetes in cats. It is a renal disorder characterized by large volumes of pale dilute urine.
* Polydipsia: It is the excessive thirst caused by diabetes or a kidney dysfunction. There is an apparent obsession with water and you may see your cat hanging around taps and faucets.
* Excessive weight loss.
* Changes in appetite: The cat may start eating three times its normal diet or refuse to eat.

As the disease progresses, it can lead to poor hair coat, liver disease and frequent secondary bacterial infections.

Diabetes is a highly progressive disease and severe conditions may lead to diabetic neuropathy. It is caused by glucose toxicity and cell starvation, which damages the myelin sheath of the peripheral nerves. The hind legs of the cat become weaker and the cat abandons its normal stance of standing on its toes. Instead the cat assumes a plantigrade stance, which is walking on the whole sole of feet like humans.

In quadrupeds this translates into walking on hocks. The cat may also have difficulty in walking and jumping and may need to sit down after a few steps. Weak legs can be caused by other conditions as well. Before assuming neuropathy it is advisable to consult a specialist first.

Diabetes is also associated with acidosis, abnormally high acidity of the blood and other body tissues leading to accumulation of ketone bodies. This may lead to a dangerous condition called ketoacidosis. Such a condition may cause refusal of food, vomiting, diarrhea and respiratory problems. Ketoacidosis is extremely dangerous and should be attended to immediately Left untreated it ultimately leads to death of the animal.

Feline Diabetes Mellitus - an Overview   Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by excessive urination and thirst. It is a metabolic disorder marked by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. There is no major variation in the incidence of diabetes in cats and dogs but recent figures reveal that the condition is becoming more common in cats. Roughly 5% to 20% of cases of diabetes in cats are type 1 classifications and the rest experience type 2.

Both type 1 and type 2 have similar symptoms and consequences but have different causes. The end cause in both types is the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin to prevent hyperglycemia (elevated sugar levels). Type 1 diabetes is often caused due to autoimmune responses that destroy the beta cells of pancreas, which produce insulin. Although some disability of beta cells is necessary for type 2 diabetes, it is basically characterized by insulin resistance of the target tissue.

Due to the inability to utilize glucose effectively, the level of sugar in the blood increases. Over time, this level of sugar also increases in the urine. Despite a good appetite, the cat starts loosing weight as the tissues are unable to use glucose for their growth. Glucose is an important source of physiological energy and as the condition progresses the cat starts becoming weaker.

Symptoms of diabetes in cats are almost similar to those in humans and include excessive urination, persistent thirst, weight loss and an increased appetite. A typical symptom of feline diabetes is that the cat starts walking on its hocks or the gait becomes stilted or wobbly.

Diabetes is not breed-specific but is usually more prevalent in older, obese and male cats. The exact cause of the disease is not known but a genetic predisposition, obesity, pancreatitis, hormonal imbalances and drug side effects cannot be ruled out.

A diabetic cat requires adequate control of sugar levels in the body. This is affected with the aid of long-acting insulin injections that may be given once or twice daily. As every cat responds differently to insulin, the type, dose and frequency of insulin has to be determined individually. To establish the requisite dose, an 18 to 24 hour profile is studied, which requires hospitalization for checking blood glucose profiles frequently.

Monitoring of dosage and blood sugar levels is critical as an overdose can cause hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, which is equally dangerous. If blood sugar levels drop, the cat should immediately be given its normal food. If the cat is unable to eat, remedial steps like rubbing something sweet on the gums or forcing it down with a syringe have to taken.

Cats usually respond well to long-lasting insulin and low carbohydrate diets. An early detection and treatment can even result in total remission of the disease. Cat owners should be observant of any apparent thinning of the skin or fragility. These are serious signs of progression of the disease and the cat breaking down its own body fat for survival. A common progression from this point onwards leads to dehydration and even death.

Treating Diabetes in Cats   Diabetes in cats is treatable and normally has a good prognosis. Cats usually respond to lasting insulin and low carbohydrate diets. If diabetes is detected early, treatment is usually successful in preventing nerve damage and in some cases, even remission. However, if left untreated it can lead to organ failure, blindness and even death.

Diet

In many cases diet alone is able to treat diabetes in cats . A low carbohydrate diet lowers the requirement of insulin in diabetic cats. In cats and dogs, carbohydrates are converted to blood glucose must faster than fats and proteins. A low carbohydrate diet thus reduces the risk of extreme blood sugar highs immediately after meals. Home cooked food, however, is always the preferred option than commercial foods since canned food tends to have a higher proportion of carbohydrate. Try to get hold of a cat food calculator and determine the type and quantity of fats, proteins and carbohydrates that you can safely feed your cat with.

Oral pills

Oral anti-diabetic drug, Glipizide, stimulates the release of insulin from pancreas and in some cases even curbs production of glucose. These drugs can be useful only if the pancreas is working. Moreover, these drugs are known to adversely affect pancreas, which can reduce the chances of remission in cats. it is better to switch to injectable insulin because in certain cases Glipizide can even damage the liver.

Insulin

Insulin usually metabolizes faster in cats than in humans. A particular type of insulin that lasts, say, for a day in humans will remain effective only for 12 hours in cats. As such a twice-daily dose is recommended for cats. Beef based or human synthetic insulin is most suited for cats. The choice of which insulin brand suits your cat the most and the requisite dose can be determined with a little experimentation.

Effective treatment of diabetes is based on the severity of the disease. Intensive acre is required in cases where the disease has progressed beyond the initial levels. Cats with ketoacidosis require fluid therapy to check dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and short-acting insulin rather than the preferred long-acting one.

Dosage

Both dosage and mealtimes have to be regulated. If the cat is on pronounced peak action insulin, the meal timings need to be scheduled and planned to match it. If your cat is used to eat freely throughout the day, make sure that slow-acting insulin is used so that blood sugar levels are maintained all through the day. As cats metabolize insulin very fast, slow-acting insulin is not generally recommended for cats.

Diabetes can be fairly managed and treated without any major danger to the cat’s life but like all diseases, prognosis of diabetes too depends on early treatment. Even initial symptoms of diabetes in cats, like excessive urination and/or thirst should be reported to a veterinarian so that a proper diagnosis is done. You never know, the condition might be curable simply by diet modification.

Causes of Diabetes in Cats   All cells in the body need glucose for energy. There is a typical method by which glucose enters the cells. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that signals the opening of a ‘door’ so that glucose can enter the cell. Any disruption in this mechanism means that cells do not get the energizing glucose that they need and excess glucose remains in the blood stream. This results in high blood glucose levels.

Inflammation of the pancreas is a primary cause of diabetes in cats , dogs and humans as well. Type 1 diabetes is the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a combination of a similar problem as in type 1 diabetes accompanied by a condition known as insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is characterized by the inability of the cells to accept glucose. This leads to a viscious circle wherein due to the elevated blood sugar level a signal is sent to the pancreas for production of more insulin. Sometimes this excess production overrides the excess blood sugar and the pancreas exhausts itself and gradually stops funtioning.

Just as overweight humans are at a higher risk of developing diabetes, obesity is one of the major causes of diabetes in cats also. Adipose, commonly known as fatty cells produce a substance that increases the resistance of the body cells towards insulin. In addition, cats are not efficient at processing carbohydrates since they are obligate carnivores and therefore derive their energy from proteins and fats and not from carbohydrates.

While diabetes is mostly related to metabolism, stress hyperglycemia (abnormally high blood sugar temporarily) can sometimes complicate a diagnosis. Diabetic conditions caused by stress can sometimes reach hyperglycemic levels and cause glucosuria, a condition where glucose is passed out through urine.

Glucose is necessary for life and the normal reaction of the body is to preserve it at all costs. Though the kidney works as a barrier that restricts the loss of glucose in urine, the extra glucose in the blood must go somewhere. Since the cells are not accepting the glucose, the kidneys are swept over by an excess of sugar that spills over into the urine.

For its expulsion through urine, the glucose has to be in liquid form. To enable this expulsion process, an increasing amount of water is drawn from the body towards the bladder. This gives rise to two of the characteristic symptoms of diabetes in cats - excessive thirst and excessive urine.

Despite a fair amount of research, science has still not been able to determine the real cause of diabetes in cats with reasonable surety. In some cases, diabetes is caused due to an underlying disease. Risk factors like obesity, carbohydrate rich diet, treatment with corticosteroids, stress and shock are considered to be the biggest causes for diabetes in cats. Recent studies suggest that it may be an auto-immune disease but a genetic predisposition cannot be ruled either.

Causes, Symptoms, and Prognosis of Auto-Immune Disease in Cats  The immune system in a cat’s body has a committed task. It is a complex interconnected system of white blood cells, antibodies and other substances that are released to combat infections and eliminate foreign proteins. On recognition of a foreign invasion, the system releases antibodies which chemically bind with antigens to destroy them.

The important part of the immune system is that it is supposed to recognize foreign substances and respond immediately to destroy them. Unfortunately it does not happen like this always. Certain disorders cause the controlling mechanism of the immune system to fail and it produces antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues. These are known as autoantibodies. The resultant disease is known as an autoimmune disease. Even though it is known that an autoimmune disease is caused by production of these autoantibodies, the underlying causes are complicated and not thoroughly understood.

Symptoms of autoimmune diseases vary depending upon the organ or system that has been affected. In certain cases multiple organs and body systems are affected. Autoimmune diseases occur in both cats and dogs, producing relatively similar symptoms.

The autoimmune disease of the blood in cats is rare and often secondary to leukemia. The antibodies disrupt the body’s own red blood cells causing hemolysis, a condition known as autoimmune hemolytic anemia. It may cause jaundice, lethargy, enlargement of lymph nodes and ulcerations in ears, nose, tail and feet. It is often accompanied with a substantial fall in platelet count. Hemolysis can also be drug induced, so a proper diagnosis is a must before proceeding with treatment.

If the cat is showing signs of muscle weakness, difficulty in eating and swallowing, and regurgitation, there are chances that autoantibodies are attacking the acetylcholine receptors on muscles. This can be a sign of a chronic progressive disease characterized by chronic fatigue and muscular weakness, especially in the face and neck, known as Myasthenia gravis.

Another musculoskeletal autoimmune disease in cats may occur in the form of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis causes extreme disability in the shape of lameness and stiff joints. In its extreme manifestation, a cessation of joint movement can also occur. Where the skin is affected, it causes ulceration in the mucous membranes of the skin, serum discharging lesions, crusts over the ulcers, itchiness and alopecia.

Autoimmune disease may affect multiple organs at the same time. Multiple organ autoimmune disease is common and makes diagnosis extremely difficult. The name itself presupposes presence of multiple symptoms that can be confusing at times, even for the expert veterinarian. There are indications that feline liver disease, such as chronic active hepatitis may have a connection with a malfunctioning immune system.

The complement system in the body is a series of proteins like the antibodies and is named based on the fact that its function complements the antibodies. Complement proteins are manufactured in the liver and sometimes liver disease in dogs and cats may be a harbinger of an immune mediated disease. Consulting your veterinarian is advisable when you see symptoms of liver disease in dogs and cats.

Prognosis of most of the autoimmune diseases is generally poor if not treated in the earlier stages. Those affecting the skin usually go into remission on treatment with drugs. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and autoimmune thrombocytopenia (fall in platelet count in blood) requires aggressive treatment. Myasthenia gravis, the musculoskeletal disorder, has a guarded prognosis with an underlying risk of death.

When Does Feline Liver Failure Occur and How to Avoid It.  There is a difference between liver disease and liver failure. Liver disease is a general term applied to any disorder that is affecting liver. The blood tests in this case show higher levels of liver enzymes. Apart from fatty liver disease, which is a more common in cats, other types of feline liver diseases are caused by toxins from food and drugs, trauma, heatstroke and infections.

A liver shunt, where the blood bypasses the liver instead of going through it, is a genetic defect in the portal vein but may be acquired in certain cases.

Liver disease is usually difficult to diagnose. The symptoms of liver disease in dogs and cats normally have to be observed carefully as they often duplicate symptoms of other diseases. Till the definite results from blood tests, imaging procedures or histology are not available, even veterinarians are wary of confirming a diagnosis of liver disease. Before a definite diagnosis, the typical sequence of events occurs as follows.

* Cat owners observe certain symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite and other symptoms associated with liver health.
* The veterinarian advises blood tests. Liver enzymes like ALT and AST, which normally remain within the liver, show up freely in the blood. Bilirubin and bile acid levels in the blood are elevated.
* Ultrasound tests show an abnormal activity in the liver and an aspirate or a liver tissue is sent for further examination to confirm the exact nature of liver disease.

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for liver disease in cats and dogs. If a particular toxin is identified, efforts should be made to remove it from the diet. If it is being caused by a drug, an alternative medicine should be sought.

Any change in type of stool passed by the cat, or inappropriate behavior in urination and defecation routines should be enough for cat owners to raise the alarm and consult a veterinarian. Jaundice observed as pale gums and yellowish mucous membrane, however, is a definite sign of some thing wrong with the liver.

One of the major causes of feline liver disease is the inefficiency of the feline liver to process fats. This leads to accumulation of fats and ultimately to obesity. A cat’s body should be shaped like an hourglass - the chest wider than the abdomen. Cats over 6.4 kilograms are considered to be obese. A veterinarian is the right person to suggest what type of weight loss program should be started.

Liver disease is dangerous and certain types of liver diseases are fatal and can only be managed. Despite the capacity of the organ function even in face of serious assaults, untreated liver disease almost always leads to liver failure and death. Early treatment and preventive measures like diet modification, keen observation and timely action often are able to halt further damage to one of the most important organs in the cat’s body.

Symptoms of Worms in Cats   Parasitic worms in dogs and cats normally reside in the intestines. The one aspect of these parasitic worms is that worm larvae and eggs can remain dormant for years in tissues and wait for an appropriate trigger to surface and infest your pet.

In many cases it is the stress factor that acts as a trigger for worms to migrate. Feline parasites like roundworms and hookworms can surface abruptly in advanced stages of pregnancy and transmit to the young ones.

Kittens can get infected while in the womb of the female cat or through the milk of the infected mother. Adult cats can get infected by ingesting worm infested feces. They can also fall prey to these parasites if they consume a prey that is infected.

Larvae of roundworms can migrate to various parts of the body and can travel up to the eye and cause damage to vision. Vomiting, diarrhea, an extended abdomen, dehydration, weight loss and listlessness are other common symptoms that manifest themselves among cats infested with worms.

Cat and dog tapeworm are made up of segments. These segments are shed periodically and are ejected through feces. They stick to the area around the anus and can cause irritation since they are alive. Excessive licking of the anus is a behavior that can lead to further investigation and reveal tapeworm infestation in many cases.

A severe infestation by tapeworms causes abdominal pain and an abnormal increase in appetite. An exceptionally severe infection manifests in symptoms like coughing, high temperature, pneumonia and heart and liver diseases.

Symptoms of worms in dogs and cats are not always conclusive. Sometimes there are no specific symptoms that surface. But in some cases, worms can lead to death due to the sheer numbers. Worms multiply in geometric progression in the intestines. A single female roundworm can lay up to a hundred thousand eggs in a day. If left untreated the worms can block the intestinal passage and cause death.

Nearly all types of worms are passed through the feces into the environment. Unless the symptoms are very prominent, the only way that infestation can be diagnosed is by visibly detecting live worms or their eggs in the feces. Roundworms are long, round and slimy looking creatures. Live tapeworms can be seen moving and look like grains of dried brown rice when dry.

Since worms in cats can remain in the body without causing any symptoms, it is imperative that you get your cat’s feces checked regularly for larva or worm eggs. Outdoor cats need more frequent checking since they are more susceptible to the problem.

A cat infested with worms becomes more vulnerable to other diseases. Some type of worms can potentially infect humans too. It is necessary to carry out a regular examination of your pets’ feces in order to avoid such eventualities.

Different Types of Parasites in Felines   Canine or feline parasites are a potential source of danger for pets and humans alike. A single female Toxocara canis, commonly known as roundworms, can shed up to a hundred thousand eggs in a single day. Humans, especially children, are exposed to these eggs when they are excreted in stools or vomit. On entering the skin they can cause visceral larva migrans leading to red, intense itching eruptions in humans. Ocular larva migrans can even lead to blindness.

Worms in dogs and cats are a common phenomon with most of the transmission of the contagion taking place through the fecal or nursing route. Intestinal parasites do not spread through contact but the eggs that are excreted in the stool are capable of infesting other pets and humans.

Roundworms and tapeworms are two of the four most common intestinal parasites that are visible with the naked eye. A close observation of the stool of the animal is enough to determine whether it is infested with parasites or not.

Roundworms change color from white(when fresh) to tan (later). They assume different sizes and shapes during their lifecycle and the whole worm can be seen externally in the cat’s stool. Tiny larvae of roundworms can transmit to tissues in kittens while they are in the mother’s uterus or through the mother’s milk while they are nursing.

Made up of up to 90 segments, tapeworms can grow up to 6” in the intestines. When the last segment detaches itself from the main structure it gets excreted. Live cat or dog tapeworms can be seen sticking around the anus or to the tail. These contracting and expanding segments dry up after dying and appear like brown rice or confetti.

The other two common parasites, whipworms and hookworms are very small and cannot be seen externally with the naked eye. Whipworms and hookworms are less common in cats and are rarely seen in the stool. Hookworms probably derived their name from the fact that they ‘hook’ themselves on the walls of the intestines. Dogs and cats get infested with hookworms in the same way as roundworms. However, hookworms are blood sucking parasites and severe infestations can be fatal for cats and dogs. It can be specifically dangerous for the young ones and owners of puppies and kittens need to be very careful.

A microscopic examination also may not establish the presence of hookworms and whipworms. A careful monitoring of pet behavior and symptoms of worms in dogs and cats is required to establish whether the pet is infested with whipworms or hookworms or not.

Parasites hide in certain areas of the body since they thrive on the nourishment that they extract from the pets body. Intestines are the most convenient place for them. Any further up and they can be coughed up and ejected. Any further down in the pets system and they can be excreted along with stools. The rate at which feline parasites can multiply is so fast that in no time your cat can develop symptoms and diseases that are linked to the presence of worms. The hazard that feline parasites pose to humans and their children makes it essential that you regularly monitor your pet for the possible presence of such parasites.

Handle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Cats with Care   Most cat owners do not realize that pets face stress like humans. When you bring home a cat you are actually denying her the company of her mother and litter.

This can have a great impact on the animal. Post traumatic stress and separation anxiety in dogs and cats can lead to significant abnormal behaviors in pets. Stress and separation anxiety are more prominent in cats that:

* were abandoned
* are reunited after a long separation.
* are exposed too much attention every time the cat owner returns from work.
* have been separated from mothers immediately after birth.
* are exposed to too much noise.
* suffer from physical trauma.

Post traumatic stress disorder in cats and other pets is almost similar to humans. It can be sparked off by any thing that reminds of a traumatic circumstance that they may have experienced. Your cat may show the following signs of stress or anxiety:

* Urinating and defecating at inappropriate places.
* Fearful reaction to cues of trauma.
* Mewing excessively without any evident reason.
* Hiding behind doors or furniture.
* Aggressive behavior.
* Seizure (in severe cases)

Relieving stress in pets requires adept handling. Punishing should not be an option to consider. Punishing your cat is unlikely to cure her of the condition. On the other hand, it is liable to make things worse. Some of the options that you should consider are:

* Fix up a separate but safe place for the cat. Thus can be used for getting away from noise, people and other animals.
* Cats find the owners smell comforting. Leave a piece of clothing that you have recently worn or some favorite toy or food dish in the safe place. This will keep the cat calm in the place.
* Play is a stress reliever for domestic cats. Play with your cat but ensure that you do not push her pace.
* Try to return to the usual routine that you were following, in pre-stress period, as soon as possible.

Abandoned cats that have found a home tend to fear that they will be abandoned again. Cats that have been separated from mothers as soon as they are born do not get enough time to learn socializing with other cats. Trauma of any sort, a long separation, excessive noise or injury has similar affects.

It is easier to handle post trauma stress in younger cats. If trauma happens later in life it might require training your cat in socializing and house training all over again. If your cat still continues to show signs of post trauma stress it will be better to consult a veterinarian for ruling out medical problems.

Cat Acne Treatment and Prevention   Your cat’s skin has two types of glands in the dermal layer. The sweat glands that keep the body temperature in check and the sebaceous glands that secrete a greasy substance called sebum. The sebum is a source of one of the most common cat skin diseases that we know as feline acne.

Sebaceous glands are present in large numbers under the skin on the chin, lips, top surface of the base of the tail, prepuce and scrotum of cats. Sebum secretions from these glands are primarily meant to protect hair against water and keep the skin supple.

Cats also have a tendency to mark their territories. Cats mark their areas by rubbing their chin, temples and the base of the tail against certain favorite objects. This behavior surfaces more evidently during feeding time. The evident sign of such ‘markings’ is the appearance of black greasy spots on the objects “marked”. And those cats that are more inclined to this marking behavior have a high levels of secretions and are more susceptible to feline acne.

Similar to cat dandruff, cat acne does not show any clinical signs when it is mild. The only care that is required is simple cleaning of excess sebum. Cleaning the sebum with the aid of anti-bacterial scrubs prevents formation of comedones (black heads) that clog the pores of the skin. This also reduces the chances of secondary infection. Chlorhexidine, used by surgeons to wash their hands before performing surgery, is as a good anti-bacterial scrub.

Severe conditions of feline acne can cause clinical signs like a swollen chin and an enlargement of the draining lymph nodes of the head and chin. Topical creams for treating secondary infections do not suffice in such severe conditions.

The choice of the antibiotic to be administered depends upon the laboratory reports. An oral antibiotic treatment for four to six weeks will normally cure the cat. But in cases of serious secondary infection the cat might have require treatment for a longer period of time. Excessive inflammation of the skin may even require administration of steroids for effective treatment.

Preventing your cat from developing acne involves hygiene and grooming. Some basic tips are:

Clip hair regularly.

If your cat is predisposed to chin acne, apply chlorhexidine daily.
Ensure hygiene after feeding or choose less messy diets.

Plastic feeding bowls are suspected to be allergic to cats - change to ceramic or metal feeding bowls.

Some cats are predisposed to use the base of the tail for territorial marking. The condition known as ‘stud tail’ is suspected to be related to the male hormone, testosterone but has been seen in neuters and females also. Treatment and prevention for ‘stud tail’ is the same as that for chin acne.

Some mild cat and dog skin problems are self limiting and vanish on their own over time. Prevention however is a better policy than cure. Even mild conditions like feline hair loss can be signs of some serious underlying medical condition.

Cat Skin Problems   Of all the body organs, the skin is not only the biggest but also the most problematic organ of the cat’s body. Most medical conditions demonstrate symptoms that relate to skin and coat. In addition external factors like physical trauma and parasites can also affect the skin in a significant manner.

Like dog skin problems, cats can also suffer from skin disorders that are self limiting and chronic conditions that require treatment over a protracted period of time.

Pruritus: The Itchy Cat

Itching brings forth almost an amazing array of changes in a cat’s skin. Constant itching can make it impossible for the veterinarian to ascertain whether the skin condition has caused the itching or whether the excessive itching has caused the skin lesions. Besides itching, pruritus causes symptoms like symmetrical feline hair loss, damage to skin due to intense scratching and Miliary dermatitis. Miliary dermatitis relates to appearance of multiple crusty lesions that are greasy and filled with cat dandruff. It can also lead to Eosinophilic granuloma complex, a condition where linear inflamed crusts are accompanied by oozing red areas near the chin and the trunk.

Food allergy, bacterial infection, external parasitic ear or other mites, dust, pollen and insect bites are some of the major causes of pruritus.

Feline Flea

While grooming, cats eat fleas that may have infested their coat. This makes it difficult for the owner to ascertain the presence of fleas. You can determine whether your cat has fleas or not by using a fine comb on the coat and examining the comb for trapped fleas. Black and comma shaped flea excreta or flea-dirt can also prove the prevalence of fleas in a cat.

Fleas can be harmful for cats in various ways:

They carry larva of intestinal parasites that can infect your pet. Allergy to flea bites can induce itching and scratching. This causes many skin problems later.

Adult fleas feed on the blood of the host and can cause anemia in young cats.

Ringworm

Ringworm is caused by fungi that grow in dead tissue, hair or nails. It is a condition that causes skin lesions and circular areas of hair loss appear. Ringworm is infectious and occurs mostly due to contact with an infected individual.

Feline acne and stud tail

Cats use secretions of sebaceous glands located near the chin, nose and the base of the tail for territorial markings. Excessive use of the sebaceous glands makes cats susceptible to feline acne. Use of the glands at the base of the tail for territorial marking is commonly known as ‘stud tail’. Cats with feline acne or stud tail do not show any clinical signs except for black heads or some bacterial infection. Severe cases cause irritation and inflammation and the affected skin might become overly swollen.

Besides the conditions discussed above cats develop skin problems due to overexposure to sun (especially among light colored cats), mite infestations and excessive licking of the inflamed site of the skin.

What Does Hair Loss in Cats Signify?   The condition of skin and coat is an important indicator of your pet cat’s general health. Many common cat and dog skin problems are similar to human skin afflictions. Cat dandruff is the most discussed cat skin disorders. But feline hair loss seems to be the most prevalent reason behind frequent visits to the veterinarian. Alopecia, the medical term for hair loss, in cats is also a symptom that is common to numerous cat skin disorders and diseases.

At an overall level the frequency of skin diseases like dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) is lower in cats as compared to dogs. Irrespective of how often it happens, the fact of the matter is that once the skin problems starts, it is equally uncomfortable for cats and dogs alike. And excessive hair loss is actually a symptom of some deeper disorder that the pet is probably suffering from.

There are many conditions that can cause the symptom of hair loss. The identification of the one that is troubling your cat can be done only in conjunction with other symptoms. But one should be aware of the possible issues that might actually be behind the unreasonable hair loss.

1. Inadequate functioning of the immune system - Sometimes symptoms like chronic skin infections, abscesses and excessive hair loss imply that the immune system is not functioning adequately. Hair loss can also be caused by fungal infections like ringworm since the infection weakens hair shafts.
2. Allergic reaction to certain allergens - The first allergic reaction in cats and dogs is associated with the skin. The skin is the first organ that reacts to the allergens. But the issue, like in humans, is that it is extremely difficult to hone into the cause of the allergy. The process of identifying the allergen is even more difficult in pets since one cannot really keep a log of all that the pet has come in contact with. Food items, environment and chemical substances are only few of the common allergens that give rise to allergic reactions in cats. Allergies induce itching and can lead to broken skin, lesions and hair loss. Cats have also been known to develop feline acne due to the use of a plastic bowl.
3. Insect bites and hot spots – Cats are less prone to hot spots than dogs. Some experts state that hot spots occur due to stress factor. But there is a body of researchers that believe that hot spots actually occur due to certain insect bites. When the pet scratches the insect bite, the area becomes wet with serum and eventually leads to painful hot spots.
4. Fleas – The presence of fleas in the fur can cause your cat to be extremely irritable. Even a single blood sucking flea has the capacity to cause dermatitis and intense itching through out the body. The anterior and the webs between toes are the most affected areas. Hair loss actually occurs in such cases when the presence of fleas leads to yeast or bacterial infection.
5. Mange – Another skin disease that can cause excessive hair fall is mange. It is a persistent condition that is also contagious. Demodectic mange is genetic in nature and Sarcoptic mange is contagious and causes intense itching. Cheyletiella mites attach themselves to the hair shafts and cause irritation. The infested cats scratch and loose hair.

Significant hair loss is actually an important symptom that can ultimately lead to proper diagnosis of the underlying disease. If you consider hair loss as a significant and pertinent indication, timely intervention can help in early detection.

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