Cats sometimes get sick, but that isn’t the only reason you may need a vet.Your cat could also get injured. Injuries happen for many reasons, and sometimes nobody is to blame. However, you can increase you cat’s chance of survival or help to comfort a cat with minor wounds if you are prepared and know a little about first aid for cats. This is essential information that any pet owner should know.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that your first aid efforts can never replace a vet. Your cat needs to have a primary vet in the area where he or she can be treated for emergencies. If you have any doubt in your mind as to how to care for your cat, you should contact your vet. Also, remember that your cat make receive internal injuries as well as external ones, so if he or she is acting strangely and you don’t know what is wrong, a vet is your best choice.
You should have first aid items on hand in order to care for your cat when injuries are not serious or until you can get to the vet’s office. It’s a good idea to keep a cat first aid kit on hand, and this should travel with you whenever your cat leaves home. In fact, most of the time it is in your best interest to make two kits—one for home and one for travel. Included in the first aid kit should be a small roll of gauze and a large roll of gauze. Surgical tape, an emergency ice pack, a bottle of 1% hydrogen peroxide, gloves, a pillowcase (for transferring the cat), a blanket, a towel, a bottle of saline eye wash, a rectal thermometer, a small flashlight, a pair of tweezers, scissors, antihistamine, and a box of backing soda.
Talk to your vet about the appropriate items to use if your cat is injured. If your cat is comfortable with it, you can practice bandaging and taking his or her temperature. You should also practice using a pillowcase to lift your cat, and if you are new to the area, make sure that you know the route to the nearest vet hospital.
Remember, a sick or injured cat can be difficult to control. Learn to talk soothingly to your cat and avoid eye contact when your cat is injured, as this is seen as threatening. If you fell uncomfortable approaching an injured cat, call an animal shelter, animal control officer, or vet for assistance. Your cat will be scared, but the sooner you provide first aid the better.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Diabetes: Could it be Affecting your Cat?
Cats and humans may not look much alike, but remember, both are mammals. Therefore, there are a number of diseases, disorders, and other medical conditions found in humans that are also found in cats. One such disease is diabetes. If you believe that your cat may have diabetes, it is important to talk to your cat’s vet as soon as possible so that your cat can get the right medical treatment needed.
There are two types of diabetes in cats, just like in humans. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the insufficient production of insulin in the cat’s body. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is when a cat develops intolerance for handling the insulin. In both cases, diabetes can develop in cats of any age, but it is more common for cats that are old, male, or obese. There is what is known as secondary diabetes as well, in which a drug or disease causes diabetes, sometimes forever and sometimes for a certain period of time.
When caring for your cat, there are symptoms you can see that point to your cat having diabetes. These symptoms include excess thirst, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, loss of weight, breathing abnormalities, and unhealthy skin and coat. Your vet can then test your cat’s blood sugar levels and urine sugar levels. Both tests are needed, as temporary blood sugar levels may be high in cats that are stressed or nervous.
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, lifestyle changes are necessary to make sure that your cat’s health is restored as much as possible. Diet is very important. Remember, your cat should only get enough food during a meal as is necessary. Cats typically need food the size of one large mouse to be content—more will cause weight problems. Not only is the amount of food important, but you should also be concerned with your cat’s types of foods. Your vet can recommend specific cat food brands that are high in fiber and protein in order to control the diabetes.
Insulin, oral mediations, and supplements may also be necessary. Again, your vet can tell you what is needed, as well as show you how to administer treatment to your cat daily. It is important for you to monitor your cat’s health to make sure that the diabetes is in control and that he or she is staying happy, healthy, and comfortable. Diabetes is not the end of the world, in either humans or cats.
There are two types of diabetes in cats, just like in humans. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the insufficient production of insulin in the cat’s body. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is when a cat develops intolerance for handling the insulin. In both cases, diabetes can develop in cats of any age, but it is more common for cats that are old, male, or obese. There is what is known as secondary diabetes as well, in which a drug or disease causes diabetes, sometimes forever and sometimes for a certain period of time.
When caring for your cat, there are symptoms you can see that point to your cat having diabetes. These symptoms include excess thirst, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, loss of weight, breathing abnormalities, and unhealthy skin and coat. Your vet can then test your cat’s blood sugar levels and urine sugar levels. Both tests are needed, as temporary blood sugar levels may be high in cats that are stressed or nervous.
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, lifestyle changes are necessary to make sure that your cat’s health is restored as much as possible. Diet is very important. Remember, your cat should only get enough food during a meal as is necessary. Cats typically need food the size of one large mouse to be content—more will cause weight problems. Not only is the amount of food important, but you should also be concerned with your cat’s types of foods. Your vet can recommend specific cat food brands that are high in fiber and protein in order to control the diabetes.
Insulin, oral mediations, and supplements may also be necessary. Again, your vet can tell you what is needed, as well as show you how to administer treatment to your cat daily. It is important for you to monitor your cat’s health to make sure that the diabetes is in control and that he or she is staying happy, healthy, and comfortable. Diabetes is not the end of the world, in either humans or cats.
Common Cat Disease
Cats are also vulnerable to some common sickness. As a cat owner, it is necessary that you observe the health of your pet. It does really matter. Just like us, cats would surely have these phases of their lives when they would get sick or show signs of weak health. When this happens to your pet, you have to be ready and you have to do what is indeed helpful for it.
There are different health problems common in cats and they are as follows:
· Diarrhea
- When your cat has diarrhea for a consistent number of times, do not be alarmed. The first thing you need to do is change the diet. When you know what your cat likes to eat, you better give it to him or she for it would surely help. When there is still a continuous diarrhea, it would be best to bring your pet to a veterinarian.
· Diabetes
- Not only common to people, but also to cats. This occurs when a cat becomes aged. The more it grows old, the more it must stay at home. You have to watch its diet for improper food intake is what the real cause of diabetes is. When you notice signs and symptoms like the cat urinates always. You could obviously notice as well that it gets thirsty so fast.
· Throwing up
- This is a very common health phenomenon for cats. When this happens to your pet, you have to check the food you have fed to it. After doing so, it would be better if you try to change the food. As much as possible try a far different one from the food you have observed to cause such vomiting.
- It has been discovered that the min cause of this is hairballs so as much as you could, brush or comb the hair of your pet.
- There is also another angle, and that is allergic to food.
- Meeting your veterinarian is the best move to make. Make sure that you give enough liquid to your pet, throwing up may lead to dehydration.
· FIV
- This cat disease has something to do with HIV and the best thing for you to do is to seclude your pet from foreign cats. It would be better if you keep it in your home. You have to protect your pet well.
You have to be cautious about these diseases for they would surely be a threat to the life of your pet. When you encounter such health problems, you have to seek the help of the expert, you must not let your insufficient knowledge let you lose your pet.
There are different health problems common in cats and they are as follows:
· Diarrhea
- When your cat has diarrhea for a consistent number of times, do not be alarmed. The first thing you need to do is change the diet. When you know what your cat likes to eat, you better give it to him or she for it would surely help. When there is still a continuous diarrhea, it would be best to bring your pet to a veterinarian.
· Diabetes
- Not only common to people, but also to cats. This occurs when a cat becomes aged. The more it grows old, the more it must stay at home. You have to watch its diet for improper food intake is what the real cause of diabetes is. When you notice signs and symptoms like the cat urinates always. You could obviously notice as well that it gets thirsty so fast.
· Throwing up
- This is a very common health phenomenon for cats. When this happens to your pet, you have to check the food you have fed to it. After doing so, it would be better if you try to change the food. As much as possible try a far different one from the food you have observed to cause such vomiting.
- It has been discovered that the min cause of this is hairballs so as much as you could, brush or comb the hair of your pet.
- There is also another angle, and that is allergic to food.
- Meeting your veterinarian is the best move to make. Make sure that you give enough liquid to your pet, throwing up may lead to dehydration.
· FIV
- This cat disease has something to do with HIV and the best thing for you to do is to seclude your pet from foreign cats. It would be better if you keep it in your home. You have to protect your pet well.
You have to be cautious about these diseases for they would surely be a threat to the life of your pet. When you encounter such health problems, you have to seek the help of the expert, you must not let your insufficient knowledge let you lose your pet.
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