Cat Bites - Dangers and Disease

Myth: You can't get a disease from a bite from your own cat.

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Fact: Anyone can get an infection from any cat bite.

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Cats carry a germ called Pasteurella multocida in their mouths, a bacterium that can cause severe infections in humans. Both humans and animals have a mouthful of germs, but normally the body's own immune system keeps them in their place. The skin is one of the most important natural barriers. When this is disrupted by a bite, especially a puncture wound, bacteria are introduced into the deeper tissues, where they are nourished by a constant supply of blood. Cat teeth are often sharp and needle-like, and may penetrate to underlying tendons and ligaments, where infection can endanger the use of the effected limb.

Any cat bite should be cleaned immediately with soapy water and rinsed for several minutes. Even with thorough cleansing, infection is likely. However, taking antibiotics before signs of infection develop does not seem to decrease the likelihood of a wound becoming infected.

Infections from cat bites spread quickly, especially when the bite wound is on the hand. Within hours redness, swelling, pain, and warmth may develop at the site of the wound. A red streak may extend upwards as inflammation spreads along the lymphatic channels and veins that lead away from the wound. If these symptoms occur, call your doctor right away. He may decide to offer you an antibiotic over the phone, or more likely will want to see you. Either way, you will need an antibiotic. Penicillin or amoxicillin left over from a sore throat or ear infection is not likely to be effective. If you decide to wait a few days and see how things develop, you're likely to end up in the hospital on intravenous antibiotics.

Cats carry other diseases as well. Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae. Infection with this organism produces a crusted, red bump or pustule at the site of the cat scratch or bite within 3 to 10 days of exposure. Swollen glands develop within the next 2 weeks. Bites on the arm or hand produce swollen glands in the armpits, whereas those on the lower extremities cause lymph nodes in the groin to swell. Along with the swollen glands comes fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and headache. In general, no antibiotics are needed for this infection, which takes 2 to 5 months to resolve.

Contracting rabies from an unvaccinated cat is a possibility. In the US, the highest incidence of cat rabies is clustered in the lower New England states. If your own cat bites you but has been vaccinated, the risk is practically nonexistent. If a ferrel cat bites you, you should contact your doctor or health department right away to see if you are a candidate for rabies immunization. If you wait until you have symptoms, you'll be dead soon. Don't skimp on immunizing your pet - spending now could save you ,000 or more in the long run.

Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, M.D.

Cat Bites - Dangers and Disease

To read more about common illnesses visit:

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert_bio=Cynthia_Koelker

For practical advice on affordable health care visit: [http://101waystosavemoneyonhealthcare.blogspot.com/]

Permission is hereby granted to publish this copyrighted article elsewhere on the web or in print media, in whole or in part, with the stipulation that Dr. Koelker be properly credited as author, and that the material be unaltered with regard to content.

Cynthia J. Koelker MD is a family physician of over twenty years, and holds degrees from MIT, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the University of Akron. She is the author of "101 Ways to Save Money on Healthcare."

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The Myth of Declawing (Onychectomy)

What Exactly is Declawing?

One thing it's certainly not is a manicure for cats. A recent poll showed that 60% of Americans are in favour of this barbaric surgery. But are we surprised? It's still legal in the U.S to crop ears and dock tails on dogs. A cats claw is part of the last bone (distal phalanx) in the cats foot. It is not a nail like a humans nail. There are a lot of vets that mislead people into thinking that this procedure is a small step up from clipping your cats nails. But AMPUTATION is not a small procedure! In order to declaw without any future re-growth, they have to take out, the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons. That is exactly what declawing is. A complete removal of the distal phalanx at the joint. 10 X AMPUTATION. Would you want to lose the tops of your fingers up to the first joint..... ten times? No - neither would I. In these countries it is illegal unless there are extreme circumstances where it is required. England Scotland Wales Italy France Germany Bosnia Austria Switzerland Norway Sweden Netherlands Northern Ireland Ireland Denmark Finland Slovenia Portugal Belgium Brazil Australia New Zealand Yugoslavia Malta Israel

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Why Do Cats Scratch?

It's their natural instinct to scratch, it sharpens their claws for them to catch their prey and removes old nails. It is also a way to mark their territory as they secrete sweat from the glands in their feet. If they're an outdoor cat, then trees and wooden fences will do, but if you own an indoor cat then your furniture will be the next best thing. A good way to get your little tiger into the idea of using a scratching post is to put the new item in the area that your cat scratches at most. It may mean moving your sofa and furniture over, so that your cat can get used to the idea of a post instead of your favourite chair, but it'll only be until your kitty has gotten familiar to the new addition to the furniture. Then you can probably move it to another area of your home. The more they scratch, the more they will mark their scent and eventually they will get used to using the post for their scratching needs. Also adding toys and a little bit of catnip to the material on the scratch post may entice your feline to use this rather than your furniture. Of course kitty may return to his old scratching haunts, so it may be wise to invest in some get off spray for furniture. Never tell your cat off, they need to scratch to maintain their nails, strengthen and stretch their muscles and limbs. They'll carry on doing it anyway:D

What to Look For in a Scratching Post.

A strong and sturdy base -Height should be the height of your cat when stretching, plus a few more inches.

A platform at the top for your cat to survey his kingdom.

Cat toy and activities to engage and stimulate your cats mental abilities.

Sisal textile material (not rope) is the preferred kitty post material as it is durable enough for him to scratch at again and again.

And remember, DON'T throw away his stand if it looks battered, he'll have just got it the way he likes it and certainly wont thank you for it. http://www.petpromenade.co.uk/

The Myth of Declawing (Onychectomy)

Alex Kelly As a pet and website owner, my articles are based on issues I feel are important for fellow animal lovers. Pet Promenade has everything you will need for the furry member of the family. From pet food, dog leads, grooming equipment and bird cages. With over 5000 pet products, at competetive prices, it's worth paying us a visit at http://www.petpromenade.co.uk/
Whatever shape, size or breed we have everything in our pet store to satisfy even the most demanding, four legged diva in your household. We understand how important it is to not only have the latest cat toy, or the trendiest dog collar, but also to make sure the boring bits are covered. That's why we have a variety of flea, worming and fur treatments.

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Sphynx Cat - Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning a Sphynx

Now is your soul-searching time. It is really important to think through very carefully - and honestly - if you are in the best position to adopt a Sphynx (or indeed any pet). Besides shelter, nutritious food, and your time, your pet will require adequate medical care. This is one of the greatest responsibilities that applies to being a pet owner. If you feel that the time is not right to provide all four of these pet care factors, then you are not ready to adopt a Sphynx. A common question that people ask when considering adopting a Sphynx into their household is: "What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a Sphynx?"

Advantages


Sphynx cats do not shed because they are hairless. In fact, they have a fine layer of downy fur on the skin which is almost impossible to see.
Sphynx are incredibly loving and provide companionship more than most cats.
Sphynx blurs the traditional boundaries between dogs and cats.
They usually get along very well with other pets in the house even the dogs.
You become part of an exclusive club of Sphynx owners as they are so rare. This can open you up to wonderful friendships.
Hairless cats are very intelligent and can be trained.
They have proven and positive impact on humans' health.
Nude cats enjoy being dressed up because they don't like being cold!
They will keep you warm at night.
Sphynx is healthy breed with no known specific health or genetic problems.

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Disadvantages

Sphynx breed is more demanding than other cats, in terms of the level of attention that they require. This can be alleviated somewhat by buying two Sphynx cats so that they have each other's company.
Sphynx eat and poo a lot because of their high metabolism.
The peculiarity of the Sphynx's almost hairless coat means that their skin becomes quite oily and greasy. They need to be bathed regularly, once or twice a week.
You will need to clean Sphynx ears and clip their nails routinely.
Sphynx is a very mischievous and playful cat. They will climb and jump on your furniture and appliances.
You may experience negative comments from people who don't like bold cats. You will need to accept that some people find the breed ugly or alien looking.
The Sphynx is a rare breed of cat, and as with anything rare and exclusive, this generally means a higher than normal purchase price.

Sphynx Cat - Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning a Sphynx

http://www.catsphynx.com/

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Why Are Cats Getting Fatter?

In today's fast food world it is a sad fact that it is not only the human population that are becoming fatter. Our pet cats are also suffering the same fate and it's all our fault. We are giving them bigger portion sizes, feeding the wrong kind of food, giving them too many extra treats and making their lives less active. Cats are essentially meat eating hunters who are designed to roam freely outside, exploring, climbing, hunting and playing. Activities that have traditionally kept them fit, healthy and agile and burn off calories naturally. But more and more owners are choosing to keep their cats inside thus restricting activity levels and other stimuli, causing boredom and laziness to set in. Just like us humans bored cats will snack to fill their time and comfort themselves, a recipe for disaster for the waistline.

The natural diet of a cat is animal prey that consists of not only meat but also indigestible matter (good for roughage) and vegetable matter in its stomach. All of which is consumed by the cat and provides enough calorie and nutritional intake to keep them healthy. In today's fast moving world where cat owners do not have the time to prepare home cooked foods for themselves let alone their pets, commercially bought cat foods are used to feed our pets. Although these foods are designed to contain all the nutrients required by a cat, they can also contain more calories than a natural diet, especially for cats with less active lives. Dry cat food is especially calorie laden and because it can be left in feeding bowls all day for cats to snack on, they can easily eat too much, causing weight gain.

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Why should we worry about our cats getting fat anyway? Well a fat cat is an unhealthy cat and most likely an unhappy cat too. A ca that is too heavy to go climbing or to chase around after fluttering leaves etc. is not going to have much of a happy life. Overweight cats will have a shorter life span than a normal cat due mainly to the fact that they are more likely to suffer from illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, arthritis and urinary infections. The trouble is the larger they get and the more unhealthy they feel, the less active they will become and the more weight they will put on. Not to mention the cost of the extra trips to the vet you will have to make to treat all of their ailments.

So how do we stop our cats from becoming super sized? The same way we stop ourselves from becoming overweight is the simple answer. By making sure we feed our cats a balanced diet that contains all the necessary mix of ingredients that provides enough calories for their lifestyle and also by ensuring that our cats are getting enough exercise. Take a look at what and how much you are feeding your cat and how much exercise your cat is getting. Try to feed fixed meal times rather than letting your cat snack all day. Keep food portions inline with the recommendations of the manufacturers and feed a combination of dry and fresh or tinned cat food, this will make your cat feel full and not go looking for titbits elsewhere.

Spend some time playing with your cat every day, get them chasing around running after balls or batting dangling toy mice. If you are not around to play with your cat you could hide little treats around the home (not too many) for your cat to hunt out, or place them in toys where they have to get them out themselves. Keeping your cat active and alert is very important, not only because it burns calories but it will also prevent them from becoming bored and overeating.

It is all to easy to give in to a begging cat looking for titbits from your plate or to leave a pile of dry kibble in a bowl all day, because you don't want to leave kitty without any food all day. But you could be killing your cat with kindness. Your cat will thank you for feeding them well and in moderation allowing them to lead a fit, healthy happy lifestyle.

Why Are Cats Getting Fatter?

More cat health and cat care tips can be found at our site http://www.our-happy-cat.com A feline friendly community full of helpful advice and fun things to do to make sure you have a happy cat and a happy you.

Copyright 2007 Kate Tilmouth

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How to Prevent and Eliminate Feline Tapeworms

Feline tapeworms are long, flat worms that live in your cat's intestines. They're a multi-segmented worm and you'll know your cat is infected because you'll see them moving around your cat's rectum. These segments that you see are live segments that have separated from the adult segment. When these smaller segments are dead they'll look like grains of rice or sesame seeds and you generally find them wherever your cat sleeps.

Tapeworms generally are not life threatening for your cat, but if left untreated they can multiply and create a blockage in your cat's intestines.

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There are two types of feline tapeworms. The first is the one your cat gets from ingesting a flea that's infected with the parasite. The other comes from ingesting a rodent that's infected. Unlike roundworms, tapeworms can't be passed on to humans from your cat but it's still a good idea to teach children to wash their hands after playing with the cat or cleaning out the litterbox. Tapeworms can infect humans if an infected flea or larvae is accidentally swallowed.

The best way to prevent these tapeworms is to first try to keep your cat inside to prevent him from eating mice and other rodents. Sometimes that's impossible and if you're cat is an outdoor cat you should always be prepared for the worst. Keeping your cat indoors to prevent fleas is also the best thing you can do. Use a good quality flea preventative that will kill adult fleas as well as the larvae and eggs.

If you notice that your cat has feline tapeworms it's easy enough to treat but may require a trip to the vet's office. Your vet will either need to give your cat a shot or give him a prescription medication. There are also natural remedies that are very effective at eliminating and preventing tapeworms that can be ordered online.

While no one likes to think that their cat might have worms, either roundworms or tapeworms, it's a common occurrence among indoor and outdoor cats. It's really nothing to be alarmed about but you should take action to eliminate the infestation as quickly as possible.

How to Prevent and Eliminate Feline Tapeworms

Gina Davis is a writer and researcher on products for households such as remedies for feline tapeworms. You can save time and money by getting a FREE in depth review of dewormers and many others including discounts and best prices at Gina's blog: catparasite.com

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Declawing Cats Pros and Cons - An Unbiased Overview

Declawing cats pros and cons have been circulating in many pet magazines, the internet and even conferences of moral sectors and ethical world organizations. The issue of cat declawing has been a major source of controversies and debate amongst the animal welfare societies, veterinary professionals and cat owners. The declawing cats pros and cons are highly debatable and not all veterinarians and cat lovers have the same ideologies about declawing of a cat's feet.

This article will give you an unbiased insight about the declawing cats pros and cons based on proven reports, professional interviews and concrete facts.

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Declawing Cats Pros and Cons: The Pros

A cat owner's primary reason to declaw their cats is to bring safety to their house furniture and, of course, to other household members who directly interact with the cats, specifically the children. The scratching act done by our feline pets is included in their innate characteristics and not something we can easily discourage. Hence, many cat owners deemed cat declawing as one of the best ways to stop the scratching procrastination and bring peace and safety in the household. Unless, of course, you decide to get rid of the cat eventually (which is not usually the case for many cat lovers).

Although there has not been an official statistical research done to determine the percentage of customer satisfaction for declawing, many people in the internet have commented of the great benefits they're getting after the surgery was done. According to the posts, the horrors claimed by many internet sites are somehow unreasonable and that their cats are not at all showing signs of intolerable pain during or after the surgery. Aside from the security of a non-shredded curtains, walls, sofa and intact skin tissues, cat owners are also appreciating the gradual change of their kitty's behavior. They claim that their cats are no longer as "temperamental" as they used to. Maybe because they know they can no longer play as a vicious cat, and thus they shift to being the cuddly cute little babies instead.

Declawing Cats Pros and Cons: The Cons

One negative aspect reported by many cat owners after declawing is the inability of their cats to defend themselves. The cat's claws are their primary physical defense and declawing will evidently lessen their chances of winning during cat fights. If your cat is the sort that regularly kicks another cat's butt, you may have to bear the sad thought that they will be reduced to a defenseless little kitty once they're declawed. In line with this, you will have to detain them at home and prevent them from getting into cat fights. Another risk of declawing is infection and malformation of your cat's feet. There are also times when you will still witness the re-growth a few weeks after surgery especially if you choose the traditional methods of declawing, or if the procedure wasn't done properly. Therefore, you may have to re-declaw them, which means additional expense for you.

Declawing Cats Pros and Cons - An Unbiased Overview

Until now, the declawing cats pros and cons have been a reference of many controversies arising from this issue. As a cat owner, you must make your decision base of facts and actual people feedback. Know more about declawing by visiting CatDeclawing.org.

CAT DECLAWING

Cat Vaccinations - Why You Need to Inoculate

Apart from the basics like good nutrition and safe environment, sound cat care demands that you keep your cat in good health, free of cat diseases and free of preventable cat illnesses. The first step in achieving this is inoculation or vaccination against common feline diseases.

Whilst your cat may develop immunity from disease by being exposed to the specific disease, this will result in them becoming sick, suffering permanent damage from the effects of the disease or worse yet, they could die.

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A responsible and caring cat owner will ensure that their cat receives the relevant vaccines - apart from been the right thing to do, prevention is better than cure and a lot more economical too.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by stimulating an immune response to an infectious agent, but without causing the disease against which they are being inoculated.

When should you vaccinate your cat or kitten and against what cat diseases?

If you have purchased your kitten from a reputable cat breeder, your kitten will be around 10 to 16 weeks, in which case your kitten would have received all the necessary initial inoculations. They will provide you with the documentation and vaccine and de-worming certificates and advise necessary next steps.

In any event, vaccines are given at around 8 weeks. Cat vaccination requirements may differ from country to country but generally speaking the most cat diseases or cat illnesses to vaccinated against are:

Feline Leukemia (Fe LV) - to be given at 8 weeks, repeated 5 weeks later and annual booster shots thereafter.

Feline Calici Virus (Cat Flu/Snuffles) - to be given at 8 weeks, repeated at 4 weeks, again at 13 weeks and 1 year and annually booster shots.

Feline panleucopaenia (Feline Distemper) - to be given at 8 weeks, repeated at 4 weeks, again at 13 weeks and 1 year and annual booster shots.

Feline Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes- Cat Flu/Snuffles) - to be given at 8 weeks, repeated at 4 weeks, again at 13 weeks and 1 year and annual booster shots.

Rabies - This is given at 12 weeks, repeated 4 weeks later and then at 9 months with annual booster shots.

General Cat Vaccination Information

Consult with your local veterinarian to establish which vaccines are essential and in some instances required by law. Whilst some people may find the cost of vaccination prohibitive, you need to seriously weigh up the cost of vaccination vs the cost of treating the disease. Prevention is cheaper than cure! Your cat is worth every cent you spend.

You also need to keep in mind, that no reputable boarding cattery will accept your kitten or cat for lodging unless they have an up-to-date vaccination certificate. Feline health is a prime concern for them.

Your un-vaccinated cat poses a danger to other cats - do you want to be responsible for spreading cat diseases?

We always recommend that a new kitten stays with its mother until at least 12 weeks. Apart from gaining important life skills from the mother cat - it receives its initial immunity through breast milk.

Finally, do remember, that an indoor cat lives longer as it is less likely to be exposed to the above diseases. To avoid cat health problems and to provide essential cat health care - cat vaccination is essential.

Cat Vaccinations - Why You Need to Inoculate

Lyn is with Cat Breeds Junction, a resource dedicated to all types of cats, cat care and cat supplies.

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