Stuffed Animals

So, mild bad breath in cats may not be a cause of worry, if it is not accompanied with symptoms, like, not eating food, vomiting, drooling, oral discharge, pawing at mouth, etc. But, if it becomes severe or persistent, then, you must get the condition diagnosed and treated. This is very much necessary, as severe bad breath in cats may be a sign of underlying diseases. Let us take a look at the possible causes of cat bad breath.
•As in case of humans, bad breath in cats can be due to oral health problems. It could be due to periodontal diseases, like, gingivitis, periodontitis, resorptive dental lesion, etc. Even mouth tumor and cancer can be a cause for bad breath in cats. Feline stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth) can also be a cause for this problem.
•In case any foreign body, like, bone pieces, are stuck between the teeth, then also, bad breath may develop in cats. Broken or decayed teeth may sometimes result in bad breath or halitosis. Even tartar deposits on the teeth may lead to bad breath.
•The most common cause of bad breath in kittens is teething. As new teeth emerge, the gums bleed and this blood gets dried and stuck to the gums itself. Such dried blood in the mouth can lead to bad breath and the affected cat may also show signs like, red and swollen gums, pain, loose or missing teeth, etc.
•Another cause of cat bad breath is respiratory ailments. This may include viral or bacterial infections of the throat, lungs, etc. Even infection of the sinuses and tonsils may cause bad breath. Another possible cause is lung cancer.
•Diabetes, though not common in kittens, may develop in older felines. Such cats may have a breath with a sweet, fruity smell. They are also found to have excessive thirst with an increased frequency of urination.
•Kidney diseases may lead to bad breath in cats. In case of kidney diseases, the breath of the affected cat can be pungent, with the smell of urine or ammonia. In this case too, the cat may exhibit signs, like, excessive thirst and frequent urination.
•If your cat is affected with liver diseases, its breath can be really offending and the feline may also have symptoms, like, abdominal swelling and pain, yellow eyes and gums, loss of appetite, etc.
•Feline bad breath can be caused by gastrointestinal problems too. It can be due to enlargement of the esophagus, bleeding stomach ulcers, obstruction of the intestines, tumor, cancer, infections, etc.

Treatment for Bad Breath in Cats Read the rest of this entry »

     The medical term used to describe cat ringworm is dermatophytosis. Though the name suggests that it must be caused by some worms, but actually it is a form of fungal infection that affects the skin, hair and nails of cats. This infection in quite common and is highly contagious. It spreads easily when it comes in direct contact with another animal. It can also get transmitted indirectly through the bedding, brushes, and grooming equipment that is touched by an infected animal. Sometimes, cats act as asymptomatic carriers, which means they carry the organism and shed it in the surroundings, but no cat ringworm symptoms can be observed on their body.

     Usually, feline ringworm symptoms are rarely found in adult cats with a good health condition, as they can resist the infection naturally. However, kittens below the age of one and the older cats are at the highest risk of getting this kind of infection. The symptoms of ringworm are also quite common in those cats who are suffering from some other diseases like feline diabetes or are under nourished. Those cats who roam around in the outdoors also get the infection. In some cases, it could be genetic. Like, it has been found that certain cat breeds like Persians get infected by ringworm very frequently.

     Ringworm Symptoms in Cats

     The most common identifiable sign of ringworm in cats is the skin lesions. In the initial stage, they are mostly found on the head, ears and tail. Later, they may spread to other parts of the body like the face, nose, chin and lips. When it first appears, it will be like a small dot. With passage of time, its shape and size changes and it will grow bigger. Read the rest of this entry »

     Prior to the declawing surgery, the qualified vet examines the pets overall health. Based on this, an appropriate method will be prescribed for your feline. Laser cat declawing, a humane alternative, is performed by using laser beams. As a preparatory step, the pet will be administered general anesthesia and pain relieving medications. Then laser light of adequate strength is applied to disarticulate the phalange. Ultimately, the result is to amputate the claw and the last knuckle from which the claw develops. Know more on cat health.

     Unlike conventional declawing, laser procedure causes less bleeding and pain. As soon as the bones are removed, the laser beam is used to seal off injured nerves and blood vessels. Thus, bandaging and dressing is often not necessary with cat declawing by laser surgery. During the recovery period, your pet should be given adequate rest to induce quick healing. Also, take time out to console your beloved pet. In case, your feline is in great pain, take advice from the vet for appropriate pain killers. You can read more on cat care.

     The post operation conditions of laser cat declawing remain more or less similar to regular declawing procedure. One of the laser cat declawing facts is that it is more expensive than the traditional onychectomy. The average cost of laser cat declawing is about USD 350-500. This may vary depending upon certain aspects, such as location, experience of veterinarian and the clinic, where you are getting your pet declawed. Other than high laser cat declawing price, this technique poses less painful symptoms in the long run. Read the rest of this entry »

     Anemia: Anemia in cats is caused by the insufficient oxygen in the blood and tissues along with a reduction in the normal levels of circulating red blood cells. Anemia may be caused by hemorrhage or blood loss, parasitic infestation, renal failures, cancers, inflammatory diseases or even poor nutrition. Apart from lethargy, anemia may also result in loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, rapid breathing and sleeping more than usual.

     Chronic Gastritis: Cats plagued with chronic gastritis will experience vomiting over a period of days or weeks. The cause; food allergies, hairballs, eating grass, ingesting toxic chemicals, paper or plastic. These foreign objects turn into a hard mass which have difficulty passing out off the stomach. Chronic gastritis can result in lethargy in cats along with sporadic vomiting, a dull hair coat and weight loss. A diet of bland, high-carbohydrate foods. Is usually recommended as a treatment for gastritis.

     Feline Herpes Virus: Caused by feline herpesvirus type 1 or FHV-1, this is one of the most common upper respiratory conditions in cats. Affecting the eyes, nose, throat and sinuses of your cat, this herpes virus results in sneezing, ocular and nasal discharge, conjunctivitises, depression and loss of appetite in cats. Read the rest of this entry »