Distemper in cats is a very serious disease that can easily be fatal. It is caused by a highly contagious virus. The virus can be transmitted through contact with other cats and humans. Your cat can also be infected with this virus from litter boxes, bedding, and water bowls.Symptoms

Cats begin to show symptoms about 10 days after being exposed to the virus. He will begin to display signs such as loss of appetite, depression, diarrhea, and vomiting. Your cat may also stop grooming himself on a regular basis. This will cause his hair to be rough. Some cats also develop a third eyelid in the inner corner of their eye.

Diagnosis

It is important that you take your feline to the veterinarian as soon as he begins showing symptoms. Once there, the vet will perform a blood test. A diagnosis will be confirmed if there are antibodies to the virus and a drop in the white blood cell count.

Treatment

Your cat will need immediate treatment once diagnosed. As you now know, vomiting and diarrhea are two of the most common signs of distemper in cats. Therefore, fluids and nutrients will need to be given to prevent dehydration. Secondary bacterial infections can also become a problem with this disease. So, antibiotics may need to be given also. This will allow the immune system time to take over. Some cats also need a blood transfusion when dealing with this illness.

Prevention

Vaccination is the best way to prevent this disease. Kitten will need a shot when they reach eight or ten weeks old. Cats also need a booster shot every one or three years depending on the particular vaccine.

The virus that causes distemper in cats is capable of surviving in the environment for years. It can be harbored in carpet, upholstery, bedding, and other objects. You can use a normal disinfectant to destroy the virus.

Distemper in cats is a very serious disease. However, there are many other illnesses that can affect your cat such as feline pneumonia. Luckily, cat-illnesses.com provides all of the information you need to learn about these illnesses. So, stop by today to read up on common conditions like feline acne.

Coonhound is typically a very generic term used to describe any of several breeds that are used extensively (though not exclusively) in hunting raccoons. If you want to know the specifics, there are six breeds that are counted as Coonhounds. Any of the six, or any combination of these breeds, will typically generate a dog that can detect, track and tree raccoons.Arguably, Black and Tans, Blueticks, Redbones and Walkers are the most common breeds included in the Coonhound category. The favorite breeds will depend on several factors, usually related to the region in which you live. Though most of these dogs will perform equally well in any part of the country, the fact is that some lines are simply more available in certain regions. That and personal preference are the main factors in determining what breeds the hunters are talking about when they refer to their Coonhounds.

In addition to these four breeds, Plott Hounds and English Hounds are also counted in this category by most hunters.

The things all these breeds have in common include a tremendous nose and the ability to track in all kinds of weather. Some Coonhounds have been known to track a raccoon for many miles through the rain. Coonhounds also tend to have a tenacity that keeps them glued to the tree until their hunters arrive and claim the prize. Another equally important point to some hunters are the distinctive bays - a joy to listen to even if the dogs spend hours tracking a raccoon without successfully treeing.

The Plott Hound is a very healthy Coonhound. These dogs slobber - a lot. They easily move from woods to family hearth and back again. They’re tolerant and quick to learn, making them a good all-round companion for the hunter and the non-hunter.

The English Coonhound is an attractive dog, somewhat slender compared to some breeds but with the ability to stick with a trail long past the time that some other breeds give up.

The Black and Tan Coonhound’s ancestry includes the Bloodhound. Though the Black and Tan makes an excellent Coonhound, it’s not nearly so comfortable indoors as some other breeds. This dog has tremendous stamina and an attractive look, especially if you like the way the Bloodhound looks. The Black and Tan Coonhound has retained the long, drooping ears and worried expression common to the Bloodhound. This dog may be somewhat timid if not well socialized at an early age.

Bluetick Coonhounds are another of the breeds that moves easily from indoors to out. These dogs have incredible eyesight, a definite benefit for night hunting. Even though he hunts largely by smell, this breed is often able to combine sight hunting that makes him the preferred Coonhound of many hunters.

Redbones were made popular by the book, “Where the Red Fern Grows.” Some Redbone Coonhounds have some white markings, but most are solid red. These dogs also make good indoor companions.

Walker Coonhounds were developed by two men from Kentucky, one named Walker. These dogs derive from English Foxhounds and are a favorite of many American hunters. The breed is officially recognized as Treeing Walker Coonhounds.

When pet owners purchase a pet they shop around at the various pet shops, breeders, pet rescues, and animal shelters until they find the dog, cat, or exotic pet that suits them, what very few pet owners do is consider the cost of veterinarian cost for their new pet. The oversight can prove financially devastating and emotionally heartbreaking.The cost of veterinary cost is on the rise. Technology, liability insurance, medications, and medical research have forced veterinary clinics to raise their cost. Veterinary clinics in rural areas of the country (especially ones that combine their small animal practice with a large animal practice) find it difficult to attract young vets who are graduating from vet school to their clinics; they are forced to offer higher salaries in order to compete with clinics located closer to major cities. The increase in the payroll is then transferred to pet owners.

It was recently estimated that the average dog owner will spend about two hundred dollars a year at the vet’s office. Cats were a little cheaper; their owners only spent about a hundred and sixty dollars in veterinary bills. When you consider what the average life expectancy is for a pet, especially on kept inside, that’s a lot of money. And what if the pet isn’t your run of the mill dog or cat? What if the pet is something more exotic like a pot bellied pig, a ferret, a rabbit, a snake, or even a skunk? The more exotic the pet the more the pet owner is likely to spend on the veterinarian bills, especially if they have a pet such as a skunk which will probably require a vet with special skills. What happens to the pet if it suddenly gets sick or is injured in a freak accident? How much will it set the pet owner back if they have to take their family pet to a university’s veterinary school, will they be able to afford it or will they be forced to euthanize their pet for economic reasons?

Many pet owners try to keep the unexpected veterinary bills at bay by providing excellent care for their pets. They make sure that the pet is kept well groomed to prevent insects and skin disorders. They only feed their pets foods that are very carefully balanced with a proper blend of nutrients. They make sure the pet maintains a healthy weight, not to thin and not to fat. Some pet owners won’t let their pets out of the house, fearing a freak accident. While pet owners should take the best possible care of their pets and do everything in their power to keep their family pet safe, even the most careful, health conscious pet owner can not prevent everything.

Pet health insurance is one way to prevent veterinarian bills from becoming overwhelming. Pet health insurance is insurance pet owners purchase to help cover veterinarian bills similar to human medical insurance. The chances of a pet owner being able to purchase a pet health care at the same health insurance company where they purchase their human health insurance is slim. Most pet owners will find that they have to go to a separate insurance company that specializes in pet health insurance.

Dogs suffering from kennel cough need medical care and attention. Kennel cough could get worse any minute. Furthermore, it can just be a symptom of a much severe disease lurking inside your dog.

You know that your dog has kennel cough if it makes hacking cough sounds every now and then. There may or may not be white to yellow mucus forming in its nose. Some people mistake kennel cough for retching. However, kennel cough tends to occur chronically. Besides, your dog would look ill if it has kennel cough. It may even develop fever because of the disease.

The moment you discover that you dog has kennel cough, you have to take it to the veterinarian. To treat kennel cough, the viruses and bacteria that are causing the disease should be eliminated. The most effective way is to do so is to use antibiotics and similar oral medical treatments. Depending on the severity of your pet’s condition, the vet may administer intranasal vaccines or inoculations. These modes of treatment can provide dogs with an almost immediate relief to kennel cough.

Dogs that are very prone to acquiring kennel cough are better off taking continued natural medications. Natural medications may come in the form of tinctures, oils, herbs, and teas. The preparation is similar to humans and you’ve got to administer it to your pet to improve its defenses against the disease. Tinctures should be added to water. With the use of a medicine dropper, give your dog several drops of natural herbs such as wild cherry bark, yerba santa, peppermint, or honey.

Kennel cough is a very common disease. Dogs tend to suffer from it at least once in their lifetime. However, it can easily be prevented. Keeping your dog healthy and strong is the first step. Also, you shouldn’t let your pet stray away too much because kennel cough is a highly contagious disease. Mere association with other dogs suffering from it may cause your dog to acquire the disease. Direct contact is not necessary for kennel cough to be transmitted from one dog to another. Furthermore, such a cough may be transferred from cats, birds, or rabbits. The carrier of the disease doesn’t have to be another dog.

Keep your pet safe from kennel cough by boosting its immune system. Don’t skip regular checkups with the vet either. There are also kennel cough vaccinations for puppies available these days. If you really want your dog to be cleared from this disease, give it the shots that it needs.

Dogs, whenever they are sick, demand care and attention from their masters. They are not too different from humans that need companionship if they are ill. As such, you should do what it takes to restore the good health of your dog. If your dog is well and lively, it will be in its usual joyful self, which can brighten up even your gloomiest day.

You may find it difficult to identify how well your kitty is feeling. And unfortunately, she can’t speak to you in specific terms to tell you. So it will be up to you to recognize behavioral changes or irregularities in routine so you can diagnose symptoms of kitty illnessI suggest you take great care in following and understanding your kitty’s normal routines. This includes level of activity, food habits and potty habits. Remember that cat’s often exhibit very subtle changes in their behavior when they don’t feel well. This makes it vital that you know their routines and habits as well as possible.

This will provide you with the additional benefit of having collected more data for your veterniarian. The more specific information you can provide your vet, the better he or she will be equipped to make a fast and accurate diagnosis. Diagnosis isn’t always easy, so you want to help your veternarian as much as possible.

Another reason you should monitor your kitty closely and learn her habits well is that the earlier you catch a cat health problem the more likely you or your veternarian will be able to successfully treat your kitty. The other benefit of treating the illness right away is to avoid behavior problems like not using the litter box. Such problems can become miserable, both for your kitty and for you.

So what symptoms might indicate a feline illness?

As I wrote earlier, alterations in your cat’s habits may be an indication that something is bothering your kitty. Yet there are still some particular symptoms you should keep in mind when you observe your cat:

• Urinating or defecating outside of the litter box
• Constipation (do you see very little feces in the litter box?)
• Diarrhea
• Straining in the litter box
• Changes in appetite
• Greater thirst
• Changes in energy level
• Change in weight
• Vomiting (other than hairballs)
• Lethargy or depression
• Frequent scratching

These are just a few potential symptoms, but anything out of the ordinary should be watched closely and discussed with your veterinarian. Never try to self-diagnose a feline illness — diagnosing needs to be done by your veterinarian. Feline illnesses can be intricate and might involve lab tests so it is best left to the professionals.

This is just a starting list. Remember, any behavior unusual to your specific kitty’s habits should be observeed closely and brought to the attention of your veterniarian. I urge you not to diagnose your cat by yourself. Your cat’s care really require the attention of a trained professional. Many cat health problems may be subtle and yet difficult and could require multiple lab tests conducted by professional lab technicians. Prevention Is the Best Medicine

Naturally it is not possible to totally prevent your kitty from getting sick, but you can try to reduce the risk of illness.

Too many casual pet owners do not seriously consider the nutrition of their precious little friend. They assume they can just buy what’s on the shelf of their local grocery store and call it a day.

This isn’t necessarily the case. To strengthen your cat’s immune system you should look at ingredients carefully and try to provide your cat a species-appropriate, healthy diet with few fillers and by-products. And of course, you should be certain he or she always has access to clean water. Don’t be cheap; buying your cat a high quality cat food (I suggest a good percentage of his or her diet be moist food) can save you money and save you and your kitty a lot of trouble and misery over the long haul.

One last thing I suggest is that you keep your cat indoors a vast majority of the time. A ton of evidence suggests that indoor cats live longer, healthier lives and aren’t exposed to diseases and parasites nearly as much as those poor outdoor kitties.

And of course… never skimp on your routine visits to the vet.

You are bringing your new bundle of joy home finally. You have done your research, know you have the right breed and you have complete faith in the breeder of your new pup. You have visited the litter each week to watch the pups develop, bought all the toys and the crate the breeder recommended and you already have her signed up for puppy kindergarten. Now for the most difficult decision - what do you feed her? Puppies need special diets to grow strong and healthy and thankfully, there are many varieties to choose from that are designed to fit the needs of our furry bundles of joy! There is small dog puppy food, regular puppy food and foods for large and giant breed pups. Each is formulated a little differently - small breed puppy food is calorie dense with a physical size that matches their diminutive mouths. Large and giant breed dog food is designed to allow for slow, steady growth which helps build strong and healthy bones and joints. Added nutrient are also designed to regulate joint health since so many of these breeds are plagued by hip dysplasia as well as back, elbow and knee issues.

The first person to ask for a recommendation on what to feed your new puppy is the breeder. They know their breed best and usually have the best intentions for the health and happiness of both their puppies and their new owners. However, do not take their word as gospel - sometimes they are forced to buy a lesser quality food then what would normally be recommended because of the sheer cost of feeding a litter of pups as well as possibly a full kennel of adult dogs. No matter what, however, have a small bag of the same food waiting at home for the day the pup arrives - you do not want to make a sudden switch of food ever with a dog but it can be catastrophic for a new pup! Housetraining is almost impossible to start if you are also dealing with a bad case of diarrhea. A change in food should always be done gradually over a number of days with each day decreasing the amount of the old food while simultaneously increasing the quantity of new food. After five to seven days, the pup should be on the new food entirely with little to no adverse affect on their bowels.

All dogs thrive on routine and your new pup is no exception! Young pups should be fed at least three times a day but preferably four if possible, at least for the first couple of weeks they are home with you. Make sure you feed them at the same time each day and once they are finished eating, put them outside for a poop - within fifteen minutes of eating, you will be rewarded with a step towards a perfectly housetrained puppy!

How much to feed the pup is the most common question asked a veterinarian. Double check with your breeder before you bring the puppy home and also check the recommendations listed on the dog food bag. Usually it is weight based so make sure you have an overall idea of what your pup weighs now as well as what they will weigh as an adult.

A rule of thumb is to watch your puppy’s waistline and growth spurts. A skinny puppy is a healthy puppy because it puts less stress on the still forming skeletal system. You do not want to see all the ribs but there is no harm in seeing the last one or at least a hint that there could be ribs under a thin layer of pudge and the thick puppy coat. Like human children, pups grow in spurts and stops. Usually they will sleep more and eat ravenously when they are in a growth spurt and our inclination is to feed them until they stop eating. Don’t! Pups, especially large and giant breeds, are healthiest if they grow at a slow and steady pace and by marginally restricting their food, you are making sure the growth spurts do not get out of hand. Large and giant breed puppy food helps keep the growth spurts to a minimum as well.

The biggest mistake new owners make is leaving the food down until the puppy has cleaned his plate and/or add tasty morsels to the dish until the pup concedes to eat the kibble. This actually teaches them bad puppy manners and no one wants that! Give yourself a break - never add tidbits to the dish and only leave the food on the ground for twenty minutes. If they have not finished their plate after that time, pick it up and do not put it on the floor again until the next scheduled feeding. They soon learn to finish their plate quickly and that they are not going to get something tastier if they ‘hold out’ for better! No puppy will starve themselves to death and they will eventually eat their entire meal as long as you are strong and not give in to those adorable puppy eyes!

Feeding a puppy is not difficult but it does take a bit of knowledge and some diligence on your part. Keep your puppy at a healthy weight, have them dewormed regularly and make sure you have fun with your new ball of fur - puppyhood lasts only a short time and it will be over before you know it!

Cats in general are loveable creatures. However, it is possible that some of them get on the bad side of the household. Thus, it is necessary to address the situation when the cats are the problem.Stray cats are actually the problem. Cats that do not have owners to train them have made the whole neighborhood their home. They ruin the garden. They mess up the trash can. Thus, one should seek for solutions that will keep the cats away. Repel them.

At the same time, repelling cats should be done in the most ‘humane’ way possible. There are several options to consider in keeping those mean cats away, easily and safely.

Cat Powder Easy to apply to the garden, these cat powders appeal to the instincts of the cats. These contain the scent of a predator, usually a coyote. Cats recognize the territoriality of animals, thus having such scent in the house would keep them away.

One only has to sprinkle this in the desired area. The ones available in the market are usually not harmful to children and to the plants in the garden.

Sound Repellent This creates sounds that are extremely annoying to a cat but remains undetected to humans.

Cat Scatmats Some use the scatmats for the more stubborn ones. These are thin mats that can be situated on the floor, garden furniture or window sills. They are battery-charged. Any animal that would walk on it will receive an unpleasant shock. Cats are found to be sensitive to the mild shock, enough to discourage them from returning.

Water Sprayer The market offers this very helpful repellent. It is connected to the garden hose and has a sensor for movements. Any unwarranted movement of a stray cat will result to a blast of water to fright the cats.

Liquid Repellent It can be sprayed on any surface that cats may or constantly claw on. It has a terrible taste that would be noticed by the cat when it grooms itself. The cat will automatically avoid such locations.

Air Repellent Some repellents use a blast of air to keep cats away. Cats will find this scary. The tools come with a distinct sound that will be helpful in scaring cats away.

Odor neutralizer Cats often leave lingering scent trail on the garden that only attract more cats The odor neutralizer will use enzymes that will rid of the odor and bacteria. Just make sure that this is applied directly to the scent trail.

With these aids and tools at hand, the cat problem is resolved. These defenses are sure way to secure the household and get rid of the headache.

In most cases, feline sneezing is a result of your cat’s respiratory system functioning properly. However, your cat may possibly be sick if he starts to sneeze a lot. There are various things that can cause an episode of feline sneezing. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes.Infection

An upper respiratory infection is one of the most common causes of feline sneezing. Infections that cause sneezing episodes are usually caused by the Adenovirus or the Parainfluenza virus. These viruses are highly contagious and can easily infect your cat after he comes into contact with other animals. The infections produce other symptoms besides sneezing such as swollen glands, coughing, and mucus discharge.

Rhinotracheitis

Another common cause of feline sneezing is the rhinotracheitis virus. This virus is responsible for causing herpes-1 in cats. Feline sneezing can be a difficult condition to treat if it is caused by this virus. Kittens infected with this virus can suffer permanent damage to the linings in their nose.

Allergies

Feline sneezing can also be caused by allergies. Your cat can be allergic to household cleaning chemicals, smoke, or even perfume or cologne that you wear. Similar to people, some cats also have episodes of feline sneezing at certain times of the year. This is likely due to the fact that the cat is allergic to something in the air.

Airways

One of the final causes of feline sneezing is a change in your cat’s airways. Fungal infections can occur in your cat’s nasal passages and cause problems. Also, tumors or nasal polyps can form and cause feline sneezing. This usually affects only one nostril and commonly occurs in older cats.

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.Worms No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairball Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.

In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 - 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.

Urinary tract infection Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukemia In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy - he will be your companion for years to come.