Cats, just like any other animal and their caretakers, can get sick. If you love cats and own them, there are some things you should know about the illnesses that can affect your feline friend.

Leukemia
Even for humans, this word is one you never hope to hear. For Felines, it’s a virus, that works by producing an enzyme that it then inserts into healthy cells infecting them. Just like a retrovirus. Because of this, it is a particularly nasty illness.

Cats who have the cat feline leukemia virus are found all over the world. The likelihood of a cat becoming infected can depend a lot on the age of the cat, its health, environment and lifestyle. Cats who are very young or ill have an even greater chance of contracting the virus. This is why cat care is so important.

How Do Cats Become Infected?
Other cats are the main source of the infection being spread. The virus is
passed on in large amounts through saliva or nasal fluids. But it may also be passed on through urine, feces and milk from the cats that are infected. The virus is also passed on through cat-to-cat contact, such as fighting resulting in wounds, when cats groom each other and, sometimes, through sharing litter boxes.

Which Cats Are At Risk Of Infection?
Any cat is at risk of being infected, although some cats are at a greater risk than most. If a cat is living with other cats that are infected or it is unknown whether they are infected with feline leukemia virus, risks of the cat becoming infected are very high.

If you allow your cats to roam free out of doors then their chances of contracting this disease increases. They run a greater risk of coming in contact with infected cats and being bitten or scratched, allowing the virus to transfer itself. Kittens have a greater risk of becoming infected, especially when they are nursing since the virus can be transmitted through the mother’s milk. Also, they have weaker immune systems.

Feline Leukemia: How to spot the symptoms
Feline Leukemia works very much like HIV in humans. It attacks the immune system of your cat, making it difficult for your cat to fight off even the most minor of illnesses. It can cause other health problems for your cat as well, such as blood disorders and has been linked as being a source of cancer in cats.

At first, your cat may show no signs of the virus at all. But over time, your cat’s health will begin to deteriorate or he may suffer from re-occurring illnesses. Some of the main signs that you may notice are loss of appetite and weight-loss. At first, weight-loss will be minimal, but late in the disease, you may notice your cat wasting away.

There are also other signs that usually show up a bit later in the diseases progression. These include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, pale gums or gums that are inflamed.

By paying attention to your cats health, learning about common cat disease like cat kidney disease and others, you may be able to avoid this dangerous cat illness.

David Lee is an expert on cat care. See his site for more info on cat related subjects like Nutrition in cat food, why do cats purr and to pamper your kitty,Pet steps cat furniture.

Cat Illness Symptoms Of Arthritis
A cat with arthritis will need special food to meet their dietary needs, which will help support their system to fend off illness and to keep their bones as strong as possible. If possible home prepared cat food is the best option.

Prevent Cat Illness By Closely Watching Your Kitty
Likewise don’t forget that with certain feline maladies a kitty may not display very many symptoms or she may just exhibit very moderate symptoms of cat health problems.

Cat Illness Prevention
One classic, common and potentially expensive to cure illness is caused by foreign bodies trapped in the intestine. Cats like to play and chew on things and that is good as it provides exercise provided the objects with which our cat is.

Cat Illness Symptoms
A cat’s heart heartbeat twice as fast as a homo at rest. Aware that a call call from an ordinary citizen would not kindle the info I required, I correct about shape my own independent ducky nutrient company.

Cat Illness Symptoms And Diagnosis
Learn how to recognize cat illnesses using only the knowledge of its symptoms. Read what are 7 the most common cat illnesses symptoms and make the best of it. Spot the symptoms in time and nip your cat illnesses in the bud.

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Wild animals hide their injuries and illnesses to avoid drawing the attention of predators as a matter of survival. Your domestic pet has this same natural instinct to conceal an injury or illness even though they do not have to worry about predators. Because a dog, cat, bird, or other family pet often suffers silently and without exhibiting obvious symptoms of distress, you must take charge of safeguarding your pet’s health for them.

Uncovering hidden injuries, detecting medical conditions early, and vaccinating pets against diseases, are good reasons for your pet to have routine visits with your veterinarian. Another good way to look out for your pet’s health is to examine them for fleas and ticks, small cuts or abrasions, or soreness in their joints, while grooming or petting them. You should also keep an eye on your pet’s food and water intake as well as checking stools left in the yard or litter box, as changes in these are often the first signs of health issues with your pet.

A number of prescription and nonprescription medicines can enhance pet health, too. These are safe for use with your pet for treating a variety of conditions and in preventing others. Your vet can explain what a medicine prescribed for your pet is supposed to do, as well as any side effects to watch for should you agree to place your pet on that medicine. It is wisest to discuss with your veterinarian whether any nonprescription medicines you are considering for your pet are the right choice for his or her health needs.

Dogs and cats are susceptible to the misery caused by biting fleas and ticks, whether they live primarily indoors or out. These biting pests are unrelenting in the pain and itching they inflict on your pet, and left untreated, can cause your pet anemia and other serious health issues. Treating your pet regularly with flea and tick medicine kills adult fleas, eggs, larvae, and ticks living on your pet quickly, and repels new fleas and ticks from hitching a ride on your pet. Households with multiple pets will need to treat each animal with flea and tick medicine to protect them, and to prevent a large infestation of these pests in the home. Frontline and Advantage are two popular brands of prescription flea and tick medicines with solutions made for both dogs and cats.

Heartworm is an insidious disease that kills many dogs and cats each year. You can help prevent heartworm from attacking your dog or cat by giving him or her heartworm medicine. Typically, you give your dog or cat heartworm medicine once a month in the form of a chewable tablet that is often liver-flavored to make it more palatable to your pet. The successful cat treatment of many heartworm cases is possible when detected early enough. That is why annual heartworm tests for your pet are very important.

Cats spend a good portion of their waking hours grooming themselves. Cats have rough tongues and this habit of continuous grooming introduces loose fur hairs into their bodies. A small amount of fur usually can easily move through the digestive tract and to the bowels for elimination without much problem. However, larger amounts of ingested fur hairs can cause blockages that may lead to severe intestinal and bowel distress for your cat. Pet medicines with laxative properties can prevent fur from balling-up inside your cat so that it can move through the intestinal tract to the bowels for eliminating before causing your cat difficulties.

Proper dental hygiene for both cats and dogs can prevent tooth loss and gum disease. Dental brushes for dogs as well as canine toothpaste helps make it easier for pet owners to clean and care for their dogs teeth. Many cats are not fond of having a dental brush placed n their mouths. You may find it easier to give your cat ‘dental chews’ which taste good to the cat, and are designed to clean your cat’s teeth. A weekly cleaning of your pet’s teeth can help keep their teeth healthy. This will also help you to avoid more costly teeth cleaning by a veterinarian for severe tartar build-up on your cat’s teeth.

Cats and dogs have ailments and diseases that are unique to them. They also have behaviors that their human companions want under control. There are many prescription and nonprescription medicines to aid in keeping your pet healthy physically, and behaviorally. Online pet pharmacies are a convenient and money-saving way for you to get the medicines your pet needs for optimal health. Many of them are also a good resource for more in-depth information about your pet, and the pet medicines that can help keep your pet healthy. Safeguard your pet’s health today so that they are with you and your family for a long time to come.

By: Brian Jenkins1

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Brian Jenkins is a freelance writer who often writes about topics pertaining to the care of pets and health options for pets such as pet meds.

Arthritis in Cats Pain Relief Treatments
Arthritis in an elderly cat is as common as it is in an elderly person. Just like humans their cartilage wears out and becomes thin allowing for bones to rub together causing inflammation and pain.

Cat Pain Relief?
My cat has arthritis and was put on metacam. However this made him really ill so its had to be stopped. Are there any alternative long term medications, apart from stuff like glucosamine, available for cats.

Cat Pain Relief NSAIDS
NSAID’s (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin are very dangerous for cats of all sizes and ages. This article discusses the dangers of NSAID’s, effects and what type of NSAID’s your vet may prescribe if your cat is in need.

Getting Started With Cat Care
If you see something she’s never done before, or appears uncoordinated or in pain, it’s time for a visit to your vet for a professional evaluation. Also watch for signs of dental problems.

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Did you know your cat could suffer from degenerative joint disease? Most of us do not realize that our cats can suffer from DJD just as we do. We attribute lameness as arthritis to dogs, but most of us do not think of a cat suffering from lameness. But what joint pain treatments for cats are there out there? And which are the most effective?  If you are looking for feline pain relief therapy then one option is Flexpet.  I have used this myself and know that the results are definately positive and can help your pet cat or dog.

Why? Because cats have a tendency to hide their deficiencies, most often it takes a veterinarian to find it. A cat that is suffering from degenerative joint disease may limp for a moment or two after waking up from a nap, but then will walk normally and you will never really pay attention to the symptom.

What is DJD? In a healthy joint the cartilage covers and cushions the opposite ends of the joint. In DJD the cartilage, (which has no nerves,) wears away through time and age, leaving the bones (which have nerves) to touch each other and thus create pain for your cat. It is sort of like having sandpaper between your knees and walking with the sandpaper rubbing against you. Not comfortable at all!

What are the symptoms? Since cats are very clever at hiding their symptoms, it is up to you, the pet parent, to be aware of your cat’s behavior, especially as your cat ages.

In addition to lameness which you may not notice right off hand, your cat may take to hiding more, this is a genetic behavior going back to the days of wild cats, as they try to hide their health problems from their enemies.

Other signs might be licking or biting a certain area as an attempt to make the pain go away. Looking for soft and warm places to lay down. A decrease in appetite as walking or climbing to the food and water dishes is too painful. Litter box problems, it may be too painful to climb into the box or hurt to cover up its messes. Suddenly not jumping up on its favorite couch or chair may become apparent, as it hurts to jump.

If you are in the habit of keeping your cat’s food in a high place and you are beginning to notice it is not eating like it should, I recommend a trip to the vet for a check up, as you do not want your cat to become dehydrated.

Early detection is important; however, with a cat’s ability to hide its symptoms it can be difficult. That is why knowing your cat and its habits are really very important, as the changes can be subtle and not really noticed until the cat ages. DJD is a slow moving disease and unless you are truly aware of your cat’s daily habits you may miss it all together, assuming that poor grooming and grumpiness is just a sign of aging and it really is a sign of pain.  In this scenario you will want to find the best pain relief treatment for cats.

There are two types of DJD. Primary DJD which is the normal wear and tear on aging joints and secondary DJD which is caused by other conditions. Trauma, hip dysplasia, malformed joints, tumors or autoimmune diseases can be causes of secondary DJD.

Your vet can examine your cat and manipulate its joints, feel for heat at the joints and take X- rays, but the best authority on helping find the cause of your cat’s discomfort is you. Cats can hide their reaction to pain in the vet’s office, but you by knowing your cat’s habits can tell the vet first hand how you cat is behaving at home. That is why knowing your cat is so important.

What is the treatment for DJD? Generally a vet will prescribe a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug for long term use, along with Omega-3 fatty acids, surgery might be necessary for a really bad joint, but in general managing your cat’s activities is one of the most important things you can do.

If your cat is overweight, reducing the amount of food is necessary, dry food which is high in carbohydrates should be fed sparingly, eliminate extra treats and table food scraps. Every ounce lost is less weight on a sore limb and really counts.

Making food and litter boxes more accessible is a help, carpet and padded pet ramps makes it easier for your cat to get to its favorite places. In some cases a heated bed offers a great deal of comfort,

As humans, we really do not like to be in pain and we relish the fact when someone offers to help us either by helping to eliminate the pain or just making our lives more comfortable, your cat feels the same. It is important that you do not try to give your cat any human pain relievers or any other over the counter pain killers, they could be lethal for your cat. Only ever give your pet, cat pain relievers!

Kitty cannot tell us he/she is in pain, but I will say this once more, if you pay attention to your cat’s normal everyday habits, you will be able to sense the fact your cat is hurting, and then you can do something to help Kitty get better.  Pain relief for cats can help your pet live a full and happy life, especially in their old age.

Author: Audrey Frederick

If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

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Does Your Cat Need Flexpet?
You will see a dramatic improvements in your pet’s levels of activity. Some things you may want to try are Flex Pet, Joint Rescue and maybe even Old Bones. Consider a situation where you have a middle aged cat or dog.

Pain Relief For Your Cat
As cats get older they age in a very similar way to us humans, albeit much faster than us. They can suffer many of our own common problems such as arthritis, and general joint or muscle pain along with many other long term pain issues.

Does Your Cat Need a Pet Cure for Dysplasia?
Do you need a reliable and safe pet cure for dysplasia or other conditions that cause joint pain? Have you considered using natural pain relievers? Today, there are a number of pet pain relief products that cause fewer side effects.

Arthritis Treatment in Pets
Ensure that cat bowls, bedding, and litter trays are accessible and don’t require jumping. Once your pet is feeling better, gradually re-introduce an exercise program for your pet. Exercise is important for joint mobility.

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Have you even seen your pet cat in pain and felt helpless to do anything?  My old cat started to get arthritis and pains from a fairly early age and when the vet suggested I purchase flexpet pain relief treatment, I was hopeful that we had found the cure.  To be frank I wasn’t expecting a lot but was amazed at the change in little spock after he started taking it and now I will be using this on my other cat Wookie if he ever gets to that stage in life, it really is an amazing cat pain relief treatment.

Many people find themselves falling in love with our cute soft and furry feline friends and have a pet cat or two at home. They are such a pleasure to keep and, being so independant, are often easy to look after too. But still, we can’t prevent them from becoming ill or having health problems from time to time. So, as cat owners, we need to be on the lookout for when our cat might be experiencing some discomfort or pain and for any signs that there might be something wrong.

A good time to do this would be when he or she is curled up on your lap maybe as you are stroking her. At the same time you could do a quick and gentle check of her ears for any signs of mites or blockage. Take a look at her beautiful eyes too just to make sure they are in good condition and shining brightly as they should. Is her nose clean and clear or can you see any unusual discharge? do her claws need cutting or are any of them split and frayed? As you playfully stroke her tummy, or brush her fur, this might be a good time to check for fleas or skin problems. If she starts to be somewhat aggressive when you touch her this might be a sign that she is experiencing pain in that area. Cat behavioural problems can sometimes come about as a result of pain rather than character and so what would be needed at this time would be pain relief for your cat rather than behavioural training.

Other signs that there is something wrong are cat urinary problems, maybe missing the spot, constipation and diarrhea and possibly vomiting. In the latter case she might just be coughing up a furball or needs to empty something out of her stomach that doesn’t agree with her, in which case you might find her starting to chew on some grass. Chewing grass helps with regurgitation. However vomiting and diarrhea might also be an indication that there is a more serious problem that needs to be adressed and in this case it would be a good idea to take her to the vet to have a check up. Don’t forget to keep up with the required vaccinations for the most common cat diseases.

Feeding her a good regular nutritious diet and providing her with plenty of water will help prevent many potential problems that sometimes arise from some of the poorly prepared commercial products and over reliance on dried foods. if you want to give her some milk then specially prepared cat milk is preferable to cow’s milk which can cause cat digestive problems ver the long term.

Simply taking a few precautions and making these easy regular checks will make a vast difference to the overall health of your cat and provide you and your beloved pet with many happy shared days and memories to come.

Here is a short video showing exactly why we love cats:

Author: Abun J

Take care of your cat’s needs. You will find everything you need here regarding pain relief for cats, treatments, symptoms and advice .

Natural Pain Relief for Pets
And, as you may know, I’ma health fanatic when it comes to feline nutrition. So you bet if there’sa natural remedy to try I’ll know about it. Here’s one I came across regarding pain relief for pets.

Pet Cure for Arthritis – Your Pet May Need It
Pain Relief for Cats – Natural Pain Relief Posted By : Soru Kayde; Pet Sitting – A Modern Day Necessity; Going Away? Hire a Pet Sitter in the Comfort of Your Home; Cat Owner Beware – You Might Be Hurting Your Pet.

Feline Pain Relief
If aspirin is just acceptable for feline pain relief, under strict veterinarian supervision, anti-inflammatory drugs that are commonly used by people such as Ibuprofen (I use this myself) and Anaprox are simply toxic to cats.

Feline Health — Answering Your Cat Health Questions
The good news is that you can learn all about feline health and educate yourself about what to do. Whether you’re worried about obesity, oral health, cut health insurance, or anything else, there is information out there for you.

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