Preventative medical care is the key to maintaining your pet's good health.
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Feline Leukemia Virus |
Feline Rabies |
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What is Feline Leukemia?
Feline leukemia (FeLV) is a retrovirus, that weakens a cat's immune system and impairs them from fighting off infection. It can also cause cancer and blood disorders. Some symptoms of FeLV are anemia; progressive weight loss; lethargic; abscesses; enlarged lymph nodes; persistent diarrhea; fever; infections of the external ear and skin; poor coat condition; wobbly/uncoordinated; inflammation of nose, cornea, moist tissue of the eyes, gums, and/or mouth tissue; also two cancers: lymphoma and fibrosarcoma. Is my cat at RISK for infection? FeLV is easily spread from feline to feline. It can be spread through saliva (grooming, biting, sharing food dishes, etc), nasal secretions, feces, urine (sharing a litter box), and blood. Kittens can contract the virus from their infected mothers, while they are still in the womb, or even from nursing. How do I PROTECT my cat? A FeLV/FIV test is recommend before vaccinating for FeLV for the first time, since the vaccine will not provide protection if your cat has been pre-exposed. The feline leukemia vaccine is only recommended for cats that could potentially come into contact with other cats that may be infected. Feline Chlamydiosis
What is Feline Chlamydiosis?
Feline Chlamydiosis disease can cause a relatively mild upper respiratory infection, which can usually effect the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Some signs of this may include
Feline Herpes Virus
What is Feline Herpes Virus (FHV)?Herpes is a common upper respiratory infection in felines. Even after treatment, feline herpes virus can lead to lifelong infection.
Feline Heartworm Disease What is Feline Heartworm Disease?
Feline heartworm disease is caused by a mosquito biting your cat. The infection takes places when a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae bites. The larvae enter through the bite wound where they develop in the tissues, the immature worms enter blood vessel and are carried to the arteries in the lung where they cause an inflammatory reaction. This reaction cause cats to have respiratory problems. Most worms die at this stage, causing more inflammation and damaging lung tissue. Worms that survive grow into the adult stage and may live undetected for years. The adult worms that die can cause inflammation that is severe enough to cause the cat to DIE. The respiratory signs of this are called Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (H.A.R.D).
Some signs of H.A.R.D may include
How do I PROTECT my cat? First, heartworm test your cat, and second keep them on a heartworm preventative. i.e revolution. |
What is Feline Rabies?
Feline Rabies is an incurable viral disease that affects the central nervous system. Rabies is a very serious disease that not only effects our pets but humans as well. Is my cat at RISK for infection? Your cat is at risk if they are not vaccinated against the virus. Your pet can contract the virus through bites from a disease carrier, such as bats, foxes, etc. The infectious viral particles are retained in a rabid animal's salivary glands to better spread the virus through their saliva. . How do I PROTECT my cat? The best way to protect your cat is to keep them up to date on a rabies vaccine. The only way to diagnose rabies infection in your pet is too quarantine them if they are showing signs of infection and then test the brain postmortem. Feline Panleukopenia VirusWhat is Feline Panleukopenia?
Feline Panleukopenia virus (FPV), also commonly referred to as feline distemper, is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease in the cat population. This virus affects the rapidly dividing blood cells in the body: primarily the cells in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and in the stem cells of the developing fetus. Because the blood cells are under attack, this virus can lead to an anemic condition and predispose the body to infections from other illnesses – viral or bacterial.
Feline CalicivirusWhat is Feline Calicivirus?Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a virus that is a leading cause of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. Symptoms of this involve the nose and throat, sneezing, nasal congestion,
Some signs of this may include
Feline Immunodeficiency VirusWhat is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)?Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes AIDS in cats. This virus is not the same as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) the causes human aids. A feline with FIV can remain on visual healthy for several years before its immune system becomes too weak to fight off other diseases. There has been no cured found for FIV, and one in 12 cats in North America test positive for FIV.
Some signs of this may include
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Declawing.
What is declawing?
Declawing is a hot topic within the veterinarian profession. Declawing entails removing of a cat's third phalanx, unlike human nails, cats' claws are attached to the last bone in their toe.
Scratching is normal behavior in cats. The primary reason for cats scratching is to maintain the necessary claw motion used in hunting and climbing, and even stretching. Cats also used scratching as a way to remove the worn outer later of their nails and to expose new growth.
Alternatives to declawing:
- Scratch posts/pads: Some available options is to have scratches spread throughout the house to promote scratching. Scratches come in multiple different styles, textures, vertical/horizontal. Experimenting with your cat to develop healthy scratching areas can sometimes be a challenge to find the appropriate scratches but don't give up! Place scratches in areas where your cat normally scratches, include vertical or horizontal, sisal rope or rough fabric, and even cardboard boxes, these can be a cheap alternative as well. Placement of scratches can make a difference, cats use scratching as a way to stretch their body, placing one near where your cat sleeps can be a helpful tool. Placing scratches in a cat's preferred area versus undesirable (edge of cough, trim work, chair legs, curtains) can help promote good behavior without ruining your furniture.
- Regular trimming of nails: Use of proper feline nail trimmers can be used to prevent injury and damage to your household items.
- Nail caps: These caps are glued over your cat's nails and help prevent injury to human's or damage to your household items. These caps usually last 4-6 weeks and are why the least desirable alternative to 2 & 3.
- Feliscratch: visit www.savethecouch.com for more information.
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