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Pet Rescue

Diabetic Cat Food – How You Can Reduce the Need for Insulin

It is now generally accepted that human diabetes is an immune disorder. There seems no reason to suppose that feline diabetes is any different. This particular immune disorder has the form of failure of the pancreas to produce immune system brakes down because of the burden put upon it, mostly a chemical burden. When you consider all the chemicals most pets are subject to, there is little wonder their immune systems go on strike. Drugs, vaccinations, pesticides in the garden, harsh cleaners in the house, but perhaps worse of all by virtue of it’s frequent ingestion, are the preservatives in their daily diet.A typical cat food is processed and comes in a box, packet or can. The dried cat food must contain high levels of preservative to keep it at room temperature, indefinitely, despite what the packet may say. Believe me, there’s no other way to have such a long shelf are particularly sensitive to chemicals, so readily succumb to them. A stay in a cattery may well overload them, as most catteries fastidiously clean their pens with strong disinfectants or bleach, to ensure there’s no cross contamination.There are several things you can do immediately, to help your cat overcome this serious disease, even if they have had it a while. You never know how much good you can do until you try.

A good diabetic cat food, like any good cat food, is as close to that of a wild cats food as possible. Cats have evolved to efficiently use raw food. They can’t use processed and cooked food in the same way, as they lack the nutrients destroyed by you have your cat regularly eating good quality raw food, she may need less insulin. And if it isn’t too far advanced, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t recover completely. Recovery from serious disease is not uncommon when the cause is addressed. Ensuring your cat only eats a healthy, high quality, raw, diet, at the very least will reduce her need for insulin.…

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Pet Rescue

Cat Breeds and Their Personalities

With the exception of a few true lovers of cats, Americans have always been less particular about the origins of their cats and their dogs. Cats are most commonly seen on farms and they worked to help keep the vermin population. As cats are becoming more of a companion of a firm hand, there was a growing interest cat breeds, their purity and pedigree. The Cat Fanciers’ Association is dedicated to the preservation of race and race 39 recognized cat breeds. You will find below are some of these species as well as information on the characteristics of race and history. Russian Blue – The Russian Blue is a nice, friendly chat with an appearance. These cats are dense, thick coats that are short in one color: blue. In agreement with the blue fur of cats have the bright green eyes and are known for their beautiful appearance as they are, for their modest provisions. Cornish Rex – While the Cornish Rex is similar to images of ancient Egypt cats it is from Cornwall, England in 1950 where he was discovered in a barn cats littler. These cats are different in appearance with an egg-shaped head and size, large, erect ears, and enormous yellow-green eyes. This cat is very rare that the dress is soft, fine, very short, and grows in the waves. The Cornish Rex is affectionate, player, and keeps his kitten antics as throughout his life. The Siamese-Siamese cat, originally from Thailand, is extremely intelligent and curious animal. It is thought to be the oldest anywhere. The Siamese cat is a people lover. It will be regularly tell his family how much he cares for them with his strong meow. Maine Coon – The Maine Coon is a large cat, Native American longhair cat. He is venerated in hand to the mouse of his talent. The Maine Coon is a social animal that is particularly good for families with children or dogs. Abyssinian-Although the name suggests that this cat is from Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia), they are actually in India. The name “Abyssinian” came about when the cat was introduced in England by way of Abyssinia. Abyssinian is one of the most intelligent cats, and even if they are not “hug”, they love their people, are curious and want to help you with what you are working. American Wirehair – American Wirehair was seen in New York in 1966. The only cat was a spontaneous mutation in a litter of barn cats. Health is a relatively common genetic mutation, but the difference with the American Wirehair is because its characteristics have been organized in a unique way an effort was made to keep his blood and genetic model. Interestingly, this genetic mutation did not appear anywhere in the world other than the United States. The American Wirehair is docile and calm temperament and a great pet for a so-called “couch-potato.”…

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Pet Rescue

Pet Rabbit Insurance

Finding pet rabbit insurance is something that is of the utmost importance for not only your rabbit, but also for yourself. It’s no secret that trips to any veterinarian can quickly become expensive and the last thing any pet owner wants to do is become blindsided by their pet’s sudden illness. Having a solid rabbit insurance policy to back you up in case of an emergency is one of the best ways to solidify your bond between you and your rabbit.

Pet rabbit insurance comes in many different forms and ranges from basic coverage to more comprehensive forms. The best thing to do if you are concerned about picking the right package is to spend your time doing research on all of the different rabbit insurance companies. By being selective and browsing as many different websites as possible, you will begin to piece together a larger picture about what this type of insurance is all about and what kind you can benefit from.

The objective when it comes to picking any type of pet rabbit insurance is to figure out a way of minimizing your costs while still retaining all of the benefits you will foresee yourself needing. Always remember that one day your rabbit’s life can depend on this policy, therefore it’s a wise decision to not be “cheap” in areas that you otherwise shouldn’t have to. Finding a legitimate company, even if they cost a little bit more, is going to ensure that you get your money at the end of the day.

Rabbit insurance can feel a bit overwhelming to shop for at first but over time you will begin to feel a lot more confident and comfortable. Seeking out the advice of others who have such policies or even going to your veterinarian for advice can be a smart choice to make. There’s nobody better to tell you which companies are the best then your very own veterinarian because chances are they have worked with such companies and clients in the past.

Figuring out the delicate balance of the exact coverage you need against the expenses can be difficult at first but following your gut and the experience of others will give you the orientation you’re looking for. Rabbit insurance can play a pivotal role in saving your pet rabbit’s life one day so it’s your responsibility to ensure your rabbit has the best coverage possible. Pet rabbit insurance is often times the only thing that keeps pets together with their owns in cases of extreme medical emergencies.…

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Pet Rescue

Owner's Guide to Herpes in Felines

Feline herpes is also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis or FVR for short. The upper respiratory tract is affected by this illness. Caused by the feline herpes virus type 1 (FHV-1), it can affect a cat of any age or breed.

Transmission

Cats infected with this virus shed it in secretions from their mouth, nose, and eyes. These secretions will infect cats who come into contact with them. Cats that come into contact with contaminated food dishes and litter boxes are also at risk. Owners can also harbor the virus on their clothes and hands.

There are also felines who are particularly prone to this type of infection. Those who live in poorly cleaned or ventilated conditions are at risk. Kittens and cats around plenty of other cats are also susceptible. Cats are also at risk when they’re sick from some other diseaes and have a weakened immune system.

Symptoms

As you should already know by now, the upper respiratory tract is affected by this illness. Some of the most common signs include nasal discharge, sneezing, and nasal inflammation. Cats with this condition also routinely develop pink eye, or conjunctivitis. Complications during pregnancy is also a side effect of the herpes virus since it affects the reproductive tract too.

Diagnosis

This virus is pretty simple to diagnose in cats. Your cat’s nasal and eye secretions can be tested in a lab for the virus. The virus can be detected using various tests.

Treatment

Treatment of feline herpes virus mainly consists of supportive care since there is no cure. You will need to ensure that your cat eats and drinks. You will also need to clean any discharge from the eyes and nose. Cats that develop eye inflammation may be given eye drops.

It is also beneficial to minimize the amount of stress that your cat endures while he’s sick. If secondary infections occur, your cat may need to take antibiotics.

Prevention

You should be aware that after a bout with this disease, most cats become latent carriers. Latent carriers show no sign of disease although they are still capable of spreading it via their bodily secretions. Cats can be protected from thsi virus through vaccination.…

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Pet Rescue

On Safari in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

I have recently returned from a safari around some of the greatest National Parks and Reserves in the beautiful country of Tanzania. To give you an idea of the kind of animals and scenes I saw in one of my favourite parks there, Tarangire, I have put together a short diary of my day there.
We started our game drive nice and early and proceeded to Tarangire National Park. Spirits were high in our vehicle and we were hopeful to see some great wildlife during our time on safari. Almost instantaneously of arriving within the parks boundaries, we had spotted Zebra and even a herd of elephants taking shelter from the sun under a large Acacia tree. The elephants seemed to be using the tree to scratch themselves, and it was quite interesting to watch.
After a stop to observe the animals and take photographs, we drove on to see a few species of bird of prey, Griffon vultures – which were in a group of around 8 in a dead looking tree (it brought back scenes from the Disney film The Jungle Book!) and a Verreaux’s eagle, which was perched in a tree and later we saw it soaring above the land.
After a quick stop for lunch, we headed down towards a large watering hole, and what we saw next was unbelievable – a pride of lions spread out all around the watering hole, camouflaged into their surroundings and sheltering under trees – all of them had bloody paws, and the evidence of a couple of zebra kills was there in front of us in all its glory details.
There were also a herd of elephants at the watering hole which were having a mud bath and taking turns to throw their baby elephant into the large pool of mud, this was one of the funniest sights I have ever seen, and makes you realise how close elephants are.
Moving on from the watering hole, it was getting late, so was time for us to make moves out of the park. On our way back, we noticed a large crowd of cars pulled up alongside an Acacia tree, we stopped to get a closer look at what was demanding all this attention, and then we saw it – a leopard! The great spotted feline was asleep in the tree, just metres from where we were stopped. After a few minutes it stood up, turned around… and then went back to sleep facing the opposite direction!
On our long drive back to the main gate of the park, we saw plenty more animals, including giraffe, waterbuck and even a pair of Masai ostrich!…

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Pet Rescue

Parvovirus And Your Dog

Parvovirus (commonly called Parvo) is a viral disease that affects dogs. It is far more common in puppies than adult dogs and can have serious ramifications for the infected animal, including death. Parvo grows best in the rapidly dividing cells of the dog?s intestines. As the virus attacks and kills these cells it causes massive diarrhea and halts or slows the creation of white blood cells. In young puppies it can often directly infect the heart, leading to death.

The symptoms of Parvo start with fever, depression, and lethargy. The dog will usually experience a loss of appetite as well and then eventually show more sever signs like vomiting and diarrhea which is often bloody. Once the virus reaches this stage dehydration and death usually follow.

Parvo is carried and transmitted by dogs. The vomit and feces of an infected animal will also carry the virus which is rather resilient and can survive outside the dog?s body in the surrounding environment for as long as nine months. Sometimes an adult dog can be infected by the virus and show no symptoms but act as a carrier transmitting the virus to the other animals it comes into contact with.

There is no cure for Parvo. Dogs that are infected will die of dehydration without treatment. That treatment primarily consists of providing fluids, giving repeated blood transfusions, and preventing dehydration. The mortality rate in dogs affected by Parvo is about 20% if the dog receives treatment in time. Without treatment, about 80% of those infected will die from it. It is a very serious disease.

Parvo tends to affect some dog breeds more than others. Dobermans, Rottweilers, and other black and tan dogs have a greater chance of contracting the virus. The reason for this is unknown but the fact that these dogs are at higher risk does not mean that owners of other types of dogs can rest easily. Dogs of any breed can become infected.

While there is no cure for Parvo, puppies can (and should) be vaccinated against it at an early age. Most vets recommend puppies be immunized starting at six weeks of age with vaccinations continuing until twenty weeks of age. Proper immunization is the best way to prevent a dog from contracting Parvo.…

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Pet Rescue

General Tips About Cats That Will Make You A Pro

No amount of articles can prepare you for raising your first cat! This is a wonderful and exciting experience that you may only have once in life. Make every moment count by having fun with your pet, feeding it delicious food, and keeping it active outside of the home. If this is your first cat, you’ll be glad you took the time to read this article and get prepared.

Make sure to keep your cat’s litter box clean at all times. Most cats do not like to use a dirty litter box, much like you would not want to use a dirty toilet. Scoop it at least once a day. Empty and give it a good cleaning once a week or more if needed.

Check-ups are an absolute must for any pet cat. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay. For the most consistent pet care, choose one veterinarian and stick with them. Your veterinarian needs to know about your pet’s history, and your cat will feel more comfortable if you always take her to the same vet.

If your cat is female, then ensure you spay her as soon as you can. If an indoor cat gets out, you may soon have kittens. Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.

Play with your cat using proper cat toys. Cats love toys that help them feel like the predators that they think they are. Try sticking with toys that help them dance around or jump. This can also help them use extra energy by pouncing on toys instead of people’s feet.

Check your cats ears frequently for ear mites. You may notice your cat shaking their head or scratching their ears a lot if they have them. They are tiny parasites that look like coffee grounds in your cat’s ears. If you have more than one cat, they can also travel from cat to cat. See a vet before using any medication on them since their ears need properly cleaned first.

Do not flush clumpable litter in your toilet. This can lead to problems with your plumbing. Instead just lift the clumps and dispose of them in a trash bag. Don’t forget, moisture is what makes the litter clump in the first place! Avoid doing that to your pipes and just dispose of it properly.

Should you leave the house with your cat, make sure that she is wearing a collar with tags. This way, if anything happens and you two become separated, anyone can find her and know how to reach you. Your cat may not like the collar all the time, but when she’s out of the house it can save her.

Pet

Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.

Have your cat spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation is a growing problem, with millions of homeless cats and kittens euthanized every year. Besides the problem of too many kittens and not enough homes, unfixed cats can have a multitude of behavior problems. Males who are not neutered at a young age often start spraying to mark their territory, and females who are allowed to come into heat yowl incessantly as they try to escape to find a mate. Kittens can begin to breed as early as 4 months of age, so get your new kitten spayed or neutered as soon as possible.

Pet Adoption

If you are looking for a new home for your kitty, consider registering with an online pet adoption agency. Some of these companies screen applicants, so you will be sure that your pet is going into a good home. This is better than selling him to a creep who lurks around Craigslist all the time.

Your first cat is a special pet that should remain in your memories as a great time spent raising an adorable animal. Future pets will get easier to train and feed, but cats will always be a complex, confusing, messy animal. Small changes here and there help make this a unique experience.…