CATMARIO4

Fatal Ferret Hair Loss

It is 300 years since ferrets arrived in America as tamed pets. Just like any living species they show symptoms of various diseases and hence the ferret owners have to be aware of the symptoms to provide timely medical attention in case of conditions like the ferret hair loss.

Ferrets have a tendency to molt which results in detachment of hair during night. Normally the feathery hairs of the ferrets fall off in spring and grow again during winter. But due to molting, sometimes there is complete loss of hair in a very short span of time and equally quickly the hairs grow. You need not worry about this condition, as it is normal for ferrets to experience this.

There are high incidences of the tumor of the adrenal glands in ferrets found in America. The tumor is prevalent particularly when they are between 3 to 4 years old, but on few occasions it occurs even when they are beyond 4 years old. At this point they experience loss of hair, which is known as endocrine alopecia. Unlike during molting, during this condition hair begins to fall from the tail and the limbs to finally leave the ferret bereft of hair except for few patches at the end of the tail and the head. The ferret has to be rushed to a vet, when this happens.

As pet owners love their pets they are fully conversant of the symptoms occurring before the disease and never miss to notice the symptom. The ferret hair loss is a symptom of glandular enlargement, which results in tumor for the ferret.

Signs of hair loss in ferret have to be carefully noted without being confused with the normal loss of hair. If early detection of symptoms is missed it would become difficult to save the ferret as the tiny animal quickly lapses to distress and succumbs. Hence it is not a bad idea to take the ferret for routine periodic check-ups to the vet to prevent calamities.…

Why Kittens Are Better Than Puppies

So, you are deciding on either a puppy or a kitten. Let’s look over the various characteristics, like physical attributes, personality, care requirements, and time. The physical attributes of puppies and kittens are sight, hearing, smell, coat, eye color, temperature control, and personality.

Puppies are color blind in that they can’t see red and green. They do have hearing in the 16 to 20 hertz range. This is much better than humans. Puppies can be born with certain coat color markings and eye color, but they can change as the puppy becomes an adult. Generally they are born with blue eyes that change to brown. Puppies shortly develop temperature control. When they are hot they can perspire through their paws, and they pant to cool themselves off. Generally there are two types of personalities. Similarly to humans there is the busy, active, and self-centered type. The other type as you can imagine is the laid back forgiving type. Puppies require a set schedule for relieving themselves. They are fed in the morning and in the evening. They require that their owner or a care giver be around to take care of their needs. They are a pet that requires time.

In comparison kittens are born blind and they can’t see clearly and don’t have clear and functioning eye sight until the thirty-fifth day. They can’t see color. Kittens cannot regulate their body heat until they are 7 weeks old. Their hearing is fully developed at 4 weeks. Their sense of smell is refined by 3 weeks, but they only have 67 million smell-sensitive cells as compared to the 220 million of a puppy. In this regard the puppy wins out. Eye coloring can change as the kitten matures, but this is in the first few weeks. The kitten’s coloring remains the same as it matures. Kitten’s personality should be full of energy; this is an indication that the kitten is healthy. They need physical activity and space to properly develop. They require physical touch for warmth and to develop a hierarchy within the family. The more you interact with the kitten the more you will have an active member of your family. After the kitten has developed to functioning on its own you may leave it for many hours with just a litter box, food, and water.

In conclusion after comparing the physical attributes, personality, care requirements, and time in this busy lifestyle the clear choice is to get a kitten. I now that kittens and puppies are both cute and adorable because they are young and small, but the time factor alone decided that kittens are better than puppies.…

Is a Siamese Kitten Right For You?

“We are Siamese if you please, we are Siamese if you don’t please…” Familiar with Walt Disney’s Lady and the Tramp in 1959? Two havoc-wreaking Siamese cats were featured as “Si and Am” along with the popularity of the Siamese breeds in the late 19th century.

Cats have been associated with human for at least 9,500 years, and are currently the most popular pet in the world. It has been featured on movies decades ago in both real and fictional films. One true-to-life pet named Jason, the first feline to join on BBC TV’s best kids programme Blue Peter, was a Seal-Point Siamese.

In 1884, according to most sources, a departing British Acting Vice-Consul at Bangkok named Edward Gould acquired 2 breeding Wichien-maas, or what we call the Siamese cat today and brought them with him to England. There had been skepticism though as to where Sir Edward got the Siamese pair since these are cats bred by the royal family in Siam. When Pho and Mia- the imported cats- produced 3 lovely Siamese kittens were flaunted at the Crystal Palace Show in 1885, they captured the onlookers’ attention describing them as “an unnatural nightmare of a cat”.

From that time on, these oriental cats favored acquisition from the British aristocracy with their unique seal points, rarity and royal background. The traditional Siamese cats have sturdier bodies and vernacularly known as appleheads, an unfavorable nickname coined by modern type breeders due to its less wedge-shaped heads.

The modern Siamese kitten acquired its trait from a more streamlined and elegant parent genes. Everything about the modern Siamese cat is long- long slender body, triangular-shaped head with thin snout, long neck, long whip-like tail, and long slim legs. The cat’s eyes are almond-shaped, oblique and mostly blue that turns reddish at night. An exception to the cat’s long characteristics, a short glossy fur exquisitely intensifies the graceful body lines.

The Siamese kitten is typically active and playful that bears on the adult stage. Siamese cats are one of the most gregarious cats in the world. Intelligent-wise, Siamese cats topped it all among the feline category. Its ingenuity makes them easily understood in terms of their nature. Now generally speaking, blue-eyed cats with white fur have a high incidence of genetic deafness. And that makes Siamese not so good in their hearing ability in contrast to their feline agility.

How elegantly looking though, Siamese cats are very chatty. From simple meows to loud raspy calls, most are constant non-stop talkers. However, they are also curious, affectionate and athletic even on their grown up years.

Most gestures and vocal expressions tend to convey of some sort. Siamese cats interact on different levels to both humans and fellow felines. They are affectionate and warm that explains a close relationship to the kitten cat breeder. Their expressive manner makes them closely bonded to humans. They even prefer and enjoy the comforts of your homes. With much time alone, they can be very docile. The Siamese cat can easily be well-trained, but mostly quite well-versed at training their own masters in their ways.

Highly intelligent though, they are not as independent as other cats are. Often, they want attention and do everything in a much more boosting way. They react to both extreme moods, giving great levels of hankering when in positive mode, and do the exact opposing temper in depressing times. Siamese cats can live in the average of 15 years with CRF as the number one morbidity cause in their elderly years.…

Taking Care of Kittens – A Wonderfully Tough Responsibility

It is safe to say that a lot of people love dogs, though some others are just not the dog-lover type. They may prefer to pet turtles, birds, hamsters or maybe even wild animals, while some others, just loves cats or kittens. Personal likes and dislikes differ, but there is one thing that’s certain: pets provide us with more than just companionship.

Kittens have wild instincts. However, they make wonderful pets. They are versatile, affectionate, intelligent, sociable and independent. Taking care of kittens may sound easy, but it requires a lot of responsibility. This responsibility leads you to raise various questions about caring for kittens.

Cat-proofing your home

Kittens are playful animals. So, cat-proofing is essential. Make sure your home is safe for the kitten. Always keep the doors of your dryer, cabinets and low cupboards closed. Kittens love to sleep in dark, warm places. They also love to nibble, run around and just play with anything. Keep them away from breakable valuables and don’t leave things on the floor that might be hazardous to the kitten.

Milk, food, and drinks for kitty

Kittens generally have small stomachs. They need to eat every few hours, and they need to constantly have clean, fresh water available to keep them hydrated. A diet rich in protein, calcium, taurine, and other nutrients are good for cats. They may be fed with dry food, canned, or both, but don’t give them dog food since it it not rich in taurine, which is good for their eye development and helps prevent heart disease. Cow’s milk may be good for us but for kittens, it’s a no-no.

Quality time with kitty

The first few weeks of a kitten’s life should be treated as a very precious moment in your relationship. Cuddling, petting and playing with them is highly essential. Do not let your kitten play with your finger for it will only give her the idea of finger biting, scratching, and the like. Play with your kitten gently and enjoy her soft purrs!

Veterinary care

The first visit is important and critical because the vet will perform a hands-on physical exam on the kitten. Fecal float determines worm infestation. Kitten vaccination is crucial from the first few weeks of age. At about 9 weeks, the 3-way vaccine will be given. This is the modern method of giving a 3-in-1 shot against feline calicivirus, herpes virus and feline panleukopenia. Booster shots will be given at 12-14 weeks old. Rabies vaccine are only given when cats are at risk or in some areas required by law.

Caring for kitten may be tough, but the rewards are priceless. Companionship, constant love, acceptance, and reduces stress!…