Tag: owner39s

Pet Rescue

Owner's Guide to Herpes in Felines

Rusty

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.…

Rescue Dogs

Owner's Guide to Cat Tapeworms

Rusty

There are many parasites that can give cats problems. Feline tapeworms are some of the most common. These white worms are capable of growing approximately eight inches long if they live long enough. Thanks to the suckers and hooks that Mother Nature equipped them with, they’re capable of attaching themselves to the walls of the small intestine of your cat.

Cats typically don’t experience many problems if they’re infested with just a few of them. However, tapeworms in cats can cause serious problems as their numbers increase. They will keep your feline from getting the proper nutrition from their food, eventually causing them to shed pounds. Their fur will also undergo changes, becoming rough and dull.

To understand how feline tapeworms infect cats, you first need to understand a bit about their life cycle. As you know, fleas can easily infect your cat. Sometimes, fleas will harbor cysticercoids, which are formed when flea larvae eat tapeworm eggs. If your cat bites at an area infested with infected fleas, he may end up swallowing one.

After eating an infected flea, the small intestine will break it down and leave the cysticercoids to develop into adult cat tapeworms. This is when they will attach themselves to the small intestine walls and sustain themselves with the nutrients that your cat is supposed to get from his food.

Feline tapeworms are segmented. As they grow, segments will break off and pass out of the body through the feces. Owners who inspect their cat’s feces will likely notice them. They look like small grains of rice that are moving around. Some of these segments may also appear around the anus.

Your vet can determine if your cat has tapeworms quite easily. He will simply have to take a look at a sample of your cat’s feces under a microscope. They aren’t always easy to see via the naked eye.

Fortunately, tapeworms in cats are usually easy to deal with. You will need to give your cat dewormer medication in order to get rid of them. One cycle of this medication may not be enough to get rid of the infestation entirely though.

Parasites such as fleas and lice play a vital role in the transmission of feline tapeworms. Therefore, owners need to do their best to control these parasites so that their cat doesn’t get infested with worms. Limiting the amount of time that your cat spends outside roaming around will help. Giving him dewormer medication on a regular basis will also be useful.…