Dog Sneezing, Runny Nose

Dog sneezing is a common problem. Often times there is also discharge from the nose, which the dog tends to lick away with the tongue. This is the reason why dog owners may not notice it. If there are no other symptoms, then this is not a cause for concern. Pet owners may look for any other signs of illness. In case the discharge is discolored or bloody, a visit to the veterinarian is required.

There can be various causes of a dog runny nose. A common problem that dogs face is sinus infection. When the lining of the sinus cavities become inflamed, symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and fever may occur. The condition may be caused due to a viral infection or due to inhalation of pollen. In most case, antibiotics may be prescribed to alleviate the symptoms. Runny nose in dogs can also occur due to infection of the upper respiratory tract. Sneezing and coughing are common symptoms of this infection. In conditions such as canine influenza, other symptoms such as appetite loss and breathing problems may also occur. It is important to consult a vet regarding the necessary dog vaccination.  Canine allergies are a common occurrence. Pollen allergies are likely to result in sneezing and runny nose, especially during certain times of the year. Another cause of sneezing and runny nose is nasal mites. These mites transmit from one dog to another through direct contact with the nose. In some cases, nosebleeds can also occur. The most prominent symptom of this condition is continuous nasal discharge.

Sometimes a foreign object may become lodged within the nasal cavity of a dog. This can result in a runny nose. In such cases one should not try to extract the object on their own. This can cause the object to get pushed further inside the nose. Taking the dog to a vet is the best option. The object can then be removed carefully in order to prevent damage to the dog’s nose.  A runny nose in dogs may also be due to dental diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Other bacterial infections such as abscessed teeth could also contribute to nasal discharge. Treatment may involve cleaning the teeth. The affected tooth may also have to be extracted in some cases.  In addition to receiving proper veterinary treatment, affected dogs also need special care from their owners. Proper diet and adequate rest is a must. Runny nose may also be eased by placing a vaporizer near the dog’s resting area.

Feline Pancreatitis Symptoms, Treatment

Feline pancreatitis is a gastrointestinal disease that occurs in cats. It is characterized by swelling of the pancreas. The pancreas produces insulin and other digestive enzymes. In cats that are affected by pancreatitis, the enzymes spread within the pancreas and other organs of the abdomen. This leads to inflammation of the pancreas. The toxins arising out of an infected pancreas may hamper the production of insulin. Feline pancreatitis symptoms include vomiting and fever. In addition the cat may also experience diarrhea, appetite loss, weight loss, lethargy and dehydration. However these symptoms are not unique to feline pancreatitis symptoms. They may occur in other conditions as well. Therefore a proper examination of the affected cat is necessary. Cats affected by hepatic lipidosis are more likely to develop feline pancreatitis.

The main causes of cat pancreatitis are intestinal parasites and infection. Pancreatitis in felines may also result due to the infection that causes feline distemper. Genetic factors could also play a role in the development of this condition. The role of genes is especially strong since it has been observed that Siamese cats are more susceptible to feline pancreatitis. Cats that are exposed to the insecticide known as organophosphate may be vulnerable to this disease.  Diagnosis of feline pancreatitis is done by examining the levels of the enzymes lipase and amylase. When these enzymes are present in high levels, the disease is confirmed.  Swelling of the pancreas seen through ultrasound imaging is also indicative of this illness. Biopsy may also be done to diagnose the condition, although many veterinarians prefer not to do it since the inflammation may be aggravated.

When dealing with pancreatitis in a feline treatment is mainly aimed at reducing the swelling of the pancreas. Symptoms of cat diarrhea may be treated through fluid therapy. In case of vomiting, the cat must be given water regularly. Nausea and pain may be alleviated through administration of medications. The diet may also be modified for a few days. In some cases, digestive enzymes are given to the cat in the form of supplements. It is difficult to cure chronic feline pancreatitis completely. Cats with this condition require a great deal of care. Proper cat diet and medication is necessary to manage the symptoms caused by this disease. In many cases, once a cat survives acute pancreatitis, there are very few chances of it occurring again. For recurring pancreatitis, the vet may prescribe ongoing antibiotic medication.

Best Canned Cat Food

Cats have certain nutritional needs and pet owners must take these into consideration.  Carefully choosing the appropriate cat food will help to promote the optimum health of the cat. The most common types of cat food are canned food and dry food. Both these foods are easily available in the market. Research shows that canned cat food may be the healthier option.

Earlier, dry cat food was considered to be the best food for cats. But this view has changed in recent times. Studies show that dry cat food may have an adverse effect on the health of the cats. Cats that are fed on dry food diets may be at a higher risk of urinary tract problems, chronic dehydration and kidney failure. However many pet owners still rely on dry cat food because it is convenient and also does not get spoilt quickly. Cats also enjoy eating crunchy dry kibbles. But canned cat food is a prerequisite for the strength of the bones and muscles. Cats that eat only dry food may be losing out on the added nutrition that canned cat food provides. In the wild cats live on foods that supply their bodies with a high amount of protein and a low amount of carbohydrates. There is only about 1-2 percent of carbohydrates in the daily diet. In commercial dry foods, around 45 percent of carbohydrates are added in order to increase the structure and bulk of the food. Cats utilize protein and fat for energy and hence much of the carbohydrate content is converted into fat by the liver. Since canned cat food has a lesser amount of carbohydrates, it is more efficient in providing nutrition to the cat.

Although canned cat food has its benefits, the best canned cat food may not provide the necessary quality of nutrition. Some canned foods have a lower content of actual meat. Protein comes from other sources in these foods. Since actual meat is the primary ingredient in cat food, it must be listed first on the food label.  The best canned food is the one which is prepared from high-quality ingredients and undergoes hygienic production methods. Some owners also believe in feeding their cats a mixture of cat food. Dry cat food may be given to the cat when the owner may be out for the day or on vacation. At other times canned cat food must be part of the diet so that cats get their daily intake of water.

Cat Diarrhea Home Remedies

Healthy cats usually do not suffer from diarrhea. If a cat is suffering from diarrhea is most probably due to a digestive problem i.e. if there is something in the cat’s food or water that has upset the cat’s stomach. Cat diarrhea home remedies include the following:

• If the cat is unwell keep her indoors. It is also easier to see if your cat has diarrhea if she is indoors.
• Keep the cat away from all dairy products. Cats find it difficult to digest dairy products and often this is the cause of diarrhea.
• Unflavored yogurt might help the cat as it helps to restore the bacteria needed in the intestines.
• Do not feed the cat any solid food for 24 hours if you suspect that the cat has diarrhea. Start a bland diet after 24 hours. Plain fish or white meat is good. Limit the quantity and give this about 4-6 times a day.
• If the diarrhea is due to food allergy or food intolerance, eliminate that particular food from the cat’s diet.
• Another cat diarrhea home remedy is stopping cat foods that contain dyes or other artificial ingredients. A cat’s gut has to worker harder to process these foods and this is not good for a cat that has diarrhea.
• Ensure that the cat is given plenty of fresh water to drink. Cats with diarrhea should not get dehydrated. In fact cats need even more fluid at this time to replace the electrolytes she is losing.
• Give the cat foods that are easy on the stomach. For example, chicken meat, boiled hamburger. Mix either with cooked rice.
• Another cat diarrhea home remedy is just simple stress reduction, relaxation and exercise for the cat. Do not medicate the cat unless advised by the vet.

Some cat diarrhea causes are: a simple, stomach upset, eating garbage, stress, eating food intended for humans, eating items that are not foods, changes in the cat’s activities, sudden change in diet, eating food that is rich, bad or not easily digestible. A recent shock like a new pet could also be a cause. Other causes that warrant a visit to the vet are: inflammatory bowel disease, hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism, Feline immunodeficiency virus, pancreatic diseases, bowel or intestinal cancer, intestinal and stomach parasites or viruses, fungal or bacterial infections and feline leukemia virus.

Cat diarrhea treatment is as given above. The vet may recommend antibiotics, anti inflammatory drugs, treatment for worms or parasites, a fluid and electrolyte replacement or a special diet.

Cat Vomiting After Eating

Vomiting is one of the common complaints that is observed in cats which is also known as emesis. Emesis or vomiting in cats is defined as the ejection of the stomach contents via the mouth. At times the cat may also regurgitate food which is also diagnosed as vomiting. The cat vomiting after eating will include both undigested and digested food coming from the esophagus shortly after the food has been consumed. In case of regurgitation in cats there is no heaving prior to the emission of the food or bile which is observed when the cat is vomiting. A cat vomiting blood, white foam, bile or even mucus is basically observed on account of the forceful ejection of food from the upper intestine and the stomach. The vomiting begins with the cat salivating, attempting to swallow, following by a contraction of the abdominal muscles and finally vomiting with the cat making a gagging sound. A cat vomiting clear liquid or food may be observed if the cat has lost a significant amount of muscle mass within in esophagus resulting in a frequent dilation of the esophagus when they are eating. Thus the food is vomited even before it gets a chance to reach the cat’s stomach.

Certain physical causes of a cat vomiting after eating include the cat eating its food too fast without properly chewing it, overeating, high level of activity immediately after a large meal, food intolerance, food allergies, ingestion of foreign objects etc. Sometimes vomiting in cats is triggered on account of emotional factors as well especially when there are multiple cats living together. In such cases the cats tend to eat quickly and excessively as they are worried that their food might be stolen by another cat. There are also certain stressful situation that may result in the cat vomiting after eating are adding a new pet to the family or changes in the cat’s environment. Sometimes a cat may also vomit after eating on account of certain underlying medical conditions such as renal and kidney failure, pancreatitis, stomach cancer, inner ear disease as well as hairball and allergies. A cat vomiting often after food should be taken to the vet who will diagnose the cause of the vomiting and usually recommend an easily digestible low fat cat diet. It is also necessary to watch out for signs of dehydration in the cat and ensure that its liquid intake is sufficient.

Biggest Domestic Cat Breed

There is a lot of debate about the world’s biggest domestic cat. There is no one breed that can take this coveted title. This is because a genetic disorder known as gigantism can affect any cat and make it larger than the average household cat. The biggest domestic is usually the cat that suffers from this disorder. Many hybrid cats which have been born in captivity have shown to have traits of gigantism. Gigantism could manifest itself in many different forms and could affect several types of domestic cats—especially those that have been interbred with larger or wilder cats. Gigantism could cause the entire animal to be proportionately larger than the average cat, or there could also be parts of the cat which are larger than the average cat.

The absence of sex hormones is also something that can affect the growth of cats. If a cat is neutered before puberty, the legs tend to grow longer and thicker. However, the cat does not become abnormally large. These effects on the cat’s legs are very minor and do not cause many health problems. Since the neutering of the cat cuts off the sex hormones in the body, the end of the growth phase becomes slightly longer, allowing the bones to grow more. Though the cats may end up being longer limbed because of the neutering, they do not become bulkier. Recently, there have been many attempts to produce giant and larger sized cats through selective breeding. Maine Coon and Ragdoll, for instance, have been bred together to produce a large offspring. However, the breeders later realized that crossing large cats would not always result in offspring of a larger size.

Though there are several genetic mutations that keep occurring in the species as a whole, most of these mutations are observed in the animals of the wild. Since interbreeding large cats to create polygenes that would help the cat grow larger than average has not worked, it is believed that the mutation cannot be forced, but have to be accidental or natural. With dogs, it has been seen that leaving them in the wild tends to make them more feral, increasing their size and giving them a wolf-like appearance. The muzzle becomes pointed and the body increases proportionately. Similar things happen when cats are left in the wild. However, the machinations of the evolution of cats and dogs are not something that can be equated.

Vitamin C for Dogs

Vitamin C is one of the most debatable nutrients for dogs. It has long been debated that vitamin C may not be as important for dogs as it is for humans. Vitamin C is a water soluble nutrient which is stored only in small quantities in the body and therefore, is required as a daily supplement. The dog utilizes the vitamin C that it needs in the body, excreting the rest in urine, therefore making it impossible for vitamin C to be toxic to the dog.

Unlike most other nutrients, vitamin C is not bound to any proteins and can easily be destroyed in a short period after the consumption of the nutrient. There have been many researches in the past which have proved that vitamin C for dogs is an important nutrient. There are several diseases that could be caused due to the deficiency of the vitamin. Vitamin C has many crucial functions to perform in your dog’s body. It is critical in the binding of connective tissues, tendons, muscles, and ligaments for proper movement of the body. Apart from that, vitamin C also helps bind the blood vessels, bones, and skin of the dog. Vitamin C also helps stimulate the production of a protein called interferon which is an important part of the immune system and is also required in the production of red blood cells as well as for triggering adrenaline.

Vitamin C affects the immune system in many different ways. It can improve the activity levels of lymphocytes and inhibit other immune cells, making the dog’s immune system more robust. There are three different kinds of vitamin C which are good for your dog’s health. The three main types of vitamin C that the dog requires are ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and finally, sodium ascorbate. Though researches have shown that these three vitamins are important for the dogs, not much is known about which of these is the most useful. There are numerous benefits of these three kinds of vitamins. If the dog has a mild form of scurvy, vitamin C is excellent for treating it. The vitamin is also excellent for treating hip dysplasia in dogs and arthritis. However, as the dog ages, these vitamins do not have as much effect as they would when the dog is still younger. Dog vitamin supplements usually contain healthy doses of vitamin C. Vitamin C for dogs can also be found in dog multi vitamin pills.

Dog multi vitamins are available commercially but it is best to give them to one’s pet under the guidance of a veterinarian. This is because the kind of vitamins required and quantity will depend upon its age, breed and general health condition. Dogs that are advanced in age may not consume as much food as usual and hence they lack certain vital vitamins and nutrients and this will have to be supplemented by multivitamins.

Dog vitamin supplements are required to regulate the day to day activities of the dog for it aids in reproduction, digestive functions, bone growth when young, muscle development, breaking down of nutrients, carbohydrates, protein and flushing out harmful toxins from the body. Vitamins for dog are both fat soluble and water soluble and are usually present in sufficient quantities in high quality pet food. Vitamin C for dogs along with Vitamin A has generally been claimed to be not as necessary as other vitamins because their bodies produce them naturally. Vitamin C has gone through a great deal of controversy as regards possible toxic effects in dogs. However, this is a water soluble vitamin and any excess is flushed out of the body when the dog urinates.

Vitamin C is essential for dogs primarily because of its function as a binder in that it binds muscles, ligaments, tendons and connective tissues in the dog’s body. This vitamin is known to help in cases of viral attacks, urinary tract infections, lameness, and conditions like hip dyspepsia and disks that have been ruptured. In younger dogs, vitamin C has been known to cure certain ailments and in older dogs it does provide some amount of relief from pain and in case of hip problems, it does allow for greater movement. Dog vitamin supplements must ideally include Vitamin A which is necessary to keep its night vision sharp and to maintain a strong immune system to ward off harmful infections. Other vitamins to be included are vitamin D that aids in calcium absorption which in turn promotes bone growth. Calcium which is an essential component ensures strong bones, teeth and cardiovascular health. Vitamins also ensure a healthy and lustrous coat and one sign that the dog is not getting its necessary vitamin intake is a dull, unhealthy coat. Over consumption of certain vitamins, particularly fat soluble ones can prove hazardous to health as they do not get flushed out of the body like water soluble vitamins.

Cat Pulling Out Hair

You can often observe your cat pulling out hair. Though the act may seen deliberate, in reality, the cat is mostly only trying to relieve itself of the itch or the discomfort caused by allergies, infections, and fleas. Simply checking your cat’s fur can help you find fleas or infections on the skin of the cat. Cats often also pull out their hair due to anxiety. The cat may become anxious due to several reasons, the most common being a change in its surroundings or the addition of a new pet to the family. If a cat has been deprived or abused in the past, this too could often cause the cat to become extremely anxious. In some cases, a cat pulling out hair could simply be suffering from stress and anxiety. Though there are usually some causes behind a cat’s anxiety, some cats are simply genetically predisposed to anxiety.

Cats are used to grooming themselves. They do not require to be cleaned as often as dogs and other pets since they lick themselves clean. It is not unusual to see a cat licking itself aggressively to clean itself. Sometimes, however, the cat may end up pulling out its hair or biting at its skin. When the hair is pulled out in such aggression the skin may become red and appear infected in patches. The fur of such a cat can be seen as short and stubby in certain patches.

If your cat has bare patches of skin from where the hair has been completely pulled out, you may have to take it to the vet to get it checked for a fungal condition known as alopecia areata. If the vet rules the disorder out, it simply means that your cat is suffering from psychogenic alopecia, a condition in which it willingly pulls out its fur. The treatment of cat pulling hair usually depends on the cause of this behavior. If the cat is pulling hair simply because it has recently been under a lot of emotional stress, changing the cat’s environment may help. If the hair pulling has been caused due to fleas, infections or irritation on the skin, a flea shot from the vet may be in order. For infections and irritation on the skin, the doctor may perform a few tests to find the cause. Besides the treatment, cat hair care is also very important. If your cat is very outdoorsy, leaving it to clean up after itself may not be the best idea. Inspect your cat regularly for parasites or allergies. Your cat may require medicated baths from time to time. Your vet can suggest a few medicated shampoos and grooming products that will suit your cat.

Cat Ear Hair Loss

Cat ear hair loss is not a condition in itself but is actually a symptom of an underlying health condition. While in many cases, this hair loss may be caused by inherited genetic factors, it can also be caused by various infections and other problems.  Cat hair loss is medically referred to as feline alopecia or alopecia in cats and as long as it is caused by genetic factors there is no cause for worry. Some of the cat breeds that often suffer from ear hair loss and feline alopecia include the Siamese, the Burmese, and the Birman. However, it is important to have the cat examined to determine the root cause of the hair loss.

Cat ear hair loss can also be caused by factors other than heredity. These problems often result in discomfort and itching which causes the cat to constantly groom the area. Very often ear problems cause a cat to repeated rub their ears and in a while this repeated friction causes hair loss. Ear mites are one of the most common ear problems in cats and often results in cat ear hair loss. Examine the cat’s ears for brown waxy deposits as well as a foul odor as these are two of the most common symptoms of ear mites in cats. Fleas are another possible cause for cat ear hair loss as they often reside within the ear of a cat and can cause a lot of discomfort. Carefully check your cat for fleas to ensure that the hair loss is not being caused by a flea infestation. Ringworm is a rather common condition in cats and is caused by a fungus that thrives within the hair follicles. This is a serious skin condition and should be treated right away. In most cases, crusty patches form on the affected skin and this is one of the most common symptoms of ringworms in cats. Cat mange can cause ear hair loss but in most cases this hair loss would also affect other parts of the cat’s body. It may be necessary for the cat to be completely shaved in order to get rid of the mites. There are several topical applications too that may be necessary to completely cure this problem. Mange is very contagious, so if you have many cats, you will need to keep the affected one isolated. Keep in mind that it is important to get an accurate diagnosis from a vet in order to start treatment as soon as possible.