Cat Health – Common Issues
Posted by admin | Under Cat Health Sunday Jan 31, 2010
Like human beings, cats can suffer from a variety of health issues. But unlike humans, cats are unable to vocalize the problem. Therefore, an owner’s knowledge of warning signs must be depended upon so that a cat can receive treatment for health problems it may have.
Probably the number one problem with a cat’s health is the notorious hairball. Cats clean themselves incessantly by licking their coats. The hair that clings to their tongues is swallowed. This will eventually form in a ball, and in most instances, the cat will be able to expel it. If the hairball makes its way into the cat’s intestines, then this can cause serious complications and will need medical attention. A common symptom of this would be constipation.
Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are another common Cat Health problem. Although this is most common with a male un-neutered feline, it can also affect the females. If your cat stops using the litter or his urine has a strong odor, a UTI should be highly suspected Cats can also develop stones in their urinary tract developing feline lower urinary tract disease.
Another common problem with cat health is worms. These would consist of tapeworms, round worms, and hook worms. This would occur in outdoor cats. The symptoms would be diarrhea and inability to gain weight. This is highly troublesome, since owners can get this from their pets. In addition, the outdoors cat can also be afflicted with fleas, parasites, or ticks. Ticks can give the cat Lyme Disease. If your cat is lethargic, has a fever and loss of appetite, he may need antibiotic treatment for this. So, it is important to check his coat often.
Digestive problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea, are also health problems in cats. If your cat is vomiting for more than 24 hours, then you should seek medical treatment. Initially, you should withhold food for a several hours and start by reintroducing water, in limited quantities, to see how it is tolerated. Remember, one of the most frequent causes of vomiting is the hairball, so make sure to brush his coat daily. Diarrhea lasting one to two days is normal, as long as the cat is eating well. Anything beyond this requires a visit to the vet.
There are several dangerous diseases a cat can contract in its lifetime. One is feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which is a virus that is difficult to diagnose. There is no known treatment for this disease. Another is feline immunodeficiency virus, which is “cat aids.” This virus targets white blood cells. The last is feline leukemia virus (FLV), which can be avoided if the cat is immunized before contact with it. These diseases are more likely to be seen in outdoor cats.
Cats can also suffer from eye problems, because their eyes can get scratched during fights. They are also subject to abscesses, which result from bite wounds, anal gland problems, and cat allergies. There are also the occasional cold and respiratory infections.
There are many common health ailments that can affect cats. With proper attention, care and possible medical treatment, most need not be fatal. With your help, your cat can live a long, healthy, happy life.
Matthew Hick
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/cat-health-common-issues-79666.html
What health issues are common for chinese crested dogs?
are they a healthy breed in general? or are there health issues I should be aware of?
Bad teeth like Chihuahuas. It is linked to the genetics of the hairlessness. The more bald…the worse the teeth. I think they are relatively healthy otherwise.
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Dental Issues: These tend to crop up due to a genetic link that exists between dominant hairlessness and missing teeth. The Hairless Crested has small, peglike teeth that can slope toward the front of the mouth and cause problems; the Powderpuff has normal toy breed dentition. The Hairless often lose many teeth by the tender age of two or three. Some Hairless require canned food, while others eat kibble with no problem, as does the Powderpuff.Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same.Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: This condition involves the hip joint. If your Crested has Legg-Perthes, the blood supply to the head of the femur (the large rear leg bone) is decreased, and the head of the femur that connects to the pelvis begins to disintegrate. The first symptoms, limping and atrophy of the leg muscle, usually occur when puppies are four to six months old. Surgery can correct the condition, usually resulting in a pain-free puppy.Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: Known as "dry eye," it’s exactly what the name implies: an inflammation and dry eye. It occurs when there’s a deficiency in the water portion of the tear film. The eye becomes dry and the membranes are left with only oil and mucus. The symptoms can be mistaken for conjunctivitis, which also has a gooey yellow discharge. Diagnosis is done with a Schirmer Tear Test. Treatment usually consists of eyedrops and ointment.
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http://lnk.nu/dogtime.com/v1e.html
From talking to breeders, rescue folk, and other owners. I’d have to say that PRA and Dry Eye are the most common issues in the breed. If you plan to buy from a breeder, its very important that they do CERF tests yearly. Optigen is another valuable test.. its a genetic test to check for PRA. Optigen can only test for one type of PRA in the breed tho.. Cresteds can have both types of PRA.
Allergies are another common issue, some have contact allergens, some have food allergens.
Luxating patella
Legges-Perthe
Closed Ear canals have been seen in some bloodlines.
Heart murmurs in some bloodlines.
Hairless are prone to bad dentation- the amount of "hairlessness" does NOT necessarily reflect how bad the dentation is tho. I have a true hairless and he has a VERY nice set of teeth. He is only missing his pre-molars. Better lines tend to have better dentation. Dental loss is accepted in the show ring for the hairless only, puffs should have a complete set of teeth.
Skin issues are common for the hairless- better bloodlines tend to have better skin. Good care and diet helps prevent issues.
One woman I know who works in rescue seems to have gotton some dogs in the past few years that have issues with thyroid problems, or liver/kidney issues. She lives right in the middle of puppy mill country, so Im not suprised really surprised. This is not a known issue among the breed, but seems to be cropping up among puppy mill lines.. be very cautious if you are deciding to purchase from a breeder!
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