Cat Owner’s Guide To Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

July 10, 2009 by  
Filed under Cat Care

As its name suggests, the feline immunodeficiency virus attacks your cat’s immune system. The immune system will eventually become disabled leaving your cat unprotected against various infections. Most cats that carry this virus are of the roaming variety. It can also affect larger felines such as tigers, lions and leopards.

Transmission

The feline immunodeficiency virus is shed in saliva. Infected cats can easily transmit the virus by biting other cats. The virus is rarely transmitted through the mother’s milk. However, mothers can pass the virus if she is affected during gestation or lactation.

Symptoms

Some of the most common signs of this viral infection include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and lethargy. Many cats also suffer from chronic oral infections. This virus can also cause your cat to display symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. This include discharge from the nose and feline sneezing.

Diagnosis

The feline immunodeficiency virus can be detected by testing for antibodies against the disease. This method of diagnosis usually takes less than an hour. However, the most common test used to diagnose this disease may produce false positives. In order to confirm the positive result, a Western blot assay is usually done.

Treatment

Just like in humans, there is no treatment for the immunodeficiency virus. Most cats infected with this virus die from secondary infections. If diagnosed, you will have to limit the amount of stress your cat endures. You should also keep him away from other animals to prevent disease. Antibiotics can also be used for the secondary infections. You should also make sure your cat has plenty of fluids and follows a good diet.

Prognosis

After diagnosis, a cat’s lifespan can vary widely. Felines infected with this virus may not show any symptoms at all for years. However, once the disease advances, cats usually die within a year.

All owners should know a little something about various cat illnesses such as feline hypertension. Fortunately for you, cat-illnesses.com is a great resource for all owners. Stop by right now to learn about some of these health problems.

Read expert hints in the topic of house training dogs – your own knowledge pack.

Cat Litter Mats For A Litter Free Floor

April 14, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Cat Supplies

Cat Litter Mats For A Litter Free Floor

by Ned Dagostino
“Oh no! Not again!” Is that your reaction when your dear little pet cat tracks dirt from the litter box onto your spotless floor? I suppose that must be it, and countless times you must have said it too. Not only does the litter affect the cleanliness of the house in general, it can actually damage your precious floor coverings and flooring.

Even the cushions and the upholstery on your sofa sets can get soiled with these litter particles if your cat has a penchant for jumping onto the furniture, which most cats do! This is doubly damaging. First of all you have to get a professional cleaner to come to the house to clean the upholstery and the carpets, an expensive business. Secondly, the frequent cleaning, though professionally done, takes its toll on the longevity of these items, and you’ll find them getting threadbare and unusable much before their regular lifespan. This means replacement of these items which is frightfully expensive. So what can be done? The solution is very straightforward: use a cat litter mat.

The cat litter mat is placed directly in front of the cat’s litter box. This localises the litter debris to just around the litter box. Cat litter mats are made of texturized rubber. They are designed to wipe your cat’s paws as it exits the box. The textured surface helps to collect the debris of the litter. Your flooring is protected, and your repeated house cleaning is minimized to a great extent.

The cat litter mat helps the cat remain healthier, too. Since its paws are cleaned of the litter particles, the cat is saved from licking up the litter particles which could be a health hazard for your pet. As earlier mentioned, the furniture and upholstery in your house remains cleaner too.

The ready made cat litter mats are quite affordable. Even so, you can try your hand at making one for your dear pet, if you want to give it that personal touch! Just take a rubbet bathmat and lay it over with an old Turkish towel or similar stuff. The Turkish towel is soft and won’t hurt the cat’s paws. The pile on the towel will trap the litter particles and keep your pet’s paws clean. Clean or replace the toweling before it gets heavily soiled.

Whichever way, home-made or commercial, a cat litter mat is the perfect solution to controlling the problem of your cat tracking litter throughout the house.Your house will be cleaner. Your flooring, floor coverings, and even furniture and bedding are safe from getting dirty and damaged.

Now you won’t mind your pet jumping onto the bed linen, because you know its paws are free from litter. Your family’s health will improve too. A clean house means a healthy house. So get a cat litter mat for your pet and see all your worries disappear!

About the Author:

Next Page »