Four Common Causes Of Vomiting In Felines

July 12, 2009 by  
Filed under Cat Care

Otherwise healthy cats will occasionally vomiting. Both mild and severe diseases can cause your cat to experience vomiting. Infections, hairballs, and parasites are some of the most common reasons. Keep reading to learn all about these common causes.

Infections

The first reason your cat could be vomiting is because he has a viral infection. These viruses can affect the stomach or part of the intestinal tract. Cats are also usually affected by diarrhea in felines. Most viral infections will go away after a few days when the body’s defenses kick in.

Parasites

Your cat may also start to vomit if he’s infested with parasites. Your cat’s stomach of small intestine can be inhabited by various types of worms like tapeworms in cats. You may be able to see them in your cat’s feces or vomit. A worm infestation should be treated quickly to prevent complications.

Diet

Your cat’s particular diet can also cause him to vomit. Eating foods such as onions and chocolate isn’t good. Poisonous chemicals such as antifreeze can also be to blame.

Human medications may also induce vomiting. If your cat eats his food too fast, he may vomiting it up. This can be a problem in a multi-cat household where one cat fears another will eat his food.

Hairballs

One of the final causes of vomiting in felines is the presence of hairballs. Cats ingest pieces of hair while grooming which leads to the formation of hairballs. Long-haired cats usually develop hairballs more often than other types. You should groom your cat daily and make sure he consumes plenty of fiber to prevent hairballs.

All owners should know their pet can fall victim to various health problems in their lifetime. You can read up on many different potential health problems at cat-illnesses.com. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.

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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.

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