Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other creatures. Among cats, parasites generally feed on the animal's blood. Detecting internal parasites can be difficult, but a close inspection of skin and fur is usually all that is needed to uncover traces of external parasites such as ear mites and fleas. There are many types of worms that are internal parasites to cats. If you see small, rice like debris around your cat's anus or in her bedding, take her to your veterinarian. He will need to run simple tests to identify what type of worm is present so that he can prescribe the proper medication to eliminate the parasite.
Coccidia are microscopic parasites. They live in cells within the lining of the intestines. The most common symptom is diarrhea. Left untreated, the animal becomes extremely weak and dehydrated. Fortunately coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) are effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. However, these drugs do not kill the parasites, but rather inhibit reproduction - elimination of coccidia from the intestine is slow.
Ear mites take up residence in a cat's ear canals. As they feed, they cause intense itching. A cat suffering from an infestation of ear mites scratches behind her ears often and is seen violently shaking her head on a regular basis. If you look inside her ears, you will see dark flecks that resemble coffee grounds - these are the mites' droppings. If you suspect ear mites, contact your veterinarian.
There are several effective treatments for ear mites, such as Fipronil (Frontline) and Selamectin (Revolution). Ear mites are easily treated with eardrops, but are very contagious to other cats. If you have a multi-cat household, isolate the infected cat as soon as possible. Ear mites are not transmitted from cats to humans.
Ringworm is not a true worm, rather the name for a type of fungus, related to the fungus that causes athlete's foot in humans. It usually causes no discomfort, but is highly contagious to other cats and humans. If left untreated it weakens the immune system and leaves your cat vulnerable to other, more serious diseases.
Fleas are perhaps the most infamous pet parasite. Although they eat no more than a drop of blood each, a flea infestation can cause anemia in adult cats and death in kittens. In addition to literally sucking the life from your cat, fleas often transmit tapeworms, as serious internal parasite. Just a few fleas can cause great discomfort to your cat, especially if she is one of the many animals allergic to fleabites. The best way to conquer a flea invasion is to prevent it in the first place.
Daily grooming, especially if you allow your cat outdoors will help you keep one step ahead of the flea hordes. As you flea-comb your cat, dip the comb into a container of soapy water to kill the fleas. The soap film coats and suffocates the fleas.
Ask your veterinarian about preventative flea medications. These are given to your cat orally. The chemical they contain is harmless to your cat, but makes fleas sterile. It is absorbed into your cat's blood, so when a flea bites her it cannot reproduce.
If your cat has had fleas in the past, it is very likely that you have flea eggs and larvae in your carpet and upholstery. Your veterinarian can suggest a "flea bomb" based on how bad the infestation is. It is important to follow the package instructions carefully and repeat treatment as directed in order to make sure all the generations are eliminated.
Pet Medication Supplies http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net can help you get the best possible supplies for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net. Up to 50% discount everyday on brand names.
premium house cleaning Wilmette .."Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More
Stingrays will eat a wide variety of foods. Maintaining a... Read More
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
Did you know that your goldfish can live for over... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease... Read More
Can cats and dogs live together without constantly being at... Read More
Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese,... Read More
You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More
Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and... Read More
As a parent, you want to be able to give... Read More
My dad was an avid animal lover. We grew up... Read More
The large animal organizations and the public money.It is said... Read More
If your cat has recently decided not to use the... Read More
They may seem to be bold explorers - sniffing at... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
When you get a puppy, one of the first things... Read More
Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If... Read More
There are many of us who consider our pets as... Read More
Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been... Read More
personalized cleaning services Deerfield ..As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care... Read More
Are you ready for a Boxer?The answer is "no" if... Read More
Hopefully no one is pulling the leash. The ideal situation... Read More
In the animal kingdom there is a pecking order. Richard... Read More
Proper training of your dog should begin when he is... Read More
Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet... Read More
When you get a new puppy it is imperative that... Read More
Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the... Read More
Humming birds are wonderful birds that are smart, playful, and... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Dog Training CollarsHaving a pet means having to provide for... Read More
Just how old is your dog really? More than likely... Read More
Puppies and dogs, as mentioned, are social creatures. When they... Read More
Puppies are a bundle of newfound joy. You've prepared the... Read More
I would like to write a few words about my... Read More
Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More
Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on... Read More
For some 25 years I have alerted the public to... Read More
You've picked out the perfect puppy. You spent hours on... Read More
You may wish to consider a chinchilla as a possible... Read More
In most cases you should not be too concerned about... Read More
There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More
If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More
If you've ever watched as a cat "flipped" over fresh... Read More
Because it is intelligent and energetic, a Westie terrier is... Read More
Pet |