6 Reasons Why You Should Consider Being a Cat

Cat Eye Care

Cat Eye Care - Diagnosing Cataracts As
Part Of Your Cat Eye Care Program

by Kate Rieger

A solid cat eye care program includes understanding the impact of some cat eye disorders on your cat's eyesight. Cataract problems are relatively rare in cats and are usually related to complications from diabetes. Some breeds inherit a tendency for developing cataracts: Birmans, Himalayans, Persians and British Shorthairs. The incidence is low and the cataract tends to remain small, often small enough to be ignored.

Of those cataracts that do cause or threaten blindness, many are treated with surgery. If blindness does result from an inoperable cataract, your feline should live a safe life if she is kept indoors. The cataract itself is not painful.

Recognizing Problems It pays to catch the problem early. A long-term cataract is denser and harder to remove with longer surgeries tending to involve more complications. A cat owner should suspect a problem and seek veterinary attention whenever the eye appears different than it usually does.

Don't just think your cat's eyes are getting older when you notice a distinct disparity in eye clarity, increased opacity, cloudiness or a change in pupil size. These changes indicate a real problem.

Causes Diabetes is the most common cause of cataracts in cats. The second most common cause is an inflammatory disease, like uveitis. You can readily recognize the signs of uveitis: the eye color changes, the surface of the eye is roughened and the pupil becomes smaller. This condition is painful to your cat. He may squint, have watery eyes, and eyelid spasms.

The most common causes of uveitis are the feline leukemia virus, feline infectious peritonitis, toxoplasmosis, or feline immunodeficiency virus. Early treatment of the cause can prevent a cataract or minimize the effect of one that has already formed.

Another cause of cataracts is an eye trauma. If your cat's eye is punctured in a cat fight or other incident and the outer layer of the lens is damaged, your veterinarian may talk with you about removing the lens. This is because damaged lenses tend to develop cancer in cats. Removing the lens negates the chance of cancer.

Treatment Cataracts that go untreated can lead to glaucoma, which is a painful disease. If your cat's eyes look cloudy, watery, squinty or just don't look normal, it's time for a visit to your veterinarian. If uveitis is suspected, your veterinarian might run tests for the underlying causes and prescribe a medicated eye drop to bring the inflammation under control. If a cataract is formed or there has been eye trauma, you will probably be referred to an eye specialist, a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Surgery Just because a cataract is present, it does not necessarily mean surgery. The size and location of the cataract are factors in treatment. If the cataract is large or very dense, then complications can be controlled with medications.

It is completely reasonable to expect your cat to have a good life even if he becomes blind. Keeping him indoors helps protect him as well as keeping things in the same place so he can learn the paths to his toys, litter box, food and favorite areas. Keep the lights dim helps him see better with what eyesight he has left.

A puncture to the eye lens or larger congenital cataracts are more likely candidates for surgery. Some cat owners forgo cataract surgery that is caused by uveitis. Uveitis already causes inflammation to the eye, so surgery can just lead to more inflammation, complications and pain.

Other Considerations The pre-op analysis, surgery and post-surgery checkups run from $1,500 to $3,000. Then there is the post-op medication. Opting for a small monthly cat health care insurance program helps with the financial burden. It certainly reduces the necessity of a cat eye care decision based upon limited financial resources.

Cataracts in cats are rare. As part of your cat eye care program, take a few minutes to check out your felines eyes. If you notice cloudiness, watery eyes, squinting or a significant change in your cat's eyes or navigation, look to your veterinarian for cat eye care guidance. Not all cataracts warrant surgery. A blind cat can lead a normal, happy life indoors and with proper eye medications.

Winner of the Most Incredible Story

A brave puss who embarked on a gruelling journey home with horrific injuries has won the Most Incredible Story title at Cats Protection's prestigious National Cat Awards 2012.

Black-and-white William was honoured at a star-studded ceremony on Thursday 16 August after surviving a brutal dog attack and embarking on an agonising half-mile journey home using just his front legs.

The four-year-old rescue cat was one of 15 fabulous felines to make the finals at London's Savoy hotel and was chosen as the winner of the Most Incredible Story category by celebrity judge and comedian Ed Byrne.

 Cat lover Ed Byrne was at the awards ceremony to announce William as the winner and present owner Debra Terry, 46, with William's prizes - a trophy, three months’ supply of cat food, a year's supply of Verdo Cat Litter and a framed photograph of William.

He said: “I picked William because of his sheer tenacity - William’s refusal to give up on his life is the thing I find most incredible.”

William's road to stardom began after he suffered horrific injuries in a brutal dog attack earlier this year.

With both his back legs severely damaged – one broken in two places – the plucky puss managed to drag himself half-a-mile home before collapsing on his doorstep.

Having been rushed to a vet, his condition was critical for 24 hours and one of his back legs had to be amputated. Amazingly, he beat the odds to make a full recovery and is now adapting well to life on three legs.

Debra, of Cliffe Drive, said: “When I first saw the state William was in I was terrified, I really thought we would lose him, I thought he was going to die. He was in such a mess and the vets said they had never seen such a bad case.

“He knew if he got home we would be able to do something for him. He was so determined to get home, it was amazing.”

Having won his category, William narrowly missed out on scooping the overall title of National Cat of the Year – an honour that instead went to Manchester puss Jessi-Cat who provides invaluable support to a seven-year-old boy with an anxiety disorder.

Kate Bunting, the Awards organiser at Cats Protection, said William's story was an inspiring one.

She said: “Having suffered the most horrific attack and sustained such life-threatening injuries, no-one would have expected William to even get home, let alone make such a great recovery.

“His determination, strength of character and refusal to give in make him a truly special cat and we're thrilled to have been able to share his story.”

Photo - William and Debra by Paul Maven Photography

One of the funiest cat pics I have seen.....lol

Almond, the Tree Cat

 In the hollow of a maple tree not far from the road, Ron Venden has made a cozy dwelling for the 7-month-old cat he swears has never left its tree home.

"It was a little feisty at first," said Venden, 66, a retired carpenter, of the cat, which a neighbor has named Almond. "(But) now it's a pretty big cat and it's just loving to see me."

How is Venden certain the cat never leaves? Mostly because there are never any paw prints around the tree when it snows, Venden explains — something a State Journal reporter confirmed Wednesday. Relatives corroborate the story, saying they've never seen it anywhere other than in the tree.

Almond doesn't seem fazed by snow or single-digit temperatures. He sits proudly in his roost, warm in a thick fur coat, surveying nearby Highway X and Venden's driveway, about five miles south of Belleville in Green County.

To Venden's knowledge, Almond has no other home outside his maple. The cat was born there in June, and while the mother and the other kittens left, Almond stuck around. Venden has been feeding it ever since.

So why does Almond stay?

"I think it's because I'm treating it too good," said Venden, who at least twice a day climbs a ladder about 12 feet up to check on and feed Almond. He's also made a protected straw bed for the cat in a hollow of the tree, set up a dry cat food feeder and provides daily deliveries of fresh food, which Wednesday morning included a bowl of salami, meatloaf and milk.

"I kind of enjoy it," Venden said of caring for Almond, although he admits: "The neighbors think I'm goofy."

Patrick Comfert, Dane County's lead animal services officer, said Almond's habits are unusual.

"We have all gotten our share of cat-in-a-tree calls, but we've never known one to stay up there forever," he said.

Those concerned for Almond's welfare can rest assured: Because the cat is grown, has a space where it can be protected from wind, and is fed regularly, "it should be fine" even in frigid conditions, Comfert said.

And Almond doesn't seem keen to relinquish his tree-living tendencies.

"I've tried to bring it down a couple times and it starts scratching," Venden said.

Venden, who raises chickens on his hobby farm south of Belleville in Green County, was never a big cat lover before Almond.

"In his younger days, I would have never, ever, ever pictured him getting so attached (to a cat) in my life," said Tammy Sias, Venden's daughter, who helps feed Almond when her parents are away.

"It's an amazing story," she said. "(The cat) actually has no desire to come out of that tree."

Sias, who lives outside of Belleville in the town of Primrose, said the tale of her dad and Almond is known throughout town, where people will often ask, "How's your tree cat today?"


Story courtesy of  http://www.infinitecat.com/cat-tales/

Heartworm Treatment For Cats

As most pet owners already know, heartworm treatment for cats and dogs isn’t the same. Never, under any circumstances, should you give your cat heartworm treatment that is designed for a dog – or vice versa.  Even though you may own both dogs and cats, you should always give them medicine that is designed for their species.

 

No matter how you look at it, heartworm treatment isn’t easy.  Your goal is to get rid of the heartworms, although there are several factors that you’ll need to consider.  The first thing to do is take your cat to the vet, as he will be able to run tests to determine just how many heartworms your pet has.  He can also find out how the worms are affecting your cat and if your cat can deal with any side effects that the treatment medicine may impose.

Heartworms are a very serious condition, as the worms will feast on the vital areas around your cat’s heart.  Treatment can be serious as well, especially if something goes wrong.  Veterinarians are trained to deal with heartworms though, in both cats and dogs.  Even though you may be able to buy treatment medicine at your local department store, you should always consult with your vet before you give anything to your pet.

Treating your cat for heartworms may indeed be no treatment at all, as cats are extremely difficult to treat.  The dying worms have side effects as well, often times causing more than 1/3 of the treated cats to end up with serious problems.  Dying worms can become lodged in the arteries of the heart, which are already inflamed due to the worms being there.  When a lodged worm starts to decompose, it can lead to very serious problems.  Pets that have a serious infestation with heartworms may need to spend some time at the hospital, to ensure that they are properly treated.

Some cats may not be able to take a certain type of heartworm treatment medicine.  Depending on the side affects and how the medicine affects the cat, some breeds may not be able to take some of the better medicines.  To determine the best treatment options for your cat, your vet will need to run several tests.  Once the tests have concluded, your vet will be able to tell you the best options available for treatment.

With all diseases, prevention is a lot better and safer than treatment.  Be sure to talk to your vet and find out what heartworm prevention medication is the best to use.  Your vet can tell you what you need to get, and how to use it.  This way, you can prevent your pet from getting heartworms – and the serious side effects and life threatening issues that go along with them.

Common Health Problems Of Cats

 

 

 

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing.  No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected.  Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.

Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem.  Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats.  Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms.  Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats.  All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats.  On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool.  When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball.  Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.
In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage.  Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated.  If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage.  If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately.  You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair.  You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.

Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats.  Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well.  When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause.  Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong.  If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet.  Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukaemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease.  To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed.  Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span.  If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups.  If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life.  Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can.  You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems.  If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy.  As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.