Pets Care

Cat colds are neither as common nor similar to human colds except for the trouble they cause. Coughing and sneezing can be as problematic as the watery eyes and nose. In as far as human colds are concerned we all know that they are self limiting in nature and that the symptoms disappear after a few days.

All that we need is some home remedies to reduce the severity of the running nose and watery eyes. It is almost similar with cats but cat colds are not always that simple. Cold-like symptoms in cats can also be caused due to a feline upper respiratory infection.

You can safely assume that there is nothing serious if the nasal discharge appears as clear water-like serous fluid. When the runny nose is watery in nature, the cold is likely be due to a simple viral infection.

These viral infections should be allowed to run their course since there is actually no cure for viral infections. You may however, try to cut down on the duration of the diseases with some home remedies.

One of the time tested remedies for cat colds is Vitamin C. In many cats this works as wonder and a quarter of a Vitamin C tablet every day for four days will totally cure the cold. Vitamin C is often advised to humans as a preventive measure against colds. With cats it is different and should not be given regularly as a preventative treatment.

In addition you may also use other feline upper respiratory herbal treatment to reduce the severity of the symptoms. Licorice and antiviral herbs like elderberry are effective herbal remedies for cat colds.

Biochemical remedies fall under the ambit of homeopathy. Biochemical remedies like calc phos, hepar sulph and ferrum phos can be safely given to manage symptoms of cat colds.

Homeopathic and herbal remedies have an additional advantage of treating the basic cause of the symptoms, which in this case is usually a weakened immune system. Lack of immunity often leads to frequent attacks of cold like symptoms. If your cat is prone to develop cold frequently, it is advisable to look for boosting her immunity.

However, the importance of a specialist’s assessment of cat colds cannot be underplayed as cat colds are much more than common colds. They fall under feline respiratory disease and many times the cold-like symptoms is likely to be due to bacterial infection instead of a self limiting viral infection.

If the symptoms do not show signs of receding or the nasal discharge turns opaque and yellowish green in color, it is time to consult a veterinarian.

Reference:

http://www.petlovers.com/articles/about/cat_colds.html

Kennel cough in dogs is a fairly common condition. It occurs when a dog comes in contact with or is near an infected dog. The most likely time when this can occur is when the dog has been kenneled for a period of time.

However, being kenneled is not the only manner in which dogs can contract kennel cough. Dogs may get infected even when they have not been recently boarded. This is because an infected dog can potentially pass on the infection to another by sneezing and coughing.

The most common viral agent that causes kennel cough is parainfluenza. The incubation period of the virus is three to four days. It is only after the incubation period that the dog shows any signs or symptoms of the infection. The duration of kennel cough in dogs is approximately six to ten days unless there is another bacterial agent that results in extending the normal period of the condition.

Although bacterial cultures and isolation of the virus is possible to identify the agent causing kennel cough, blood tests are usually not performed since the characteristic nature of the symptoms are fairly easy to diagnose. A brief reference to symptoms, history, and recent exposure to other dogs is enough to obtain a conclusive diagnosis.

The most common symptom of kennel cough is a dry hacking cough that produces a ‘honking sound’. The cough can be identified if you know that it sounds as if there is something stuck in the throat and the dog is trying to dislodge it by coughing. Even among those who are aware of the specific nature of the coughing sound, the first reaction of the dog owner tends to be to check whether there is actually something stuck in the throat or not.

The coughing or gagging can be quite severe. It may continue for some minutes or be repeated at short intervals. It is often accompanied by a watery discharge. If the sound of the cough is not enough to confirm your hypothesis, a simple way of checking whether the coughing is related to kennel cough or not is to press the throat gently, just in the collar area. If it is kennel cough it will induce coughing.

There is no express need to panic if your dog has kennel cough since the symptoms vanish on their own in mild cases. However, if the cough is severe and your dog expels mucus while coughing, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary. The symptoms of kennel cough can progress and may cause fever, lethargy, lack of appetite or pneumonia. In extreme cases, kennel cough can also lead to death.

References:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=452
http://www.auntjeni.com/kennel.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennel_cough
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_kennel_cough.html
http://dogtime.com/articles/155?breaks=2502_5003_5779&page=3&slug=true&title=kennel-cough-in-dogs-vin http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kenc.html

http://www.dog-health-guide.org/caninekennelcoughtreatment.html

Cat flu is a general name given to infectious acute feline respiratory disease caused by a number of organisms. It is commonly seen in cats that have not been vaccinated, especially when they are kept in an over-crowded, dusty environment with poor ventilation and high humidity.

A huge majority (almost 80%) of the infections are caused either by feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline rhinotracheitis virus (FRV or herpes virus). The rest are caused by organisms known as Feline coronavirus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasturella multocida, Mycoplasma (parasitic bacteria) or Chlamydophila felis. Many cases of cat flu are tested positive for infection by more than one of these infectious agents.

Cat flu is a contagious disease and even cats without visible signs of the infection may pass it on to a healthy cat. The symptoms of cat flu include:

- Coughing.
– Sneezing.
– Watery eyes.
– Conjunctivitis, the inflammation of the mucous membrane that covers the eyeball.
– Nasal discharge that is initially serous but later comprises of mucous and pus.
– Tongue and mouth ulcerations.
– Increased secretion of saliva.
– Appetite loss.
– Fever.
– Limping syndrome, seen mostly in infection by the feline calicivirus.

Diagnosis is usually presumptive, based on the visible symptoms and history of exposure. While different virus strains produce identifiable characteristic symptoms, in a mixed infection it is difficult to determine the infectious agent from clinical signs only.

Symptoms of FRV tend to be severe and prominently seen as conjunctivitis, copious nasal discharge and coughing. FCV, on the other hand, is associated with milder symptoms and ulcerations in the mouth. Bordetella bronchiseptica is primarily associated with a hacking cough and commonly seen in cats with a recent history of living in crowded conditions.

While these are related to acute conditions, chronic feline upper respiratory infection is defined as chronic post-viral rhinitis and affects sinuses, the air filled cavities in the bones of the skull. The viral infection causes damage to the mucosa in the nasal passage, which leads to secondary bacterial infections.

As the disease at this stage does not allow identification of either FCV or FRV infection, it is thus also termed as idiopathic chronic rhinitis. Occasional cases of unusual mycobacterial infection leading to chronic rhinitis have also been reported.

To control feline respiratory diseases you should ensure that your cat has undergone a vaccination program before being exposed to crowded situations. Vaccinations may not prove to be a sure shot protection but they can reduce the symptoms of cat flu to a great extent.

Other preventive measures include good ventilation and proper hygiene. Kittens are more susceptible to respiratory infections and should be weaned in isolation.

Reference:

http://www.felineasthma.org/links/gunn-moore.htm

Both older and younger pets are more predisposed to disease. They are also more prone to progression of a disease and treatment failure. This happens because in older pets the vital organs and systems start to loose their functionality and, in puppies and kittens these organs and systems have not developed completely.

The immune system too is highly compromised in older and younger pets due to similar reasons. Canine and feline upper respiratory infection is common in young pets. Although inherently self-limiting by nature, home care remedies can make that extra difference to a fast recovery.

Canine flu, for example, is an infection caused by the canine influenza virus that produces fever, fever, pains and dog respiratory problems like cough, breathing problems and discharge from the dog’s nose. Death from the virus itself is unusual but may occur in puppies due to respiratory complications if proper home care is not provided.

Puppies that have been bought from stores usually have a history of having traveled in close quarters with other dogs or puppies. Most of the dog respiratory problems stem from infections that have been contacted during this time.

When you spot the first signs of respiratory problems, take the young dog to a veterinarian to get the condition evaluated so that the seemingly mild symptoms do not aggravate and develop into a more serious disease.

While in most cases the veterinarian will prescribe medication only to minimize the risk of a secondary infection, you can provide supportive care to make life comfortable for the young pet for the duration of the disease.

- Keep the puppy warm and dry.
– Do not let the puppy go out in the cold weather. Low temperatures tend to constrict the bronchial tubes making breathing more difficult.
– Help to boost his immune system is necessary. While you cannot do enough for it, feeding him with boiled chicken and brown rice will give him extra energy and sufficient support for his immature immune system.
– Get a cool mist vaporizer and put it near the place where he sleeps to keep the bronchial tubes moist for easy breathing.
– If your veterinarian permits you can give the pup some children’s cold medicine that you may have at home.
– There are canine and feline upper respiratory herbal treatments that you may safely give to alleviate the symptoms and halt the progress of the disease.
– Tetracycline, the preferred antibiotic for respiratory bacterial infections should be given only under medical advice as they can stain young teeth permanently.

Reference:

http://heartspring.net/dog_flu_symptoms.html

As a dog owner have you ever noticed that some visitors often complain about the ‘dog smell’ that pervades in your house? It takes some time to get used to dog smell and unless you own a dog it is difficult to get accustomed to it. Dog breath can also sometimes give out an offensive smell and can be extremely embarrassing.

Although bad dog breath occurs mostly due to improper dental care, it can also be a result of stomach problems or certain metabolic diseases. Flatulency may lead to gaseous emissions from your dog’s mouth as well as anus.

You can look for a good dog breath freshener to get over such problems in the short term. However, these should be considered as temporary solutions and cannot be expected to address underlying stomach or metabolic problems.

If you are not so open to using a commercial breath freshener for your dog, you can try some homemade formulations that may be more effective over the long term.

Make a combination of fennel, dill, parsley and ginger extracts with peppermint or spearmint oil and pour some drops in the water bowl. Remember to do that every time you refill the water bowl. You can also mix this concoction with whatever you are feeding your dog.

Fennel, parsley, ginger and dill are very good for digestion and restrict production of gas in the stomach. Peppermint and spearmint oils take care of the bad breath. Making mild changes in your dog’s diet may also help as a natural dog mouth freshener.

Prepare your own mouth freshener at home by mixing shredded carrot, lime juice and half a cup of chopped fresh mint. You can feed this as a standalone treat if your dog accepts it or you may mix it with dry food for equally good results.

Dogs do not prefer vegetarian food as it is against their inherent food preferences but they can be trained to accept it along with the meat that you generally feed. If you have brought home a small puppy, you should start early and try to accustom him to raw vegetables.

Prevention is any time better than a cure and it will do you good if you ensure that your dog’s teeth are properly brushed and cleaned. To ensure proper digestion and avoid flatulence home cooked food is better than commercially prepared dog food.

References:

http://www.chowfoods.net/Happy-Tails-Dog-Smog-Remedy-Breath-Freshener_p_3-9074.html

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf850936.tip.html

Although you can get commercial food for your dog, the ideal way to feed is to use a combination approach of both commercial food and fresh people foods. Most commercial food is good for your dog, although it lacks nutrients and vitamins that fresh food has. Vets will tell you that fresh food is good, providing you don’t overdo it. All dogs love fresh food as well, as they can smell it a mile away. If it smells good to them – they’ll want it.

Most commercial foods will offer your dog great sources of protein and vitamins, although fresh food contains far more essential sources. Chicken and meat for instance, have far more protein and minerals than any type of commercial dog food. Fish is another great choice, as it contains a lot of the protein your dog needs to maintain a healthy brain.

All dogs are well within the capacity of staying healthy, although you need to provide them with the minerals they need. Each dog is an individual, meaning that you can’t continue to feed him the same food on a daily basis. Dogs love people food, and they also love variety. What they need one day may vary the next, so you should always mix it up a bit and give them something different each day.

To be on the safe side, you should give your dog a little bit of everything. This way, he will get everything he needs with his diet. When you design the diet for your growing puppy, you should always make sure to include animal protein. This is very important for your pup, as he has to have it. Without animal protein, your dog will find himself literally struggling to stay healthy.

To keep your dog healthy, it is very important that he gets quality nutrition. Although quality nutrition is very important, you should never him eat so much that he gains weight too fast. If you monitor his diet and know exactly what you are feeding him, he should remain in his weight class. Sometimes this can be hard to help though, especially if your dog starts to develop allergies to a certain type of food.

If you ever have any questions regarding the diet of your dog, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your vet. Your vet could make some recommendations for you, even tell you the best type of commercial food for your dog.

Depending on his individual needs, what he requires may be totally different than what another dog needs. As long as you keep your dog on a healthy diet and make sure he gets the food he needs – he should grow to be a healthy dog with plenty of energy.

Stuffy dog noses make dogs want to blow out as if sneezing. Simply put, if your dog appears to be all plugged up, it is not a good sign. There is very little that you can do about a dog cold on your own as it may be due to a variety of reasons. If your dog is old then a blocked and stuffy nose can even be indicative of a heart ailment.

Stuffy dog noses may be due to any of the following conditions:

* A foreign object that may have stuck in the dog’s nose causing irritation. The snorting or sneezing that may ensue may actually be your dog’s efforts at trying to expel it.
* Stuffy dog noses can also be caused due to an infection or a tooth problem. Nasal infections in dogs can be either viral bacterial or fungal.
* Allergies, either dietary or environmental or due to an allergen are also causes of a stuffy dog nose.

You can be sure that a foreign object is lodged in your dog’s nose if he paws his face too often and with a vengeance. The foreign particle could be the bristly brush-like spikes of a foxtail that are bothering him and you may need the help of a veterinarian to get it extricated.

If stuffy nose is a recent occurrence and your dog is otherwise in good health, it could be a genuine case of canine cold. Canine olds, although less frequent than human colds, throw similar symptoms, including a stuffy dog nose.

Canine colds should not be taken casually as they are not always self-limiting in nature and are categorized under disorders of the canine respiratory system. These canine colds can be an indication of a simple but extremely contagious infection like kennel cough, fungal infection like Aspergillosis or potentially fatal infections like canine distemper and dog flu.

Just like humans, dogs too feel some irritation in their noses once in a while. Your dog may occasionally lower his head and snort in a way that sounds like he is sucking in and out. This is normal for dogs and massaging the back of dog’s nose on the top and the puffy parts of his muzzle will help in easing the irritation.

However, if the irritation continues longer you should take your dog to the veterinarian for examination. Apart from canine colds and or infections that can progress to pneumonia, it could also be a sign of prevalence of polyps in the dog’s nose.

Reference:

http://wiki.answers.com/

http://www.pet-care-experts.com/archive.php?36873

http://www.dogster.com/

Canine or feline urinary incontinence presages other ailments that could be worse and difficult to treat. There is a strong possibility of diabetes or other endocrinal disorder co-occurring with canine and feline urinary infection.

If the bacteria travel beyond the urethra or bladder, urinary tract infection in dogs also carries the risk of spreading to organs like the kidney and even the heart.

It is therefore extremely pertinent to understand how urinary tract infections can be prevented. Detection of symptoms at an early stage also helps since UTI is easily treatable with antibiotics. if the condition is attended to in time, critical damage to other organs can be avoided.

Early detection is possible if you keep a look out for the initial signs of urinary tract infection in dogs, which include:

* Frequent urination often at places the dog is not supposed to.
* Whining or yelping in pain when trying to urinate.
* Cloudy urine.
* Pus or Blood in urine.
* Crystals in urine.
* Making an effort but not actually urinating.
* Frequent licking of the genital area.
* Foul smelling urine.
* Incontinence, inability to control urine.
* Tenderness in the area near the bladder.
* Fever and lethargy.
* Pain in lower back.

Many of these symptoms are common and are similar to other diseases. Painful urination, incontinence, hematuria (blood in urine), and lumbar pain are associated with diabetes, benign or malignant growth in the bladder, kidney masses and prostatitis.

Breeds like miniature schnauzer, dachshund, Dalmatian, pug, bulldog, Welsh corgi, basset hound, beagle and terrier are genetically predisposed to urinary calculi (hard lump produced by the concretion of mineral salts in the urine). A veterinarian will usually advise urinalysis and urine culture to rule out other causes of urinary problems before going in for treatment of urinary infection in dogs.

The encouraging part is that urinary tract infection in dogs can be easily prevented by taking some simple measures. Holding urine for too long often leads to development of bacteria in the accumulated urine. If your dog is dehydrated easy elimination of urine is hampered, which too can cause urine to remain in the bladder for too long.

To facilitate easy passing out of urine make sure that the dog bowl is always filled with fresh and clean water. Keep track of the dog’s need to urinate and ensure he has easy access to the designated place whenever the need arises. Complete emptying of the bladder is necessary to prevent UTI in puppies as well as adult dogs.

Ingestion of toxins and chemicals can lead to a situation where the body organs have to over work. This in turn leads to poor performance of important organs like the kidney and the liver. Passive smoking not only harms humans it is injurious to dogs also. Keep the environment around your dog as clean as you can.

The urinary tract is normally sterile. The urethra is the most common entry point of bacteria. Humans are normally advised to keep their private parts clean. If possible, do as much as you can keep the dog’s genitals clean.

References:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Canine-Urinary-Infections-and-Symptoms&id=570265

http://www.thepetcheckup.com/

If your cat is coughing and sneezing or has watery eyes or is expelling serous or opaque discharge from the nose, you are most likely to equate it with common colds that humans normally suffer from.

Although cat colds too are self limiting in nature, cats do not suffer colds the way humans do. Cat colds normally turn out to be one of the feline respiratory diseases and these seemingly harmless symptoms may progress into something serious.

The most common agents that infect cat respiratory tract are feline rhinotracheitis virus (herpes virus) and feline calicivirus. The herpes virus produces more severe symptoms and also tends to recur frequently. In both cases the infection runs it own course and the cat recovers within a couple of weeks. This, however, is no reason for complacency.

Frequent infections are liable to damage to the mucus secreting membrane of the nasal passage and lead to secondary infection of the spongy nasal bones and bone marrow. This is a chronic condition known as post-viral rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose usually associated with nasal discharge).

* Allergic rhinitis is another condition that produces cold-like symptoms in cats. It is mostly caused by environmental dust, certain aerosol sprays and secondary cigarette smoke.
* Various types of polyps may be another reason why your cat is having breathing problems and is coughing or sneezing. Polyps may originate within the nasal chambers or in the middle of the ear and mostly associated with inability to swallow, gagging and pain in the ear.
* Many times it is a dental problem that has not been attended to that leads to nasal discharge and sinusitis that too manifests as cold-like symptoms.
* Frequent manifestation of symptoms of cold may also indicate congenital defects that lead to chronic respiratory disease.
* Foreign bodies in the nasopharynx usually lead to secondary fungal rhinitis due to the fungal spores associated with plants.
* However rare, cats with chronic rhinitis and are known to develop nasal polyps and nasal tumors.

Indoor cats are hardly likely to contact infections and it is better to get your cat vaccinated before you plan to take your cat to crowded places or shows. Vaccinations only help to reduce the symptoms and not a hundred percent guarantee against viral infections.

All said and done, ignoring cat colds can be dangerous at times. It is advisable to get these apparently harmless cold-like symptoms evaluated by a specialist. If nothing serious is detected, medication for feline upper respiratory infection treatment may be prescribed to reduce the risk of secondary infection because there are no drugs that work against viruses.

Once a clean bill of health is given by the veterinarian, these cold-like symptoms can be managed at home with supportive home care and feline upper respiratory herbal treatment.

Reference:

http://www.felineasthma.org/links/gunn-moore.htm

Dog owners have to get accustomed to normal dog breath. At the same time, dog bad breath can become intolerable at times.

Canine bad breath is normally a result of improper dental care. Most dog owners tend to ignore dental care while grooming. Lack of proper dental care results in food particles, bone splinters and other substances that remain stuck between the teeth and gums causing decay over a period of time.

The resultant abscesses and inflammation becomes a welcome home for bacteria. Untended, they invite more bacteria, which ultimately results in periodontitis, a teeth and gum disease that can progress and infect other parts of the body.

Dental care is as important for dogs as it is for humans. If you want to avoid dental problems like periodontitis, you need to brush the dog’s teeth, just as you do yours. The only difference is that you may have to learn how to brush your dogs’ teeth.

Your pet will also need to get accustomed to the manner in which you brush his teeth since it is not natural for them. However, the training is similar to the manner in which the pet gets accustomed to accept your commands.

Choose a time when your dog and you are relaxed. If your dog is disturbed or agitated he is most likely to resist your attempts at brushing. For the first few times, simply stroke the area with your fingers and let the dog get used to it. Choose veterinary toothpaste and apply some to your finger and let the dog get a taste of it.

Make sure you choose a paste with a flavor that you know your dog likes. There is a wide range of flavors available in the market and you can choose one that is flavored with poultry or other meats. Once your pet is habituated to the taste, you can introduce the toothbrush.

It is important to understand that since this is not a natural activity for a dog, he is unlikely to enjoy the process of brushing or accept it easily. You should try and make sure that brushing teeth becomes an enjoyable activity for your dog.

Start with brushing for about 30 seconds at a time and do not test the dog’s tolerance level. Don’t stop after he starts fussing. This will result in more fussing as the dog realizes that fussing results in putting a stop to the activity. Brush a few teeth initially and increase the number of teeth gradually. Don’t forget the ‘difficult-to-reach’ back teeth since they are most likely to accumulate maximum tartar.

Brushing teeth should be a regular exercise and if you notice a particle or splinter or bone that is difficult to dislodge, you may have to take your dog to the veterinarian for removal.

References:

http://www.placervillevet.com/dog%20toothbrushing.htm