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Mange is a highly contagious condition of the skin caused by mites and parasites in animals. Cats affected by mange most often stay outdoors. If left untreated, the cat may become very ill and lose its fur. The symptoms of mange include itching, discomfort, and scratching. Here are options cat owners should use to treat their cat affected by mange.

Mange in cats is fairly uncommon; yet it is possible for a cat to contract mange. If your cat is loosing fur, you should always to take your cat to the vet. Other diseases and problems other than mange can cause hair loss. A vet can look at a sample of the cat’s skin or fur under a microscope to confirm whether or not your cat has mange.

There are a few different various types of mange that are thought to affect cats. Ear mites are not usually considered mange, but the parasites that cause in ear mites can also cause mange. Ear mites should always be treated with injections or prescription ear drops. When a feline has ear mites, the inside of their ears will look dirty. Black oily-looking dirt will cover the inside of the cat’s ears. These are not the actual mites, but are the dropping left behind from the mites.

Another form of mange is called Demodex Mange, also called Demodex mange”. This type of mange is not contagious. Cat and dogs do not pass this type of mange to each other. Generally cats and dogs have small amounts of these mites inhabiting on their skin. This type type of mange does not often bother the cat unless it becomes inflamed. It might show up as small patches of hair loss. In more serious cases, it can cause in a bacterial infection on the skin. The skin can become inflamed, red and itchy. Demodex Mange usually starts causing problems in cats that are immuno-suppressed or that are aging. This type of mange can also adversely affect cats with poor health. Hormones and stress might also cause this type of mange to cause problems. It can be seen in pregnant and nursing cats or male cats that are not neutered.

There are treatment options for this kind of mange. When you take your cat to the animal doctor for possible mange, you vet will perform a thorough health exam. This will rule out autoimmune diseases and other varieties of parasites such as worms. An oral medication called Ivermectin can be used. Although this drug is not approved by the Federal Drug Administration to use for mange, many vets find this treatment very effective. Another treatment option is dipping your cat in a prescribed pesticide. This is highly effective, but it can cause problems like vomiting and seizures in cats. Additionally, the treatment is poisonous, therefore it should not be applied with pregnant cats or by people who are pregnant. This dip is routinely done weekly for up to six weeks.

Sarcoptic mange is another form of mange that can be contracted by felines. This variety of mange is highly contagious and very problematic to persistent. Cat that are affected by this variety of mange are extremely itchy and the scratching can cause serious inflammation and sometimes bleeding of the skin. Mites will burrow into the skin and leave the eggs. When a cat has this, the excessive scratching can also cause scabbing and infections on the skin.

This variety of mange is often determined by examining the cat’s skin or fur under a microscope. If it is indeed Sarcoptic mange, your animal doctor will want to wash the cat with a medicated shampoo and then treat the cat with a pesticide dip. Just as with Sarcoptic mange, this pesticide dip is very potent and extreme caution must to be used when treating your cat.

If you suspect your feline has mange, you should take your cat to the vet for an exam. In order to treat the infection, it is required to know which type of mange your cat has. Also, it is not unwise to use “home remedies” for mange that are often found. These remedies can be extremely dangerous to your cat. In many cases, hair loss is not mange. Hair loss can be caused by allergic reactions to foods, plants or even medications. Allergic reactions are treated much differently than mange so it is very important to look medical care for your animal.

About the author: For more info, see Mange In Cats and Mange. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Cat Mites.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Cat health symptoms of kidney problems can lead to serious health issues for a cat. Chronic kidney failure happens to older cats more than it does to younger cats. Cats develop kidney problems gradually over time and usually do not show any signs until it becomes serious. With proper check ups and blood tests veterinarians can find problems before they become more serious.

Causes of Chronic Kidney Failure

Once a cat has chronic kidney failure, they will need special care and treatment. Kidney failure is irreversible and can lead to other health problems. Kidney failure is caused by many different reasons including trauma, bacterial infections, medications, toxins and cancer along with fungal infections and autoimmune disease. Kidney failure may also be due to hereditary or congenital abnormalities.

Some Cat Health Symptoms of Kidney Failure

One sign the cat has a medical problem is inability to urinate. The chronic kidney failure problem may be caused by kidney stones, urethral obstruction or bladder stones. If this symptom occurs, seek immediate medical attention before the problem becomes fatal to the cat. Kidney failure shows no early signs, but as it progresses, sign start to appear.

Another symptom of kidney failure is increased thirst. Because the cat is drinking more water, the urine does not bring along all the toxins in the kidneys, which remains in the kidneys and results in kidney failure. Other cat health symptoms of kidney failure are poor appetite, depression and lack of energy.

Cat health symptoms of kidney failure are diagnosed by blood tests and urinalysis. The BUN levels of a cat with kidney failure will be higher than a cat in perfect health. The Creatinine levels will also be higher than normal, which leads to the diagnosis of kidney failure in the cat.

Treating Chronic Kidney Failure

Treatment of kidney failure in cats requires kidney transplant or dialysis. By the time kidney failure is diagnosed the cat may already have so much damage to the kidney that any type of treatment would not benefit the cat and a decision to euthanize the cat before any more suffering occurs would have to be discussed.

Because every owner wants their cat to live a healthy and happy life kidney transplants have become more popular in cats and has allowed them to live a good life. If a kidney transplant does not happen, other methods of treatment may help the cat such as dialysis, which in most cases does work as it filters the kidneys and eliminates the toxins. This procedure requires weekly visits to a veterinary clinic for treatments, which requires a few hours of treatment. For more info see http://www.aboutcathealth.org/cat/Cat_Health_Issues/Ear_Issues.php on Cat Ear Issues.

If the cat has kidney failure a low protein diet helps maintain lower BUN levels, which helps with the metabolic system, but not the renal problems. Proper diets and proper fluid intake requires dedication on the owner’s part. If the cat has a kidney transplant, hospitalization and further medications will be required for a successful kidney transplant that functions properly.

About the Author: You can also find more info on Cat Health Tips and Cat Wiskers.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Cats are one of the most loved pets in the world, no question about it. More than 50% of all households in the United States own dogs and cats. Although cats are loved animals, cat allergies are one of the common forms of allergies. Statistics in the past have shown that over 10 million people in the U.S. alone have allergic reactions to cats - especially their fur.

The biggest cause of cat allergies is dander. The dander, is dust that is produced by the body of the cat. Dander is basically shed skin that comes off of cats, normally in the form of small flakes. Although dander can irritate your skin, it can also get into your immune system as well, resulting in a variety of symptoms and almost immediate allergic reactions.

The dander, once in the immune system, is perceived to be a threat. Even though it isn’t classified as a disease, it’s more of a reflex by your body and your immune system. Cat allergies occur quite often due to cats having allergens that are spread throughout their blood, urine, and saliva. Although a cat may not be present at the time, the excretions probably still are.

Cat dander, urine, and saliva, are found throughout the home of cat owners. Cats constantly groom themselves, which involves rubbing their saliva into their fur. When they do this, they spread their dander and allergens around. Although you may try, there is really nothing that you can do about it. Cats have a natural instinct to groom or bathe themselves, no matter how many baths you give them, you simply won’t stop them from grooming.

Normally, when someone is taking an allergic reaction to cats, he or she will wheeze, cough, sneeze, itch, have watery eyes, or a difficult time in breathing. Different people react different ways to cat allergens, meaning that some symptoms may not occur at all. Fever and chills is very rare, although it can happen. If someone who has cat allergies comes down with fever and chills, you should contact a doctor immediately. Chances are, it isn’t an allergic reaction to cats, but instead another type of disease that a doctor will need to identify.

Cat allergies are normally treated with antihistamines and decongestants. Those that experience asthma attacks or other forms of allergies, normally take antihistamines. Decongestants on the other hand, are normally used to cure coughs and swollen nasal passages. Sometimes, doctors will recommend allergy shots as well. Allergy shots can help to prevent the attack, especially if someone is really allergic to cats. They are a good form of treatment and prevention, and they can also help to decrease the risk of allergies affecting the individual.

If you suspect that you have cat allergies, you should always make it a point to visit your doctor. He will be able to further diagnose your situation, and give you the best options available for treatment. If you do indeed suffer from cat allergies, the best way to stop the attacks is to get rid of your cat.

Getting rid of a cat can be a very tough thing to do. If you have become allergic to your cat’s fur, there may be no other way to prevent attacks than to get rid of him. Although doctors can give you medicine and shots, it will only do so much. Cat allergens are no fun, especially if you develop them years after owning your cat. Cats are great animals to own - although cat allergies are something we could all live without.

About the Author: We provide grooming for dogs and cats, and free pet grooming consultation services! Our pet products include fashionable carriers, embroidered shirts, reversible raincoats, pet shoes, cotton dresses, pet food, pet carrier, dog ribbons, and other related pet products.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com