Home Care is the Best Care™

Posts Tagged ‘cat care’

‘TIS THE SEASON OF TICKS!

SIGNS OF A TICK BITE

  • Scratching, licking or chewing at the bite.
  • Redness or rash starting at the bite location.
  • Voice change to a croaky husky bark.
  • Paralysis around the bite site, which may progress to other parts of the body.
  • Disease symptoms, including muscle aches, stiffness, weakness, fever and swollen lymph nodes.

ACTIONS FOR SURVIVAL

  • Using latex gloves, firmly hold the body as close to the head with your fingers or tweezers.  Then with firm gentle pressure, slowly pull the tick out.  Do not twist.  If all the parts of the tick are not removed, seek
  • veterinarian help.

  • Clean the area with antibacterial soap.
  • Put a dab of antibacterial ointment over the break in the skin.
  • Save the tick in a jar or small plastic bag and put the date on it.
  • Keep the tick for at least 2 weeks so the tick can be tested is any signs present themselves in you or your pets during that time.

  • Contact your vet for further assistance, if necessary.
  • Do not use heat to try and get the tick out. You may burn yourself and your pet!

VETERINARY CARE

  • Antibiotics and basic wound care are necessary.
  • Vet care is necessary if any part of the tick is not fully removed.
  • Vet care is also necessary if any lack of body function or limb function is observed after finding a tick.
  • If you bring the tick in, your vet may have the body analyzed or tested.

    TOP 5 TOXINS TO YOUR PET IN 2010

    I saw an article about the Top 5 Toxins to Your Pet in 2010, and I thought it was important to share!

    Some people tend to think that cats are not as fast to eat things they shouldn’t, but that is entirely untrue.  About 9% of the calls to the Animal Poison Control helpline are about cats!  So whether you have a dog, cat or another pet, this is a must read!

    Remember, this is not an exhaustive list.  Just a list of the top 5 reasons people called Animal Poison Control in 2010.

    1. Human and Veterinary Medications – During 2010, about 40 percent of feline cases at Pet Poison Helpline involved cats that improperly ingested human or veterinary drugs. Cats have difficulty metabolizing certain drugs, especially as compared to dogs and humans. Common drugs such as  NSAIDS are some of the most deadly to cats. When ingested, NSAIDS can result in severe kidney failure and stomach ulcers. Likewise, one acetaminophen tablet can be fatal to a cat, as it results in damage to red blood cells. Untreated, it can cause severe anemia, difficulty breathing, a swollen face, liver failure and death. Cats also seem to like the taste of certain antidepressants, which seem to contain an attractive smell or flavor in the coating. With any accidental medication ingestion, immediate veterinary care is imperative.

    True Story: Last weekend, a friend of mine’s mother, left her daily pills in a plastic cup on the counter in the bathroom.  She left the room and when she returned, the pills were spilled over on the floor.  She noticed 2 pills missing, one being a blood pressure pill.  Immediately she told my friend, and they calmly surveyed the situation.  First, they thoroughly searched on the floor for the pills; however, they were nowhere to be found.  My friend has never seen her cat eat a pill, and never thought he would!  She then took one of the blood pressure pills and put it up to her cat’s nose to see if he showed any interest in it.  Immediately, he tried to eat it!  Without hesitation, she called her veterinarian, to find out the right protocol.  I’m very happy to say that the cat is fine, and was not affected by the ingestion of the pill, but this is a lesson we should all learn from!

    2. Plants – Poisonous plants were the second most common cat toxin in 2010,. True lilies, including the Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies, are among the most deadly and cause kidney failure in cats. Because these flowers are fragrant, inexpensive and long-lasting, florists often include them in arrangements. Small ingestions of two or three petals or leaves – even the pollen – can result in severe, potentially irreversible kidney failure. Immediate veterinary care is imperative. Despite their name, other plants such as the Peace, Peruvian and Calla lily are not true lilies and do not cause kidney failure. Instead, these plants contain insoluble oxalate crystals that can cause minor symptoms, such as irritation in the mouth, tongue, pharynx and esophagus.

    3. Insecticides –Exposure to household insecticides such as lawn and garden products, sprays, powders, or granules often occurs when a cat walks through a treated area; however, serious poisoning is rare. More concerning is exposure to concentrated topical flea and tick medications meant for dogs. Dog-specific insecticides containing pyrethrins or pyrethroids are highly toxic to cats. Poisoning occurs when pet owners apply such products directly to cats or cats lick these medications off dogs that live with them. Severe drooling, tremors and life-threatening seizures can occur. Always read labels carefully before using any kind of insecticide and ask your veterinarian about appropriate topical flea and tick medications for your cat.

    4. Household Cleaners –Many cat owners don’t realize that some common household cleaners like kitchen and bath surface cleaners, carpet cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners can be toxic to cats. Symptoms can include profuse drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and even organ damage. After cleaning your home, make sure all excess liquid or residue is wiped up or eliminated, and stow the products out of your cat’s reach as soon as possible. Only allow your cat back into the cleaned areas after the products have completely dried.

    5. Other Toxins – The remainder of feline-related calls during 2010 involved less obvious toxins, such as glow sticks and liquid potpourri. Glow sticks and jewelry contain a very bitter tasting liquid called dibutyl phthalate. While rarely deadly, just one bite into these items can cause your cat to drool profusely. Most of these exposures can be managed at home. Offer (but do not force) your cat chicken broth or canned tuna (in water, not oil) to help to remove the bitter taste from the mouth. Remove the glow sticks and clean up any remaining liquid to prevent re-exposure to cats, who may continue to groom it off their fur. A bath may be in order to remove any “glowing” liquid from his or her skin. If you see signs of redness to the eyes, squinting, continued drooling, or not eating, a trip to the veterinarian may be necessary.

    Pet Poison Helpline – 1-800-213-6680

    Full Article:  http://click.petplace.com/?ju=fe24157174600c797c1c77&ls=fdec12757267007a70117975&m=feff1273766004&l=fe9616737361067c73&s=fe1d12787c6004747c1071&jb=ffcf14&t=

    CAT TIPS FOR THE WINTER SEASON

    1. Keep your cats inside. Outdoor cats can freeze, or become lost or stolen, injured or killed.  If you can’t keep your cat indoors, make sure he or she is acclimated and doesn’t stay out too long, especially when the temperatures are below freezing.
    2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under car hoods for warmth. Before starting your car, bang loudly on the hood and wait a few seconds to give the cat a chance to escape. Cats also love to curl up in a warm place for a nap while inside the home. Prevent potential burns and fires by protecting your cat from open fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters.
    3. Never leave your pet alone in a car during the cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. Your companion animal could freeze to death.
    4. Watch for signs of frostbite. It is seen most often on ears, the tail and footpads, and look for pale, glossy or white skin. Better yet, prevent frostbite all together by limiting your cat’s time outside.
    5. Antifreeze, even in tiny doses, is a lethal poison for cats. Unfortunately, its sweet taste attracts animals to it. Thoroughly clean up spills from your vehicle. To prevent accidental poisoning, more and more people are using animal-friendly products that contain propylene glycol rather than traditional products containing ethylene glycol. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center if you suspect your animal has been poisoned.
    6. Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep far away from drafts and off the floor. Consider a cat bed or basket with a warm blanket or pillow in it.

    IS YOUR PET OVERWEIGHT?

    A study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention indicated that 45 % of dogs and 58 % of cats in the U.S. are overweight. How to Determine if Your Pet is Obese:

    1. Run your fingertips against the direction of the animal’s coat without applying pressure. If you can feel his ribs, your pet may be underweight. If you can’t feel your pet’s ribs:
    2. Run your fingertips in the direction of the coat, this time applying light pressure. If you can feel the ribs easily, your animal is at a healthy weight. If there is a layer of fat covering the animal’s ribs, this may be an indication that the dog or cat is obese.

    Pets need to get regular exercise to maintain proper weight.

    An overweight pet is not a healthy pet. Owners need to recognize that they are putting their pet’s health at risk by allowing that extra weight.

    Obesity commonly leads to diabetes, heart problems, and arthritis. An overweight pet does not age well, either. Overweight pets are more prone to hip dysplasia, back and joint pain, and endocrine diseases. Extra weight also decreases a veterinarian’s ability to manage these conditions both medically and surgically. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight can literally add years to her life.

    Why are more pets overweight? The answer is the same for pets as well as people: too many calories and not enough exercise.

    So stop feeding your pet extra treats just because he or she is begging you, and give your pet the gift of exercise this Holiday Season!! 20% off your first month of dog walks! Call today (347-223-5116) for particulars and mention Code B-20-  this promotion expires 1/18/11.

    We would never forget about your precious kitty! If your cat seems overweight and/or bored and needs exercise, we can come do daily or weekly pet visits while you are at work! 20% off first month of regular pet visits as well, expiration date 1/18/11.

    Is Your Cat Afraid of Visitors?

    One of my cats runs at the sound of a pin drop, and the other thinks he is a dog!  So my mission has been to get my shy kitty, to become more gregarious of course.  When I have visitors come over, I want to show off my pets because they are like children to me.  If you have this problem as well, here are some tips!

    Begin by having someone come over and sit on the floor without making eye contact with your cat.  The visitor should engage in quiet conversation with you, and not directed at the cat. Never hold your cat or encourage or make him to go up to the visitor.  Cats always feel less threatened when they have some degree of  control (this is why your cat always goes up to your visitors that are afraid of them and ignore them at first!).  Engage the cat in their favorite activity like an interactive play session with a fishing pole toy or offer treats while in the presence of the visitor. If things go well you can have the visitor begin gently tossing treats to the cat while keeping their distance.  If your kitty isn’t ready for this step then work up to that in later sessions. The point of this is to have the cat associate something positive with the presence of the visitor.

    Good luck!