PETS AND ANIMALS

While cats can be afflicted by several types of worms, ringworm in fact is a fungal infection, not a worm. Ringworm is a fungus that can affect cats, dogs, and humans. While there are several different forms of ringworm, the most common form of ringworm in cats is caused by Microsporum Canis, or M. Canis. If you are a pet owner, you should be know how to identify and treat ringworm, and should be aware how it is transmitted.

How Do Cats Contract Ringworm?

While the ringworm fungus thrives in hot, humid climates, it most often manifests itself on our pets in the cooler months of autumn and winter. Ringworm is contracted by cats through contact with infected animals, including dogs, rats, mice, and other cats, or from the bedding or sleeping quarters of another pet. Also, fungal spores can be shed into the environment, where they can be picked up by a cat who spends time outdoors. Cats can also be asymptomatic carriers of the fungus, not showing any signs of infection themselves, but able to transmit the fungus to other animals.

What Are the Symptoms of Ringworm?

Ringworm can be identified by the presence of lesions, which may vary in appearance, but the most common manifestation is a small circular hairless lesion, often with scaly skin in the middle that may be inflamed and sensitive. These lesions can most often be found on the tail, head and ears. Ringworm can also appear as a more general skin disease, or may be the cause of chronic ear infections.

How is Ringworm Diagnosed?

While there are various methods used to identify ringworm, the only sure way to make this diagnosis is to perform a culture of the infected area. This is a fairly routine test that your veterinarian can perform for you.

Can Ringworm Be Prevented?

The best ways to prevent ringworm are:

1. Provide your cat with a healthy diet and caring living environment

2. Limit exposure

Cats whose immune systems have been weakened either by illness, age, or poor diet are much more susceptible to contracting ringworm. Young kittens are also more at risk until their immune systems become stronger. Because the risks of infection are higher outdoors, where there may be infected animals or live spores in the grass and soil, it would be wise to keep kittens, old cat, and sick cats indoors as much as possible. You can reduce your cat’s susceptibility to ringworm by feeding it a nutritionally-sound, healthy diet. Also, any new animal introduced into your household should first be tested for ringworm.

What is the Treatment for Ringworm?

Mild cases of ringworm may go away on their own, so long as your cat is otherwise healthy. Ringworm can also be treated topically with antifungal medication; in this case, the hair around the lesion should be clipped short, and the clipping instruments then sterilized. There are also oral and injectable ringworm treatments. Because ringworm spores can survive for a long time without a host - up to about eighteen months, cleanliness and good hygiene should be an integral part of your plan.

While you are treating your cat for ringworm your cat’s bedding should be laundered regularly. Wash and dry these fabrics at high temperatures, as the heat will kill the fungus, Hard surfaces in the house should be cleaned with a mild bleach solution. Vacuum carpets and upholstery frequently to pick up the fungal spores. Be sure to wear gloves when handling your cat and its bedding, and try to keep the kids away from the cat.

All pets in the household should be tested, even they do not show symptoms of ringworm. Sometimes animals can be infected by the fungus without showing any symptoms, but as a carrier, can transmit ringworm to other pets in the house.

Can Ringworm be Transmitted to People?

Unfortunately, yes. You and your children are susceptible to contracting ringworm from your pets. Children are at higher risk than adults. Prevention through good hygiene and proper nutrition is the best approach, but diagnosis and timely treatment for any infected pets will minimize the risk of your contracting ringworm from your cat.

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By: Kat Bartone

About the Author:

The dogs vs. cats debate has raged on for all time and for all time the dog side has won! Dogs are man’s best friend and cats don’t even like us! So why should we like them?

Unlike cats, dogs are very faithful and give you unconditional love forever. Cats barely seem to know you are around most of the time. If there is any problem a dog will serve and even protect you really well, but what would a cat do? Nothing!

The dogs are very obedient creatures and will sit or lie down or heel on command unlike the cats who will just smirk and walk away. Cats cannot be trained as easily as dogs. In fact it can seem impossible to train a cat.

Whenever the owner talks, a dog will tilt their heads and listen but cats don’t really seem to have much interest in human speech. Dogs will come upon hearing their name called while cats either don’t recognize their name being called or don’t care that it’s been called! A dog’s obedience makes him even more lovable and that is the biggest reason many people prefer dogs over cats.

Dogs also serve as very good companions and will play Frisbee or other games with you in the afternoon while cats, being selfish and self-centered, would prefer to take their afternoon nap quite lazily. Dogs are not at all mischievous by nature and will bring you your slippers or your evening newspaper unlike cats who might bring you a dead mouse.

Dogs also serve as very good watch dogs. There’s a reason they call it a watch dog and not a watch cat! They will bark to wake you up if the house is on fire or if he finds anything suspicious going on like thieves or somebody else breaking in while cats will just quietly sneak out the back door.

Dogs are so obedient that they will let you give them a bath quite easily, while a cat will struggle the entire time.

Dogs also look much better at the end of a leash. A dog can be a great partner on daily walk or your daily run. You can’t take a cat with you on a run!

Another great advantage that dogs have over cats is that they are easier to co mingle with each other. Dogs tend to get along with other dogs much easier than cats tend to get along with other cats.

Possibly the best reason that dogs are better than cats? Dogs don’t use the bathroom inside of your house! They go outside! No matter how much the litter is supposed to keep the smell under control, it still stinks!

Dogs seem to understand your emotions and will try to comfort you whenever you are sad while the cats don’t really seem to notice this sort of thing. A cat is far more interested in his own life.

I’m sure there are many more reasons why dogs are better than cats but these are the ones I’ve thought of today. Dogs are the best friend a man (or woman) can have. Cats? Not so much.



By: Freddy R Bubble

About the Author:

According to surveys conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), millions of homeowners assume that their standard homeowners insurance insures them against several kinds of losses typically excluded from coverage. These exclusions are sometimes referred to as “Cat, Rats, and Brats,” reflecting three exceptions to standard coverage.

Cats. A 2007-2008 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association reveals that 71.1 million of America’s 113.7 million households (63 percent) own at least one pet. This represents an all-time high for pet ownership in the United States. Many people assume that their home owners insurance covers damage to windows, doors, furniture, and carpeting caused by pets. They are mistaken. A standard homeowners insurance policy excludes damage caused by cats, dogs, rabbits, and other pets. The NAIC reports that 22 percent of the people they surveyed thought that their insurance covered injuries to or theft of pets. This is not correct.

Rats. Damage by wild creatures is not covered by homeowners insurance, either. Nearly a third of the homeowners surveyed by the NAIC (31 percent) mistakenly believe that damage caused by infestations of rats, bats, mice, ants, termites, and other pests is covered by their homeowners insurance. It is not. Pests are so prevalent that insurance companies cannot afford to assume the risk of property losses they might cause.

Brats. Children and young adults lack the experience—and sometimes the respect for property—to be careful with personal possession or even the home. Whether the result of an innocent accident or malicious acting out, damage caused by children is not covered by home owner insurance.

Living on the flats. According to the U.S. government, virtually every part of the United States is subject to flooding. Some areas are more susceptible to flooding than other areas, of course. The areas most at risk are known as Special Flood Hazard Areas. Because floods cause widespread damage, private insurers cannot profitably insure against their risk. To prevent floods from wiping out the assets of the millions of Americans who live in flood zones, the U.S. Congress enacted the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, establishing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Funded with premiums from homeowners and able to borrow against the national treasury, the NFIP offers the only kind of flood insurance available in the United States. Optional in some areas, flood insurance is mandatory for homeowners who live in Special Flood Hazard Areas. Despite the fact that flood insurance requirements are disclosed when a person purchases a home, the NAIC found that 33 percent of respondents wrongly assumed that their homeowners insurance covered flood damage.

War-like acts. The mainland of the United States has sustained damage from war-like acts only four times in its history. The first attacks came in the War of 1812 when British troops invaded points along the border with Canada and burned Washington D.C. The second incursion occurred when forces under the command of Mexican General Pancho Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico on March 9, 1916, and burned the town. The third attack occurred on February 23, 1942, when a Japanese submarine fired on an oil refinery in Santa Barbara, California. By far the worst attack occurred when terrorists from the al-Qaeda network flew airliners into the World Trade Center and The Pentagon on September 11, 2001, killing 2,998 and causing more than $30 billion in direct property damage. Damage caused by war and acts of terrorism are not covered by homeowners insurance.

Earthquake cracks. Earthquakes have struck 39 of the 50 states since 1900. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), earthquakes cause more than $4 billion in property damage per year. Because earthquakes cause widespread damage in a matter of seconds, insurance companies cannot afford to cover earthquake damage with a general homeowners insurance policy. Nevertheless, the NAIC survey reveals that 35 percent of homeowners believe their homeowner’s insurance covers earthquake damage. To insure their homes, homeowners need to purchase separate earthquake policies. After the Northridge earthquake of 1994 that caused $12.5 billion in losses, California insurers stopped offering earthquake insurance. To guarantee that homeowners at least could rebuild their homes after a severe earthquake, the California legislature passed a law requiring property insurers operating in the state to offer “mini-policies” to cover primary dwelling spaces, but not pools, patios, and other non-essential structures.

For most people, their home is their biggest expense and largest asset. While the majority of homeowners know that some things are excluded from their homeowners insurance coverage, a surprisingly large number of people—roughly a third of homeowners—do not realize that their coverage excludes some types of damage. Every homeowner should review their homeowner’s insurance policy to verify their coverage then contact their insurance agent to discuss what types of additional coverage might be necessary to protect their home.



By: Bradley Steffens

About the Author:

Taking extra care of your pets during the hot summer months is crucial to keeping them healthy. For dogs with thin or short fur, pet sun block is a great solution to prevent sunburn. In the summertime, insects are actually more of a threat for dogs and cats then they are for children. Be sure to give your pets plenty of water, as everyone, kids, adults and pets, all need plenty of water to combat the intense heat of summer.

Animals with thin coats are at high risk of sunburn at all times, but even dogs with thick fur can suffer from sunburn. It’s easy to see that bristling coat of fur shining in the sun and think it means that our pet’s skin is safe. All pets are susceptible to burning on the tips of their ears and their noses. Another trouble spot is the abdomen. Many dogs and cats like to lie on their backs letting their stomachs take in the warmth of the sun (yes, dogs and cats sunbathe too.). Lying on their backs, while comfortable, puts pets at significant risk of sunburn. Lotions designed just for dogs and cats can be found online or at stores. If you have trouble finding what you need ask your veterinarian. Be especially careful in applying these lotions as pets have a much harder time washing out their eyes if the lotion gets in them.

During the summer months, bugs can be a major problem for animals. Allergic reactions to bees and fire ants can be fatal to your dog or cat if the vet is not visited immediately. The first step is to use flea and tick medication. It is also important to use heart worm meds because a mosquito can carry the parasite to your dog or cat. Once this is taken care of keep a close eye out for anomalies. If you notice scabs on the animal you should check closely that the medication is working.

Fleas and ticks can lead to constant scratching, to the extent that patches on your animal’s body could be rubbed raw. This is tame when compared with what bees and fire ants can do to your dog or cat. Getting frisky with those buzzing bees can lead to bad stings on the nose and head of your pet. That is a serious matter itself; however, if your pet is allergic it can be fatal.

Another potentially fatal situation for your dog or cat in the summertime involves fire ants. A sleeping dog or cat can be easy prey for these red pests. These ants will actually scatter themselves over your pet’s stomach and synchronize their patterns of stinging. This can cause immense pain. If this is occurs, hose down your pet and bring it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Prevention measures should solve most problems, but be sure to keep your eyes open just in case.

Swimming is something that most dogs will readily do. Cats, while they tend to avoid the water, could fall in by accident at any moment. The threat with water is not that the pets will not know how to swim, as most will know what to do instinctively. The main issue is how the animal will get out of the water after it has entered. Pool-sides and the edges of boats can be very difficult for a pet to climb onto while also staying afloat. If your dog or cat panics upon entering the water it may find it impossible to get out.

To prevent this from happening, give your animal some basic lessons. Have your dog or cat go into the water and help lead it to the stairs or ramp to get out of the water. This training will make it easier for your dog or cat if it falls in by accident at any point.

Dehydration is a constant issue for animals as well. The extra heat will force your pet to consume substantially larger amounts of water in the summertime. There is a great temptation to give your dog or cat ice cold water. It is a good idea to avoid this and stick to room temperature liquids. If the water is too cold the animal is likely to end up vomiting bile and becoming even more dehydrated. This becomes especially likely if your pet drinks fast, which happens very often during the hot summer months. The occasional ice-cube or frozen treat can be helpful to help your dehydrated pet cool down.

During the summer, staying cool is the greatest challenge of all. Never leave your pet in a parked car with the windows closed. In less then ten minutes that car can get up around 120 degrees. Temperatures that high could kill your animal. If you must leave a pet unattended in your vehicle park it in the shade, put the windows down and be sure to have water that your pet can drink. Pets with flat faces and/or thick fur are at the highest risk for heat stroke. Try to take your pet out in the cool of the morning or early evening to keep it from overheating. The daytime hours can be too much for your animal.

It is also a good idea to keep track of how the sun shines in your yard. A place that is shaded at one time may be bright in another because of how the sun moves across the sky. Be sure that your dog or cat is resting in the shade as much as possible while outside. At the least make sure that shade is available at all times so that your pet can find relief from the sun. They will know when they are too hot, at least most of the time, be sure to give them ample opportunities to find relief. Excessive panting is one of the earliest signs of heat exhaustion, but if symptoms get to the point of vomiting be sure to get your animal cooled down. One sure fire way to do this is to pour cool water on the dog or cat and work the liquid into its coat. If this does not help, and the animal ends up losing consciousness you should take it to a veterinarian immediately.

Summer is one of the best times to have fun with your pet. Playing a game of fetch that involves your dog jumping into a body of water can be very fun. Watching your cat chase after butterflies can be entertaining as well. However, if you want to enjoy these pastimes you need to be sure to take care of your animal in the summer heat. When the proper precautions are taken your pets have a great chance of keeping cool and staying safe. Take some time to get yourself and your pet ready for the summer sun, and enjoy a safe and happy summer together.



By: Brian Jenkins

About the Author:

WHAT IS A PARASITE?

External parasites are pretty common among dogs. A parasite is an organism that lives off the resources your dog has to offer: namely, fresh blood (which most parasites drink) and a warm place to stay (in and on the skin and fur).

What are the common parasites that might affect my dog?

There are a wide range of parasites that affect dogs:

- Fleas

- Ticks

- Mites

- Lice

All of these parasites cause adverse reactions in your dog: typically, itching and inflamed skin, a dull coat, and bald spots. In advanced cases, your dog may develop anemia (blood loss) and become generally debilitated (particularly if he or she is very young, very old, or suffering from another condition).

In addition to this, many parasites convey secondary and internal parasites to your dog – for example, fleas usually carry the common tapeworm (which causes constipation and flatulence), and ticks can cause a variety of much more serious problems like Lyme’s disease and paralysis.

I’m going to be looking at fleas: what they are, how to tell if your dog’s affected, and how to get rid of them.

A CLOSER LOOK AT FLEAS

Fleas are without question the number-one most common external parasite affecting dogs. They’re small, jumping insects that are light brown in color, although humans generally can’t see them – they move much too quickly for that!

Fleas live off your dog’s blood. The life cycle of a flea moves very rapidly from stage one (egg) to stage four (adult flea), which means they’re capable of multiplying with staggering rapidity.

An adult flea lays hundreds of eggs per day. Each egg will then become an adult flea, which lay hundreds more eggs of its own. One flea becomes a major problem very quickly!

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR DOG HAS FLEAS

The symptoms of a flea infestation are unmistakable.

A dog with a flea infestation will scratch almost constantly, often at areas that fleas seem to favor: the ears, the base of the tail, the belly, and the stifle (the webbing of soft skin between the thigh and the abdomen).

It’s actually the saliva of the flea that causes the irritation, not the bite itself, and some dogs have a genuine allergy to this saliva (as opposed to a standard irritation). Dogs with allergies suffer much more significant negative reactions to a flea infestation, and usually develop “hot spots”.

These hot spots are areas of sore, inflamed, flaking, bleeding, and infected skin, caused by the flea saliva and your dog’s own reaction to it. Bald patches will sometimes develop too, from repeated scratching and ongoing inflammation.

If you think your dog has fleas, you can confirm your suspicions by taking a closer look at his skin: you probably won’t be able to see the fleas themselves, but you should be able to see what looks like ground pepper (a thin sprinkling of fine black grains) on his skin. This is flea dirt (poop).

If you groom him with a flea comb (which is like a fine-tooth comb), try wiping it on a paper towel: if red blotches show up on the towel, you know that your dog has fleas (on a white background like a paper towel, flea poop shows up red: since fleas subsist on blood, their poop is colored accordingly).

TREATMENT FOR FLEAS

Because fleas only spend a small amount of time actually on your dog, and the rest of their time leaping through your house laying eggs and feeding on human blood, it’s not enough to just treat the dog: you also have to target his bedding, the entire house, all human bedding, and the yard (yes, fleas lay eggs all through the yard, too. Even if it’s cold outside, you’re not necessarily off the hook: cold weather doesn’t kill flea eggs, it just puts them into a state of hibernation. The eggs will hatch as soon as it gets warm enough outside.)

You’ll need a broad-spectrum treatment which kills not only the adult fleas (which are the ones that bite), but also any developing fleas, and the eggs.

PREVENTION IS THE BEST (AND THE EASIEST!)

Prevention is definitely the best cure – you should keep your dog’s flea treatments up to date with the use of a calendar, and use a treatment that’s prescribed by the vet. Off-the-shelf treatments aren’t recommended, since different dogs require different strengths depending on their size, age, and activity levels. A particular benefit of prescribed flea treatment is that most are also designed to prevent other parasites (like mites, ticks, and heartworm) from affecting your dog.

FOR AN EXISTING INFESTATION

If your dog already has fleas, you have two options:

1. You can ‘bomb’ the house and yard with a flea-pesticide. These come as foggers (which coat each room, and the yard, in a fine mist of pesticide) and sprays (which are applied manually to each surface throughout the house and yard), and although they’re very effective in killing fleas and eggs, there’s one major drawback: they’re highly toxic to humans, dogs, and the environment. Depending on your priorities, this is probably the quickest solution to a flea problem (and will effectively wipe out the eggs, too) but if you have anyone in the house with allergies or a health condition – including pets! – you might want to think again.

2. A more health-friendly alternative is to target the dog with a topical anti-flea solution prescribed by the vet (like Advantage or Revolution), and to rigorously clean the house on a regular basis until the flea problem has gone. This means vacuuming each room thoroughly each day – put a flea collar in with the vacuum bag to kill any fleas that get sucked up – and wash all human and dog bedding in hot water as often as you can (once every day or every two days is recommended). You’ll be able to tell when the problem’s gone because your dog won’t be scratching, and his coat will be clear of flea dirt when you inspect it.

WHAT NOT TO DO ABOUT FLEAS

- Don’t use multiple products on your dog – it’ll make him sick, since you’ll be overloading his system with toxins.

- Don’t forget to treat all the animals in the house at the same time: cat and dog fleas are interchangeable, and if one animal has fleas, they all will have them, even if some are not displaying the symptoms.

- Flea collars are no longer recommended as a safe option for flea prevention, since the collars are highly toxic – vets have realized that placing a toxic material directly against your pet’s skin for long periods of time (flea collars have to be worn 24/7 to be effective) is detrimental to your dog’s health.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PARASITES AND THEIR TREATMENT…

Fleas are just one of the many, many types of parasites that affect your dog. To find out more about the complete prevention and treatment of all types of parasites (external and internal), as well as a comprehensive guide to all aspects of dog health, take a look at The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.

This book is an invaluable resource for the responsible dog owner, and will help you to ensure that your dog remains happy and healthy – just the way you want him (or her) to be!



By: Ethan Parker

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