PETS AND ANIMALS

Ringworm in cats is caused by various fungal organisms.  Since cats less than a year old don’t have fully-developed immune systems, they are affected most often.  Cats with longer hair also have more problems with ringworm.  The condition is also very infectious as it can be transmitted to other cats, dogs, and even you.

Forms

As I mentioned earlier, cat ringworm is caused by various fungi.  They include Microsporum Canis, Microsporum Gypsum, and Trichophyton.  Most cats are affected by Microsporum Canis.  So, what are some of the symptoms you should look for?

Symptoms

This fungus dwells in your cat’s hair follicles.  This weakens the shafts which causes hair to fall out.  As the condition progresses, the hair loss will develop into circular patches usually on the head and limbs.  Your cat may also have dry, flaky skin that’s very itchy.

Diagnosis

There are multiple methods your veterinarian can diagnose this disease.  The easiest way is to use an ultraviolet lamp.  When exposed to this lamp, any fungus will glow a fluorescent green.  Another way to diagnose ringworm in cats is to remove a few strands of hair and ship them off to the lab.  The sample will sit for a while to see if any fungus grows.

Treatment

If left untreated, your cat will likely get rid of the condition himself in two to four months.  However, as I mentioned, the disease is very contagious and can transmitted to you and other animals.  So, it’s best to get it treated quickly.

One of the main methods used to treat cat ringworm is shampoo with lime sulfur.  The condition can also be treated with anti-fungal medications.  If your cat has long hair, you should clip it so the treatment regimen is more effective.  If you have more than one cat, you should take preventative measures and treat them also.



By: D Swain

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We have all heard of animal shelters where stray, lost, unwanted, abused, and neglected pets can be found. Some of these animals are found on the streets and others are dumped there by their owners who for various reasons no longer seem to want their faithful pets. While some animal shelters have no other choice than to euthanize these innocent animals there are no kill animal shelters.

While these types of no kill animal shelters are in the minority they serve a very valuable to service to the community. Like the regular animal shelters these no kill animal shelters look after homeless animals that have been left behind or turned out by their human families.

In the no kill animal shelters the animals are brought in and given a gentle cleaning to rid them of all of the filth of the streets and unwanted parasites on have decided to make their homes on and in these pets. The veterinarian staff at the no kill animal shelters will treat any of the wounds and injuries that these pets have sustained. In addition any diseases will be cured or the pets will be made as comfortable as possible for the duration of their life.

Once the new tenants to the no kill animal shelters have been groomed and treated by the vet, they are given a new meal and bedded down for a while. These animals at the no kill animal shelters will stay in the shelter while a suitable foster family or adoptive family is found.

The various foster families who work with these unwanted animals will work hard to regain the trust of these animals. In addition the pets will learn to be a part of a family again. They will learn the various commands and obedience commands that are necessary for a household pet. When the animals are ready to be adopted the foster family will bring them back to the no kill animal shelters.

Here the screened and prepared adoptive families will be waiting to see if they are ready to adopt these gentle creatures who are just crying out for some love and caring. These families will be allowed to take their new pets’ home but it will be for a short trial period. During this period the family and the pet will have a chance to bond and grow comfortable with each other.

The adoption process will be allowed by the no kill animal shelters only when they are satisfied with the caring and love that these previously unwanted pets are receiving from their new adoptive families. In many ways no kill animal shelters are the answer for a new life for many pets.



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

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Are you an animal lover? Are you interested in working with animals? As we all know, people who will most probably enter a career that handles animals are natural animal lovers. And, if you are one of these people, you can engage in some animal career training to help you get into the specific animal-related profession you want. A range of animal career training modules and courses for every animal-related career are available. There are a lot of courses to choose from such as animal training, medical classes for animal care, and courses that train one to assist in different animal-related professions. In general, there are two main classifications of animal career training courses that you could engage into.

1. Caring for Sick Animals

Training courses that are related with animals involve certain aspects of animal care. Veterinary courses are one of the more popular animal training courses that one can get into. If you want to become a veterinarian, you will get a lot from this training because these courses simulate real life situations that provide hands-on training in taking care of sick animals and let one practice medicine as well.

If you do not have the time to go out and attend classroom courses, you can still study through the Veterinary Assistant Program. It is a program that lets you take animal career training courses online. Enrolling in the Veterinary Assistant Program helps you to become a vet’s assistant by following a module that draws special attention to animal behavior, veterinary pharmacology, care during urgent situations, and so on. Anyone who displays enthusiasm in the subject in spite of their lack of any background regarding the work can take this course. Another possible animal care course you can engage in are pet grooming courses. By taking this course, you will get the chance to enter the business of pet care with pet grooming as the main focus.

2. Training Animals

Obedience and training is another focus to get involved in. Most animal career training institutes has courses that center in dog obedience and training but there are also some who offer training modules that also involve horses and other animals.

Courses centering on obedience and training can be obtained not only in traditional school setting but also through online schools. Your pet-loving nature can indeed lead you to a career that features contact with animals on a daily basis. Searching the Internet about courses that give animal career training can help you decide the course to take be it in dog grooming or dog training, or even training other kinds of animals such as horses and other aquatic animals.



By: Abhishek Agarwal

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Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, blizzards – nature has its fury days from time to time, not to mention the man-made threat of international terrorism. No-one is exempt from the possibility of being personally affected by such a disaster. You cannot prevent one but you can prepare for one.

1) Pre-emptive Planning

Vaccinations: make sure your pet is up to date with his/her vaccinations. Your veterinarian usually informs you when the annual booster is due, but this is not guaranteed to happen. Rabies vaccination is essential in addition to the standard multi-vaccine.

Identification: make sure your pet can be identified in the event that you are separated. A microchip or tattoo are important forms of identification but this should optimally be combined with a collar tag of some sort, as not all rescue personnel will be equipped with microchip scanners or quick access to tattoo/microchip databases. Likewise if a member of the public comes across an animal with a collar tag on they are more inclined to attempt to trace its owner. The collar tag should ideally contain a rabies tag, your home address, a phone number where you can be reached, and an out-of-state number of someone that you will be in contact with during or soon after the disaster/evacuation.

Recent photo: it is a good idea to have a recent photograph of your pet(s) in a safe place so that if the worst did happen and you were separated, you have the materials to hand to immediately make posters etc. Make a note of any distinguishing marks or features on your pet so you can provide a more accurate description.

Food: have at least a 2 weeks supply of pet food (and water) stored at all times. Store dry food in watertight containers, and if you store canned food do not forget to store a can opener nearby! A few treats should also be stored if possible to provide them with some comfort.

Medications: always keep a back-up supply of your pets medications. Your veterinarian will be closed for business during a disaster so your pet has a serious medical condition, you may not be able to obtain those crucial tablets for a few weeks.

Transportability: make sure you possess a secure pet carrier for small dogs, cats, rabbits and small mammals. Use the carrier at home before disaster strikes, so your animal is used to it. Larger dogs must have a secure leash or harness. In a panic, your pet may try to escape so secure transport is essential. If your dog rides with you in your car, keep a leash in the car so your dog can be safely controlled if you have to leave your vehicle.

Identifying a pet shelter: for public health and safety reasons, most emergency shelters do not accept pets. In case disaster strikes a small area that just happens to include your home, make sure you have numbers handy of hotels and motels in your area that accept pets. In the event of a wider area being affected, or a mass evacuation, you will need to contact your local emergency management office, animal shelter or animal control office. Remember, pet shelters may only accept your pets if you can provide proof of vaccination so keep your vaccination card somewhere safe.

Start a buddy system with a friendly neighbour: arrange to check on each others pets in the event of you not being home when disaster strikes. You will need to provide them with a key to your home. Brief your buddy on any medications necessary, discuss mutual evacuation plans and agree to care for one anothers pets in your/their absence. Inform your veterinarian of this arrangement and have your buddys number put in your file at the vets just in case.

Pet survival kit: consider packing a pet survival kit to have available if disaster strikes. The kit should be assembled in an easy to carry, waterproof container and stored in a cool, dry area. Food and medications will need to be replaced from time to time in accordance with their use-by dates. Some medications may need to be refrigerated. It is wise to keep an emergency first aid guide together with your survival kit, such as our downloadable Pet Doctor Online Pet Emergency Guide.

Suggested components of Pet Survival Kit:

2 week supply of food (dry and canned)

Can opener

Spoon

2 week supply of water in sealed plastic bottles

Food & water bowls

Secure pet carrier for each pet, labelled with your contact information

Copy of medical history, including vaccination record

List of emergency contact telephone numbers

Disaster preparedness guide

Emergency First Aid guide (see above)

Emergency First Aid kit (see below)

Flashlight

Radio

Batteries (radio, flashlight)

Medications

Instructions (notification of allergies, medications, veterinarian details)

Muzzle

Comfort items (toys, blankets, treats)

Spare collar, leash, harness

Cat litter, tray, pooper scooper

Paper towels

Trash bags for waste disposal

Maps of local area

Recent photo of each pet

Pet First Aid Kit: Your local vet clinic may well be closed due to the disaster. In fact, if the whole region is affected you might not have access to any veterinary care for a while as relief teams will prioritise human casualties. This is when having your own pet first aid kit can keep you one step ahead.

Suggested components of Pet First Aid Kit:

Oral rehydration powder (for reconstitution with water)

Antidiarrheal tablets/liquid

Activated charcoal (in case of poisoning)

Medications specific to your pet

Routine preventative medications (e.g. heartworm, fleas, ticks)

Antiseptic scrub (Betadine, Nolvasan, Hibiscrub)

Saline solution (for rinsing wounds)

Sterile eye rinse

Antibiotic eye ointment

Antibiotic ointment for wounds

Hydrogen peroxide

Styptic powder (clotting agent)

Alcohol wipes/prep pads

Gauze pads and rolls

Latex gloves

Ice cream sticks (can be used to splint fractured bones)

Elastic bandage rolls

Cotton bandage rolls

Cotton wool

Non-adherent bandage pads

Bandaging tape

Scissors

Tweezers

Syringes

Thermometer

Towel and washcloth

Tourniquet



By: Matthew Homfray

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