Natural Pet Health

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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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