Natural Pet Health

Cat Dandruff is common among diabetic cats. A study shows that happens in 1 in 200 cats have what is known as Diabetes mellitus (DM) and if you want your pet to get better, here are some things you can do.

The cause of this problem is associated with poor nutrition. So, instead of buying one of those generic brands of cat food, maybe you should change it and go for a food of good quality even if it may cost a little more.

You can also give food supplements whichcontain fish oil. Omega-3 Fish Oils have been shown to help correct the Dandruff problem.  This may also come from canned tuna since it is rich in 3 fatty acids that will improve their hair in about a week. Before you add Fish Oils to your cat’s diet, please consult your pet health professional.

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Author: Karyn Siegel-Maier - http://www.herbalmusings.com/

Skin is truly a remarkable feat of biological engineering. Consider for a moment that a single square inch of human skin harbors 19 feet of blood vessels, 19 million cells, 65 hairs, 625 sweat glands and at least 90 oil glands.

Equipped with all of these sensors, the skin works around the clock to shield us from invading bacteria, regulate body temperature, remove toxins and provide a glove-fitting waterproof covering for our fragile bodies. Skin is not only an amazing instrument for people, but is the first line of defense for our pets as well.

Your pet can suffer from a variety of skin disorders and, with the exception of fleas (hopefully), they may be very similar in nature to those that can affect you. Many minor irritations can be treated naturally and safely with simple herbal preparations at home.

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Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that is found in both dogs and cats. Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isn’t caused by any type of worm. It’s actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal.

With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all Ringworm cases. Normally, cats will get the Ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disease. If there are animals in your home or around your house that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily contract it this way.

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Put 1 drop of Tea Tree on the abscess. Then when the pus is discharged, put on 1 drop of Lavender. Clean with sat water.

From “The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy” by Valerie Ann Worwood

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Even though we do not spontaneously associate a particular body function with skin, it plays a significant role in the various functions of a mammalian body. Skin, the largest organ of the body safeguards the internal organs and muscles and protects your cat’s body against external pathogens. The hair Coat is a part of the skin, which is composed of layers of epithelial tissue, blood vessels, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. It is also one of the most vulnerable of all organs.

A cat’s skin can be damaged in a number of ways.

* Injury, especially during fighting with other cats.
* Erosion of skin due to friction and rubbing against a rough surface.
* Infections.
* Allergies.
* Secondary infection in response to injury.
* Immune mediated diseases.

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Cheyletiella Dermatitis is commonly known as cat Dandruff. Even though the itch caused by cheyletiella Dermatitis is mild in nature, it compels the cat to scratch, which can lead to substantial feline Hair Loss.

Out of the three common species of cheyletiella mites, Cheyletiella blakei affects cats the most. This external mite lives on the outer layers of the cat’s skin and can be observed as white specks moving around scales. This gives the disease, cheyletiella Dermatitis, its name ‘walking Dandruff’. The back of the cat is most affected but the cheyletiella dermatitis may also appear around the head and neck.

Signs of cheyletiella dermatitis include formation of scales (Dandruff), large number of mites moving on the skin, mild irritation, crusts and small papules. A good combing using a flea comb will help in detecting the infestation. In some cases a sample of skin scrapings may be needed for confirmation through microscopic examination. During self grooming cats may ingest mites. As mites are passed on undigested through stool they can sometimes be seen in the feces also.

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Your cat’s skin has two types of glands in the dermal layer. The sweat glands that keep the body temperature in check and the sebaceous glands that secrete a greasy substance called sebum. The sebum is a source of one of the most common cat skin diseases that we know as feline Acne.

Sebaceous glands are present in large numbers under the skin on the chin, lips, top surface of the base of the tail, prepuce and scrotum of cats. Sebum secretions from these glands are primarily meant to protect hair against water and keep the skin supple.

Cats also have a tendency to mark their territories. Cats mark their areas by rubbing their chin, temples and the base of the tail against certain favorite objects. This behavior surfaces more evidently during feeding time. The evident sign of such ‘markings’ is the appearance of black greasy spots on the objects “marked”. And those cats that are more inclined to this marking behavior have a high levels of secretions and are more susceptible to feline Acne.

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Of all the body organs, the skin is not only the biggest but also the most problematic organ of the cat’s body. Most medical conditions demonstrate symptoms that relate to skin and Coat. In addition external factors like physical trauma and Parasites can also affect the skin in a significant manner.

Like dog Skin Problems, cats can also suffer from skin disorders that are self limiting and chronic conditions that require treatment over a protracted period of time.

Pruritus: The Itchy Cat

Itching brings forth almost an amazing array of changes in a cat’s skin. Constant Itching can make it impossible for the veterinarian to ascertain whether the Skin Condition has caused the Itching or whether the excessive itching has caused the Skin Lesions. Besides itching, pruritus causes symptoms like symmetrical feline Hair Loss, damage to skin due to intense scratching and Miliary Dermatitis.

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From minor conditions like cat Dandruff to Malignant Tumors, a cat’s skin can be a reflection of nearly all kinds of medical conditions. Itchy Skin can potentially lead to feline Hair Loss, feline Acne and lick granulomas. Treating skin disorders in cats, therefore, depends mainly on the underlying health condition of the cat.

Skin Conditions that are caused by flea infestations can be treated by killing adult fleas in the cat. Preventing re-infestation needs a more thorough approach wherein the fleas are eliminated completely from the surrounding environment. There are new products available that act only on the receptors present in insects and are safe for cats as well as kittens.

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Is your Pet Getting the Nutrients it needs for a Healthy Coat and Skin?

Did you know that skin and coat problems in pets aren’t just limited to the presence of fleas and ticks? Oftentimes, pet owners notice that while their dog or cat exhibits symptoms of pest infestation such as excessive scratching, there are not fleas or ticks in sight – or hiding.

A pet’s skin or coat irritation can be due to many different causes, from environmental factors to diet related deficiencies!

Recently, the American Veterinary Medical Association published a study that proved the importance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in promoting healthy skin and Coats in pets. The results showed that animals with skin and coat problems were often lacking a source for fatty acids in their diet, and once they were administered Omega rich supplements, their Coats and skin showed significant improvements within seven weeks.

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