The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Dehydration In Cats Occurs When There Is An Excessive Loss of Fluid From The Body



Dehydration occurs when there is an excessive loss of fluid from the cat’s body. It is not just water that is lost, but also electrolytes like sodium, potassium and chloride, which are important for normal body function.


Dehydration is usually a symptom of another disease -- one which makes the disease that much worse. Rehydration (replacing water and electrolytes) thus becomes an important part of many treatment plans.

 What to Watch For
 The classic sign for dehydration is skin tenting. If you take a pinch of skin over the cat's shoulders and pull up gently, the skin should snap back into place when released. As the cat gets more dehydrated, the skin goes back in place more and more slowly. If the pinch of skin stays up (the "tent"), it is a sign of severe dehydration. The cat should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Other signs that may be noted include:

  • Dry, tacky gums
  • Listlessness
  • Refusal to eat
  • Symptoms related to the underlying health problem

Primary Cause
Inadequate water intake or excessive water loss results in dehydration. Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, trauma, heatstroke, diabetes, and other illnesses can all lead to dehydration.

Immediate Care
Since most cases of dehydration are the result of another problem, that issue should be attended to directly. If the cat is able to drink, put him in a cool, quiet place with fresh cool water. Cats can be encouraged to drink by using a water fountain for cats, putting juice from canned tuna or salmon in the water, or using a meat flavored water and electrolyte supplement available at some pet stores.

If you are familiar with the technique of giving fluids subcutaneously (under the skin) and have the right supplies, you can give your average adult cat up to 300 ml of lactated ringers solution under the skin. Do not do this in burn or trauma cases. If you are unsure about the correct type of fluid to use or or the amount which to give, contact your veterinarian.

Veterinary Care

Diagnosis
Your cat’s history, skin tenting, and dry, tacky gums are the parameters first used by your veterinarian to determine dehydration. Blood tests may be done to confirm dehydration in some cases. Your vet will also do such tests as necessary to determine what medical problem may have led to dehydration.

Treatment
Depending on the cause and the severity of the dehydration, your veterinarian may give fluids under the skin, which only takes a few minutes, or hospitalize your cat and give fluids intravenously for 1 to 2 days. Your veterinarian will also start treatment for the underlying problem that caused your cat to become dehydrated.

Other Causes
Dissatisfaction with the water or the water bowl may keep your cat from drinking. Accidental confinement in a place with no access to water can also eventually result in dehydration.

Prevention
Make sure your cat has easy access to plenty of fresh water. Some cats have a preference for running water. Therefore, investing in a water fountain designed for cats may be worthwhile. Some cats have sensitive whiskers and will prefer to drink from a wide, relatively shallow bowl that doesn’t rub his whiskers.
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The Most Common Rabbit Diseases



Rabbits are well-loved parts of many families that have the joy of caring for them. But unfortunately, and just like other pets, rabbits are prone to a variety of problems and diseases. Some diseases are more common than others and by being educated on these problems you may be able to prevent them or at least learn to recognize the signs and symptoms more quickly in order to get your rabbit help.



Rabbit Teeth Problems

Rabbits have 28 teeth that help them grind their food. These teeth, unlike those of a dog or cat, grow continuously throughout the life of your rabbit. Without proper items to help keep these teeth trimmed (like hay and safe wood) the teeth can end up becoming overgrown and prevent your rabbit from being able to eat.

Molar teeth (the teeth in the back of the mouth) can grow and create a bridge over the tongue which can inhibit chewing and swallowing. Teeth that become this overgrown can cause your rabbit to starve. 

Incisors teeth (the front teeth) will grow and start curling into the cheeks or other parts of your rabbit's mouth. This is very painful and can also cause your rabbit to stop eating.

Abscessed teeth can occur due to trauma or periodontal disease and are painful to your rabbit as well. These teeth need to be extracted in order to prevent the infection that is located around the tooth from spreading throughout your rabbit's body.

To read more on this story, click here: The Most Common Rabbit Diseases

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Step by Step Guide on How to Clean Cat Ears from Wax and Mites


Your cat usually does a wonderful job at keeping her own ears clean. Her grooming habits are so thorough that she may even clean behind and in the inner flap of her ears.

However, it must be noted that your cats may at times need a little assistance in cleaning her ears. It is also a highly recommended that you often check your cat's ears to look for anything worrisome hiding inside the ears that could evolve into something more serious.

To read more on this story, click here:  Step by Step Guide on How to Clean Cat Ears from Wax and Mites


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Saturday, August 22, 2020

3 Large Corrals Approved For Western US Wild Horse Roundups


RENO, Nev. (AP) — The federal Bureau of Land Management has approved construction of three new corrals to hold more than 8,000 wild horses captured on federal rangeland to accelerate horse roundups slowed by a lack of space in existing holding pens.

The bureau issued final decisions on environmental assessments of the plans this week for the pens in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

The pens are the next step in plans announced last year by the administration of President Donald Trump to speed up the capture of 130,000 wild horses over 10 years at an estimated cost of $1 billion.

To read more on this story, click here: 3 Large Corrals Approved For Western US Wild Horse Roundups



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St. Louis Zoo Releases Elephant Autopsy Findings


ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis Zoo is still mourning the loss of Avi, their young male Asian elephant, but now they’re getting some insight into why he was having such a hard time thriving.

The zoo said a preliminary necropsy, animal autopsy, found the elephant was born with two birth abnormalities that could not be reversed. Avi’s major vessels connected to his heart were compromised and he had a spinal issue.

To read more on this story, click here: St. Louis Zoo Releases Elephant Autopsy Findings






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Dr. Phil Adopts Two Puppies 3 Years After Losing Beloved Rescue Dog


 

Dr. Phil is known for his advice to humans, but he also has good advice when it comes to dogs too: always adopt! He and his wife, Robin McGraw, have been proud rescue dog advocates for a long time. Their passion became even stronger when they adopted a dog named Maggie who was with them for 13 incredible years. When they lost Maggie, the couple had such a hard time. They didn’t know if they’d ever be ready to welcome another dog into the family. However, when they saw two rescue puppies at Safe in Austin, a sanctuary for special needs animals, they knew it was time.

To read more on this story, click here: Dr. Phil Adopts Two Puppies 3 Years After Losing Beloved Rescue Dog


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Release 750 Million Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Into the Wild, They Said


  • The Florida Keys will host an experimental release of genetically modified, self-destroying mosquitoes.
  • These experiments are viewed as alternatives to environmentally destructive insecticides, for example.
  • The plan has drawn criticism from environmental groups.
Corporate scientists have received final approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to release hundreds of millions of genetically altered mosquitoes into the Florida Keys. The goal? To begin reining in the mosquito population, which is only expected to increase as climate change continues to warm and flood the low-lying, tropical Keys. But some environmental groups object strongly to the move.

To read more on this story, click here: Release 750 Million Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Into the Wild, They Said


 


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Why Do Cats Like To Chew Or Lick Plastic?


Cats are interesting little beings. They will suddenly zoom across the room, they will appear to us as if they are watching things that aren’t really there, and they will lick us—or things—that make us wonder why the heck it is they are doing that. One of the things that cats often like to lick is plastic. We know that many cats cannot resist a good shower curtain, ripping it to shreds happily with their claws. But this is different when it comes to actually wanting to taste this non-edible item. Have you ever wondered why it is that cats like to chew or lick plastic? The answer might surprise you…

To read more on this story, click here: Why Do Cats Like To Chew Or Lick Plastic?


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