Cat-O-Rama

Would anyone know perhaps why my cat’s throat area is bare of hair and has a few red spots? It was formerly matted with sticky hair and it may be related to his odd door-creak sounding meow. There also is a large lump on his throat that may be part of the issue. He seems to be in fine health otherwise. More information will be given if needed. Thank you in advance for anything you may be able to suggest.
We aren’t able to get to a vet just yet. We wanted some other opinions so we would have an idea for when we get there. We’ve been cleaning it a once or twice a day each day since we’ve noticed it.

The hair just came off a few days ago. I was only curious as to what could have made it fall off.

That happened to a kitten I had once. It turned out to be a spider bite. She got over it, but you should try to keep it clean and use peroxide on it if your cat will let you.

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The Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds of dog that America can claim as its own. Around 1870, Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased Hooper’s Judge, a cross between an English Bulldog and an English White Terrier. Hooper’s Judge was bred with a smaller female, and that litter bred with French bulldogs, providing the beginnings of the Boston Terrier, America’s first non-hunting dog. Though originally bred for dog fighting, Boston Terriers are no longer used for that purpose and the aggressive traits have been bred out of the breed.

Also know as the Boston Bull, Boston Terriers are compact, muscular dogs with short, wide muzzles, dark, large round eyes, short tails and pointy erect ears. Their short coats come in black and white or brown and white and are easy to groom. Some breeders have tried selling all white Boston Terriers as rare. However, an all white coloring generally indicates a genetic weakness, making them more prone to health problems. Though Boston Terriers do shed, it is not excessive and with regular brushing, the shedding is easy to manage. Baths are only given when necessary.

With the proper care, Boston Terriers can live 15 years or longer, but usually average about 13 years. Boston Terriers will grow to an average of 15 to 17 inches in height and 10 to 25 pounds in weight. Their smaller size makes them suitable for all types of living environments including apartments. Boston Terriers do need regular sessions of walking and playtime, and do not require large amounts of space for their exercise. They are sociable and friendly dogs that are described as intelligent and energetic. Boston Terriers make good family pets and companions and are generally good around children and other pets. They make fair watchdogs; some Boston Terriers will bark only when necessary and others will never bark.

Boston Terriers are prone to breathing problems, due to their short snouts. Some of them will snore when sleeping, which can be a sign of a more serious medical condition, but it can be corrected with surgery. Exercise caution when out in excessive heat and humidity with a Boston Terrier, as they are more prone to heat exhaustion due to their short snouts. Boston Terriers are more likely to experience problems with heart and skin tumors and are more likely to suffer eye injuries due to their prominent eyes.

There is a website that has great information on Boston Terriers and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/boston-terrier-the-facts-every-owner-of-this-dog-breed-should-know-81434.html

About a year ago I noticed that my 17 year old Maine Coon’s eye was cloudier than the other. At his 6 months checkup he was diagnosed as having what the vet called a scleral cataract. He asked about his night vision, and said that over time it would decrease but indicated it wasn’t serious. Our cat is now noticeably having problems seeing at night, and the cloudiness seems to have increased. He is extremely healthy, very strong, and a little overweight (we manage it). Other than a little arthritis which we manage with Cosequin, he has no other health issues. Senior blood panel is done once a year. I’m worried he will become completely blind and wonder if this is something that can be treated before it progresses? His next appointment is in 2 weeks, so I want to be prepared with information. I can’t seem to find anything on the internet specifically about this.

Congratulations on your friend living such a long and healthy life.I have not had any experience with that condition.For eye problems some members in our rescue group are referred to the veterinariann school at The University of Georgia.(Sadly,sorry my University of Kentucky loyalty is emerging).

If you live near a major university,I would see if there are doctors who train students for pet’s vision care.These schools are on the leading edge of medical care for animals.

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We cover some of this essential information in our points to remember section about the special upkeep of Border Terrier dogs here; take a look:

The first thing you need to remember about your pet Border Terrier dog is that even though this particular breed is a small dog, it’s no indication of its strength; the dog is mighty tenacious and not at all a lap-dog, so don’t mistake it for the delicate kind! It’s fun, vibrant and full of beans – that’s the Border Terrier in a nutshell!

A breed that the entire family is likely to love and instantly take to is the Border Terrier; though, these dogs do have some specific upkeep and training rules that potential owners will do well to keep in mind. Knowing the pros and cons of owning a Border Terrier will help you as a potential owner to judge whether the breed is right for you and your family or not, so read through the following points carefully – and be the best judge of the decision – if you want a happy family and a happy pet!

Border Terrier dogs are feisty by nature; some may even call them obstinate as they take time to follow commands while others may refer to them as being prone to impulsive behavior. Different people, different opinions but all of them are accepted as truisms by dog breeders and pet health experts who feel that at the bottom of the real behavior of Border Terrier dogs is a natural inclination towards dynamic temperament, which is unavoidable for any dog-owner keen on getting one of these small but lovable dogs for themselves.

A veritable bundle of energy, the lesser aggressive yet keenly aware of its natural temperament to run after smaller animals, such as a rabbit or a cat, the Border Terrier makes for a mean pet should you have any of the above as pets also. Thus, it is advisable to either keep a Border Terrier or the other small pets, but definitely not both together!

It is not a dog that has predictable behavior patterns when kept without a leash and so it is strongly recommended that owners of Border Terriers keep their dogs on one all the time they are in an environment that could possibly result in the dogs coming across smaller creatures or moving objects that compel them to chase after them – leaving the owner frustrated and feeling a loss of control since the dog won’t listen to any amount of commands being shouted out when overcome by the urge to pursue the smaller animal/object! For this reason, accidents may occur and the dog may even end up being hit by a vehicle if un-mindful of where he is running; owners are thus advised to keep them on a leash, especially when in an outdoor environment.

At home, the yard needs to be fenced-in to contain the Border Terrier from escaping while assuring the pet of adequate space to roam-about freely in, but ensuring it is a safe environment for him.

Also, train them to bark only in appropriate situations not as and when they like, as they are prone to doing at the least little noise.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/border-terrier-dogs-beware-6-notes-of-caution-753332.html

July 24th, 2006 ,Teenage rebellion can be a sign of health, especially in girls. In an essay contributed to Catching a Wave: Reclaiming Feminism for the 21st Century, Nancy Gruver has written that girls are understandably outraged by injustices. However, the process of socialization teaches girls to swallow their healthy anger. Unfortunately, then, the anger that could fuel needed change in our society is misspent. It gets turned inward as self-destructive choices, or girls express it, ineffectively, in blind rebellion.

Girls who are troubled are often the brightest and most sensitive. They either learn too well what society seems to want from them (such as sexual precociousness or underachievement) or they simply refuse to go along with the unfairness. These girls challenge us to find healthier ways to educate them to be contributors to a more just society.

Exhausted parents are torn between advocating for their girls and wishing their girls would “just go along and get along” in school settings that trample their self-esteem. While a family’s love and concern can do much to build resiliency in their girls, no single family is strong enough to protect its daughters from the effects of a “girl-poisoning” culture. If only we could train girls to use their energies to correct injustice in the world, rather than being self-destructive.

We can. One way to do that is to educate girls in an environment prepared especially to focus on girls - their needs, development, strengths and talents, and the way they learn. Girls boarding schools is just this type of environment

For instance, one girl was used to hearing boys yell, “Cat fight!” whenever girls disagreed with each other in class. When she transferred to an all-girls school, she found that girls were encouraged to debate, to speak their minds, and think through their opinions. No longer shut down by the boys’ teasing (which went on right in front of teachers) she developed her thinking and communication skills.

This effect is strengthened even more in girl’s boarding schools, where girls live in a girl-centered world 24/7. Many parents find that boarding schools give their daughters a more positive set of peers, so that peer pressure work for girls, instead of against them. Instead of feeling pressure to experiment with sex and drugs, girls feel challenged to be the best they can be.

For many parents finding out that their son or daughter has been struggling with teen drug abuse is a catastrophic revelation. Thoughts of failure, disappointment, guilt, and embarrassment flood a parents mind. However, you must remember that you are not the only parent to face such a situation. And more importantly, many families have overcome teen drug abuse in the past.
Many of them itself creates ideal conditions for the development of troubled teens, because it have proven that such teenagers have underdeveloped front part of the main brain, which makes it difficult for them to determine right from wrong. Many believe that troubled teens are product of the society they live in. But as it was already mentioned, it is most likely a combination of reasons that make teens troubled.
I realize it is not easy to deal with the fear of the unknown, however sometimes the fear can be worse than the situation. If you have trouble managing your anxiety of the future, then go to:

http://www.abundantlifeacademy.com/
http://www.troubledteens4jesus.com
http://www.troubledteenministries.com

Abundantlifeacademy It is a school for troubled teens that have a great deal of academic potential and a good heart, yet they are currently off track, lost, and wandering in the desert (selfish, ungrateful, and lazy)… in need of immediate infusion of God’s precious Spirit and a restored relationship with Jesus Christ (selfless, thankful, and motivated to excel).

They can be of great help. This site is a comprehensive directory or Resources for Troubled Teens and their families. If you are looking for more information on troubled teens, whether you are a parent of a troubled teen, an educational consultant, or a professional who serves the needs of troubled teens.

Harry Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/meditation-articles/girls-boarding-schools-the-only-solution-43505.html

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My cat had Urinary Blockage so I was forced to get him a Urethrostomy and Cystotomy. The vet recommends I keep him on Urinary SO 33 for life. With it being $20 for only 5.5lbs of food…I really need another option. I heard Purina One for urinary tract health is good as well for healing, and on going health of the cat. I would like some other opinions, or maybe some sites with good information. I wanna be sure this doesn’t happen to my baby again.
Thanks for the help in advance!
I got SO many great answers..I am gonna have to leave this up to the voters, I just can’t decide. THANK YOU ALL!

The real option and it is the best one is to feed proper food for the species. The system needs water and cats are not big drinkers and are forced to drink because of the crap people feed. The best options for your cat is nopt the junk the vet sells (read the label) not purina one, but a canned food or a properly prepared raw diet
I am very happy you love your cat and had the procvedure done but when you add the medical bills to the food costs, the cheap foods ae even more expensive
Nutrition since there are so many bad things out there is very important to your cat’s health
Contrary to what you may have heard; dry foods are not a great thing to feed a cat.
Please read the label on what you are feeding? What are the ingredients? Do you know what they mean? Is the first ingrediant a muscle meat like chicken or meal or other things?
http://www.catinfo.org/#Learn_How_To_Read_a_Pet_Food_Ingredient_Label
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring04/Perhach/PetFood/InterpretingLabels.htm
Dry foods are the number 1 cause of diabetes in cats as well as being a huge contributing factor to kidney disease, obesity, crystals, u.t.i’s and a host of other problems. Food allergies are very common when feeding dry foods. Rashes, scabs behind the tail and on the chin are all symptoms
The problems associated with Dry food is that they are loaded with grains and carbohydrates which many cats (carnivores) cannot process. Also, Most of the moisture a cat needs is suppose to be in the food but in
Dry, 95% of it is zapped out of dry foods in the processing. Another thing, most use horrible ingredients and don’t use a muscle meat as the primary ingredient and use vegetable based protein versus animal. Not good for an animal that has to eat meat to survive.
http://www.catinfo.org/#My_Cat_is_Doing_Just_Fine_on_Dry_Food
You want to pick a canned food w/o gravy (gravy=carbs) that uses a muscle meat as the first ingredient and doesn’t have corn at least in the first 3 ingredients if at all.
THE BEST CAT FOODS CONTAIN NO GRAINS NO BYPOODUCTS NO MEAL
Cats are meat eaters not cereal or rice eaters
Fancy feast is a middle grade food with 9lives, friskies whiskas lower grade canned and wellness and merrick upper grade human quality foods. I would rather feed a middle grade canned food then the top of the line dry food.
Also, dry food is not proven to be better for teeth. Does a hard pretzel clean your teeth or do pieces of it get stuck? http://www.felinefuture.com/nutrition/bpo_ch4a.php

Please read about cat nutrition.
http://www.catinfo.org/
http://www.catinfo.org/feline_obesity.htm
http://maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm#Dry_Food_vs_Canned_Food.__Which_is_reall

Vetinarian diets The reason your vet thinks so highly of the pet food they sell probably has more to do with money than nutrition. In vet school, the only classes offered on nutrition usually last a few weeks, and are taught by representatives from the pet food companies. Vet students may also receive free food for their own dogs and cats at home. They could get an Iams notebook, a Purina purse and some free pizza. http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring04/Perhach/PetFood/Vets.htm

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Been online and have read a TON but remain worried and would like anyones input that may have some advice or words of encouragement. Female 8 year old cat initially treated with Amoxicillin 1x day & 1steriod injection @ vet visit. Now we are treating with Keflex(sp) 2x daily & one steriod injection when took to vet- became VERY lethargic that night. Since then, no behavioral changes save frequent urination with blood. No meowing with urination. Just moved to a new house about a month ago. Vet(very unimpressed with our signs/symptoms)thinks it is stress induced- no obstructions. Looking to treat next with Amytriptaline-Elavil?(sp) if not fixed with antibiotics. No previous health concerns with this or my other cat.
If you have ANY information on this, it would be greatly appreciated…How common is this with pet owners? How long is treatment typically? Should I demand a bloodwork up from the vet? Be more aggressive?
Thank you for any help, AMY-nervous pet owner & gris gris-sick cat

I have seen many many animals with bladder infections. First of all, you need to know if the cystitis is caused by crystals, or if it is bacterial. If it a bacterial cystitis, antibiotics will work. Ask about Baytril or Clavamox, as they work well. Amoxil is a fairly weak antibiotic, used to mild cystitis. After treatment with antibiotics, have another urine sample checked to see f there is improvement, another round of antibiotics may be necessary. If there are crystals in the urine, your cat should be on a special diet to dissolve these, also, an x-ray should be taken to rule out bladder stones. If your cat is male, crystals especially are very serious. The male urethra is very narrow and can be blocked by crystals, causing your cat to be unable to urinate, and can be fatal. Females very very rarely become blocked as their urethras are much larger and expand. As for the bloodwork, the urine test should have checked for glucose in the urine, if there isnt any, this rules out diabetes which can cause this problem. You may want to have kidney function checked to ensure that this is not a concern at this time. Improper kidney function and filtration, often leads to urinary problems. I would discuss with your vet, the possibility of crystals and ask for an x-ray and to have kidneys checked (Especially albumin and phosphorus levels). As for the special food, if often works well and can be preventive, if your cat got this once, it is likely it will happen again, unless you kepp him/her on a strcit diet. Good luck

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A familiar looking wrinkly and long eared dog, the Bloodhound breed is more than one thousand years old. Originally bred in Belgium by the monks of St. Hubert, the monks selectively bred Bloodhounds with other hounds to perfect the scenting ability of this breed. Bloodhounds were brought into England and eventually America. Bloodhounds have the strongest scenting ability of all hounds and are known for the ability to track scents over long distances that may be days old.

Today, Bloodhounds are bred for the specific purpose of tracking human beings and are used to track victims of disasters or used by the police to track down suspects. Part of the Bloodhound history includes being used in the United States to track down runaway slaves. However, Bloodhounds are not hunters. They do not enjoy killing the prey, just capturing it. They will surround the prey and bay to let the master know its location. Male Bloodhounds will grow to between 25 and 27 inches and weigh 90 to 110 pounds. Female Bloodhounds will average 23 to 25 inches in height and 80 to 100 in weight. This large breed of dog will live about 10 to 12 years.

Bloodhounds have shorthaired coats that are easy to care for and can be black and tan, liver and tan and red and tawny. However, even with regular cleaning, Bloodhounds are sometimes described as having a strong ‘dog’ odor that will not go away. Bloodhounds tend to drool more than most dogs, and are also prone to howl and snore more as well. Described as kind, patient and affectionate, Bloodhounds are a good family dog and do well with children. In fact, many Bloodhounds will allow children to climb all over and will not react in any way. However, exercise caution when Bloodhounds are around children. This large dog may knock over smaller children accidentally.

Bloodhounds need firm and consistent training since they can be strong-minded. This is especially true (and especially important) when out with a Bloodhound, as they will take off after a scent that has caught their attention. Bloodhounds can live in any environment, provided they are exercised at least once a day. Bloodhounds can have medical problems including bloat, stomach cramps, hip dysplasia and ear infections. A padded bed is recommended to avoid calluses on the joints. Some tend to get entropion, where the eyelids turn inward.

There is a website that has great information on Bloodhounds and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/bloodhound-the-facts-every-owner-of-this-dog-breed-should-know-100290.html

I’m currently a prevet student and I’m hopeing to get books which are very detailed and thorough when it comes to the different breeds of horses, dogs, and cats. I’ve been told horses for dummies is good, but does it really cover the breeds enough? I really enjoy being able to identify breeds in dogs so I was hopeing to learn to do the same for horses. And since I was at it, I wanted a very indept book for cats and dogs as well. So any thoughts would be great. Of course other information about health issues is good too, but my main focus is a book with the breeds and important information about them. Thanks a lot!

Hi there… I hope you may find these books helpful:

Horse breeds ‘International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds’ : http://www.amazon.com/International-Encyclopedia-Breeds-Bonnie-Hendricks/dp/0806127538

More books on horse breeds: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=horse+breeds&x=0&y=0

Books on CATS care:
The Cornell Book of Cats: The Comprehensive and Authoritative Medical Reference for Every Cat and Kitten (Hardcover): http://www.amazon.com/Cornell-Book-Cats-Comprehensive-Authoritative/dp/0679449531

Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook (Hardcover): http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Owners-Home-Veterinary-Handbook/dp/0876057962/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221122424&sr=1-1

CAT BREEDS: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=cat+breeds&x=0&y=0

Dogs -
UC Davis Book of Dogs : The Complete Medical Reference Guide for Dogs and Puppies (Hardcover): http://www.amazon.com/UC-Davis-Book-Dogs-Reference/dp/0062701363/ref=pd_sim_b_81

DOG BREEDS: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=dog+breeds&x=0&y=0

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