May 28, 2010
What's in This Issue:
Updates to the site
I have a client I've been working with for about a year. Her cat will scream and cry until fed. Over the course of our discussions, the cat has been getting much worse.
So, I did some further research and found some troubling information. The pancreas can be affected and a hormone signal may not be sent to the brain. A zinc deficiency, or hyper-thyroidism may cause a cat to constantly be hungry.
Most of the time, a simple tapeworm infection is the culprit. Thank goodness!
But you, as the pet owner, never see this tapeworm or any indication that your cat is infected. The vets generally say that if your cat has ever had fleas, it likely has a tapeworm. It's a good idea to treat annually, and treatment won't hurt anything.
Anyway, I've included some of my research for you here. It's straight out of wikipedia, so if you have questions, that's where to post them.
Forum Question Results:
I had 15 responses out of over 650, so that is on hold. While the responses were all positive (want a Forum), there needs to be more interest for me to go to the effort. It's quite time-consuming to start a Forum, and the marketing efforts can overshadow all other activities. I appreciate everyone's feedback!
Articles
Digestive Issues in Cats
What is FeLV? by Joseph Devine
Benefits of Herbal Treatments by Larry Ginger
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Digestive Issues in Cats
Digestive Issues in CatsIn veterinary medicine, hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrine conditions affecting older domesticated cats. Some veterinarians estimate that it occurs in up to 2% of cats over the age of 10.[8] The disease has become significantly more common since the first reports of feline hyperthyroidism in the 1970s. In cats, one cause of hyperthyroidism tends to be benign tumors, but the reason those cats develop such tumors continues to be researched.
However, recent research published in Environmental Science & Technology, a publication of the American Chemical Society, suggests that many cases of feline hyperthyroidism are associated with exposure to environmental contaminants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are present in flame retardants in many household products, particularly furniture and some electronic products.
The study from which the report was based, was conducted jointly by researchers at the EPA's National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory and Indiana University. In the study, which involved 23 pet cats with feline hyperthyroidism, PDBE blood levels were three times as high as those in younger, non-hyperthyroid cats. Ideally, PBDE and related endocrine disruptors that seriously damage health would not be present in the blood of any animals or humans.
Most recently, mutations of the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor have been discovered which cause a constitutive activation of the thyroid gland cells. Many other factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease such as goitrogens (isoflavones such as genistein, daidzein and quercertin) and iodine and selenium content in the diet.
The most common presenting symptoms are: rapid weight loss, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), vomiting, diarrhea, increased consumption of fluids (polydipsia) and food, and increased urine production (polyuria). Other symptoms include hyperactivity, possible aggression, heart murmurs, a gallop rhythm, an unkempt appearance, and large, thick nails. About 70% of afflicted cats also have enlarged thyroid glands (goiter).
The same three treatments used with humans are also options in treating feline hyperthyroidism (surgery, radioiodine treatment, and anti-thyroid drugs). Drugs must be given to cats for the remainder of their lives, but may be the least expensive option, especially for very old cats. Radioiodine treatment and surgery often cure hyperthyroidism. Some veterinarians prefer radioiodine treatment over surgery because it does not carry the risks associated with anesthesia. Radioiodine treatment, however, is not available in all areas for cats. The reason is that this treatment requires nuclear radiological expertise and facilities, since the animal's urine, sweat, saliva and stool are radioactive for several days after the treatment, requiring special inpatient handling and facilities usually for a total of 3 weeks (first week in total isolation and the next two weeks in close confinement).[9] The guidelines for radiation levels vary from state to state; some states such as Massachusetts allow hospitalization for as little as two days before the animal is sent home with care instructions. Surgery tends to be done only when just one of the thyroid glands is affected (unilateral disease); however following surgery, the remaining gland may become over-active. As in people, one of the most common complications of the surgery is hypothyroidism.
Reprinted from Wikipedia
PLEASE - PLEASE!!!! READ THE LABELS ON THE FOOD YOU GIVE YOUR CATS!!!
What is FeLV? by Joseph Devine
Feline Leukemia Virus (or FeLV) is, counterintuitively, a type of retrovirus that affects cats. Despite its name, it is not a form of cancer, but is rather a retrovirus, a type of virus that affects RNA rather than DNA. The disease gets its name from a misunderstanding that went along with the discovery of the illness. Regardless of its actual status, FeLV is a dangerous condition that can be fatal if not properly treated.One of the most dangerous aspects of FeLV is that it is very easily spread between cats, often by either saliva or a nasal secretion. That means a cat can develop FeLV through contact such as a bite from another cat, through a food or water dish, from a litter box, or even while nursing. Mother cats have been known to infect their children, both within the womb and then later during nursing. If your cat is suffering from FeLV, it is important to seek immediate veterinary treatment.
Like many other diseases, FeLV has several phases which define how far it has spread. The phases are:
* Phase One. In the first phase of the disease, the retrovirus enters the cat's body and begins to infect the white blood cells, which filter into the lymph node and begin to replicate.
* Phase Two. This phase involves the spread of the disease throughout the body. Because the white blood cells become infected, it's easy for the disease to spread via the blood vessels throughout the body.
* Phase Three. The lymphoid system becomes infected, allowing the retrovirus to further spread throughout the body. The lymphoid system helps produce antibodies which fight cancer, and its infection can allow the disease to spread even more quickly.
* Phase Four. This is the stage in which the infection becomes truly widespread throughout the body. The intestinal tract becomes infected, and viremia, the point at which the virus truly enters the bloodstream, occurs. Some cats have immune systems strong enough to defeat the virus, although many do not. If the cat is unable to overcome the disease, it enters the next phase.
* Phase Five. In this phase, the virus enters the cat's bone marrow. If this happens, the cat will continue to carry the virus for the rest of its life.
* Phase Six. In the final stage, the cat's body is completely overwhelmed by the virus, and death is likely.
The disease may claim the cat within a few months, or the cat may live without symptoms for up to several years. Because of the ease with which your cat may become infected, it is important to have it inspected regularly by a vet.
For more information about cat health, visit Joseph Devine.
Benefits of Herbal Treatments by Larry Ginger
However hard we try to take care of our cats, sometimes it is just inevitable that they still get sick. Through the years, we have been made to believe that the only available treatments for common cat sickness are the ones that veterinarians normally prescribe or those that can be found in conventional pet shops and groceries. In recent years, however, more and more people are beginning to realize the the value of using herbal treatment for cats and their efficacy in treating common feline diseases. What has been neglected by science for so many years is now being touted by experts as the most effective answer to promoting and maintaining cat health.The use of a herbal treatment for cats is probably the best thing that you can do to your feline friend whenever it is not feeling well. What natural treatments do is provide a holistic way of healing for cats. The problem with conventional cat medicines is that it simply treats the symptoms of diseases. They rarely go to the root of the problem. And that is where natural remedies differ. Herbal remedies actually go to the root of the problem by letting the natural ability of the cat's body to heal itself work. Herbal treatments are in tune with the power of nature which is probably the best force that allows health and wellness to manifest.
One can think of the use of conventional medicines as a bandage solution to the problem. Moreover, the use of conventional remedies can do more harm than good. This is because these medicines usually contain chemicals and other synthetic ingredients that can accumulate inside your cat's body and cause major diseases or organ damage in the future. Avoid further complications to your cat's health by choosing a herbal treatment for cats over chemical-laden conventional remedies.
It is common knowledge that natural treatments cost more than conventional ones. While this observation is true, pet owners should realize that the added cost is because of the fact that natural remedies contain only the more premium ingredients. Not to mention that you are also paying for years of research and development in order to come up with a particular product.
If you love your cat and if you want them to have the best kind of treatment if they ever becomes sick, then give them a herbal treatment for cats which is considered as the best and safest form of remedy for felines.
Larry Ginger
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