Pet Health Tip #3 Puppy Hair Loss

There are a several different underlying causes of hair loss in puppies.  I am only going to address a few of them.

Patchy hair loss with associated pruritus (itchiness):  The most common cause for patchy hair loss is fleas.  However, it can also be caused by the Sarcoptes mites.  This is often referred to as “Sarcoptic Mange.”  Infestation with Sarcoptes mites causes severe pruritus.  The puppies will scratch constantly.  Because of the constant scratching, and the damage that it does, the puppies often develop a bacterial skin infection.  These puppies will have red, crusty skin lesions in addition to the hair loss.  Sarcoptes mites live on the skin, and treatment is usually topical.  However, due to the skin infection, the puppies may also need to take antibiotics.  Sarcoptes mites easily transfer to other pets and can cause itchiness in people as well.  They don’t infest humans, meaning they don’t set up permanent residence on our skin.  However, they will bite us if given the chance.

Patchy hair loss without pruritus:  There are two common causes for these symptoms in puppies.  The first is ringworm (See #13 Ringworm for details).  The second common cause is another mite called Demodex, often referred to as “Demodectic Mange.”  These mites live in the skin.  They do not typically cause pruritus, so the puppies don’t usually scratch.  The treatment for demodectic mange is oral and usually requires a long treatment therapy.

Demodectic mange is not contagious to other pets or people.  The puppies actually obtain the mite from their mother, during nursing.  In addition, there is a genetic component that determines whether or not the animal will have any symptoms associated with the infestation.

In conclusion, several underlying factors cause puppy hair loss.  Therefore, it is important to consult your veterinarian for a specific diagnosis and treatment options.

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MaMa's Book Corner review of THE RESCUE TEAM

Summary:

Ellie is shocked and confused when her owners leave her at the animal shelter. Feeling abandoned and unloved, Ellie spends her days staring vacantly through the gate of her pen. Ellie’s life changes when she is finally adopted by a compassionate woman named Anne. Ellie and Anne form an unbreakable bond of love and friendship. A thunderstorm drives Toby, a young frightened kitten, to Anne’s porch. Anne and Ellie immediately welcome him into their family. One night, they hear an emergency broadcast announcement that a little girl is missing in the woods near their home. Anne, Ellie, and Toby join in the search to find her, and an incredible rescue team is formed. The team will be called upon again when a tornado tears through their town. Will they find any survivors?

My Thoughts:

Ellie the dog feels abandoned when she gets left at the animal shelter by her owners, but is eventually adopted by a caring woman named Anne. Ellie absolutely loves her new owner and her new life. One night, during a thunderstorm, a scared kitten named Toby ends up at their house and he is also welcomed into the family. Ellie and Toby become a very successful search and rescue team.

I thought this was a really cute story! I really liked how loving Anne was. She reminded me of myself because I'm always wanting to bring home homeless animals and people. *hehe* She made these animals feel loved and wanted and that was wonderful. Even though people and animals thought it was strange that a cat and a dog could be a rescue team and doubted them, the pair never gave up and were repeatedly heroes. I think this book really reminds children to be loving, caring, and to be appreciative for what and who they have. My hope is that every child feels wanted in their life. If everyone tried to be a little more like Anne, this world would be a much better place. I definitely recommend this book for the kiddos in your life.

Visit MaMa's Book Corner: http://mamasbookcorner.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-rescue-team-review.html

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Pet Health Tip #2- Puppy Vaccines

Routine puppy vaccinations against Parvovirus and Distemper virus are essential to ensuring your puppy’s health.  Puppies are initially protected against these viruses through the antibodies they received from their mother.  However, as the mother’s antibodies begin to fade, puppies become susceptible to infection.  There is a window of susceptibility during which time the mother's antibodies are no longer effective, but they are still too high to allow your puppy to develop his own protection.  For most puppies, this window is open between 8-12 weeks of age. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep your puppy away from environments where he could possibly be exposed to the virus until he has received a full round of vaccines.

 

Most veterinarians recommend your puppy receives his first set of vaccines at approximately 6-8 weeks of age.  Then he should receive a booster every 3-4 weeks until he reaches 16 weeks of age.  This will ensure he receives the full round of vaccines and has developed his own protection by time his mother's antibodies are no longer effective

 

Parvovirus and Distemper virus are both found throughout the environment and can survive for long periods of time in the soil.  It is imperative that you keep young unvaccinated puppies away from any yards where there was a known positive puppy for at least one year.

 

Both of these viruses cause severe intestinal distress.  Basically, they cause the intestines to shed their lining.  The intestinal lining consists of the cells that absorb water and nutrients out of the intestines.  Therefore, the puppy ends up losing a lot of water (i.e. diarrhea) and losing a lot of weight due to the inability to absorb nutrients.  The shedding of the intestinal lining is also very painful.  Many puppies, especially small breeds, do not survive this loss of water and nutrients.

 

If you choose not to vaccinate your puppy and they survive puppyhood, their odds of contracting the viruses do decrease significantly.  However, unvaccinated adult dogs can still become infected with both Parvovirus and Distemper virus.

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The truth about diet soda

I used to have the habit of drinking 2-3 cans of soda every day. This of course is a terrible habit, for someone who wants to be thin and healthy, eventually eliminatedcompletely from my diet. But you know what, quicklyI changed to another option diabolical diet soda. And I have toadmit I became addicted to it.
All my favorite soft drinks also come in varietiesdiet, and I thought, as I had eliminated all sugar andextra calories of regular soda, drinking sodadiet, it could take a couple of sodas a day and be muchbetter.
Well, I started to lose fat after making the change,due to the decrease in daily calories and sugar.But I really got addicted to artificial sweetenerswho has this thing. After a few months, took a diet soda with every meal and snack.
When eating out, filled my glass every time I could probably drink about 2 to 2.6 liters everydays, so I started to accumulate fat again.
So I started researching artificial sweeteners and some studies longterm that has been carried out. However, some of theresults I read about what happens to these things after entering your body literally scared me and made me stop drinking diet soda immediately.
Other than that, a recent study of 8 years showed thatthose who drink two cans a day of this thinghave a 57% greater chance of becoming obese. Whywhat gains weight with something that has 0 calories?
At this point the exact reasons are not conclusive, but a major concern is the false sense ofsecurity that can give the habit of drinking diet soda.In other words, you tend to let your guard down with your dietbecause you feel you're doing something about drinkingdiet soda.
Another problem is that when something other than water reaches yourstomach, you have increased hunger reply ...so if you take a diet soda instead of water, there is a good chance you're going to eat something along with it.
In short, the diet soda is another such"Diet products" that are loaded with productsharmful chemicals that your body does not want or need. In themost cases, they only promote a method of yo-yo diet ... Trying to lose fat through short solutionsterm that usually only magnify the problem.
The secret of getting a good health and fitnessfor life begins with the right mindset ... whenhave, get rid of bad habits like diet soda becomes a natural consequence of the way in which you choose to eat ... and live.

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My Interview At A Book Lover's Library

ABLL would like to welcome Billi Tiner to our humble abode. Sit back and enjoy the interview.


You are a vet. What was it about the profession that first drew you to it?

I have always loved animals. When I was 5 years old, my mother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I answered “animal doctor”. I couldn’t think of anything more cool than earning a living taking care of animals.



How did you move from being a vet to writing?

Writing novels allows me to combine two passions, animals and writing. I wrote my first book, Welcome Home, while serving in the US Army Veterinary Corps. The main character, a black lab mix named Jake, was based on a patient that I had my first year out of veterinary school. All of my middle-grade books have animals as the main character and are told from the animal’s point of view. My experiences as a veterinarian have given me a good insight into animal behavior which help me to write more depth to my animal characters.


What was the most challenging thing about starting as a writer?

I wrote Welcome Home about 10 years ago. I tried the traditional paths of getting it published. I wrote hundreds of query letters to both agents and publishers with no success. So, the most difficult part was finding a way to get published. Once I found out about self-publishing, it opened an exciting door for me. I have been writing steadily since publishing Welcome Home in December of 2012 and currently have 4 middle-grade books and 1 young adult book available.


What was the funniest thing you saw as a vet?

My first year out of veterinary school I worked in a small animal practice in Oregon. A woman and her three kids brought in their six-month old German Shepherd puppy for a lump on his face. The woman was distraught. She was convinced that the young puppy had cancer as the “tumor” had grown so rapidly. She had heard that fast growing tumors were the most life-threatening. I knew immediately that the puppy didn’t have cancer as there are no types of skin cancers that affect puppies that young. I took a look at the puppy and saw that instead of a “tumor” it had an engorged tick attached to its muzzle. I grew up in Oklahoma and couldn’t imagine not being able to recognize a tick. I plucked the tick off the puppies face and explained what it was to the owner. She was quite embarrassed by her mistake, but very happy that her puppy was going to be okay.


What is the best thing you have learned in marketing regarding your books?

I have tried to develop a diversified approach to marketing my books. I have a blog, website, am on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. I am also on Goodreads, Shelfari, and Library Thing. I also have contacted several book reviewers about reviewing my books and usually offer giveaways on their site. However, the most successful part of my marketing strategy has been the KDP free promotion days that you can use if you sign up for KDP Select with Amazon. I usually contact as many sites as possible to advertise my free days in order to giveaway as many books as possible. This helps to boost ratings on Amazon and usually results in an increase in sales post-promotion.


What is a typical day like for you?

I work full-time and am an author as a side job. I try to spend part of everyday on some aspect of my writing. This can be anything from maintaining my blog to working on my next book. It is difficult when I only have a few hours a day to devote to my writing. However, I am hopeful that I will one day be able to make a career out of it.


Describe yourself as a writer.

My books are all very character driven. I develop my characters first and then build the story around them. I am very lucky in that once the story starts flowing, it just comes spilling out. I let my writing flow naturally and then go back and worry about editing.


What is the best part of being a writer?

I love getting lost in the story. The books start playing through my mind like a movie and I am just putting them on paper. It is a very exhilarating feeling.


What projects are you working on now?

I am currently working on the sequel to Bounty Hunter: The Beginning, my young adult western. The story centers around Ben Sharp, a teenager, who thwarts a robbery attempt and then decides to become a bounty hunter. I am having a lot of fun with this series as it is very fast paced and full of adventure and romance.


What are your plans for 2013?

I plan to get out the next two books in the Bounty Hunter series. I also plan to release a book of pet health tips. In addition, I have several middle-grade stories rolling around in my head that I would love to let out. I also hope to continue to build a fan base and improve the marketing of the books that are currently available.

Billi, thank you for stopping by.

Visit A Book Lover's Library at http://www.abookloverslibrary.com/7/post/2013/02/interview-with-author-billi-tiner.html

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That the PMS will not ruin your lifestyle

-Every month, millions of young people facing serious physical and emotional disorders due to PMS.
-The changes of adolescence 'mask' some symptoms of the syndrome, causing the woman does not receive any treatment.
-Presenting new rhythm contraception active 24 pills, 4 inactive, that help control the discomfort caused by this disorder female.
For all those girls who want to control their fertility and also suffer intensely physical and emotional discomfort associated with the menstrual cycle, a new alternative is Yasmin 24/4, it is the only oral contraceptive indicated for relieving symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome ( SPM), a condition that affects seven out of ten women of reproductive age."Every month, these women experience abrupt changes in mood, irritability, depression and anxiety, and general swelling, headache, bloating and breast tenderness," said Dr. Dolores Vázquez German, certified obstetrician Mexican College of Obstetrics and Gynecology ACShe also reports that one in twenty women facing Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which means a real health problem associated with greater severity of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and that prevents them from continuing with their usual pace of life, significantly affecting their personal relationships and daily activities."During the second half of the menstrual cycle produces a hormone called progesterone, responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy. It is thought that the effects of this hormone in susceptible women causes the sudden physical and emotional changes, ie, pre-menstrual syndrome, "says the specialist in gynecology.Before the hormonal, women may experience anxiety, panic, confusion, irritability, distractibility, depression and listlessness. At the same time, a cascade of physical invade your body, including headache, back and / or abdomen, cramps and spasms, breast tenderness, weight gain, acne, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, and even inflammation ankles, feet and hands.According to Silvia Olmedo, psychologist and researcher, although much progress has been made in controlling the physical symptoms, in terms of reduction of symptoms to psychological level there is little improvement, as there are women with severe PMS, while its degree of irritability or sadness can negatively impact not only them, but also those who live around either partner, family or colleagues.Particularly, a red light is teenagers, who along with Premenstrual Syndrome live own emotional and physical changes of this era, creating an explosive cocktail that often detonate in making poor decisions conflict with parents and teachers, as the abandonment of school or running away, reveals the specialist.Yasmin 24/4, it is the only oral contraceptive indicated to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a condition that affects seven in ten women of childbearing age prior to identification and treatment of PMS, women who suffered what were advised to clear the mind and relax the body through exercise, shopping or relaxing at home. However, it has been shown that none of this is enough when you have the PMS or Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder.If women continue their usual lifestyle, there is currently Yasmín 24/4, a new low-dose oral contraceptive with drospirenone, which is also specifically indicated for the treatment of emotional and physical symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome says Dr. Luis Simon Pereira, former coordinator of the Clinic for Adolescent Patient Care, the National Institute of Perinatology."Yasmin 24/4 is the first low-dose birth control worldwide with innovative management scheme, the new rate of contraception as a regimen of 24 active pills and 4 inactive tablets, offers the advantage of controlling the fluctuations in female hormone levels throughout the month, regardless of the usual break of seven days of traditional contraceptives, "says the specialist.With the approval of the Ministry of Health in Mexico, this novel is the only contraceptive that has demonstrated clinically significant efficacy in controlling emotional and physical discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome, even in its most severe form, emphasizes Dr. Pereira.Yasmin 24/4 to control the female cycle, reduces the duration and amount of menstrual bleeding, and is 99.5 percent effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies. Benefits that positively impact the reproductive health of adolescent female population, since according to the Ministry of Health, 21 percent of all births in the country are women under 20."All these features make this new rhythm in contraception, appropriate treatment options for young women who want to continue their usual activities and fully enjoy this wonderful stage of life," says Dr. Pereira.Thanks to Jasmine 24/4, the girls who have PMS or its most severe: the Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder may continue their lifestyle with ease, without these disorders are fatal sentence of femininity, or a burden that must suffer every month for many years, on the contrary, will now be able to control the pace of enjoying life to the fullest.

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Home Remedies for Low Pressure

This is an option or an aid to people suffering from low blood pressure. It does not replace medical treatment and you should certainly go to your doctor to investigate the causes of your condition and give you a proper diagnosis.

One of the simplest home remedies and effective to increase blood pressure is raw beet juice. Simply liquefies a beet with a little water and drink two cups a day of juice you get. Another option, more convenient and quicker use salt. Dilute a tablespoon in a glass of water and drink it, to leave at once for an episode of hypotension. Another possibility is to take warm water with cinnamon.

Also, you can prepare a natural remedy for low blood pressure, an infusion prepared with three tablespoons grated ginger root and a pinch of cayenne pepper, per cup of water. Boil for a few minutes and then allowed to stand, before straining.

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Tips to reduce vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. There are some alternatives to reduce the problem, but just use them as auxiliary measures formal medical treatment. Be sure to go to your doctor to alert you and make you a proper diagnosis. Here are some options.
The most common causes of vaginal dryness are the hormonal type (menopause, pregnancy, lactation), infections, problems resulting from previous surgery or chronic diseases, and the use of certain medications (especially the anti estrogenic type). In this case, the best you can do is check your options with your doctor. Among other medical possibilities, there are hormone balancing therapies that can help great.
In other cases, also associated with stress and nerves. Although not the main cause, it can worsen the problem, so we recommend taking meditation classes or relaxing activities with some frequency.
Another cause of vaginal dryness is excessive hygiene. Even if your problem appeared for another reason, exaggerating personal hygiene may worsen rather than help. This is because excess soap or cleaning products can irritate skin, even cause infections. No need to brush twice daily or daily use hygiene products. Moderation is vital for vaginal health in this case.
In the case of sex, the best alternative is to use some type of lubricant. It is always better to be water-based, easy to apply and washable. We do not recommend the use of other lubricants such as Vaseline or baby oil, as these can cause infections and aggravate your problem. If you have questions, or want a recommendation is suitable for your particular case, consult your doctor.
Diet is also important for overall health, and in the particular case of vaginal dryness, we recommend that you include in your meals with soy foods. It contains plant substances called isoflavones, which are similar to but are not estrogen hormones. The best choices are tofu, soy milk and seeds.
One reason why this problem occurs is because the little hydration. It is important that you take about 10 glasses of water daily. This can be a simple and effective way.
You prguntarle to your doctor about estrogen ring. This is inserted into the vagina and help your lubrication about three months.
Another solution is a topical vaginal tablet called Vagifem. This is introduced daily for two weeks and will gradually using less often.
There are other topical - as estradiol - also periodically inserted into the vagina.
Possibilities to relieve vaginal dryness exist and it is important that you choose to visit the doctor to examine your case.

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Pet Health Tip #1- Housebreaking Your Puppy

Housebreaking your puppy can be a frustrating event.  However, remembering a few simple rules could save you and your puppy some heartache.

First, there are specific times when your puppy will need to eliminate. These are:

1) Immediately after waking

2) Approximately five minutes after eating

3) Immediately after playing

 

Additionally, puppies under six months of age need to eliminate approximately every four hours.

 

You can use this knowledge to your advantage.  If you know that these events will trigger your puppy’s need to eliminate, then you can time when to take your puppy outside.  Once he is outside, tell him what you want him to do.  For instance, use a phrase like "Go potty."  Don't play with the puppy until he potties.  Then, once he is successful, give him lavish attention and praise.  Eventually, he will learn to go on demand.

 

Another thing that you can do to greatly decrease the amount of time it takes to potty train your puppy is a method called "crate training."  It is a simple concept that really works.  The idea is that you have a crate your puppy considers his den.  The crate should be big enough for the puppy to lie in comfortably, but not so big that he can use one end of it for a bathroom.  Dogs are pretty clean animals and don't like to eliminate where they sleep.  They are also den animals and feel safe and comfortable sleeping in a small dark place.

 

Here is how “crate training” works:  The puppy should be inside the crate whenever you are not giving him direct attention.  So, let's start at night.  You place the puppy in the crate.  You will need to give him a potty break in the middle of the night.  Take the puppy directly outside and give him the command to "Go Potty".  Once he obeys, give him praise and attention.  Remember, do not play with him until after he potties.  Then place him back into the crate.  Repeat this process first thing in the morning.  He may only urinate at this time.  Feed him and then take him back outside.  Most puppies will need to defecate about five minutes after eating.  Then place him back into the crate.  He needs to stay in the crate until you are ready to give him attention again.  Make sure to take him directly outside, give him the command, and wait until he potties before playing with him.

 

Remember he will need to go outside approximately every four hours.  It usually only takes a few days until your puppy will catch on to this routine.  Just like kids, puppies feel most comfortable and confident when they have a routine.  They will be much better behaved in the long run.  So, with “crate training” you get two benefits, a housebroken puppy and a puppy that doesn't have separation anxiety.

 

If you don't want your puppy to be in a crate while you are home, then you can place him on a leash.  That way he stays within your line of vision.  If you see him sniffing the ground and circling, then he is about to go and you need to get him outside immediately.  This method doesn't work as quickly as crate training, because of the increased likelihood of having accidents.  However, it can also be effective.

 

“Crate training” is also a great method to use if you are housebreaking an older dog.  In my experience, this method can work within a few days.  Many times, the dog will prefer to spend their time in the crate, even if you leave the door open.

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Adopt a pet from an animal shelter

I was a veterinarian at an animal shelter for a couple of years. I have also adopted several dogs and cats. I thought I would share my thoughts on pet adoption.

There are several misconceptions about getting animals from a shelter. One misconception is that you can only find older mixed breed dogs. Well, I can tell you that you can walk into about any animal shelter at any time and you will find pure bred dogs there. While working in an animal shelter, I saw a large variety of pure bred dogs come into the shelter; everything from Shit Tzu, Maltese, and Yorkies to Saint Bernards, Standard Poodles, and Great Danes. So, you CAN get pure bred dogs at animal shelters. It is a little harder to get puppies, but you can definitely find a mature dog.

Now, the fact that you may not get a puppy is NOT a bad thing. There are big advantages to older dogs. First, they are through the chewing phase. So, you don't have to worry about the destructive puppy behavior. Second, many of them are already house broken; and if they are not, it is much easier to house break a mature dog. Finally, older dogs are less likely contract a contagious disease such as Parvovirus, due to having a mature immune system.

Finally, the misconception that dogs from an animal shelter are less healthy. Almost all animal shelters vaccinate the animals prior to releasing them for adoption. In addition, most will either spay/neuter the animal at the shelter or will provide vouchers for you to get it done through a local veterinary clinic. In addition, many of the shelters will test the animals for common diseases, such as Heartworm, Intestinal parasites, and many viruses. Also, most animal shelters will treat the animal for any disease/injuries that it may have when it comes into the shelter. So, in reality, most animals that are adopted are very healthy.

So, if you are thinking of getting a new pet, think about adoption. There are many wonderful animals out there in need of loving homes. They are more than ready to give you their hearts.

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Pet Health Tip #40- Tick Borne Diseases

Several diseases can be transmitted to dogs and cats from ticks.  Therefore, keeping pets that have access to the outdoors protected from ticks is essential to their overall health.  There are many good tick prevention medications available.

The four most common tick borne diseases that affect dogs in the United States are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Tick Paralysis.  In most cases, the tick must be attached for several hours before they can transmit these diseases.  So, if ticks are promptly removed from your pet, it will greatly reduce their risk of developing a tick borne disease. 

Lyme Disease 

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria.  The symptoms include: lameness, fever, swollen lymph nodes and joints, and a reduced appetite.  In severe cases, animals may develop kidney disease, heart conditions, or nervous system disorders. Animals do not develop the "Lyme disease rash" that is commonly seen in humans. 

Lyme disease is treated with oral antibiotics.  Since this is a bacterial infection, the animal doesn’t develop an immunity and can contract an infection again. 

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) 

The symptoms of RMSF are similar to Lyme disease and include: fever, reduced appetite, depression, pain in the joints, lameness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some animals may develop heart abnormalities, pneumonia, kidney failure, liver damage, or even neurological signs (e.g., seizures, stumbling).

 

Similar to Lyme disease, RMSF is treated with antibiotics.  However, unlike Lyme disease, dogs usually do develop an immunity to future infections.

Ehrlichiosis 

Erhlichiosis is caused by a rickettsial organism.  Common symptoms include depression, reduced appetite (anorexia), fever, stiff and painful joints, and bruising.  Signs typically appear less than a month after a tick bite and last for about four weeks.

Treatment of Ehrlichiosis usually involves an extended course of antibiotics.  Animals will develop antibodies against the organism, but can become re-infected.

 

Tick Paralysis 

Tick paralysis is a strange condition caused by a toxin released by the tick when it attaches to the pet.  Dogs that are sensitive to the toxin can develop weakness in the hind limbs that can progress to complete paralysis.  Owners usually notice a sudden unexplained paralysis in an otherwise healthy dog.  Removal of the tick will lead to a complete recovery.

Cats can be infected by all of the above organisms, but do not tend to be as severely affected.  However, additional tick borne organisms can cause severe infections in cats.  These are discussed below.

Haemobartonellosis 

This infection is also known as Feline Infectious Anemia.  The organism attacks the cat’s red blood cells and can lead to severe anemia and weakness.  Cats will often need to be hospitalized and may need blood transfusions if the anemia has become severe. 

Tularemia 

This is also known as Rabbit Fever.  Cats will show symptoms of a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, nasal discharge, and possibly abscesses at the site of the tick bite. Younger animals are usually at a higher risk of contracting tularemia. 

Cytauxzoonsis 

This disease is common in wild cats, such as the bobcat.  Ticks that feed off the wild cats can then transmit the disease to domestic cats.  Symptoms include: anemia, depression, high fever, difficulty breathing, and jaundice (i.e., yellowing of the skin). Treatment is often unsuccessful and death can occur in as short as one week following infection.

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