Understanding Feline AIDS

FIV, also known as the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is one of the most serious cat health problems today, often having devastating consequences. Feline AIDs is said to have affected nearly 14% of the feline population worldwide while affecting nearly 2% within the United States. The following article describes some of the basic symptoms, causes and treatment as well as prevention techniques to understand and deal with this disease.

Causes of Feline AIDS

Blood and saliva are the two major transmitters of Feline AIDS. If your cat has gotten into a fight, there is a possibility of it contracting the disease through bites, cuts, and scratches etc. Interestingly, female cats can also get them during mating as they are prone to getting bitten or scratched then. Kittens might also contract this disease from their mothers during nursing. If your cats are spend long periods of times outdoors or with stray cats, they have a higher chance of contracting this condition.

Symptoms of Feline AIDS

Feline AIDS can basically be divided into three stages. The first is marked by the presence of fever, infection and swollen lymph nodes. Persistent puffiness around the region of the throat, dry nose, smelly litter box, and diarrhea combined with excessive thirst are all symptoms of the first stage of this disease. This stage lasts anywhere between a few weeks to months.

The second stage can last for months or years and can be misleading as your cat is often healthy while the virus is dormant during this period. The third stage is a chronic stage, where your pet will suffer from various cat health problems, including cancer, infections etc. Once the disease has reached the chronic stage, the cat unfortunately does not last for more than a year.

Treatment and Prevention

Feline AIDS cannot be treated successfully, although there are several treatments available to deal with the condition. However, this disease can be easily prevented through vaccination. It would thus be a good idea if you are able to vaccinate your pet against this disease as soon as possible.

Caring for your pet is very essential once it has contracted Feline AIDS. You should always ensure that it is fed properly and that infections are nipped in the bud. Immune boosters, replication inhibitors as well as food and diet supplements are some of the treatments available for this disease.

We hope that this article is useful to you in understanding feline AIDS and what you can do to prevent your pet from contracting this disease.

We hope that this article is informative to you. Visit our website today if you wish to learn more about feline leukemia symptoms and feline AIDS. Do not forget to sign up for your 7-part mini-course absolutely free for a limited time only!

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Understanding Frontline for Cats to Keep Your Pets Healthy

According to statistics quoted by humansociety.org, there are approximately 93.6 million owned cats in the United States and 21% of the owned cats have been adopted from animal shelters. Any pet, whether it's a cat or a dog, becomes a part of the family. You begin to care for him/her and take steps to ensure that he/she lives a happy and healthy life. Several medicines and other products are available in the market to help you take good care of your pets. Fleas and ticks can be quite dangerous for your pets and harm them. Moreover, through the body of your pets, these fleas and ticks enter your home and, thereafter, can be found on your carpet, bed sheets, cushions and even your house plants. An effective and easy to use remedy to deal with this problem is frontline for cats. This product not only kills fleas and ticks but also prevents their re-infestation.

Frontline for Cats: Composition And Working

The generic name of frontline for cats is Fipronil, a broad spectrum insecticide and methoprene. The manufacturers of this product claim that it: 

• Kills 100% of all adult fleas on your cats within 18 hours and
• Kills flea eggs and larvae of all ticks within 48 hours

Precautions While Using Frontline for Cats

Several precautions need to be taken while using frontline for cats so as to avoid any kind of harm to your adorable pet. 

• The product should be stored in a cool and dry place. One should never place any unused portion of the product in any indoor or outdoor drain.
• The product should be used only in the original container.
• The original container should never be reused.
• One should not refrigerate frontline for cats.
• Children should not be allowed to put it on your pet.
• Use this product only on cats that are eight weeks or older.
• In case of overdose, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Application and Side Effects of Frontline for Cats

This product needs to be used properly and its improper application will not produce the desired results. The product's package should not be opened until your cat is ready to be treated. It is essential that you first clam your cat in a neutral area, bring it into your lap and wait until it is relaxed to apply the product. You may need somebody's help to hold the cat. The usage involves snapping of the application tip from the Frontline tip and then placing it between the cat's shoulder blades. Some temporary irritation may be experienced by your cat after application of frontline for cats.

You can buy Frontline For Cats or any other medical product for pets from www.Petplanrx.com, a leading pet pharmacy offering a wide range of products and medicines for your pets. The company sells branded products as well as generic products at competitive prices.

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Got Catnip?

What is catnip anyway? What does it do to make your kitty so silly? Why does your cat select the cat toy to play with that has the scent of catnip before any other toy?

Catnip is a flowering plant (Nepeta) that is dried and packaged, often sold as a cat toy but more often it is used inside of cat toys. Cat toy manufacturers frequently use it to enhance their toys. Homemade cat toys are usually stuffed or filled with a poly fiberfill and yup you guessed it, catnip. It's sometimes even referred to as "cat pot"!

You can grow your own catnip or mint right in your herb garden. It is very easy to grow and is a perennial plant so once you have an established plant it will not only bloom every year but will actually multiply. Your home grown plants leaves can be dried in the microwave or a dehydrator for your fur baby's delight. Once the leaves have been dried they can be stored in air tight bags or containers for future enjoyment by your kitty. You will find the seeds in the vegetable section of your local garden shop but beware that every cat in the neighborhood will frequent your garden. When you look out the window at your garden, don't be surprised to see a cat or two rolling around on the plants and grinning from ear to ear!

Catmint or catnip has an effect on cats that makes them happy, elated, excited and playful. While it usually does not have any effect on kittens, adult cats go nuts for it! Most cats are crazy about it! Each cat has a different reaction to fresh catnip, some cats have been said to actually eat a hole in the carpet where it was sprinkled for them. It can actually be sprinkled sparingly in their food occasionally. Be sure that it is thoroughly dry before storing in air tight containers to prevent mold from forming. If moisture is evident in any of the stored bags, discard and begin again drying out the leaves.

If you choose not to grow your own, be sure to look for quality catnip grown in the USA for your cat. Store it in a zip lock bag or a container that can be sealed to keep the freshness and give kitty a little at a time. You may even need to hide the container so kitty will not attempt to "break in" to it!

Using catnip to cheer up your cat is a great way to entertain yourself as well. Just watching your cats' silly reaction to fresh catnip will keep you laughing and kitty will love you for it.

Cat Toys For Less offers you an ever-growing selection of fun cat toys that will keep your special friend busy (and active) for hours. Keeping your indoor cat active helps prevent health risks such as obesity.
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Must Know Feline Vaccination Protocols

Do you know that there are a few protocols that have to be kept in mind when administering feline vaccination? Though most vets and pet hospitals are aware of these protocols, it will help immensely if cat owners are aware of them as well. An informed owner knows the dos and don'ts of vaccination, and will make an effort to visit the clinic in time for the scheduled dose of vaccine. Even though the protocols of feline vaccination may differ from state to state, there are some common protocols that are followed across the US.

These protocols, made known to all vets, ensure that the time of administering the vaccines is always optimal. As per the protocol, your vet will have to scrutinize the medical history, especially the earlier vaccination records of your cat while deciding on the vaccination schedule. The grooming standards and lifestyle of your feline friend will also depend on the kind of vaccinations it should go through.

There was a time when certain vaccinations caused some side effects in cats, which resulted in a more in-depth check of the health condition of the cat before the vaccines are administered. Organizations such as the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) have shown the need of making a distinction between general and specific vaccinations.

Rabies is one disease that has got the immediate attention of this association and they have put rabies vaccination on the list of one of the necessary feline vaccination procedures. No matter which part of the US you reside in, if you own a cat, you will have to take it to a pet care center to be vaccinated against rabies. This distinction has become easier to understand due to the creation of core and non-core feline vaccination groups. However, a blanket application of the protocol is not intended.

The protocol allows for distinction between indoor and outdoor cats, and similarly, the frequency of FVRCP vaccination has been laid down. In the case of outdoor cats, this vaccine should be administered every year, while an indoor cat may be given a shot every 3 years. However if the indoor or outdoor cats are supervised, pet owners have the flexibility to opt for their kittys to have one vaccine shot every three years.

If you are in doubt about the required frequency of feline vaccination for your pet, contact your nearest pet care center or vet today.

Visit our website today for more information on feline vaccination or if you have any other cat questions. Remember to sign up for your 7-part Healing Your Pets At Home mini-course, absolutely free for a limited time only!

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Keep Fleas And Ticks Away With Frontline For Cats

According to the 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 38.9 million US households have a cat as a pet and the total number of pet cats stands at 86.4 million. Some popular factors that drive Americans to keep pets are that pets help to reduce stress and related health problems, fight depression and are quite friendly and caring. These pets very soon become a part of one's family and need to be taken care of in a way similar to any other family member. This means ensuring that they remain healthy and happy. A common problem faced by almost all pets is that of fleas and ticks, which can grow to becoming a health hazard for the entire household. The best way to get rid of any such infestation is by using Frontline for Cats, a monthly topical treatment.

Why Frontline for Cats?

Frontline for Cats is a highly effective treatment that kills fleas within 12 hours of contact with your treated pet. Not only this, any ticks that are troubling your cat will also die within 48 hours of coming in contact with your treated pet. This medicine needs to be applied between the shoulder blades of your cat, an area that cannot be licked. This treatment spreads over the whole body of the cat through a process called translocation. Frontline for Cats gets gradually dispersed into the pet's body by its natural oils, present in the oil glands of the skin, and then its coat. This whole process of distribution of the treatment over the whole body of your cat can take up to 24 hours to complete.

You may feel that more fleas are visible after you apply this treatment. But there is no need to get worried, Frontline for Cats makes fleas hyper excited and brings them to the top of your cat's coat. It is actually an indication that the treatment is working.

Frontline for cats has been found to be effective in treating:

• All stages of brown dog tick
• The American dog tick
• The Lone Star Tick
• The Deer Tick

The impact of this treatment remains for 30 days, even if your cat gets wet or is bathed. However, you need to keep your pet dry for the first 24 hours after the application of treatment.

Frontline For Cats: Precautions

Here are some precautions you need to take while using this treatment:

• Frontline for Cats does not have an expiry date and should be kept at room temperature, in its original packaging.
• Since the components of this treatment are toxic and poisonous, the original container should never be reused for any other purpose.
• This treatment should be used on cats and kittens that are eight weeks or older
• Your cat should be completely dry before you apply this treatment
• Although this product does not have any side effects, it may cause some irritation at the site of application. If the irritation persists for several days or seems to worsen, consult your veterinarian immediately.

You can keep your cat healthy and safe from the diseases borne by fleas and ticks by purchasing Frontline for Cats. This treatment is available at www.petplanrx.com, a leading online pharmacy that offers a wide range of pet products and medicines at discounted prices.

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