Common Health Problems Of Cats, Why Cat Health Insurance is Almost Mandatory Now To Owning A Cat.

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented. Behavioral Problems This is an important problem when adopting especially like shelter cats. After months in a cage almost all the cats that you would adopt have some behavioral problems and diagnosing them and helping to break the cat of it can be expensive. Worms No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated. Hairball Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems. In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well. Urinary tract infection Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future. Feline leukemia In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious. To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come. Do you need Pet Insurance Cost of Insurance runs around $25 to $35 a month. Regardless of the insurance provider, your veterinarian should be monitoring the health of your pet as part of a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship 1.

The insurance provider should clearly spell out to you the details, including the limitations and exclusions, of coverage for routine and/or wellness care as well as emergency treatments and conditions that require extensive care. Find out how your premiums will be increased as your pet ages or if you make any claims.

2.

See if they have add-on options to provide any specific coverage (e.g., dental care, travel insurance, etc.) you may want. Find out how they define and handle pre-existing conditions (diseases or conditions your pet already has – or has had – prior to purchasing the insurance plan).

3.

In some cases, insurance providers will not insure a specific pet or breed of pet, or may limit the number of pets you can insure, if they consider them "high risk."

Some providers will give multiple pet discounts. 4.

All of the charges, including co-pays, deductibles, add-on charges and other fees, should be clearly explained to you so you fully understand the policy and its limitations.

You should be allowed to choose the veterinarian who will provide veterinary care for your pet. 5.

Pet insurance plans are generally reimbursement plans – you pay the bills up front and are reimbursed by the insurance provider. Ask the insurance provider how claims are processed as well as the timeframe for reimbursement of your expenses so you know what to expect. If you're concerned about covering the expenses up front, ask your veterinarian about payment options that will work for you in case you need to make arrangements. (It's best to find out your options ahead of time so you don't have the added stress of trying to make payment arrangements on an emergency basis.)

Judi Singleton is a free lance writer who writes 20+ blogs a week. You can advertise in her blogs for $5. a week per blog, mix and match.

Save A Shelter Pets Life and Maybe Save Yours In The Bargain

Adopt Save A Life And Improve Your Health And Well being

Adopting a Shelter Animal is a way to Save a Life not only theirs but perhaps your life. Take a look at what owning a dog can do for you. Perhaps you do not want to have to house break a puppy or train it. Adopt an older dog one that has all the training already done. Perhaps you can find one that their owner died and the family could not keep the dog. I know if you look at the pound, the Humane Society, Shelters, or Breed Specific Shelters you will find one that has their history intact and is just what you are looking for.

A pet no matter what kind can add much to your life. Studies show that pets help lower your blood pressure, lower anxiety, ease loneliness, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, promote social interaction, encourage exercise and playfulness, and provide unconditional love and affection. 

1. Allergy Fighters
" Researcher James E. Gern, MD, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
“We used to think that children growing up in a home with animals had more allergies. However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals" -- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals -- will have less risk of allergies and asthma, he said in his recent article in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

In his recent study, Gern analyzed the blood of babies immediately after birth and one year later. He was looking for evidence of an allergic reaction, immunity changes, and for reactions to bacteria in the environment.

If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies -- 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals -- a sign of stronger immune system activation.
"Dogs are dirty animals, and this suggests that babies who have greater exposure to dirt and allergens have a stronger immune system," Gern says.
Emotional Support
Dogs especially have evolved to become extremely receptive to humans and our behavior and emotions. While dogs are able to perceive many of the words we use, they’re even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. They are able to look into our eyes and see the inner most part of our emotional state and figure out how we are feeling.

Ways Dogs Can Help You Be A Healthier Person

2. Increasing exercise. Taking a dog for a walk, somehow we will do for our furry friends what we will not do for ourselves take a walk . When the dog needs to be walked and potties we are fast to respond. Even when we know that we should exercise we do not do it always we can make an excuse. Studies have shown that dog owners are far more likely to meet their daily exercise requirements.

• Having a companion is important if you live alone, as people are social animals almost to the point of being herd animals, they are not meant to be alone. So when we add a dog or cat to our life we are not longer alone. We have another to care for love and attend to.
  

• Owning an animal is a great way to meet people. Going to the dog park watching the dogs run around and talking to other owners. On walks people with dogs often stop and talk to each other. Dogs help your interaction with others.
  
• Reducing anxiety.  The companionship of a dog can give people who are fearful a feeling of protection when accompanied by their dog. Dogs live in the day, not in the past or future, they are not worried about what might happen. Focusing on your dog can show you how to be mindful of the present and find joy there.
  

• The fact you must care for an animal will give you structure and purpose. It will get you out of bed when you are depressed or feeling blue. The animal must be cared for so you have to meet that routine of feeding, walking and grooming them.
  

• Dog, Cats, pets of all kinds provide sensory release. They help you feel connected and loved. Petting your cat or dog feels good. It can lower your blood pressure, helps your body release a relaxation hormone, and cuts down on levels of a stress hormone.
  

"Studies have shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home," says Lynette Hart, PhD, associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Good for Mind and Soul
Pet owners with AIDS are far less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.

Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine -- nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties, he tells this Webmistress.
"People take drugs like heroin and crack cocaine to raise serotonin and dopamine, but the healthy way to do it is to pet your dog, or hug your spouse, watch sunsets, or get out of your space and into something beautiful in nature,

Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies. Male pet owners have less sign of heart disease -- lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels -- than non-owners, researchers say.
SOURCES:

Alan Beck, ScD, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, professor at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Allen R. McConnell, PhD, James and Beth Lewis professor of psychology at Miami University.
Levine, G. Circulation, May 9, 2013.
Bergroth, E. Pediatrics, August 1, 2012.
O'Haire, M. PLoS One, February 27, 2013.
Siegel, J. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, June 1990

Judi Singleton is the owner Operator of Bejewelu.com where you can dress the whole family for less