The most common infectious skin disease in domestic felines, cat ringworm is a fungal infection, and not a worm at all. It is easily spread by contact.

In many cases this disease resolves itself, without treatment, within 6 to 8 weeks. Since it’s very common for cats to pass this disease on, your veterinarian may prescribe treatment anyway. Cats with compromised immune systems may take longer to heal and may not heal at all without treatment.

Ringworm, known as dermatophytosis, is a fungus which feeds on keratin. Keratin is a protein found in hair, nails, and skin.

The classic ringworm symptom is seen as patches of hair loss which look like circular scaly areas with raised edges. These symptoms are fairly easy to spot. This disease gets its name from the round ring-like marks it leaves on the skin.

The most common locations for infection are the paws, tail, face, head, and ears. Early symptoms include dry, flaky skin. In addition, you may see bald areas around the eyes, and on the ears and legs.

Cats with compromised immune systems may experience more severe symptoms, including crusty lesions that may become infected, red and sore.

Cat ringworm symptoms include broken hair and hair loss, either in irregular or circular patterns throughout the body, although some cats may lose no hair. You may also notice bumpy, scaly, red, or inflamed skin, and deformed claws. The affected areas may or may not itch.

Cat ringworm can only be diagnosed by your veterinarian, so get in contact with your vet if you suspect your cat is infected.

The most common infectious skin disease in domestic felines, cat ringworm is a fungal infection, and not a worm at all. It is easily spread by contact.

In many cases this disease resolves itself, without treatment, within 6 to 8 weeks. Since it’s very common for cats to pass this disease on, your veterinarian may prescribe treatment anyway. Cats with compromised immune systems may take longer to heal and may not heal at all without treatment.

Ringworm, known as dermatophytosis, is a fungus which feeds on keratin. Keratin is a protein found in hair, nails, and skin.

This disease gets its name from the easy to spot, round ring-like marks it leaves on the skin. The classic ringworm symptom presents as patches of hair loss which appear as circular scaly areas with raised edges.

The most common locations for infection are the head, face, ears, tail, and paws. Early symptoms include dry, flaky skin. In addition, you may see bald areas on ears, the legs, and around the eyes.

In severe cases in cats with compromised immune systems, more serious symptoms may develop. If left untreated, crusty lesions that may become red and sore, as well as infected may develop.

Cat ringworm symptoms include hair loss and broken hair in circular or irregular patterns. You may also see bumpy, scaly, red, or inflamed skin, and possibly deformed claws. The affected areas do not always itch, and some cats may experience little to no hair loss with this disease.

Only your veterinarian can diagnose cat ringworm. If you suspect your cat has this ailment, call your vet’s office for guidance.

The most common infectious skin disease in cats, cat ringworm is not a worm, but a fungal infection. It is highly contagious and can be spread to all the animals and people in the house.

In otherwise healthy cats, the disease often resolves itself within 6 to 8 weeks. To prevent the spread of the disease and to resolve it more quickly, your veterinarian may prescribe treatment. More difficult cases may take weeks or months even with treatment. Cats with compromised immune systems may take even longer and experience more severe symptoms.

Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, is a fungus which feeds on keratin. Keratin is a protein found in skin, hair and nails.

The disease gets its name from the round ring-like appearance seen on the skin. The classic ringworm symptom presents as patches of hair loss which appear as circular scaly areas with raised edges. These symptoms are fairly easy to spot.

The initial symptoms include dry, flaky skin. The most common locations for infection are the head, face, ears, tail, and paws. In addition, you may see bald areas on the legs, ears, and around the eyes.

In severe cases in cats with compromised immune systems, more serious symptoms may develop. If left untreated, crusty lesions that may become red and sore, as well as infected may develop.

Cat ringworm symptoms include broken hair and hair loss, either in irregular or circular patterns throughout the body, although some cats may lose no hair. You may also notice bumpy, scaly, red, or inflamed skin, and deformed claws. The affected areas may or may not itch.

Cat ringworm can only be diagnosed by your veterinarian, so get in contact with your vet if you suspect your cat is infected.

Your cat has a hard time telling you when she’s ill. Here are some of the major cat illness symptom categories and how to spot problems.

Since a radical change in your cat’s behavior can be a sign of trouble, you’ll want to note your cat’s typical routine. Cats are very good at hiding discomfort and signs of illness, but if you notice a change in behavior, look more closely to see if there’s a physical cause.

Defecation and urination — A number of cat health issues present as urination and defecation issues.

FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) is a group of problems and can involve stones, crystals, infection, or inflammation. Some of these urinary tract problems can be life threatening.

Be alert to excessive urination as this can be a sign of cat illness such as feline diabetes. Cats are clean creatures and self-groom often, but excessive licking in the groin or anal area can be a sign of problems.

Occasional constipation is common in cats, and is most often caused by hairballs. Treatments are available for this, and include store bought hairball remedies as well as veterinarian prescribed treatments such as lactulose.

It should be noted that long term constipation may lead to a serious bowel condition known as megacolon. Impacted anal glands my also be a factor which will require treatment.

If your cat makes frequent but unsuccessful trips to the litter box, or is howling or crying out while attempting to use the box, she may have some physical problem that needs attention. Also, a common sign of trouble is the act of scooting across the floor while dragging the rear end.

Inappropriate elimination is very prevalent and has any number of physical and behavioral causes. If you notice that your cat is not using the litter box, always assume a physical cause may be at work. If your cat is not urinating or defecating or is missing the litter box, contact your veterinarian.

Other problems to look for are blood in urine or feces, including black tarry stools. If your cat has diarrhea, it may lead to dehydration, which can be fatal.

Eye and mouth problems — The haw, or nictating membrane, is a “third eyelid” that you will sometimes see when a cat’s eyes are open. This is often an indication of illness. Check your cat’s eyes for cloudiness, pupils of uneven size, or discharge.

Pallor of the lips and gums is a sign of disease and could indicate anemia. Other possible cat illness symptoms include bad breath, ulcers in the mouth, and obviously, loose teeth.

Skin and hair issues — The skin and coat of your cat can be used as a measure of overall health. Poor coat or problem skin can be a sure sign of cat illness.

A poor or oily looking coat is a sign of illness. If you notice that cat has stopped grooming, it’s a sure sign of a problem.

Also look for swelling, hair loss, excessive dryness or flaking, or skin eruption or growths. Check your cat at least once per week for parasites.

Domestic felines may experience other health problems for sure, but these are a few of the major categories. Keeping an eye on your cat’s normal routine, and being sensitive to any of the above problems is an essential part of cat care.

If your cat isn’t feeling good, you can imagine it’s hard for her to clearly communicate that to you. To make it easier, then, you have to be very observant. Here are a few major areas of cat illness and symptoms to which you should be alert.

Pay attention to changes in your cat’s behavior as this can indicate signs of illness. Cats tend to disguise signs of pain and illness as a throw-back to their wild days.

Elimination problems — Cats may experience a number of issues involving urination, defecation, and litter boxes.

FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) is a group of problems and can involve stones, crystals, infection, or inflammation. Some of these urinary tract problems can be life threatening.

Cats self-groom regularly, but excessive licking in the anal or groin area can be a sign of illness. If your cat is urinating more often than normal, this can be a sign of an illness such as diabetes.

Occasional constipation is common in cats, and is most often caused by hairballs. Treatments are available for this, and include store bought hairball remedies as well as veterinarian prescribed treatments such as lactulose.

Constipation over the long term may lead to a serious bowel condition known as megacolon. Impacted anal glands may present and will require treatment.

If your cat makes frequent but unsuccessful trips to the litter box, or is howling or crying out while attempting to use the box, she may have some physical problem that needs attention. Also, a common sign of trouble is the act of scooting across the floor while dragging the rear end.

Inappropriate elimination is very prevalent and has any number of physical and behavioral causes. If you notice that your cat is not using the litter box, always assume a physical cause may be at work. If your cat is not urinating or defecating or is missing the litter box, contact your veterinarian.

Other things to look for are evidence of blood in urine or feces, including black tarry stools. Diarrhea may indicate intestinal disease and can lead to dehydration, which can be fatal.

Eye and mouth problems — The haw, or nictating membrane, is a “third eyelid” that you will sometimes see when a cat’s eyes are open. This is often an indication of illness. Check your cat’s eyes for cloudiness, pupils of uneven size, or discharge.

Pallor of the lips and gums is a sign of disease and could indicate anemia. Other possible cat illness symptoms include bad breath, ulcers in the mouth, and obviously, loose teeth.

Hair and skin problems — Poor coat or problem skin can be a sure sign of cat illness. In fact, the coat and skin of your cat can be used as a measure of overall health.

Certain cat illnesses will manifest as poor or oily looking coat. In addition, if a cat stops grooming, it’s a sure sign of trouble.

Parasites are usually easily spotted on the skin or coat on the belly. Your cat should be checked at least once per week. Also look for excessive dryness or flaking, hair loss, skin growths, and any kind of swelling or skin eruption.

There are certainly other health problems that your cat may encounter, but these are a few of the major categories. Keeping alert to your cat’s routine, and being sensitive to any of the possible above problems is an integral part of cat care.

Worms in cats are a common occurrence, especially in kittens, and your vet will test for them once per year. Testing is done by way of a stool sample.

Worms are intestinal parasites either directly or indirectly feeding off of your cat. Worms use cats in order to reproduce and complete their lifecycle. There are a number of cat parasites out there, with a few major classes of worms.

Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, are the main types of worms found in cats. During annual check ups, your vet should do a fecal exam for diagnosis.

Typically, cats that share litter boxes will all be afflicted. A fecal sample from one cat, therefore, is usually sufficient to determine if an infestation exists in the home. By the same token, it is recommended that treatment be given to all cats sharing litter boxes if one of them is infected.

Below is a description on each of the major types of worms found in cats.

Roundworms – Roundworms (Toxocara Cati) look kind of like spaghetti, and you usually won’t see them unless your cat vomits them up. Mother cats may show no symptoms, but can still pass roundworm on to their kittens. which lies dormant. Kittens will normally be wormed 2 – 3 times, whether they test positive or not.

In adult cats, infestations of this parasite severe enough to cause illness are unusual. This is because mature cats often develop a natural immunity against roundworm.

Hookworms – Hookworms hook themselves to the inside wall of your cat’s intestines and hang on. Since they’re tissue feeders, hookworms can cause blood loss, resulting in anemia. In addition, you may observe weight loss, intestinal illness, and poor hair coat. Most of the roundworm treatments used today will kill hookworms as well. Two or more treatments are required to eradicate this worm.

Tapeworms – Tapeworms consist of segments containing eggs. The segments drop off the worm, and along with the eggs are passed in the stool. They then dry out and begin to look like grains of rice and are fairly easy to spot. You’ll sometimes see them in heavily traveled areas or around the cat’s anus. Cats with these worms have been known to experience anal irritation and exhibit excessive licking.

Since these worms are transmitted by fleas, flea control is essential. Your cat eats the flea after the flea eats the tapeworm egg. The tapeworm then lives in the intestinal tract of your cat, and is able to start the process over.

Usually these worms do not cause any visible symptoms of illness in your cat. You cannot properly address the tapeworm issue without also addressing the flea problem, or you risk the possibility that your cat will get them again.

Intestinal worms in cats can be present without any sign of visible illness. Since cat parasites put undue stress on your kitty, you should do what you can to keep his/her immune system strong. That includes not only regular vet visits, but also high quality food, regular exercise, and the room to explore.

The Maine Coon Cat which must be one of the biggest of the domestic breed of cats is readily recogised by its lovely bushy tail and its striped and long fur. The Maine Coon Cat belongs to North America and not surprisingly is a native of the state of Maine, and it is the State Cat.

The Maine Coon has been around for more than a century, and it is believed that their physical design enables them to withstand the harsh winters of New England. Everything from their overall size, to the shape of their paws, to the thickness of their fur makes them suitable animals for harsh winter weather. Furthermore, their fur has a water resistant quality to it.

As with so many domestic animals, a number of legends have grown up around them, some which may be true, and others which definitely are not. It has been suggested that the Maine Coon is a product of the domestic cat and the raccoon mating, but most experts think this is not possible. Other suggestions are that the native North American cat mated with the Vikings cat, and this is a possibility because of the similarity between the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forest Cat.

The Maine Coon Cats of today would not have been considered as a part of the breed at one time. Only brown tabbies were referred to as Maine Coon Cats, and any ‘Maine Coon’ of a different color was referred to as a Maine Shag Cat. Cat experts largely agree that the Maine Coon is a product of mating between short haired domestic cats with long hair cats from overseas, at a time when people began migrating from Europe.

Maine Coons have very special personaities similar in many ways to the family dog. Call out their name, and they will come bounding towards you. Go out for the day, and on your return you will find them eagerly waiting for you on the doorstep. They love people, and other animals, and in return they like a lot of love and attention themselves.

In the early days of cat shows, going back to 1861, the Maine Coon was a popular participant, but when the Persians came along in the 1900’s the Maine Coon went into decline. However their fortunes revived in the 1950’s and in 1968 the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed with the purpose of protecting the breed. Despite this it was not until 1980 that the breed was recognized by all cat registries.

Today, there are thousands of people who own, show and adore the Maine Coon Cat. The MCBFA, which was founded so long ago, by just six breeders, now has a membership of over 200 breeders, with approximately 2000 other members (non-breeders) as well.