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Hairballs and Tooth Decay

By: zolt

Hairballs

While hairballs are normal for a cat to some extent, you should contact you veterinarian immediately if you think the problem is out of control.

Cats get hairballs mainly because they spend so much time cleaning themselves. Although cats do not like water, they do like being very clean at all times, and they do so, of course, my licking their fur. You cat probably grooms many times every day. Because cats also shed, they swallow a lot of their own hair. Most of this passes naturally through the cat's system, but occasionally the hair becomes matted and entwined in the stomach, causing a hairball that is too large to pass through the system. When this happens, the cat vomits the hairball.

If your cat seems to have an abnormally high amount of hairballs, you should talk to you veterinarian. About a quarter of all digestive blockages in cats come from hairballs that cannot pass or be vomited and this can make you cat very sick. Huge hairballs that size of baseballs have been known to form in a cat's stomach. A hairball of that size can easily kill your cat.

There are a number of signs you will see in a cat having a problem with hairballs. If your cat is retching often, has a change in digestion, or has a swollen abdomen, he or she may have a problem with hairballs. Your veterinarian can give you cat flavored medication that your pet will love. Contained inside are non-digestible oil lubricants that will help your cat pass hairballs easier. Taking this medication regularly will prevent your cat from ever forming such hairballs. Another great way to prevent hairballs from forming is a high-fiber diet, possibly including a fiber supplement.

Home Remedies

LUBRICATION. An easy way to treat hair balls is by using petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Place 1/4 inch in his mouth. If he is uncooperative, then you can place it on his front paws. Use twice daily for 5 days. Tastier versions are available from pet supply stores, such as Felaxin and Laxatone. These are flavored with added nutrients to make the petroleum jelly go down easier.

A FIBER DIET. Additional dietary fiber will aid in the expulsion of hair from the stomach through the intestinal tract. If your cat gets hair balls on a regular basis, then they should be on a high-fiber diet. There are specific veterinary diets higher in fiber. Another option is to add canned pumpkin to their diet; most cats like it. Give 1/2 to 1 teaspoon daily per 10 lbs of body weight.

GROOMING. The less hair your pet has, the lower number of hair balls. Brushing your cat daily will remove loose fur before your cat has a chance to swallow it.

HAIR BALL REMEDY DIETS. There are a few specific hair ball diets. They contain additional dietary fiber as well as papain, a compound found in pineapple to aid in digestion.

PINEAPPLE JUICE. This is used to treat hair balls in rabbits, and may be effective in cats. It contains an ingredient, bromelain, which can break down some hair. The dose would be 1 tsp twice daily, if you can get it into your cat - Good Luck!

When in doubt, call your cat's veterinarian. Animal doctors are specially trained to help you help your pets. When you report health abnormalities to your veterinarian, you are able to best keep your cat healthy and safe, no matter how many hairballs may form.

Taking Kitty to the Dentist

It is important for you to go to the dentist at least annually for checkups. This is, however, also important to your cat! Many people never think about it, but good dental health can keep your cat happy and disease-free. Whenever your cat goes to the vet, make sure that dental health is checked and discussed, and if your cat is acting strangely at all, especially with eating habits, make sure that dental health problems are not a concern.

Kittens, like baby humans, have fewer teeth than adult cats. Each kitten has 26 temporary teeth, which begin to appear at about three weeks of age. An adult cat will have 30 permanent teeth-16 on the top and 14 on the bottom. A cat usually begins getting his or her permanent teeth when he or she is three of four months old. Some of these teeth have two roots while others have three.

The most common dental diseases found in cats are resporption lesions and gum disease (gingivitis). Resorption lesions are also known as cervical line lesions or neck lesions and often result in tooth loss. These lesions are difficult to detect, as they often grow below the gum line. Gum disease is found in over 70% of cats by the age of three. You can tell if your cat has gum disease by looking for yellow and brown tarter build up along the gum line and over the tooth, red inflamed gums, and chronic bad breath.

Oral disease is often an indication of other more serious health problems. For example, it is common for a cat with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) to have oral health problems. Dental conditions are also commonly found with feline immunodeficiency virus and feline calicivirus. Therefore, if your pet is have dental problems, you need to see a vet right away about these conditions to make sure they are symptoms of a much more serious disease.

Cats can also accidentally break teeth. This can be a result of a fall, a fight with another cat or other animal, or biting into something too hard to chew. Usually, the upper canine tooth will be the tooth fractured. This is the tooth in your cat's mouth that looks like a large fang. If this is fractured, your cat may or may not be in pain. The first symptom of this kind of a fracture is continuous sneezing.

Overall, oral health is important in all mammals. Cats are susceptible to a number of dental disease and problems, just like humans. By taking your cat to the vet often and asking about oral health, you can make sure that you are providing the best health care foods and tools for your feline friend.

Article Source: http://www.article-voip.com

Written by Troy Foote, advocate for natural solutions to pet health care and nutrition and owner of Pamper Pet Care. Your online resource for quality pet care through articles, ebooks and medical advice.

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