Out of the numerous intestinal parasites, roundworms and tapeworms are the most common feline parasites that infest cats. The connection between these two intestinal parasites ends here. Roundworms are round and slimy creatures whereas tapeworms are flat and segmented.

Both the worms shed eggs that are passed out in the feces of the cat. But roundworms and tapeworms look different. Roundworm eggs excreted in feces are microscopic, whereas tapeworm eggs are released as packets from the end segments that detach from the worm. These segments can be seen in the cat’s feces or clinging to the hair near the anus of the cat.

Roundworms

The two common species of roundworms found in cats are:

* Toxocara cati
* Toxascaris leonina

Eggs from both the species are generally eaten by a cat when they are still in their non-infectious stage. They may also be ingested by an intermediate host, say, a mouse or a rat.

Toxocara cati differs from the other roundworm in one feature. It has the capacity to remain dormant in female cats. A queen may harbor larvae from previous infections that remain encysted in various tissues in the body. At the time of pregnancy these larvae migrate to the mammary glands. Larvae transmit through milk too. That the litter of an infected mother will be infected as well is a foregone conclusion.

The similarity in overall behavioral patterns between dogs and human beings has earned them the exceptional sobriquet “man’s best friend.” The loyalty and devotion of pet dogs resembles the human idea of love and affection to such a great extent that dog owners view their pets as family members.

Like any other family member, dogs too get sick and contract diseases and deserve as much of your attention and care, as does any other family member.

Dogs are vulnerable to the same illnesses as human beings including diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, heart disease, and arthritis as well as some dog and animal specific diseases. Some of the common diseases that you can come across in your pet dog are those of presence of parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites, common ailments like coat condition, diarrhea, and allergies. Some dog specific diseases that may surface include anal gland infections as well.

Spring is here, the weather is warmer and days are longer. Just like you, your pet wants to go outside and enjoy to beautiful weather. So what does this mean for your pet? For starters, ticks, fleas, allergies, and a greater risk of injury. You and your pet will be spending much more time outside so it is only natural that more troubles will occur.

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Spring Health for Your Pet

Being aware of the possibility of worms in dogs is an essential part of owning a dog. You need to be aware of the symptoms of worm infestation right from the day you bring a dog into your home.

Tapeworms are one of the intestinal parasites that require keen observation for diagnosis. For dog owners to know whether their pet is infested with tapeworms it is important for them to know about their appearance, lifecycle and symptoms.

APPEARANCE

Dog tapeworm gets its name from the tape-like appearance that it has. A tapeworm is flat and has segments. It has a head and a neck and the remaining part of the tapeworm is broken into segments. The tapeworm uses muscular grooves present in the head to attach itself to the intestines of the host. New segments are continually formed in the neck region. The ones at the end mature and are shed periodically.

Each segment has its own reproductive organs and contains a large number of eggs that are grouped in packets. Once mature, these segments are detached from the main body and are excreted. Mobile segments can be seen near the anus of the dog or on top of fresh feces. Once the tapeworm segments dry up they look like uncooked rice or cucumber seeds.

Cat flea and tick topical treatments should be applied to the skin between the cats shoulder blades. Learn more about applying flea and tick treatments on cats with tips from a veterinarian in this free cat healthvideo. Expert: Tracy Carreiro Bio: Tracy Carreiro is member of The Faxon Animal Rescue League. The League was founded in 1913 to help overworked and abused draft horses. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

With spring around the corner, your pet will likely be spending more time outside – which also means he or she will have a higher chance of encountering fleas and ticks. However, taking a few preventative measures can help ensure that your pet stays safe and healthy while enjoying time in the great outdoors!

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Fleas, Ticks and Your Pet

There is very little worse for a family then living in a house with a cat that is suffering from a flea infestation. It’s bad enough that your cat is always scratching and clawing at itself, even ripping large hunks of hair and flesh from its body in an attempt to rid itself of the biting insects. But unfortunately there is nothing to prevent the fleas from staying on the cat. If the problem is left untreated, you could quickly find that your entire house is full of fleas, and that you are being bitten nearly as often as your pet house cat.

It is important to stop the fleas before they start to take over your home.

Preventive medicine is the best way to make sure that your pet and house stay flea free. There are several topical medications available on today’s market that are designed to prevent fleas from feasting on your cat. Most of the products are quite successful provided the cat owner follow the directions and use them properly.

To find fleas on a cat, use a flea comb to look for live fleas or flea dirt. Learn more about finding fleas and ticks on cats with tips from a veterinarian in this free cat healthvideo. Expert: Tracy Carreiro Bio: Tracy Carreiro is member of The Faxon Animal Rescue League. The League was founded in 1913 to help overworked and abused draft horses. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

An important part of your dog’s pet care routine is grooming. It not only makes him look better, but it also helps to prevent certain diseases and contributes to his overall well-being.

Brushing your dog regularly is important, especially during the shedding season. If you do not keep on top of this task when your dog is shedding, you will find it frustrating trying to brush his severely matted fur later. Trying to brush your dog when his fur is extremely matted can also be quite painful for the dog, and you surely don’t want that to happen.

Brushing will keep his coat clean and shiny, and will result in helping to prevent some canine diseases. A dog’s shedding fur can be quite itchy, and he will scratch frequently to try to relieve his ‘itch’. This can quite often cause him a lot of skin irritation, even to the point where he will scratch until he bleeds. If this happens, it can even become infected and cause other skin problems

It is important to use a brush or comb made especially for dog grooming. Some ‘people brushes’ may be too soft to do the job properly, or others, like a wire brush, may be too harsh to use on your dog’s skin.

Of all the body organs, the skin is not only the biggest but also the most problematic organ of the cat’s body. Most medical conditions demonstrate symptoms that relate to skin and coat. In addition external factors like physical trauma and parasites can also affect the skin in a significant manner.
Like dog skin problems, cats can also suffer from skin disorders that are self limiting and chronic conditions that require treatment over a protracted period of time.

Pruritus: The Itchy Cat

Itching brings forth almost an amazing array of changes in a cat’s skin. Constant itching can make it impossible for the veterinarian to ascertain whether the skin condition has caused the itching or whether the excessive itching has caused the skin lesions. Besides itching, pruritus causes symptoms like symmetrical feline hair loss, damage to skin due to intense scratching and Miliary dermatitis. Miliary dermatitis relates to appearance of multiple crusty lesions that are greasy and filled with cat dandruff. It can also lead to Eosinophilic granuloma complex, a condition where linear inflamed crusts are accompanied by oozing red areas near the chin and the trunk.