A to Z Cat Breeds

How Heartworm is Transmitted to Dogs and Cats

Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasite that can infect both dogs and cats. Transmitted by mosquitoes, D. immitis can be found in most areas of the country where mosquitoes breed. Infected dogs can carry the parasite to areas where it normally is uncommon. Adult heartworms reside in the heart's right ventricle and pulmonary arteries, and can grow to a length of 5-to-12 inches in dogs and 5-to-8 inches in cats. When adult heartworms living in animals mate and produce offspring or microscopic heartworm larvae (microfilariae), the offspring can live in an animal's bloodstream for three years. Heartworm disease is caused by adult heartworms and fragments of dead worms obstructing the normal blood flow through the heart and can lead to congestive heart failure and obstruction of the pulmonary blood vessels which carry blood to the lungs. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, the heartworm microfilariae are ingested along with the blood. In the mosquito, these microscopic pests develop into infective larvae, which are transmitted back to an animal through another mosquito bite. During the microfilariae maturation process in the animal (which lasts about six to seven months in dogs), the heartworms travel to the lungs and the right side of the heart, where they can grow and mate for several years. Treating all animals in a household is essential. Both dogs and cats often show no signs in the early stages of heartworm disease. Treating dogs for heartworm disease can be lengthy, expensive and life threatening. Currently, there is no approved treatment for heartworm disease in cats. For these reasons, prevention is the key. While fewer cats than dogs contract heartworm disease, those that do are prone to blockage of an artery and subsequent death. Whereas normally 10 or more adult heartworms need to be present before dogs exhibit severe heartworm disease, just one adult heartworm can be fatal to cats. Cats & Kittens magazine.

Cat Proverbs

"In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats." - English proverb
"Beware of people who dislike cats." - Irish proverb "An old cat will not learn how to dance." - Moroccan Proverb
"After dark all cats are leopards." - Native American Proverb
A cat may look at a king. - English Proverb
Happy owner, happy cat. Indifferent owner, reclusive cat. - Chinese Proverb
A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays. - English Proverb
"Happy is the home with at least one cat" - Italian Proverb
"The cat was created when the lion sneezed" - Arabian Proverb
"Curiosity killed the cat, Satisfaction brought it back!" - English Proverb
"Books and cats and fair-haired little girls make the best furnishing for a room" - French Proverb
"I gave an order to a cat, and the cat gave it to its tail" - Chinese Proverb
"Cats, flies and women are ever at their toilets" - French Proverb
"The dog for the man, the cat for the woman" - English Proverb

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Dear Everyone,

Dear Everyone,
I don't know if there will be talk behind the curtains about me. In
case there is, I would like you to hear the true story.
I was contacted by a lady in Oregon, who wants a blue boy. I can see
today that it clearly states "boy" in her mail. For some reason I
set in my mind that she wanted a girl. So when my Belle had a litter
of boys and one girl - I contacted her to let her know that the girl
was put to sleep because something was wrong with her from birth.
Then I realized that she wanted a boy. All boys were reserved.
Now she is blaming me for not wanting to sell a kitten to her and
not intending to contact her at all ect...
That had never been my intention, as I would otherwise just have
said no to her from the very beginning.
I've sent her e-mails apologizing, but it seems that she does not
trust me and believes that I'm making up the whole thing.
Well, maybe I should just cancel the whole thing and recommend her
to someone else.
I would also like to underline that there is not money between us.
Well, just a little cry from me.
Take care everyone!
Annette from Denmark

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Love and Friendship

A cute video I put together=D

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I thought cats didn't like water?

My cat is obsessed with water, she'll jump in the bath when there's still a good 6 inches of water left, and if a tap's left on she will drink from it...

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Get it...Got it...feather...slipping... from... my ..paws.

Get it...Got it...feather...slipping... from... my ..paws.