The Letter P

We've made it past the halfway mark of April, but we still have plenty of days left in the A to Z Challenge.

I'll again repeat myself and say that for this year's alphabetical challenge, I'm sharing my own far art covers for some of my favorite books. Even better, almost all of my covers star cats, because obviously.

Today, for the letter P, I have one final cover in that wild and chaotic series I mentioned many times early in the alphabet. That series is Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. You know, that new fantasy series I've been enjoying over the past couple of years. It may be named after the titular character Carl, but I consider the real star of the show to be his talking Persian tortie cat, Princess Donut. For the letter P, this series has to offer A Parade of Horribles.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Matt Dinniman, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

Truth be told, that there book isn't even out yet. It comes out in May. I'm very excited to read it, but as of right now all I know is the basic synopsis of the book. I know that the characters are partaking in races, but that's about it. It's therefore probably a wildly inaccurate cover, but I wanted to draw tortie Princess Donut one more time.

Happy Caturday to all!

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Tip of the Day

 

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. For this reason, we're going to have a bit of a series of tips on how to recognize potential cases of cruelty, as well as what we can do to help. Today, we're going to start by giving a simple overview of what cruelty can look like. First, of course physical abuse toward an animal is cruelty. Neglect is another form of cruelty, and can include situations such as when an animal is left outdoors in extreme or unlivable conditions with no shelter, food, or water. In a similar line of thought is hoarding, which can include too large of an animal population for the space provided, extremely unsanitary conditions, and lack of nutritional, medical, and other basic care for the animals. Another example of neglect and cruelty to animals is abandoning an animal, such as in a vacated home or outdoors. Other examples of cruelty to animals include leaving an animal alone in a hot, or even cold, car, as well as any form of dog fighting.

There are, sadly, a great many examples of animal cruelty and neglect. Since animals can't speak for themselves, it is of course important that we all be aware of what cruelty is, and what forms it can take. Our vigilance and diligence may be the only way for some innocent, helpless animals out there to receive the help and care they need. So, do make sure that you are aware of the sad yet true facts of animal cruelty and neglect. This way, you can know it when you see it, and can thereby seek help for the afflicted animal or animals.

Friendly Fill-Ins, the Letter O, and Adorable Eddy

Hello, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.

1. If I had to choose a fictional world to live in it would be _________.

2. _________ is a book or movie that changed my life.

3. As a kid, I gave _________ the name _________.

4. If I had a parrot, I would teach it to say _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. If I had to choose a fictional world to live in it would be Hogwarts and its magical surroundings.

(For me, this would actually be a tie between the aforementioned world from Harry Potter and Middle-earth from J.R.R. Tolkien's works. But, I let Harry Potter have this one since Tolkien gets #2 below. The magical worlds of Harry Potter and Middle-earth were both introduced to me as a kid, and they brought me so much joy. They still do. I'd truly visit them if I could.)

2. The Hobbit is a book that changed my life.

(It might be odd to have a fiction book as an answer to this sort of question, especially one in the fantasy genre. But, here we are. I've mentioned before the sentimental value Tolkien's The Hobbit has for me, as I remember my dad reading it to me as a bedtime story when I was a toddler. My dad also hand-drew a map of Middle-earth in his youth, and it hung in my playroom and fascinated me for my entire childhood. The Hobbit is what really got me into the world of stories and sparked my desire to consume as well as create them myself.)

3. As a kid, I gave my budgie bird the name Robin.

(My family had a budgie named Pippin when I was young. Linking this to my answers above, Pippin was named after a character from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, as were my first kitties Rosie and Sammy. But I digress. Budgie Pippin was my first real companion animal, before I even had kitties or pups in my life. I remember sweet Pippin and his big personality, even though he passed when I was only 4 or so years old. Soon after that, my parents got my sister and I each our own budgie bird. I've always loved robins, even when I was a small child, and I remember thinking it would be so funny to name my decidedly non-robin budgie bird after, well, a robin. And so that's what I did.)

4. If I had a parrot, I would teach it to say the lyrics to (Don't Fear) The Reaper.
(I was really trying to think of something different and more clever to put for this, but I'm coming up empty. That said, I wouldn't mind if a parrot wanted to sing me my favorite song. In addition, if anyone ever tried to break into my house, maybe hearing Blue Ӧyster Cult's (Don't Fear) The Reaper in a parrot's squawking voice would scare them away.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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Now it's time for another day of the April A to Z Challenge.

I'm of course still sharing fan art covers for some of my favorite books, but of course my book covers all star cats or other animals. Today we've reached the letter O, and for this one I let myself use an older doodle that matched the book I wanted to share. And that is the whimsical fantasy book Od Magic by Patricia McKillip, which is more or less about a magical gardener who attends a magical school.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Patricia McKillip, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

I have a few other covers coming up for which I'll be using old doodles, just like I did for this one here. It's a bit of a crazy month, and so I told myself I was allowed to use old doodles for these book covers if I wasn't able to complete all of my new drawings in time. I'm determined to complete the full April A to Z Challenge because I'm really enjoying making these book covers, so I'd rather recycle and spruce up old drawings than have nothing to offer at all.

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And now we're of course here to give you your Eddy fix. Are you ready for the adorable lady and her gorgeous eyes? Here you go!

Eddy and all of us here wish you a fantastic Friday!

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Tip of the Day

The last parasite we'll be discussing in this parasitic series of tips is Toxoplasma gondii, which causes the disease known as toxoplasmosis. Though different animals can be affected, including cats, dogs, and humans, cats are the most prevalent. A cat can get toxoplasmosis from eating the infected muscle or organs of an animal, such as by eating a mouse or uncooked meat. The parasite can thereafter be passed through the cat's feces, and then other cats, dogs, or humans can acquire the disease after coming into contact with and ingesting such fecal matter.

Some cats with toxoplasmosis will display symptoms such as fever, lethargy, respiratory distress, or neurological disturbances. Symptoms are most often seen in cats who are immunocompromised, such as young kittens or the geriatric and sick. In most cases, though, especially in grown, healthy cats, no symptoms are noticed. It is even possible for a cat to indeed have toxoplasmosis for years, but to simply never display symptoms. This can also be the case in other animals, including humans. That being said, developing babies in utero can be at high risk for toxoplasmosis. This is why it is often recommended that women refrain from scooping their cat's litter box when pregnant.

To help prevent the transmission of toxoplasmosis, you can keep your kitty indoors, where they are less likely to come into contact with the feces of an infected animal or to ingest infected tissue from prey. Also ensure that any meat you feed your cat is cooked. Also keep all litter boxes scooped and cleaned. To protect yourself, always wash your hands well after scooping the litter box. Accidental transmission can occur simply from a person scooping the litter, not thoroughly washing their hands, and then touching their mouths or food. Dogs can also acquire toxoplasmosis by ingesting fecal matter, so keep your dogs away the litter box and fecal material they might find outdoors.

We're sure you all know this by now, but if you notice any concerning symptoms in your kitty, of course always have them examined by a veterinarian. Any questions or concerns regarding your cat's risk for diseases such as toxoplasmosis can of course be discussed with your vet as well. Even diseases such as toxoplasmosis, which often give off no symptoms at all, can be lethal in a compromised, untreated furbaby. So, as always, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

The Letter N and Thimble's Thanks

It's time for another letter of the alphabet. After all, we're now just past halfway through the April A to Z Challenge.

I'm still alphabetically sharing fan art covers for some of my favorite books, but of course they all star cats or occasionally other animals. Today we've reached the letter N. I haven't read anywhere near all of Stephen King's books, but I have read quite a few of them. One of my favorites is one that I don't see mentioned terribly often, and that is Needful Things.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. I am also most certainly not Stephen King, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

Needful Things involves a sketchy antique shop and its even sketchier owner who uses his transactions to wreak havoc on a small town. In order to keep up with the A to Z book covers in the midst of a busy month, I told myself that I was allowed to use old doodles when needed. And that's what I did for this one, as I remembered scribbling up that there kitty in a storefront, and it seemed fitting enough for my feline version of this book cover.

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Now, you better believe Thimble is here to participate in Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble's gratitude is a bit of a repeat, but she can't help herself. After all, she's always so very thankful for sunshine, as well as for her adorably big ears that help her hear the opening of her beloved baby food jars.

Of course, both Thimble and myself are also just generally grateful for how adorable that face is. Honestly, look at it. Just look it. You better believe it always gets Thimble her way.

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And now, of course, we have the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. If I had to choose a fictional world to live in it would be _________.

2. _________ is a book or movie that changed my life.

3. As a kid, I gave _________ the name _________.

4. If I had a parrot, I would teach it to say _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

 

We're back to our tips on parasites that can affect our furbabies. Two days ago we gave a tip on Giardia, and the parasite of today is very similar to this. Today's parasite is coccidia, which is another single-celled protozoa that can infect the intestinal tract. Coccidia is similar to Giardia in more than just that regard, though. Just like Giardia, coccidia most commonly causes diarrhea, and is passed in the feces. It is also possible for a furbaby to become infected with coccidia if they ingest an infected rodent.

Also just like with Giardia, sometimes a cat or dog will show no signs of infection even if they have coccidia in their intestinal tract. Young kittens or puppies, geriatric furbabies, and those otherwise medically compromised are at the highest risk. In compromised cats and dogs, diarrhea caused by coccidia infection can lead to dehydration and other complications, which can be life-threatening.

Like the broken record that we are, we're of course reminding you again to keep an eye on your furbaby when outdoors, and to keep their environment as sanitary as possible. As we said earlier, ingesting the feces of another animal infected with coccidia can lead to infection. Also ingesting debris or water near where such animal defecated could lead to an infection with coccidia.

And, again, if your furbaby has diarrhea, seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Take a fecal sample to the appointment, so that your veterinarian can do a test for coccidia and other parasites. When a diagnosis is made, discuss with the veterinarian the treatment options. Give prescribed medications, which may include antibiotics, probiotics, or another, and do so for as long as the veterinarian prescribes. Stopping medications early, even if symptoms subside, can result in a recurrence. Then again, if a treatment plan is not working, discuss that with your veterinarian as well. Diarrhea, among any number of symptoms, is not to be taken lightly, so do your best to stay on top of it.

Happy Birthday, Evan! (...and the Letter M)

We're going to start today with something very special...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVAN!

It is indeed my sweet orange boy's birthday. He's 13 years old. I genuinely cannot believe that number. I'm so grateful for every single one of those 13 years I've spent with him, and I hope to have many, many more years with my baby boy.

Evan has come a long way in these past 13 years. When I first met him, I worked at a vet clinic and someone had left him in a carrier at the front door. He was just 6 weeks old, barely even 1 lb, and he was a mess. Not only did he have a nasty upper respiratory infection and diarrhea caused by coccidiosis, but he was dragging his back legs behind him.

I'm sorry these photos of very young Evan are so low quality. I regret that I failed to ever take photos of him myself while he was at the clinic. We weren't allowed to have our phones on us while on the clock at the clinic, and I should have just ignored that rule. But, years ago I did download these grainy photos the veterinarian had uploaded to the clinic's Facebook page. I'm glad I grabbed those photos back then, because that clinic is now out of business and none of these photos are otherwise available to me. That's all beside the point, though.

The person who left Evan at the clinic's front door left a note with him. It said that Evan had been a barn cat along with his mama kitty and his littermates. Unfortunately, a coyote had gotten into the barn, and Evan was the only survivor. Whatever happened in that barn, Evan survived, but he was left paralyzed in his back legs.

At the clinic we did try various treatments on Evan's hind legs, but none of them regained his ability to use them. Evan had a lot of life and spunk in him, though, and he didn't let those defunct legs get him down.

That there is the first photo I have of me with my sweet boy. That was before I ever officially adopted him. I feel terrible that Evan went through what he did as a tiny little guy, but I'm so grateful he came into my life.

Rest assured, Evan has never let his hind limb paralysis get him down. He runs and plays, in his own special way, and I love seeing his tenacity in everything he does.

Evan will be getting some new toys and lots of treats today, and of course lots of cuddles. A couple years ago I got him this here "I'm kind of a big dill" pickle toy for his birthday, and he still loves it to this day. It also pretty much sums up how awesome he is.

Last year I scribbled up Harry Potter-esque birthday doodles for all of my furry babies, and I'm going to share Evan's again now.

Yet again...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVAN!

I love you so much, Evan. I hope your day and year and everything in between is the best of the best.

***

Now, we do have today's April A to Z Challenge contribution.

As I've mentioned many times now, this year for the alphabetical challenge I'm drawing my own covers for some of my favorite books. No matter the subject matter of the story, all of my book covers will star cats, or occasionally other animals.

Today we've reached the letter M. I was in my early 20s when I started looking into reading more modern fantasy books, but I was in the mood for some sort of urban fantasy with lots of fantastical creatures in a more current setting. In that vein, the bookish site known as Goodreads recommended to me a book called Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia. I know that sounds pretty wild, and it was, and I enjoyed it immensely. It was one of my main introductions to the modern, urban fantasy reads that I now enjoy reading. All that rambling aside, here's my feline cover for Monster Hunter International.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Larry Correia, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

We'll be back with more wacky weirdness tomorrow!

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Tip of the Day

For today's tip, of course in Evan's honor, we'd just like to remind you all that special needs animals—or specially abled, a term that I find far more accurate—can still live happy, healthy lives in which they thrive. Specially abled animals can include those of all wonderful types, such as those with physically special attributes, like Evan. In addition, special abled animals can include those with known medical diseases or anomalies, such as diabetes, kidney disease, disorders of the thyroid, deafness, blindness, and cerebellar hypoplasia, just to name a few.

That all being said, if you are ever thinking of adopting, fostering, or even sponsoring an animal, don't forget those who are specially abled. Many of these animals are passed over at shelters, or even, sadly, euthanized. They are often deemed "imperfect" or "unadoptable", when the exact opposite is the truth. These animals may be different, yes, and they are indeed special. That being said, they also have so much much life, love, and lessons to offer.

Of course, though, we also have to note that when it comes to adopting a specially abled animal, always do your research, take all factors into consideration, and decide whether it is wise or possible for you to bring home a specially abled furbaby. Especially depending on their condition, these special furbabies can often of course live happy, healthy, long lives. But, again depending on their condition, their care may take additional effort, resources, and financing.

So, all in all, don't forgot those specially abled furbabies out there. They have so much to offer, and they can teach us all so much.

The Letter L and Tonks Tuesday

Hello and welcome to another day of the April A to Z Challenge!

Like the broken record that I am, I'm here to remind you that for this year's alphabetical challenge I'm scribbling up fan art covers for some of my favorite books. All of these covers will star animals, mostly cats.

Today we've reached the letter L. I've mentioned how I got my love of fantasy from my dad, especially my fondness for J.R.R. Tolkien's works. For that reason, L is for The Lord of the Rings.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not, unfortunately, J.R.R. Tolkien. Therefore I am not, unfortunately, the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

The Lord of the Rings is technically the name of the whole trilogy, which is comprised of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. That said, my first physical version of these books was an omnibus of the whole trilogy. I always think of these masterpieces as one great big adventure that, like so many others out there, I usually just call The Lord of the Rings.

***

It is indeed Tonks Tuesday, and so now we'll of course let you bask in the adorable calico's glory.

Tonks and all of us here wish you a terrific Tuesday!

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Tip of the Day

Today we're talking about another intestinal parasite. This time, though, it's not a worm. The parasite we're talking about today is Giardia, which is a single-celled protozoa. In short, Giardia causes diarrhea in cats and dogs, as well as humans. Diarrhea caused by Giardia is often very malodorous, sometimes somewhat green in color, and may contain mucus or blood.

How does a cat or dog become infected with Giardia? It is passed in the feces of infected animals. This means that eating the feces of an infected animal, or eating grass or other debris near where an infected animal has defecated, can result in infection with Giardia. Drinking water near where infected animals have defecated is another way that Giardia can be passed from animal to animal.

This all being said, many healthy animals can have Giardia present in there intestinal tract and not show symptoms. It more commonly becomes a problem in very young, very old, or otherwise sick animals. It is also more common in highly populated areas, such as in a shelter. If diarrhea resulting from Giardia is severe enough, the situation can become life-threatening due to dehydration and other complications.

So, though we can't always put protective bubbles around our furbabies, do your best to help prevent Giardia from affecting your furbaby. Try to keep them from ingesting the feces of other animals, of course, or from ingesting grass or water in areas where other animals may have defecated. Also be sure to keep their feeding, sleeping, and play areas, especially those outdoors, sanitary.

If you do notice your kitty or pup has diarrhea, do not hesitate to take them and a fecal sample in for an exam by a veterinarian. Especially if your furbaby is very young, geriatric, or sick, do not hesitate to have them seen if they are displaying diarrhea. Your vet can test a stool sample for Giardia, as well as for other parasites. Of course, also be sure to administer medications and follow other treatments that your vet prescribes for your furbaby. Also, as we always say, never hesitate to ask your veterinarian about any concerns you have regarding Giardia and your furbaby's risk, treatment, or prevention.

It is also worth noting that, though nowadays is is believed not as prevalent as originally thought, it is still possible for humans to get Giardia from cats and dogs. For this reason, always be sure to wash your hands after cleaning up their waste, especially if they are known to have Giardia. Giardia is not something to take lightly, neither in our furbabies nor ourselves.

The Letter K and Evan's Battle Cry

Hello and welcome to another day of the April A to Z Challenge!

For this alphabetical challenge, I'm sharing my own fan art versions of covers for some of my favorite books. Even better, my covers star cats, or the occasional dog or other animal. It doesn't matter whether the books in question have a kitty or other animal characters. My covers will have furry stars no matter what.

Today we've reached the letter K, and for this one it's not a book title I'm going with. Instead, I'm basing my book choice on the main character's name, and that is Kane. I've mentioned how my dad is a lifelong fan of the fantasy genre, and I inherited that. My dad also shared his old fantasy books with me as I grew up, and I read pretty much all of them. Those included the 1970s books about the warrior named Kane, who had red hair and cursed blue eyes. Karl Edward Wagner's stories about Kane have always been some of my favorite pulp fantasy reads, so I of course had to share at least one of them in this month's A to Z Challenge.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Karl Edward Wagner, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

Though I immensely enjoy the novel Dark Crusade, it's actually some of the anthology books with short stories and novellas starring Kane that are my absolute favorite reads by Karl Edward Wagner. That said, I very loosely based my kitty Kane drawing on the cover art of Dark Crusade, so I let it be the Kane cover I shared.

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Speaking of red-headed warriors, here's a my tough little guy Evan giving his battle cry!

Oh, wait, no. Evan was just giving me an adorable little yawn in these bloopers.

The poor tired boy has to put up with his human of a mom shoving a camera in his face when all he wants is a nap. He's such a sweet boy, though, and is (usually) a good sport about it.

Don't worry. I let Evan take his nap after snapping a couple more photos. Oh, and if you were curious, Evan is a snorer. And a loud one at that.

Happy napping to all!

***

Tip of the Day

A few days ago we gave a tip relating to intestinal worms, including roundworms. We failed to mention lungworms, though, which are actually a type of roundworm. Slugs and snails are the common carriers of lungworm larvae. Dogs, therefore, can end up with a lungworm infestation if they eat a slug or snail that is carrying the larvae. It is also possible for cats to acquire lungworms, such as if they eat a slug or snail, or if they eat a bird or other prey that has eaten a slug or snail that is carrying lungworm larvae.

Lungworms, obviously, affect the lungs. Signs of lungworm infection can include coughing and difficulty breathing. In some cases, respiratory failure can occur. Needless to say, if you notice any respiratory distress in your kitty or pup, always have them seen by a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Diagnosis and treatment of any respiratory disorder, including lungworms, should not be delayed.

To help prevent any potential lungworm infection in your furbabies, be aware of their surroundings. Do you have slugs and snails in your yard, or in any areas where your furbaby visits? If so, keep an eye on them and try to prevent their ingestion of such critters. Also, do not leave toys or bowls outside where snails or slugs might be able to inhabit them, as this could result in even accidental ingestion of these critters that can carry lungworms. And, of course, if you have any concerns regarding the risk, prevention, or treatment of lungworms, discuss this with your veterinarian.

Caturday Art with the Letter J

Hello and welcome to another day of the April A to Z Challenge!

This year's alphabetical challenge involves me sharing my own fan art covers for some of my favorite books. And, whether or not there is a feline or other animal character in the book, my covers will all indeed star a furry friend.

Today we've reached the letter J, which might not make much sense if you glance down and see that the book I've chosen is The Amityville Horror. I had to shift some things around when planning my book covers for this alphabetical month, which kicked this one out of the A slot. I made it fit for the letter J, though, because of the character named Jodie. When I think of The Amityville Horror, the first thing I always imagine is none other than Jodie. She is not a main character, but rather one of the child character's imaginary friends. What else is there to know about Jodie? Well, she's a demonic pig with glowing red eyes. Isn't that just great? You can see her in the upper window of the haunted house on my cover.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Jay Anson, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

Though horror is one of my favorite genres of both books and movies, I'm not very easy to scare. That said, The Amityville Horror is quite possibly the only book that's ever truly creeped me out. It's said to be based on true events. I'm not sure how much of it I believe is true, but either way, I found it genuinely spooky.

I will note that the family in this book does have a dog. I almost drew that dog as the animal character for my cover, but what all the poor dog had to go through made me sad as I read this book. The dog actually does survive the book, which was a relief. But, I still felt so bad for the poor thing and so chose to let him stay away from my version of this awful house. I instead decided on scribbling up a spooked cat that never actually existed in the story. In my mind, that there kitty sees the house and its demonic pig, says absolutely not, and then runs off to live a happy life. 

Happy Caturday to all!

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Tip of the Day

 

A couple days ago, we talked about ear mites. These mites are not the only kind that can infest our pups and kitties, though. As many of you likely already know, there are a variety of other mites that can affect the skin of our furbabies.

In dogs, mites that cause sarcoptic mange are perhaps most common, and are also highly contagious between dogs and also to humans. Mites that cause demodectic mange are perhaps a bit less common, as a healthy immune system can often suppress them, and they are also far less contagious. Cats have certain mites that more commonly affect them, such as cheyletiella mites and mites that cause notoedric mange. Both of these are contagious, similarly to the mites that cause sarcoptic mange.

No matter the species of your furbaby, they can potentially be affected by mites. Depending on the type of mite, as well as the pup or kitty's overall health and the severity of the infestation, you might see a variety of symptoms. When it comes to mites and mange, keep an eye out for itching and scratching, hair loss, scabs or scaly skin, and discoloration of the skin, just to name a few.

If you think you see any signs related to mites, or signs of any dermatological issue, have your furbaby seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Not only is itching and scratching uncomfortable, but lesions and secondary infections can result. Left untreated, mites and their side effects can become a risk not only to your furbaby's comfort and happiness, but also to their health.

All of that being said, keep in mind that treatment for mites will likely not only include medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Mites will also need to be eradicated from the environment. You may need to pitch bedding and rugs, or at the very least efficiently wash them in hot water. Do whatever it takes to ensure that your furbaby and their environment is as sanitary and safe as possible, so that they can live a happy, healthy life.