This weekend and time in general really got away from me and I failed to get Saturday's April A to Z Challenge post up. So, today you'll get two letters.
To begin, let's yet again repeat our A to Z prologue. So, some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z contributions this year will be illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.
On our missed post on Saturday, we were supposed to share the letter K. So, it belatedly stands for K9. As in, a K9 unit of law enforcement.
You already met that dog there, whose current-but-maybe-not-actual name is Pyg. And on Friday you met Jerry the ogre, who is an officer of some variation of the law. Pyg is one of his co-workers, and Hobo considers this canine officer a good friend.
Now, how about the letter L? Today, it stands for landlord. Hobo's human's landlord happens to be a goblin, because why not.
As the state of Hobo and his human's home might give away, that there goblin isn't all that great of a landlord.
On Friday, Evan went to the vet for his regular sanitary cleaning and shave, and also for a urine recheck and some bloodwork since he's on an NSAID.
Luckily, everything came back looking good for Evan. His recent UTI is gone, at least for now, and his bloodwork looked great.
Those photos were taken after I picked Evan up at the vet to go home. He's always a sad, pouty little thing on the way to the vet. On the way home, though, he's always so very happy. He purrs, cuddles through the carrier, and all that adorable stuff.
Evan and all of us here wish you a magnificent Monday!
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.
As the state of Hobo and his human's home might give away, that there goblin isn't all that great of a landlord.
***
Now, how about some Mancat Monday goodness? Today, Evan is coming at you from his prison cell.
On Friday, Evan went to the vet for his regular sanitary cleaning and shave, and also for a urine recheck and some bloodwork since he's on an NSAID.
Those photos were taken after I picked Evan up at the vet to go home. He's always a sad, pouty little thing on the way to the vet. On the way home, though, he's always so very happy. He purrs, cuddles through the carrier, and all that adorable stuff.
Evan and all of us here wish you a magnificent Monday!
***
Tip of the Day
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.
4 comments:
I love the drawings. I can't wait to read this story. Poor Evan having to go to the vets. I am glad all his tests were good. Excellent tips. XO
Evan, you do look imprisoned! The drawings are adorable.
Oh sweet Evan - purrayers that you feel better !
Of course, a goblin landlord. It works for me.
Evan looks good, even behind bars.
Post a Comment