INPUT ARTICLE: Article: After a venomous snakebite, your cat will become lethargic and may start vomiting. She will probably start to become very weak and collapse. In addition, her muscles may begin to twitch and her pupils will start to dilate. As more time passes after the snakebite, she could exhibit even more serious signs, such as seizures, paralysis, and shock. Signs of shock include rapid shallow breathing, hypothermia, and a rapid heart rate. Because of the amount of pain she is in, she may also be more vocal. Do not wait to see if your cat shows symptoms of a snakebite. If you saw the snake bite your cat, or if you see the bite wound, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. The onset of clinical signs after a snakebite is usually rapidwithin a few minutes to an hour of being bitten. If your cat shows no clinical signs after 60 minutes, then the snake's venom likely did not enter her system. Your cat may not exhibit these clinical signs if she has been bitten by a nonvenomous snake. However, you should still take her to your veterinarian for treatment and monitoring. In order to give the appropriate antivenin, it would be helpful for your veterinarian to know the species of the attacking snake. In the US, the most common venomous snakes are rattlesnakes, water moccasins, copperheads, and coral snakes. If you witnessed the attack, stay calm and take note of the color, length, and pattern of the snake. For your safety, do not approach the snake to get a closer look. Do not try to kill the snake. You will put yourself in more danger of being bitten by approaching the snake and trying to kill it. Venomous snakes have slit-like pupils (similar to a cat), whereas non-venomous snakes have round pupils (like people). There are exceptions, however. For instance, the venomous coral snake has round pupils. If you are not able to identify the snake or do not know if it is venomous, assume that it is venomous. The negative effects on the cardiovascular system can cause your cat to go into shock.

SUMMARY: Pay attention to your cat's clinical signs. Try to identify the species of snake that bit your cat.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The chemicals in many antibacterial sprays, furniture polishes, and cleaning wipes can irritate your skin and nails. When shopping for cleaning products, choose natural or non-irritating formulas. Avoid products with ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite, or lye. If you find yourself biting or tearing at your nails, then this is a likely cause of at least some of the damage. Make a decision to end these behaviors and follow through by coating your nails in an unpleasant taste, such as lemon juice. There are also nail polishes that are designed to dissuade you from biting. Nail biting can happen in your sleep. To prevent this, put socks or mittens on your hands before you go to bed. If you feel as if your nail biting is crossing the line into a compulsion, talk with a mental health professional. Look for biotin pills or multivitamins in the health or medical areas of most stores. Taken daily these pills will start to strengthen your nail beds. This is a slow process, but will result in nails that can withstand rougher treatment without breaking or tearing. Expect to take biotin for at least 4-6 months. Make sure that your diet contains many foods with the vitamins A, B, C, and E. These vitamins will help to build up your nails and cuticles. Foods, such as olive oil and eggs, or a good multivitamin can give you these nutrients. Also, make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration and brittle nail beds an dry cuticles. The main ingredient in most nail polish removers, acetone, can easily eat through your nail beds if not used properly. Only apply the minimum amount needed when removing your polish and place the remover on a cotton swab, not directly on your nail. If your nails are damaged, then it is a good idea to go to a professional for any polishing or new nail applications. Tell the technician about the problems that you've been having and ask for their treatment suggestions. If offered, go for hand massage as well as it will increase blood flow to the area and stimulate healing. A hand and nail massage with coconut oil, or any oil, is even better as it moisturizes the nail bed. New nail growth takes anywhere from 3-6 months. So, expect to wait that long until you see clear improvements with your nails. Resist the urge to speed up the process by trying out aggressive treatments, as they may cause more harm than good.

SUMMARY:
Use gentler cleaning products. Take steps to end picking, tearing, or biting. Take a biotin supplement. Eat right and drink lots of water. Be gentle when switching polishes. See a manicurist. Be patient.