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  • Abdominal Cavity Inflammation in Cats

    Peritonitis in Cats
     
    The abdominal cavity is lined with a thin, watery membrane, called the peritoneum. When the cat’s abdominal cavity, also called the peritoneal cavity, is injured, the peritoneum becomes inflamed. The severity of the inflammation depends on the type of injury the peritoneal cavity has undergone. Peritonitis is frequently a painful condition, and the cat will respond when it is touched on its abdomen.
     
    Peritonitis can affect both dogs and cats. To learn more about how it affects dogs, please visit

  • Abnormal Diaphragm Opening in Cats

    Diaphragmatic Hernia in Cats
     
    Diaphragmatic hernias occur when an abdominal organ (such as the stomach, liver, intestine, etc.) moves into an abnormal opening in the cat’s diaphragm, the sheet of muscle separating the abdomen from the rib cage area. This can occur because of an acquired injury from a forceful blow, such as a car accident, or because of a defect at birth (congenital).
     
    The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit

  • Abnormal Eyelid in Cats

    Entropion in Cats
     
    Entropion is a genetic condition in which a portion of the eyelid is inverted or folded inward against the eyeball. This results in irritation and scratches to the cornea — the front surface of the eye — leading to corneal ulceration, or corneal perforation. It can also leave dark-colored scar tissue to build up over the wound (pigmentary keratitis). These factors may cause a loss or decrease in vision.
     
    Generally, only brachycephalic breeds of cats, such as Persians, are at risk. Entropion is almost always diagnosed around the time a cat reaches its secon …read more

  • Abnormal Growths in the Lower Intestines of Cats

    Rectoanal Polyps in Cats
     
    The growth of flap-like protrusions in the cat’s anal and rectal walls is a condition referred to as rectoanal polyps. These polyps may be directly attached to the intestinal walls (sessile), or attached through a stalk-like cylindrical connection.
     
    Most rectoanal polyps are non-cancerous, and are merely extensions of the innermost tissue lining of the intestinal walls. And while most cases of polyps are usually isolated, there are occasions cats suffer from multiple polyps.
     
    The condition described in this medical article can affect both dogs …read more

  • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Cats

    Sinus Bradycardia in Cats
     
    A slower-than-normal rate of impulses in the sinus node is medically referred to as sinus bradycardia (SB). Also called the sinoatrial node (SAN), the sinus node initiates the electrical impulses within the heart, triggering the heart to beat or contract. In most instances, slow sinus electrical impulses is benign and may even be beneficial; however, it can also cause loss of consciousness if it is brought about by an underlying disease that disrupts the cardiac autonomic nerves, which act as the heart’s control system.
     
    SB is less common in cats as c …read more

  • Abnormal Passage Between Artery and Vein in Cats

    Arteriovenous Fistula in Cats
     
    An abnormal, low resistance connection between an artery and a vein is called an arteriovenous fistula. If large enough, the fistula may cause a significant fraction of the total cardiac output to bypass the capillary bed, making it so that the tissues receive little or no oxygen. The heart, in turn, tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen by pumping blood out to the body at a faster rate, which may lead “high output” congestive heart failure.
     
    The location of arteriovenous fistulae varies; reported sites include the head, neck, ear …read more

  • Abnormal Passageway Between the Mouth and Nasal Cavity in Cats

    Oronasal Fistula in Cats
     
    A fistula is characterized as an abnormal passageway between two openings, hollow organs, or cavities. They occur as a result of injury, infection, or disease. A communicating, vertical passageway between the mouth and nasal cavity is called an oronasal fistula. Oronasal fistulas are rare in cats, but they do occur.
     
    These types of fistulas are caused by the diseased condition of any tooth in the upper jaw. The most common location for an oronasal fistula is where the root of the fourth premolar on the upper jaw enters the palate. This condition will n …read more

  • Abnormal Protein Production in Cats

    Paraproteinemia in Cats
     
    Gamma globulins, or immunoglobulins, are part of the body’s antibody response to fighting infections. They are a class of blood protein produced by plasma cell, a type of white blood cell; their purpose: to identify and neutralize invading bacteria and viruses.
     
    In paraproteinemia, abnormal paraproteins (proteins in the blood or urine) or M components are produced by a single clone of plasma cells. Such production of abnormal proteins is commonly seen in plasma cell tumors and in some other types of tumors, as well as in plasma cell myeloma, a cancer of …read more

  • Abnormal Urine Outflow Due to Urinary Bladder Dysfunction in Cats

    Vesicourachal Diverticula in Cats
     
    Vesicourachal diverticula occurs when a fetus’ urachus — embryological canal or tube connecting the placenta with urinary bladder of fetus — fails to close. This congenital condition impairs the animal’s normal urine outflow and makes it susceptible to urinary tract infections. Moreover, the condition may persist indefinitely if not treated properly.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Blood in urine (hematuria)
    Painful urination (

  • Abscesses in Cats

     
    Cats, like people, are prone to skin irritations. While they can often be treated with ointments and creams, an abscess can form if an irritation worsens or if bacteria invades the skin. An abscess can also occur when a cat becomes infected from a variety of injuries, and can be found on virtually any part of an animal’s body. It is important to note that while surface wounds are fairly common in pets, they can become problematic if they are infected and are left untreated.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Cats are most likely to experience abscesses, as they tend to fight wi …read more

  • Accumulation of Air Between Chest and Lungs in Cats

    Pneumothorax in Cats
     
    Pneumothorax is the medical term for an accumulation of air in the area between the cat’s chest wall and lungs (the pleural space). It may be categorized as traumatic or spontaneous, and closed or open.
     
    Both dogs and cats are susceptible to pneumothorax. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are four main categories of pneumothorax: traumatic, sp …read more

  • Acetominophen (Tylenol) Poisoning in Cats

    Acetaminophen Toxicity in Cats
     
    Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly used pain relievers, and it can be found in a variety of over-the-counter medications. Toxic levels can be reached when a pet is unintentionally over medicated with acetaminophen, or when a pet has gotten hold of medication and ingested it. Pet owners often do not realize their animals may break into medicine cabinets or chew through medicine bottles. It is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of toxicity, so that you can properly treat your pet if is has accidentally ingested medication.
     
    Symp …read more

  • Acid Reflux in Cats

    Gastroesophageal Reflux in Cats
     
    The uncontrollable reverse flow of gastric or intestinal fluids into the tube connecting the throat and the stomach (esophagus) is medically referred to as gastroesophageal reflux. This may be due to a brief relaxation of the muscular opening at the base of the esophagus (referred to as the sphincter), as well as chronic vomiting. Gastroesophageal reflux is fairly common in cats, and may occur at any age, although younger cats are at greater risk.
     
    Gastric stomach acids, pepsin, bile salts, and other components of the gastrointestinal juices cau …read more

  • Acne in Cats

    Pustules in Cats
     
    Some cats have a single episode of acne; many, have a life-long recurring problem. The frequency and severity of each occurrence, however, varies with each particular animal. In cats, the acne is concentrated on the chin and lower lip. Unfortunately, the cause is unknown, but sex, age, and breed are not determining factors for cat acne.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Blackheads or whiteheads, mild red pimples, and watery crusts develop on the chin, and less commonly on the lips
    The cat’s chin will sometimes swell
    In …read more

  • Acral Lick Dermatitis

    Skin Diseases in Cats that Involve Licking
     
    Acral lick dermatitis is a firm, raised, ulcerative, or thickened plaque usually located on the back side of the ankle, or between the toes. The age at which it occurs in cats varies with the cause. Some veterinarians believe it may more commonly affect males, while others indicate there is no predisposition.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The following are some symptoms that may be observed if your cat is suffering from acral lick dermatitis:
     

    Excessive licking and chewing on the affected area
    Occasi …read more

  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in Cats

    Shock Lung in Cats
     
    Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) involves severe inflammation of the lungs which ultimately leads to acute respiratory failure and death in affected cats. This is a life-threatening problem, causing death in a majority of patients despite life saving efforts and treatment. An almost 100 percent death rate is reported in affected cats due to ARDS. Genetic factors have been found to play a role in the development of acute respiratory failure in people, but these factors have not yet been investigated in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Acute respi …read more

  • Acute Vomiting in Cats

    Sudden Onset of Vomiting in Cats
     
    Cats will commonly vomit from time to time, often because they might have eaten something that upset their stomachs, or simply because they have sensitive digestive systems. However, the condition becomes acute when the vomiting does not stop and when there is nothing left in the cat’s stomach to throw up except bile. It is important you take your pet to a veterinarian in these cases.
     
    While vomiting may have a simple, straightforward cause, it may be an indicator of something far more serious. It is also problematic because it can have a wide …read more

  • Addison?s Disease in Cats

    Hypoadrenocorticism in Cats
     
    Hypoadrenocorticism is characterized by deficient production of glucocorticoids (cortisol) and/or mineralocorticoids (aldosterone). Mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids are hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands, which are located near the kidneys. Both of these hormones are critical to the healthy functioning of the body, and an abnormal increase or decrease of either of these hormones can lead to serious health problems if not addressed in time. Deficient production of both these hormones can affect the nervous system, the gastrointestinal sys …read more

  • Adhesions of the Eye?s Iris and Swelling of Eye in Cats

    Iris Bombe – Complete Posterior Synechiae in Cat
     
    Synechiae are adhesions between the iris and other structures in the eye, either the cornea or lens. Iris bombe occurs when there is a complete adhesion between the cat’s iris and the capsule of the lens of the eye, creating a 360 degree area of adhesion. This degree of adhesion results in a billowing of the iris forward into the eye.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms seen with iris bombe include:
     

    Eye bulging
    Eye pain
    Red eyes
    Squinting
    …read more

  • Adrenal Gland Cancer (Pheochromocytoma) in Cats

    Pheochromocytoma in Cats
     
    A pheochromocytoma is a type of adrenal gland tumor which causes the gland to make too much of some of the hormones. This can cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. These symptoms are intermittent (not present all of the time) because the hormones that cause them are not made all of the time or are made in low amounts.
     
    Pheochromocytomas are rare in cats. When they do occur it is usually with older cats. Because this tumor affects an endocrine gland that functions to spread hormones, pheochromocytomas commonly spread to …read more

  • Aggression in Cats (Overview)

     
    Cats are small, and often become the target of other animals, making them vulnerable to all kinds of dangers. Anyone who owns a cat understands that it needs protection, especially from dangers that can be encountered outside of the house. This vulnerability accounts for the built-in aggression response cats have when they perceive a threat. Aggression can also come from fear, a health condition, genetic predisposition, an environmental change, or to protect its territory. However, overaggressive behavior can make a cat difficult to live with.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Many …read more

  • Allergic Shock in Cats

    Anaphylaxis in Cats
     
    Anaphylaxis is an emergency condition that occurs when a cat is exposed to a certain allergen after having been exposed to it previously. In extreme situations, this reaction can be fatal. The condition is unpredictable, as almost any substance can potentially cause an allergic reaction. The expected outcome is often good if the reaction is detected early and treatment is administered quickly.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include shock, breathing difficulties,

  • Anaerobic Bacterial Infections in Cats

     
    Anaerobes are a normal part of the body’s chemical community, living in symbiosis in the cat’s abdomen, vaginal canal, intestines and mouth. However, when something happens to disrupt the balance of bacteria, such as what occurs with deep injuries, surgery or internal infections, these bacteria can invade the tissue, leading to deep infection and tissue death. If left untreated, an anaerobic infection can lead to shock and even death.
     
    The bacteria which cause anaerobic infections are able to grow best in the absence of free oxygen. Consequently, these bacteria often thrive in …read more

  • Anal Gland Cancer in Cats

    Adenocarcinoma in Cats
     
    While anal gland/sac cancer (adenocarcinoma) is not common, it is an invasive disease that does not generally have a positive outlook. Usually seen as a rectal growth (mass) on a cat, it is also common to find the disease in the lymph nodes. Due to the type of disease, it is typically cancerous (malignant) and can spread quickly into other areas of the cat’s body. There are treatment options available, usually surgical, that can help to improve an animal’s chances for survival.
     
    Symptoms
     
    The most common sign of anal gland cancer is a rectal mass …read more

  • Anal Sac Disorders in Cats

     
    Cats have anal glands which produce fluid into sacs that are located on either side of the anus. This fluid is assumed to be a scent marker that is useful in delineating territory. Anal sac disorders involve impaction of anal sac fluid, inflammation of the sac(s), and abscess of the sac(s), which can lead to anal gland rupture. Impaction is the most commonly occurring type of anal gland disorder.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Scooting along the floor
    Straining to defecate
    Scratching at the anus
    Licking and biting around th …read more

  • Anemia (Methemoglobinemia) in Cats

    Methemoglobinemia in Cats
     
    The purpose of hemoglobin in the blood is to carry oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. Methemoglobin is the result of iron oxygenation, and while it is a form of hemoglobin, it does not carry oxygen.
     
    Under normal conditions, methemoglobin is converted back to hemoglobin, and a balance is maintained. But when there is too much methemoglobin in the blood, inadequate oxygenation of the cat’s bodily tissues results. A visible sign of methemoglobinemia is when the blood becomes brownish in color, instead of the normal oxygenated rich r …read more

  • Anemia Due to Bone Marrow Failure (or Toxicity) in Cats

    Aplastic Anemia in Cats
     
    Bone marrow plays a pivotal role in the constant replenishment of important cells like red blood cells (RBCs), granulocytes (or white blood cells [WBCs]), and platelets. Once these cells reach the point of maturation they are released into the blood stream. According to one estimate, in various mammals about three million red blood cells are released in one second. This demonstrates the extensive amount of work done by the bone marrow in keeping the numbers of these cells within normal ranges in the body.
     
    Aplastic anemia is a diseased condition resulti …read more

  • Anemia Due to Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats

     
    Production of red blood cells (RBCs) takes place in the bone marrow. For development and maturation of red blood cells to take place, bone marrow requires an adequate supply of a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein hormone that controls the production of red blood cells. Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidney cannot produce an adequate amount of erythropoietin, resulting in bone marrow failure. Lack of RBC production will ultimately lead to anemia in cats that are suffering from chronic kidney failure. Middle-aged to older …read more

  • Anemia Due to Deformed Red Blood Cells in Cats

    Anemia, Metabolic (Anemias With Spiculated Red Cells) in Cats
     
    Anemia can occur in cats for number of reasons, and anemia can be categorized on the basis of cause(s). Metabolic anemia in cats occurs as the result of any disease related to the kidney, liver, or spleen by which the shape of red blood cells (RBCs) is changed. Normally, red blood cells (RBCs) in cats are of a biconcave discoid shape, but in metabolic anemia, this particular shape is lost and various abnormal projections come out of the surface of RBCs. These blood cells are usually elongated and blunt, with finger shaped p …read more

  • Anemia Due to Enlarged Blood Cells in Cats

    Anemia, Megaloblastic (Anemia, Nuclear Maturation Defects) in Cats
     
    In this disease, red blood cells fail to divide and become abnormally large. These cells are also deficient in necessary DNA material. These giant cells with underdeveloped nuclei are called megaloblasts, or “big cells.” Red blood cells are mainly affected, but white blood cells and platelets can also go through changes.
     
    For cats that have anemia associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), this type of anemia is expected to occur. The seriousness of the anemia can rang from mild to severe.
     
    …read more

  • Anemia Due to Iron Deficiency in Cats

    Anemia, Iron Deficiency in Cats
     
    When the body is deficient in iron, red cells do not develop as they should. The lack of iron causes the cells that are produced by the bone marrow to be too small, and too low in oxygen-carrying features. In adult pets, this condition is usually caused by some kind of blood loss. It is important to recognize iron-deficiency anemia, because the underlying disease can be life-threatening.
     
    The most common site of the blood loss is the gastrointestinal tract. About 50 percent of kittens from five to ten weeks of age will have transient iron-defici …read more

  • Anemia Due to Red Blood Cell Damage in Cats

    Anemia, Heinz Body in Cats
     
    This is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed. The “Heinz body” can be seen under a microscope. This type of anemia can occur as a reaction to certain medications, or as a result of eating onions. It is more likely to occur in cats than dogs, and is usually caused by something the pet has eaten or drunk. Hyperthyroidism, lymphoma, and diabetes may also bring on this condition.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Fever
    Sudden onset of weakness
    Loss of appetite (

  • Anemia Related to the Immune System in Cats

    Immune Mediated Anemia
     
    Cats, like humans, have an immune system that helps them to fight against a variety of diseases to stay healthy. The immune system includes various specialized cells, proteins, tissues, and organs which all work collectively to protect the body against foreign invaders, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Antibodies are proteins secreted by specific cells of the immune system, which bind to foreign substances, known as antigens, to destroy them. The immune system goes wrong when it mistakenly starts recognizing red blood cells (RBCs) as antigens o …read more

  • Anemia, Nonregenerative in Cats

    Nonregenerative Anemia in Cats
     
    A decrease in red blood cells is referred to as anemia. Typically, bone marrow will respond to this loss by increasing red blood cell production. However, in non-regenerative anemia, the bone marrow response is inadequate when compared to the increased need. For this reason, cats that suffer from anemia caused by lead poisoning or feline leukemia are in a very dangerous situation. Also, pets that become anemic over a period of time will fare better than those that have a sudden onset of anemia. When the anemia progresses slowly, the body has time to adju …read more

  • Anemia, Regenerative in Cats

    Regenerative Anemia in Cats
     
    Regenerative anemia occurs when the body loses blood faster than it can be regenerated, despite the fact that red blood cells are being produced in the bone marrow.  
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Pale gums
    Pale eyes and ears
    Weakness
    Rapid heart beat
    Depression
    Sleeping more than normal
    Failure to groom
    Weak appetite
    Excessive panting
    Heart murmur
    Hemolytic anemia:

    Yello …read more

  • Antibiotic-resistant Bacterial Infections in Cats

    L-Form Bacterial Infections in Cats
     
    L-form bacterial infections are caused by bacterial variants with defective or absent cell walls. That is, L-form bacteria are defective variations of bacterial cells, which can be almost any type of bacteria. L-forms are different from most other forms of bacteria in the respect that cell walls are an important component of organized cell division. While L-forms are still able to divide, creating more of themselves, they lack the same organizational structure as bacteria with cell walls. L-forms replicate without regard to size, big and small, rat …read more

  • Antibodies that Attack Blood Cells at Lower Temperatures in Cats

    Cold Agglutinin Disease in Cats
     
    This is a rare type II autoimmune disorder in which antibodies that attack red blood cells have enhanced activity at temperatures of less than 99° F (37.2° C). The term agglutinin refers to an antibody that causes antigens, such as red blood cells or bacteria, to adhere to each each other.
     
    Cold agglutinins with low thermal capacity are usually associated with direct red blood cell agglutination (adhesion) at low body temperatures in the peripheral blood vessel network (i.e., the vessels outside of the main circulatory network). Cold l …read more

  • Anxiety and Compulsive Disorders in Cats

    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Cats
     
    This is a behavioral disorder where a cat will engage in repetitive, exaggerated behaviors that are seemingly without purpose. For example, grooming to the extent that fur is rubbed off; compulsive pacing; repetitive vocalizations; and eating, sucking, or chewing on fabric. If it continues over a long period of time, it may become fixed behavior, no longer requiring the situation or environmental trigger that started the behavior in the first place. The behaviors may reinforce themselves due to the release of pain-relieving chemicals in the …read more

  • Arrhythmias after Blunt Heart Trauma in Cats

    Traumatic Myocarditis in Cats
     
    The prevalence of serious arrhythmias after blunt trauma is relatively low but some patients develop clinically important rhythm disturbances following  trauma to the heart. Therefore, the heart rhythm of all victims of trauma should be carefully assessed.
     
    Traumatic myocarditis is the term applied to the syndrome of arrhythmias – irregular heartbeats – that sometimes complicates a blunt trauma injury to the heart.  It is a misnomer, because heart muscle injuries are more likely to take the form of cell death than inflammatio …read more

  • Arsenic Poisoning in Cats

    Arsenic Intoxication in Cats
     
    Arsenic is a heavy metal mineral that is commonly included in chemical compounds for consumer products, such as herbicides (chemicals to kill unwanted plants), insecticides (chemicals to kill insects), and as wood preservatives. Most cases of toxicity occur in homes where such compounds are placed carelessly with open excess. Cats typically ingest such compounds accidentally. Toxicity can also occur over a long term, such as when cats are exposed to arsenic by eating grass that is regularly treated with herbicides.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    In c …read more

  • Arthritis (Septic) in Cats

    Toxic Inflammation of the Joints in Cats
     
    Where arthritis is the inflammation of one or more bone joints, septic arthritis is the inflammation of the joint(s) together with the presence of a disease causing microorganism, usually bacterial, within the fluid of the affected joint(s).
     
    This type of inflammation of the joint is commonly seen after a traumatic injury that has exposed the joint to contamination by environmental microorganism, after surgery, or when microorganisms enter the joints through the blood stream. Infection of other body systems can be a source of these micr …read more

  • Arthritis of Multiple Joints in Cats

    Nonerosive, Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis in Cats
     
    Nonerosive immune-mediated polyarthritis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the diarthroidal joints (movable joints: shoulder, knee, etc.), which occurs in multiple joints, and in which the cartilage of the joint (articular cartilage) is not eroded away. A type III hypersensitivity reaction, which causes antibodies to be bound to an antigen, in this case joint tissue, causes this condition.
     
    These antibody-antigen complexes are called immune complexes, and they are deposited within the synovial membrane (where the fl …read more

  • Aspirin Poisoning in Cats

    Aspirin Toxicity in Cats
     
    Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, has been found to have beneficial effects for some animals. It has been used for conditions related to blood clotting, inflammation, and for its analgesic properties. However, it can also be toxic to the body. Once ingested, aspirin forms salicylic acid, which is then distributed throughout the body. Aspirin toxicity is a particular concern in cats because they lack the enzyme critical for metabolizing salicylic acid properly. Cat owners must follow their veterinarian’s orders strictly if aspirin is prescr …read more

  • Asthma in Cats

    Asthma with Bronchitis in Cats
     
    The lower respiratory tract, or lower airways, includes the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. The bronchi begin at the end of the trachea, where they split off into two branches. From there they split off into smaller branches, called the bronchioles. The alveoli are the terminal portion of the lower respiratory tract, within the lungs, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
     
    Bronchitis is the term used to denote inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles. Chronic bronchitis is a long-standing inflammation of the lower res …read more

  • Bacterial Infection (Actinomycosis) in Cats

    Actinomycosis in Cats
     
    This infectious disease is caused by a gram positive, pleomorphic (can change shape somewhat between a rod and coccus), rod-shaped bacteria of the genus Actinomyces, most commonly the A. viscosus species. Able to survive with little (microaerophilic) or no oxygen (anaerobic), Actinomyces is rarely found as the single bacterial agent in a lesion. It more often a component of a polymicrobial infection with several bacteria present. In fact, there may even be synergism between Actinomyces and other organisms.
     
    Symptoms and …read more

  • Bacterial Infection (B. bronchiseptica) in Cats

    Bordetellosis in Cats
     
    Bordetellosis is a contagious bacterial disease of cats that primarily causes upper respiratory tract abnormalities. Easily spread in kennels, bordetellosis is most severe in young kittens (less than six weeks old) and in kittens living in less than ideal hygienic conditions. However, any cat with a pre-existing airway disease (e.g., feline herpesvirus and calicivirus infections) is susceptible to Bordetellosis, no matter how old it is. 
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Carrier cats can seem healthy or have even mild symptoms, but others many have seriou …read more

  • Bacterial Infection (Campylobacteriosis) in Cats

    Campylobacteriosis in Cats
     
    Campylobacteriosis is not commonly found in cats, but when it does occur, it is most likely to affect kittens younger than six months old. The bacteria which causes the disease can typically be found in the gut (gastrointestinal tract) of most healthy mammals, and will remain harmless for most.
     
    Up to 45 percent of stray cats carry the campylobacter bacteria. The bacterium is shed through the feces, where other animals may come into contact with it, contracting the bacteria into their own bodies. Because of this, humans can also contract the disease …read more

  • Bacterial Infection (Metritis) of the Uterus in Cats

    Metritis in Cats
     
    Metritis, a uterine infection that usually occurs within a week after a cat gives birth, is symptomized by an inflammation of the endometrium (lining) of the uterus due to a bacterial infection. It can also develop after a natural or medical abortion, miscarriage, or after a non-sterile artificial insemination. The bacteria that are most often responsible for infection of the uterus are gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli, which often spreads into the blood, causing a blood infection. The infection may lead to sterility, and if left untreated, septic shock, a …read more

  • Bacterial Infection (Nocardiosis) in Cats

    Nocardiosis in Cats
     
    Both dogs and cats may become exposed to the infectious, saphrophytic organism, which nourishes itself from dead or decaying matter in the soil. Also referred to as Nocardiosis, it is an uncommon infectious disease that affects several body systems, including the respiratory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. Typically, exposure occurs either through open wounds or via inhalation.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms of nocardiosis are largely dependent on th …read more

  • Bacterial Infection (Pyelonephritis) of the Kidneys in Cats

    Pyelonephritis in Cats
     
    Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the renal pelvis, the funnel-like part of the ureter in the cat’s kidney.
     
    Normally, if pyelonephritis takes place, it is due to an impairment of the cat’s defenses: ureteral movement, blood supply to the kidneys, or the flap valves found between the kidney and ureters.
     
    Pyelonephritis can also develop due to kidney stones or when microbes climb upward into the ureter, spreading a lower urinary tract infection to the upper urinary tract. Blockage of an infected kidney or ureter can lead to more serious c …read more

  • Bacterial Infection (Pyoderma) of the Skin in Cats

    Pyoderma in Cats
     
    When a cat’s skin is cut or wounded, there is an increased risk of infection. Pyoderma refers to a bacterial infection of the skin that is generally uncommon in cats. Lesions and pustules (inflamed pus-filled swelling) on the skin, and in some cases partial hair loss, often characterize the infection. Treatment is typically given on an outpatient basis and prognosis is good.
     
    The condition described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how pyoderma affects dogs, please visit

  • Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) in Cats

    Streptococcal Infection in Cats
     
    Streptococcal infection, common in cats, refers to an infection with the Streptococcus bacteria. Kittens and older cats are most susceptible to developing this disease, as their immune systems are not fully developed or have declined.
     
    The condition described in this medical article is common in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how it affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms
    &nbs …read more

  • Bacterial Infection of the Breast in Cats

    Mastitis in Cats
     
    A bacterial infection of one or more lactating (milk producing) glands in the breasts, a condition referred to clinically as mastitis, is often the result of an ascending infection, trauma to the lactating gland, or an infection that has been spread through the blood stream.
     
    Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococci, and β-hemolytic Streptococci are some of the main bacteria that are found to be most commonly involved. It is a potentially life-threatening infection, in some cases leading to septic shock, the direct eff …read more

  • Bad Breath (Chronic) in Cats

    Halitosis in Cats
     
    Periodontal disease caused by plaque bacteria is the most common cause of bad breath in cats. The medical term used to describe the offensive odor that comes from the mouth is halitosis. Any number of causes may be responsible for this condition, but periodontal disease due to bacteria is the most common. Bacteria in the mouth is also associated with plaque and cavities.
     
    Small cat breeds and brachycephalic breeds (characterized by their short-nosed, flat-faced features), such as Himalayans and

  • Baldness and Hormone-Related Skin Disorders in Cats

    Hormone Responsive Dermatosis and Alopecia in Cats
     
    Two skin and hair disorders related to an imbalance of reproductive hormones are alopecia and dermatosis. More specifically, alopecia is characterized by a loss of hair leading to baldness, and dermatosis is characterized by a diseased condition of the skin. There are tests to positively identify the conditions, and the cause behind the skin and hair reactions, but there are a lot of reasons for why a cat would have these types of reactions. If all other indications point to an imbalance in hormones related to reproductive functioning …read more

  • Bile Duct Cancer in Cats

    Cholangiocellular Carcinoma in Cats
     
    Bile duct carcinomas are an aggressive form of cancer, with metastasis occurring in 67 to 88 percent of affected animals. They are historically difficult to completely remove by surgical means.
     
    This malignant cancer typically arises from the the epithelia, the cellular lining of the hepatic (liver) bile ducts, and occurs more often in the intrahepatic bile ducts (within the liver) rather than in the extrahepatic bile ducts (outside the liver). Complications of this disease include a failure of the bile to pass through the bile ducts due to …read more

  • Bile Duct Obstruction in Cats

    Cholestasis in Cats
     
    Bile is a bitter, high alkaline fluid that is created in the liver and stored in the interconnected gallbladder until food has been ingested. It is then released into the small intestine, both to aid in the digestion of food and to emulsify the food so that it can be used appropriately by the body, or carried out of the body as waste.
     
    Bile duct obstruction, or cholestasis, is a term used to describe obstruction of the bile duct, preventing bile from entering into the intestine. There are a variety of diseases related to the

  • Birth Difficulties in Cats

    Dystocia in Cats
     
    A difficult experience is medically referred to as dystocia. It may occur as a result of maternal or fetal factors, and can occur during any stage of the labor. Abnormalities of presentation, posture, and the position of the fetus within the uterus can negatively affect the temporal relationship between the birthing offspring and the maternal birth canal.
     
    Uterine inertia (inactivity) may be primary or secondary. Primary inertia is symptomized by a failure of the body to commence synchronous uterine contractions, and secondary inertia is symptomized by a cessa …read more

  • Black, Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood in Cats

    Melena in Cats
      
    Melena, the term used to describe a black, tarry appearing feces, is typically seen due to bleeding in the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also been seen in cats after they have ingested a sufficient amount of blood from the oral cavity or respiratory tract.
     
    Melena is not a disease in itself but a symptom of some other underlying disease. The dark color of the blood is due to the oxidation of iron in the hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying pigment of red blood cells) as it passes through the small intestine and colon.
     
    Melena tends …read more

  • Bladder Inflammation in Cats

    Interstitial Cystitis in Cats, Feline Interstitial Cystitis (FIC)
     
    Feline interstitial cystitis, sometimes called feline idiopathic cystitis or FIC, is an inflammation of the bladder that causes symptoms of lower urinary tract disease. However, in the case of interstitial cystitis, a definitive cause for the disease cannot be identified.
     
    Feline interstitial cystitis can occur in both female and male cats. It is a chronic disease that can be difficult to treat and frustrating for cats and cat owners alike.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms associated with interstiti …read more

  • Bleeding Disorder in Cats

    Von Willebrand’s Disease in Cats
     
    VWF is an autosomal (non-sex-linked) trait, which both males and females express and transmit genetically and with equal frequency.
     
    Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD) is a blood disease caused by a deficiency of von Willebrand Factor (vWF), an adhesive glycoprotein in the blood required for normal platelet binding (i.e., clotting) at the sites of small blood vessel injuries. In addition, vWF is a carrier protein for coagulation Factor VIII (necessary for blood to clot). A lack of vWF impairs platelet stickiness and clumping. Similar to hemop …read more

  • Bleeding of the Retina in the Eye in Cats

    Retinal Hemorrhage in Cats
     
    Retinal hemorrhage is a condition of the innermost lining of the eye in which there is a local or generalized area of bleeding into that lining. This inner lining is referred to as the retina. The retina lays just beneath the middle choroid coat, which in turn lies between the retina and the sclera – the white outer lining of the eye (the part of the eye that can be seen). The choroid coat contains connective tissue and blood vessels, which deliver nutrients and oxygen to the outer layers of the retina. In some cases the retina may separate from this l …read more

  • Bleeding Under the Skin of Cats

    Petechia, Ecchymosis, and Bruising in Cats
     
    Bruising, petechia, and ecchymosis are all identified by skin or mucous membrane discoloration, typically due to injuries that lead to bleeding (hemorrhaging) under the affected area. More specifically, bruising is an injury to the skin, which causes blood vessels to rupture and the discoloration of tissue due to the presence of red blood cells; petechia is a small red or purple spot on the body caused by minor hemorrhaging; and ecchymosis is a purplish patch under the moist tissues of the body (mucous membranes) or under the skin. Petechia, …read more

  • Blind Quiet Eye in Cats

     
    If your cat has loss of vision in one or both eyes without ocular vascular injection or other apparent signs of eye inflammation, it may be suffering from Blind Quiet Eye. This disease may occur due to abnormalities in retinal image detection, retinal focusing, optic nerve transmission, or simply the central nervous system’s inability to interpret images correctly.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Because Blind Quiet Eye directly affects the cat’s vision, it may display several signs, including:
     

    Clumsy behavior (e.g., bumping into objects, tripping, falling) …read more

  • Blood Clot in the Lungs of Cats

    Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Cats
     
    A pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to an important artery that feeds into the cat’s lungs. Slow-flowing blood and blood vessel damage, in addition to blood which clots too easily, can predispose a cat to thrombus formation. Most of the time, PTE is caused by another underlying disease.
     
    Pulmonary thromboemboli (blood clots) can originate in the right atrium of the heart, or in many of the major veins throughout the body. As the cat’s body makes oxygenated blood to deliver to the heart and lungs, …read more

  • Blood Disorders Related to FeLV Infection in Cats

    Cyclic Hematopoiesis in Cats
     
    Cyclic hematopoiesis is a disorder of the formation of blood cells, which rarely affects cats. When it does occur, reports are related to cats that are infected with the leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, a virus that suppresses the immune system in cats. Cyclic hematopoiesis that has been observed in cats appears to be another possible non-cancerous manifestation of the FeLV infection.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Signs and symptoms of FeLV
    Weakness/lethargy
    Swollen lymph nodes
    Loss of appet …read more

  • Blood in the Chest in Cats

    Hemothorax in Cats
     
    Hemothorax is the medical term used to identify a condition in which blood has collected in the chest cavity, or thorax. This condition may occur suddenly or over a long period of time, and it can occur for a variety of reasons. There does not appear to be a particular age, gender, or breed of cat that is more predisposed to this condition than another.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Acute onset:

    Symptoms of decreased blood volume usually occur before sufficient blood volume accumulates in the pleural space (lining of the chest cavity)< ...read more

  • Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats

    Hyphema in Cats
     
    Hyphema, or blood in the anterior chamber of the eye, is a common condition among cats. However, hyphema is a clinical sign and not a specific disease in itself.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symptoms of hyphema are dependent on the extent of bleeding, whether vision has been impaired, and whether your cat has other systemic diseases.
     
    The most common signs found during a physical examination are:
     

    Blood within the anterior chamber of the eye
    Corneal edema or corneal lesions
    Intraocular Pressure (I …read more

  • Blood in the Urine in Cats

    Hematuria in Cats
     
    Blood in the urine, a condition known as hematuria, may indicate a serious underlying disease process. Familial hematuria (a condition in which blood in the urine runs in certain families of animals) is usually implicated in young cats, while cancer is the usual cause in older cats. Females are at greater risk for urinary tract infections that lead to blood in the urine than are males.
     
    Symptoms
     
    Symptoms of hematuria include blood in the urine, a sign in itself. Red-tinged urine, with or without abnormal frequent passage of urine will be evident. In …read more

  • Blood Related Deficiencies in Cats

    Pancytopenia in Cats
     
    Pancytopenia does not actually refer to a disease, but rather to the simultaneous development of a number of blood-related deficiencies: non-regenerative anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia. The root word pan refers to all or whole, and cytopenia refers to a lack of cells circulating in the blood.
     
    Nonregenerative anemia is a condition characterized by a low red-blood cell count and the bone marrow’s lack of response to produce additionally needed red-blood cells; leucopenia refers to a low white-blood cell count; and thrombocytopenia refers to …read more

  • Blood Thickening in Cats

    Polycythemia Vera in Cats
     
    Polycythemia vera is a blood disorder that involves abnormal blood thickening due to an increase of red blood cell production by the bone marrow. It is primarily seen in older cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The following symptoms gradually appear but run a chronic course:
     

    Weakness
    Depression
    Lack of appetite (anorexia)
    Redness of skin (erythema)
    Increased thirst and urination (

  • Blood Transfusion Reactions in Cats

     
    There are a variety of reactions that can occur with the transfusion of any blood product. Purebred cats, especially those that have had previous blood transfusions, are at a higher risk for having severe reactions to transfusion than other animals. Most reactions usually occur during, or shortly after, the transfusion.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Reaction to a blood transfusion may be classified by one of the following conditions: immune system related; acute reaction (an immediate, sudden reaction); or delayed reaction.
     
    Acute symptoms of a reaction to blood transfus …read more

  • Blue Skin and Mucus Membranes in Cats

    Cyanosis in Cats
     
    Cyanosis most often occurs as the result of inadequate amounts of oxygenated hemoglobin — the molecule which carries oxygen to the body tissues — or due to hemoglobin abnormalities. This medical condition is characterized by blue colored skin and mucous membranes.
     
    Unfortunately, cats that are suffering from cyanosis caused by advanced lung/airway disease and severe heart disease have a poor long-term prognosis.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Heart murmur
    Crackles heard when listening to the lungs
    Muffled h …read more

  • Bone Cancer (Chondrosarcoma) in Cats

    Chondrosarcoma of the Bone in Cats
     
    Chondrosarcoma (CSA) is a type of cancer that affects the cartilage of the body; the connective tissue that is found between the bones and joints. Chondrosarcoma of the bone is a fast spreading form of bone cancer, which can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Chondrosarcoma arises from cartilage, metastasizing to other parts of the body, including the ribs of the affected cat.
     
    The majority of CSAs involve flat bones, with about 30 percent occurring in the nasal cavity and about 20 percent involving the ribs. This form of …read more

  • Bone Cancer (Fibrosarcoma) in Cats

    Fibrosarcoma of the Bone in Cats
     
    Fibrosarcoma is normally a tumor that originates in the soft tissue, a result of abnormal division of fibroblast cells – the cells that are most prevalent in the connective tissue of the body. In some rare cases, a fibrosarcoma tumor originates in the bone, weakening the structure of the bone, and possibly leading to fractures, and even amputation of the limb. In most cases fibrosarcoma of the bone is benign and non-metastasizing, but there are cases where the tumor is malignant and metastasizes throughout the body, into the organs, lymph nodes …read more

  • Bone Deformity and Dwarfism in Cats

    Osteochondrodysplasia and Achondroplasia in Cats
     
    Osteochondrodysplasia is a growth and developmental abnormality of the bone and cartilage, which results in lack of normal bone growth and bone deformities. Where osteo refers to the bone, chondro refers to the cartilage, and dysplasia is a general term that is applied to abnormal growth. The Scottish fold breed has been found to be predisposed to osteochondrodysplasia of the limbs.
     
    Achondroplasia is a form of osteochondrodysplasia in which the bones do not grow to the normal size, based on what is expected of the breed. This i …read more

  • Bone Infection in Cats

    Osteomyelitis in Cats
     
    Inflammation of the bone or bone marrow is called osteomyelitis. This most commonly occurs due to bacterial infections, but also shows up rarely as a fungal infections. Inflammation may be due to an acute (sudden) infection, or to a chronic infection. Infections from other areas of body may reach the bones or bone marrow through the bloodstream, or the infection may come from another infection that is close in proximity to the bone. Another common cause of such infections is road-side accidents or injuries involving the bone and soft tissues. Patients that have u …read more

  • Bone Marrow Cancer (Myeloma) in Cats

    Multiple Myeloma in Cats
     
    Multiple myeloma is an uncommon cancer that is derived from a clonal population of cancerous (malignant) plasma cells in the bone marrow. A “clonal population of cells” is a group of cells that have descended from a single cell; all of them have the same genetic make-up. Plasma cells are specialized white-blood cells, lymphocytes that have been altered to produce immunoglobulin, an immune protein or antibody necessary for fighting disease.
     
    Three of four defining features must be present for a diagnosis of multiple myeloma: immune protein f …read more

  • Bone Overgrowth in Cats

    Hypertrophic Osteopathy in Cats
     
    Though rare in cats, hypertrophic osteopathy can create extreme discomfort and pain in your pet. It refers to an abnormal increase in size of bone due to new bone formation, which may cause swellings at all four limbs and is often confused with arthritis. Hypertrophic osteopathy may also cause lameness due to swelling and pain at joints and bones.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Lethargy
    Reluctance to move
    Swellings at distal portions of limbs, especially forelimbs
    Painful limbs
    …read more

  • Bone Tumor (Hemangiosarcoma) in Cats

    Hemangiosarcoma of the Bone in Cats
     
    Hemangiosarcoma is a fast spreading tumor of the endothelial cells, which line the interior surface of the body’s blood vessels, including the arteries, veins, intestinal tract, and the bronchi of the lungs.
     
    The integrity of the bone may be compromised by the tumor, and fractures in the bone, absent an accident related trauma to the body, are characteristic of bone cancer. Most commonly, this type of tumor is found on the limbs or ribs, but it can occur in other locations as well.
     
    As with many types of cancers, hemangiosarcoma is …read more

  • Bone Tumors/Cancer in Cats

    Osteosarcoma
     
    Osteosarcoma refers to a type of bone tumor that can be found in cats. Although it is rare, the disease is extremely aggressive and has a tendency to spread rapidly into other parts of the animal’s body (metastasize). There are treatment options available, but generally the long term prognosis for the animal is poor.
     
    The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit …read more

  • Botulism in Cats

    Clostridium botulinum in Cats
     
    Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic disease related to ingestion of raw meat and dead animals. The Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin causes spreading weakness, starting in the back legs and ascending to the trunk, front legs, and neck, followed by paralysis of all four limbs.
     
    Cats are generally resistant to the more severe effects of this toxin, but in some cases they may become severely ill. Typically, disease conditions occur within a few hours to six days after eating spoiled animal meat that is infected with the Clos …read more

  • Brain and Spinal Cord Inflammation (Meningoencephalomyelitis, Eosinophilic) in Cats

    Meningoencephalomyelitis in Cats
     
    Although rare in cats, eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis is a condition that causes the inflammation of the brain, spinal cord, and their membranes due to abnormally high numbers of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Often, the increase of eosinophils is in response to a parasite infection, tumor or allergic reaction in the cat.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms vary in location and severity, but are often related to the nervous system such as circling, loss of memory,

  • Brain and Spinal Cord Inflammation (Polioencephalomyelitis) in Cats

    Polioencephalomyelitis in Cats
     
    Polioencephalomyelitis is a non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis(non-draining inflammation of the gray matter of the brain and spinal cord). This condition causes nerve degeneration, and demyelination (degeneration of the sheath surrounding the nerve) of the neurons in the thoracic spinal cord (upper back). Lesions can also be seen in the cervical spinal cord (neck), lumbar spinal cord (lower back), brainstem (base of the brain), and the cerebrum (the largest part of the brain).
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Ataxia: chronic, pr …read more

  • Brain Cell Degeneration in Cats

    Neuroaxonal Dystrophy in Cats
     
    Neuroaxonal dystrophy is a group of inherited abiotrophies affecting different parts of brain. The term abiotrophy is used to denote loss of function due to degeneration of cells or tissues without known reasons. The age at onset varies in different breeds, but it is generally at about five weeks in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms depend on the part of the brain that is affected.
     

    Uncoordinated movements
    Abnormal placement of limbs while walking
    Strength in limbs is usually normal in …read more

  • Brain Disorder Due to Liver Disease in Cats

    Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cats
     
    Encephalopathy is the medical term for any disorder of the brain, and hepatic refers to the liver. Hepatic encephalopathy is a metabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system. It develops secondary to liver disease (known as hepatopathy). Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by an accumulation of ammonia in the system due to the liver’s inability to rid the body of the substance.
     
    The liver is the largest gland in the body, performing a number of essential functions, including the production of bile (a fluid substance involved in the diges …read more

  • Brain Inflammation Due to Parasitic Infection in Cats

    Encephalitis Secondary to Parasitic Migration in Cats
     
    Also known as encephalitis, brain inflammation may be due to a variety of factors. Parasites, for instance, can migrate into the cat’s central nervous system (CNS), gain entry via blood or through adjacent tissues, including the middle ear, natural opening in the skull, nasal cavities and cribriform plate (part of the skull), or open fontanelles, also called “soft spots.”
     
    These parasites may normally affect another …read more

  • Brain Inflammation in Cats

    Encephalitis in Cats
     
    Inflammation of the brain, also known as encephalitis, is a life-threatening condition that affects cats. It is occasionally accompanied by the inflammation of spinal cord (myelitis), and/or the inflammation of the meninges (meningitis), membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Although symptoms may vary depending on the portion of brain affected, they typically appear suddenly and are rapidly progressive. Such symptoms include:
     

  • Brain Injury in Cats

     
    There are a variety of things that can cause brain injuries in cats, including severe hyperthermia or hypothermia and prolonged seizures. Primary brain injuries, for example, involve direct trauma to the brain, which once acquired, cannot be altered. Secondary brain injury, meanwhile, is the alteration of brain tissue that occurs after primary injury, but this form of injury can be managed, prevented, and improved with optimal supportive care and treatment.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Being that it is a vital organ, the brain requires constant supply of oxygen and nutrition. A …read more

  • Brain Parasite (Cuterebra) in Cats

    Feline Ischemic Encephalopathy in Cats
     
    Feline ischemic encephalopathy (FIE) is caused by the presence of a parasite, the Cuterebra larva, in a cat’s brain. Entering through the nose, the larva moves to the brain and may cause neurological damage to the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in the brain and degeneration of other cerebral areas. This can result in seizures, circling movement, unusual aggression, and blindness.
     
    The disease occurs only in areas where the Cuterebra larvae of the adult botfly live, primarily in the northeast US and southeast Canada. FIE is a seasonal …read more

  • Brain Tissue Undervelopment in Cats

    Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats
     
    The cerebellum is part of the normal animal brain, and makes up a large portion of the brain’s matter. The cerebellum lies under the cerebrum and toward the back, above and behind the brainstem. Cerebellar hypoplasia occurs when parts of the cerebellum are not completely developed. This condition can occur due to intrinsic (genetic) causes, or due to extrinsic causes like infections, toxins or nutritional deficiencies. Symptoms are visible when kittens begin to stand and walk, around six weeks of age.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    H …read more

  • Brain Tumor (Astrocytoma) in Cats

    Astrocytoma in Cats
     
    Although rare in cats, astrocytomas can be dangerous, even deadly. These tumors affect the brain’s glial cells, which surround nerve cells (neurons), giving them support and electrically insulating them. Astrocytomas can also be rarely found in the spinal cord, and there was one reported case of an astrocytoma located in the retina.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The astrocytoma’s biologic behavior depends on the tumor’s location and degree of lack of cell differentiation (graded I–IV, from best to worst prognosis). The following are some common symptom …read more

  • Brain Tumors in Cats

     
    While brain tumors in cats remain fairly uncommon, it is an issue that occurs, and that can sometimes be treated effectively. A tumor is defined as an abnormal growth of cells, and may be classified as primary or secondary. A primary brain tumor originates from cells normally found within the brain and its membranes. A secondary brain tumor, on the other hand, is one that has metastasized to the brain from a primary tumor elsewhere in the body, or that is affecting the brain by extending into brain tissue from an adjacent non-nervous system tissue, such as bone. A tumor may be either m …read more

  • Breathing Difficulties in Cats

    Dyspnea, Tachypnea and Panting in Cats
     
    The respiratory system has many parts, including the nose, throat (pharynx and larynx), windpipe, and lungs. Air comes in through the nose and is then carried down into the lungs, through a process referred to as inspiration. In the lungs, the oxygen is transferred to the red blood cells. The red blood cells then carry the oxygen to other organs in the body. This is all part of the physical process of a healthy body.
     
    While oxygen is being transferred to the red blood cells, carbon dioxide is transferred from the red blood cells into the …read more

  • Breathing Problem in Short-Nose Breed Cats

    Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome   Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is the medical term given to various upper airway problems found in short-nosed, flat-faced cats breeds. A brachycephalic (having a short, broad head) breed may experience partial obstruction of the upper airway due to physical characteristics such as narrowed nostrils, an overly long soft palate, or collapse of the voice box (larynx). Breathing difficulties may also occur because of an abnormally small trachea, another characteristic common to brachycephalic breeds.

  • Breeding Timing in Cats

    Breeding Timing to Maximize Fertility in Cats
     
    Breeding timing refers to a technique that may be utilized to ensure conception in cats by the purposeful timing of insemination during the estrus (heat) period. A fertile female cat is referred to as a queen.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    In order to maximize the odds of conception with properly timed breeding, it is best to pin-point, as close as possible, the day of ovulation for the queen. Symptoms of estrus in the queen are evident by her rubbing against objects, being vocal (much more than usual), and an interest shown by the …read more

  • Calcium Buildup in Lungs of Cats

    Pulmonary Mineralizations in Cats
     
    When a cat’s lungs begin to calcify (a buildup of the mineral calcium in the soft tissue) or ossify (connective tissues, such as cartilage, are turned to bone or bone-like tissue) it is referred to as pulmonary mineralization.
     
    This condition generally affects older cats and it may be generalized or localized. But if the mineralization is discrete, meaning that it is in only one place, individual mineral deposits can be identified. If mineralization is diffuse, however, it will spread out to more than one location, making it impossible to iden …read more

  • Calcium Deposits in the Urinary Tract in Cats

    Urolithiasis, Calcium Oxalate in Cats
     
    Urolithiasis is described as the presence of stones in the urinary tract. When these stones are made of calcium oxalate, they are referred to as calcium deposits. In most cases the stones can be removed safely, giving the cat a positive prognosis.
     
    The development of these stones is more common in dogs than in cats, and occurs more frequently in older animals. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit this page …read more

  • Cancer of the Blood Vessel Cells in Cats

    Hemangiopericytoma in Cats
     
    Where hemangio refers to the blood vessels, and a pericyte is a type of connective tissue cell, a hemangiopericytoma is metastatic vascular tumor arising from the pericyte cells.
     
    A pericyte might best be described as a non-specialized cell. It is one of the original embryonic cells, but instead of taking on a specific function, it remains in its first stage, waiting until it is needed. The function of the pericyte is to differentiate into whatever type of cell the body requires to function, regenerating new tissue as needed. In this case, the pericy …read more

  • Cancer of the Uterus in Cats

    Uterine Tumor in Cats
     
    Uterine tumors are rare occurrences, usually affecting middle-aged to older female cats that have not been spayed. These tumors arise from the uterine smooth muscle and epithelial tissues — the tissues that line the internal organs and cavities. Cats usually develop malignant metastatic (aggressive and spreading) uterine tumors called adenocarcinomas, tumors that are derived from the glands. These types of tumors are called Müllerian tumors, since the uterus is derived from the Müllerian ducts in the embryo.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    …read more

  • Cancerous and Non-Cancerous Growths in a Cat’s Mouth

    Oral Masses (Malignant and Benign) in Cats
     
    An oral mass refers to a growth in a cat’s mouth or surrounding head region. While not all growths (masses) are cancerous, oral tumors can become malignant and fatal if they are not treated early and aggressively. Oral tumors can be found in the cat’s lips, tongue, gums and lymph regions surrounding the mouth. The disease is treatable and has a high success rate when the tumor is discovered and treated early.
     
    The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more abou …read more

  • Cancerous Lymphoid Cells in the Lungs of Cats

    Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis in Cats
     
    When cancerous lymphoid cells (lymphocytes and plasma cells) infiltrate lung tissue, it is known as Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis, a rare disease that affects cats. Metastasis may occue in other body sites and organs like the liver, heart, spleen, pancreas, and kidney.
     
    Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is not breed- or gender-specific, but is more common in large and purebred cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Respiratory symptoms are often seen which aggravate over time. The following are a few of the more common symptoms related to this …read more

  • Capillariasis in Cats

    Infection with Capillaria plica in Cats
     
    One type of worms in cats is caused by the parasitic worm known as Capillaria – the condition is capillariasis. The worm infects the urinary bladder and sometimes other parts of the urinary tract.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Often, there are no symptoms and diagnosis of the cat worm is incidental. However, especially in cats with a heavy infection, symptoms include:
     

    Frequent urination
    Painful urination
    Bloody urine
    Straining to urinate …read more

  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Cats

    Carbon Monoxide Toxicosis in Cats
     
    Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, nonirritating gas produced by the inefficient combustion of carbon fuels. It is potentially toxic for cats as well as humans. Unventilated kerosene or propane heaters, gasoline engines, automobile exhaust, or fumes from carbon-based fuel heating systems are all potential sources for carbon monoxide toxicity.
     
    When inhaled, this gas is readily absorbed into the blood, combining with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, reducing oxygen delivery to the body, and thereby leading to decreased utilization o …read more

  • Carcinoid Cancer in Cats

    Carcinoid Syndrome and Tumor in Cats
     
    Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow growing tumors that are formed by the endocrine cells in the mucosal lining of organs, such as the stomach and intestine. These tumors are small neuroendocrine tumors, typically of the gastrointestinal tract, that secrete serotonin, a naturally occurring neurochemical that is usually associated with sleep and memory functions.
     
    Carcinoid tumors secrete the amines serotonin and histamine into the bloodstream, as well as a number of peptides – chemical compounds such as bradykinins and tachykinins, which are re …read more

  • Cardiac Arrest in Cats

    Cardiopulmonary Arrest in Cats
     
    Also known as circulatory arrest or cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiac arrest is the cessation of normal blood circulation ceases due to the heart’s inability to contract (heart failure). Like many other body systems, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems work in a coordinated fashion. Therefore, if a cat fails to breathe for more than six minutes, it can lead to heart failure and cardiac arrest — both of which can be fatal. Cardiac arrest can occur in cats of any age, sex, or breed.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Blood circulation may remain i …read more

  • Cardiac Muscle Tumor in Cats

    Rhabdomyoma in Cats
     
    A rhabdomyoma is an extremely rare, benign, non-spreading, cardiac muscle tumor that occurs only half as often as its malignant version: rhabdomyosarcomas, an invasive, metastasizing (spreading) tumor.
     
    Rhabdomyomas are usually found in the heart, and are suspected of being congenital in origin (present at birth). This type of tumor does not become malignant, nor does it metastasize through the body. They are very rarely found outside of the heart, but do occur in other places of the body on occasion. They have been reported in the ears of cats.
     
    Rh …read more

  • Cataracts in Cats

    Cloudiness of the Eye Lens in Cats
     
    Cataract refers to the cloudiness in the crystalline lens of the eye, varying from complete to partial opacity. When the eye lens (located directly behind the iris) is clouded, it prevents light from passing to the retina, which can cause vision loss.
     
    Most cases of cataracts are inherited; for instance, Persian, Birmans, and Himalayans …read more

  • Cats and Motion Sickness

    Gastrointestinal Distress Related to Motion in Cats
     
    Humans are not the only species to get car sick. Cats also get a queasy stomach when traveling in the car (or even by boat or air).
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Cats show their uneasiness in various ways. The first signs of motion sickness may be:
     

    Excessive drooling (ptyalism)
    Crying out in distress
    Immobility, or acting afraid to move

  • Cavities in Cats

    Dental Caries in Cats
     
    Dental caries is a condition in which the dental hard tissues decay as the result of oral bacteria on the tooth surface. While dental caries are not common in cats, it does occur and should be watched for.
     
    Caries can affect the crown or the roots of the teeth, and is classified as pit-and-fissure caries, smooth-surface caries, or root caries. There is no known breed, age, or gender risk.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Incipient (about to become apparent) smooth-surface caries appears as an area of dull, frosty-white enamel
    …read more

  • Chediak-Higashi Syndrome in Cats

    Chediak-Higashi Syndrome in Persian Cats
     
    Chediak-Higashi syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects Persian cats with a dilute smoke-blue coat color and yellow-green irises (though it can also affect some white tiger Persians and arctic foxes), which causes the cats to bleed excessively immediately after an injury or minor surgery. Cats with this syndrome may also have an extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia).
     
    Despite the affects brought on by Chediak-Higashi syndrome, affected cats usually have …read more

  • Chemical Imbalance of Urine in Cats

    Hyposthenuria in Cats
     
    Hyposthenuria is a clinical condition in which the urine is chemically imbalanced. This may be due to trauma, abnormal hormone release, or excessive tension in the kidney.
     
    The normal concentration and regulation of urine normally depends on an elaborate interaction between antidiuretic hormone (ADH), the protein receptor for ADH on the renal tubule (the tube that plays a role in the filtering, reabsorption, and secretion of solutes in the bloodstream), and excessive tension of the tissue within the kidney.
     
    Abnormalities may also occur due to i …read more

  • Chest Bone Deformity in Cats

    Pectus Excavatum in Cats
     
    The sternum, or chest bone, is a long flat bone located in the center of the thorax, and the costal cartilages are the cartilages that connect the chest bone with the ends of the ribs. In pectus excavatum, the sternum and costal cartilages are deformed, resulting in a horizontal narrowing of the chest, primarily on the posterior side. In appearance, the middle of the chest appear to be flat or concave, rather than slightly convex.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

  • Chocolate Poisoning in Cats

    Chocolate Toxicity in Cats
     
    Cats, and especially kittens, are known for eating things they are not supposed to. This can be a dangerous combination when there is chocolate around. Also, cats have an excellent sense of smell, making it fairly easy for them to find secret hiding spots for the chocolate.
     
    Chocolate is derived from the roasted seeds of Theobroma cacao, which contains certain properties that can be toxic to cats: caffeine and theobromine. When ingested, these two ingredients can lead to various medical complications and may even prove fatal for your cat.
    & …read more

  • Chorioretinitis in Cats

    Inflammation of the Choroid and Retina in the Eye of the Cat
     
    Chorioretinitis is a medical condition which affects the eyes of cats. The term refers to inflammation of the choroid and retina, a layered membrane that lines the inner eyeball and which contains the light-sensitive rods, cones, and cells that convert images into signals and send messages to the brain to allow for vision. The choroid is located immediately under the retina and is part of the middle layer of the eyeball that contains the blood vessels. The choroid is also called the posterior uvea, which is the entire middle …read more

  • Chronic Inflammation of the Anus, Rectum or Perineum Region in Cats

    Perianal Fistula in Cats
     
    Perianal fistula is a disorder in which the anus, rectum, and perineal regions of a cat are inflamed and irritated. This disorder is often painful for the cat, as well as progressive.
     
    Dogs and cats are both susceptible to perianal fistulas. If you would like to learn more about how this disorder affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms
     
    Some of the common symptoms can include:
     

    < ...read more

  • Chronic Inflammation of the Bronchi in Cats

    Bronchitis, Chronic (COPD) in Cats
     
    Also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis occurs when the mucous membranes of the bronchi (the airways that transport oxygen from the trachea to the lungs) become inflamed. Typically, this leads to a chronic cough that lasts two months or longer — a cough that is not attributable to other causes like heart failure, neoplasia, infections, or other respiratory diseases.
     
    Despite extensive diagnostic efforts by your veterinarian, the specific cause of the inflammation is rarely identified. In addition, breed …read more

  • Cirrhosis and Fibrosis of the Liver in Cats

     
    Put simply, cirrhosis of the liver is the generalized (diffuse) formation of scar tissue. It is associated with regenerative nodules, or masses, and deranged liver architecture. Fibrosis of the liver, on the other hand, involves the formation of scar tissue that replaces normal liver tissue. This condition can be inherited or acquired.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Seizures
    Blindness
    Fluid build-up in the abdomen
    Lack of energy
    Loss of appetite (anorexia)
    Poor body condition
    Vom …read more

  • Claw and Nail Disorders in Cats

    Nail and Nailbed Disorders in Cats
     
    Nail and nail bed disorders may refer to any abnormality or disease that affects the claws or the surrounding area. The disorders are generally known as dystrophies. One type of nail disorder, paronychia, is an infection that causes inflammation of the tissue around the nail or claw. Onychomycosis, or fungal infection, can also occur in and around the nail bed.
     
    Cats may exhibit extremely brittle nails (onychorrhexis), or have nails that separate, peel, and slough excessively (onychomadesis). Most nail or nail bed disorders have an excellent …read more

  • Cleft Palate in Cats

    Feline Cleft Palate 
     
    cleft palate is an abnormal opening in the roof of the mouth. It is caused by failure of the two sides of the palate (roof of the mouth) to come together and fuse during embryonic development. A cleft palate results in an opening between the nasal passages and the mouth.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms expected with a cleft palate include:
     

    Runny nose
    Coughing
    Aspiration pneumonia (pneumonia caused by milk and food contents entering the cleft and infecting the lungs)
    …read more

  • Clotting Deficiency (Inherited)) in Cats

    Coagulation Factor Deficiency in Cats
     
    Coagulation takes place when blood transforms from a free flowing liquid into a thickened gel like state. In this state the gelled blood is called a clot, and it is through clotting that a wound begins to seal. This process is critically important for healing to take place. When your pet is injured and continues to bleed uncontrollably, this may be symptomatic of a defect in one or more of the processes that bring about coagulation. A complex series of enzyme reactions are involved in turning blood from a fluid to a gel, and a failure in one of th …read more

  • Clotting Deficiency (Liver Related) in Cats

    Coagulopathy of Liver Disease in Cats
     
    The liver is vital for the synthesis of anticoagulant, coagulation, and fibrinolytic proteins. In fact, only five blood clotting factors are not produced there. Therefore, liver diseases that cause clotting issues in cats can be very serious and sometimes life-threatening.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Black feces due to digested blood (melena)
    Bright red blood in the feces (

  • Clotting Disorders of the Platelets in Cats

    Thrombocytopathies in Cats
     
    Thrombocytopathic animals are those which typically have normal platelet counts on examination, but have spontaneous or excessive bleeding due to a failure of the platelets to bind to each other, or clot normally. Thrombocytopathies are defined as disorders of the blood platelet and abnormal functioning of the platelets. Bleeding from the mucous membranes – nose, mouth ears, anus – is the most common sign. Thrombocytopathies may first become apparent in young animals when excessive bleeding occurs with the loss of baby teeth.
     
    Thrombocyto …read more

  • Collapse of the Wind Pipe in Cats

    Tracheal Collapse in Cats
     
    Tracheal collapse may affect the part of the trachea that is located in the neck (cervical trachea), or it may affect the lower part of the trachea, located in the chest (intrathoracic trachea). The trachea is the large tube that carries air from the nose and throat to the small airways (bronchi) that go to the lungs, and collapse of the trachea describes a condition in which the tracheal cavity (lumen) has narrowed during breathing, making the process of breathing difficult to accomplish.
     
    Though tracheal collapse is rare in cats, it can affect cats …read more

  • Collection of Fluid in the Lungs (Not Due to Heart Disease) in Cats

    Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema in Cats
     
    Noncardiogenic edema is caused by an increased permeability (or the ability to pass through, as by osmosis) of the blood vessels of the lungs. This increased permeability results in the leakage of fluid into the lung, causing edema, or swelling. This increased permeability results in the leakage of fluid into the lung, causing edema, or swelling. When this becomes severe, the edema may be accompanied by an inflammatory response and an accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lung.
     
    There are several factors which can cause changes in the …read more

  • Colonic or Rectal Inflammation in Cats

    Colitis and Proctitis in Cats
     
    Histiocytic ulcerative colitis is a bowel disease which causes the lining of an animal’s colon to thicken, with varying degrees of ulceration and tissue loss to the superficial lining. The thickening is due to the infiltration of various cells in the layers under the lining. When the colon becomes inflamed, there is a reduction in the colon’s ability to absorb water and store feces, leading to frequent diarrhea, often with mucus and/or blood. Proctitis, conversely, is inflammation of the anus and lining of the rectum.
     
    Inflammation of the colon an …read more

  • Colonic Ulcer in Cats

    Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis in Cats
     
    Histiocytes are large white blood cells that reside in the normal connective tissue, where they ingest infectious microorganisms and foreign particles. They are an essential component of the immune system. Histiocytic ulcerative colitis is an uncommon disease characterized by ulcers in the lining of the colon, and inflammation with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive histiocytes. The origin and pathogenic mechanism for this disorder is unknown; however, an infectious cause is assumed. Histiocytic ulcerative colitis may also have a possible geneti …read more

  • Congenital Heart Defect (Atrial Septal Defect) in Cats

    Atrial Septal Defect in Cats
     
    ASD, also known as atrial septal defect, is a congenital heart anomaly that enables blood flow between the left and right atria via the interatrial septum (the separating wall). Typically, the blood will shunt into the right atrium, causing a volume overload to the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary vasculature, which can sometimes lead to pulmonary hypertension. However, if right-sided pressures are too high, shunting may occur right to left, causing generalized cyanosis.
     
    ASD is more common in cats (9 percent of congenital heart defects …read more

  • Congenital Heart Defect (Ebstein?s Anomaly) in Cats

    Ebstein’s Anomaly in Cats
     
    Ebstein’s anomaly is a rare congenital malformation of the heart in which the opening of the tricuspid valve (on the right side of the heart, between the right atrium and the right ventricle) is displaced toward the apex of the right ventricle of the heart. It is accompanied by various degrees of tricuspid insufficiency, such as stenosis – an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel, or rapid heart rhythms caused by an abnormal accessory pathway. A murmur can be detected with a stethoscope in young animals, though it can be much more difficult to hear irreg …read more

  • Congenital Heart Defect (Pulmonic Stenosis) in Cats

    Pulmonic Stenosis in Cats
     
    Pulmonic stenosis is a congenital (present at birth) defect characterized by the narrowing and obstruction of blood through the heart’s pulmonary valve, which connects the right ventricle (one of the heart’s four chambers) to the pulmonary artery. Depending on the severity of the obstruction, it can cause anything from a murmur to an arrhythmia to congestive heart failure. However, it is rather uncommon in cats, especially as an isolated defect.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are three types of pulmonic stenosis: valvular pulmonic stenosis (occurr …read more

  • Constipation (Severe) in Cats

    Megacolon in Cats
     
    The colon is the section of large intestine that begins at the cecum, the sac that joins the colon to the end of the small intestine (ileum). From there it proceeds to the rectum in the digestive tract. The main purpose of the colon is to serve as a temporary storage conduit for waste products, extracting water and salt from the waste as it passes through and out of the body. When a condition causes the diameter of the colon to become abnormally enlarged, it is medically referred to as megacolon. This condition is associated with chronic constipation, and with obstip …read more

  • Constipation in Cats

    Constipation and Obstipation in Cats
     
    Constipation is a condition characterized by infrequent, incomplete, or difficult defecation, with passage of hard or dry bowel movements (feces). Obstipation is pronounced constipation that is difficult to manage or does not respond to medical treatment. Obstipation is caused by prolonged retention of hard, dry bowel movement; defecation becomes impossible for patients with this condition. This is a relatively common condition in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Straining to defecate with small or no fecal volume
    …read more

  • Corneal Disease (Inherited) in Cats

    Corneal Dystrophies in Cats
     
    Corneal dystrophy is an inherited progressive condition which affects both eyes, often in the same way. The cornea, the clear outer layer of the front of the eye, is most affected. The disease is not associated with other diseases, and only rarely occurs in cats.
     
    There are three types of corneal dystrophy, categorized by location: epithelial corneal dystrophy, where cell formation is affected; stromal corneal dystrophy, where the cornea will become cloudy; and endothelial corneal dystrophy, where the cells of the lining of the cornea are affected.
    …read more

  • Corneal Inflammation (Eosinophilic Keratitis) in Cats

    Eosinophilic Keratitis in Cats
     
    Feline eosinophilic keratitis/keratoconjunctivitis (FEK) refers to an immune-mediated inflammation of the cornea — the external coating of the eye. This medical condition can also be referred to as proliferative keratitis – where keratitis is the clinical term for inflammation of the cornea, and proliferative refers to the rapid and excessive nature of the inflammation of the cornea. Cats that are experiencing this inflammation do not generally experience pain, although there can be some discomfort. The inflammation can occur in one or both eyes. …read more

  • Corneal Inflammation (Nonulcerative Keratitis) in Cats

    Nonulcerative Keratitis in Cats
     
    Keratitis is the medical term given to inflammation of the cornea — the clear outer layer of the front of the eye. Nonulcerative keratitis is any inflammation of the cornea that does not retain fluorescein stain, a dye that is used to identify ulcers of the cornea. If the very top layer of the cornea has been disrupted (as with an ulcer), the dye will enter the lower layers of the cornea and will cause a temporary stain that glows under an ultraviolet light; in nonulcerative keratitis, the top layer of the cornea is not disrupted, so no dye enters the …read more

  • Corneal Ulcers in Cats

    Ulcerative Keratitis in Cats
     
    The cornea — the transparent part of the eye — forms a cover over the iris and pupil. It also admits light to the inside of the eye, making vision possible. A corneal ulcer occurs when deeper layers of the cornea are lost; these ulcers are classified as either superficial or deep. If your cat is squinting or its eyes are tearing excessively, there is a possibility of a corneal ulcer (or ulcerative keratitis).
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Red, painful eye
    Watery eye
    Squinti …read more

  • Coughing in Cats

    Tussis in Cats
     
    Coughing is generally a symptom of an underlying problem, such as a respiratory or cardiovascular system disease. The act of coughing serves as a protective mechanism for preventing the accumulation of secretions and foreign materials inside of the respiratory tract, but coughing can also serve as an early warning sign for respiratory diseases.
     
    This automatic and involuntary behavior is one of the most powerful reflexes in the body and is essential for keeping the pharynx and airways free of accumulated secretions and foreign material. This is, therefore, a nor …read more

  • Crystals in the Urine in Cats

    Crystalluria in Cats
     
    Crystalluria is a medical condition where crystals are expelled into the urine. The detection of urinary crystals is not synonymous with kidney stones or the clinical signs associated with them, nor is detection of urine crystals irrefutable evidence of a stone-forming tendency, but there is some association with an increased risk for kidney stones in animals that are afflicted with crystalluria, and crystals in the urine can be an indication of kidney stones (also referred to as renal stones). Crystals form only in urine that is, or recently has been, supersatura …read more

  • Cushing’s Disease in Cats

    Hyperadrenocorticism in Cats
     
    Cushing’s syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism) occurs when the adrenal gland produces too much cortisol. While cortisol is an essential hormone, elevated levels lead to illness. There are several possible causes to this disease, including a tumor in the pituitary gland or the outer layer of the adrenal gland. Although the disease is rare in cats, it is more likely to affect middle-aged or older cats and females more than males. Breed, however, does not seem to be a determining factor. In addition, diabetes almost always accompanies the ailment.
     
    S …read more

  • Dark Spots on the Eye in Cats

    Corneal Sequestrum in Cats
     
    Corneal sequestrum occurs when the cat has dead corneal tissue (or dark spots in the cornea). It usually is caused by chronic corneal ulceration, trauma, or corneal exposure. Corneal sequestrum can affect all breeds, but is more prone in Persian and Himalayan breeds. In cats, it usually begins during their middle-aged years.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The dark spots in your cat’s cornea may remain unchanged for long periods of time, and then suddenly get worse. Listed below are some other symptoms your cat may experience:
     

    Dis …read more

  • Deafness in Cats

    Loss of Hearing in Cats
     
    Deafness can be classified as either a complete or partial hearing loss. If your cat is deaf at birth (congenital), it will be apparent to you when the cat is still at a young age. Cats that have white hair and blue irises appear to be particularly prone to congenital deafness. Some of the breeds that tend to be at highest risk for congenital deafness are white Persians, white Scottish folds,

  • Defect of the Ventricular Septum in Cats

    Ventricular Septal Defect in Cats
     
    A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is an irregular communication in the ventricular septum, the wall that separates the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart) from one another. A VSD typically results in blood being diverted, or shunted, from one side of the heart to the other. The direction and volume of the shunt are determined by the size of the defect, the relationship of the pulmonary and systemic blood vessel resistances, and the presence of other anomalies.
     
    Most VSDs in small animals are subaortic (below the aortic valve) and …read more

  • Degeneration of the Cerebellum of the Brain in Cats

    Cerebellar Degeneration in Cats
     
    Cerebellar degeneration in cats is a brain disease that affects a specific area of the brain known as the cerebellum. In cerebellar degeneration, the cells within the cerebellum die, causing neurological symptoms.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms of cerebellar degeneration in cats include:
     

    An abnormal gait which often appears as a goose-step involving the front legs
    A broad-based stance
    Swaying
    Muscle tremors, especially when trying to eat or perform …read more

  • Degeneration of the Cornea in Cats

    Corneal Degenerations and Infiltrations in Cats
     
    The cornea is the transparent lining that covers the external front of the eyeball; that is, the iris and the pupil (respectively, the colored area that expands and contracts to allow light in, and the lens that transmits the light and image to the brain – the black center). The cornea is continuous with the white part of the eye, the sclera, which covers the rest of the eyeball. Beneath the cornea and the sclera is a layer of connective tissue that supports the eyeball from inside, called the stroma.
     
    Corneal degeneration …read more

  • Degeneration of the Image Forming Part of the Eye in Cats

    Retinal Degeneration in Cats
     
    The retina is the tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye, and is the light sensitive part of the eye that acts as the brain’s camera, transmitting images through the rods and cones that are part of its structure, thus enabling the experience of vision. The retina is part of the central nervous system (CNS) and the only part of the CNS that can be easily imaged and examined. In retinal degeneration, the cells of the retina begin to decline in function, thereby leading to impaired vision or even blindness. There are many causes for retinal degenerati …read more

  • Degeneration of the Iris in the Eye in Cats

    Iris Atrophy in Cats
     
    Iris atrophy refers to the degeneration of the iris, the colored part of the eye that surround the black center (or the pupil). This medical condition can affect cats of all ages and breeds, but appears to be more common in cats with blue irises. There is also a secondary type that is due to chronic inflammation or high intraocular pressure resulting from glaucoma.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Vision is not usually affected by iris atrophy, but there may be some sensitivity to light. Other typical symptoms associated with this of disorder include:
      …read more

  • Degenerative Joint Disease in Cats

    Osteoarthritis in Cats
     
    Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), is defined as the progressive and permanent long-term deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. Arthritis is the medical term for inflammation of the joints, while osteoarthritis is the term referring to a form of chronic joint inflammation caused by deterioration of joint cartilage.
     
    Cats are susceptible to DJD, with older animals being at the highest risk.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Cats with DJD are unlikely to exhibit lameness, instead having difficulty grooming, …read more

  • Degenerative Skin Disorder (Necrolytic Dermatitis) in Cats

    Superficial Necrolytic Dermatitis in Cats
     
    Superficial necrolytic dermatitis is characterized by the deterioration and death of skin cells. High levels of the hormone glucagon in the blood (which stimulates production of blood sugar in response to low blood sugar levels) and deficiencies in amino acids, zinc, and essential fatty acid are believed to play a role in superficial necrolytic dermatitis, either directly or indirectly. Fortunately, this disorder is uncommon in cats.
     
    Superficial necrolytic dermatitis is uncommon in dogs and rare in cats. If you would like to learn mor …read more

  • Dementia (Geriatric) in Cats

    Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in Cats
     
    With advancing age comes many complications and disorders. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is one such condition that is directly related to the aging of a cat’s brain; it ultimately leads to changes in awareness, deficits in learning and memory, and decreased responsiveness to stimuli. Although the initial symptoms of the disorder are mild, they gradually worsen over time, also known as “cognitive decline.”
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Disorientation/confusion
    Anxiety/restlessness
    Extr …read more

  • Destruction of the Pituitary Gland in Cats

    Hypopituitarism in Cats
     
    Hypopituitarism is a condition associated with low production of hormones that are produced by the pituitary gland, a small endocrine gland located near the hypothalamus at the base of the brain. Several hormones are produced by the pituitary gland, any one or more of which may be lacking. Of these hormones, some of the more clinically significant ones are the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the adrenocorticotropin hormone (produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex), the luteinizing hormone (stimulates secretion of sex stero …read more

  • Destructive Behavior in Cats

     
    It is normal for cats to scratch things. They do this to sharpen their claws and exercise their feet. It is also normal for cats to spend a lot of time licking themselves, since this is how they clean themselves. When cats scratch or lick the wrong things and do not respond to discouragement, they are diagnosed as having a destructive behavior problem. Not all destructive behavior is the same, however. When a cat scratches on the wrong things but does not have any other symptoms, this is usually a primary destructive behavior. Conversely, cats that spend too much time licking or scrat …read more

  • Diabetes in Cats

    Diabetes Mellitus Without Complication in Cats
     
    Diabetes is a disorder of carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism caused by an absolute or relative insulin deficiency. Metabolism refers to how the body digests and uses food for growth and energy, and this process is largely dependent on a sufficient amount of insulin in the body.
     
    Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas, releasing into the cells in response to the digestive conversion of proteins into glucose in the bloodstream. Much of the food that is ingested is broken down into glucose, a type of sugar in th …read more

  • Diabetes with Coma in Cats

    Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperosmolar Coma in Cats
     
    The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen, near the stomach. Under normal circumstances, the pancreas makes insulin, a polypeptide hormone that helps to control blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. When a cat eats food, its blood sugar rises in accordance with the sugars in the food (whether they are natural sugars or not). The pancreas then makes insulin to lower the blood sugar levels to a healthy level. In this way, the other organs in the body are able to absorb and use this sugar for energy.
     
    In the case of diabe …read more

  • Diabetes with Ketone Bodies in Cats

    Diabetes Mellitus with Ketoacidosis in Cats
     
    The term “ketoacidosis” refers to a condition in which levels of acid abnormally increased in the blood due to presence of “ketone bodies.” Meanwhile, diabetes is a medical condition in which the body cannot absorb sufficient glucose, thus causing a rise the blood sugar levels. In diabetes with ketoacidosis, ketoacidosis immediately follows diabetes. It should be considered a dire emergency, one in which immediate treatment is required to save the life of the animal. Typically, the type of condition affects older cats …read more

  • Diarrhea (Antibiotic-Responsive) in Cats

    Antibiotic-Responsive Diarrhea in Cats
     
    It is not known why some types of diarrhea are responsive to antibiotic while others are not. Veterinarians often find it controversial to give antibiotics to treat diarrhea, but when antibiotics do resolve the diarrhea, they speculate that the cause of this kind of diarrhea was from a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. 
     
    Current theories as to its cause focus on the possibility of immune dysregulation possibly associated with abnormal CD4+ T cells (immune cells), IgA plasma cells (antibodies), and cytokine (a chemical messenger …read more

  • Diarrhea (Long-term) in Cats

    Chronic Diarrhea in Cats
     
    Feline chronic diarrhea is defined as a change in the frequency, consistency, and volume of feces for three weeks or with recurrence. The cause of diarrhea may originate in either the large or small intestine.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms vary depending on the cause and origin. If diarrhea originates in the small intestine, symptoms include:

    Unusual volume of feces
    Weight loss
    Abnormally frequent defecation
    Black tar-like feces (melena)
    Vomiting 

      …read more

  • Diarrhea (Sudden) in Cats

    Acute Diarrhea in Cats
     
    Acute diarrhea has four general reasons for occurring: osmotic imbalances, over secretion, intestinal exudation or motility disorders. Osmotic imbalances occur when the concentration of food molecules in the intestine is too high. Water is drawn into the intestine by the excess molecules, causing diarrhea. Over secretion occurs when the intestine secretes too much fluid after being exposed to bacteria or toxins. Intestinal exudation describes a slow oozing of blood fluids through ulcers or other breaks in the intestine’s tissue layers. This exudation can b …read more

  • Diarrhea Due to Clostridium perfringens in Cats

    Clostridial Enterotoxicosis in Cats
     
    Clostridium perfringens bacterium is a normal bacteria found in the environment, commonly inhabiting decaying vegetation and marine sediment, as well as raw or improperly cooked meats and poultry. However, when abnormally high levels of this bacteria is found in the intestine, it can lead to Clostridial enterotoxicosis.
     
    Generally, the implications of the intestinal syndrome are limited to infections of the intestinal tract and do not progress to systemic disease conditions. Symptoms typically last a week in acute cases and include …read more

  • Dietary Reactions in Cats

    Gastrointestinal Food Reactions in Cats
     
    Gastrointestinal symptoms due to food reactions involve abnormal symptoms to a particular diet. A cat that is experiencing a food reaction is unable to digest, absorb, or utilize a particular ingredient in the food.
     
    It is important to note that these reactions are not due to food allergies, which involve an immune reaction to a particular component of a diet. However, both food reactions and food allergy share common symptoms, causes, diagnostics, and even treatments, making it a challenge for the attending veterinarian to differentiate …read more

  • Difficult Defecation and Blood in Stool in Cats

    Dyschezia and Hematochezia in Cats
     
    Dyschezia is a condition in which defecation is extremely difficult or painful, and hematochezia is symptomized by bright red blood in the stool. Both conditions are visible symptoms of an underlying disease that causes inflammation or irritation of the rectum or anus. Hematochezia can also be concurrent with diseases of the colon.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Crying and whimpering during defecation
    Straining to defecate
    Inability to defecate
    Mucosal, bloody diarrhea
    Hard f …read more

  • Diseases of the Eyes in Cats

    Exophthalmos, Enophthalmos, and Strabismus
     
    Exophthalmos, enophthalmos, and strabismus are all diseases in which the cat’s eyeball is abnormally positioned. With exophthalmos, the eyeball protrudes, or bulges, from the orbit of the eye. This may be due to a space-occupying mass behind the eyeball. Enophthalmos causes the eyeball to recess or sink into the skull. This is possibly because there is a mass in front of the eye, or because the eyeball itself has lost volume, becoming smaller in size. Strabismus is when the eye appears to look off at a different angle, unable to focus in the …read more

  • Diseases of the Skin on the Nose of the Cat

    Nasal Dermatoses in Cats
     
    Many diseases affect the skin on the noses of cats. This can include bacterial or fungal infections of the skin, or mites. These diseases may affect the bridge of the nose where there is hair, or the smooth part of the nose, where there is no hair. Often, it is the portion of the nose that has hair that is affected. In the case of systemic diseases like lupus or other autoimmune ailments, the whole muzzle is involved. Some systemic diseases cause the part of the nose where there is no hair to lose its pigment or develop ulcers.
     
    A rare condition caused …read more

  • Dislocated Eye Lens in Cats

    Lens Luxation in Cats
     
    Lens luxation is the total dislocation of the lens from its normal location. It occurs when the lens capsule separates 360° from the zonules (the fiber-like processes that extend from the ciliary body to the capsule of the lens of the eye) that hold the lens in place. If it occurs at the front of the eye, it comes forward through the pupil into the front chamber. If it goes to the back (posterior), it goes into the posterior segment/vitreous chamber.
     
    Secondary luxation, the most common type of lens luxation diagnosed in cats, may result from long ter …read more

  • Droopy Eye in Cats

    Horner’s Syndrome in Cats
     
    Conditions of the body that affect the nerves supplying the face muscles and eyes can lead to a group of symptoms known as Horner’s syndrome. This condition is characterized by a drooping eye, an eyelid that is protruding from the eye, or a severely constricted eye pupil. Any brain or spinal injury may cause this syndrome, and it has also been linked to conditions affecting the middle ear, but in many cases the origin remains unknown. In almost 45 percent of diagnosed cats, the exact cause remains elusive.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    …read more

  • Drowning (Near Drowning) in Cats

    Hypoxemia Due to Aspiration of Water in Cats
      
    There are four phases in a typical drowning: breath-holding and swimming motion; water aspiration, choking, and struggling for air; vomiting; and cessation of movement followed by death. The mammalian diving reflex may occur, leading to a slowed heart rate, a halt in breathing, and blood circulation limited only to the essential organs of the body. Large volumes of water are not typically aspirated at this stage.
     
    Near-drowning is determined by an event that involves prolonged submersion in water, followed by survival for at l …read more

  • Dry Eye Syndrome in Cats

    Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in Cats
     
    Severe drying and inflammation of the cornea (the transparent front part of the eye) and conjunctiva (the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye) can often be attributed to a medical condition known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Characterized by a deficiency of aqueous tear film over the surface of the eye and in the lining of the lids, the condition is also sometimes called dry eye syndrome. Although KCS is relatively uncommon in cats, there is some suspicion that females may be more predisposed to the condition than males.
    &nb …read more

  • E. Coli Infection in Cats

    Colibacillosis in Cats
     
    Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a bacterium that normally resides in the lower intestines of most warm blooded mammals, including cats. Normally, the presence of E. coli is benign, and even beneficial, but in some cases it can cause a diseased condition called colibacillosis.
     
    E. coli infection is most commonly seen in kittens in the first weeks of life. In the first day after giving birth, queens produce a watery milk that is rich in antibodies. This milk, called colostrum, plays a pivotal role in prot …read more

  • Ear Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Ceruminous Gland Adenocarcinoma of the Ear in Cats
     
    Ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma is the primary malignant tumor of the sweat glands found in the external auditory canal. Though rare, it is one of the most common malignant tumor of the ear canal in older cats. And while it may be locally invasive, it has a low rate of distant metastasis (spreading of the cancer).
     
    In addition, there is no known gender predisposition for this type of tumor, but it is more common in cats than dogs.
     
    …read more

  • Ear Cancer in Cats

    Auricular Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats   Cats can be afflicted with several types of skin tumors, even on their ears. One type of tumor that can affect the ears is a squamous cell carcinoma. A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can be described as a malignant and particularly invasive tumor that takes hold in the scale like cells of the epithelium – the tissue that covers the body or lines the cavities of the body. These scale-like tissue cells are called the squamous.   Carcinoma is, by definition, an especially malignant and persistent form of cancer, often returning after is h …read more

  • Ear Hematoma in Cats

    Ear hematomas, also known as auricular hematomas or aural hematomas, occur when blood accumulates in the flap (or pinna) of the ear.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Characterized by a swelling of the ear flap, ear hematomas often occur in only one ear. However, it is possible for both ears to have hematomas. The swelling may involve the entire ear flap or it may cover only part of the ear flap.
     
    Causes
     
    The most common cause of an ear hematoma in cats is an ear mite infection. Ear mites cause irritation to the ear, resulting in shaking of the head which in turn causes the …read more

  • Early Contractions and Labor in Cats

    Premature Labor in Cats
     
    There are many conditions that can cause a pregnant cat, or queen, to experience premature contractions leading to preterm delivery of kittens. Bacterial infections, viral infections, death of one or more fetuses, ovarian cysts, hormonal imbalances, injury, malnutrition, a change in environment/moving, and basically any kind of stress that can send a cat into mental and physical distress can lead to early labor. In some cases, a cat may be genetically predisposed to preterm labor.
     
    Preterm delivery in cats is defined by a birth that occurs before the id …read more

  • Early Death in Kittens

    Fading Syndrome (Neonatal Mortality) in Kittens
     
    Neonatal mortality, or fading syndrome, involves the death of a kitten at an early age of life (generally, less than two weeks). Because of their immature body organs and systems, kittens are prone to various insults, including infections and environmental, nutritional, and metabolic factors. The immune system (vital for fighting infections) is still in the building stage, so if it is not yet strong enough to ward off an infection the young cat may not survive the condition. Also, young animals do not yet have strong body temperature reg …read more

  • Electric Cord Bite Injury in Cats

    Electrocution in Cats
     
    Electrocution from chewing on an electrical cord is the single most common type of electrical injury in household pets. Electrical injuries can result in burns to the surrounding area (e.g., the mouth, hair), or in alterations to the electrical conduction in the heart, muscles, and other tissues. The possible complications that follow an electric cord bite injury are fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and high blood pressure in the arteries near the lung …read more

  • Electrolyte Disturbance in Cats

    Hypophosphatemia in Cats   A low concentration of phosphorus in the blood serum can be caused by shifts of phosphorus from the extracellular fluid (the fluid outside of the cells) into the body cells, reduced intestinal absorption of phosphorus, or reduced renal (kidney) phosphorus reabsorption.   In patients that are being treated with insulin for diabetic ketoacidosis (a condition in which the body burns fatty acids and produces acidic ketone bodies in response to insulin shortage, or are undergoing refeeding with glycolysis (synthesized glucose) for treatment of starvation, a resu …read more

  • Enlarged Gums in Cats

    Gingival Hyperplasia in Cats
     
    Gingival hyperplasia is a medical condition by which a cat’s gingival tissue becomes inflamed and enlarged. Enlargement is typically caused by dental plaque or other bacterial growth along the gum line. This condition is relatively rare in cats, and in many cases can be prevented with good oral hygiene habits.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Common symptoms of gum enlargement include:
     

    Thickening of the gums
    Increase in the height of the gums
    Pockets developing in the gums
    Areas of inflam …read more

  • Enlarged Heart (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in Cats

    Heart Muscle Disease in Cats
     
    The heart has four chambers: two chambers at the top, the right and left aorta; and two chambers on the bottom, the right and left ventricles. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart disease that affects the ventricular muscle. It is characterized by dilated, or enlarged heart chambers, and reduced contraction ability. That is, a reduced ability to push blood out of the respective ventricle. DCM causes the heart to become overloaded, and will often lead to congestive heart failure. Before 1987, DCM was one of the most common heart diseases in cats. This is …read more

  • Enlarged Liver in Cats

    Hepatomegaly in Cats
     
    Due to certain diseases and conditions that can either directly or indirectly affect the liver’s ability to function, the organ may increase in size, which is referred to as hepatomegaly.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Kittens normally have larger livers in regard to their actual body mass, as compared to adult cats. However, hepatomegaly is most commonly diagnosed in older cats. Depending on the underlying cause, the enlargement may involve the whole liver or only part of the liver. For example, infections and/or inflammation may lead to a generalized sy …read more

  • Enlarged Spleen in Cats

    Splenomegaly in Cats
     
    Splenomegaly refers to the enlargement of the spleen. This medical condition can occur in all breeds and genders, and is not usually directly related to the spleen, but rather a symptom of another disease or condition. Treatment options will be recommended based upon the cause of the splenomegaly.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    An enlarged spleen may lead to such symptoms as:

    Diarrhea
    Vomiting
    Lack of appetite
    Abdominal pain
    Lethargy and reduced activity
    Weakness, and possib …read more

  • Enlargement of Esophagus in Cats

    Megaesophagus in Cats
     
    Megaesophagus is the enlargement of the esophagus, a muscular tube that runs from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus functions solely to deliver food from the mouth to the stomach.  Magaesophagus involves a lack of motility required for the movement of food and liquid down to the stomach and can be the result of a variety of underlying diseases or causes.
     
    Siamese and Siamese-related cats are found to be predisposed to the this condition.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

  • Epileptic Seizures in Cats

    Seizures, Convulsions, Status Epilepticus 
     
    Epilepsy is a disease that is characterized by convulsions (seizures), and sometimes the two terms are confused.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    A seizure may have several symptoms or only a few, including:
     

    Loss of consciousness
    Muscle contraction
    Hallucinations
    Involuntarily urination, defecation, drooling (salivation)
    Loss of recognition of owner
    Vicious behavior
    Pacing
    Running in circles

    &nbs …read more

  • Estrus Symptoms after Spaying in Cats

    Ovarian Remnant Syndrome in Cats
     
    An ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and ovaries are removed from a female cat. Such a removal results in the cessation of subsequent estrus (heat) symptoms in the female. However, some female cats continue to exhibit the behavioral and/or physical signs pertaining to estrus even after such a surgery, and are found to have some ovarian tissue that had not been removed during surgery and was left behind. If such tissue remains functional and continues to secrete hormones, estrus behavior will continue. Such symptoms are typi …read more

  • Excess Acidity in the Blood of Cats

    Renal Tubular Acidosis in Cats
     
    Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a rare syndrome that causes the kidney to be unable to excrete acid through the urine, leading to extreme acidity of the cat’s blood. Cats with RTA will also have abnormal levels of potassium in the blood. This condition occurs as a part of the metabolic process, by which food is transformed into energy.
     
    Although RTA is seen in both cats and dogs, it rarely occurs in cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs, please visit

  • Excess Blood Cells in the Eye in Cats

    Hypopyon and Lipid Flare in Cats
     
    Hypopyon is the accumulation of white blood cells in the front (anterior) chamber of the eye. An inflammatory breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier allows for entry of blood cells into this chamber; chemoattractants, chemical substances that influence the migration of cells, can act as a conveyor for this cellular movement. The cells often settle in place because of gravity, forming a fluid line in the lower front chamber of the eye.
     
    Lipid flare, on the other hand, resembles hypopyon, but the clouded appearance of the anterior chamber is caus …read more

  • Excess Calcium in the Blood in Cats

    Hypercalcemia in Cats
     
    Hypercalcemia is characterized by an abnormally high amount of calcium in the blood. A cat is considered hypercalcemic when its total serum calcium level is greater than 10.5 mg/dL.
     
    Behind the thyroid gland in the neck, there are four parathyroid glands which secrete the hormones the body needs to regulate calcium and phosphorus. Parathyroid hormones and vitamin D interactions work to release calcium from the bones, gut, and kidneys for deposit into the bloodstream. When these interactions are disturbed, or when cancerous cells secrete hormones, hypercal …read more

  • Excess Carbon Dioxide in the Blood in Cats

    Hypercapnia in Cats
     
    Hypercapnia is synonymous with hypoventilation, or inadequate inhalation of fresh air. It is generally the result of alveolar hypoventilation, a failure of the air cells in the lungs to take in adequate amounts of clean oxygen. It may also be related to lung disease or to environmental conditions that result in increased levels of carbon dioxide in the breathable air.
     
    Hypercapnia is characterized by an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood. Carbon dioxide is a normal part of the atmosphere, and a normal component of the c …read more

  • Excess Chloride in the Blood in Cats

    Hyperchloremia in Cats
     
    Hyperchloremia refers to abnormally high levels of chloride (an electrolyte) in the blood. Electrolytes play important roles within the dog’s body: helping in heart and nervous system functions, fluid balance, delivery of oxygen, and much more. For every electrolyte a very delicate chemical balance is required, and each electrolyte has a specific normal range in the body.
     
    The electrolyte chloride, for example, is responsible in part for metabolism (turning food into energy), and keeping the body’s acid base balanced. Chloride exists in body with sodium …read more

  • Excess Iron in the Blood in Cats

    Iron Toxicity in Cats
     
    While iron is an essential nutrient for the regular functioning of a cat’s body, it can become lethal when it is present in large quantities in the bloodstream. Cats may be ingesting unhealthy amounts of iron when they are being given multivitamins that are not appropriate for their age, size or health status, or when they are ingesting dietary supplements or pregnancy supplements that have been left within their reach but that are not intended for them. In the event that there is a high volume of iron present in the blood, damage can occur within the cells.&nbsp …read more

  • Excess Magnesium in the Blood in Cats

    Hypermagnesemia in Cats
     
    Electrolytes are required in the body for many vital functions, like keeping fluid balance, normal heart and brain functions, delivery of oxygen, and many more. Magnesium, after potassium, is the second most abundant positively charged electrolyte found inside cells. Bones and muscles contain a major portion of magnesium in the body. Hypermagnesemia is the term used to denote abnormally high levels of magnesium in the body. Higher levels of magnesium can result in serious complications like impaired nerve impulses (signals), as well as cardiac problems.
      …read more

  • Excess Phosphorous in the Blood in Cats

    Hyperphosphatemia in Cats
     
    Hyperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which abnormally elevated levels of phosphate are present in the cat’s blood. It can occur at any age but is more common in kittens or old cats with kidney problems. Additionally, cats with bone diseases and calcium deficiency are susceptible to hyperphosphatemia.
     
    Hyperphosphatemia can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how the condition affects dogs, please visit this pag …read more

  • Excess Plasma Proteins in the Blood (Hyperviscosity) in Cats

    Hyperviscosity Syndrome in Cats
     
    Thickening of the blood, medically referred to as hyperviscosity, or high blood viscosity, typically results from markedly high concentration of blood plasma proteins, although it can also result (rarely) from an extremely high red blood cell count. It is most frequently seen as a paraneoplastic syndrome (the consequence of the presence of cancer in the body), and is often associated with multiple myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cell) and other lymphoid tumors or leukemias.
     
    The clinical signs that are associated with hyperviscosity are caused b …read more

  • Excess Protein in the Cat’s Urine

    Proteinuria in Cats
     
    While in some cases abnormally high protein levels in the urine can be attributed to the diet and easily modified, other cases are represented by a more serious underlying medical condition. Proteinuria is one of those cases and is detected through a urine test.
     
    Proteinuria can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how this disease affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Other than the abnormally high prot …read more

  • Excess Sodium in the Blood in Cats

    Hypernatremia in Cats
     
    Hypernatremia is the term used to denote abnormally high levels of sodium in blood. A vital electrolyte, sodium is involved in many critical bodily functions, including maintaining blood pressure, blood volume, maintain the delicate acid/base balance in the body, as well as play a role in the transmission of nerve impulses (signals) within nerves.
     
    A common source of sodium is table salt (NaCl). Due to the presence of chloride (Cl) in NaCl, chloride derangements are commonly seen along with sodium.
     
    If not treated quickly, hypernatremia can lead t …read more

  • Excess Thyroid Hormone in Cats

    Hyperthyroidism in Cats
     
    Hyperthyroidism is a disease caused by overproduction of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone that increases metabolism in the body. The thyroid gland normally produces thyroid hormones in response to stimulation by the pituitary gland, the “master gland” of the body. Thyroid hormones normally increase chemical processes occurring within the cells of the body, especially those related to metabolism; however, in hyperthyroidism, the excessive hormone levels push the cells and body into overdrive, resulting in increased metabolism with concurrent weight loss, a …read more

  • Excessive Bacteria in the Small Intestine in Cats

    Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
     
    While it is common for small intestine to have bacteria, it can become a problem when the count is too high. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is a disorder which causes an abnormal amount of bacteria to accumulate in the small intestine, which can then affect the normal intestinal functions, causing loose stools and weight loss. Often clearing up within a few days, but up to a few weeks; treatment options for this bacterial infection give an excellent prognosis.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Common symptoms include loose stools, rapid …read more

  • Excessive Blood Clotting in Cats

    Hypercoagulability in Cats
     
    Blood platelets are minute, disc shaped cell fragments in the blood that are responsible for clotting the blood. Too many active platelets, or too few active platelets, can result in severe health disorders. One of these disorders, hypercoagulability (hyper-clotting), has several causes, but in essence it reflects a greater amount of procoagulants than anticoagulants in the blood. This means that the blood coagulates (clots) abnormally more than usual. One of the possible causes of hypercoagulability is when there are too many active platelets in the blood. …read more

  • Excessive Blood Clotting in Cats

    Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) in Cats
     
    Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a bleeding problem in which clotting factors are activated with an absence of injury. Micro clots form within the blood vessels, and the clotted material goes on to consume platelets and proteins, using them up and leaving a lack of sufficient clotting factors and platelets. This condition can lead to a disruption in normal blood flow to the organs and excessive bleeding, both external and internal.
     
    Clotting factors, such as proteins in the blood plasma, are components of the …read more

  • Excessive Growth Hormone (Somatotropin) in Cats

    Acromegaly in Cats
     
    Acromegaly is a rare syndrome resulting from the excessive production of the growth hormone somatotropin by tumors in the anterior pituitary gland of adult cats. Clinical signs of this syndrome are a result of the hormone’s direct catabolic (breaking down) and indirect anabolic (building up) effects. 
     
    The anabolic effects, meanwhile, are mediated by somatomedin C (insulin-like growth factor I), which is secreted by the liver in response to growth hormone stimulation. The excessive levels of somatomedin C, however, promote protein synthesis and growth i …read more

  • Excessive Potassium in the Blood in Cats

    Hyperkalemia in Cats
     
    The condition of hyperkalemia is expressed by markedly higher than normal concentrations of potassium in the blood. Normally eliminated in the kidneys, potassium and its increased acidity in the cat’s blood can have a direct impact on the heart’s ability to function normally, making this a high priority condition. Elimination is enhanced by aldosterone, a hormone that causes the tubules of the kidneys to retain sodium and water. Therefore, conditions that can inhibit renal elimination of potassium can be a direct cause of hyperkalemia.

    Symptoms
    &nbsp …read more

  • Excessive Production of Saliva in Cats

    Ptyalism in Cats
     
    Saliva is constantly produced and secreted into the oral cavity from the salivary glands. Production of saliva increases because of excitation of the salivary nuclei in the brain stem. Ptyalism is a medical condition characterized by the excessive flow of saliva, also referred to as hypersalivation. The stimuli that lead to the over production of saliva are taste and touch sensations involving the mouth and tongue. Higher centers in the central nervous system can also excite or inhibit the salivary nuclei, and lesions involving either the central nervous system or th …read more

  • Excessive Vocalization in Cats

    Disruptive Crying and Meowing in Cats
     
    Excessive vocalization refers to uncontrollable, excessive meowing or crying, often occurring at inappropriate times of the night or day. Such vocalization can be due to pain, illness, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), or may be related to a decline in hearing in senior pets.
     
    CDS is often associated with night waking, during which excessive vocalization occurs. Excessive meowing may also be related to behavioral conditions, which may be controlled by behavior modification training.
     
    Cat breeds that are naturally high energy ma …read more

  • Extreme Fear and Anxiety in Cats

    Fears, Phobias, and Anxieties in Cats
     
    A phobia is a persistent and excessive fear of a specific stimulus, such as a thunderstorm. Immediate, excessive anxiety response is characteristic of a phobic condition, and it has been suggested that once a phobic event has been experienced, any event associated with it, or the memory of it, is sufficient enough to generate a response. The most common phobias are associated with noises (such as thunderstorms or fireworks).
     
    Fear is the instinctual feeling of apprehension resulting from a situation, person, or object that appears to prese …read more

  • Eye Defects (Congenital) in Cats

    Congenital Ocular Anomalies in Cats
     
    Congenital abnormalities of the eyeball or its surrounding tissue can be evident in a kitten shortly after birth, or may develop within the first six to eight weeks of life. Most defects are genetically inherited; for example, photoreceptor dysplasia, which is indicated by pupils inability to contract normally in response to light, is more prone in Abyssinian, Persian, and Domestic Shorthair cats. This affects the cat’s ability to see in both low light and daylight.
     
    Ocular abnormalities can also develop spontaneously (e.g., colobomas of the …read more

  • Eye Displacement in Cats

    Proptosis in Cats
     
    Proptosis is a medical condition which causes a cat’s eye to move forward and protrude from its eye socket. This typically noticeable (and unseemly) medical condition is frequently associated with a head trauma and is often vision threatening. Therefore, immediate veterinary examination and treatment is vital to restoring or saving the cat’s eyesight.
     
    Proptosis affects both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how this condition affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD

  • Eye Infection in Newborn Cats

    Ophthalmia Neonatorium
     
    One of the infections that can affect a newborn kitten is infection of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the eyeball, or of the cornea, the transparent front surface coating of the eyeball. The infection will typically take place after the top and bottom eyelids separate and open, at about 10 to 14 days of age.
     
    Often the source of the infection is from infectious vaginal discharge that is transmitted at birth, but an unhygienic environment can also cause infection in newborns. Staphylococcus spp. bacter …read more

  • Eye Inflammation (Anterior Uveitis) in Cats

    Anterior Uveitis in Cats
     
    The uvea is the dark tissue at the front of the eye that contains the blood vessels. When the uvea becomes inflamed, the condition is referred to as anterior uveitis (the literal translatiobn of which is inflammation of the front of the eye). This very painful condition affects the cat’s iris and the surrounding pupil tissue, which in turn, may threaten your cat’s vision.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Pain
    Redness of the eye
    Excessive tears
    Discharge
    Squinting
    Pupil i …read more

  • Eye Inflammation (Blepharitis) in Cats

    Blepharitis in Cats
    Inflammation of the outer skin and middle (muscle, connective tissue, and glands) portions of the eyelids is medically referred to as blepharitis. This condition is also usually seen with the secondary inflammation of the inner surface of the eyelid (palpebral conjunctiva).
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Scaly, flaky skin near the eye
    Intense itching, scratching of the eye
    Watery, mucous or pus containing eye discharge
    Edema and thickening of the eyelids
    Abraded area(s) where the skin is torn o …read more

  • Eye Inflammation (Conjunctivitis) in Cats

    Conjunctivitis in Cats
     
    Conjunctivitis refers to the inflammation of the moist tissues in a cat’s eye, which are the portions of the eye located near the globe and up to the edge of the cornea — the front part of the eye. It can cause the cat’s eye to discharge fluid and other uncomfortable symptoms for the animal. Treatment, ultimately, is based on the underlying cause of the condition.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are several common symptoms of this disease, including:
     

    Persistent squinting
    Regular and excessive blinking

  • Eye Injuries in Cats

    Corneal and Scleral Lacerations in Cats 
     
    In medical terms, a penetrating injury is a wound, or a foreign object that enters the eye but does not completely pass through the cornea or sclera. A perforating injury, on the other hand, is a wound or foreign body that completely passes through the cornea or the sclera. Needless to say, the latter injury is a greater risk to vision. The cornea is the transparent outer layer at the front (anterior) of the eye. The sclera, the white of the eye, is composed of a tough covering that protects the eyeball.
     
    Again in medical terms, a …read more

  • Eyelash Disorders in Cats

    Trichiasis, Distichiasis, and Ectopic Cilia in Cats
     
    Trichiasis, distichiasis, and ectopic cilia are eyelash disorders that are rarely found in cats. Trichiasis is in-growth of the eyelashes; distichiasis is an eyelash that grows from an abnormal spot on the eyelid; and ectopic cilia are single or multiple hairs that grow through the inside of the eyelid. In all of these conditions, the eyelash hair can come into contact with and damage the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Trichiasis

    Change in pigmentation of the iris (colored port …read more

  • Eyelid Protrusion (‘Cherry Eye’) in Cats

    Prolapsed Gland of the Third Eyelid in Cats
     
    Prolapsed gland of the eyelid, also known as “cherry eye,” refers to a pink mass protruding from the cat’s eyelid. Normally, the gland development is anchored by an attachment made up of fibrous material.
     
    This medical condition occurs in both dogs and cats, although it typically affects younger animals. If you would like to learn how this disease affects dogs,please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
    …read more

  • Face Nerve Paralysis in Cats

    Facial Nerve Paresis/Paralysis in Cats
     
    A dysfunction of the facial nerve (seventh cranial nerve) is medically referred to as facial nerve paresis. It is evidenced by paralysis or weakness of the muscles of the ears, eyelids, lips, and nostrils.
     
    The cause of this disease is impairment of the facial nerve, or of the place where the nerves come together, and it affects the electrical impulses of the nerves involved. The facial nerve is affected, and sometimes the ophthalmic system as well, interfering with the function of the tear glands. Dry eye syndrome also accompanies the te …read more

  • Face Nerve Paralysis in Dogs

    Facial Nerve Paresis/Paralysis in Dogs
     
    Facial nerve paresis is a dysfunction of the seventh cranial nerve, the facial nerve. This condition is evidenced by paralysis or weakness of the muscles of the ears, eyelids, lips, and nostrils.
     
    The cause of this disease is impairment of the facial nerve, or of the place where the nerves come together, and it affects the electrical impulses of the nerves involved. The facial nerve is affected, and sometimes the ophthalmic system as well, interfering with the function of the tear glands. Dry eye syndrome also accompanies the tear gland i …read more

  • Fainting in Cats

    Syncope in Cats
     
    Syncope is a medical condition that is basically characterized as a temporary loss of consciousness and spontaneous recovery. This is the clinical term for what is otherwise often described as fainting.
     
    The most common cause of syncope is a temporary interruption in the brain blood supply, which causes impairment in oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain. Another important cause of syncope in cats is heart disease leading to interruption in the blood supply to the brain. Syncope is more likely to be seen in older cats.
     
    Causes
     

    Hea …read more

  • False Pregnancy in Female Cats

    Pseudo-pregnancy in Female Cats
     
    A hormonal imbalance is thought to play a central role in the development of a false pregnancy, or pseudopregnancy, in which a non-pregnant female cat shows such symptoms as lactation or nursing without producing kittens. The affected female cat shows these symptoms about a month or two after her estrus (heat) is over. Depending on the severity of problem, the symptoms may last for more than a month. 
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Behavioral changes
    Non-pregnant female cat may show symptoms of mothering activity, …read more

  • Fatty Layer or Nodule Under the Skin in Cats

    Panniculitis in Cats
     
    Panniculitis is a condition where the layer of fat just under the cat’s skin (subcutaneous fat tissue) becomes inflamed. Though uncommon, the fatty tissue typically concentrates and affects the trunk area as a single nodule or as multiple nodules. In addition, as a result of secondary infections and other complications, the fat cells within the nodule(s) may die.
     
    Cats of any age, sex, or breed may be affected by panniculitis.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Most cats have a single nodular lesion on the trunk that vary from a few millimeters to severa …read more

  • Fatty Liver Disease in Cats

    Hepatic Lipidosis in Cats
     
    Hepatic lipidosis, known commonly as fatty liver, is one of the most common severe feline liver diseases in cats. The liver’s main functions include protein synthesis, the production of chemicals necessary for digestion, and the detoxification of the body. The liver also plays an important role in metabolism, the emulsification of fats, the production of coagulation factors (necessary for blood clotting), and in the decomposition of red blood cells. The liver is of such importance to the body, carrying out so many complex functions, that there is no way to c …read more

  • Fatty Skin Tumors in Cats

    Lipoma in Cats
     
    Lipomas are soft masses or tumors that lie beneath the surface of the skin. They are usually palpable, with limited mobility under the skin. The overlying skin is usually not affected. Over time they can grow larger and can impede movement if they are located between the legs or low on the chest. It is important to recognize that additional masses do not necessarily indicate malignancy or metastasis. Because other cutaneous masses may appear similar to lipomas, it is recommended that each mass be checked.
     
    Another sub-classification of benign lipomas is the infi …read more

  • Fatty Tissue Inflammation in Cats

    Steatitis in Cats
     
    Steatitis is a rare disease in cats, characterized by a lump under the skin surface due to inflammation of the fatty tissue. Nutrition is often involved in the pathology of this condition. Ingestion of large amounts of unsaturated fats without sufficient antioxidant activity may result in peroxidation (where free radicals “steal” electrons from the lipids in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage) with subsequent fat necrosis (death of fat cells) and steatitis. Cats that are fed large amounts of tuna, particularly red tuna, tend to be more prone to steati …read more

  • Fatty Tissue Tumor (Benign) in Cats

    Infiltrative Lipoma in Cats
     
    Infiltrative lipoma is an invasive, benign tumor composed of fatty tissue, a variant that does not metastasize (spread), but which is known to infiltrate the soft tissues, notably the muscles, but also including the fasciae (the soft tissue component of the connective tissue system), tendons, nerves, blood vessels, salivary glands, lymph nodes, joint capsules, and occasionally the bones. Muscle infiltration is often so extensive that surgery cannot be performed without severe consequences.
     
    Infiltrative lipoma occurs much less frequently than does < ...read more

  • Fibrotic Hardening of the Lungs in Cats

    Pulmonary Fibrosis in Cats
     
    Cats can suffer from many forms of pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis being one of them. The development of this disease results in inflammation and scarring of the tiny air sacs of the cat’s lungs and lung tissue. The reactive scarring of the lungs results in fibrotic tissue buildup, where the tissue becomes excessively thick, reducing the ability of the affected sacs to pass oxygen into the blood stream. Therefore, as the disease progresses, less oxygen is passed into the body’s tissues when the cat breathes.
     
    The factors which initiate pulmonary …read more

  • Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats

    Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Cats
     
    Pyrethrin and pyrethroid are insecticides typically used for treating flea and tick infestations in pets. Pyrethrins are naturally-based and derived from the Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium plant and from pyrethrum-related plant species. Pyrethroids, meanwhile, are synthetic, making them longer-lasting; these include allethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, fluvalinate, permethrin, phenothrin, tetramethrin, and etofenprox.
     
    An adverse reaction to any of these toxins will affect the cat’s nervous system, reversibly prolonging …read more

  • Flea Control and Flea Bite Allergies in Cats

    Flea Bite Hypersensitivity in Cats
     
    Flea bite hypersensitivity or flea allergic dermatitis is very common in cats. In fact, it is the most common skin disease to be diagnosed in pets. Flea allergies usually develop when cats are young (less than one and up to five years of age), but can begin at any age. Flea saliva is actually believed to be the cause for the allergy or sensitivity.
     
    The flea life cycle includes the adult flea, egg, larva and pupa. Adult fleas do bite, but cannot survive long if they are not on an animal. Once the adult flea lays its eggs on the host cat it wi …read more

  • Fluid Buildup in the Kidney Due to Kidney or Ureter Obstruction in Cats

    Hydronephrosis in Cats
     
    In most cats, hydronephrosis occurs when fluid builds up in the kidney, causing progressive distention of the renal pelvis (the funnel-like dilated proximal part of the ureter in the kidney) and diverticula (out pouching, with atrophy of the kidney secondary to obstruction).
     
    The disease is usually one-sided and occurs secondary to complete or partial obstruction of the kidney or ureter by kidney stones, tumor, retroperitoneal (the anatomical space behind …read more

  • Fluid Buildup in the Sac Surrounding the Heart in Cats

    Pericardial Effusion in Cats
     
    Pericardial effusion is a condition in which an abnormally large amount of fluid collects in the pericardial sac that surrounds the cat’s heart (pericardium). A secondary condition, referred to as cardiac tamponade, results from this retention of fluid, as the swelling of fluid applies pressure on the beating heart, compressing it and restricting its ability to pump blood.
     
    The pressure inside the heart increases, and since the right atrium and ventricles normally have the lowest cardiac filling pressures, they are the most affected by cardiac tamp …read more

  • Fluid in Abdomen in Cats

    Ascites in Cats
     
    Ascites, also known as abdominal effusion, is the medical term referring to the buildup of fluid in the abdomen. This may cause symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and loss of appetite. A wide variety of causes may be responsible for ascites, thus treatments vary accordingly.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Some of the outward symptoms your cat may show are difficulty breathing (or dyspnea) due to pressure on the chest from abdominal swelling, or from a related buildup of fluid in the space between the chest wall and lungs (referred to as pleural effu …read more

  • Fluid in Chest (Pleural Effusion) in Cats

    Pleural Effusion in Cats
     
    Pleural effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity, which is lined by a membrane — the pleural lining. This occurs in cats either because too little fluid is being absorbed in the pleural cavity, or because too much fluid is being produced in the pleural cavity. Alterations in the cat’s blood pressure and protein content in the blood, or the penetrability of blood vessels and lymphatic function, may contribute to fluid accumulation.
     
    The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. I …read more

  • Fluid in the Chest in Cats

    Chylothorax in Cats
     
    Chyle is a milky to slightly yellow fluid made up of lymph and fats from the intestines and transferred to the circulation through the thoracic duct (the main trunk of the lymphatic system, which crosses the chest near the spine and empties into the circulation system), and lymph is a watery fluid that is produced by the tissues of the body and which contains white blood cells, which are essential for protecting the body. Chylothorax is a medical condition that results from the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the pleural (chest) cavity where the heart and lungs …read more

  • Fluid in the Lungs in Cats

    Pulmonary Edema in Cats
     
    Pulmonary edema refers to fluid buildup in the lungs and is often associated with pneumonia, although there are many other possible causes. Normal lungs have fluid that is moved from the lungs into the internal space of the body, an on-going process for normal healthy function. If there is added pressure in the lungs or other underlying conditions, this mechanism can become damaged and fluid can begin to build in the lungs.
     
    If this excess fluid is not removed, edema forms. Damage can occur if this condition is left untreated, but when treated appropria …read more

  • Fluid Retention and Tissue Swelling Due to Collection of Lymph in Cats

    Lymphedema in Cats
     
    Although it is less common in cats than in dogs, lymphedema is a serious medical condition. It is occurs when localized fluid retention and tissue swelling circulates throughout the lymphatic system. Also known as lymph, this watery fluid typically collects into interstitial spaces, especially subcutaneous fat, as a result of a compromised lymphatic system.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The fluid accumulation (edema) is usually not painful and pits; that is, a depress …read more

  • Folding of the Intestines

    Intussusception in Cats
     
    A change in the shape of the intestine can cause the affected portion of the intestine to slip out of its normal place (prolapse) into an adjoining cavity or duct in the body. Intussusception, the medical term used to describe this condition, can also be used to describe a folded portion of the intestine (invagination), causing that section of the intestinal tract to be blocked. Either of these conditions can result in inflammation of the intestines.
     
    While intussusception can occur in animals of all ages, it is more common in younger animals that have …read more

  • Foot/Toe Cancer in Cats

    Digital Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats
     
    Cats can be afflicted with several types of skin tumors, even on their feet and toes. One type of tumor that can affect the toes is a squamous cell carcinoma. A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can be described as a malignant and particularly invasive tumor that takes hold in the scale like cells of the epithelium – the tissue that covers the body or lines the cavities of the body. These scale like tissue cells are called the squamous.
     
    Carcinoma is, by definition, an especially malignant and persistent form of cancer, often returning …read more

  • Foreign Objects Stuck in the Throat in Cats

    Esophageal Obstruction in Cats
     
    Cats often swallow unusual things and are known for the odd range of objects they will swallow. When a cat ingests foreign material or foodstuffs that are too large to pass through the esophagus (the throat), the esophagus can become blocked. One of the objects commonly found in cats is thread, which may be of surprisingly long size or thickness. Unfortunately, because of cats’ tendency to eat and swallow string, they may also swallow needles (i.e., sewing) that are attached to string. Esophageal foreign bodies cause mechanical blockage, swelling and dea …read more

  • Front Leg Injury in Cats

    Brachial Plexus Avulsion in Cats
     
    Cats can experience a forelimb issue after experiencing an injury due to jumping, being in a road accident, a traumatic fall, or after being caught in, or on, something. Prompt medical attention is advised, since the possibility of a spinal cord injury or other severe damage to the body will require that a proper examination and assessment be made. Injuries to the forelimb are sometimes referred to as brachial plexus avulsion.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Cats that are experiencing this condition will often exhibit muscular weakness, absence of …read more

  • Fungal Disease (Sporotrichosis) of the Skin in Cats

    Sporotrichosis in Cats   Sporothrix schenckii is a fungus that has the potential to infect the skin, respiratory system, bones and sometimes the brain, causing a diseased state called sporotrichosis. Infection is caused by the virtually ubiquitous dimorphic (mold and yeast) fungus, S. schenckii, which typically infects via direct inoculation – that is, through abrasions of the skin or by inhalation. The origin of the fungus is environmental; it is naturally found in soil, plants and sphagnum moss, but it can be communicated zoonotically between different animal species, and between anima …read more

  • Fungal Infection (Blastomycosis) in Cats

    Blastomycosis in Cats
     
    Blastomycosis is a systematic yeastlike fungal infection caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which thrives in wet environments, such as riverbanks, lakes and swamps, where damp soil lacking direct sunlight fosters growth of the fungus. The fungus is also present in areas that are rich in decaying matter, such as wooded areas, forests, and farms. It is a naturally occurring North American fungus, with the highest prevalence of infection taking place in geographic areas located near water — such as the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, and Tenness …read more

  • Fungal Infection (Coccidioidomycosis) in Cats

    Coccidioidomycosis/Coccidioides immitis in Cats
     
    Coccidioidomycosis, an illness caused by the Coccidioides immitis fungus, comes from inhalation of the soil-borne fungus. The respiratory system is most affected, with the fungus spores beginning in the lungs as round spherules, living in a parasitic stage there until they grow large enough to rupture, releasing hundreds of endospores. They then begin a parasitic stage in the tissues, growing and rupturing, and then disseminating into the wider body perpetually. Endospores can also take a faster route through the body b …read more

  • Fungal Infection (Histoplasmosis) in Cats

    Histoplasmosis in Cats
     
    Histoplasmosis refers to a fungal infection caused by the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus. It usually enters an animal’s intestinal tract after being ingested through contaminated soil or bird droppings.
     
    Symptoms
     
    The most common symptoms for cats are lack of appetite, weight loss, and difficulty breathing. Other potential signs may include:
     

    Coughing
    Increased breathing effort and harsh lung sounds
    Lameness
    Eye discharge
    Diarrhea
    Fever, up to to 4 …read more

  • Fungal Infection (Malassezia pachydermatis) of the Skin in Cats

    Malassezia Dermatitis in Cats
     
    Malassezia pachydermatis is a yeast commonly found on the skin and ears of cats. However, an abnormal overgrowth of the yeast can cause dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin. The exact reasons behind this disease are not yet known, but it has been linked to allergy, seborrhea, and possibly congenital (born with) and hormonal factors.
     
    Malassezia dermatitis is also less common in cats when compared to cats, but can affect any breed of cat.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Irritation of skin
    Loss of hair (< ...read more

  • Fungal Infection (Pneumocystosis) of the Lung in Cats

    Pneumocystosis in Cats
     
    Pneumocystosis is a respiratory infection involving Pneumocystis carinii, a fungus commonly found in the environment. Although pneumocystosis  may lead to a variety of health issues, it only affects dogs (or humans) with compromised immune systems because the weakened body defenses allows the P. carinii organism to multiply and grow to critical levels in the lungs.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Generally, the breathing difficulties will progressively worsen over a four-week period. Other signs associated with pneumocystosis …read more

  • Fungal Infection of Lower Urinary Tract in Cats

    Fungal Infection of Bladder and/or Urethra in Cats
     
    Fungi are usually found on the skin of cats and are also prevalent in the outer environment. These organisms are harmless most of the time, or the body is adept at fighting off any ill effects the fungus might have. Fungal infections are uncommon in cats. In some cases, however, some types of fungus may inhabit and infect the lower urinary tract, causing symptoms of infection. The fungus may also appear in the urine after being released from the kidneys. Infection is not apparent in all cases, and may be present for some time before b …read more

  • Fungal Toxicosis Related to Fusarium Fungus in Cats

    Mycotoxicosis-Deoxynivalenol in Cats
     
    Deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin for its effect on the digestive system, is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum in grains such as corn, wheat, oats, and barley. Mycotoxicosis is the medical term used to describe a diseased state that is brought on by a mycotoxin, a toxic chemical that is produced by a fungal organism, such as molds and yeasts. Mycotoxicosis-deoxynivalenol refers to the toxic reaction that results when a cat ingests pet food that was made with DON-contaminated grain.
     
    Symptoms and Types
    &nbs …read more

  • Gallbladder and Bile Duct Inflammation in Cats

    Cholecystitis and Choledochitis in Cats
     
    All of the components of this digestive system work in tandem, and if one fails to function properly, the result is that most of the body will suffer ill effects. The gallbladder rests in the abdomen, firmly affixed to the liver and serving as a storage receptacle for bile, a fluid that is essential for digesting food in the stomach and intestines. The bile duct transports bile from the liver into the gallbladder and into the small intestine, and the liver functions in the secretion of the bile. Inflammation of the gallbladder is often associate …read more

  • Gallstones in Cats

    Cholelithiasis in Cats
     
    Gallstones are typically made up of calcium or other secreted substances, which form into small stone-like structures within the body. Cholelithiasis is a medical condition that can result from the formation of stones in the gallbladder. Stones in the bile ducts or the gallbladder may be visible on an X-ray, or they may not. Unless there are serious symptoms, surgery is not recommended for gallstones.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are cases where there are no apparent symptoms. However, if there is an infection in addition to the gallstones, your ca …read more

  • Gas in Cats

    Flatulence in Cats
     
    It may be surprising to find that the source of intestinal gas in cats is different in many ways from flatulence in humans. For example, most of the internal gas comes from swallowed air. Bacterial fermentation of nutrients, as in humans, does also result in the noxious gases that escape from time to time.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Besides the obvious increase in gas or the smell of the gas, disease may also play a part in the condition. When gastrointestinal disease is the cause, there are usually other symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting. Your cat m …read more

  • Generalized Inflammatory Muscle Diseases in Cats

    Polymositis and Dermatomyositis in Cats
     
    Polymositis and dermatomyositis are both generalized disorders which involve the inflammation of the cat’s muscles. More specifically, polymyositis involves skeletal muscle damage due to inflammation, but with no pus formation, whereas dermatomyositis is a form of polymyositis in which characteristic skin lesions are also seen.
     
    These disorders are rarely seen in cats and are more common in dogs.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    …read more

  • Giant Cell Tumors in Cats

    Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma in Cats
     
    Histiocytes are white blood cells that reside within the connective tissue of the body. Referred to as tissue macrophages, histiocytes play a defensive role in the body’s immune response, engulfing cellular debris and infectious agents, as well as initiating defense mechanisms in the system. The term histiocytoma refers to a tumor containing an excessive number of histiocytes.
     
    Generally, histiocytomas are benign growths, but there are documented cases of malignant fibrous histiocytomas, where the tumor is composed of both histioc …read more

  • Gingivitis in Cats

    Gingivitis in Cats
     
    Gingivitis is considered the earliest stage of periodontal disease. This stage is reversible with proper care. It is indicated by inflammation of the gingiva, or gums. In the early phases of gingivitis, some plaque is present and there is a mild redness of the gums, but the gingival surfaces are smooth.
     
    Dental calculus is calcium phosphate and carbonate mixed with organic matter. In advanced gingivitis there are plaque and calculus under the gums, moderate-to-severe redness of the gums and the gum surfaces are irregular. Plaque is the result of a collection …read more

  • Glaucoma in Cats

    Disease of the Optic Nerve in Cats
     
    Glaucoma is a condition in which high pressure occurs in the eye, with a failure of normal fluid drainage from the eye. A chronic condition with pressure against the optic nerve will eventually cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, resulting in blindness.

     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are two main types of glaucoma: primary and secondary. Symptoms for sudden primary disease, due to the eye’s inability to drain through the filtration angles of the eye, are as follows:

    High pressure within the eye< ...read more

  • Glomerulonephritis in Cats

     
    The term glomerulonephritis refers to the inflammation and subsequent dysfunction of the glomeruli — the small mass of capillaries in the kidney that filters waste products from the blood and into the urine so they can be secreted from the body. The most common cause of glomerulonephritis is the deposition and entrapment of antigen-antibody complexes (such as a toxin or enzyme) within the glomeruli. Moreoever, the disease affects both genders, but occurs in more often in males.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms may vary depending on the underlying cause, like inflammation …read more

  • Glucose in the Urine in Cats

    Glucosuria in Cats
     
    Normally, the kidneys are able to reclaim all of the filtered glucose from the urine into the bloodstream. Glucosuria (or glycosuria) is characterized by the presence of glucose into the urine. It is nearly always due to kidney disorders, such as diabetes mellitus.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Glucosuria is categorized as hyperglycemic (260–310 mg/dL ) or normoglycemic, and subcategorized as transient or persistent. Symptoms will depend on the underlying disease, but some possible signs include:
     

    Diluted urine
    Increa …read more

  • Glycogen Storage Disease in Cats

    Glycogenosis in Cats
     
    Glycogen storage disease, also known as glycogenosis, is a rare inherited disorder with various types, all characterized by deficient or defective activity of the enzymes responsible for metabolizing glycogen in the body. This leads to an abnormal accumulation of glycogen, the main carbohydrate storage material in the body which aids short term energy storage in cells by converting to glucose as the body needs it for metabolic requirements. Accumulation of glycogen in the tissues can result in the enlargement and dysfunction of various organs, including the liver, …read more

  • Gum Disease in Cats

    Periodontal Disease in Cats
     
    Periodontal disease is an inflammation of some or all of a tooth’s deep supporting structures. It is one of the most common diseases in cats today.
     
    If food particles and bacteria are allowed to accumulate along the cat’s gumline, it can form plaque, which, when combined with saliva and minerals, will transform into calculus. This causes gum irritation and leads to an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis, which is evidenced by a reddening of the gums directly bordering the teeth, is considered to be an early stage of periodonta …read more

  • Hair Follicle Tumors in Cats

    Trichoepitheliomas and Pilomatricomas in Cats
     
    There are two types of hair follicle tumors, which arise from cystic hair follicles (follicles that have closed over, like a sac), and, which arise from the cells that produce the hair follicles. Hair follicle tumors are generally benign tumors that originate in the hair follicles in the skin.
     
    Trichoepitheliomas are small benign tumors, often found along a cat’s back, shoulders, flank, tail or limbs. Pilomatricomas are rare skin tumors that develop from the hair matrix, where the cells which grow the hair follicles develop and are …read more

  • Hair Loss in Cats

    Alopecia
     
    Hair loss (alopecia) is a common problem for cats. The hair loss can be partial or complete, and the patterns varied or symmetrical. Treatment options exist, though they are limited.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Signs include partial or total hair loss. The skin surrounding the area of hair loss can appear normal or it can have redness, bumps, scabs, and skin loss. Alopecia may appear in a symmetrical form, or it can be random on the cat’s skin.
     
    Causes
     
    In older cats diagnosed with canc …read more

  • Hair Loss Related to Cancer in Cats

    Feline Paraneoplastic Alopecia in Cats
     
    Feline paraneoplastic alopecia is a cancer related  skin condition. This condition is rare, and generally is a sign of internal tumors. While the link between skin lesions and cancer is unknown, most cats with paraneoplastic alopecia have pancreatic cancer. By the time the skin lesions appear, the cancer may have already spread to other areas (metastasized).
     
    Because this condition is linked to cancer, many parts of the body are affected. There is the initial tumor and any additional cancer that has spread internally, and externally; …read more

  • Hairballs in Cats

    Feline Trichobezoars
     
    Most cat owners have experienced hairballs at one time or another. Vomiting an occasional hairball is normal for most cats. However, if the vomiting is persistent or frequent, it may indicate a more serious health issue.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Hairballs are long cylindrical masses of hair which form in the stomach and are regurgitated by the affected cat.
     
    Causes
     
    All cats groom by licking themselves. While doing so, they swallow hair. The feline tongue is actually barbed so that it functions as a miniature comb removing loose hair. N …read more

  • Head Pressing in Cats

    Pressing the Head Against Objects in Cats
     
    Head pressing is characterized by the compulsive act of pressing the head against a wall or other object for no apparent reason. This generally indicates damage to the nervous system, which may result from a number of varying causes, including prosencephalon disease (in which the forebrain and thalamus parts of the brain are damaged), or toxic poisoning.
     
    There is no evidence that any certain cat breed or age-range is at greater risk for this condition.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The act of head pressing is just one sign of p …read more

  • Head Tilt, Disorientation in Cats

    Idiopathic Vestibular Disease in Cats
     
    Head tilt is a medical condition that may be indicative of a serious underlying disorder, usually of the vestibular system. If a cat is tilting its head frequently to either side of the body (away from its orientation with the trunk and limbs), this is an indication that the cat feels imbalanced. The cat may even struggle to retain a balanced posture and fall.
     
    A common cause of head tilting in cats are disorders of the vestibular system, a sensory system located in the inner ear which provides information needed to hold the body in an upr …read more

  • Heart (Aortic) Blood Clot in Cats

    Aortic Thromboembolism in Cats
     
    Aortic thromboembolismis a common heart condition which results from a blood clot dislodging within the aorta, leading to the interruption of blood flow to tissues served by that segment of the aorta. Therefore, complications arising in the aorta can be very serious.
     
    Aortic thromboembolism, also referred to as saddle thrombus, is more common in cats in comparison to dogs, and it is believe to be hereditary in nature. And although mixed b …read more

  • Heart (Aortic) Valve Narrowing in Cats

    Aortic Stenosis in Cats
     
    The narrowing of the aortic valve, which controls the blood flow from the left ventricle (one of the cat’s four heart chambers) to the aorta ventricular outflow tract, is a congenital (present at birth) defect called aortic stenosis. It is a serious health concern that may lead to various complications.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are three types of three types of aortic stenosis: valvular (present at the valve), subvalvular (present below the valve), or supravalvular (present above the valve). The defect typically develops over the first few wee …read more

  • Heart and Carotid Artery Tumors in Cats

    Chemodectoma in Cats
     
    Aortic and carotid body tumors, classified as chemodectomas, are generally benign tumors that grow from the chemoreceptor tissue of the body. These are the tissues most sensitive to chemical changes in the body, such as oxygen content and pH levels in the blood. While chemoreceptor tissues can be located throughout the body, chemodectomas mainly affect the chemoreceptor organs: the aorta and the carotid organs (i.e., heart and carotid artery).

     
    Chemodectomas are rare in cats, but when they do occur, older cats tend to be more predisposed. However, there …read more

  • Heart and Lung Diseases in Cats

    Endomyocardial Diseases in Cats
     
    Endomyocarditis, or inflammation of the inner heart muscle and lining, is an acute heart and lung (cardiopulmonary) disease that typically develops following a stressful event. It is characterized by interstitial pneumonia, and inflammation of the innermost portion of the heart. Pneumonia is usually severe and commonly results in death.
     
    Endomyocarditis occurs predominantly in males, between the ages of 1 and 4 years. The development of biventr …read more

  • Heart Attack in Cats

    Myocardial Infarction in Cats
     
    Much like in humans, a blockage of blood flow to the myocardium (the heart’s muscular wall), is medically referred to as a heart attack, or myocardial infarction. This is generally due to the formation of a blood clot (or thrombus) within the blood vessels or heart, causing the premature death of a portion of the myocardium.
     
    Heart attacks are rare in both cats and dogs.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Weakness
    Lethar …read more

  • Heart Beat Problems (Fibrillation and Flutter) in Cats

    Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter in Cats
     
    There are four chambers in the heart. The two top chambers are called the atria (single: atrium) whereas the bottom chambers are called the ventricles. Valves are provided between each atrial and ventricular pair, each on the left and right side. The valve between the right atrium and right ventricle is called the tricuspid valve, where the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle is called the mitral valve. The heart works with exceptional synchronization between the various atrial and ventricular structures, resulting in a consi …read more

  • Heart Beat Problems (Premature Complexes) in Cats

    Atrial Premature Complexes in Cats
     
    Under normal circumstances, the heart works with exceptional synchronization between the various atrial and ventricular structures, resulting in a consistent rhythmic pattern. Atrial premature complexes result in an abnormal rhythmic disturbance, where the heart beats prematurely, before the normal timing, or pacing. 
     
    Excluding animals born with a congenital heart disease, atrial premature complexes often affect older cats. Atrial premature complexes (APCs) can be seen on an electrocardiogram (EKG) as a premature wave called a P wave. …read more

  • Heart Beat Problems (Standstill) in Cats

    Atrial Standstill in Cats
     
    If ECG (electrocardiogram) findings identify missing P-waves in the cat’s atria, it is probably suffering from a rare heart rhythm disturbance called atrial standstill. A measure of the electrical activity of the atria (the top two chambers in the cat’s heart), P-waves that are absent may be an indicator of a more serious underlying disease.
     
    Atrial standstill can be temporary, persistent, or terminal due to complications such as heart failure. Along with absent P-waves, the ECG of the cat may demonstrate a slow heart rate with regular or irregular rh …read more

  • Heart Block (Complete) in Cats

    Atrioventricular Block, Complete (Third Degree) in Cats
     
    Much like a control center, the heart’s sinoartial node (SA) is responsible for controlling the heart rate. This electrical conduction system generates electrical impulses (waves), which propagate through the atrioventricular (AV) node and into the ventricles, stimulating the heart’s muscles to contract and push blood through the interior arteries and out into the body.
     
    Complete, or third-degree, atrioventricular block is a condition in which all impulses generated by the SA node are blocked at the AV node, leading to i …read more

  • Heart Block (First-Degree) in Cats

    Atrioventricular Block, First Degree in Cats
     
    Normally, a heart contraction is caused by an electrical impulse originating from the sinoatrial node, stimulating the atria, traveling to the atrioventricular node and finally to the ventricles. This electrical conduction system is responsible for controlling the heart rate, and generating electrical impulses (waves), which propagate throughout the musculature of the heart, stimulating the heart’s muscles to contract and push blood through the interior arteries and out into the body.

    First-degree atrioventricular block is a condition …read more

  • Heart Block (Mobitz Type I) in Cats

    Atrioventricular Block, Second Degree–Mobitz Type I in Cats
     
    Second-degree atrioventricular block occurs when the electrical conduction within the AV node is delayed. 
     
    The sinoatrial node (SA Node, or SAN), also called the sinus node, is the initiator of electrical impulses within the heart, triggering the heart to beat, or contract, by firing off electrical surges. The atria, the two upper chambers of the heart that receive  and send out blood, are prompted into action by the SA node’s electrical impulse, which then activates the atrioventricular node (AV node …read more

  • Heart Block (Mobitz Type II) in Cats

    Atrioventricular Block, Second Degree–Mobitz Type II in Cats
     
    The heart of a cat, like other mammalian hearts, is divided into four chambers. The two top chambers are called the atria (singular: atrium) and the bottom chambers are called the ventricles. The heart has an electrical conduction system that is responsible for controlling the heart rate. This electrical conduction system generates electrical impulses (waves), which propagate throughout the musculature of the heart, stimulating the heart’s muscles to contract and push blood through the interior arteries and out into th …read more

  • Heart Block or Conduction Delay (Left Anterior) in Cats

    Left Anterior Fascicular Block in Cats
     
    Left Anterior Fascicular Block (LAFB) is a condition that affects the heart’s conduction system, which is responsible for generating electrical impulses (waves) that propagate throughout the musculature of the heart, stimulating the heart muscles to contract and pump blood. If the conduction system is disrupted, not only will contraction of the heart muscles be affected, but the timing and frequency of heartbeats too.
     
    This is the most commonly described form of bundle branch block in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types

    There are no spec …read more

  • Heart Block or Conduction Delay (Left Bundle) in Cats

    Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) in Cats
     
    Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) is a defect in the heart’s electrical conduction system. It occurs when the left ventricle (one of the cat’s four heart chambers) is not directly activated by the electric impulses through the left posterior and anterior fascicles of the left bundle branch, causing the deflections in the electrocardiographic tracing (QRS) to become wide and bizarre. LBBB may be complete or partial in nature.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Often, no specific symptoms are seen that can be attributed to LBBB, only those t …read more

  • Heart Block or Conduction Delay (Right Bundle) in Cats

    Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) in Cats
     
    Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) is a heart defect in the electrical conduction system in which the right ventricle (one of the cat’s four heart chambers) is not directly activated by the electric impulses through the right bundle branch. RBBB may be complete or partial in nature; however, it is not as frequent as left anterior fascicular block.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Often, no specific symptoms are seen that can be attributed to RBB, only those that are related to the underlying disease causing the defect.
     
    Causes
      …read more

  • Heart Cancer (Hemagiosarcoma) in Cats

    Hemangisaroma of the Heart in Cats
     
    A hemangiosarcoma of the heart is a tumor that originates in the blood vessels that line the heart. Hemangio refers to the blood vessels and sarcoma a type of aggressive, malignant cancer that arises from the connective tissues of the body. A hemangiosarcoma may originate in the heart, or it may have metastasized to the heart from another location in the body.
     
    This tumor often will go undetected until complications arise. Because a hemangiosarcoma arises from the blood vessels, when it reaches an unsustainable size it will burst, often resul …read more

  • Heart Defect (Congenital) in Cats

    Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Cats
     
    The aorta is the main artery that feeds oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to the body. The pulmonary (lung) artery carries deoxygenated blood to be oxygenated, traveling from the right side of the heart to the lungs. Once the blood has been oxygenated by the lungs, it then returns to the left side of the heart, through the pulmonary veins to be pumped out into the body by the aorta.
     
    In the womb, the fetus’ descending aorta is connected to the pulmonary artery by the ductus arteriosus blood vessel, allowing blood to flow di …read more

  • Heart Disease (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) in Cats

    Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic in Cats
     
    The heart has four chambers: two chambers at the top, the right and left aorta; and two chambers on the bottom, the right and left ventricles. The left ventricle is responsible for receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumping the blood out into the aortic valve, the main artery of the body, which feeds the oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects the left ventricle, and its functional ability to pump blood into the aorta. The normal, healthy left ventricle is already thicker than the right ventri …read more

  • Heart Disease Caused by Scarring of the Heart Muscles in Cats

    Restrictive Cardiomyopathy in Cats
     
    A cat’s heart is composed of four chambers: the top two chambers are the left and right atria and the bottom two chambers are the left and right ventricles. The valves of the heart are located between the left atrium and the left ventricle (the mitral valve), between the right atrium and the right ventricle (the tricuspid valve), from the left ventricle to the aorta (the main artery of the body, the valve of which is the aortic valve), and between the right ventricle to the main pulmonary artery (the pulmonary, or lung valve).
     
    Cardiomyopathy …read more

  • Heart Disease of the Sinus Node in Cats

    Sick Sinus Syndrome in Cats
     
    The sinoatrial node (SA Node, or SAN), also called the sinus node, is the initiator of electrical impulses within the heart, triggering the heart’s contractions by firing off electrical surges. One of the disorders that can affect the heart’s electrical impulse formation within the sinus node is called sick sinus syndrome (SSS).
     
    This disorder complicates conduction of the electrical impulse out of the sinus node and the specialized conduction system of the heart. Secondary pacemakers, such as the muscle fibers of the sinus node, will als …read more

  • Heart Failure Due to Valve Defect in Cats

    Atrioventricular Valve Endocardiosis in Cats
     
    There are four chambers of the heart: the upper two are called the atria (singular: atrium), and the bottom two chambers are called the ventricles. A valve is present between each atrial and ventricular pair. These valves are referred to as the atrioventricular valves. The valve between the left atrium and ventricle is called the mitral valve, and the valve between the right atrium and ventricle is the tricuspid valve.
     
    Endocardiosis is a condition in which excessive fibrous tissue develops in the atrioventricular valves, affecting …read more

  • Heart Failure, Congestive (Left-sided) in Cats

    Congestive Cardiomyopathy (Left-sided) in Cats
     
    The heart has four chambers: two chambers at the top, the right and left atria; and two chambers on the bottom, the right and left ventricles. The right side of the heart collects blood from the body and pumps it into the lungs, where the blood is oxygenated. The oxygen rich blood is then collected by the left side of the heart, and from there it is pumped out into the body’s various organs.
     
    Congestive left-sided heart failure refers to a condition in which the left side of the heart is not able to push blood through the body eff …read more

  • Heart Failure, Congestive (Right-sided) in Cats

    Congestive Heart Failure (Right-sided) in Cats
     
    Right-sided congestive heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump blood at the rate required to meet the basic needs of the body. While it is not curable, there are treatment options that can improve the quality of life for your cat.
     
    Symptoms
     
    All organ systems in the body can be affected by congestive heart failure. Common signs include weakness, lethargy, difficulty breathing, an enlarged liver, and abdominal distension. Upon physical examination, several signs of disease may present, including jugular vein diste …read more

  • Heart Impulse Block in Cats

    Sinus Arrest and Sinoatrial Block in Cats
     
    The sinoatrial node (SA Node, or SAN), also called the sinus node, is the initiator of electrical impulses within the heart, triggering the heart to beat, or contract, by firing off electrical surges. Sinus arrest is a disorder of heart beat impulse formation caused by a slowing down or cessation of spontaneous sinus nodal automaticity – the automatic behavior of the tissues that set the pace for the heart’s rhythm. It is the failure of the sinoatrial (SA) node to initiate an impulse at the expected time that leads to sinus arrest. Persi …read more

  • Heart Inflammation (Myocarditis) in Cats

    Myocarditis in Cats
     
    Inflammation of the heart’s muscular wall (or myocardium) is medically referred to as myocarditis. It is often caused by bacterial, viral, rikettsial, funal, and protozoal infections, which may affect the heart directly or reach the heart from other body parts.
     
    Clinical symptoms depend on the type of infection and extent of lesions, but in severe cases, heart failure may result.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The inflammation itself may be focal or diffused throughout the myocardium. Other symptoms associated with myocarditis include:
     

    …read more

  • Heart Medicine Poisoning in Cats

    Digoxin Toxicity in Cats
     
    Digoxin is commonly used for treating congestive heart failure, its primary benefit being to help the heart contract. While digoxin can be an extremely useful medication, the difference between a therapeutic dosage and a toxic dosage can be negligible, and overdoses frequently occur.
     
    For this reason, your veterinarian will need to monitor digoxin blood levels throughout treatment. Owners also need to be aware of toxicity signs, as they can be subtle and may have the same symptoms as heart failure.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    One of the most s …read more

  • Heart Murmurs in Cats

     
    Extra heart vibrations that are produced as a result of a disturbance in the blood flow — enough, in fact, to produce audible noise — are referred to as murmurs. Often, the murmurs are classified according to a variety of characteristics, including their timing. Systolic murmurs, for example, occur when the heart muscle contracts; diastolic murmurs occur when the heart muscle relaxes between beats; and continuous and to-and-fro murmurs occur throughout all or most of the cardiac cycle.
     
    Heart murmurs can occur in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how t …read more

  • Heart Sac Inflammation (Pericarditis) in Cats

    Pericarditis in Cats
     
    If a cat’s pericardium (the membranous sac surrounding the heart and roots of the vessels) becomes inflamed, it is a condition referred to as pericarditis. The pericardium is made up of two layers: a fibrous outer layer and a membranous inner layer that adheres closely to the heart. Within the sac is a layer of pericardial fluid made up of serum, a watery fluid that serves to keep the surfaces of the membranous sac and heart moist. The body’s membranes will also secrete serum when they detect inflammation of the surrounding tissues and organs.
     
    When either …read more

  • Heart Tumors in Cats

    Myocardial Tumors in Cats
     
    Myocardial tumors are rare types of tumors that affect the heart. When they do occur, they tend to occur in older animals. A myocardial tumor can take either of two forms: a benign tumor, which is a mass of tissue that does not metastasize; and a malignant tumor, which does metastasize throughout the body. A benign tumor might be categorized as a hemangioma – a harmless growth consisting mainly of newly formed blood or lymph vessels. Conversely, a malignant tumor might be categorized as a hemangiosarcoma – a are and abnormal, rapidly reproducing tissue …read more

  • Heart Valve Infection (Infective Endocarditis) in Cats

    Infective Endocarditis in Cats
      
    Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart is medically referred to as endocarditis. Infective endocarditis can occur in response to any infection of the body. Generalized infections in the body may invade the inner lining of heart, as well as the valves of the heart. If the underlying disease if not treated in time, complications can lead to heart failure and death. This condition is rarely seen in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Variable set of symptoms may be present in patient depending upon the nature and site of infection, comp …read more

  • Heart Valve Malformation in Cats

    Atrioventricular Valve Dysplasia in Cats
     
    Atrioventricular valve dysplasia (AVD) is a condition in which the mitral or tricuspid valves are malformed. This condition can result in the valves not closing sufficiently to stop blood flow when it supposed to, or to blood outflow obstruction due to a narrowing of the valves. The result of the malformation will depend on the size and location of the anatomic abnormality that is present. 

     
    Valvular insufficiency causes the atrium on the same side as the affected valve (right or left) to be dilated and the ventricle to enlarge. …read more

  • Heart Valve Narrowing (Mitral and Tricuspid) in Cats

    Atrioventricular Valvular Stenosis in Cats
     
    There are four chambers in the heart. The top two chambers of the heart are the atria, and the bottom two chambers of the heart are the ventricles. The valves that communicate between the atria and ventricles are the atrioventricular valves. The mitral valve communicates between the left atrium and left ventricle, and the tricuspid valve communicates between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
     
    Abnormalities in the mitral valve, on the left, affect blood flow to the lungs. The tricuspid valve, on the right side of the heart, is …read more

  • Hemoglobin and Myoglobin in Urine in Cats

    Hemoglobinuria and Myoglobinuria in Cats
     
    Hemoglobin serves to carry oxygen to the tissues, and also carries the pigment that causes the blood to appear red. The destruction of blood cells within the blood vessels frees hemoglobin into the blood plasma (the yellowish colored liquid matter of the blood), where it binds with haptoglobin, a blood plasma protein which functions for the purpose of binding with free hemoglobin in order to prevent loss of iron. However, when all of the haptoglobin is used up, hemoglobin spills over into the blood, binding reversibly to blood proteins, and cha …read more

  • Hemorrhage of the Lung in Cats

    Pulmonary Contusions in Cats
     
    Pulmonary contusion, or a hemorrhage of the lung, occurs when the cat’s lung is torn and/or crushed during direct trauma to the chest. This then impedes the cat’s ability to breath and pass arterial blood to a capillary bed in synchrony. Cats suffering from capillary damage may also develop pulmonary fluid in the lungs, as well as hemorrhage.
     
    Pulmonary contusion occurs in both dogs and cats and there is no specific breed, age, or gender predilection. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs, please visit

  • Hereditary, Non-Inflammatory Muscular Disease in Cats

    Non-inflammatory Myopathy—Hereditary X-Linked Muscular Dystrophy in Cats
     
    Muscular Dystrophy is an inherited, progressive, and non-inflammatory degenerative muscular disease caused by a deficiency of dystrophyin, a muscle-membrane protein. This generalized muscle disorder is primarily seen in newborn cats or those less than one year old. Domestic short-haired and Devon Rex cats are also more prone to this form of muscular dystrophy.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Vomiting …read more

  • Hernia (Hiatal) in Cats

    Hiatal Hernia in Cats
     
    A hernia occurs when one part of the body protrudes through a gap or opening into another part of the body. For example, a hiatal hernia takes place at the opening of the diaphragm where the food pipe joins the stomach. Part of the stomach pushes through the opening, and a hernia is formed. It is most likely to occur before a kitten has reached the first year, and is usually inherited (congenital). However, trauma may bring on an acquired hiatal hernia, and this can occur at any age.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Anorexia
    Regurgitation

  • Hernia (Inguinal) in Cats

    Inguinal Hernia in Cats
     
    An inguinal hernia is a condition in which the abdominal contents protrude through the inguinal canal or inguinal ring, an opening which occurs in the muscle wall in the groin area.
     
    Inguinal hernia can occur in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how this type of hernia affects dogs, please visit this page in the petMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Inguinal hernias may be uncomplicated or complicated. A complicated hernia is one in …read more

  • Hernia Between the Pericardium and Peritoneum in Cats

    Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia in Cats
     
    Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a congenital defect that affects the communication between the peritoneum (membrane that forms the lining of abdominal cavity) and pericardium (double-wall sac containing the heart). Like other hernias, the protrusion of the septum affects the surrounding area — in this case, the abdomen.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms will largely depend on the amount on the amount and nature of abdominal contents herniated. Some common ones include:
     

  • High Blood Pressure in Cats

    Systemic Hypertension in Cats
     
    Hypertension, more commonly referred to as high blood pressure, occurs when the cat’s arterial blood pressure is continually higher than normal. When it is caused by another disease, it is called secondary hypertension; primary hypertension, meanwhile, refers to when it actually is the disease. Hypertension may affect many of the cat’s body systems, including heart, kidneys, eyes, and the nervous system.
     
    Systemic hypertension can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs, please visit

  • High Blood Pressure in the Lungs in Cats

    Pulmonary Hypertension in Cats
     
    Pulmonary hypertension in cats occurs when pulmonary arteries/capillaries vasoconstrict (narrow), are obstructed, or receive excessive blood flow. Where pulmonary refers to the lungs and their immediate environs. The capillaries of the lungs are very tiny branches of blood vessels only one cell in thickness, connecting the smallest veins to the smallest arteries for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to the blood and tissues. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, so high blood pressure in the left atrium of the heart can al …read more

  • High Blood Pressure in the Portal Vein to the Liver in Cats

    Portal Hypertension in Cats
     
    When ingested food enters into the intestinal tract, the nutrients and toxins that are a part of the food that has been ingested are released into the digestive blood stream. Before this blood can flow into the systemic blood stream, it must first go through a filtering and detoxification process. The filtering process is carried out mainly by the liver, which detoxifies the blood and sends it out into the main circulatory system. The portal vein, the main part of the hepatic portal system, carries this deoxygenated, prefiltered blood from the digestive tra …read more

  • High Blood Sugar in Cats

    Hyperglycemia in Cats
     
    The term hyperglycemia refers to higher than normal levels of glucose in the blood. A simple carbohydrate sugar that circulates in the blood, glucose is a major source of energy for the body, of which normal levels range between 75-120mg.
     
    Insulin, a hormone that is produced and released by the pancreas into the bloodstream when glucose levels rise, plays a pivotal role in maintaining the blood sugar levels within normal limits. If insulin concentration is too low or there is absolute deficiency of insulin, levels of glucose rise sharply leading to hyperg …read more

  • High Cholesterol in Cats

    Hyperlipidemia in Cats
     
    Hyperlipidemia is characterized by abnormally excessive amounts of fat, and/or fatty substances in the blood. Chylomicrons are micro particles of liquid fat, in the class of lipids, which include both triglycerides and cholesterol, and which are formed during the digestion of fats from food. After eating a meal, the nutrients in an animal’s body pass into the small intestine, from which chylomicrons are absorbed 30-60 minutes later. Normally, the absorption of chylomicrons increases serum triglycerides for 3-10 hours, but some animals will have high choles …read more

  • High Levels of Blood Nitrogen in Cats

    Azotemia and Uremia in Cats
     
    An excess level of nitrogen-based substances compounds such as urea, creatinine, and other body waste compounds in the blood is defined as azotemia. It can be caused by higher than normal production of nitrogen-containing substances (with high protein diet or gastrointestinal bleeding), improper filtration in the kidneys (kidney disease), or reabsorption of urine back to bloodstream.
     
    Uremia, meanwhile, also leads to an accumulation of waste products in the blood, but is due to improper excretion of the waste products through the urine because of ab …read more

  • Hip Dysplasia in Cats

    Malformation and Degeneration of the Hip Joints in Cats
     
    Hip dysplasia is the failure of the hip joints to develop normally (known as malformation), gradually deteriorating and leading to loss of function of the hip joints.
     
    The hip joint is composed of the ball and the socket. Dysplasia occurs when part of the hip joint is abnormally developed, resulting in dislocation of the ball and socket. The development of hip dysplasia is determined by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors, though there is a complicated pattern of inheritance for this disorder, with multipl …read more

  • Hole in the Trachea in Cats

    Tracheal Perforation in Cats
     
    Tracheal perforation is a loss of the integrity of the tracheal wall, in the form of a hole or rip, allowing leakage of air into the surrounding tissues and creating air pockets under the skin, air collection in the mediastinum (in between the lungs), and potentially air in the sac around the heart, free air in the chest cavity, and air in the most posterior part of the abdominal cavity (pneumoretroperitoneum). This loss of integrity can be caused by a penetrating trauma, trauma from inside the trachea, or blunt neck or chest trauma.
     
    The severity …read more

  • House Soiling (Marking, Spraying) by Cats

     
    Urine marking is a primal urge, but if you have trained your cat to use the litter box, and it continues to mark the home or squat and urinate any place except the litter box, there may be something else going on. For example, the cat may not be satisfied with the litter box (i.e., its location or its environment) or it may have kidney stones, which is associated with painful urination.
     
    Inappropriate urination can occur in any age, breed, or gender, and urine spraying is more common with males than in females. Spraying around doors or windows might be a marking response to the …read more

  • Hyperparathyroidism Due to Kidney Failure in Cats

    Abnormally High levels of Parathyroid Hormone due to Chronic Kidney Failure in Cats
     
    The excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) due to chronic kidney failure is medically referred to as secondary hyperparathyroidism. More specifically, the cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism is absolute or relative lack of calcitriol production — a form of vitamin D that stimulates the absorption of calcium in the intestines, calcium resorption in bone, and promotes the effectiveness of the parathyroid hormone in aiding bone resorption. Low concentrations of calcium also play a role …read more

  • Hyperparathyroidism in Cats

    Excessive Levels of Parathyroid Hormone in the Blood in Cats
     
    Hyperparathyroidism is medical condition in which abnormally high levels of parathyroid hormone (also known as parathormone or PTH) are circulating in the blood as the result of an overactive parathyroid gland. The parathyroid hormone is responsible for regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, increasing blood calcium levels by causing calcium to be reabsorbed from bone. The parathyroid glands are small, hormone-secreting glands that are located on or near the thyroid glands. The term para- refers to adjacent o …read more

  • Inability to Protrude or Retract Penis in Cats

    Paraphimosis and Phimosis in Cats
     
    Paraphimosis is a condition that causes the cat to be unable to retract its penis back into the sheath. Phimosis, on the other hand, refers to the cat’s inability to protrude its penis from its outer orifice.
     
    Both of these medical conditions can occur in male dogs and cats at any age. If you would like to learn more about how paraphimosis and phimosis affect dogs please visit this page in the PetMD pet health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    …read more

  • Incoordination of the Legs in Cats

    Hypermetria and Dysmetria in Cats
     
    Dysmetria and hypermetria describe the incoordination of an animal’s limbs during voluntary movement. More specifically, dysmetria is characterized by a cat’s inability to judge the rate, range, and force of its movements — literally, an inability to measure space. Hypermetria, meanwhile, describes the action of overreaching, or high stepping, the intended location.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Signs of cerebellar disease that may be present include:
     

    Head tilt
    Body swaying
    Body tremors; often …read more

  • Increased Appetite in Cats

    Polyphagia in Cats
     
    Polyphagia is the name of a medical condition in which a cat increases its food intake to the extent that it appears ravenous most or all of the time. It is also normally associated with polydipsia as well as polyuria.
     
    This condition can be caused by different circumstances, and it is important to find out whether the cat’s increased food consumption is due to a psychological condition, or to a disease. Should the reason be a psychological problem, then it is likely that the cat has developed a learned behavior, which could lead to obesity.
     
    H …read more

  • Increased Heart Rate Due to Premature Contractions in Cats

    Ventricular Tachycardia in Cats

    Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a potentially life-threatening disease of the heart that causes arrhythmia, an abnormally fast heartbeat. This may be due to an underlying heart disease, a metabolic disease, or an electrolyte imbalance. Ventricular tachycardia can degenerate into ventricular fibrillation, a condition in which the ventricles (the bottom two heart chambers) become disorganized, contracting chaotically. This state can result in asystole – a sudden lack of electrical activity in the heart – and sudden death.
     
    Ventricular tachyc …read more

  • Increased Urination and Thirst in Cats

    Polydipsia and Polyuria in Cats
     
    Polyuria refers to an abnormally high urine production in cats, while polydipsia refers to the animal’s increased level of thirst. While serious medical consequences are rare, your pet should be evaluated to ensure that these conditions are not symptoms of a more serious underlying medical condition. Your veterinarian will want to either confirm or rule out renal failure, or hepatic diseases.
     
    Polyuria and polydipsia can affect both dogs and cats, and can be brought on by a variety of factors. If you would like to learn more about how these dise …read more

  • Infertility in Female Cats

    Inability to Reproduce in Cats
     
    Normal fertility in a cat, and the ability to reproduce kittens, requires a normal estrous cycle, with a healthy reproductive tract, normal ova (eggs), normal and stable levels of reproductive hormones, fertilization by normal spermatozoa, implantation of an embryo in the lining of the uterus (endometrium), normal placenta placement, and stable levels of progesterone concentration. These conditions must be maintained for the entirety of the two month gestational period, or the process of reproduction will be altered, with resultant infertility.
     
    …read more

  • Inflamed Chewing Muscles and Eye Muscles in Cats

    Focal Inflammatory Myopathy in Cats
     
    Myopathy is a general term that is used to denote any disorder of the muscles. Focal inflammatory myopathy is a localized form of the disease that affects specific muscle groups, in this case the masticatory (chewing) muscles and extraocular (eye) muscles.
     
    The masticatory muscles are a group of four facial muscles that are used for chewing, and the extraocular muscles are a group of muscles, adjacent to eyeball, that control the movements of the eyes.
     
    Focal inflammatory myopathy is suspected to be due to autoantibodies, or antibod …read more

  • Inflammation of Bone in Cats

    Panosteitis in Cats
     
    Panosteitis refers to a painful condition that affects the cat’s long leg bones and is characterized by limping and lameness. It can occur with any breed, but it is more common in medium- to large-sized cat breeds and young cats around 5 to 18 months in age.
     
    The inflammation can affect one or more of the cat’s limbs, making it challenging and painful to move around. With treatment, the inflammation can be reduced and the cat can regain full function and activity.
     
    Panosteitis can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how …read more

  • Inflammation of the Abdomen Due to Bile Leakage in Cats

    Bile Peritonitis in Cats
     
    Bile is a bitter fluid essential component in digestion, emulsifying the fats in food, thereby aiding in their absorption in the small intestine. Bile is secreted by the liver and released into the gallbladder, to be stored until is is released into the duodenum — the small intestine — after a meal is taken.
     
    Under abnormal circumstances, however, bile can be released into the abdominal cavity, irritating the organ and causing inflammation. This may occur after injury, infection of the gallbladder, swelling of the gallbladder, blockage of the gallb …read more

  • Inflammation of the Esophagus in Cats

    Esophagitis in Cats
     
    Esophagitis is the term applied to inflammation of the esophagus — the muscular tube that carries food down from the mouth cavity to the stomach. Gastrointestinal reflux, or acid reflux, is the most common cause of esophagitis in cats. Acid reflux is the result of stomach acids passing into the esophageal canal, causing irritation to the tissue lining of the esophagus.
     
    Young cats born with congenital esophageal abnormalities are at an increased risk fo …read more

  • Inflammation of the Middle and Inner Ear in Cats

    Otitis Media and Otitis Interna in Cats
     
    Otitis media refers to an inflammation of the cat’s middle ear, while otitis interna refers to an inflammation of the inner ear, both of which are commonly caused by bacterial infection.
     
    The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symptoms apparent in cas …read more

  • Inflammation of the Middle Ear and External Ear Canal in Cats

    Otitis Externa and Otitis Media in Cats
     
    Otitis externa is a chronic inflammation of a cat’s external ear canal. Otitis media, meanwhile, is an inflammation of the cat’s middle ear. Both of these terms are used to describe clinical symptoms and are not diseases in themselves.
     
    Otitis externa often results when a change in the normal environment of the ear canal causes the glands lining the canal to enlarge and produce excessive wax. Gradually, the outer skin (epidermis) and the inner skin (dermis) produce excessive fibrous tissue (fibrosis) and the canal becomes narrowed. It is …read more

  • Inflammation of the Pancreas in Cats

    Pancreatitis in Cats
     
    The pancreas is part of the endocrine and digestive system, which is integral for the digestion of foods, producing the enzymes that digest food, and producing insulin. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the flow of enzymes into the digestive tract can become disrupted, forcing the enzymes out of the pancreas and into the abdominal area.
     
    If this occurs, the digestive enzymes will begin to break down fat and proteins in the other organs, as well as in the pancreas. In effect, the body begins to digest itself. Because of their proximity to the pancreas, th …read more

  • Inflammation of the Soft Tissues in a Cat’s Mouth

    Stomatitis in Cats
     
    Stomatitis is the condition where the soft tissues in an animal’s mouth become irritated and inflamed. In a cat’s mouth, these tissues include the gums and tongue. It can become a major issue if bacteria or an infection enters the cat’s blood stream.
     
    Treatment options are available, and the prognosis is positive for cats suffering from this medical condition.
     
    Stomatitis can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs, please visit t …read more

  • Inflammation of the Superficial Veins in Cats

    Phlebitis in Cats
     
    Phlebitis is associated with a condition known as superficial thrombophlebitis — an inflammation of veins close to the surface of the body, also known as the superficial veins. Phlebitis is generally due to an infection, or because of thrombosis — the formation of a clot (or thrombus) inside a blood vessel, which in turn obstructs the flow of blood through the body.
     
    Superficial venous thrombophlebitis is the most common form of this condition, and is usually localized in one area.
     
    Deep tissue thrombophlebitis, conversely, is associated with clinic …read more

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Cats

     
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of gastrointestinal diseases for which no single cause is known. IBD results in the inflammation of the intestines. In affected animals, chronic symptoms are seen to be related to the gastrointestinal system. Siamese cats have been found to be predisposed to IBD.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Diarrhea
    Weight loss< ...read more

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Due to Lymphocytes and Plasma in Cats

    Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic Gastroenteritis in Cats
     
    Lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastroenteritis is an inflammatory bowel disease in which lymphocytes and plasma cells (antibodies) enter the lining of the stomach and intestines. It is thought to be caused by an abnormal immune response to environmental stimuli due to loss of normal immune regulation. Bacteria in the intestine may also be a trigger.
     
    Continued antigen exposure (substances that stimulate the production of antibodies), along with unregulated inflammation, results in disease, although the exact mechanisms and patient facto …read more

  • Ingestion of Feces and Foreign Objects in Cats

    Coprophagia and Pica in Cats
     
    Pica is a medical issue referring to a craving for non-food items and the subsequent eating of them. Coprophagia is the eating and ingesting of feces. Generally, neither of these conditions are the result of an underlying disease, but may be the result of a mineral or vitamin deficiency. Fortunately, there are treatment options in these types of cases, or behavior modification practices that can be implemented if it is a non-threatening issue.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    You may observe your cat eating dirt, clay, rocks, soap, or other items that …read more

  • Inherited Skin Disease in the Persian Cat

    Feline Idiopathic Seborrhea
     
    Persian cats are known to inherit a disorder called idiopathic seborrhea. This primary skin disease leads to overproduction of an oily, waxy substance by the skin glands, which clumps in the fur and causes a bad smell.
     
    Though often seen in Persians, seborrhea can affect various breeds of cat and typically in the same way — the skin becomes red and irritated, which leads to scratching and further cellular damage.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are two common forms of seborrhea: seborrhea sicca, in which the skin becomes more dry and fla …read more

  • Insufficient Urine Production in Cats

    Oliguria and Anuria in Cats
     
    Oliguria is the medically defined term for a condition in which an abnormally small amount of urine is produced by the body – with urine production at a rate of less than 0.25 milliliters per kilogram per hour. Anuria is the medical term used to describe a condition in which essentially no urine is produced by the body, with urine production at a rate of less than 0.08 milliliters per kilogram per hour.
     
    Physiologic oliguria occurs when the kidneys limit loss of renal water in order to preserve body fluid and electrolyte balance. Pathologic oliguria …read more

  • Inter-cat Aggression

    Aggression between Cats
     
    Bringing a new cat into a home where there is already a cat, or cats, can cause some problems — both passive and active aggression. Females will usually live peaceably with each other. However, if aggression and conflict rear their ugly heads in a household of formerly nonviolent female cats, it’s probably because one has reached the status of social maturity, which occurs at around four years of age. In addition, non-neutered males will aggressively compete for mates.
     
    When the cat is introduced to your other pets, the most typical behavior is a …read more

  • Intestinal Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach, Intestine, or Rectum in Cats
     
    Adenocarcioma is a malignant tumor that may occur in the gastrointestinal (GI) system of a cat. It can occur in any part of the GI system, including the stomach, the small and large intestine, and the rectum. This tumor is rare in cats, but when it does occur older cats are the most commonly affected. No particular cat breed is known to be predisposed, though it is more common in males than females. The prognosis for cats with adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract is usually poor.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    S …read more

  • Intestinal Obstruction in Cats

    Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Cats
     
    Gastrointestinal obstruction refers to blockage that may occur in the stomach or intestines. It is a fairly common condition to which cats are susceptible. Younger cats are generally at a higher risk because they tend to be less discriminating about what they ingest.
     
    Gastrointestinal obstruction is defined as the partial or complete blockage of the flow of nutrients (solid or liquid) ingested into the body, and/or secretions from the stomach into and through the intestines. The term gastro refers to the stomach, while intestinal refers to …read more

  • Intestinal Parasitic Infection (Strongyloidiasis) in Cats

    Strongyloidiasis in Cats    Strongyloidiasis is an uncommon intestinal infection with the parasite Strongyloides tumefaciens, causing grossly visible nodules and diarrhea. (It is also possible for cats to develop an infection with the parasite S. stercoralis, but there has not yet been a reported case in the United States.) S. tumefaciens is relatively host-specific, but there is a potential for transmission to humans.   Symptoms and Types   Inflammation of the skin, rash (dermatitis) Cough, bronchopneumonia

  • Intestinal Protein Loss in Cats

    Protein Losing Enteropathy in Cats
     
    Nutrients make their way through the body by way of the bloodstream. From the stomach, the food that has been eaten enters into the intestines, where it is divided into what is useful for the body and what is not. The useful, nutritious bits are picked up by the bloodstream as it passes through the intestines, carrying them to the rest of the body, where they are converted into various types of energy.
     
    As the bloodstream picks up these nutrients, a small amount of protein leaks from the blood vessels back into the intestines. Usually these p …read more

  • Intestinal Tumor (Leiomyoma) in Cats

    Leiomyoma of the Stomach, Small, and Large Intestine in Cats
     
    A leiomyoma of the stomach and intestinal tract is an unusual, but harmless and non-spreading tumor arising from the smooth muscle of the stomach and intestinal tract. The main concern is that this type of tumor can block the normal progress of fluids and solids through the digestive tract, or displace organs, resulting in secondary health complications. It typically occurs in middle-aged to older cats, generally over six years of age. Otherwise, there is no gender or breed predisposition.
     
    Symptoms and Types
      …read more

  • Intestinal Tumors (Apudomas) in Cats

    Apudoma in Cats
     
    Apudoma is a gastrointestinal tumor which secretes peptide hormones — hormones that play a role in regulating metabolism, growth, development, and tissue function. In the long run, the tumor(s) can cause ulcers, damage the esophagus because of chronic reflux, and damage the lining of the intestines.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
    Weight loss
    Loss of appetite (anorexia)
    Diarrhea
    Lethargy
    Fever
    Depression
    Excessive thirst
    …read more

  • Intestinal Viral Infection (Rotavirus) in Cats

    Rotavirus Infections in Cats
     
    The rotavirus is a double-stranded, wheel-shaped RNA virus which causes inflammation of the intestines and in severe cases, dysfunction in the intestinal walls. This virus is the leading cause of diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset in cats. And although it can be seen in cats at any age, kittens are more prone to rotavirus infections.
     
    Dogs are also susceptible to rotavirus infections. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs, please visit this …read more

  • Intestinal Virus (Reovirus) Infection in Cats

    Reovirus Infections in Cats
     
    The reovirus is generally found in the cat’s intestinal walls, destroying any cells in its surrounding area. Caused by a group of viruses that contain double-stranded RNA (ribonucleic acid), a reovirus infection limits the absorption of nutrients from the intestines and results in diarrhea and dehydration.
     
    The virus is transmitted through contact with infected feces, or by inhalation of airborne virus particles. These viruses can suppress the immune system, causing the affected animal to develop various infections. The cat’s outward conditions, mea …read more

  • Intestinal Virus Due to Bacterial Overgrowth (Astrovirus) in Cats

    Astrovirus Infection in Cats
     
    Astrovirus infection is a genus of small, non-enveloped RNA virus that causes intestinal disease symptoms in affected animals. Characteristic symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain with watery, green diarrhea. If the diarrhea lasts longer than a week, then it is probably not caused by astrovirus, as the astrovirus generally passes in less than a week.
     
    While the astrovirus by itself is not dangerous, dehydration due to lack of fluids and diarrhea can quickly become a dangerous condition. However, fluids can be given on a temporary inpatient …read more

  • Involuntary Muscle Trembling in Cats

    Tremors in Cats
     
    Tremors are involuntary, repetitive muscle movements that alternate between contraction and relaxation, usually involving either rapid or slow movements (twitching) of one or more body parts. The tremors can occur in any part of the body.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Involuntary tremors may be seen in almost any part of the body in an affected cat. The tremors may be localized, in one area, or generalized throughout the body. Localized cases usually affect the head or hind limbs.
     
    Causes
     

    Idiopathic (unknown)
    Genetic< ...read more

  • Iris Cysts

    Iridociliary Cysts in Cats
     
    Iridociliary cysts are also sometimes known as iris cysts, ciliary body cysts or uveal cysts. In most cases, they are benign and no treatment is necessary. However, occasionally they may be large enough to interfere with vision or with the function of the eye.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Iridiociliary cysts may be attached to various parts of the interior of the eye. They may be lightly or darkly pigmented and are semitransparent. They may be spherical to ovoid in shape. They can vary considerably in size and there may be more than one. They may be …read more

  • Irregular Heart Beat in Cats

    Ventricular Premature Complexes
     
    Ventricular premature complexes are a type of irregular heart beat. An electrical impulse is initiated within the ventricles instead of the sinoatrial (SA) node, causing the ventricles to contract too early (thus the “premature” in ventricular premature complexes).
     
    In order to pump blood to the lungs and body, the heart must work in a coordinated fashion. The heart has an electrical conduction system that is responsible for controlling the heart rate. This electrical conduction system generates electrical impulses (waves), which pro …read more

  • Irregular Heart Rhythms in Cats

    Idioventricular Rhythm in Cats
     
    Irregular heartbeats occur when the sinus node’s conduction impulses are blocked or inhibited from reaching the ventricles, resulting in indioventricular rhythm. Sometimes the ECG reading will show a cat’s heart beat rate at less than 100 beats per minute (bpm) (the normal rate for a cat is 110-130 bpm).
     
    This electrical conduction system generates electrical impulses (waves), which propagate throughout the musculature of the heart, stimulating the heart’s muscles to contract and push blood through the interior arteries and out into the body. …read more

  • Irregular Heartbeat in Cats

    Sinus Arrhythmia in Cats
     
    The sinoatrial node (SA Node, or SAN), also called the sinus node, is the initiator of electrical impulses within the heart, triggering the heart to beat, or contract, by firing off electrical surges (also called the heart’s pacemaker). The sinus discharge rate depends on two opposing influences of the nervous system: stimulation from the vagus nerves (nerves that originate in the lower brain stem [medulla] and send signals to the autonomic organs of the body) decreases the spontaneous discharge rate and predominates over sympathetic stimulation (mediating the …read more

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Cats

    Chronic Irritation in the Lining of the Bowels in Cats
     
    Irritable bowel syndrome is commonly associated with chronic inflammation and discomfort of an animal’s bowels, but is not linked with any type of gastrointestinal disease. It is not always known what underlies irritable bowel syndrome, but some of the suspected causes are thought to be related to diet intolerances, possibly due to allergies, the ability of the food to effectively pass through the gastrointestinal tract, and mental distress.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndromes …read more

  • Itchiness, Desire to Scratch, Chew or Lick Causing Inflamed Skin in Cats

    Pruritus in Cats
     
    Pruritus is the medical term used to define a cat’s sensation to itch, or the sensation that provokes its desire to scratch, rub, chew, or lick its hair and skin. Pruritis is also an indicator of inflamed skin. Intense scratching can eventually lead to partial or full hair loss, but with treatment, prognosis is positive.
     
    The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how pruritus affects dogs, please visit this page< ...read more

  • Joint Cancer (Synovial Sarcoma) in Cats

    Synovial Sarcoma in Cats
     
    The synovial membrane is the layer of soft tissue that lines the surfaces within the joints, such as those between the joints at the knees and elbows. Synovial sarcomas are soft tissue sarcomas – malignant cancers – that arise from the precursor cells outside the synovial membrane of the joints and bursa (the fluid-filled, sac-like cavity between joints that helps to facilitate movement).
     
    Precursor cells have the ability to differentiate into one or two closely related  forms: epithelial cells (skin cells) or fibroblastic (connective …read more

  • Joint Cartilage Erosion in Cats

    Erosive, Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis in Cats
     
    Erosive, immune-mediated polyarthritis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the joints, in which the cartilage of the cat’s joint (articular cartilage) is eroded away.
     
    Leukocyte cells, leukocyte enzymes (catalyzing reactions), cell-mediated immunity, immune complexes (an antibody bound to its triggering antigen), and autoallergic reactions are all directed against cartilage components. This leads to an inflammatory response by the tissue surrounding the cartilage, and protein activation (complement) in response to the im …read more

  • Joint Dislocation in Cats

    Joint Luxations in Cats
     
    Bones provide a rigid framework to body, helping maintain its normal shape, as well as protecting vital organs of the body. A joint is a structure where two or more bones meet (articulate) together. A capsule is present in articulating joints, which has a thick fibrous layer that helps in stabilizing the joint. In most joints, ligaments are also present, which ensure movements of joints within normal ranges. Therefore, if joints become damaged, disrupted, or undergo abnormal development, they become unstable.
     
    The term luxation is used for the dislocati …read more

  • Key-Gaskell Syndrome in Cats

    Feline Dysautonomia
     
    Dysautonomia is characterized by a malfunctioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the system that controls the heart rate, respiration, digestion, urination, salivation, perspiration, eye pupil dilation,blood pressure, intestinal contractions, glandular activity, and physical arousal. The body functions that occur within the ANS are largely performed without conscious thought, with the exception of breathing, which works in coordination with conscious thought. This condition is also referred to as Key-Gaskell syndrome.
     
    This is a rare condition, but …read more

  • Kidney Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Renal Adenocarcinoma in Cats
     
    Adenocarcinoma of the kidneys is an extremely rare neoplasm in cats. When it does occur, it commonly affects older cats. There is no breed predisposition in cats for this type of tumor. Like other adenocarcinomas, adenocarcinoma of the kidney is very aggressive, growing rapidly and metastasizing to other parts and organs of the body. Another version of kidney adenocarcinoma, known as cystadenocarcinoma, is less aggressive; affected cats survive for longer period of time as compared to those with adenocarcinoma.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symp …read more

  • Kidney Disease (Congenital) in Cats

    Congenital and Developmental Renal Diseases in Cats
     
    Congenital (existing at birth) and developmental kidney diseases are part of a group of diseases in which the kidney may be abnormal in its ability to function normally, or may be abnormal in appearance, or both. These diseases result from inherited or genetic problems or disease processes that affect the development and growth of the kidney before or shortly after birth. Most patients are less than five years of age at the time of diagnosis.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms:
     

    Lack of appetite …read more

  • Kidney Disease Caused by Multiple Cysts in Cats

    Polycystic Kidney Disease in Cats
     
    When large portions of a cat’s renal parenchyma — the functional tissue of the animal’s kidneys which are normally differentiated — are displaced by multiple cysts, the medical condition is referred to as polycystic kidney disease.
     
    A cyst is a closed sac that may be filled with air, fluid, or semi-solid material. Renal cysts (a closed sac that may be filled with air, fluid, or semi-solid material) develop in pre-existing nephrons (the functional filtering cells of the kidney tissue) and in the collecting ducts of the organ. Invariably, the …read more

  • Kidney Enlargement in Cats

    Renomegaly in Cats
     
    Renomegaly is a condition in which one or both kidneys are abnormally large, confirmed by abdominal palpation, ultrasounds, or X-rays. The cat’s respiratory, nervous, hormonal, urinary and digestive systems are all affected by this condition.
     
    In addition, renomegaly is not exclusive to cats, dogs can suffer from it, too. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
    &nbsp …read more

  • Kidney Failure (Long-Term) in Cats

    Chronic Renal Failure in Cats
     
    Sixteen out of every 1,000 cats that are examined suffer from chronic renal disease. And while cats of any age can be diagnosed with the kidney disease, it is more commonly seen in older cats.
     
    Failure of the kidney — which among other things regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, blood volume, water composition in the blood, and pH levels, and produces red blood cells and certain hormones — can take so place so slowly, that by the time the symptoms have become obvious, it may be too late to treat the condition effectively. Often, the kidney wil …read more

  • Kidney Failure and Excess Urea in the Urine in Cats

    Renal Failure and Acute Uremia in Cats
     
    The sudden onset of abnormally high levels of urea, protein products, and amino acids in the cat’s blood is referred to as acute uremia. This condition usually follows kidney injuries or occurs when the urinary tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder (ureters) are obstructed. As a result, the outflow of urine is obstructed, creating an imbalance in fluid regulation and leading to a buildup of potential toxins in the body. Fortunately, acute uremia can be successfully treated and cured if it is identified on time and treated promptly.
      …read more

  • Kidney Filtration Problems in Cats

    Nephrotic Syndrome in Cats
     
    One of the body’s main methods for disposing of waste products is through the establishment and formation of urine. This process occurs in the kidney, where penetrable clusters of capillaries called glomeruli function to filter waste from the blood, thus establishing the formation of urine. When filtration cells (podocytes) in the kidney’s glomeruli become damaged, due either to immune complexes in the blood (called glomerulonephritis), or to dense deposits of hard protein (amyloid) – the abnormal accumulation of which is called amyloidosis – deg …read more

  • Kidney Inflammation Due to Fluid Accumulation in Cats

    Perirenal Pseudocysts in Cats
     
    A perirenal pseudocyst is a condition in which fluid accumulates in a capsule surrounding the kidney, causing the kidney to enlarge. However, it is not technically a cyst because it lacks a true membrane covering. Perirenal pseudocysts primarily affects mature male cats (more than 8 years); if found in young cats, it commonly affects only one kidney.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Although most cats with a perirenal pseudocyst have a nonpainful, enlarged abdomen, some may not display any symptoms (asymptomatic). In severe cases, symptoms of renal fa …read more

  • Kidney Stones in Cats

    Nephrolithiasis in Cats
     
    Cats that develop clusters of crystals or stones — known as nephroliths or, more commonly, “kidney stones” — in the kidneys or urinary tract are said to be suffering from a condition called nephrolithiasis. The kidney is composed of thousands of nephrons, each consisting of blood capillaries and a series of tubes through which filtered fluid flows as urine is produced. The tubes of the nephron drain into ducts through which urine flows; these ducts eventually enter the renal pelvis and a tube through which urine follows into the ureter. Kidney sto …read more

  • Kidney Toxicity (Drug-Induced) in Cats

    Drug-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Cats
     
    Certain medications administered for the purpose of diagnosing or treating medical disorders may cause kidney damage. When this occurs, it is referred to as drug-induced nephrotoxicity. It is more commonly recognized in dogs than cats. And although drug-induced nephrotoxicity may occur in cats of any age, older cats are more susceptible.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Signs associated with nephrotoxicity may include:
     

  • Kneecap Dislocation in Cats

    Patellar Luxation in Cats
     
    Patellar luxation occurs when the cat’s kneecap (patella) is dislocated from its normal anatomic position in the groove of the thigh bone (femur). When the kneecap is dislocated from the groove of the thigh bone, it can only be returned to its normal position once the quadriceps muscles in the cat’s hind legs relax and lengthen. Cats feel pain as the kneecap slides out of the thigh bone ridges, but do not feel any pain or discomfort once the kneecap has come to a rest out of the normal position.
     
    Patellar luxation is thought to be quite rare in cats.
    …read more

  • L-Carnitine Deficiency in Cats

     
    L-carnitine is an important nutrient that acts as a transport for fatty acids, essential for the cellular production of energy. Deficiency of this nutrient can cause a variety of health problems for a cat; most significantly, the association with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a disease of the heart. The heart and skeletal muscles do not synthesize the carnitine nutrient on their own, requiring it to be transported there for use. Therefore, a deficiency of carnitine in the body will have a negative effect on the heart and skeletal muscles. While carnitine supplements are not always succ …read more

  • Lack of Bladder Control in Cats

    Urinary Incontinence in Cats
     
    Problems with the bladder often are caused by an impaired bladder or from some kind of obstruction in the bladder. Disorders of this type are referred to as incontinence. Incontinence is most likely to affect middle-aged to older cats and large cat breeds.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Involuntary urine leakage
    Wet hair on their lower abdominal area, or between the rear legs
    Wet spots or puddles in the bedding or sleeping area
    Urinary tract infections
    Inflammation of the skin around the …read more

  • Lack Of Digestive Enzymes in Cats

    Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Cats
     
    Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) develops when the pancreas fails to produce enough digestive enzymes. The pancreas is the organ in the body responsible for producing insulin (which regulates the body’s blood sugar levels) and digestive enzymes (which aid in the digestion of starches, fats, and proteins in a cat’s diet).
     
    EPI may affect a cat’s general nutrition, as well as its gastrointestinal system. Chronic diarrhea and weight loss are common complications of this disease.
     
    Symptoms and Typ …read more

  • Lack of Intestinal Motility in Cats

    Ileus in Cats
     
    The term ileus (functional or paralytic) is used to denote temporary and reversible blockages in the intestines due to the absence of bowel motility. This absence of normal intestinal movements (or peristalsis) results in accumulation of intestinal contents in certain areas of intestine. It should be remembered that ileus itself is not a primary disease in cats, but a complication seen due to some other disease or condition affecting normal motility of the intestines.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Loss of appetite (

  • Lactic Acid Build-Up in Cats

    Lactic Acidosis
     
    Lactic acidosis refers to the abnormal build-up of lactic acid in the body. When this abnormal build-up occurs, it affects the heart (cardiac system), and eventually all of the organ systems in the body.
     
    Lactic acid is a substance that is produced by the muscles during normal physical activity, and which is elevated during exercise. In a normal functioning body, the liver and the kidneys work to maintain the balance between lactic acid production and its removal. When lactic acid is not being adequately removed, the body becomes ill. The recommended tr …read more

  • Laryngeal Disease in Cats

    Disease of the Voice Box or Larynx in Cats
     
    The voice box, or larynx, serves as a passage for airflow from the external environment to the lungs. It protects the lungs from aspiration during swallowing and regurgitation, and allows for vocalization (such as meowing). Laryngeal disease refers to any condition that alters normal structure and/or function of the voice box or larynx.
     
    In cats, the incidence of laryngeal disease is based on limited reports in the literature, but it appears to be significantly lower than in dogs. Affected cats are usually older, but it is seen occasi …read more

  • Lead Poisoning in Cats

    Lead Toxicity in Cats   
     
    Lead poisoning in cats is a medical condition caused by increased levels of metal lead in the blood. Lead has the ability to disrupt and damage normal cell functions and may affect multiple systems throughout the body. One of the ways in which lead can adversely affect the body is by displacing and substituting calcium and zinc in the body, both of  which are important for normal cell metabolism. Lead toxicity can lead to death if the cat is not treated in time.
     
    A large number of lead sources has been described, and the type of these so …read more

  • Leukemia (Acute) in Cats

    Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Cats
     
    Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a disease in which cancerous lymphoblasts (cells that are in the beginning stage of development) and prolymphocytes (cells in the intermediate stage of development) reproduce, and then circulate through the bloodstream, entering into the body’s organs. These cells will also infiltrate both the inside of the bone marrow and the outside (extramedullary) of the bone marrow, displacing hematopoietic stem cells.
     
    Hematopoietic cells are the normal, healthy precursors of red blood cells, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, …read more

  • Leukemia (Chronic) in Cats

    Chronic Lymphocytic Cancer in Cats
     
    Animals with abnormal and malignant lymphocytes in the blood are said to have a rare form of cancer called chronic lymphocytic leukemia. An integral component to the immune system, lymphocytes can affect many body systems when damaged.
     
    Although rare, this form of leukemia affects both dogs and cats.
     
    Symptoms
     
    The symptoms for chronic lymphocytic leukemia are usually non-specific and may include:
     

    I …read more

  • Lice in Cats

    Feline Pediculosis
     
    Lice are parasites that live on the skin. Left unchecked, they can grow to be an infestation on the cat’s body. Lice are actually very small insects that feed by chewing on the skin of the animal they are infesting, in this case, the cat. They are not as common as fleas; they are most often seen in situations where sanitary practices are poor.
     
    Symptoms and Types of Cat Lice
     
    Symptoms seen in infested cats include:
     

    Excessive itchiness, scratching
    A dry scruffy-looking coat

  • Lily Plant Poisoning in Cats

    Toxic Reaction to Lily House Plants
     
    One of the most toxic household plants for cats is the common lily. In fact, eating as little as two or three leaves from the flowers can result in liver failure and, if left untreated, can have a fatal outcome for cats. Lilies are a widely used houseplant, with 10 to 11 million plants produced annually within the United States. Some of the most common lilies are Easter lilies, Tiger lilies, Japanese show lilies, Rubrum lilies, and Day lilies.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    One of the most immediate symptoms of lily poisoning is the sudden on …read more

  • Liver and Spleen Cancer (Hemangiosarcoma) in Cats

    Spleen and Liver Hemangiosarcoma in Cats
     
    Hemangiosarcomas are fed by the blood vessels and fill with blood. Because of this, the tumor can rupture, leading to sudden and severe hemorrhage, collapse, and rapid death. Often, owners do not realize their cat is affected until the sudden hemorrhage or collapse.
     
    Hemangiosarcomas of the spleen and liver are highly metastatic and malignant vascular neoplasms (blood vessel tumors) that arise from the endothelial cells, which line the interior surface of blood vessels. It begins as a large mass that develops in the liver or spleen, …read more

  • Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) in Cats

    Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cats
     

    Hepatocellular carcinoma describes a rare but malignant tumor of the epithelial tissues of the liver (the tissue that lines the cavities and surfaces of body structures – in this case the liver). This type of tumor is rare in cats – cats are more commonly affected by bile duct carcinoma. There are no breed predispositions, but affected cats are on average older than ten years of age.
     
    Symptoms
     
    The following symptoms are typically  absent until the disease reaches an advanced stage:
     

  • Liver Disease in Cats

    Copper Storage Hepatopathy in Cats
     
    Copper storage hepatopathy is a condition caused by an abnormal accumulation of copper in the liver, which can lead to hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver over the long term. This condition is believed to be secondary to a primary disease, usually the result of a genetically-based abnormal copper metabolism.
     
    This disease has been found in cats, but these cases are considered rare and isolated.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Primary copper liver diseases (medically referred to as hepatopathies) generally fall into one of three categori …read more

  • Liver Failure (Acute) in Cats

    Acute Hepatic Failure in Cats
     
    Hepatic failure, or acute liver failure, is a condition characterized by the sudden loss of 70 percent or more of the liver’s function. This diseased state may be due to sudden, massive, hepatic necrosis (tissue death in the liver).
     
    Symptoms
     
    Primary and secondary hepatobiliary disorders – those dealing with the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts or bile – are generally associated with variable hepatic necrosis. However, acute liver failure from severe hepatic necrosis is an uncommon phenomenon. Acute liver failure can affect the body thro …read more

  • Liver Fistula in Cats

    Arteriovenous Malformation of the Liver in Cats
     
    Intrahepatic arteriovenous (AV) fistula is generally a congenital based condition, which causes abnormal passages to develop between the proper liver (hepatic) arteries and the inner liver (intrahepatic) portal veins. It can also develop through surgical injury, trauma, and abnormal tissue or bone growth (neoplasia). Although this condition is uncommon in cats, it does occur.
     
    This severe illness can be addressed with fair results when a proper diagnosis has been settled on. Most treatment will be on an outpatient basis and will …read more

  • Liver Inflammation (Chronic) in Cats

    Chronic, Active Hepatitis in Cats
     
    Long-term, ongoing inflammation of the liver, a medical condition referred to as hepatitis, is associated with an accumulation of inflammatory cells in the liver and progressive scarring or formation of excessive fibrous tissue in the liver (fibrosis). These biological changes lead to decreased functioning of the liver.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Sluggishness
    Lack of appetite
    Weight loss
    …read more

  • Liver Inflammation (Granulomatous) in Cats

    Granulomatous Hepatitis in Cats
     
    Hepatitis granulomatous is a complicated form of hepatitis, which is characterized by a mass of inflamed tissue (granuloma) growing on a simultaneously inflamed liver (hepatitis). This diseased state is most commonly due to fungal infection, but it can also be brought about by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or cancer.
     
    Hepatitis granulomatous is relatively uncommon in cats, but it is not limited by age or breed.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Lack of appetite

  • Liver Inflammation (Suppurative) in Cats

    Hepatitis, Suppurative and Hepatic Abscess in Cats
     
    The term hepatitis is used to denote inflammation of the liver. In some cats, infections can travel to the liver from other body sites and result in the formation of abscesses in the liver. These abscesses may be single or multiple in number and contain pus. A single abscess may be present in the case of a liver tumor infected with bacteria overtime. In cases with liver absecessation, the following may be seen: bile duct inflammation, presence of gallbladder stones, and formation of many small abscesses. Cats with diabetes have a high …read more

  • Liver Inflammation in Cats

    Cholangitis-Cholangiohepatitis Syndrome in Cats
     
    Cholangitis is the medical term given for inflammation of the bile ducts and intrahepatic ducts — the ducts that carry bile out of the liver. Bile, an essential component in the digestive process, begins in the liver and is then stored in the gallbladder until a meal is taken. The bitter fluid is then released into the cat’s small intestine, where it emulsifies fats in the food to be used as energy by the rest of the body.
     
    Cholangiohepatitis, meanwhile, describes inflammation of the bile ducts and liver. Together, these disease …read more

  • Liver Tumor (Hepatocellular Adenoma) in Cats

    Hepatocellular Adenoma in Cats
     
    Hepatocellular adenoma is a benign tumor involving the liver cells. It stems from an over-growth of epithelial cells, which are used for secretion in the body. Fortunately, this type of tumor is very rare in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Mostly no symptoms are obvious in affected animals, though a rupture of a tumor mass may result in blood accumulation in the abdomen. The following are symptoms of hepatocellular adenoma in cats:
     

    Weakness
    Abdominal pain

  • Lizard Bite Poisoning in Cats

    Lizard Venom Toxicity in Cats
     
    In terms of lizards, the Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) and the Mexican Beaded Lizard (H. horridum) are the only ones to be seriously concerned about. These lizards live almost exclusively in the American Southwest and Mexico.
     
    While Gila Monsters and Mexican Beaded Lizards are normally docile and do not often attack, it is important to be aware of the danger if a bite does occur. These lizards have a tendency to bite hard and not let go. In order to release its bite, use a prying instrument to open the lizard’s jaws. It has also been found th …read more

  • Lockjaw in Cats

    Tetanus Bacillus Infection in Cats
     
    Tetanus is a rare disease in cats, the result of a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is normally present in soil and other low oxygen environments, but also in the intestines of mammals and in the dead tissue of the wounds that are created due to injury, surgery, burns, frostbite, and fractures.
     
    One typical feature of this bacterium is that it can live without oxygen (anaerobic) and can remain in the environment for long periods by forming spores. Once favorable conditions are present, such as an injured animal com …read more

  • Long-Term Stomach Inflammation in Cats

    Chronic Gastritis in Cats
     
    Intermittent vomiting that lasts longer than one to two weeks is medically referred to as chronic gastritis. It is typified by inflammation of the stomach. The stomach lining can be irritated by chemical irritants, drugs, foreign bodies, or infectious agents. Hyperacidity syndromes, where more than normal amounts of hydrochloric acids (the stomach acids that aid in digestion) are excreted into the stomach, will also result in inflammation of the stomach’s lining over the long-term.
     
    Long-term allergen exposure or an immune-mediated disease (wher …read more

  • Loss of Appetite in Cats

    Anorexia in Cats
     
    Anorexia, as a behavioral condition that applies to humans, has been in the news so much that most of us are familiar with it on some level. The behavioral condition is referred to as anorexia nervosa, but anorexia as a medical condition is a very serious indicator of an underlying condition that needs prompt treatment. A cat will be diagnosed with anorexia when it is consistently refusing to eat and its food intake has decreased so much that drastic weight loss has occurred. If your cat is showing symptoms of medical anorexia you will need to consult your veterinaria …read more

  • Loss of Balance (Unbalanced Gait) in Cats

    Ataxia, Vestibular Disease in Cats
     
    There are three clinical types of ataxia: sensory (proprioceptive), vestibular, and cerebellar. All three types produce changes in limb coordination, but vestibular and cerebellar ataxia also produce changes in head and neck movement. Ataxia, in general, is a condition relating to a sensory dysfunction that produces loss of coordination of the limbs, head, and/or trunk.
     
    Sensory (proprioceptive) ataxia occurs when the spinal cord is slowly compressed. A typical outward symptom of sensory ataxia is misplacing the feet, accompanied by a progres …read more

  • Low Blood Albumin in Cats

    Hypoalbuminemia in Cats
     

    Hypoalbuminemia is a condition in which the levels of albumin in the cat’s blood serum are abnormally low. A protein formed in the liver and carried into the blood, albumin is responsible for regulating blood volume by controlling pressure in the blood compartment. It is also important for retaining fluid in the vascular compartment. TTherefore, a deficiency of albumin can pose grave risks for a cat, including dangerous fluid buildup.
     
    Hypoalbuminemia has not been found to occur at any particular age. Moreover, there are no apparent breed or gend …read more

  • Low Blood Calcium in Cats

    Hypocalcemia in Cats
     
    The term “hypocalcemia” refers to abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood. This mineral plays an important role in vital bodily functions such as bone and teeth formation, blood clotting, milk production, muscle contraction, heart pumping, vision, and in the metabolism of hormones and enzymes. Therefore, calcium deficiency is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the problem. However, some of the more common symptoms include:
    &nbsp …read more

  • Low Blood Oxygen in Cats

    Hypoxemia in Cats
     
    Hypoxemia occurs when the blood in the arteries is not being oxygenated sufficiently. The condition is dangerous in cats because the oxygen that is vital for the functioning of all the organs is adversely affected. The brain can suffer irreversible damage when deprived of oxygen for even relatively short periods of time. Oxygen deficiency may also lead to anemia and/or hypoxia in the organs, which can progress to arrhythmia and heart failure. This is a serious condition that needs to be treated quickly.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Coughing …read more

  • Low Blood Potassium in Cats

    Hypokalemia in Cats
     
    A cat with abnormally low concentrations of potassium in the blood is said to have hypokalemia. A vital element to an important group of blood minerals called electrolytes, potassium functions in both cellular and electricual functions, such as in the conduction of electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles. Therefore, lower levels of potassium in the bloodstream will compromise the normal functioning ability of these tissues.
     
    Potassium is a vital element of both electrical and cellular functions. It belongs to an important group of blood minera …read more

  • Low Blood Sugar in Cats

    Hypoglycemia in Cats
     
    The blood sugar, or glucose, is a main energy of source in an animal’s body, so a low amount will result in a severe decrease in energy levels, possibly to the point of loss of consciousness. The medical term for critically low levels of sugar in the blood is hypoglycemia, and it is often linked to diabetes and an overdose of insulin.
     
    However, there are different conditions, other than diabetes, that can also cause blood sugar levels to drop to dangerous levels in cats. In most animals, hypoglycemia is actually not a disease in and of itself, but is only …read more

  • Low Body Temperature in Cats

    Hypothermia in Cats
     
    Hypothermia is a medical condition that is defined as below-normal body temperature. It has three phases: mild, moderate, and severe. Mild hypothermia is classified as a body temperature of 90 – 99°F (or 32 – 35°C), moderate hypothermia at 82 – 90°F (28 – 32°C), and severe hypothermia is any temperature less than 82°F (28°C). Hypothermia occurs when an animal’s body is no longer able to maintain normal temperature, causing a depression of the central nervous system (CNS). It may also affect heart and blood flow (cardiovascular), breath …read more

  • Low Platelet Count in Cats

    Thrombocytopenia in Cats
     
    An abnormally low production of blood platelets in cats is due to the medical condition thrombocytopenia. Platelets are produced in the bone marrow and then released into the blood stream. They also serve the important function of maintaining hemostasis. Low platelet counts can be found in any breed of cat, and at any age. Treatment options do exist and unless the cause of the condition is serious, prognosis for the cat is positive.
     
    Thrombocytopenia affects both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how this disease affects dogs, please visit

  • Low Production of Parathyroid Hormone in Cats

    Hypoparathyroidism in Cats
      
    An absolute or relative deficiency of parathyroid hormone in the blood, a condition called hypoparathyroidism, may be characterized by low levels of calcium in the blood, which can lead to hypocalcemia. The parathyroid hormone regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, normally increasing blood calcium levels by causing calcium to be reabsorbed from the bone.
     
    The parathyroid glands are small, hormone-secreting glands that are located on or near the thyroid glands, which are in turn located at the front of the neck, in alignment with …read more

  • Lower Eyelid Drooping in Cats

    Ectropion in Cats
     
    Ectropion is a condition which describes the margin of the eyelid rolling outward, resulting in exposure of the sensitive tissue (conjunctiva) lining the inside of the eyelid. Exposure and poor tear distribution may predispose the patient to sight-threatening corneal disease.
     
    It occurs most commonly in dogs but is rarely seen in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Protrusion of the lower eyelid — with lack of contact of the lower lid to the eye globe, and exposure of the palpe …read more

  • Lung Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Lung Adenocarcinoma in Cats
     
    Adenocarcinoma is a malignant neoplasm, making up about 75 percent of all primary lung tumors in cats. Adenocarcinoma grows rapidly and metastasizes to distant parts of the body and organs, including the brain, eyes, bones, and lymph nodes. Like other malignant tumors, adenocarcinoma of the lungs is usually seen in older animals (more than ten years). This type of carcinoma is relatively rare in cats, with no known breed disposition.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Most symptoms are related to the respiratory system, but in cases of metastasis the symp …read more

  • Lung Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Cats

    Metastatic Lung Tumor in Cats
     
    The squamous epithelium is the outer layer of the epithelium, consisting of flat, scale-like cells. The epithelium is the cellular covering of all of the internal and external surfaces of the body, effectively protecting the organs, inner cavities and outer surfaces of the body in a continuous layer of multi-layered tissue. A squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is a type of metastasizing tumor that arises from the squamous epithelium in the lung cavity.
     
    This is a rare form of primary tumor in cats. However, it has a high metastatic potential, es …read more

  • Lung Lobe Twisting in Cats

    Lung Lobe Torsion in Cats
     
    In lung lobe torsion, one of the lung’s lobes becomes twisted, which results in obstruction of the bronchus and vessels, including the veins and arteries. The obstruction of the blood vessels causes the lung lobe to engorge with blood, which results in necrosis and death of the affected lung tissue. This may lead to many complications, including coughing up blood, tachycardia, or shock.
     
    Though lung lobe torsion is rare in cats, it is still a very serious condition, one which will require immediate veterinary attention.
     
    Symptoms and Types
    &n …read more

  • Lungworms in Cats

    Parasitic Respiratory Infections in Cats
     
    Lungworms are a parasitic worm species that cause severe breathing (respiratory) problems. Cats that are allowed to roam outdoors and hunt rodents and birds are especially at risk for developing this type of parasitic infection.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are several species of worm that can migrate to the lungs of animals. Capillaria aerophila and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are two of those most commonly found parasites in cats. They may cause such symptoms as coughing and shortness of breath (dyspnea).
    &nbsp …read more

  • Lymph Node Inflammation (Lymphadenitis) in Cats

    Lymphadenitis in Cats
     
    Lymphadenitis is a condition of the lymph nodes, characterized by inflammation due to an active migration of white blood cells into the lymph nodes. There are different types of white blood cells that can cause this: neutrophils, the most abundant type of white blood cells in the body; macrophages, the cells that engulf and digest cellular debris and pathogens in the bloodstream; or eosinophils, the white blood cells of the immune system.
     
    Because of the filtration functions of the lymph nodes, they are likely to be exposed to infectious agents. Lymphaden …read more

  • Lymph Node Inflammation (Lymphadenopathy) in Cats

    Lymphadenopathy in Cats
     
    Lymph nodes play an integral part in the functioning of the immune system, acting as filters for the blood and as storage places for white blood cells. Consequently, they are often the first indicators of disease in the tissues. When tissues become inflamed, the regional lymph nodes that these tissues drain into will also become inflamed and swollen in response. This swelling is due to a reactive increase in white blood cells (hyperplasia) due to the localized presence of an infectious agent. This is medically defined as reactive hyperplasia: when white blood …read more

  • Lymphoma in Cats

    Cancer of the Lymphocytes in Cats
      
    Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphocyte cells. A type of white blood cell, lymphocytes play an important and integral role in the body’s defenses in the immune system.
     
    There are two forms of lymphocytes: B and T cells. Lymphoma may involve neoplastic proliferation of T or B, or non-B/non-T type lymphocytes, occurring primarily in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and visceral organs.
     
    Lymphoma is found to be responsible for around 90 percent of blood cancers and account for about 33 percent of all tumors in ca …read more

  • Magnesium Deficiency in Cats

    Hypomagnesemia in Cats
     
    Hypomagnesium is a clinical disorder in which the body is suffering from a deficiency in magnesium. Magnesium is second only to potassium as the most abundant substance in the cells. Most is found in the bone (60 percent) and soft tissue (38 percent), and most of the soft tissue magnesium resides in the skeletal muscle and liver. Magnesium is required for many metabolic functions, it is an activator or catalyst for more than 300 enzyme systems, including enzymes that involve adenose triphosphat (ATP), which transports chemical energy within the cells for metabol …read more

  • Mammary Gland Enlargement in Cats

    Mammary Gland Hyperplasia in Cats
     
    Mammary gland hyperplasia is a benign condition in which an an excessive amount of tissue grows, resulting in enlarged masses in the mammary glands. This is primarily limited to young, sexually intact, cycling, or pregnant queens, but it can also affect cats of either gender after neutering, and cats of either gender that are on progestogen medication.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Enlargement of one or more mammary glands
    Firm, nonpainful masses in the chest, and abdominal area

     
    Causes
     
    < ...read more

  • Mammary Gland Tumor in Cats

     
    Over 85 percent of mammary tumors in cats are malignant and they tend to grow and metastasize quickly. Like breast tumors in humans, they start as a small lump in a mammary gland. Often, more than one mammary gland is affected. This disease is preventable by having female cats spayed before six months of age. 
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Mammary gland tumors begin as masses underneath the skin. However, over time they can become aggressive and ulcerate the skin. Cats tend to lick and groom the area excessively, and a strong odor can result as the tumor becomes necrotic an …read more

  • Mange in Cats

    Demodicosis, or Mange in Cats
     
    Demodicosis, or demodectic mange, is an inflammatory skin disease in cats that is caused by various types of Demodex mites not visible to the naked eye. Demodex mites are commonly found on the skin of mammals, and in most cases are not symptomatic of an abnormal condition, but when the immune system is compromised, by stress or illness, or the body is producing excess oil or hormones, the Demodex population may become excessive, leading to skin and hair problems. When the number of mites inhabiting the hair follicles of a cat become excessive, skin lesion …read more

  • Masculinizing Sex Hormone Deficiency in Cats

    Hypoandrogenism in Cats
     

    Hypoandrogenism refers to the relative or absolute deficiency of masculinizing sex hormones, such as testosterone and its by-products. Also known as androgens, these hormones are produced by the adrenal cortex — part of the adrenal glands, which are located above each kidney — and by the ovaries in the female, and the testes in the male. There are two subtypes of the condition: primary and secondary.
     
    Primary hypoandrogenism in the male is a rare condition associated with bilaterally symmetric hair loss in older castrated male cats. It may be se …read more

  • Mass Protrusion from the Vaginal Area in Cats

    Vaginal Hyperplasia and Prolapse in Cats
     
    A mass protruding from a cat’s vaginal area is referred to as vaginal hyperplasia and prolapse. The condition is similar in nature to fluid-filled tissue (edema). If serious, it can prevent normal urination. Vaginal hyperplasia affects cats all ages, although it is found more commonly in younger animals. The outcome is positive for most cats, but the chance of the condition recurring is high.
     
    Vaginal hyperplasia and prolapse can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit …read more

  • Mast Cell Tumor (Mastocytoma) in Cats

    Connective Tissue Tumors in Cats
     
    Mast cell tumors (or mastocytomas) are graded according to their location in the skin, presence of inflammation, and how well they are differentiated. Grade 1 cells are well differentiated with a low potential for metastasis; Grade 2 cells are intermediately differentiated with a potential for locally invasive metastasis; and Grade 3 cells are poorly differentiated or undifferentiated with a high potential for metastasis. Differentiation is a determination of how much a particular tumor cell looks like a normal cell; the more differentiated, the …read more

  • Maternal Behavior Problems in Female Cats

    Mismothering in Female Cats
     
    Maternal behavioral problems are classified as either the lack of maternal behavior when dealing with the mother’s own young or excessive maternal behavior in the absence of newborn kittens. (Other types of maternal behavior problem also exist, but they are still poorly defined.)
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Inadequate Maternal Behavior 

    Abandons her own newborn pups (most common after caesarean section)
    Does not allow her offspring to nurse
    Insufficient cleaning of the youn …read more

  • Meningitis, Meningoencephalitis, Meningomyelitis in Cats

    Bacterial Meningitis and other Nervous System Infections in Cats
     
    The system of membranes which envelops the cat’s central nervous system is called the meninges. If this system becomes inflamed, it is referred to as meningitis. Meningoencephalitis, meanwhile, is the inflammation of the meninges and brain, and meningomyelitis is the inflammation of the meninges and spinal cord.
     
    Inflammation of meninges commonly leads to secondary inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord, resulting in various neurological complications. Long-term inflammation can also obstruct the flow of ce …read more

  • Mesothelioma in Cats

     
    Mesotheliomas are rare tumors derived from the cellular tissue that lines the cavities and interior structures of the body. These linings are called the epithelial linings. The mesothelial lining, specifically, is a membranous epithelial lining that is derived from the mesoderm cell layer, with its main functions being to line the body cavity, to cover and protect the internal organs, and to facilitate movement within the body cavity (coelom).
     
    Mesotheliomas are the result of abnormal division and replication of mesothelial cells, and their migration to other sites in the body. …read more

  • Metabolic Enzyme Deficiency in Cats

    Lysosomal Storage Diseases in Cats
     
    Lysosomal storage diseases are primarily genetic in cats and are caused by a lack of the enzymes that are needed to perform metabolic functions. It is a rare disease that most commonly is diagnosed in kittens. The disease causes an accumulation of various substances that would otherwise be eliminated by the enzymes, and which become stored in the cat’s tissues in abnormal amounts (usually occurring in the nervous system). As a result, cells swell and can no longer function normally. Unfortunately, lysosomal storage diseases are always fatal.
    & …read more

  • Metabolic Muscle Disease without Inflammation in Cats

    Non-inflammatory Metabolic Myopathy in Cats
     
    Non-inflammatory metabolic myopathy is a rare muscle disease associated with metabolic disorders like various enzyme defects or storage of abnormal metabolic byproducts and others. Unfortunately, little is known about how the disorder affects cats exactly.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Muscular weakness
    Cramps
    Exercise intolerance
    Regurgitation and/or difficulty swallowing (

  • Mid-Chest Inflammation in Dogs

    Mediastinitis in Dogs
     
    An inflammation of the mid-chest area is usually caused by a bacterial infection or a fungus. It’s rare in dogs, but in severe cases it may be life-threatening. It is also likely to spread, infecting the bloodstream. Abscesses sometimes develop, and the short vein (called the cranial vena cava in animals) that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart’s right atrium may become infected. These abscesses can cut off the flow of blood to the heart, resulting in death.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Gagging
    …read more

  • Miscarriage in Cats

    Spontaneous Abortion, Pregnancy Loss in Cats
     
    It is not uncommon for cats to experience spontaneous abortions (miscarriages). A variety of medical reasons can cause this reaction. The cat should be evaluated immediately after a miscarriage to make certain more serious underlying health conditions do not exist.
     
    Symptoms and Types 
     
    If a cat has experienced a miscarriage, the most common thing an owner notices is abnormal and extended vaginal bleeding. There may also be an abnormal amount of discharge. An expelled fetus may be found, especially if the cat was in the …read more

  • Mouth Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Salivary Gland Adenocarcinoma
     
    Saliva contains many useful enzymes that help in the digestive process. These enzymes increase solubility of food by lubricating the contents. There are four major salivary glands, including the mandibular, sublingual, parotid, and zygomatic gland. Adenocarcinoma can affect any of these salivary glands in cats, but the major target of this tumor in cats is the parotid gland, the largest of the salivary glands. Adenocarcinoma of the salivary gland is highly metastatic and can metastasize into distant organs and tissues in the body.

  • Mouth Cancer (Amelobastoma) in Cats

    Ameloblastoma in Cats
     
    Ameloblastoma, previously known as adamantinoma, is a rare neoplasm that affects the tooth structures of cats. In most cases it is found to be benign in nature, but a malignant, more highly invasive form is also reported to occur as well. It may affect any tooth structure within the tooth arcade. Ameloblastoma is an extremely rare neoplasm in cats. However, as with many cancers, mostly older cats are affected.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Ameloblastoma is usually benign in nature and remains well localized. You may notice a firm and smooth mass covering i …read more

  • Mouth Cancer (Chondrosarcoma) in Cats

    Oral Chondrosarcoma in Cats
     
    Chondrosarcomas are malignant, cancerous tumors of the cartilage, the connective tissue between bones. These tumors are characteristic for their slow but progressive invasion of the surrounding tissues. They are often mistaken for benign (non-spreading) tumors because of their slow spread and lack of symptoms. They are often found by accident, when they have become large enough to notice, appearing as a lump in the mouth or under the skin of the face, or when they have started to cause pain for the affected animal.
     
    These tumors have a smooth to sl …read more

  • Mouth Cancer (Gingiva Fibrosarcoma) in Cats

    Gingival Fibrosarcoma in Cats
     
    As cats age, they sometimes develop growths in their mouths. One type of growth is a fibrosarcoma, a cancerous growth derived from fibrous connective tissue. Fibrosarcomas are relatively low in malignancy, growing slowly and generally not spreading to other organs, though they do aggressively invade other tissue and bone that is near them. The most common location for a fibrosarcoma of the the mouth is in the gums (gingiva).
     
    Cats that are afflicted with gingival fibrosarcomas are, on average, seven and a half years old, but these tumors have been …read more

  • Mouth Cancer (Gingiva Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Cats

    Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats
     
    Carcinoma is a type of tissue cancer that is particularly virulent, metastasizing quickly through the body, often with fatal results. Carcinomas can occur in any part of the body, including the mouth. Of the several types of cancerous oral growths that a cat can be affected by, a squamous cell carcinoma is the most common one. These tumors grow very rapidly and typically invade nearby bone and tissue. Unlike other carcinomas these tumors do not usually spread to other organs, but, like other carcinomas, they are mainly seen in older cats, arou …read more

  • Mouth Cancer (Melanocytic) in Cats

    Oral Melanocytic Tumors in Cats
     
    Oral tumors can be extremely debilitating and painful disease for cats, often resulting in death. Melanocytic tumors, which are the third most common oral tumors in cats, arise from a local invasion by neoplastic menlanocytic cells (melanin-producing cells) to the gingival surface. These tumors are usually raised, irregular, ulcerated, have a dead surface, and are highly aggressive and invasive to the bone. In fact, such tumors may cause death as they render an animal unable to eat and metastasize to other body parts.
     
    Symptoms and Types
      …read more

  • Mouth Inflammation and Ulcers (Chronic) in Cats

    Oral Ulceration and Chronic Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis in Cats
     
    One type of oral disease which affects cats is oral ulceration and chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis (CUPS). It is a disease of the mouth which causes painful ulcers on the gums and mucosal lining of the mouth cavity. The cause of this condition has been determined to be a hypersensitive immune response to bacteria and plaque on the tooth surfaces, and sometimes signs of CUPS will start subsequent to a dental cleaning, when these materials are loosened in the mouth. 
     
    Cats with this condition ten …read more

  • Mouth Ulcers in Cats

    Gingivostomatitis and Caudal Stomatitis in Cats
     
    Gingivostomatitis and caudal stomatitis are painful inflammatory conditions seen in the gums and mouth of cats. Gingivostomatitis refers to swelling of the gums, while caudal stomatitis refers to a specific site of swelling inside the mouth. Purebred cats are predisposed to this condition.
     
    Symptoms and Types  
     
    Symptoms of gingivostomatitis and caudal stomatitis include chronic bad breath, an unhealthy scruff and/or coat of hair, excessive drooling (pytalism), and difficulty swallowing. Full or partial loss of appet …read more

  • Mucopolysaccharidoses in Cats

    Metabolic Disorders Due to Lysomal Enzyme Deficiency in Cats
     
    Mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of metabolic disorders characterized by the accumulation of GAGs (glycosaminoglycans, or mucopolysaccharides) due to the impaired functions of lysosomal enzymes. It is the mucopolysaccharides which help in building bones, cartilage, skin, tendons, corneas, and the fluid responsible for lubricating joints.
     
    Domestic shorthair and Siamese cats are predisposed to mucopolysaccharidoses.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Dwarfism
    Severe bone disease
    …read more

  • Mucus in Cat

    What Causes Mucus in Stool?
     
    You should not be very concerned if you see a small amount of mucus in your pet’s stool. Cat stool normally contains some mucus — a slime-like substance made by the intestines to keep the lining of the colon lubricated and moist.
     
    But if you notice an excessive amount of mucus in the stool, or if it is accompanied with blood or a radical change in your cat’s bowel movements, seek immediate veterinary medical attention. He or she will be better able to identify the underlying cause and recommend a proper course of treatment. Common causes inc …read more

  • Muscle Contraction Disease (Myoclonus) in Cats

    Myoclonus in Cats
     
    Myoclonus is a condition in which a portion of a muscle, entire muscle, or group of muscles contracts in a coarse, repetitive, involuntary, and rhythmic manner at rates up to 60 times per minute (sometimes even occurring during sleep). These abnormal contractions occur due to nervous dysfunction and most commonly affect groups of muscles involved in chewing and/or any of the skeletal muscles of the limbs.
     
    Myoclonus is rarely seen in cats and is more common in dogs.
     
    Symptoms …read more

  • Muscle Tear in Cats

    Muscle Rupture in Cats
     
    Normal activity can cause a disruption in a muscle. A normal muscle can be stretched, pinched, or injured directly, resulting in fiber disruption, weakening, and immediate or delayed separation of the uninjured portions. Alternatively, the muscle structure may be compromised by systemic or iatrogenic (physician-caused) conditions. The rupture may be complete or incomplete, and may be in the middle of the muscle or at the muscle-tendon junction. The acute (sudden and severe) stage is characterized by a typical inflammatory reaction that becomes chronic over time …read more

  • Myelin Deficiency in Cats

    Hypomyelination in Cats
     
    A fatty substance that covers the axons (the portions of the nerve cells that transfer impulses to other cells of the body), myelin serves an important function for the nerve cells: as an insulator, protecting the nerve from outside influences, and as an aid for forwarding the process of cellular transmission of nervous system actions. Therefore, hypomyelination, or an insufficient production of myelin in the body, can be devastating for the central nervous system (CNS). It can even cause tremors, which are most apparent when the cat is active.
     
    CNS hy …read more

  • Myeloproliferative Disorders in Cats

     
    Myeloproliferative Disorders are a specific type of disorders involving excess cell production originating from the bone marrow. Although they are not associated with neoplastic tissues, like other cancers, myeloproliferative disorders are classified within blood cancers.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Lethargy
    Weakness
    Pale mucous membranes
    Weight loss
    Enlargement of liver and spleen

     
    C …read more

  • Narcolepsy and Cataplexy in Cats

    Attacks of Sleep and Weakness in Cats
     
    Narcolepsy and cataplexy, disorders that affect the way an animal is able to physically operate, are rare but well studied disorders of the nervous system. Narcolepsy is symptomized by excessive daytime sleepiness, lack of energy, and brief losses of consciousness. The episodes are typically brief and go away by themselves. Cataplexy is characterized by sudden muscle weakness and paralysis without loss of consciousness. A cat that is affected by cataplexy will remain alert and capable of following movement with its eyes throughout the episode. Cat …read more

  • Narrowed Bronchi in Cats

    Bronchiectasis in Cats
     
    A cat’s trachea, or wind pipe, is divided into two main bronchi, or tubes, which feed air into the lungs. The two tubes that begin the bronchial tree further divide into smaller branches, which further divide several more times to form bronchial tree.
     
    In bronchiectasis, the bronchi are irreversibly dilated due to a destruction of the elastic and muscular components in the airway walls. This may occur with or without accompanying accumulation of lung secretions. Dilatation may be associated with infections of the bronchi, pneumonia, lung damage, chronic …read more

  • Narrowing of Pyloric Canal in Cats

    Chronic Hypertrophic Pyloric Gastropathy in Cats
     
    Pyloric stenosis, or chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy, is the narrowing of the pyloric canal due to an overgrowth of muscles of that region. This region of the stomach connects with the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum. The exact cause of the disease is still unknown; it is rarely found in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The severity of symptoms directly correlates to the extent of the pyloric canal’s narrowing; these include chronic, intermittent

  • Narrowing of the Anal or Rectal Opening in Cats

    Rectal Stricture in Cats
     
    Rectal stricture occurs when a cat’s rectal or anal opening is constricted due to the presence of scar tissue from inflammation, a previous injury, or an aggressive cancer growth. This narrowing of the opening(s) obstructs the passage of stool, thereby resulting in issues with the cat’s digestive system. Rectal stricture is not hereditary.
     
    Dogs and cats of both genders, and most breeds and ages may be affected by strictures. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dog, please visit

  • Narrowing of the Esophagus in Cats

    Esophageal Stricture in Cats
     
    The esophagus is the tubular organ that runs from the throat to the stomach; an esophageal stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the internal open space of the esophagus. There is no apparent genetic factor involved, and it occurs in cats at any age.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Regurgitation (return of food or other contents from the esophagus)
    Liquid meals are often tolerated better than solid meals
    Difficulty swallowing is seen with upper esophageal strictures
    Howling, crying, or yelping …read more

  • Narrowing of the Nasal Passage in Cats

    Nasopharyngeal Stenosis in Cats
     
    Nasopharyngeal stenosis, a narrowing of the nasal section of the pharynx, occurs due to the formation of a thin but tough membrane in the passage of the nasal cavity. Any of the four portions of the nasal cavity may be affected and narrowed, including the common, inferior, middle, or superior portion. Chronic inflammation and subsequent fibrosis (the formation of excess fibrous tissue) after suffering an infection is one probable cause. Inflammation of the nasal tissues after chronic regurgitation, or vomiting of acidic material are also suspected to be …read more

  • Narrowing of Vertebral Canal in Cats

    Lumbosacral Stenosis and Cauda Equina Syndrome in Cats
     
    Cauda Equina Syndrome involves narrowing of vertebral canal, which results in compression of spinal nerve roots in lumber and sacrum regions. A cat’s spine is composed of multiple bones with disks located in between adjacent bones called vertebrae. Seven cervical vertebrae are located in neck (C1-C7), thirteen thoracic vertebrae present from the area of shoulder to end of ribs (T1-T13), seven lumbar vertebrae are present in the area that starts from end of ribs to pelvis (L1-L7) and remaining vertebrae are called sacral and coccyg …read more

  • Neck and Back Pain in Cats

     
    It is often difficult to determine the exact location of the pain when an animal has been injured, because unfortunately, your cat can not tell you where it hurts. Your veterinarian may even have trouble determining the location. And because there are a number of reasons for neck and back pain, zeroing in on the underlying cause may take some time.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Following are some of the possible symptoms your cat may show after an injury to the neck or back:
     

    Change in posture
    Back is curved upward
    The spine doe …read more

  • Nerve Disorder Affecting Multiple Nerves in Cats

    Peripheral Neuropathy (Polyneuropathies) in Cats
     
    Unlike the central nervous system, which has the vertebrae of the spine, and the bone of the skull to protect it, the peripheral nerves are more exposed to the elements that enter into the body and come into contact with the body, so they are more susceptible to physical injury and toxic damage. The peripheral nerves are spread over the entire body. They are made up of the motor, sensory, autonomic, and/or cranial nerves, and are responsible for conscious, coordinated movement (somatic), for automatic physical responses (autonomic), and …read more

  • Nerve Sheath Tumor in Cats

    Schwannoma in Cats
     
    Schwannomas are tumors that originate in the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is produced by the Schwann cell, a specialized cell which surrounds the peripheral nerves, providing mechanical and physical support for the nerves as well as insulating the nerves that transmit the nervous system’s electrical signals. The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves outside of the central nervous system (brain and spine). Peripheral nerve sheath tumor is the term that has been proposed to include schwannomas, neurofibromas (nerve fiber tumors), neurofibrosarcoma …read more

  • Nerve/Muscle Disorder in Cats

    Myasthenia Gravis in Cats
     
    A disorder of signal transmission between the nerves and muscles (known as neuromuscular transmission), and characterized by muscular weakness and excessive fatigue, is clinically known as myasthenia gravis. The disorder is congenital (present at birth) and familial (runs in families or lines).
     
    It can also be acquired (not inherited, but present later in life/after birth), but as with other autoimmune diseases, it requires the appropriate genetic background for the disease to occur. Multiple factors are involved, including environmental, infectious, …read more

  • Noisy Breathing in Cats

    Stertor and Stridor in Cats
     
    Stertor is noisy breathing that occurs during inhalation. It is a low-pitched, snoring type of sound that usually arises from the vibration of fluid, or the vibration of tissue that is relaxed or flabby. It usually arises from airway blockage in the throat (pharynx).
     
    Stridor is high-pitched, noisy breathing. The higher-pitched sounds result when relatively rigid tissues vibrate with the passage of air. It often occurs as the result of partial or complete blockage of the nasal passages or voice box (larynx), or collapse of the upper part of the wind …read more

  • Non-Inflammatory Hereditary Muscle Disease in Cats

    Non-inflammatory Hereditary Myotonia in Cats
     
    Non-inflammatory hereditary myotonia is a muscle disease characterized by persistent contraction or delayed relaxation of muscles, especially during movement. Although it can be acquired later in life — often experimentally induced with ingestion of herbicides — this article pertains to congenital myotonia.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symptoms below are commonly associated with non-inflammatory hereditary myotonia; they may improve after exercise and/or worsen due to the cold:
     

    Voice change

  • Non-inflammatory Myopathy of Endocrine Origin in Cats

     
    This form of non-inflammatory myopathy is a type of muscle disease caused by endocrine maladies such as hypo- and hyperthyroidism. However, non-inflammatory myopathy of endocrine origin has also been associated with corticosteroid use.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Muscle weakness
    Loss of muscle bulk
    Stiffness
    Cramps
    Regurgitation
    Difficulty in swallowing (

  • Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Toxicity in Cats

     
    This is one of the more common forms of toxicity, and is among the ten most common poisoning cases reported to the National Animal Poison Control Center. Classified as carboxylic acids (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen) or enolic acids (e.g., phenylbutazone, dipyrone), Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxicity (or NSAIDs) can be extremely toxic when ingested over the long-term (chronic) or when acutely ingested.
     
    Species differ greatly in how their bodies absorb, excrete, and metabolize NSAID agents, but both dogs and cats are susceptible to NSAID toxicity. In fact, if left untreate …read more

  • Nose and Sinus cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Cats

    Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Nose and Sinuses in Cats    The respiratory system has many parts, but the two important parts of the upper respiratory system are the nose and paranasal sinuses. The paranasal sinuses are hollow spaces in the bones of the skull. They connect with the nose and help to add moisture to the air that a cat breathes in through its nose. Both the inside of the nose and the paranasal sinuses are covered in the same type of tissue, called the epithelium. The outer layer of this tissue is scale like, and is called the squamous epithelium. Tumors that grow from …read more

  • Nose and Sinus Inflammation in Cats

    Rhinitis and Sinusitis in Cats
     
    Inflammation of a cat’s nose is referred to as rhinitis; sinusitis, meanwhile, refers to the inflammation in the nasal passages. Both medical conditions can cause mucus discharge to develop. With prolonged inflammation, bacterial infections are common.
     
    Viral rhinitis is especially prevalent in kittens. And older animals will often experience the growth and presence of abnormal tissue (neoplasia), or dental disease, resulting in inflammation.
     
    Rhinitis and sinusitis may occur in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about ho …read more

  • Nose Bleed in Cats

    Epistaxis in Cats
     
    A bleeding nose can be the result of several conditions. One such condition is coagulopathy — a condition where the blood is not coagulating as it should. There are several other possible causes for nose bleeds: a wound or injury that is not apparent, such as from a snake bite; disease, like cancer in an organ, leukemia, or a number of other diseases. Regardless of the cause, this is a condition that needs to be checked out by your veterinarian promptly.
     
    Diagnosis
     
    It will probably take several tests to determine what is causing the bleeding. Y …read more

  • Nose Cancer (Chondrosarcoma) in Cats

    Chondrosarcoma of the Nasal and Paranasal Sinuses in Cats
     
    A chondrosarcoma (CSA) is a malignant, invasive and fast spreading tumor in cats. It is relatively uncommon in cats, representing about one percent of all primary tumors. A CSA of the nasal and paranasal sinuses arises from the mesenchymal tissue, a connective collagenous tissue that is found throughout the body, and metastasizes to other parts of the body, including the nasal bones. It usually occurs on one side of the nasal cavity and extends to the other side over time.
     
    Older cats are at increased risk, but any age …read more

  • Nose Cancer (Fibrosarcoma) in Cats

    Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Fibrosarcoma in Cats
     
    A fibrosarcoma specifically refers to the abnormal development of cells. It is typically a slow and invasive process that advances before it is discovered. Nasal and paranasal fibrosarcoma is characterized by a malignant tumor based in the connective tissue of the nasal passage or in the surrounding area.
     
    This disease is fairly rare in cats. Typically, by the time the tumor is found, it has metastasized dangerously, but that is not to say that it cannot be treated satisfactorily. Associated factors include age, with most affec …read more

  • Nose Cancer in Cats

    Nasal Adenocarcinoma
     
    Nose cancer (or nasal adenocarcinoma) occurs when too many cells in a cat’s nasal and sinus passages come together. The disease progresses slowly. Studies have shown nose cancer is more common in larger animal breeds than in smaller ones, and it may be more common in males than females. Options exist when the disease is caught early and aggressively treated.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Sneezing
    Loss of appetite (anorexia)
    Seizures
    Mucus-like material from the nose (nasal discharge)
    Facial deformi …read more

  • Nose Pad Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Cats

    Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Nasal Planum in Cats
      
    Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells. In this case, it is a tumor of the nasal planum or the tissues in the nose pad. This tumor is more common in cats than dogs. Exposure to inhaled chemicals increases the risk of nasal tumors, including indoor use of coal, cigarettes, and air fresheners.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    This tumor progress slowly, often …read more

  • Obesity in Cats

    Excessive Weight in Cats
     
    Obesity is a nutritional disease which is defined by an excess of body fat. Cats that are over nourished, lack the ability to exercise, or that have a tendency to retain weight are at risk for becoming obese. Obesity can result in serious adverse health effects, such as reducing the lifespan of an affected cat, even if the cat is only moderately obese. Multiple areas of the body are affected by excess body fat, including the bones and joints, the digestive organs, and the organs responsible for breathing capacity.
     
    Obesity usually occurs in middle-aged …read more

  • Optic Nerve Swelling in Cats

    Optic Neuritis in Cats
     
    Optic neuritis is a condition in which one or both of the cat’s optic nerves are swollen, resulting in impaired visual function. The optic nerve, sometimes called the cranial nerve, is a nerve in the eye that takes visual information and transmits it to the brain. Optic neuritis affects the ophthalmic and nervous systems of the body.
     
    The primary form of optic neuritis is uncommon; the secondary form, however, is more common and occurs secondary to another disease, such as those affecting the central nervous system.
     
    The condition or disease desc …read more

  • Out-of-place Urethral Lining in Cats

    Urethral Prolapse in Cats
     
    An out-of-place urethral mucosal lining (the mucus-producing lining of the urethral canal that carries urine out of the bladder) is commonly referred to as urethral prolapse. This condition causes mucosal lining to move to the outer portion of the urethra, vaginal, or penile opening, making it visible.
     
    Urethral prolapse can affect several other parts of a cat’s body, including the urinary bladder (the storage sac for urine), the urinary tract, reproductive organs, and the immune system.
     
    In many instances, no specific treatment is required un …read more

  • Ovarian Tumors in Cats

    Ovarian Cysts in Cats
     
    There are three kinds cat ovarian tumors: epithelial tumors (skin/tissue), germ cell tumors (sperm and ova), and stromal tumors (connective tissue). The most common type of ovarian tumor in in cats is sex-cord (granulosa-theca cell) ovarian tumors. Granulosa cells are follicular cells (hollow cells) surrounded by theca cells (which form a surrounding sheath). Ovarian tumors are prone to metastasizing (spreading), and some are capable of producing hormones.
     
    The tumors described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to le …read more

  • Overproduction of Red Blood Cells in Cats

    Polycythemia in Cats
     
    Characterized as an abnormal increase in the amount of red blood cells in the circulatory system, polycythemia is a rather serious blood condition. More specifically, it entails an increase in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (the red pigment of the blood cell), and in red blood cell (RBC) count, above the reference intervals, due to a relative, transient, or absolute increase in the number of circulating red blood cells.
     
    Polycythemia is classified as relative, transient, or absolute. Relative polycythemia develops when a decrease in pla …read more

  • Overproduction of White Blood Cells in the Bone Marrow in Cats

    Hypereosinophilic Syndrome in Cats
     

    Hypereosinophilic syndrome, characterized by persistent eosinophilia — that is, sustained overproduction of eosinophils (white blood cells of the immune system) in the bone marrow, is a disorder of unknown cause. However, its suspected cause is a link to a severe reaction to an unidentified antigen, or impairment of the immune response and control of eosinophil production. This is a multi-system syndrome, with invasion of the tissues by eosinophils and subsequent organ damage and dysfunction.
     
    Organ damage can result from the effects of eo …read more

  • Pain (Acute, Chronic and Postoperative) in Cats

    Sharp/Sudden Pain, Long Term Pain or Pain Following a Surgical Procedure in Cats
     
    One of the biggest challenges in animal care is determining the source of your cat’s pain. This is partly due to their limited ability to convey the pain. Cats vary greatly in their specific responses to pain, and the animal’s age, species, experience, and current environment will also affect their response levels. There are numerous causes of pain; most are commonly associated with tissue damage. Treatment options are available that can help to reduce the amount of pain that your cat is experiencing.
    &n …read more

  • Pain from the Nervous System in Cats

    Neuropathic Pain in Cats
     
    An injury or disease relating to the body’s nerves and how they function, or within the spinal cord itself is commonly the origin of neuropathic pain. This particular kind of pain is difficult to pinpoint, especially in patients that are unable to respond to specific inducements. A common condition seen in cats is diabetes, and a tingling and pain in the hind legs is one form of neuropathic pain.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Damage to the tissues of the body, and the nerves running through them, creates a constant (chronic) pain that is brought o …read more

  • Painful Abdomen in Cats

    Peritonitis in Cats
     
    Acute pain in the abdomen due to sudden inflammation of the abdominal tissues, or peritoneum, is medically referred to as peritonitis. It causes fluid to shift into the peritoneal cavity, leading to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This disorder may be due to infectious causes such as the stomach flu or non-infectious causes such as a hernia.
     
    While younger cats tend to have peritonitis due to infectious and traumatic causes, malignant cancers are more often the cause of acute abdomen in older cats. It is crucial to determine the underlying cau …read more

  • Painful and Frequent Urination in Cats

    Dysuria and Pollakiuria in Cats
     
    While the urinary bladder and urethra normally serve to store and release urine, there are two disorders that affect the lower urinary tract by damaging the bladder wall or stimulating the nerve endings in the bladder or urethra. Dysuria is a condition that leads to painful urination, and pollakiuria refers to abnormally frequent urination. In other words, you’ll have a cat that goes to the bathroom often; the cat may even have pain or show discomfort while urinating.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Extreme irritability
    Discomfor …read more

  • Pancreatic Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in Cats
     
    Neoplasm, or tumor, can be either benign or malignant in nature. Carcinomas are malignant tumors found both in humans and animals. This type of tumor tends to be particularly malignant, often recurring after surgical excision. Adenocarcinomas originate in the glandular tissue and are glandular in structure. Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is a rare tumor in cats, and like other carcinomas it grows rapidly and metastasizes to distant parts and organs of the body. In most cats metastasis is found at the time of diagnosis, thus making treatment difficult …read more

  • Pancreatic Cancer in Cats

    Insulinoma in Cats
     
    Insulinomas are malignant neoplasms – fast growing cancerous tissue – of the beta cells in the pancreas. The beta cells primarily make and secrete insulin, which has a variety of effects in the body, the primary one being to regulate glucose throughout the body’s cells. Because insulinomas secrete excessive insulin, the blood stream becomes low in glucose (hypoglycemia), which causes weakness and/or neurological problems. This disease does not effect cats as much as it does some other household pets, but it can and does occur.
     
    Symptoms
     
    The mo …read more

  • Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury in Cats

    Myelomalacia in Cats
     
    The terms “myelomalacia” or “hematomyelia” are used to denoted an acute, progressive, and ischemic (due to blockage of blood supply) necrosis of the spinal cord after injuring the spinal cord. The premature death (necrosis) of the spinal cord cells first appears at the site of the injury but progresses forward and backward from the point of injury over time. 
     
    Dogs and cats of any age or breed can succumb to this condition.
     
    …read more

  • Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Lesion in Cats

    Schiff-Sherrington Phenomenon in Cats
     
    Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon occurs when the spinal cord is transected by an acute, usually severe lesion to the cat’s lower back (second lumbar vertebrae), causing exaggerated posturing in the upper extremities (front limb extension). Hind limb paralysis (regarded as the release phenomenon) can also occur due to damage to the border cells and interneurons located in the lumbar spinal cord (mainly L2-4), which normally exert influence on the spinal segments below the transection.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Unusual gait

  • Paralysis in Cats

    Loss of Body Movement in Cats
     
    A cat’s ability to move around and perform daily activities depends on the ability of its brain, spine, nerves and muscles to coordinate in tandem. This complex communication system involves nerves in the brain sending messages about the outer environment to the body, and the body sending messages to the brain regarding what it is actually experiencing in the environment. These messages are transmitted through nerves in the spinal cord, which is embedded in the vertebral, or spinal, column. Together, the nerves in the brain and spinal cord make up t …read more

  • Paralysis of the Jaw in Cats

    Trigeminal Neuritis in Cats
     
    Trigeminal nerve neuritis (inflammation) is characterized by the sudden onset of the inability to close the jaw owing to dysfunction of the mandibular (jaw) branch of the trigeminal nerves (one of the cranial nerves). This may be due to nerve injury, which ranges from neuritis, demyelination (loss of the fatty sheath around the nerve which helps conduct the signal), and sometimes to fiber degeneration of all the branches of the trigeminal nerve and the nerve cell body.
     
    This condition is uncommon in cats when compared to

  • Paralysis-inducing Spinal Cord Disease in Cats

    Myelopathy–Paresis/Paralysis in Cats
     
    Myelopathy refers to any disease affecting the spinal cord. Depending upon the severity and location of the disease, it can cause weakness (paresis) or complete loss of voluntary movements (paralysis). Paresis or paralysis may affect all four of the cat’s limbs (teraparesis/plegia), the hind limbs (para-), front limbs (hemi-), or just one limb (mono-).
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The severity and extent of the spinal cord disease, as mentioned above, will determine how severe the weakness and paralysis is. However, external stimuli w …read more

  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Cats

    Conditions Due to Abnormal Secretions from a Tumor in Cats
     
    Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are a group of disorders that result from the abnormal secretions of a hormone or hormone-like product from a cancerous tumor, or from the body’s immune response to the tumor. These secretions affect the related tissues or organs (that is, the tissues and organs that are directly related to the affected organ) and generate an abnormal clinical response in cats dealing with cancer.
     
    Such a response is not due to the invasiveness of the primary tumor, but is a secondary response to the …read more

  • Parasitic Blood Infection (Haemobartonellosis) in Cats

    Hemotrophic Mycoplasmosis (Haemobartonellosis) in Cats
     
    The mycoplasma bacteria are the most common cause of urinary tract infections and pneumonia. They are a class of bacterial parasite belonging to the order of Mollicutes. These parasites lack true cell walls and are able to survive without oxygen, making them resistant to antibiotics and therefore a greater challenge to detect and treat.
     
    Hemotrophic mycoplasmosis is an infection of the red blood cells by mycoplasma. It can be either M. haemofelis, the most severe form that affects cats, or M. haemominutum

  • Parasitic Infection of the Respiratory Tract in Cats

    Respiratory Parasites in Cats
     
    Respiratory parasites can be worms, or insects such as maggots or mites that live in the respiratory system, either in the passages or in the blood vessels. The infestation might affect the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, throat, and windpipe, or the lower respiratory passage, including the bronchi and lungs.
     
    Such parasites affect all of the host’s systems: the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system (the heart), the circulatory system, and the endocrine system (the liver and kidneys).
     
    Animals that live in multip …read more

  • Particles in the Urine in Cats

    Cylindruria in Cats
     
    Particle matter in the urine may indicate that there is a primary kidney disease, or that there is a systemic disorder that is affecting the kidneys secondarily. The medical term for this condition is cylindruria, and it is characterized by an abnormally high amount of particle matter (casts) in the urine sediment. If there is particle matter in your cat’s urine, you will need to have a urinalysis done within two hours of excretion, since the casts will typically dissolve after two hours.
     
    Causes
     
    Listed below are several possible conditions that wo …read more

  • Pattern Baldness in Cats

    Feline Symmetrical Alopecia in Cats
     
    Alopecia is the medical term given for hair loss. Feline symmetrical alopecia is a distinctive form of hair loss in cats, characterized by hair loss forming in a symmetrical pattern with no gross changes to the skin. This symptom is a characteristic manifestation of a number of underlying disorders, including parasites (such as fleas), or infection.
     
    There is no apparent age, breed, or gender that is more susceptible to this form of hair loss in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Feline symmetrical alopecia is evident by partial to …read more

  • Pediatric Behavior Problems in Cats

    Behavioral Problems in Cats (or Kittens)
     
    Pediatric behavior problems refer to undesirable behaviors exhibited by kittens between birth and puberty. It is important to address this as early as possible, because behaviors acquired during this age range may be difficult to change later. Preventative measures to avoid such behaviors are essential, as kittens are very vulnerable to physiological and environmental influences.
     
    The most common problems are related to play, fearfulness, defensive aggression, and …read more

  • Pelger-Huët Anomaly in Cats

     
    Pelger-Huët anomaly is an inherited disorder in which the neutrophils become hyposegmented (i.e., the nucleus of the cells has only two lobes or no lobes at all). For the most part, this is a harmless disorder which affects domestic shorthair cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are two types of this benign defect: heterozygous and homozygous. The heterozygous version is more common and is recognized because the cat’s mature neutrophils resemble bands (slightly immature neutrophils) and metamyelocytes (a predecessor of granular leukocytes). Heterozygous anomaly is not …read more

  • Pink Growths in the Nose and Pharynx in Cats

    Nasal and Nasopharyngeal Polyps in cats
     
    Nasal polyps refer to protruding pink polypoid growths that are benign (not cancerous), and that are found to arise from the mucous membranes – the moist tissues lining the nose. Nasopharyngeal polyps refer to similar benign growths, but in this case may be found extending into the ear canal, pharynx (throat), and nasal cavity. Kittens and young adult cats between the ages of four months to approximately seven years are especially susceptible to the development of nasopharyngeal polyps.
     
    The symptoms caused by nasal polyps can mimic illn …read more

  • Pit Viper Bite Poisoning in Cats

    Pit Viper Snake Venom Toxicosis in Cats
     

    Pit vipers are known by several species: Crotalus (rattlesnakes), Sistrurus (pigmy rattlesnakes and massassauga), and Agkistrodon (copperheads and cottonmouth water moccasins). These snakes are of the family Crotalinae, and are recognized for their retractable fangs. They can be distinguished from other snakes by the heat-seeking pit located between the nostril and eye on their triangle-shaped heads. Their range is throughout the c …read more

  • Pneumonia (Aspiration) in Cats

    Pneumonia from Inhalation of Foreign Matter in Cats
     
    Aspiration pneumonia is a condition in which a cat’s lungs become inflamed due to the inhalation of foreign matter, from vomiting, or from the regurgitation of gastric acid contents. This type of pneumonia can also be a direct result of a neuromuscular disorder, which would cause difficulty with swallowing, as well as problems associated with the esophagus, with possible paralysis of the esophagus.
     
    Other causes for a dysfunction of the lungs may be an obstructed airway, or inhalation of gastric acids, which can cause extensi …read more

  • Pneumonia (Bacterial) in Cats

     
    While pneumonia refers to an inflammation of the cat’s lungs, bacterial pneumonia refers specifically to an inflammation of the lungs in response to a disease-causing bacteria. This inflammation is characterized by an accumulation of cells and fluid in the lungs, airways, and alveoli (the portion of the airways in which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged).
     
    Prognosis for bacterial pneumonia is generally good if properly treated. However, there are two secondary effects (hypoxemia and sepsis) that may result from bacterial pneumonia, and which are associated with increase …read more

  • Pneumonia (Fungal) in Cats

    Fungal Pneumonia in Cats
     
    When your cat’s lungs become inflammed due to a deep fungal infection, known as mycotic infection, it may have fungal pneumonia. The inflammation in this form of pneumonia may occur in the interstitial tissues (the spaces between the tissue cells); in the lymphatic vessels (the vessels within the body that transport white-blood-cell-rich lymph liquid); or in the peribronchial tissues of the lung (the tissues surrounding the bronchi — the airways going from the windpipe to the lungs).
     
    Both dogs and cats may develop fungal pneumonia, although this type …read more

  • Pneumonia (Interstitial) in Cats

    Interstitial Pneumonia in Cats
     
    Pneumonia refers to an inflammation in the cat’s lungs. Interstitial pneumonia, meanwhile, refers to a form of pneumonia in which the inflammation occurs in the walls of the cat’s alveoli (the air cells of the lungs), or in the interstitium (the spaces between the tissue cells of the alveoli). The alveoli are cellular components of the cat’s airway — where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
     
    Interstitial pneumonia can occur in both cats and dogs, with some breeds being more susceptible than others. If you would like to learn more about ho …read more

  • Poisoning by Petroleum Products in Cats

    Petroleum Hydrocarbon Toxicosis in Cats
     
    When a cat is exposed to refined petroleum oil products, or ingests products of this type, it can result in a severe and disease-like physical reaction, which is referred to as petroleum hydrocarbon toxicosis.
     
    Petroleum products that commonly poison small animals are fuels, solvents, lubricants, and waxes, as well as some pesticides and paints that have a petroleum base. Petroleum products like benzene and turpentine are more likely to be inhaled into the lungs, causing chemical pneumonitis, a life-threatening condition in which the pet …read more

  • Posterior Displacement of the Bladder in Cats

    Pelvic Bladder in Cats
     
    A cat’s bladder may be displaced from its normal position due to anatomical irregularities, which can in the course of time affect the urethral size and/or position of the urethra, leading to concurrent infections of the urethra and/or bladder.
     
    With posterior displacement of the bladder, the bladder is displaced caudally (i.e., near the tail). This condition is also referred to as caudal displacement, and as pelvic bladder, as the bladder is found in the pelvic area, rather than closer to the abdominal area.
     
    When compared to dogs, this conditio …read more

  • Postpartum Low Blood Calcium in Cats

    Postpartum Eclampsia in Cats
     
    Eclampsia is a deficiency of blood calcium (hypocalcemia) that develops in the weeks after giving birth, although it may develop prior to birth or during lactation. Also called “milk fever,” eclampsia is usually due to an underactive parathyroid gland, the gland that is responsible for regulating the parathyroid hormone, which in turn regulates the amount of calcium that is stored in the bones, to be removed as needed for use in the blood. As the parathyroid gland has not being signaled to stimulate the parathyroid hormone to release calcium from …read more

  • Pouch-like sacs on the Esophageal Wall in Cats

    Esophageal Diverticula in Cats
     
    Pulsion diverticula is a pushing outward of the wall of an internal, hollow organ, in this case, the esophagus. It is caused by increased pressure from within the esophageal cavity (intraluminal). This is directly related to esophageal diverticula, which is characterized by large, pouch-like sacs on the esophageal wall. Traction diverticula occurs secondary to inflammation, where fibrosis and contraction pull the wall of the esophagus out into a pouch, resulting in obstruction or failure of the esophageal muscles to move food through to the stomach.
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  • Prostate Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Prostatic Adenocarcinoma in Cats
     
    The prostate gland is an important part of the male reproductive system. It contains many valuable and essential enzymes, including calcium and citric acid,and also plays an important role in the protection and motility of sperm. The liquid secreted by the prostate gland aids in the liquefaction of semen after ejaculation, and in the protection of sperm in the vagina.
     
    Adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland is reported in cats but is relatively rare in this species as compared to dogs. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland originates in the glandu …read more

  • Prostate Inflammation and Abscessation in Cats

    Prostatitis and Prostatic Abscess in Cats
     
    Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that is commonly the result of a long-standing infection that has gone undetected. An abscess of the prostate, demonstrated by a pus filled sac, may lead to prostatitis. Prostatitis is divided into two phases: acute (early), and chronic (later, farther into the disease).
     
    Acute prostatitis occurs with the sudden onset of a bacterial infection in the prostate. Occasionally, the abscess may rupture and its contents will spill into the abdominal cavity.
     
    Chronic prostatitis occurs whe …read more

  • Protein Deposits in Liver (Amyloidosis) in Cats

    Hepatic Amyloidosis in Cats
     
    Hepatic amyloidosis refers to the deposition of amyloid in the liver. Amyloidosis belongs to a group of disorders, all sharing a common feature: the pathologic and abnormal deposition of the fibrous protein amyloid into various tissues of the body, disrupting normal functioning of these areas. The accumulation of amyloid often occurs secondary to an underlying inflammatory or lympho-proliferative disorder. For example, when lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are produced in excessive quantities, amyloidosis can be a reaction to this condition. …read more

  • Protein Deposits in the Body in Cats

    Amyloidosis in Cats
     
    Amyloidosis is a condition in which a waxy translucent substance – consisting primarily of protein – deposits in a cat’s organs and tissues. Prolonged excess of this condition may lead to organ failure. The kidney and liver are the most commonly affected, but amyloid deposition can also take place in other organs as well. No genetic involvement has been found, but familial liver amyloidosis is seen in Siamese and

  • Protrusion of the Rectum and Anus in Cats

    Rectal and Anal Prolapse in Cats
     
    Anal or rectal prolapse is a condition in which one or more layers of the cat’s rectum are displaced through the anus, the opening which allows digestive waste to leave the body. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including disorders of the digestive, urinary, or genital systems.
     
    Although cats of any gender, age, or breed may be affected by this disorder, the Manx cat appears to be more prone to the conditions. If you would like to learn how these disorders affect dogs, please visit

  • Pus Cavity Forming Under Tooth in Cats

    Tooth Root (Apical) Abscess in Cats  Much like humans, cats experience apical abscesses, or pus formations that form under or in the tissues surrounding the cat’s tooth.   Abscesses occur for a variety of reasons, cause extreme pain, and can be treated with much success. If left untreated, however, bacteria can spead into other areas of the mouth, causing serious medical conditions.   Apical abscesses affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how this condition affects dogs, please visit

  • Pus in the Chest Cavity of Cats

    Pyothorax in Cats
     
    Pyothorax occurs when pus, the body’s natural immune response to an invasion of bacteria, accumulates in the chest (pleural) cavity. Made up of white blood cells (neutrophils) and dead cells, pus gathers at the site of an infection. Eventually, the white blood cells die, leaving the thick whitish-yellow fluid that is characteristic of pus.
     
    Pus that accumulates in the chest cavity, however, differs from an abscess, in that it does not create an enclosed wall of tissue to inhibit the bacteria from spreading. Instead, the pus forms into sacs that line the pleur …read more

  • Pus in the Urine in Cats

    Pyuria in Cats
     
    Pyuria is a medical condition that can be associated with any pathologic process (infectious or noninfectious) that causes cellular injury or death, with tissue damage provoking oozing inflammation. Pyuria is characterized by evidence of increased white and red blood cells and protein in the urine. Large numbers of white blood cells in voided urine samples can indicate an active inflammation somewhere along the urogenital tract.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Local Effects of Inflammation
    Redness of mucosal surfaces (e.g., redness of vaginal or …read more

  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency in Cats

     
    A deficiency in the enzyme Pyruvate Kinase (PK) impairs the red blood cells’ (RBCs) ability to metabolize, which in turn may cause anemia and other blood-related issues. Breeds more prone to PK deficiency include the Abyssinian, Somali, and domestic shorthair cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Anemia
    Weakness
    Muscle wasting
    Jaundice (rare)
    Pale mucous membranes
    Elevated heart rate (tachycardia)
    Inability to perform routine exercises

     
    Causes
     
    PK defincien …read more

  • Q Fever in Cats

    Bacterial Zoonotic Disease in Cats
     
    Q fever is a disease caused by an infection with Coxiella burnetii, a pathogenic bacterium that is structurally similar to the Rickettsia bacteria but genetically different.
     
    A cat will most commonly become infected with the organism if it ingests infected bodily fluids (i.e., urine, feces, milk, discharges), tissues, or diseased carcasses (e.g., those from cattle, sheep, or goats). The bacteria can also become airborne and is transmittable through fleas or lice, which carry C. burnetii in its parasitic form.
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  • Rabies in Cats

     
    Rabies is an inflammatory infection that specifically affects the gray matter of the cat’s brain and its central nervous system (CNS). The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to cats in the United States is through a bite from a disease carrier: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. Infectious virus particles are retained in a rabid animal’s salivary glands to better disseminate the virus through their saliva.
     
    Once the virus enters the cat’s body, it replicates in the cells of the muscles and then spreads to the closest nerve fibers, including all peripheral, sensory and …read more

  • Rapid Heart Beat in Cats

    Supraventricular Tachycardia in Cats
     
    Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a medical condition that is characterized by a rapid heart rate that occurs during times of rest or low activity (i.e., at times other than exercise, illness, or stress). A heart rate that remains excessively high over the long-term (such as those seen with SVT) can lead to progressive myocardial (heart muscle) failure as well as congestive heart failure.
     
    SVT may go unnoticed when it is periodic, but when there are repetitive supraventricular premature electrical heart depolarizations (changes in the h …read more

  • Rapid Heart Rate in Cats

    Sinus Tachycardia in Cats
     
    Changes in heart rate usually involve a reciprocal action of the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system (i.e., the automatic impulses of the system that control such actions as breathing and heart rate). Sinus tachycardia (ST) is clinically described as a sinus rhythm (heartbeat) with impulses that arise at a faster-than-normal rate: greater than 240 beats per minute in cats.
     
    Severe tachycardia can compromise cardiac output, as too rapid rates shorten the diastolic filling time, the point in which the chambers of th …read more

  • Red Eye in Cats

    Inflammation of the Eye in Cats
     
    Red eye is a condition that causes the cat’s eye to turn, well, red. This inflammation may be due to various factors, including excess blood in the eyelids (hyperemia) or in the eye’s blood vessels (ocular vasculature). This occurs when ocular blood vessels expand in response to extraocular or intraocular (outside of, and within the eye, respectively) inflammation, or a passive accumulation of blood.
     
    The condition described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how red eye affects dogs, ple …read more

  • Red Eyes in Cats

    Episcleritis in Cats
     
    Episcleritis is a medical condition of the eye, where the episclera (white part of the eye) appears red, but does not have any related discharge or excess tearing. This condition is typically benign and easy to treat using topical ointments or eye drops. The inflammation may appear as either a nodule or a thickening of the sclera (white part of the eye). Although it is typically limited to the specific area, it is possible for the inflammation to spread to other areas of the eye. The outcome is generally positive with treatment, although there are possible complic …read more

  • Regurgitation in Cats

     
    When a cat’s stomach contents (i.e., food) move backwards, up into the esophageal track and into the mouth, this is referred to as regurgitation. This medical condition can be congenital or it can be acquired from a variety of causes. Fortunately, modifications to your cat’s diet, in conjunction with medication, will correct the condition in most cases.
     
    Regurgitation can occur in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how this medical disorder affects dogs, please visit this page in the P …read more

  • Reproductive Genetic Abnormalities in Cats

    Sexual Development Disorders in Cats
      
    Sexual development disorders in cats can occur due to errors in the genetic coding, involving chromosomes responsible for the development of the sex organs – including the gonads (the male and female reproductive organs), or when errors in gene development result in abnormal sexual differentiation, making it difficult to distinguish between male and female animals.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    This condition is usually caused by disorders affecting the chromosomes that determine the traits of an animal’s sexual function. Gonadal disor …read more

  • Retained Afterbirth in Cats

    Retained Placenta in Cats
     
    A retained placenta, or retained afterbirth, occurs when the placenta (the sac surrounding an unborn kitten) is not expelled from the mother’s uterus along with the kitten at the time of birth or shortly after.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Green discharge from vulva that continues
    Fever (in some cases)
    Systemic disease (in some cases)

     
    Causes
     
    The placenta is retained in the uterus rather than being expelled with or shortly after the birth of the kitten.
    …read more

  • Retained Deciduous Teeth in Cats

    Retained Baby Teeth in Cats
     
    A retained or persistent deciduous (baby) tooth is one that is still present despite the eruption of the permanent tooth (which takes place between three to sevens months of age). Such teeth may go undiagnosed until later in life.
     
    Persistent deciduous teeth can cause the permanent teeth to erupt in abnormal positions, resulting in a bad bite. The “bite” describes how the upper and lower teeth fit together in the mouth and can have a significant effect on biting and chewing. Early recognition and reparative dental care is essential. Reta …read more

  • Retained Testicle in Cats

    Cryptorchidism in Cats
     
    Cryptorchidism is a condition characterized by incomplete or nonexistent descent of the testes. The testes normally descend into the scrotum while an animal is still very young. For cats, the testes have generally dropped into place before birth. When the descent of one, or both, of the testes does not take place, the testis that has not descended is retained somewhere in the lower part of the body. For example, they are sometimes retained in the inguinal canal – a passage in the groin that conveys the spermatic cord to the testes. If the testis is in the inguin …read more

  • Ringworm in Cats

    Dermatophytosis in Cats
     
    Dermatophytosis is the medical term for a parasitic fungal infection affecting the skin, hair, and/or nails (claws). The most commonly isolated fungal organisms are Microsporum canis (more commonly referred to as ringworm), Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum gypseum. This disease occurs in dogs, cats, and other mammals. In cats, these infections are more common in long-haired breeds than short-haired breeds. It is also diagnosed more commonly in young animals than in old.
     
    The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect b …read more

  • Runny Nose in Cats

    Nasal Discharge in Cats

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    …read more

  • Salmonella Infection in Cats

    Salmonellosis in Cats
     
    Salmonellosis is an infection found in cats caused by the Salmonella bacteria. Along with causing gastroenteritis and septicemia in cats, salmonellosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease, meaning it can be transmitted to humans.
     
    Salmonellosis can also affect dogs. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The severity of the disease will often determin …read more

  • Scaly Skin in Cats

    Exfoliative Dermatoses in Cats
     
    Exfoliative dermatoses refers to a group of skin disorders that can be traced to one or more underlying disorders, which may vary in severity and treatment methods, but that share the common symptom of scaling skin. Therefore, exfoliative dermatoses is not the primary diagnosis, but the main descriptor. It is typically due to excessive or abnormal shedding, excessive accumulation of skin cells, or a loss of the cells’ ability to adhere to each other.
     
    If your cat is pregnant, you will need to make your veterinarian aware immediately, as some medi …read more

  • Seizures in Cats

    Idiopathic Epilepsy in Cats
     
    Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes the affected cat to have sudden, uncontrolled, recurring physical attacks, with or without loss of consciousness. When this occurs for unknown reasons, it is referred to as idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsy is more common in dogs than in cats. 
     
    Symptoms and Types 
     
    Seizures in cats are usually preceded by a short aura (or focal onset). When this occurs the cat may appear frightened and dazed, or it may hide or seek attention. Once the seizure begins, the cat will fall on its side. It may become …read more

  • Separation of the Inner Lining of the Eye in Cats

    Retinal Detachment in Cats
     
    Retinal detachment is a disorder in which the retina separates from the innermost lining of the eyeball. This can be caused by a variety of genetic and non-genetic factors, and in some cases is a result of a more serious underlying medical condition. There are some forms of treatment, although retinal detachment may lead to permanent blindness.
     
    The condition described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how retinal detachment affects dogs, please visit

  • Severely Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Cats

    Ventricular Fibrillation in Cats
     
    When ventricle muscles in the heart begin to contract in a disorganized fashion, they quiver, also called ventricular fibrillation. Due to this uncoordinated contraction, blood circulation may cease within minutes, which may be fatal. Although it can affect cats at any age, it seems to affect those that are older.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Systemic illnesses associated with cardiac disease
    Previous history of heart beat rhythm problems (cardiac arrhythmia)
    Collapse
    Death

    &n …read more

  • Shock Due to Bacterial Infection in Cats

    Septic Shock in Cats
     
    Septic shock, or sepsis, is a serious physical condition associated with generalized bacterial infection of the body. It develops as a complication of an overwhelming generalized systemic infection. Septic shock is associated with low blood flow (hypoperfusion) or low blood pressure (hypotension), which may or may not respond to fluids or medical treatment given to maintain arterial blood pressure. Cats that are very young or very old are at increased risk due to their undeveloped or lowered immune responses, respectively.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

  • Shock Due to Decrease in Circulation in Dogs

    Hypovolemic Shock in Cats
     
    Hypovolemic shock is a condition that occurs when a cat’s blood volume or fluid levels drastically drop and shock can begin rapidly. This medical condition affects the renal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and the respiratory systems of the cat. Hypovolemic shock is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Severe weakness
    Cool feet
    Poor pulse; a pulse that is difficult to read
    Very low blood pressure
    Severe lethargy or inactivity
    …read more

  • Shock Due to Heart Failure in Cats

    Cardiogenic Shock
     
    Cardiogenic shock results from profound impairment of cardiac function, leading to a decrease in stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped out of each ventricle during contraction) and cardiac output, congestion of the veins, and narrowing of the blood vessels. Cardiac dysfunction may be caused by an enlarged or dilated heart muscle, compression of the lining of the heart, outflow obstructions, blood clot, severe heart disease, heartworm disease, or severe arrhythmias. Cardiac pump failure may also be secondary to a systemic disease which causes the myocardial layer …read more

  • Shoulder Joint Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats

    Bicipital Tenosynovitis, Brachii Muscle Rupture, and Supraspinatus Avulsion in Cats
     

    A ligament is a band of connective or fibrous tissue that connects two bones or cartilage at a joint, and a tendon is a band of connective or fibrous tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The shoulder joint is a “ball-and-socket” joint that is held together and supported by ligaments and tendons. In four legged animals, the shoulder is made up of the scapula/shoulder blade bones, and the humerus/upper bone of the front leg. Conditions that affect the tendons and ligaments of the should …read more

  • Side Effects of Medications for Anxiety in Cats

    Serotonin Syndrome in Cats
     
    Anxiety disorders are common in indoor cats. Signs of anxiety include aggression, elimination outside of the litter box, excessive self-grooming, and hyperactivity. Drugs commonly used as antidepressants in humans are usually prescribed to treat feline anxiety issues.
     
    These medications affect the level of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that works in the brain, and is found in the nervous system. It regulates behavior, awareness of pain, appetite, movement, body temperature, and function of the heart and lungs.
    &n …read more

  • Skin and Toe Cancer (Melanocytic) in Cats

    Melanocytic Tumors of the Skin and Digits in Cats
     
    Melanocytic tumors are benign or cancerous growths, arising from melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells) and melanoblasts (melanin-producing cells that develop or mature into melanocytes). These tumors do not seem to have a genetic basis; however, cat ages 8 to 14 seem to have a predilection to the condition.
     
    In addition, melanocytic tumors can be found in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about this condition affects dogs, please visit

  • Skin Blisters (Vesiculopustular Dermatoses) in Cats

    Vesiculopustular Dermatoses in Cats
     
    A pustule is also a small, defined elevation of the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) that is filled with pus – a mixture of white blood cells, cellular debris, dead tissue, and serum, the clear watery fluid that separates from the blood. A vesicle, or blister, is a small, defined elevation of the outer layer of the skin (known as the epidermis) that is filled only with with serum.
     
    Vesiculo- refers to vesicles; this prefixed form is attached to the diseased condition that is concurrent with the cause of the blister.
     
    Pustul …read more

  • Skin Bumps (Granulomatous Dermatoses) in Cats

    Sterile Nodular/Granulomatous Dermatoses in Cats
     
    Sterile nodular/granulomatous dermatoses are diseases in which the primary lesions or masses of tissue, are solid, elevated, and greater than one centimeter in diameter. These nodules are usually the result of an infiltration of inflammatory cells into the skin and be a reaction to interal or external stimuli.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Nodular dermatofibrosis
    Calcinosis circumscripta
    Malignant histiocytosis

     
    Causes
     

    Amyloidosis (a wax …read more

  • Skin Bumps (Papulonodular Dermatoses) Cats

    Papulonodular Dermatoses in Cats   Bumps that are found on the surface of the skin, and which have a solid appearance without liquid or pus within (nonsupperative), are medically termed papulonodular dermatoses. These bumps are classified as either papules or nodules.    Symptoms and Types   Papules are the result of tissue infiltration by inflammatory cells. While nodules, which are larger than papules, are the result of a massive infiltration of inflammatory or cancerous cells into the layers of the skin.   These papules and/or nodules are essentially raised bumps o …read more

  • Skin Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Sweat Gland, Sebaceous Adenocarcinoma in Cats
     
    While skin tumors are most common on the face, they can occur anywhere a cat has sweat glands. Adenocarcinoma is a glandular skin cancer that occurs when a malignant growth develops from sebaceous glands and sweat glands. Skin cancer appears as solid, firm or raised areas (lesions) on the skin. The lesions can bleed (ulcerate) and the area may swell or become red. Treatment options are generally effective when started early and in many cases leads to a positive outcome.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Lesions can be present on the bod …read more

  • Skin Cancer (Basal Cell Tumor) in Cats

    Basal Cell Tumor in Cats
     
    Basal cell tumor is the one of the most common skin cancers in animals. In fact, it accounts for 15 to 26 percent of all skin tumors in cats. Originating in the skin’s basal epithelium — one of the deepest skin layers — basal cell tumors tend to occur in older cats, especially Siamese cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    As with other tumors, basal cell tumors can either be benign (e.g., basal cell epithelioma and basaloid tumor) or malignant (e.g., basal cell carcinoma). Howeve …read more

  • Skin Cancer (Epidermotropic Lymphoma) in Cats

    Epidermotropic Lymphoma in Cats
     
    Epidermotropic Lymphoma is a malignant tumor affecting the skin of cats and considered a subset of cutaneous (skin) T-cell lymphoma. Like other forms lymphoma, this cancer originates in the lymphocyte cells of the immune system. A type of white blood cell, lymphocytes play an integral role in the body’s defenses and are mainly seen in two forms: B-cells and T-cells.
     
    Cats of all ages and breeds are susceptible to this cancer, though it usually affects older animals.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Itching
    L …read more

  • Skin Cancer (Hemangiosarcoma) in Cats

    Hemangiosarcoma of the Skin in Cats
     
    The endothelial cells make up the layer of cells collectively referred to as the endothelium, which lines the inner surface of blood vessels, including, but not limited to, the veins, arteries, and intestines. These cells are responsible for the smooth flow of blood within the lumen (interior space) of all of the body’s inner structures and tubular spaces. A hemangiosarcoma of the skin is a malignant tumor which arises from the endothelial cells. As the endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, a hemangiosarcoma can occur at any point in …read more

  • Skin Cancer (Mucocutaneous Plasmacytoma) in Cats

    Mucocutaneous Plasmacytoma
     
    A mucocutaneous plasmacytoma is a rapidly developing skin tumor of plasma cells origin. This type of tumor is rare in cats, but is most often found in the on the trunk and legs.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    In addition to being found on the trunk and legs, mucocutaneous plasmacytomas may develop on the mouth, feet, and ears (lip tumors are particularly small and often overlooked). These tumors are generally solitary, solid nodules, either raised or ulcerated.
     
    Causes
     
    The underlying cause for the development of these tumors has yet to …read more

  • Skin Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Cats

    Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats
     
    The epidermis, or skin, consists of several layers. The outer layer is made up of scale like cells called the squamous epithelium. This layer of tissue covers the surface of much of the body, and lines the cavities of the body. A squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the squamous epithelium. It may appear to be a white plaque, or a raised bump on the skin. Often the raised mass will necrotize in the center and ulcerate, with occasional bleeding.
     
    As carcinomas are characteristically malignant and particularly i …read more

  • Skin Disease (Dermatophilosis) in Cats

    Dermatophilosis in Cats
     
    Dermatophilosis is a skin disease most prevalent in warm, wet, or humid climates. This condition is rare in cats, but when it does occur, the chances of contraction are higher in cats with wet skin, or that have skin that is compromised from parasitic bites, such as from fleas or ticks, or other types of wounds. As noted, wet skin, and wet scabs, are more prone to infection, since moisture encourages the germination of zoospores and the spread of hyphae, a fungal cell, throughout the body. Humidity plays a part in increased infection rates by creating an enviro …read more

  • Skin Disease Due to Food Allergies in Cats

    Dermatologic Food Reactions in Cats
     
    While the pathogenesis of dermatologic food reactions is not fully understood, immediate reactions and delayed reactions to food are thought to be due to a hypersensitive immune response. Dermatologic food reactions are non-seasonal reactions which occur following ingestion of one or more allergy causing substances in an animal’s food. The physical reaction is frequently excessive itchiness, with resultant excessive scratching at the skin.
     
    On the other hand, food intolerance is a non-immunologic idiosyncratic reaction due to the meta …read more

  • Skin Disease, Autoimmune (Pemphigus) in Cats

    Pemphigus in Cats
     
    Pemphigus is a general designation for a group of autoimmune skin diseases involving ulceration and crusting of the skin, as well as the formation of fluid-filled sacs and cysts (vesicles), and pus filled lesions (pustules). Some types of pemphigus can also affect the skin tissue of the gums. An autoimmune disease is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies: antibodies that are produced by the system, but which act against the body’s healthy cells and tissues – just as white blood cells act against infection. In effect, the body is attacking itself. The …read more

  • Skin Diseases from Allergies in Cats

    Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex in Cats
     
    Eosinophilic granuloma complex in cats often is a confusing term for three distinct syndromes that cause inflammation of the skin:
     

    Eosinophilic plaque – circumscribed, raised, round to oval lesions that frequently are ulcerated. They are usually located on the abdomen or thighs. These lesions contain a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil.
    Eosinophilic granuloma – a mass or nodular lesion containing eosinophils usually found on the back of the thighs, on the face, or in the mouth.
    …read more

  • Skin Infections and Loss of Skin Color Disorders in Cats

    Dermatoses, Depigmenting Disorders
     
    Skin dermatoses is a medical term that can be applied to any number of bacterial infections of the skin or genetic diseases of the skin. Some dermatoses are cosmetic conditions involving loss of pigmentation of the skin and/or hair coat, but are otherwise not harmful.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    White hair (known as leukotrichia)
    Partial or total lack of pigment in the skin (known as leukoderma)
    Reddening of the skin (known as erythema)
    Loss of the top surface of the skin (known as an e …read more

  • Skin Inflammation Due to Allergies (Atopy) in Cats

    Atopic Dermatitis in Cats 
     
    Atopic Dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronic skin disease associated with allergies. These allergic reactions can be brought on by normally harmless substances like grass, mold spores, house dust mites, and other environmental allergens. 
     
    Furthermore, dogs are more prone to atopic dermatitis than cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Typ …read more

  • Skin Inflammation of the Paws in Cats

    Pododermatitis in Cats
     
    Pododermatitis is a medical term for skin inflammation, particularly inflammation of the cat’s feet or paws. Fortunately, prognosis is positive with treatment.
     
    The disease is more common in dogs than it is in cats. However, if you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms
     
    The following symptoms are commonly seen:
     

    Lameness
    R …read more

  • Skin Mite Dermatitis in Cats

    Cheyletiellosis in Cats
     
    An infestation of the Cheyletiella mite is medically referred to as cheyletiellosis. The Cheyletiella mite is a highly contagious, zoonotic skin parasite that feeds on the the keratin layer of the skin — the outer layer — and on the tissue fluid of the top layer. This parasitic skin condition is similar to a flea infestation, and is treated with the same products, and with the same environmental methods used for exterminating fleas. Prevalence varies by geographic region largely because common flea-control insecticides control it. …read more

  • Skin Rash Due to Contact with Irritants in Cats

    Contact Dermatitis
     
    Dermatitis due to allergy is rare in young animals, and is extremely rare in cats unless they are exposed to insecticides that contain oil extracted from a citrus rind, a common allergen. Contact dermatitis may be caused by an allergy, or it may simply mean that your cat has touched something that has irritated its skin, such as the sap in poison ivy, or salt on a road. It is usually limited to one area; an overall reaction, as from shampoo, is uncommon. It can be difficult to distinguish one cause from another because the symptoms usually appear the same. If it see …read more

  • Skin Reactions to Drugs in Cats

    Cutaneous Drug Eruptions in Cats
     
    Cutaneous drug eruptions can vary markedly in clinical appearance and pathophysiology – the functional change that accompanies the disease. They can cover a spectrum of diseases and clinical signs, and it is likely that many mild drug reactions go unnoticed or unreported; thus, incidence rates for specific drugs are unknown and most of the facts available on drug-specific reactions have been extrapolated from reports in the human literature.
     
    Some types of drug reactions appear to have a familial basis.
     
    Symptoms and Types
      …read more

  • Skin Tumor (Histiocytoma) in Cats

    Histiocytoma in Cats
     
    The Langerhans cells are immune cells that function to provide protective immunity to the tissues that are in contact with the outer environment — the nose, stomach, intestines and lungs, but mainly the skin’s surface. These cells are also referred to as dendritic cells, and histiocytes. A histiocytoma is a benign skin tumor that originates in the Langerhans cells.
     
    Histiocytomas are rare in cats, but its occurrence is not limited by breed, age or gender.
     
    Symptoms
     

    Small, firm, dome or button-shaped masses …read more

  • Skin Ulcers and Depigmentation (Immune-Related) in Cats

    Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus in Cats
     

    Cutaneous (dicoid) Lupus Erythematosus is an immune-mediated skin disease, or a disease brought on by abnormal activity of the immune system, whereby it attacks its own body. Relatively uncommon in cats, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus is considered a variant of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms of cutaneous lupus erythematosus depend on where the immune system is attacking the body, and may appear or disappear and vary in intensity. The following are a few of the more common symptoms seen in cats:
    …read more

  • Skin Ulcers in Cats

    Dermatoses, Erosive or Ulcerative in Cats
     
    With ulcers, the surface layers of the skin are compromised completely, since the defects go deep into the skin. Ulcers require careful wound care to prevent infection, and tend to heal slowly. Erosions are shallow defects in the skin that only affect the skin’s upper layers. Erosions can be quite painful, but tend to heal quickly if the skin is protected and the underlying cause is eliminated.
     
    Erosive or ulcerative dermatoses are from a group of dissimilar skin disorders characterized by the presence of erosions or ulcers.
     
    S …read more

  • Slipped Disc, Bad Back, and Muscle Spasms in Cats

    Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Cats
     
    Although intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is seen less frequently in cats than dogs, it is still a serious condition. IVDD occurs when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column either bulge or burst (herniate) into the spinal cord space. These discs then press on the nerves running through the spinal cord causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Made up of a gelatinous substance surrounded by a thick outer layer, intervertebral discs are basically the shock absorbers of the s …read more

  • Small Sized Testes in Cats

    Testicular Degeneration and Hypoplasia in Cats
     
    Cats with smaller than normal testes are often not diagnosed until they have attempted to breed and have been unsuccessful, leading to a veterinary check. There are different conditions that can lead to this disorder: underdevelopment or incomplete development of the testes, also known as hypoplasia; and degeneration of the testes, which refers to the loss of potency after the stage of puberty has arrived. The latter condition is more typical in older cats.
     
    Both of these conditions can be due to a condition that was present at bi …read more

  • Smoke Inhalation in Cats

    Lung Damage Due to Smoke Inhalation in Cats
     
    In smoke inhalation, the extent of damage depends on the degree and duration of exposure to smoke and the material that was burning. Injury to the tissue is seen after inhalation of carbon monoxide, which decreases tissue oxygen delivery by binding to red blood cells; inhalation of other toxins that directly irritate the airway (e.g., oxidants and aldehydes); and inhalation of particulate matter that adheres to the airways and small air sacs in the lungs.
     
    Cats may have serious lung injury with little evidence of burning on the skin. …read more

  • Sneezing, Reverse Sneezing, and Gagging in Cats

     
    Sneezing refers to the normal reflexive behavior of expelling air to remove matter through the nasal cavity. Reverse sneezing, on the other hand, refers to the reflex of bringing air into the body to remove irritants in the upper area that lies behind the nose. A cat will reflexively gag to remove irritants from the its larynx; a behavior that is commonly misinterpreted as vomiting.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Sneezing is often accompanied by a sudden movement of the head downwards, with a closed mouth. The force of this action may cause the cat’s nose to hit the ground. Rever …read more

  • Sodium Deficiency in Cats

    Hyponatremia in Cats
     
    As a component of the extracellular fluid (fluids outside of the cells), sodium is the most abundant positive charged atom in the body. The term hyponatremia refers to a condition in which a cat is suffering from abnormally low concentration of serum sodium in the blood. Hyponatremia usually reflects a concurrent condition of hyposmolality; that is, an underconcentration of osmotic solution in the blood serum — a lack in the ability of  body fluids to pass through the cellular membranes (osmosis), by which the body’s chemical concentrations are kept in balan …read more

  • Soft Tissue Cancer (Rhabdomyosarcoma) in Cats

    Rhabdomyosarcoma in Cats
     
    Rhabdomyosarcomas are tumors that are often found in the larynx (voice box), the tongue, and in the heart. They arise from striated muscles (banded – not smooth, muscles of the skeletal and cardiac musculature) in adults, and from embryonic stem cells in juveniles. This is a malignant, easily metastasizing (spreading) and aggressive type of tumor. Aggressive and widespread metastasizing can occur in the lungs, the liver, the spleen, the kidneys, and the adrenal glands. Rhabdomyosarcomas have been reported in relation to vaccine injection-sites in cats.
      …read more

  • Sperm Abnormalities in Cats

    Spermatozoal Abnormalities in Cats
     
    Teratozoospermia is the diagnosis given when spermatozoal (sperm cell) abnormalities are present in 40 percent of the ejaculate. That is, the sperm cells may have short or curled tails, double heads, or head that are too large, too small, or badly shaped. The effect of specific abnormalities on fertility is largely unknown, but optimal fertility is expected in cats that have at least 80 percent morphologically normal spermatozoa.

    This condition can affect cats of any age, but older cats are more likely to have other age-related diseases or conditi …read more

  • Sperm Ducts Cysts in Cats

    Spermatocele and Sperm Granuloma in Cats
     
    Cyst epididymis, or sperm granuloma, is a condition in which a cyst has grown in the epididymis (part of the spermatic duct system), resulting in swelling of the duct or ducts. A spermatocele, meanwhile, is a cyst in the ducts or epididymis that conduct sperm, and is usually associated with a blockage. When sperm escape from these ducts into the surrounding tissue, chronic inflammation occurs. This becomes clinically important when bilateral (both sides) obstruction of the duct system leads to no live sperm in the seminal fluid. 
     
    …read more

  • Spinal and Vertebral Birth Defects in Cats

    Congenital Spinal and Vertebral Malformations in Cats
     
    Congenital spinal and vertebral malformations are most often genetically inherited (as opposed to adverse conditions during fetal development). Specifically, sacrococcygeal dysgenesis (defective development) is a dominant trait, while thoracic hemivertebra (chest half-vertebra) is a recessive trait.
     
    Spinal malformations are usually evident at birth or in the first few weeks of life. On the other hand, vertebral malformations can be latent until the cat undergoes a growth spurt, sometimes not becoming apparent for several m …read more

  • Spinal Cord Development Disorders in Cats

    Spinal Dysraphism in Cats
     
    “Spinal Dysraphism” is a broad term encompassing spinal cord developmental disorders leading to various structural defects. It may be progressive or non-progressive in nature.
     
    Spinal Dysraphism has been reported in Manx cats and some breeds of dog.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Limb weakness
    Imbalance
    Neck or head pain
    Uncoordinated walk
    Postural abnormalities …read more

  • Spinal Cord Disorder Caused by Blocked Blood Vessel in Cats

    Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy in Cats
     
    Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy in cats is a condition in which an area of the spinal cord is not able to function properly and eventually atrophies as a result of a blockage, or emboli, in the blood vessels of the spinal cord. Though relatively rare in cats, the cause of this disorder is typically the result of an injury to the spine. Injury may be the result of jumping and landing in the wrong way, fighting, or any accident that leads to a spinal injury.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symptoms appear suddenly and usually …read more

  • Spinal Malformation in the Neck of Cats

    Atlantoaxial Instability in Cats
     
    Atlantoaxial instability results from a malformation in the first two vertebrae in the neck. This causes the spinal cord to compress and results in pain, or even debilitation. The disorder affects cats, but is generally found in smaller breeds and is uncommon in older cats. To ensure the best possible chance for a full recovery, it is important to have your cat treated once an occurrence or sign of distress is observed.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Cats suffering from atlantoaxial instability may collapse frequently or may suffer from paralysis …read more

  • Spine Degeneration in Cats

    Spondylosis Deformans in Cats
     
    Characterized by the production of bone spurs along the bottom, sides, and upper aspects of the vertebrae of the spine, spondylosis deformans is a degenerative, noninflammatory condition of the spinal column. The bone spurs are simply projected growths of bone, usually grown in response to aging, or injury. In cats, spondylosis deformans tends to occur more often in the vertebrae of the chest.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Patients are typically asymptomatic; bone growth can usually be felt by touch before you will notice any beh …read more

  • Spontaneous Abortion and Termination of Pregnancy in Cats

    Unintentional and unwanted pregnancy in pets is a common concern, and there are ways to perform a safe pregnancy termination if your cat has become pregnant. If you are considering ending a pregnancy in your cat, it is recommended that you first seek the advice and assistance of a medical professional, so that a full risk and side effects evaluation can be done.
     
    Conversely, it is also important to note that cats can experience spontaneous abortions or miscarriages for a variety of medical reasons. Both situations will be covered here.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    If your cat h …read more

  • Stained, Discolored Teeth in Cats

    Stained Tooth and Teeth in Cats
     
    Any variation from normal tooth color is considered discoloration. However, the normal color of teeth varies, dependent on the shade, thickness, and translucency of the enamel covering the tooth.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Intrinsic discoloration is characterized by secondary factors that are happening inside the tooth, discoloring the underlying dentin. Extrinsic discoloration, meanwhile, occurs when exogenous pigment accumulates on the surface of teeth. That is, the cause of the discoloration is from an external source, rather than from a p …read more

  • Staph Infection in Cats

    Staphylococcal Infections in Cats
     
    The Staphylococcus bacteria is one of the more commonly transmitted infections, passing easily from animal to animal and in some cases from animal to human. This bacteria can live free in the environment, on the skin of a host as a parasite, and in the upper respiratory tract of animals. This infection can be found in any breed of cat, and at any age.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Some of the most common signs of this infection are:

    Fever
    Lack of appetite
    Pain
    Abscesses on the skin
    …read more

  • Stem Cell Disorders Due to Abnormal Development and Maturation in Cats

    Myelodysplastic Syndromes in Cats
     
    Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of disorders affecting the cat’s hematopoietic stem cells, which forms the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These disorders are characterized by the abnormal development and maturation of hematopoietic stem cells, and may be primary (congenital) or secondary (due to cancer, drugs exposure, and/or infections).
     
    Myelodysplastic syndromes more common in cats than dogs.
     
    Sym …read more

  • Stomach and Intestinal Cancer (Leiomyosarcoma) in Cats

    Leiomyosarcoma of Stomach, Small and Large intestine in Cats
     
    Leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon cancerous tumor, which, in this case, arises from the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines. This extremely dangerous and painful disease affects mostly older cats (more than six years old), though all breeds are equally predisposed to leimyosarcoma. Moreover, the cancer has a tendency to metastasize to other sites in the gastrointestinal tract and other body organs.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Most symptoms are related to gastrointestinal tract, including:
     

  • Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation in Cats

    Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Cats
     
    Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in cats is an inflammatory condition of the stomach and intestines. The name of the disease is derived from the fact that lining of the stomach and intestines is infiltrated with a specific type of white blood cell known as an eosinophil.
     
    Eosinophilic gastroenteritis can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs, please visit this page in the petMD …read more

  • Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers in Cats

    Gastroduodenal Ulcer in Cats
     
    Gastroduodenal ulcer disease refers to ulcers found in the cat’s stomach and/or duodenum, the first section of the small intestine. These uclers often develop because the mucosal lining of the stomach or intestinal lumen (which comes in direct contact with food and is responsible for nutrient absorption) is exposed. There are various factors that may alter these protective mechanisms.
     
    These ulcers are less common in cats as compared to dogs. If you would like to learn more about how the disease affects dogs, please visit

  • Stomach Disorder (Loss of Motility) in Cats

    Gastric Motility Disorders in Cats
     
    Proper digestion depends on the spontaneous peristaltic (involuntary, wavelike) movements of the stomach muscles for moving food through the stomach and out into the duodenum — the first portion of the small intestine.
     
    Excessive gastric motility, with muscular contractions occurring too frequently, causes cramping pain and too rapid movement of food from the stomach; below normal motility causes delayed gastric emptying, abnormal gastric retention, gastric distention/bloating, and other related signs. Symptoms may occur at any age but it is …read more

  • Stomach Infection with Helicobacter in Cats

    Helicobacter Infection in Cats
      
    The  Helicobacter bacteria are normal inhabitants of the intestinal tract, being found in several species, including domestic animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets and pigs, in wild animals such as cheetah’s and monkeys, and in humans. Under normal conditions, the Helicobacter bacteria appear to be harmless to cats. While gastric infection due to Helicobacter pylori is a major health problem in humans – it has been associated with gastritis, gastric tumor, and peptic ulcer in affected people – the significance of this bacter …read more

  • Stomach Inflammation (Atrophic) in Cats

    Atrophic Gastritis in Cats
     
    Interruptions in the working of the stomach of a cat can be brought on by several conditions. When the stomach is interrupted in its normal operation, a condition called stasis can result. Stasis occurs when the stomach slows its contractions, and may even stop working altogether. This leads to bloating and build-up of gas in the stomach, which can be an uncomfortable condition for an animal.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The main symptoms of stasis in cats are:
     

    Pain in the stomach (abdomen)
    Bloating …read more

  • Stretchy, Saggy, Painful Skin in Cats

    Feline Cutaneous Asthenia in Cats
     
    Feline cutaneous asthenia (FCA), also known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, is a disease characterized by deficient levels of collagen, the protein molecule necessary for providing strength and elasticity to the skin and ligaments, along with much of the rest of the body. The condition is part of a group of hereditary disorders characterized by skin that is unusually stretchy and droopy. It is caused by a genetic mutation that is passed from parent to offspring, and while more than one genetic disorder is suspected, this condition cannot be determined by s …read more

  • Stud Tail in Cats

    Supracaudal Gland Hyperplasia in Cats
     
    Stud tail is commonly seen in intact male cats but can also be seen in neutered males and females. It results in skin disease at the base of the tail.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Greasy (sometimes matted) hair at the base of the tail
    Missing hair at the base of the tail
    Blackheads (comedones) on the skin at the base of the tail
    Waxy substance on the skin and hair at the base of the tail
    Skin infection at the base of the tail
    …read more

  • Stupor and Coma in Cats

    Marginal Consciousness and Complete Unconsciousness in Cats
     
    The term stupor is used if an animal is unconscious but can be aroused with very strong external stimulus, whereas a patient that is in a coma will remain unconscious even if the same level of external stimulus is applied. Cats of any age, breed, or gender are susceptible to this condition.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symptoms are highly variable depending on the primary disease that has led to the loss of consciousness, whether it is temporary, as with stupor, or long lasting, as with coma.
     
    The major s …read more

  • Swallowing Difficulties in Cats

    Dysphagia in Cats
     
    There are a number of conditions that can cause a cat to have difficulty with swallowing. Dysphagia, the medical term given to this disorder, can occur anatomically as oral dysphagia (in the mouth), pharyngeal dysphagia (in the pharynx itself), or cricopharyngeal dysphagia (at the far end of the pharynx entering the esophagus).
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Oral dysphagia can be caused by dental disease, tongue paralysis, paralysis of the jaw, swelling or wasting away of the chewing muscles, or by an inability to open the mouth. Cats with oral dysphagia often …read more

  • Swelling in Cats

    Peripheral Edema in Cats
     
    Swelling due to an excessive accumulation of tissue fluid within the interstitium — a small place or gap in the substance of the cat’s tissues or organs — is referred to as edema. This can be localized (focal) or generalized (diffuse) in location.
     
    Peripheral edema can occur in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Cats that …read more

  • Swelling of the Optic Disk in the Retina of Cats

    Papilledema in Cats
     
    Papilledema is a condition associated with the swelling of the optic disk located within the retina and leading to the cat’s brain. This swelling can lead to increased pressure on the brain and may cause other symptoms, such as inflammation of the optic nerves.
     
    When inflammation occurs it interferes with the eye’s ability to transmit retinal information to the brain. Inflammation of the optic nerves may be related to inflammation on the brain or the retina, or could be solely related to the nerves. In some instances the optic nerve will only be partially i …read more

  • Swelling of the Salivary Gland in Cats

    Salivary Mucocele in Cats
     
    Swelling of the soft connective tissues in an animal’s mouth is referred to as an oral or salivary mucocele. The swelling appears like a mucus-filled sack and is more than three times as likely to form in dogs than in cats. However, all cat breeds are susceptible to oral or salivary mucoceles. Treatment is generally successful and involves draining the fluid and prescription antibiotics.
     
    If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs, please visit this pa …read more

  • Synechiae in Cats

    Adhesions of the Iris of the Eye in Cats
     
    Synechiae are adhesions between the iris and other structures in the eye. They are the result of inflammation in the iris and are particularly common with anterior uveitis (inflammation of the dark tissues of the eye) and trauma to the eye.
     
    Synechiae can occur in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how this type of eye problem affects dogs, please visit this page in the petMD health library.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Synechi …read more

  • Systemic Autoimmune Disease in Cats

    Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Cats
     
    Autoimmune diseases are the result of an immune system that has become hyper-defensive, attacking the cells, tissues, and organs of its own body as if they are diseases that need to be destroyed. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that is characterized by the formation of antibodies against a wide array of self-antigens (antibody-generating substances) and circulating immune complexes.
     
    High levels of circulating antigen-antibody complexes (type III hypersensitivity) are formed and deposited in the …read more

  • Taurine Deficiency in Cats

    Deficiency of Amino Acid Taurine in Cats
     
    Amino acids are building blocks for proteins and essential to the proper functioning of most of the body systems. They are critical to life, with over 20 types of amino acids present in the body.
     
    Essential, or indispensable amino acids are a group of amino acids that cannot be synthesized in the body and are thus required to be taken in through diet. Taurine is one of these types of amino acids, and has been found to play an essential role in the diet of cats. Lack of this amino acid results in severe health repercussions, such as blin …read more

  • Tear in the Heart in Cats

    Atrial Wall Tear in Cats
     
    A cat’s heart can be divided into four chambers. The upper chambers are called the atria (singular: atrium), and the lower chambers are called the ventricles. An atrial wall tear involves a rupturing of the atrium wall, which occurs mainly in response to blunt trauma. As with other wounds, the protective mechanisms of the body take over and heal the tear, with resulting scar formation, but if the tear is significant, the injury can lead to sudden death, or at the least cause serious illness. Trauma of this type can occur in cats of any breed, age, size, …read more

  • Teeth Misalignment in Cats

    Malocclusion of Teeth in Cats
     
    Normally, a kitten will have 26 baby teeth once it is six months old. By the time it reaches adulthood, an adult cat will have 30 teeth. Misalignment of a cat’s teeth, or malocclusion, occurs when the bite does not fit accordingly. That is, the top and bottom jaws do not fit together neatly. This may begin as the kitten’s baby teeth come in and usually worsens as their adult teeth follow.
     
    The smaller front teeth between the canines on the upper and lower jaws are called incisors. These are used to grasp food and to keep the tongue inside the mout …read more

  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Cats

     
    The temporomandibular joint is the hinged point in the jaw that is formed by the temporal and mandible bones, collectively known as the jaw joint. The temporomandibular joint is also frequently referred to simply as TMJ.
     
    There are two temporomandibular joints, one on each side of the face, each one working in concert with the other. TMJ plays a pivotal role in the normal chewing process, and is in fact essential for proper chewing, so that and any disorder of this joint compromises the ability to make normal mouth movements and chew food. An affected animal will feel pain whe …read more

  • Testicular Swelling in Cats

    Epididymitis/Orchitis in Cats
     
    Orchitis is inflammation of the testes, while epididymitis is inflammation of the testicular tube where sperm is stored. While the condition can be chronic, acute forms caused by direct trauma to the scrotum are most common. This condition is rare, but not unheard of in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symptoms of epididymitis and orchitis can be localized in the area of the scrotum. These include:
     

    Swollen testicles
    Licking of the scrotum and scrotal skin irritation (dermatitis)
    Non-localiz …read more

  • Testicular Tumor (Leydig Cell) in Cats

    Tumor of the Interstitial Cell of the Testicle in Cats
     
    The Leydig cell tumor (LCT) is a rare and typically benign tumor that affects older male animals. These tumors are located in the testis and are made up from the cells that release the testosterone hormone into the connective tissue of the testicles. This type of tumor may occur singularly, or in multiples, measuring about 1-2 cm in diameter and spherical in shape. LCTs can be felt as a mass, causing soft swelling of the affected testis. It is classified as a sex-cord stromal tumor, meaning that the tumor issues from the connect …read more

  • Testicular Tumor (Seminoma) in Cats

    Seminoma in Cats
     
    Seminoma is a benign (not recurrent or progressive), unilateral tumor of the testis that is extremely rare in male cats (one case of malignant tumor with metastasis has been reported. Typically measuring less than two centimeters in diameter, a seminoma often causes no clinical symptoms in the affected cat and is therefore difficult to identify.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Although seminomas rarely causes any clinical symptoms in the animal, some cats exhibit pain due to pressure from the growing tumor. In a few cases, the testicular mass can be palpapated. E …read more

  • Tetralogy of Fallot in Cats

    Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital defect of the heart that involves four abnormalities: a ventricular septal defect (a hole between the two ventricles), pulmonic stenosis (obstruction of blood flow through the pulmonary valve), an overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle).
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Weakness
    Fainting
    Shortness of breath
    Cyanosis

     
    Causes
     
    Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital disease that likely is influenced by genetic factors.
    & …read more

  • Thickening of the Uterine Lining and Fluid Filled Sac in Cats

    Pyometra and Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia in Cats
     
    The abnormal thickening (pyometra) of the uterus’ lining can affect cats at any age, although it is more common in cats that are six years of age or older. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia, meanwhile, is a medical condition characterized by the presence of pus-filled cyst inside the cat’s uterus, causing the endometrium to enlarge (also known as hyperplasia).
     
    The prognosis is often positive for both conditions. However, if the cervix is closed, it can be a life threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.
    …read more

  • Thin or Fragile Skin in Cats

    Feline Skin Fragility Syndrome in Cats
     
    Feline skin fragility syndrome has many possible causes, but mainly, it is characterized by extremely fragile and often thin skin. This condition tends to occur in aging cats that may have concurrent hyperadrenocorticism (chronic overproduction of steroid hormones in the body), diabetes mellitus, or excessive use of progesterone. A small number of cats have had no biochemical alterations. It is a naturally-occurring disease that tends to be recognized in aged cats, although physician-caused cases have no age predilection. Also, there is no breed …read more

  • Throat Cancer (Chondrosarcoma) in Cats

    Chondrosarcoma of the Larynx and Trachea in Cats
     
    A chondrosarcoma is a relatively rare and fast spreading tumor that originates in the cartilage, a connective collagenous tissue that is found throughout the body. Chondrosarcomas are one of several types of laryngeal tumors that can effect the larynx and trachea of a cat.
     
    Over time, this type of tumor progresses, aggressively involving the surrounding tissues. As with many sarcomas, chondrosarcomas of the larynx and trachea are more common in middle aged and older cats. All breeds are at risk, but males are often at a slightly …read more

  • Thunderstorm Phobias in Cats

     
    The persistent and exaggerated fear of storms, or the stimuli associated with storms, is referred to as thunderstorm phobia. To treat this condition, your veterinarian should have some grasp of pathophysiology, as this phobia involves physiologic, emotional, and behavioral components.
     
    Thunderstorm phobia occurs in both dogs and cats, but dogs are often more susceptible to this type of fear. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects cats, please visit this page< ...read more

  • Thyroid Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) in Cats

    Thyroid Gland Adenocarcinoma in Cats
     
    The importance of the thyroid gland is many fold. It is responsible for a variety of bodily functions, most notably the coordination of hormones and normal metabolism. Adenocarcinoma of the thyroid gland is like other adenocarcinomas: it grows rapidly and can metastasize to other parts of body. Adenocarcinoma of the thyroid is more commonly seen in older cats, but young cats may also suffer from this neoplasm.
     
    The element iodine is also suspected of playing a role in the dysfunction of the thyoid gland. Because iodine is essential for the …read more

  • Thyroid Hormone Deficiency in Cats

    Hypothyroidism in Cats
     
    The thyroid gland is an essential gland in the body, producing a number of hormones, including T3 (liothyronine) and T4 (levothyroxine), both of which are required for normal metabolism in the body. Hypothyroidism is a rare condition in cats, with its occurrence being based on measurably lower than normal levels of thyroid hormones being produced and released throughout the body, and resulting slower metabolism along with other complications. This condition is usually seen in cats after thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy has been given. In most cats t …read more

  • Tongue Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Cats

    Lingual Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats
     
    A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can be described as a malignant and particularly invasive tumor that takes hold in the scale like cells of the epithelium – the tissue that covers the body or lines the cavities of the body. These scale like tissue cells are called the squamous. Carcinoma is, by definition, an especially malignant and persistent form of cancer, often returning after is has been excised from the body and metastasizing to other organs and locations on the body.
     
    Cats can be afflicted with several types of squamous cell …read more

  • Tonsil Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Cats

    Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats
     
    The epithelium is the cellular covering of all of the internal and external surfaces of the body, protecting the organs, inner cavities and outer surfaces of the body in a continuous layer of multi-layered tissue. The squamous epithelium is a type of epithelium that consists of the outer layer of flat, scale-like cells, which are called squamous cells.
     
    A squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils is an aggressive and metastatic tumor that arises from the epithelial cells of the tonsils. It is highly invasive and local extension into the s …read more

  • Too Much Acid in the Body in Cats

    Metabolic Acidosis in Cats
     
    Acid and alkali are normal components of the blood supply, both playing very important roles in the body. The lungs and kidneys are chiefly responsible for maintaining the delicate balance between acids and alkalis. A condition of metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an increase in the levels of acid in the blood, which ultimately accumulates to abnormal levels in the body, causing various problems. This can occur due to loss of bicarbonate (alkali); acid production by increased metabolism; excess acid introduction into the body through an external source …read more

  • Tooth Decay in Cats

    Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions (FORL) or Odontoclastic Resorption in Cats
     
    In cats, the odontoclast, a type of cell, can cause the tooth structures to disintegrate. Initially, the odontoclast cells attach to natural cavities in oral tissue, with the purpose of reabsorbing the non-permanent, or deciduous teeth. As resorption continues, complications may develop, as bone-like tissue covers the problem area. Over time, ligaments and bones that hold teeth in are affected as well. 
     
    Feline odontoclastic tooth destruction (resorption) is extremely common. Roughly half of all ca …read more

  • Tooth Dislocation or Sudden Loss in Cats

    Tooth Luxation or Avulsion in Cats
     
    There are different types of tooth luxation — the clinical term that is given for a dislocation of the tooth from its normal spot in the mouth. The mutation can be vertical (downward) or lateral (on either side).
     
    In vertical luxation, the tooth may move up (intrusion) or down (extrusion) in its bony socket. Vertical luxation is related to the dislocation of the root of the tooth. In lateral lunation, the tooth tips to the side. Lateral luxation usually occurs due to an injury that has pushed the tip of the tooth to one side. A tooth is cal …read more

  • Tooth Enamel Malformation in Cats

    Enamel Hypoplasia/Hypocalcification in Cats
     
    When tooth enamel — the outer coating of the tooth — is allowed to develop normally it has a smooth and white appearance. Abnormal environmental or physical conditions can interfere with the development of tooth enamel, causing it to take on a discolored, pitted or otherwise unusual appearance.
     
    Bodily influences, like a fever over an extended period of time, may cause pitting and discolored enamel surfaces. Local influences, like injury (even from …read more

  • Tooth Fracture in Cats

    Traumatic Tooth Injury  in Cats
     
    Injuries involving damage to the tooth’s enamel, dentin, and cement are referred to as tooth fractures. These injuries occur either on the enamel-covered top portion of the tooth (the crown) or the part below the gum line (the root).
     
    Both dogs and cats are susceptible to traumatic tooth injuries. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
     
    Symptoms
    &nbsp …read more

  • Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Tract in Cats

    Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Renal, Bladder and Urethra in Cats
     
    Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is a malignant (aggressive) and metastasizing (spreading) cancer arising from the transitional epithelium – the highly stretchable lining of the urinary tract system – of the kidney, ureters (the tubes that carry fluid from the kidneys to the bladder), urinary bladder, urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside), prostate, or vagina.
     
    The underlying cause of TCC is unknown in cats. TCC occurs most commonly in female cats.
     
    Sympto …read more

  • Tritrichomonas foetus in Cats

    Feline Tritrichomonas foetus Parasitic Infection
     
    Cats and kittens from shelters and catteries are at higher risk of contracting an intestinal parasite that causes a long-term, foul-smelling diarrhea. The parasite, Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is a single-celled protozoan that lives in the colon of cats and is shed in the feces.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Younger animals are most likely to have diarrhea as the result of infection. Adult cats may or may not show signs, b …read more

  • Tumor of the Eye in Cats

    Uveal Melanoma in Cats
     
    The uvea is the part of the eye that is made up of the iris (the colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil), the ciliary body (which produces the fluid within the eye [aqueous humour] and controls the ciliary muscle contractions that aid in near focus), the choroid (which provides oxygen and nourishment to the retina – the inner surface of the eye), and the pars plana (at the front of the eye, where the iris and sclera [white of the eye] touch). A melanoma is clinically characterized by malignant growth of melanocytes, cells that are dark in appearance …read more

  • Tumor of the Meninges in Cats

    Meningioma in Cats
     
    Meningioma, the most common brain tumor found in cats, is a tumor affecting the meninges, the system of membranes that envelops the central nervous system. All breeds of cats are at risk of meningioma, and it is usually seen in cats older than nine years of age.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symptoms vary depending upon the location of tumor, but some of the more common symptoms include:
     

    Seizures (more common in

  • Tumor of the Nerves in Cats

    Nerve Sheath Tumor in Cats
     
    Nerve sheath tumors are tumors that grow from the myelin sheath that covers the peripheral and spinal nerves. This type of tumor affects the nervous system of the body, as it compromises the functioning ability of the peripheral and/or spinal nerves that form the peripheral nervous system and which reside or extend outside the central nervous system (CNS). These tumors are rarely seen in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Progressive and chronic lameness in forelimb (common symptom)
    Muscle wasting
    Decreased …read more

  • Tumor of the Thymus in Cats

    Thymoma in Cats
     
    The thymus is a small glandular organ located in front of the heart. Its special function is to serve as a reservoir for the production and maturation of T lymphocytes, white blood cells that make up an important part of the body’s immune system. A thymoma is a tumor originating from the epithelium  of the thymus (the layer of tissue covering the thymus). Thymomas are rare tumors in cats and are mainly associated with myasthenia gravis, a severe autoimmune disease which causes certain muscle groups to tire easily.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

  • Tumor Related to Vaccinations in Cats

    Vaccine-associated Sarcoma in Cats
     
    Reports of a sarcoma (a cancerous mass arising from bone, cartilage, fat or muscle) developing at the site of vaccine injection sites in some animals have led to the suspicion of a link between the vaccine and a disposition in some animals to this type of reaction. Most types of injectable vaccine and non-vaccine products have rarely been associated with sarcoma development in cats, but cats may develop a site specific sarcoma following rabies vaccination or feline leukemia virus vaccination.
     
    These tumors are characterized as highly invasiv …read more

  • Tumors of the Endocrine Glands in Cats

    Oncocytoma in Cats
     
    Oncocytoma is an extremely rare and benign tumor in cats. This type of tumor involves atypical cells found in the endocrine glands and epithelium (the tissue lining the cavities of the body). Endocrine glands are responsible for secreting hormones directly into the blood and lymph nodes.
     
    As a benign tumor, an oncocytoma does not metastasize, and also tends to be minimally invasive. Concern arises according the location of the tumor, as its presence may restrict movement, blood passages, or airways. Though this is rare in cats, when it does occur, the tumor …read more

  • Tumors of the Gums (Epulis) in Cats

    Epulis in Cats
     
    Tumors or tumor-like masses on an animal’s gums are referred to as epulides. They appear early on as masses sprouting from the gum, which seem to hang from a stalk, and often displace tooth structures as they expand. Most epulides stick to the bone, do not have a capsule, and have a smooth to slightly nodular surface. They do not spread but may deform the face.
     
    Epulides are rare in cats, but occur most often in brachycephalic breeds.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are three categories of epulides: fibromatous, ossifying, and acanthomatous. Acanthoma …read more

  • Tumors of the Vagina in Cats

    Vaginal Tumors in Cats
     
    Vaginal tumors in cats are extremely rare and are usually of benign smooth muscle origin. (There are several types of smooth muscle tumors, including leiomyoma; fibroleiomyoma, a fibrous tissue and smooth muscle tissue tumor; and fibroma, a fibrous tissue tumor.) A vaginal tumor may never bother the cat (and thus never be diagnosed), or it may cause complications that are not a direct result of the tumor, but a result of its presence in the body, such as with uterine leiomyomatas, which can cause excessive menstrual bleeding. Other complications can include co …read more

  • Twisted Spleen in Cats

    Splenic Torsion in Cats   The spleen exists as a main support to the immune system. It acts as a filter to destroy excess red blood cells, and as a reservoir for blood. Splenic torsion, or twisting of the spleen, may occur by itself, or in association with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) syndrome, when a cat’s air-filled stomach expands and twists on itself. It can occur suddenly, or it can gradually twist over a period of time. Being affected by an abnormality such as splenic torsion is rare.   Symptoms and Types   Intermittent lack of appetite Vomi …read more

  • Twitch-Skin Syndrome in Cats

    Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome in Cats
     
    Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS), also known as “twitch-skin syndrome” and “psychomotor epilepsy,” is an obscure cat disorder resulting in intense biting or licking of the back, tail, and pelvic limbs. The nervous and neuromuscular systems, along with the skin, are affected. Symptoms may occr any age and can develop in any breed of cat. Purebreds – especially Siamese, Abyssinians, Burmese, and Himalayans – seem to be predisposed to develop the syndrome.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms of FHS ty …read more

  • Umbilical Hernia in Cats

    Umbilical Cat Hernia

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    …read more

  • Unequal Pupil Size in Cats

    Anisocoria in Cats
     
    The pupil is the circular opening in the center of the eye that allows light to pass through. The pupil expands when there is little light present, and contracts when there is a greater amount of light present. Anisocoria refers to a medical condition of unequal pupil size where one of a cat’s pupils is smaller than the other. With proper detection of the disease’s underlying cause, a treatment plan can be made to resolve the issue. Anisocoria may be an indication of a serious injury or disease, so a prompt medical diagnosis is essential.
     
    Symptoms and Type …read more

  • Unintentional Eye Movement in Cats

    Nystagmus in Cats
     
    Nystagmus causes the involuntary and rhythmic oscillation of the eyeballs; meaning, the eyes unintentionally move or swing back and forth. Nystagmus can occur in both dogs and cats and is a characteristic sign of a problem in the animal’s nervous system.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are two types of nystagmus: jerk nystagmus and pendular nystagmus. Jerk nystagmus is characterized by slow eye movements in one direction with a rapid correction phase in the opposi …read more

  • Upper and Lower Jaw Fracture in Cats

    Maxillary and Mandibular Fractures in Cats
     
    The mandible, also called the jawbone, forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place, whereas the maxilla forms the upper jaw and holds the upper teeth in place.
     
    Upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible) fractures are seen in cats mostly due to trauma and injuries.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms vary greatly depending upon the type, location, extent, and cause of injury. Some of the more common ones include:
     

    Facial deformity
    Oral or nasal bleeding
    Inability …read more

  • Upper Respiratory Infection (Chlamydia) in Cats

    Chlamydiosis in Cats
     
    Chylamydiosis refers to a bacteria based chronic respiratory infection, caused by the Chlamydia psittaci bacterium. Cats that have developed this infection will often exhibit traditional signs of an upper respiratory infection, such as watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. With treatment, the prognosis is positive.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Chlamydiosis infection affects the respiratory system, the eyes, the gastrointestinal system and the reproduction systems of animals. Cats experience standard upper respiratory tract symptoms, including:&nb …read more

  • Ureter Stones in Cats

    Ureterolithiasis in Cats
     
    Ureterolithiasis is a condition which involves formation of stones that may lodge into the ureter, causing its blockage. A muscular tube which connects the kidney to the bladder, the ureter also carries urine from kidneys to the bladder. Typically, ureter stones originate in the kidneys and later pass down into the ureter.
     
    Depending on the size and shape of the stone, the stone may pass down to the bladder without any resistance or it may partially or completely obstruct the ureter, resulting in the dilatation of the upper portion of the ureter and su …read more

  • Urethral Shaft Abnormality in Cats

    Ectopic Ureter in Cats
     
    An ectopic (displaced) ureter is a congenital abnormality in which one or both ureters open into the urethra or vagina. Bilateral ectopia affects both ureters, and unilateral ectopia affects one ureter. In cats affected with ectopic ureter, the ureter completely bypasses the bladder and enters the urethra from outside of the bladder walls (extramural type).
     
    Symptoms
     
    This condition is rare, and when it does occur it may be asymptomatic, with no apparent urination problems. When symptoms are apparent, they often present as occasional or contin …read more

  • Urinary Bladder Cancer (Rhabdomyosarcoma) in Cats

    Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Urinary Bladder in Cats
     
    Rhabdomyosarcoma is a very rare metastasizing (spreading), and malignant type of tumor. It may derive from stem cells, or originate in the striated muscle that surrounds the developing Müllerian or Wolffian ducts. Müllerian ducts begin as two ducts in the female embryo, developing into the vagina, uterus and oviducts, while Wolffian ducts begin in the male embryo, developing into the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles through the penis (vas deferens).
     
    Rhabdomyosarcoma of the urinary bladder may be reported as bo …read more

  • Urinary Tract / Kidney Stones (Calcium Phosphate) in Cats

    Calcium Phosphate Urolithiasis in Cats
     
    When stones (uroliths) form in the urinary tract, it is referred to as urolithiasis. There are various types of these stones seen in cats — among them, those made from calcium phosphate. Also known as apatite uroliths, calcium phosphate stones are more often found the kidneys than the urinary bladder.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    The symptoms may vary depending on the location, size, and number of stones within the urinary tract. In fact, some cats display no outwardly visible signs of the issue; it is only discovered later during a rout …read more

  • Urinary Tract / Kidney Stones (Cystine) in Cats

    Urolithiasis (Cystine) in Cats
     
    Urolithiasis is described as the presence of stones or crystals in the urinary tract. When these stones are made of cystine — a normal compound found in the body — they are referred to as cystine stones. These stones can also be found in the kidneys and in the tubes connecting the kidneys to the animal’s bladder (ureters).
     
    Urolithiasis is primarily found in adult cats, and the Siamese and Domestic Shorthair breeds show the highest likelihood for cystine stone formation. Fortunately, the stones can be dissolved and removed without surgery in mo …read more

  • Urinary Tract Infection, Lower (Bacterial) in Cats

    Bacterial Infection of Bladder and/or Urethra in Cats 
     
    Urinary bladder and/or upper portion of urethra may be invaded and colonized by bacteria, which results in an infection more commonly known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Symptoms related to this type of infection include inflammation of the affected tissue and urinary difficulties.
     
    Cats of all ages can be affected, but vulnerability increases with advancing age (common in cats 10 years or older). In such cases, stone formation, prostate disease, and tumors are frequently seen.
     
    Symptoms and Types
    &nbs …read more

  • Urinary Tract Infections in Cats

    Feline Idiopathic Lower Urinary Tract Disease in Cats
     
    Idiopathic Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (IFLUTD) is a general term for disorders characterized by blood in the urine, difficult or painful urination, abnormal, frequent passage of urine, urinating in inappropriate locations (ie., bath tub), and partial or complete blockage of the urethra. Also known as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS), or Interstitial Cystitis, this treatable condition occurs in the bladder and urethra of the lower urinary tract; that is, the tube from the bladder to the outsid …read more

  • Urinary Tract Obstruction in Cats

     
    If your cat is straining to urinate and producing little or no urine each time, it may be suffering from a urinary tract obstruction. The obstruction may be due to inflammation or compression on the urethra, or simply a blockage. Treatment is available and the prognosis of this issue will depend on the severity of the obstruction.
     
    Urinary tract obstruction occurs mostly in male cats, but dogs and female cats may also be affected. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects dogs, please visit

  • Urinary Tract Stones (Struvite) in Cats

     
    Urolithiasis is a medical term referring to the presence of stones in the urinary tract. Struvite is a material that is comprised of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate.
     
    Urolithiasis is a medical term referring to the presence of stones in the urinary tract. Struvite is a material that is comprised of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate. These type of stones can be found in the urinary bladder, the urethra or in the kidneys. While some forms of the stones can be flushed out or dissolved, others must be removed surgically.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Many animals do not di …read more

  • Urinary Tract Stones/Crystals Made Up Of Uric Acid in Cats

    Urolithiasis/Urate Stones in Cats
     
    Urolithiasis is a medical term referring to the presence of stones or crystals in a cat’s urinary tract. When the stones are made up of uric acid, they are called urate stones. These stones can also be found in the kidneys and in the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder (ureters).
     
    While these stones can affect any cat breed, the condition does tend to be more common in male animals than in females. It is typically noticed within the first three to four years of life.
     
    It is highly likely the stones will recur after treatment, b …read more

  • Urinating Outside the Litter Box and Wandering Away from Home in Cats

    Spraying and Roaming Behavior
     
    Cats communicate with each other in various ways. One of the primary ways is through scent. Each cat’s urine and feces (stool) has a unique scent, so that when a cat urinates or defecates in a specific location, it is communicating with other cats that may come along later. This behavior is referred to as territory marking, and these marked spots “tell” other cats which cat has been to this spot and claimed that area or object as its territory. Another type of marking behavior, referred to as spraying, is distinguished by urinating on walls, …read more

  • Vacuolar Hepatopathy in Cats

    Steroid Related Liver Disease in Cats
     
    Vacuolar hepatopathy causes liver cells (hepatocytes) to undergo reversible vacuolar changes due to glycogen accumulation. The storage form of glucose, glycogen accumulates in liver cells because of steroid medication overuse, an overproduction of steroids in the body, or due to an endocrine disorder (e.g., hyperadrenocorticism, atypical adrenal hyperplasia).
     
    Vacuolar hepatopathy is rare in cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Symptoms are ultimately based on the underlying cause of the hepatopathy; some of the more common signs in …read more

  • Vaginal Abnormalities in Cats

    Vaginal Malformations and Acquired Lesions in Cats
     
    An altered or abnormal anatomic vaginal architecture, or vaginal malformation, can be due to congenital anomalies such as an imperforate hymen (where the hymen is solid, not allowing fluids through the vaginal canal from the uterus, or normal penetration [such as for breeding]; generally a congenital anomaly); dorsoventral septum (or septae, where the vagina has a vertical dividing membranous wall/partition); hymenal tightening; cysts (a sac with liquid inside); or to acquired conditions such as vaginal overgrowth, foreign bodies, str …read more

  • Vaginal Inflammation in Cats

    Vaginitis in Cats
     
    Also known as vaginitis, the inflammation of the vagina can occur at any age and in any breed. It is, however, more commonly seen in dogs rather than cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     

    Discharge from the vulva
    Male attraction (due to vaginal discharge)
    Rubbing or dragging the anal area on objects or surfaces
    Frequent urination (polyuria), even in improper locations
    Freq …read more

  • Vascular Ring Anomalies in Cats

    Persistent Right Aortic Arch in Cats
     
    Vascular ring anomalies occur when a congenital abnormality of the heart’s blood vessels result in the esophagus being compressed at the level of the base of the heart. This, in turn, prevents solid food from being able to pass properly past the compression as well as the dilatation of the esophagus in front of the compressed area. This is termed megaesophagus. Because food is not moved properly through the esophagus, regurgitation occurs.
     
    Symptoms and Types
    &n …read more

  • Ventricular Standstill in Cats

    Asystole in Cats   Ventricular standstill, also termed asystole, is an absence of ventricular complexes (called QRS) measured on an electrocardiogram (ECG), or absence of ventricular activity (electrical-mechanical dissociation).  Electrical-mechanical dissociation is when there is a recorded ECG cardiac rhythm (P–QRS–T), but no effective cardiac output or palpable femoral pulse (the pulse of the artery in the inner thigh).     There are four chambers in the heart. The two top chambers are the atria (single: atrium), and two bottom chambers are the ventricl …read more

  • Verterbral Disc Inflammation in Cats

    Diskspondylitis in Cats
     
    In cats, as with other vertebrates, the vertebral column is composed of a series of vertebral bones. These bones maintain the structure of the body and serve in the protection of the spinal cord, which is nested within the vertebral column.
     
    Between each vertebrae are structures called disks. These round, cartilaginous shock absorbers hold a nucleus of fibrous gel, which allows for normal movement of the vertebrae without the vertebral bones grinding against each other.
     
    Diskspondylitis is the inflammation of vertebral disks due to an infection …read more

  • Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency in Cats

    Thiamine Deficiency in Cats
     
    Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for normal carbohydrate metabolism in cats. Thiamine deficiency results in serious symptoms, many of which are neurological in origin.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
     Neurological signs are frequently seen with thiamine deficiency and include:
     

    Ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) or curling of the neck
    Incoordination
    Abnormal or spastic gait
    Circling
    Falling

  • Vomiting of Blood in Cats

    Hematemesis in Cats
     
    Hematemesis, or the vomiting of blood, can affect a wide range of systems, depending on the source. The gastrointestinal system may be affected due to trauma, ulcer, inflammation, or the presence of a foreign object. A hemorrhage may affect the heart (cardiovascular system), resulting in a heart murmur and/or low blood pressure. Abnormally fast breathing due to severe hemorrhage can occur. A clotting disorder (coagulopathy) can lead to hemorrhage in the stomach or intestines, and can also lead to hematemesis.
     
    Other causes may be a disruption in the lining …read more

  • Vomiting with Bile in Cats

    Bilious Vomiting Syndrome in Cats
     
    Bile is a bitter, yellow-green fluid that is created in the liver and stored in the gallbladder until food has been ingested. It is then released into the small intestine to aid in digestion of food and to emulsify the food so that it can be used appropriately by the body. Bile also carries various waste materials out of the body along with the feces.
     
    Bilious vomiting syndrome occurs due to motility problems, when bile abnormally enters into the stomach, causing irritation and vomiting. That is, when the gastrointestinal tract fails to react …read more

  • Vomiting, Chronic in Cats

     
    Vomiting is characterized by the contents of the stomach being ejected. Chronic vomiting, meanwhile, is marked by the long duration or frequent recurrence of said vomiting. Diseases of the stomach and upper intestinal tract are the primary cause for this type of vomiting. Secondary implications are diseases of other organs, which bring about an accumulation of toxic substances in the blood, stimulating the vomiting center in the cat’s brain.
     
    Severe complications can occur when a cat is not getting the nutrients it needs, or when food is inhaled into the airways, which can lead …read more

  • Wart Virus in Cats

    Papillomatosis in Cats
     
    The term papillomatosis is used to describe a benign tumor on the surface of the skin. Caused by a virus known as the papillomavirus, the growth is black, raised, and wart-like, with an open pore in the central surface if the tumor is inverted.
     
    There are instances where the papillomatosis can progress, causing common forms of skin cancer. It is also possible for invasive cancerous cells to penetrate and begin eating the underlying tissues. In cats, the most common papillomavirus often multiplies (metastasizes), and may progress to an invasive carcinoma, …read more

  • Water Diabetes in Cats

    Diabetes Insipidus in Cats
     
    Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare disorder in cats that affects the body’s ability to conserve water, thereby releasing too much of it. This condition is characterized by increased urination, dilute urine (so-called insipid, or dull urine), and increased thirst and drinking.
     

    Symptoms and Types
     
    There are two main types of DI that affect cats: neurogenic (or central diabetes insipidus) and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In neurogenic DI, the cause is due to a lack of the hormone vasopressin, which regulates the body’s retention of water. …read more

  • Water on the Brain in Cats

    Hydrocephalus in Cats
     
    Hydrocephalus is the abnormal dilation, or expansion, of the ventricular system due to an increased volume of spinal fluid. In this case, the ventricles that are connected with the spinal cord are the ventricles that are being affected. The abnormal dilation may affect only one side of the brain, or both sides. It may involve the entire ventricular system (a set of hollow structures in the brain continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord), or only elements next to a site of ventricular system obstruction.
     
    There are two types of hydrocephalus &n …read more

  • Watery Eyes in Cats

    Epiphora in Cats
     
    Epiphora is a condition that causes an abnormal overflow of tears. Causes of epiphora due to the shape of the eyes is seen in many breeds. The overproduction of tears can be congenital due to distichiasis – turning in of the eyelashes, or entropion – the turning in of the eyelid. The upper or lower lid may be affected. This condition may occur secondary to eye irritation. An absence of the eyelid is also possible in domestic shorthair cats.
     
    Symptoms and Types
     
    Epiphora is evident with the observation of an overflow of tears; tear drainage …read more

  • Weak Immune System due to Hereditary Disorder in Cats

    Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders in Cats
     
    The term immune system is used to denote the collection of biological processes that take part in an effort to protect the body against disease by timely identifying and killing the invading pathogens and tumor cells. It works on a regular basis in order to guard the body against invading organisms and infections such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
     
    Primary immunodeficiency disorders involve poor or weak immune system responses when required. These disorders are seen due to any defect(s) in immune system related to some heritabl …read more

  • Weight Loss and Chronic Disease in Cats

    Cachexia in Cats
     
    If your cat loses an excess of ten percent of its normal body weight (when it is not due to fluid loss), you should be concerned. There are many things that can cause weight loss, including anorexia, the cat’s quality of food, and/or chronic disease.
     
    It is important to understand a severe case of weight loss will affect many of the cat’s body system, but often it will depend on the cause and severity of the underlying medical condition.
     
    Weight loss and cachexia can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this condition af …read more

  • Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome in Cats

     
    Normally, the electrical impulse needed for the heart to beat begins in the sinoatrial node — the pacemaker of the heart located in the right atrium (one of the heart’s top two chambers) — is transmitted to the ventricles (the heart’s bottom two chambers) and then passes through the atrioventricular (AV) node into the AV bundle. Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) is when ventricular pre-excitation occurs as impulses originating in the sinoatrial node or atrium activate a portion of the ventricles prematurely through an accessory pathway without going through the AV node, causing, a …read more

  • Xanthine Urinary Tract Stones in Cats

    Xanthine Urolithiasis in Cats
     
    Xanthine is a natural by-product of purine metabolism, which is normally converted to uric acid (the waste product of proteins found in the blood) by the enzyme xanthine oxidase. Because xanthine is the least soluble of the purines excreted in urine, excessive amounts of xanthines in the urine may be associated with formation of xanthine uroliths (stones). Impairment of xanthine oxidase ultimately results in xanthines in the blood (hyperxanthinemia) and xanthines spilling over into the urine (xanthinuria). It may be naturally occurring, as with enzyme def …read more

  • Yellow Skin (Jaundice) in Cats

    Icterus in Cats
     
    Icterus (or jaundice) is a yellow discoloration of the gums and tissues due to a higher concentration of bilirubin, a bile pigment formed as a result of the normal breakdown of hemoglobin present in red blood cells (RBCs). Hemoglobin is normally found in RBCs and serves the very important function of carrying oxygen to tissues. In cases of increased destruction of RBCs, an excess amount of bilirubin is accumulated in the tisses which which cannot be eliminated at normal rates. Higher concentrations of bilirubin may also be found in cases where normal excretion of bilir …read more