Systemic Illness
Systemic illness is defined as a disease of any major organ system or any condition that ultimately affects the whole body. The signs will vary depending on which organ system is involved, for instance the heart, liver or kidneys.
Feline Hair Loss
Alopecia is defined as the absence of hair from areas that are normally hairy. Hair loss may involve thinning of the hair or complete hair loss. Itching may or may not be a factor.
Cat Abscesses
An abscess is a pocket of pus under the skin. Pus is an accumulation of bacteria and white blood cells and indicates the presence of infection. The problem is detection because cat fur is so dense an abscess is easy to miss initially.
Cat Claws
Cats use their claws to climb, scratch, defend themselves, and hunt outside. They also use them to “mark” their territory, which is instinctive behavior. Provide a scratching post from day one and give your cat clear messages about which objects she may or may not scratch.
Bees, wasp, spiders, centipedes and other flying insects bite and sting cats. Most bites occur on the face which swells and is painful. Occasionally the paws are affected. Most bites go unnoticed and heal on their own.
Stud tail is actually Seborrhea of the tail. Cats have 2 types of skin glands. Sweat glands, most of which are non functional and sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are associated with hair follicles and produce an oily substance called sebum.
Excessive exposure to the sun can cause a skin condition called Solar Dermatitis. This is primarily a problem in breeds with sparse fur like the Sphynx. Skin areas that are lightly pigmented and cats with white skin are also at risk. The ear flaps are the most common site affected.
Feline acne is a skin condition affecting the cats chin. Overactive oil (sebaceous) glands in the chin produce excess oil or sebum which predisposes cats to developing Feline Acne and Stud Tail. The oil, which is also called Sebum, plugs up the hair follicles in the chin which causes black heads called Comedomes to form.…
Lice are tiny, six-legged parasites that feed on blood and can cause anemia. Weak, run-down kittens are most susceptible. Tiny white spots, called nits are visible. These are the egg casings. Lice spend their entire life on the animal and are not transferable to other pets or people. They do not infest your home and…
Dry skin is common, especially when the weather gets cold and we have to turn the heat up indoors. Dry skin is flaky and often has white scales that resemble dandruff. Diets deficient in essential omega-3 fatty acids and zinc can lead to dry skin, as can bathing your cat with the wrong shampoo or…
External parasites bothersome to cats include fleas, ear mites, mange mites and walking dandruff mites. Notoedric mange is also called Feline Scabies and is caused by a microscopic mange mite called Notoedres cati. Notoedres mites in cats are similar to Sarcoptic mange mites in dogs. Notoedric mange causes intense itching. Lesions begin on the ear…
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by worms called Dirofilaria immitus. These worms are “spaghetti-like”, grow up to 12″ long, and reside in the heart. The Larval Form of this worm is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. Cats of all ages and breeds are susceptible but three to six…
Itching is the most common sign of allergies in cats and dogs. Allergic dermatitis is inflammation of the skin that occurs after it has been exposed to something to which it is allergic, known as an allergen. The number-one sign of allergies in pets is itching. Cats lick, bite, chew and scratch themselves to the…
Prepare everything in advance: use a figure-8 harness attached to a leash that can be fastened to the wall next to your tub or sink with a suction cup. This will secure the cat and leave both your hands free. BATHING YOUR CAT Place a non-skid rubber mat on the bottom of the tub or…
Regular grooming helps keep your cat’s skin and haircoat in good health. It decreases hairballs and mats, removes dead skin and hair, and degreases the coat. Grooming also gives you a chance to check for fleas and ticks, as well as lumps and bumps. A quality diet that supplies the essential vitamins and minerals helps…
Skin diseases are very common in cats. They can occur because of bacterial, viral, fungal, allergic, parasitic, and hormonal disorders. In older cats, skin cancer and cysts are not uncommon. Signs of skin problems are among the easiest to detect. They include dry flaky skin, as well as red, raw irritated areas often with hair…
Food allergy is an abnormal or a hypersensitive reaction to a food ingredient which is usually a protein. 10-20% of allergies in cats are caused by food. CAUSES Beef, dairy products and fish, especially tuna and mackerel are responsible for almost 90 percent of food allergies in cats. These products cause a skin reaction as…
Constipation is the infrequent passage of stool and/or straining to defecate. The feces may be hard or just firmer than normal. Recurrent constipation can lead to Obstipation which is the term used for severe, persistent constipation. The colon, which is the end or terminal portion of the large intestine, becomes dilated and enlarged. Stool retained…
Diarrhea is defined as a change in the frequency, consistency or volume of stools. It is the most common sign of disease of the small intestine in cats and dogs. Abnormal intestinal absorption of nutrients is usually the underlying cause which can occur because of a variety of infectious, toxins and/or dietary factors. SYMPTOMS * Large volumes of…
How Much Playtime Do Cats Need? Cats needs at least 10-15 minutes of exercise three to four times a day. The exact amount varies with age, breed, health and physical condition. Indoor cats need to play 3 to 4 times as much as outdoor cats to satisfy their needs for exercise. One hour of playful…
Francis used to cry from her arthritis but she isn’t hurting any more thanks to veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne and PAAWS.
Twenty-Five percent of cats are clinically obese, which is defined as an excess accumulation of body fat. This is important because obesity can reduce your cats life span. Obesity also predisposes to Heart Disease, Skin Disorders, Arthritis, and Fatty Liver Disease, Cancer, Lower Urinary Tract Disease, and Diabetes. Obesity can either cause or result from Diabetes. In either case…
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic condition that affects the function of stomach and or intestines. Abnormally large numbers of blood cells invade the bowel which interferes with digestion and absorption of food. The intestines are unable to absorb nutrients from the diet; therefore the food eaten is not able to be utilized by the…
Cats are naturally finicky when it comes to food and missing an occasional meal is not unusual, but cats that stop eating completely even for a few days can develop a liver problem called Fatty Liver or Hepatic Lipidosis which is very serious. This liver disease perpetuates both the appetite loss and the cat’s illness.…
Proper nutrition is vital to good health and maximizes the quality and length of life. Commercially available premium foods are convenient and their composition is regulated by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USDA). The label should clearly state that the food is nutritionally complete…
Grooming is part of a cat’s natural behavior. Small amounts of hair are normally swallowed, some of which pass through the digestive tract and are eliminated in the feces. The rest mixes with mucus to form a hairball. Hairballs in the throat area are brought up by regurgitation; those in the stomach are vomited up.…
Vomiting that occurs occasionally in an otherwise healthy cat is generally not a cause for concern. Vomiting that persists for over 72 hours with or without signs of illness such as appetite loss, depression, lethargy, or diarrhea can indicate a more severe problem and should be addressed. The fluids lost during vomiting result in dehydration…
HOMEMADE DIET FOOD OPTIONS A cats diet is generally 60 to 80 percent protein, 20 percent vegetables and 20 percent grain. Homemade foods to fulfill these dietary requirements may include: Protein Sources: * Raw ground chuck * Raw organic chicken * Cooked chicken, turkey, lamb or beef Vegetable Sources * Use finely grated raw zucchini…
Cats are naturally fastidious and constantly groom themselves. Vomiting hairballs from time to time is pretty standard, as are occasional bouts of indigestion. As the years go by some owners notice that they are spending a little more time cleaning up hairballs or vomit piles. The litter box may contain more or less stool than…
The inside lining of the ear is normally smooth with a small amount of wax buildup. Many problems can cause the ears to be irritated, inflamed and/or infected. Any of these causes left untreated can lead to more complicated problems, including middle and inner ear damage and hearing loss. Most cats let you know that…