Inherited Disorders in Cats- What Every Owner Must Know

Inherited Disorders in Cats- What Every Owner Must Know

Inherited disorders are genetic problems that are passed on from one generation to the next. There are certain disorders associated with particular breeds; a few of the most important are described here. Why Do Genetic Problems Occur? Inherited disorders result from faults in a cat’s genes—sections of DNA inside cells that hold the “instructions” for … Read more

Cat Heart Disease-Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

Cat Heart Disease-Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

Heart disease, with subsequent heart failure, is one of the most frequent problems in small-animal medicine. Because the heart functions to supply oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body via the blood, serious ramifications result if this function is interfered with by disease. In addition, the decreased movement of blood through the circulatory … Read more

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)- Protect Your Cat Now

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)- Protect Your Cat Now

Certainly one of the most devastating diseases affecting cat populations around the world is feline leukemia. The feline leukemia virus belongs to a group of infectious agents known as retroviruses, and it shares some characteristics with the human AIDS virus. It can occur by itself, or in combination with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a … Read more

What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)?

What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)?

Until the late 1980s, the feline leukemia virus was the only agent linked to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in cats—that is, it was until the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) (also known as “feline AIDS”) was identified. This organism is unlike the feline leukemia virus in that it belongs to the same subfamily of retroviruses as the … Read more

Cat’s Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex

Cat’s Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex

This dermatopathy of cats is characterized by the unexplained appearance of red to yellow-brown ulcerated lesions with associated hair loss occurring at various locations around the body. On the average, it tends to strike female cats that are under 6 years of age. When the raised, welldemarcated reddish ulcers appear on the lips of affected … Read more

Megacolon 

Megacolon 

Feline megacolon is a disease condition characterized by a large, distended colon that has lost its ability to contract properly. When this occurs, feces build up within the affected segment and prevent normal flow of ingesta through the intestinal tract. Megacolon is caused by a disruption of or lack of nerve activity in the muscular … Read more

Cat’s Miliary Dermatitis

Cat’s Miliary Dermatitis

Miliary dermatitisrefers to a specific way in which feline skin responds to inflammation and/or irritation. Such a skin reaction is characterized by the formation of tiny, seedlike crusts that frequent the head, neck, and tail regions of the body. In extensive cases, the entire body might be involved. Furthermore, the miliary reaction is quite itchy, … Read more

How to Treat and Prevent Folliculitis in Cats?

How to Treat and Prevent Folliculitis in Cats?

Folliculitis refers to an inflammatory skin condition in cats affecting the hair follicles. It causes small red bumps on the skin that may be itchy, painful, or seeping. Multiple factors can trigger feline folliculitis ranging from infections to allergies. Treating the underlying cause and following proper skin care helps clear up folliculitis flare-ups. This article … Read more

Metabolic Bone Disease

Metabolic Bone Disease

Metabolic bone diseases are characterized by a thinning and loss of bony mass, predisposing the bone to fractures and growth deformities. The most common metabolic bone disease seen in dogs and cats is hyperparathyroidism. This condition is characterized by a calcium deficiency within the body that leads to abnormal bone growth and bone resorption as … Read more

Diabetes Insipidus in Cats

Diabetes Insipidus in Cats

This type of diabetes should not be confused with diabetes mellitus, which involves abnormal glucose metabolism. Diabetes insipidus involves abnormal water metabolism, and it occurs when there is a lack of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is normally produced by the hypothalamus of the brain, yet it exerts its effects on the kidneys, causing water … Read more