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, …
Because viruses cannot be readily identified microscopically or cultured, diagnosis of URD in cats relies on history of occurrence and clinical signs seen. Laboratory findings from blood samples are usually nonspecific as well. If Chlamydophila is suspected, microscopic examination of some of the cells lining …
The feline parvovirus is found worldwide, affecting cats in much the same way as parvovirus affects their canine counterparts. The feline parvovirus causes severe gastroenteritis in affected cats, and can be fatal unless treated with haste. This highly contagious disease primarily affects unvaccinated cats less …
Pleural effusion is not really a disease entity in itself; rather, it is a sign of disease. It occurs more frequently in cats than it does in dogs. The pleural space is an air-filled space located in the thoracic cavity between the inner thoracic wall …
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a unique viral disease of cats, unique in that the actual organ damage resulting from infection is not directly caused by the virus itself, but from the immune response to the invader. The FIP organism is classified as a coronavirus, …
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, …
Inflammation involving the nasal passages of dogs and cats is termed rhinitis. The hallmark clinical signs seen with a case of rhinitis include sneezing and nasal discharge. Causes of rhinitis include bacterial infections, nasal tumors, trauma, and foreign bodies. In addition, the fungal organism Aspergillus …
Loss of hair, either locally or generalized over the coat of a cat, is another type of skin problem that owners may face. As with itching, the causes of hair loss can be quite numerous, and sometimes very complex. A proper diagnosis is essential for …
Chlamydophila refers to a type of bacteria affecting cats that can cause infections like conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and respiratory disease. This obligate, intracellular pathogen spreads through feline ocular and nasal secretions. Chlamydophila felis strains commonly trigger infection while Chlamydophila psittaci strains less frequently cause illness in …
Bacterial skin disease in cats seldom occurs unless there is some underlying disorder promoting it. Trauma, malnutrition, parasitism, hormonal abnormalities, and immune system malfunctions can all predispose to the proliferation of bacteria on the skin. Healthy skin has several mechanisms by which it resists infectious …