The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care REPRODUCTIVE AND URINARY ORGANS (GENITOURINARY SYSTEM) MALE UROGENITAL ORGANS Major portions of the male cat’s reproductive system are located externally within reach of your examination. Many cats resist a thorough examination of their genitals, however, so don’t feel dismayed if you can’t examine all parts as described. The … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care DIGESTIVE SYSTEM (GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM) The digestive system consists of the digestive tube (mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus) and the associated salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Few of the foodstuffs necessary for growth, life, and work enter the body in a form that … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care SKIN (INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM) The integumentary system consists of the skin and its specialized modifications: the hair, the foot pads, the claws, and the anal sacs. Your cat’s skin protects his or her body against environmental changes, trauma, and germs. In the skin vitamin D is synthesized; below the … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care MUSCLE AND BONE (MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM) Muscle tissue is composed of contractile units that provide the power for voluntary movement, breathing, blood circulation, digestion, glandular secretion, and excretion of body wastes, as well as many other more minor functions. There are three types of muscle tissue in your cat’s … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care: PHYSICAL EXAMINATION Physical examination consists of applying knowledge of anatomy to a routine and thorough inspection of all or part of your cat’s body. Each person (including every veterinarian) develops his or her own method for giving a physical examination. The best routine to develop is one that … Read more
The Veterinarians’ Guide to Your Cat’s Symptoms: care of an injured or sick cat When a pet cat is injured an owner often must make some immediate decisions about what to do and how to do it. If a cat is ill or recuperating from surgery or injury, the owner must be prepared to look … Read more
The Veterinarians’ Guide to Your Cat’s Symptoms: Contagious and Infectious Feline Diseases Although cats are susceptible to a number of infectious and contagious diseases just as all other mammals are, for many years research into feline diseases and the development of preventive medicines for cats took a backseat to the study of canine diseases. Now, … Read more
The Veterinarians’ Guide to Your Cat’s Symptoms: Contagious and Infectious Feline Diseases Upper Respiratory Infections (URI’s) The two feline upper respiratory infections that have the most severe symptoms are calicivirus and rhinotrdcheitis. These viruses are included in routine immunizations. Two milder upper respiratory infections, pneumonitis and reovirus are not usually part of a kitten’s or … Read more
The Veterinarians’ Guide to Your Cat’s Symptoms: Accidents Medical Emergencies Most emergency situations involving cats are usually due either to accidental injury or to illness. Emergencies due to accidental injury may include trauma,such as a bad fall, hard blow, or being hit by a moving vehicle. In these cases a cat may suffer from fractures, … Read more
The Veterinarians’ Guide to Your Cat’s Symptoms: Accidents Medical Emergencies Cardiovascular Emergencies Cardiomyopathy Cats do not suffer from cholesterol problems or heart attacks as people do. The most commonly seen feline heart disease is disease of the heart muscle and can take several forms. A cat can have cardiomyopathy for years before symptoms surface. Hypertrophic … Read more