The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care DIGESTIVE SYSTEM (GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT): DIARRHEA Diarrhea is the passage of abnormally soft and/or frequent stools. This sign is often associated with vomiting, but may also occur by itself. When present, diarrhea often causes cats to fail to use their litter pans. NUMEROUS PROBLEMS CAUSE DIARRHEA Diarrhea has many … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care DIGESTIVE SYSTEM (GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT) VOMITING Vomiting is the forcible expulsion of stomach and/or intestinal contents through the mouth. It is important to try to distinguish between true vomiting and regurgitation, which is the passive act of returning the contents of the esophagus or pharynx through the mouth. This … Read more
The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care SKELETAL ABNORMALITIES (POLYDACTYLY, PATELLAR LUXATION, HIP DYSPLASIA) The incidence of abnormalities of the appendicular skeleton in cats historically has been rare. The most commonly recognized abnormality has been the formation of extra complete or partially formed digits on each affected foot, particularly the front feet. This condition is … Read more
NUTRITIONAL SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM (PAPER BONE DISEASE) Signs of this bone condition are seen most often in young, growing kittens, but the basic changes in metabolism and bone which occur are induced in any cat fed a diet unbalanced in calcium and phosphorus. The cause of this nutritional bone disease is usually a diet that consists … Read more
MUSCLE AND BONE (MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM) FRACTURES Complete fracture (break) of any of the major limb bones usually results in the inability to bear weight on the affected limb, as well as some deformity of the limb. The deformity may consist simply of swelling or may include angulation (formation of an abnormal angle) usually at the … Read more
MUSCLE AND BONE (MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM) SPRAINS, STRAINS, AND BRUISES Sprains, strains, and bruises (contusions) consist of damage to the soft tissues surrounding and supporting the bones, usually without loss of weight-bearing ability. In these injuries swelling and signs of pain are often quite diffuse, so you may not be able to determine the exact site … Read more
MUSCLE AND BONE (MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM) Musculoskeletal problems not related to injury are rare in cats. Diseases seen frequently in dogs such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation), which have a hereditary predisposition, are almost never seen in cats except for individuals from certain purebred bloodlines. Therefore you as a cat owner have little … Read more
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM FELINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX (FRDC) LARYNGITIS Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx (“voice box,” vocal cords) that causes a change of or loss of voice in cats. There can be many causes. Some cases are caused by infection (viral, bacterial); others are simply the result of excessive meowing (e.g., in Siamese cats). … Read more
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM FELINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX (FRDC) ALLERGIC BRONCHITIS (ASTHMA) Inflammation of the airways in the lung (bronchitis) can follow or accompany most respiratory diseases of cats. It is also a response to inhaled infectious organisms and irritant materials such as litter dust or wood smoke. One common cause of bronchitis of cats is allergic … Read more
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM FELINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX (FRDC) WHEN TO SEEK VETERINARY HELP FOR FRDC Respiratory infection in which the signs are mild—small amounts of watery eye and/or nose discharge and a few sneezes unaccompanied by fever—usually do not require veterinary care if the cat is eating normally (or near normally) and does not seem unduly … Read more