Category Archives: Diseases of cats
Snotty-nosed cats
Snotty-nosed and snuffly cats are difficult to live with. Their owners put up with sneezes and snot all over the house, as well as snuffles and grumbles all day and half the night. The causes of sinusitis and rhinosinusitis are … Continue reading
Paracetomol poison to cats
Don’t be tempted to medicate your off-colour cat with paracetamol this holiday season. Paracetamol at any dose is deadly to cats. Soon after ingesting it cats’ red blood cells lose the ability to carry oxygen. The cats’ gums turn brown, … Continue reading
Another reason to give up smoking
Cats and dogs who live with smokers have a higher risk of developing cancer. The risk of lymphoma, the most common cancer in cats, is tripled in cats from smoking households. Squamous cell carcinomas of the mouth are also more … Continue reading
Kidney failure in cats
What do kidneys do? The kidneys remove waste products from the blood stream, regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, maintain the acid-base balance of the body and remove toxins and drugs. They also help maintain blood pressure and stimulate blood … Continue reading
Cat fights
Cats typically have a hate-hate relationship with any strange cat in their presence, yard, or environment. When new cats meet, they fluff up, spit, hiss – more like scream! – and the fur soon goes flying. While the brawl may … Continue reading
Snake season
Jonah reports that snakes are out and about again. He found one on Saturday night. His carers thought he wasn’t himself on Sunday but when they came home on Monday and found him not able to stand they were sure … Continue reading
Lilies poison cats
All species of lilies are toxic to cats. Indoor cats with little choice in plant munching material are most at risk as they will try any cut flower that comes into the house. Any part of the plant – flowers, … Continue reading
Kitty Dementia
Dementia, also known as feline cognitive dysfunction, is an age-related disorder of brain function causing multiple behaviour changes. In cats the behaviour changes include: Yowling excessively and inappropriately Urinating or defecating outside the litter box and around the house Disorientation … Continue reading
Worms in cats
Tapeworms and roundworms are the most common intestinal parasites of cats. Tapeworms are long flat worms composed of many individual segments which look like wriggling grains of rice in cat faeces. Round worms are much shorter and rounder and produce … Continue reading
Feline Leukaemia
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is an important viral infection of young cats in multi-cat households. Over the last few years infection has become less common. What diseases are associated with FeLV? FeLV infection suppresses the immune system making the cat … Continue reading
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