Cat Health

Osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor mainly affecting the long bones, is one of the most common forms of cancer and bone disease in felines according to pet-health-guide.org.

Diabetic cats may not respond well to prescription foods meant for overweight cats. The Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook indicates that, in general, diabetic cats respond well to dietary...

The effects of pepper spray on a cat are the same as on humans, causing a burning sensation in the eyes and mouth.

The feline herpes virus is one of the main culprits of ocular and respiratory infections in cats. A herpes infection is, by its very definition, a chronic condition. Once cats are infected with...

While more cats are overweight than underweight, there are plenty of felines that struggle to put on pounds. It may be that the cat is a recent rescue or it is overcoming an illness. Or it may be...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common ailments in domestic cats. Often UTIs have no distinct cause and can be frustrating for both the veterinarian and the owner when looking...

Urea is a chemical made from ammonia in the liver. Ammonia is absorbed in the digestive tract from the breakdown of proteins found in food. After the liver produces urea, it is excreted from the...

Feline urinary tract infections are a common, painful problem for cats. According to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, neutered male cats are more likely than females to suffer...

Ear mites, found most commonly in cats, are more than a nuisance for your pet or an inconvenience to you. While mild cases may only cause severe itching, severe infestations can lead to anemia and...

SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are drugs used to affect behavior. In recent years these drugs have been used to modify behavior in cats and other small animals. As indicated,...

Although they react differently, cats feel pain in the same way humans do. And like it does for humans, pain can have a profound impact on a cat's quality of life. Providing pain relief will make...

As a cat ages, it is more likely to experience renal failure. According to the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB), "chronic renal failure is progressive over time so that there is a gradual advancement...

By the time your cat is three years of age, there's a 70 percent likelihood that he has signs of oral disease, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. Preventing dental problems such...

Peppermint oil is harmful to cats, as are other peppermint products. Peppermint oil has been known to send some cats to the hospital, according to "Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats" by C.J....

Common in older cats, chronic renal failure involves a gradual, irreversible deterioration of kidney function over an extended period of time. Kidneys use millions of tiny funnel-shaped tubes...

Feline chronic kidney disease, or chronic renal failure (CRF), is an incurable disease which causes the loss of the cat's kidney cells. The disease progresses quickly in some cats and more slowly...

If a cat's ears smell bad, it is likely that an ear infection is present. Cats have ears shaped like the letter "L." Thus, cat ears collect more dirt and debris than human ears, leading to...

Novartis' Neoral or oral cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant drug many veterinarians prescribe to treat asthmatic cats. Neoral will prevent a cat's immune system from releasing the histamines...

Low potassium in cats is relatively easy to treat, but can be an indication of a more serious health problem. According to Petplace.com, some cats with low potassium may have problems with the...

According to the Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, a cat's ears and sense of hearing are part of what make it unique (Reference 1). Caring for a cat's ears when it is a kitten can help it...

Fluoroquinolone Baytril, active ingredient enrofloxacin, is an antibiotic produced by the Bayer Corp. It is used by veterinarians to treat bacterial infections in companion animals, including dogs...

Norvasc is the brand name (Pfizer) of the drug Amlodipine besylate; a calcium channel blocker that is used by veterinarians to treat cats and dogs with hypertension. Though Norvasc is only...

Ear mites are small insects that live and lay eggs in the ear canals of household pets. The bugs are most commonly found in cats, though they can afflict dogs as well. Ear mite infections respond...

Rapid heartbeat in felines is one of the most common symptoms of any heart condition, according to cat-health-guide.org, but it can also be associated with increased stress. The normal heartbeat...

Feline mange typically comes in two forms: demodectic and notoedric. The type of mange that occurs depends on which mite causes the problem. Most medications that are indicated for the treatment...

Cats will often have a day-long bout of diarrhea with no serious side effects. This can be caused by eating foods that are difficult to digest--such as dairy products--or by a hairball. If your...

Though kidney disease and urinary tract infections are conditions experienced by organs in the urinary tract, they are different in length of illness and severity. Kidney disease constitutes a...

Sinus infections in cats can be an ongoing problem that may be the result of an infectious disease or a non-infectious disease. There are various remedies that are both natural and medicinal,...

Just as humans experience stress and anxiety in their lives, so do cats. If you arm yourself with good information on how to recognize stress in our feline friends and how to alleviate it, you...

If your cat is sick and not feeling well, she will likely show symptoms. This could be something as obvious as vomiting, or behavior that is a little more obscure like lying in a different place...

Perhaps because of their solitary nature, cats are very good at hiding pain. When they do react, humans often mistake their behavior for something else, such as hostility or aloofness....

Fleas are a common problem with which cat owners are faced, and just as great a problem is finding an effective flea control treatment that doesn't contain impossible to pronounce chemical...

From skin allergies to gastrointestinal problems like Irritable Bowl Disorder (IBD), the most effective way to combat your cat's flair-ups is by feeding it a limited ingredient diet. A limited...

Skin problems in cats are commonly the result of allergies, which can manifest in scratching, sneezing, coughing and teary eyes. The best treatment is to remove the allergen from your cat's...

It's more common for a house cat to suffer from obesity than weight loss. That's why it can be troubling to see a cat losing weight all of the sudden. There are some explanations, but consult your...

Bruxism is the medical word for the grinding and gnashing of teeth not associated with eating. A cat is suffering from bruxism when it continually and forcefully grinds its teeth. This condition...

When a cat gives birth, it is recommended that you don't get involved unless absolutely necessary. Sometimes, though, a litter of kittens will come out of the birth canal in such quick succession...

Making a cat lose weight is not an easy task. It may take several months before pounds are lost in a healthy manner, but your diligence will result in a healthy and happy cat for years to come....

You've been feeding a colony of feral cats since spring. You've even trapped them, had them spayed/neutered and returned them to their territory. Now the weather's getting colder and you're...

Feline dementia or "kitty Alzheimer's," is properly known as feline cognitive dysfunction or feline cognitive disorder. According to veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman, feline cognitive dysfunction...

Fentanyl patches are a specific type of transdermal patch, sometimes also referred to as a pain patch or skin patch. A pain control medication known as fentanyl is contained within the patch. The...

Hematocrit (Hct) is the ratio of red blood cells to a given volume of blood. The hematocrit is obtained through a blood test using a centrifuge method. The result is called the hematocrit value...

Roundworms are a parasitic worm found all over the world. Roundworms include the notorious heart worm species that can attack a pet's heart, arteries and lungs. Cats can get roundworms from eating...

Overall, most cats are usually friendly, easy-going and love to be held. However, anyone who has tried to administer medication to a feline may beg to differ. They can squirm, use their claws and...

A sick cat is a problem for both the cat and the owner. Cats are good at hiding the fact that they are sick, but at times they display outward symptoms such as vomiting or constipation. There are...

While some people use mothballs to keep cats out of their gardens, be aware that if you do so you're spreading a potentially deadly toxin around, one that is capable of killing a cat.

Rimadyl is used to treat arthritis and post-surgical pain in dogs. Rimadyl is an NSAID--a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. Its generic name is carprofen.

Most often when a cat has a stuffy nose, the animal has an upper respiratory infection or allergy. In most instances, it is safe to treat the condition at home. If your cat doesn't respond to home...

If your cat goes outdoors at all, you need to be concerned about fleas. Not only can fleas make your cat miserable, they can actually make her sick. Fleas cause intense itching, but some cats...

Properly diagnosing the cause of skin rashes in cats can be difficult. Because a number of different disorders can produce skin rashes as a symptom, your veterinarian will examine a number of...