Overview Hepatic lipidosis, or “fatty liver,” is a condition that can be brought about by other diseases, and is one of the most common reasons for cats to suffer liver failure. The tendency of hepatic lipidosis in cats is related to the natural physiology of a cat: in nature it is uncommon for wild cats […]
Overview Conjunctivitis refers to the inflammation of the mucus membranes that lines the eyelids. When infected, they become swollen, dry, and itchy. The inflammation can spread to the cornea, and lead to permanent damage of the eye or even blindness. In cats, this condition is commonly seen in kittens and is usually caused by the […]
Overview Most commonly known as “cat scratch fever,” the disease one can get following a cat scratch is in fact an infection caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. The bacterium parasitizes fleas, so generally speaking a cat is much more likely to be a carrier of cat scratch disease if it has a flea problem. […]
Overview A cat can get tail injuries in various ways. While there is sometimes an obvious kink in the tail, in most cases there is no discernable external trauma, or the trauma goes unnoticed because of other more significant wounds on the cat’s body. While the spinal cord does not extend down to the tail, […]
Overview Feline immunodeficiency virus is a virus that suppresses a cat’s immune system, the same way HIV does in humans. The two viruses are similar, and many things we know about being HIV+ also applies to a FIV+ cat. However, FIV infects strictly cats and is not transmittable to humans. FIV is in the same […]
Overview Fur-mowing refers to excessive licking of certain areas of the cat’s body, leading to hair loss and sometimes skin lesions. Excessive licking is generally not apparent at first since it is consistent with normal grooming behavior, and owners may only become aware of the problem when an obvious bald patch develops. Large patches of […]
Overview When used in the context of animal health, the term “anorexia” does not have the psychological connotation seen in humans; in contrast, it simply means a decrease or complete loss in appetite. While cats are generally picky eaters, refusal to eat may be a result of more serious health issues. Malnutrition may become a […]
