• Cats
• Wellness Care
• Surgery
• Health Issues
• Your New Kitten

Home » Cats » health issues

Cat Health Issues

If your cat displays any of the signs or symptoms listed below, please call us to schedule an appointment.

Alopecia (Hair loss)

• Signs and symptoms: abnormal hair loss
• Diagnosis: Your veterinarian will perform a skin cytology skin scraping, and/or blood work in order to determine if the cause is bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or an endocrine imbalance.
• Treatment: Will vary according to the doctor’s findings.
• Prevention: Flea and tick prevention and regular veterinary wellness visits to diagnose disease early.

Anal Glands

These are foul smelling fluid filled sacs at the four and eight o’clock positions around the rectum. Occasionally these sacs can become full and your pet may become uncomfortable. Untreated anal gland problems can lead to infection or abscess.

• Signs and symptoms: include scooting or licking the rear end area.
• Diagnosis: Your veterinarian will perform a rectal exam
• Treatment: includes expressing the anal glands and exam to inspect for infection of abscess to determine if further treatment is required.
• Prevention: None. However, for cats that have chronic anal gland problems, we can do laser surgery to remove the anal glands, curing the problem.

Diabetes

Signs and symptoms: your cat may be drinking, urinating and eating more. Cataracts may also be a symptom.

• Diagnosis: The veterinarian will need to test blood sugar levels in both blood and urine.
• Treatment: Adjusting your cat’s diet and/or insulin injections may be required.
• Prevention: Feeding your cat a high quality cat food, preventing obesity, and regular exercise can help prevent this disease.
  h2. Ear Infections

Signs and symptoms: discomfort and sensitivity; your cat shakes his/her head, scratches ears, black-brown or pus-like discharge. Most times the ears become red and inflamed accompanied with a strong odor and head tilt.

• Diagnosis: Your veterinarian will detect this during routine examinations by means of an otoscopic examination and cytology.
• Treatment: This depends on what the doctor finds. This can range from ear mites, bacteria, yeast, fungus, a foreign body or a tumor.
• Prevention: Routine ear cleaning can help.

Heart Disease

Signs and symptoms: coughing that worsens, difficulty breathing, cyanosis (this is when the tongue becomes blue), weight loss, visible respiratory difficulties, exhaustion

• Diagnosis: Your veterinarian will be able to gather details with radiographs, auscultation, and an echocardiogram
• Treatment: medication may be prescribed, exercise should be monitored. Try to avoid dry climates and sudden temperature changes. If your cat spends a lot of time lying down, turn him over from time to time to prevent fluids from stagnating in the same side of the lung. Rationing meals could also help.
• Prevention: Genetics play a part, however healthy diet, preventing obesity, and exercise can help prevent this disease.

Hyperthyroidism

Signs and symptoms: weight loss without eating less, skin disorders, heart problems, and decreased activity level

• Diagnosis: Your veterinarian can measure the thyroid hormone levels with blood work
• Treatment: there are a variety of treatments, including surgery and medication (administered long-term) to help make your cat symptom-free for life
• Prevention: none

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Signs and symptoms: Your cat has a history of recurrent vomiting and or diarrhea. Your cat may lose weight but everything else seems normal.

• Diagnosis: Your veterinarian can biopsy the affected part of the stomach or intestine, use an endoscope , or prescribe therapeutic medication along with a specific diet
• Treatment: medication and dietary trials
• Prevention: none

Oral Cavity Diseases

Abscesses or Fistula

• Signs and symptoms: strange odor, difficulty eating
• Diagnosis: Your veterinarian will detect this during an examination
• Treatment: dental treatment or possibly a tooth extraction(s)
• Prevention: Routine veterinary wellness exams

Tartar buildup

• Signs and symptoms: strange odor (halitosis), lesions on the teeth and gums or teeth may be loose.
• Diagnosis: Your veterinarian will detect this during routine examinations
• Treatment: dental treatment and/or de-scaling.
• Prevention: routine brushing and dental cleanings at home and by your veterinarian