Other health problems of Cats
Learn more about other health problems of cats by exploring our site and become a true expert on the animal kingdom. You'll find content created for the best professionals with pictures, videos and opinions.
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Feline hyperthyroidism is a disease which can often go unnoticed. The disease progresses and begins to affect hormone production in the cat incrementally. As our communication with our cat relies on observing their body language and behavior, there may not be much evidence of a change. This is at least...
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Cats are resilient creatures. Although not immortal, they are agile, can withstand high falls and will defend themselves if necessary. Such resilience means they are also able to endure a lot of pain without manifesting obvious symptoms. While this is a credit to the cat's strength, it makes it difficult...
Vomiting and diarrhea in cats are symptoms of many different health disorders. They can often happen on their own, but even the two occurring together can be relatively common. While the problem may not be a serious one, vomiting and/or diarrhea in cats is a sign of a problem. To gauge whether this problem...
The cat is a born hunter with great agility to chase their prey. It is their acute sense of smell which helps them to track this prey in the first place. Their sense of smell is not only useful when hunting, but helps them to know as much as possible about their environment. With such usefulness, anything...
There are many things cats do which we consider weird. They are part of normal feline behavior to which cat guardians eventually adjust. Some of these are characteristic of cats as a species, others are particular to an individual cat. It doesn't mean they are necessarily unhealthy or signal a problem...
In may be unpleasant to check our cat's litter tray, but finding crystals in their urine is just one reason why it is important. Crystals which are passed on their own may not cause a severe problem, but the likelihood is that they indicate the formation of struvite crystals, commonly known as bladder stones...
All cats do not have a uniform color of nose, similar to their fur and eyes. The important thing we need to consider if we notice the coloration of a cat's nose is whether it is natural. Similar to a cat's fur and eyes, if there is a change in tonality in an adult cat, then it is a sign something may have...
Getting ready to go to bed but seeing that your bed is wet with your cat's urine is a complete nightmare! The reason behind why your cat keeps peeing on your bed can be due to a number of reasons that we will go through below.
Keep reading this AnimalWised article to know why your cat keeps peeing on...
Feline Triaditis is an inflammatory disease that attacks the intestines, liver, and pancreas. Although small cats are more prone to this disease, any cat can be suffering from triaditis.
In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain everything you need to know about triaditis in cats, including the...
Whether your cat is only urinating very little or has stopped completely, it is important to understand that this is not a normal situation. Any sudden change regarding litter box habits should prompt a trip to the veterinarian, as there are potentially life-threatening illnesses that manifest through...
Have you noticed an unusual lump on your cat's belly? Whether it is just one lump or more than one, this is one of the most common symptoms of mammary tumors in cats and should be taken very seriously. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the different stages of breast cancer in cats,...
Diarrhea is a clinical sign which indicates a cat has gastrointestinal problems. However, the causes of GI issues are extremely varied. Some are relatively benign and will clear up on their own in a short time. Others can be more serious and require veterinary medical intervention. Although diarrhea...
Any time you can see your cat's blood, there is cause for concern. If external, we might be able to look for bites or scratches which can heal easily. If internal, the cause is more difficult to determine and, in the majority of cases, more worrying. When a cat vomits blood, it means the blood is coming...
Also known as fibrous sarcoma in cats, feline fibrosarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma which commonly appears at the injection site when hypodermic needles are used. As a relatively common type of cancer in cats, it accounts for 6 to 12% of feline tumors. It is a mesenchymal tumor, meaning it affects...
Liver failure in cats appears as a result of certain liver diseases that affect the functionality of the liver such as hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, amyloidosis or tumors, but it can also be due to extrahepatic or toxic diseases.
In this AnimalWised article we’re going to explain what liver failure in cats...
An inflamed anus in cats can be due to gastrointestinal issues, dermatitis, anal gland problems or even tumors. Cats are very hygienic animals, but if you see them licking their anus excessively, it could be due to inflammation. While the licking itself can cause the anus to be swollen and red, it is important...
A cat's ears can change temperature quite frequently. Although their ears always have a lower temperature than their body temperature, that does not necessarily mean that our cat is cold. However, under certain medical or environmental conditions your cat may be cold, and too much time under these conditions...
Just like dogs, cats can also suffer from hypothyroidism, a disease caused by low thyroid function. It can be due to different causes, but the main problem is the decrease in the secretion of thyroid hormones. These hormones, when scarce, will cause an imbalance in different functions of our cat's organism.
In...
Hypoglycemia is another term for low blood sugar. This refers to the levels of glucose in the blood, a carbohydrate which is vital in providing the cat with the energy they need to survive. While having too much glucose in the bloodstream is dangerous, so too is having too low blood glucose levels. Although...
Our cats have a body which allows them to make various movements. An impressive ability is to move through small spaces which seem to be much smaller than their body should allow. They are able to do this, in part, due to a relatively supple spine. This spine also supports their skeletal structure and...
Our cats are very hygienic animals which make great effort to ensure their grooming needs are met. While it is difficult to teach them tricks, it is relatively easy to train them to use a litter tray. This is because they want to ensure their waste does not cause their environment to be unhygienic, just...
Cats are naturally curious animals that often use their mouths to explore their environment. They are also known to eat parts of plants, especially types of grasses. Although the reasons for this behavior are poorly understood, it is believed they do so to help digestion. Unfortunately, there are plants which...
Our cats are very hygienic animals which dedicate large portions of their day to grooming. Most generally try to avoid water and will be very wary of any odorous objects or areas in the home. For this reason, when a cat smells bad, it can lead their guardians to worry something is wrong. Since a foul...
Hernias can affect various parts of a cat's body, with location determining certain symptoms and behavior. Some hernias may not show any evident signs, at least at first. This is the case with umbilical hernias in cats. The growth caused by the hernia will vary in size, depending on its severity. In some...
Panting is a behavior we most often associate with canines, not felines. Although dogs of all sizes will pant, it is often most noticeable in big dogs which pant with a large tongue sticking out. In comparison, a cat sticking out their tongue and panting is not something we associate as much with cats....
If you notice symptoms in your cat such as bad breath, discomfort in the mouth, aversion to certain foods, or reduced appetite, it could be related to periodontitis. Periodontal disease is a condition characterized by the shearing off and degradation of the tooth structure at or below the gum line,...
Elevated creatinine levels in cats are related to kidney disease. There are other symptoms which will usually present in the cat before a test for creatinine levels is performed. The reason for these high levels is partly due to impaired kidney function preventing the creatinine from being reabsorbed after...
You may have seen some photos of cats with an atypical appearance. Differences in appearance can vary according to breed, but some cats have an appearance which imply they have a genetic disorder. In fact, the features of some atypical cats appear to be similar to certain genetic human conditions such...
Azotemia is the term used to describe high levels of nitrogen-containing compounds in a cat's blood. These compounds are mainly in the form of creatinine and urea, but other nitrogen-containing waste products can cause the change in blood composition. The underlying causes which lead to higher levels...
Older cats are more susceptible to various ailments due to the natural passage of time. While there are ways we can best ensure their health and well-being, no cat is immune to these changes once they reach a certain age. Deterioration of the musculoskeletal system is one of the most obvious signs of...
There are various substances in the home which are toxic to cats, but which are not common poisons in felines. The reason for this is because cats either do not have regular contact with the product or because they will otherwise stay away. The substances which are common poisons in cats are those which...
Mouth ulcers can occur in cats for a variety of reasons. These include plaque buildup to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). In most cases, mouth ulcers appear as small, open sores in the cat's mouth. The most common symptoms are bleeding and pain, especially if left untreated. If you see ulcers in...
Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of leukocytes. Leukocytes, also called white blood cells, are important defense cells involved in innate immunity. They are the first cells to attack the infectious agents that threaten cats' bodies. Cats have five types of leukocytes: neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils,...
Thanks to a diet of fish-based treats, commercial cat feed, and whatever they might discover out on their travels, even a healthy cat's breath isn't always the most pleasant of aromas. It can often have a little bit of a fusty odor which is not always the best when they are nudging their mouth near our...
Cats with diabetes need to eat protein-rich food which avoids nutrients such as high-glycemic carbohydrates. Many of us will not associate diabetes with felines since they generally do not eat sugar. This is a common misconception with cats since diabetes is related to poor diet, especially when it is high...
Mistaking a bloated belly in a cat for simply eating too much could be a costly mistake. Although gastrointestinal problems are a common cause of feline distended abdomen, there are many causes which can result in this symptom. Some causes can be easily treatable, others can be life threatening. For this...
When your cat suddenly snubs their food and water, it's natural to worry. We, as loving cat owners, are experts in their routines and habits. While cats are notorious for their discerning palates, a persistent lack of interest in eating or drinking demands attention. From picky palates to hidden health...
Taking good care of your cat's teeth is important for their overall health and well-being. Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, is a common issue in cats that can lead to pain, discomfort, and other health problems if left untreated. But the good news is, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent...
We expect a male cat will behave differently before and after neutering. This is due to testosterone, the main sex hormone in male cats. The neutering process is designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies, removing the testicles which are the main source of testosterone production in their body. While...
Cats are known for being very hygienic animals, often cleaning parts which seem impossible to reach. While some have more difficulty than others, they can clean their behind by bending over and latching on to their legs. When we see a cat has stool on their butt after using the litter box, it might suggest...
When a cat has swollen and red gums, guardians often first notice it due to the cat's bad breath. This is because the inflammation is linked to bacteria in the mouth, which is often accompanied by plaque and tartar buildup. While painful and stressful on their own, they can cause serious repercussions...
Kidney problems in cats are relatively common disorders in cats, especially with older cats. As caregivers, it is very important we pay attention to any physical or behavioral changes in our cat. Unfortunately, the early stages of kidney problems in cats can have very few symptoms or even be asymptomatic....
A cat can start shaking for any number of reasons, many of which are pathological. The extent of the shaking is also important since there is a difference between a mild passing tremor and a consistent episode of shaking. Whatever the cause of the cat shaking, it is important to know that it is not normal....
When a cat keeps humping our arm, it is easy to assume it is behavior related to sexual reproduction. This is why so many cat guardians can be confused when their neutered cat mounts their arm. When they do so, they often bite and give bunny kicks with their back legs. While it is possible humping behavior...
By definition of the procedure, spayed cats should not be able to go into heat. Spaying females and castrating males means their reproductive organs are removed which produce sex hormones. For females, this means their ovaries and uterus in the most common procedures. Their removal should stop the heat...
We may not notice our cat has a bloated and hard belly until the problem has progressed. This is because cats do not often like their bellies being touched. Their undersides are sensitive since many of their vital organs are located in this vulnerable region. Such vulnerability is also the reason why...
Beyond just a bathroom break, cat pee plays a big role in feline communication. They mark territory and send messages with their urine. But what happens when your cat's bathroom habits change? Strong odors, frequent urination, or blood in the pee can be cause for concern.
Is cat pee dangerous? This...
Cats like to press their head against their guardians as a sign of affection. Often when this happens, we might notice they leave a little trail of wetness behind where their nose had been. Many cat caregivers see this as a sign of good health, but it is important to know this is not always the case. The...
The diaphragm in cats functions in the same way as the human diaphragm. It is a layer of abdominal muscle which contracts to cause the lungs to expand. Doing so helps with respiration as the lungs inhale and exhale air. A cat diaphragm is susceptible to the same pathologies and trauma, although a diaphragmatic...
Permethrin is a type of insecticide which can be used in medical applications as a deworming agent. It is found as an active ingredient in numerous antiparasitic and insecticide products. Its use is safe and effective for use on canines, but it is highly toxic to cats. Due to the high levels of permethrin toxicity...