Category — cat health

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is the diseased state caused by the protozoal (single celled) parasites of the genus Babesia. The most common mode of transmission is by tick bite, as the Babesia parasite uses the tick as a reservoir to reach host mammals. Infection in a cat may occur by tick transmission, direct transmission via blood transfer from dog or cat bites, blood transfusions, or transplacental transmission. The incubation period averages about two weeks, but symptoms may remain mild and some cases are not diagnosed for months to years. Piroplasms infect and replicate in the red blood cells, resulting in both direct and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, where the red blood cells (RBCs) are broken down through hemolysis (destruction) and hemoglobin is released into the body. This release of hemoglobin can lead to jaundice, and to anemia when the body cannot produce enough new red blood cells to replace the ones being destroyed. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia is likely to be more clinically important than parasite-induced RBC destruction, since the severity of the condition does not depend on the degree of parasitemia.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management

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Thrombocytopenia in Cats

An abnormally low production of blood platelets in cats is due to the medical condition thrombocytopenia. Platelets are produced in the bone marrow and then released into the blood stream. They also serve the important function of maintaining hemostasis. Low platelet counts can be found in any breed of cat, and at any age. Treatment options do exist and unless the cause of the condition is serious, prognosis for the cat is positive.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management
• Prevention

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Pulmonary Contusions in Cats

Pulmonary contusion, or a hemorrhage of the lung, occurs when the cat’s lung is torn and/or crushed during direct trauma to the chest. This then impedes the cat’s ability to breath and pass arterial blood to a capillary bed in synchrony. Cats suffering from capillary damage may also develop pulmonary fluid in the lungs, as well as hemorrhage.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management

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Pancytopenia in Cats

Pancytopenia does not actually refer to a disease, but rather to the simultaneous development of a number of blood-related deficiencies: non-regenerative anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia. The root word pan refers to all or whole, and cytopenia refers to a lack of cells circulating in the blood.

Nonregenerative anemia is a condition characterized by a low red-blood cell count and the bone marrow’s lack of response to produce additionally needed red-blood cells; leucopenia refers to a low white-blood cell count; and thrombocytopenia refers to a low platelet and thrombocyte count (the cells that function in blood coagulation).

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management

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Cuterebrosis

Botflies, flies that are of the genus Cuterebra, are found in the Americas, where they are obligatory parasites of rodents and rabbits. The botfly proliferates by laying eggs on blades of grass or in nests, where they hatch, releasing maggots that crawl onto the skin of passing animals. The small maggots then enter a body orifice, migrate through various internal tissues, and ultimately make their way to the skin, where they establish themselves within the skin, creating a warble (a small lump in the skin). The mature maggots, which may be an inch long, then drop out of the rodent or rabbit host and pupate in the soil.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
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Alopecia

Hair loss (alopecia) is a common problem for cats. The hair loss can be partial or complete, and the patterns varied or symmetrical. Treatment options exist, though they are limited.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management
• Prevention

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Apudoma

Apudoma is a gastrointestinal tumor which secretes peptide hormones — hormones that play a role in regulating metabolism, growth, development, and tissue function. In the long run, the tumor(s) can cause ulcers, damage the esophagus because of chronic reflux, and damage the lining of the intestines.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management

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Polyphagia in Cats

Polyphagia is the name of a medical condition in which a cat increases its food intake to the extent that it appears ravenous most or all of the time. It is also normally associated with polydipsia as well as polyuria.

This condition can be caused by different circumstances, and it is important to find out whether the cat’s increased food consumption is due to a psychological condition, or to a disease. Should the reason be a psychological problem, then it is likely that the cat has developed a learned behavior, which could lead to obesity.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management
• Prevention

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Physical Characteristics

The Snowshoe has a smooth but short coat, which is colored blue, lilax, chocolate or seal point — “point” is in reference to a pale body color with relatively darker extremities; i.e., the face, ears, feet and tail. It is a long, stout medium-sized cat with startling blue eyes. Athletic, with a tendency to be stocky in appearance. The cat’s white feet are its most distinguishing feature (and the reason for breeds name), with the white frequently extending to the ankle, giving the feet a sock, or boot appearance.

Personality and temperament

If you want a solitary cat or one that needs little companionship, this is not the pet for you. Snowshoes ooze friendliness and affection, and especially love to be touched. This is not a cat that does well with being left along for long stretches of time. It thrives on social contact. The Snowshoe gets along well with most, but has a tendency to bond with one particular person in the home, and is shy with strangers. Sweet-tempered and clever, this is an intelligent breed that can be taught a variety of tricks. They find water fascinating and do not mind getting wet; they may even go for a swim in the bathtub sometimes. The Snowshoe is not considered a loud cat, but it is not a quiet cat either. This breed is particularly vocal and loves to “talk.”

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Peritonitis in Cats

The abdominal cavity is lined with a thin, watery membrane, called the peritoneum. When the cat’s abdominal cavity, also called the peritoneal cavity, is injured, the peritoneum becomes inflamed. The severity of the inflammation depends on the type of injury the peritoneal cavity has undergone. Peritonitis is frequently a painful condition, and the cat will respond when it is touched on its abdomen.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management

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