Medical and Health Info

Hyperthyroidism

January 18, 2010

What is hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine (hormonal) disorder that affects cats. It is rarely seen in cats less than eight years of age and there is no sex or breed predisposition. It is caused by an excessive production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands situated in the neck. Thyroid hormone controls [...]

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Gastroentritis

January 18, 2010

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestinal tract.  Its signs are most commonly vomiting and/or diarrhoea.  Potential causes are many and varied, the main ones being intestinal worms, infections (bacterial or viral) and eating something that upsets the gut (eg, ‘garbage’, cooked bones, excessively fatty meals). Often when cats have gastroenteritis they will still [...]

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Food Allergies

January 18, 2010

Food Allergies Just like dogs, cats get allergies too. They can cause one or more of the following signs: Itching Rashes Diarrhoea Hair loss Red ears Vomiting Cats can become allergic to protein in food, treats or table scraps. They can develop skin problems, such as rashes, itchiness, reddened ears and hair loss, or gastrointestinal [...]

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Flea Bite Hypersensitivity

January 18, 2010

FAD or Flea bite hypersensitivity is a hypersensitive reaction to the bite of the flea. When a flea bites a dog or cat (or human), it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin. It is this saliva that the patient develops an allergy to. Consequently, even one flea bite can cause intense itching [...]

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Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

January 18, 2010

A compulsive disorder, feline hyperesthesia syndrome usually begins in cats at 1 to 4 years of age. It is also known as self-mutilation syndrome, rolling skin syndrome, twitchy cat disease, and atypical neurodermatitis. What happens is that affected cats have episodes in which the skin twitches, the body jerks around suddenly, and the tail moves [...]

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Feline Fun

January 18, 2010

There are some great advantages to be gained by keeping your cat confined indoors. These include decreased risk of injury and disease, and as a result, a significantly longer life expectancy. There is the added benefit for wildlife and the appreciation of the non-cat lovers in the community. With a bit of extra effort, these [...]

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Feline Diabetes Mellitus

January 18, 2010

Diabetes mellitus is a hormonal disease that occurs in about 1 out of every 400 cats. It is characterised by elevated blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.  If untreated, it can lead to life-threatening metabolic disturbances.  Diabetes in cats is most similar to type II or adult onset diabetes in humans. The hormone insulin is produced [...]

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Feline Cardiomyopathy FAQ’s

January 18, 2010

What is cardiomyopathy? Cardiomyopathy is a term used to describe diseases of the heart muscle. Cats can suffer from primary cardiomyopathy, or they can get cardiomyopathy as a result of another illness.  In either case, it can lead to heart failure. What symptoms indicate my cat might have cardiomyopathy? Early on, there won’t be any [...]

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Entropion

January 18, 2010

Entropion is the inversion of part or all of an eyelid, and can involve upper or lower lids, or both. It is common in dogs, but only seen occasionally in cats. There are two forms of entropion, primary and secondary (spastic). 1. Primary entropion is usually seen in cats with short noses and extra folds [...]

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Durogesic Patch

January 18, 2010

What is a durogesic patch? A durogesic patch provides continuous pain relief to your cat.  The medication is absorbed through the skin.  As such, a small area of fur is clipped from the back of your cat’s neck in order that the medication can be absorbed. A bandage is placed around the cat’s neck in [...]

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