While constantly grooming themselves, cats ingest pieces of fur that end up in their stomachs. Most cats are capable of coughing up any hairballs that forms. However, one potentially serious complication of hairballs is an intestinal obstruction. There are a few things you can do to prevent hairballs in cats. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Fiber

You can help prevent the formation of hairballs by ensuring your cat consumes plenty of fiber. Fiber adds bulk and moisture to the stool. This will help him defecate easier. Plenty of fiber can be found in foods such as canned pumpkin and squash. Squash and pumpkin will also help relieve diarrhea and constipation in cats.

Grooming

Owners that groom their cats daily will go a long way towards preventing the formation of hairballs. Cats ingest fur while grooming as you already learned. Brushing most of the hair away yourself will leave less to be licked up. You will also like the fact that less hair gets on your furniture.

Gel

A special gel can be used if your cat has trouble coughing up a hairball. This gel can usually be added directly to your cat’s food. These gels mimic fiber as they add bulk, moisture, or both.

Food

Special foods are also available to help prevent hairballs. There are dry cat food brands formulated specifically to prevent hairballs. These foods are usually loaded with vegetable fiber. It’s also a good idea to ensure that specific brand has plenty of protein and nutrients.

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Your cat should have clear, bright eyes when healthy. However, cats can be affected by various eye diseases. Conjunctivitis, retinal atrophy, and glaucoma are some of the most common conditions. Keep reading to learn about some of these eye conditions.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is one of the first common eye diseases in cats. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the membrane that covers the eyelid. Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections can all cause this eye problem. Your cat may also develop this condition if he has allergies. Chronic bouts with conjunctivitis are often caused by recurrent herpes viral infections.

Cataracts

Cataracts are prevalent in diabetic and older cats. When the lens in the eye becomes cloudy, your cat is said to have cataracts. The lens will need to be removed surgically. In some cases, the cat may receive lens implants. Glaucoma may develop if this condition is left untreated.

Retinal Atrophy

Cats can also experience progressive retinal atrophy. This is a condition in which your cat’s retina degenerates or shrinks. Retinal atrophy can be inherited or caused by a lack of taurine in your cat’s diet. The condition progresses very slowly, but will eventually cause your cat to become blind. There is no cure for this condition unfortunately.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the final common eye diseases. This is a condition in which there is too much pressure on the inside of the eye. Many cases of blindness in cats are caused by glaucoma. Glaucoma can be treated in the early stages using medication to reduce eye pressure. If your cat is in an advanced stage, surgery may be required.

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A virus that causes an upper respiratory infection is responsible for rhinotracheitis in cats. This virus is highly contagious, but usually only causes mild symptoms in mature cats. However, this disease can be fatal to kittens if they develop pneumonia in cats. This article will discuss rhinotracheitis in cats.

Transmission

The virus is highly contagious, as you already know by now. The virus can be transmitted if your cat is exposed to contaminated litter boxes, food dishes, or cages. The virus can also be transmitted via discharge from the eyes, mouth, or nose. As the owner, you also have to be careful as you can harbor the virus on your hands or clothing.

Signs

This condition causes signs of an upper respiratory infection. Common symptoms include nasal discharge, coughing, and cat sneezing. Some cats also get secondary bacterial infections that can prolong the disease. Other symptoms that may develop include loss of appetite, corneal ulcers, and a fever.

Treatment

The vet will likely prescribe antibiotics to prevent a secondary bacterial infection. Feline rhinotracheitis usually goes away on its own within ten days, so no other medications may be necessary. However, you may be able to give your cat nasal drops to decrease the amount of discharge from the nose.

Cats trying to recover from this condition also need plenty of food and fluids. If not, he may need to have a feeding tube. You should also make sure to minimize your cat’s stress and keep him indoors. The room should be warm and have plenty of ventilation. You should also try to have a humidifier in the room.

Prognosis

If affected by feline rhinotracheitis, your cat should fully recover within ten days. Recovery may take longer is a secondary bacterial infection occurs. In some cases, this condition causes the cat to suffer chronic nasal discharge and sneezing.

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The kidneys are capable multi-taskers. They remove wastes, produce hormones, and control blood pressure. Kidney or renal failure in cats occurs when damage is done to the organs. Some cats develop the condition suddenly, while others develop it slowly over time. Keep reading to learn all about renal failure in cats.

Causes

There are many different reasons why cat’s kidneys begin to fail. Age is one of the most common as kidney function will naturally decline as your cat gets older. Renal failure can also be brought on by various infections. Other causes include ingestion of antifreeze and some medications like antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Signs

Your cat’s kidneys can continue to function even after sustaining damage to up to 70% of the organ. Unfortunately, this also means your cat won’t display many visible signs until the condition is pretty advanced. Two of the most common signs of this disease include increased thirst and increased urination. It’s also common for cats to experience weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, and feline constipation.

Diagnosis

Numerous tests need to be done in order to diagnose renal failure in cats accurately. Kidney function can be measured by analyzing urine and blood samples. These samples can also be used to detect an infection that may be causing problems. If failure is the problem, a biopsy of the condition can determine how advanced it is.

Treatment

The liver is able to regenerate after sustaining damage. The kidney’s can’t. Therefore, all damage done to the organ is permanent. A cure isn’t the aim of treatment for this disease. Instead, the aim is to help your cat live as comfortably as possible.

Your cat will likely be placed on a special diet after being diagnosed with this condition. This diet consists of minimal salt and protein. High blood pressure will also need to be controlled via medication. Also, the kidneys produce hormones that stimulate production of red blood cells. This means that medication may be needed to prevent cat anemia.

All owners should know a little something about various diseases that can affect their cat. Fortunately for you, you can learn about a wide range of these conditions at cat-illnesses.com. So, come by right now to become informed.

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Felines can start to lose hair for various reasons. Some of these condition that cause alopecia can be treated easily. However, some are more serious. This article will discuss some of the most common causes of hair loss.

Mites

Mites are parasites that can cause hair loss. Various species of mites can cause a condition called mange. An infestation of these parasites will cause intense itching that prompts your cat to lick and chew himself excessively. Eventually, the affected area will start to lose hair. Mites are usually treated via medicated shampoos. Long-haired cats should also be trimmed.

Ringworm

Another condition that causes hair loss is ringworm. This skin condition is brought on by a fungus. This typically occurs around the paws, ears, and face. It’s also common for the affected area to develop dry and flaky skin. Your kitty would need to take oral or topical medications to treat cat ringworm.

Medical Conditions

There are a range of medical conditions that can cause hair loss in cats. These disorders usually affect the thyroid or adrenal gland. Problems with the adrenal gland commonly result in Addison’s or Cushing’s disease. Cats with Addison’s disease have overactive adrenal glands. An underactive adrenal gland results in Cushing’s disease.

Two other disorders that can cause feline hair loss are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in felines. Problems with the thyroid gland lead to these two conditions.

Fleas

Your cat will constantly be exposed to fleas if he spends a lot of time outside. An allergy to flea bites is a common reason for hair loss. Also, it doesn’t take many of these parasites to cause a problem, as some cats develop an intense reaction to just one bite. This can be dealt with using antihistamines, effective flea control, and steroids.

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Colitis in cats is characterized by the inflammation of the large intestine. The condition can occur suddenly or be chronic and progress over a few weeks. Cats that don’t get treated in time may die from this disease. So, what are some of the causes?

Causes

Your feline can develop this condition for a variety of reasons. Cats infected with various bacteria, viruses, or fungi may experience inflammation of the large intestine. Also, internal parasites such as protozoa and worms can bring about the condition. Your cat may also develop this condition as the result of dietary allergies or indiscretions. Other common causes are stress, cancer, and pancreatitis in cats.

Signs

Colitis in cats can range from mild to severe. Diarrhea with excessive mucus, blood, or water is one of the main signs of a mild case, Cats with a more severe case start having more frequent bowel movements and may also have to strain to pass stool. Cats with this condition also commonly experience vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, weight loss, and loss of appetite.

Diagnosis

After reviewing your cat’s medical history and performing a physical exam, your veterinarian will have to perform a range of diagnostic tests. So various bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be detected, your cat will need to submit a stool sample. A biopsy and colonoscopy are also useful tests.

Treatment

The underlying cause of the intestine’s inflammation needs to be treated. Deworming medications and antibiotics will get rid of parasites and bacteria that may be the cause of the condition. It’s also common for cats with this condition to be placed on a high fiber, low fat diet. Cats experiencing diarrhea coupled with vomiting can quickly become dehydrated. Fluids need to be given to combat this.

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When cats have too much bilirubin in their bodies, they experience jaundice. After red blood cells have been processed, bilirubin is the substance that’s produced. Jaundice is a sign of disease, but not one itself.

Causes

There are many reasons why cats can become jaundiced. One of the most common causes is destruction of red blood cells within your cat’s body. The cells can be destroyed within the liver, spleen, or blood vessels. Diseases of the liver may also bring about this condition. Cats that have an obstructed bile duct can also become jaundiced. This can occur inside the gall bladder or anywhere along the bile duct. Cats taking certain medications may also experience this condition.

Signs

Jaundiced cats will have a yellowish color to their gums, skin, and whites of the eyes. Your cat may also display various other signs such as vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea. If loss of appetite occurs, your cat may begin to lose weight.

Diagnosis

It is relatively easy for your veterinarian to determine if your cat has this jaundice. However, many different diseases can cause this condition as was mentioned earlier. Therefore, the underlying cause will need to be determined.

Treatment

Before jaundice can be corrected, the underlying cause first needs to be dealt with. Some diseases are easy to treat, while others aren’t. However, some diseases that cause jaundice are very severe such as feline lymphoma.

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Coccidiosis is a disease caused by highly contagious protozoans. These protozoans invade the body and cause an infection in the intestinal tract. Kittens that are less than six months old are usually affected since their immune systems aren’t fully developed yet. Older cats can also be affected if they have a weakened immune system for some reason. You may be wondering how your cat can be affected by them.

Transmission

Infected kittens and cats pass immature coccidia in their stool. After ingesting the feces contaminated with coccidia, they will start to multiply in the intestinal tract. Since kittens are usually around their mother’s feces, they can easily become infected. Rodents can also ingest the protozoans and pass them along to your cat when eaten.

Signs

Your cat will begin to display signs approximately two weeks after ingesting the protozoans. In most cases, the main sign of a problem is diarrhea in cats. This can be mild or severe depending on how advanced the infection is.

Common signs of a severe infection include loss of appetite and vomiting. Kittens can possibly die of dehydration if the vomiting and diarrhea go on for too long. This is one of the reasons why some kittens die from this disease.

Diagnosis

Intestinal parasites like worms can be diagnosed by examining a stool sample. However, the parasites may be hard to detect since they’re immature. The sample will have to be examined closely in order to detect the presence of coccidia. In some cases, a blood test can be used to diagnose coccidiosis.

Treatment

Your cat will need to take antibiotics in order to remedy this condition. To ensure the infection is treated successfully, the antibiotics are usually given for up to two weeks. When exposed to the same environment, your cat can become infected again. Therefore, you would need to disinfect using water and bleach.

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The immunodeficiency virus attacks the immune system of cats. Eventually, the immune system will be unable to protect your cat against various infections. The feline immunodeficiency virus is usually a problem with roaming cats. Leopards, tigers, lions, and other large cats can also be affected.

Transmission

Cats shed this virus in their saliva. Infected cats can easily transmit the virus by biting other cats. Although the mother can transmit it via her milk, this is very rare. However, transmission can occur if the mother is infected with the virus during lactation or gestation.

Signs

Some of the most common signs of this viral infection include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and lethargy. Chronic oral infections are also common. Cats infected with this virus may also experience nasal discharge and cat sneezing.

Diagnosis

The feline immunodeficiency virus can be detected by testing for antibodies against the disease. It usually takes less than an hour for this method of diagnosis. However, the main test to detect the feline immunodeficiency virus can sometimes render false positives. A Western blot assay is usually done to backup a positive diagnosis.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the feline immunodeficiency virus. Most cats infected with this virus die from secondary infections. If diagnosed, you will have to limit the amount of stress your cat endures. You should also keep him away from other animals to prevent disease. Some secondary infections can be treated using antibiotics. A good diet supplemented with plenty of fluids is very important also.

Prognosis

The lifespan of a cat infected with this virus varies. Most cats can live for many more years after diagnosis without showing any symptoms. The disease usually proves to be fatal within a year after it advances.

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When one of your cat’s thyroid glands becomes overactive, he develops a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Middle-aged to older cats are commonly affected by this endocrine disease. If your cat isn’t treated in time, it can lead to heart failure and death. This article will discuss cat hyperthyroidism.

Causes

The most common cause of this condition is development of adenomas in the thyroid gland. Adenomas are groups of non-cancerous cells. This condition can also be caused by cancerous cells growing in the thyroid gland. However, this is a very rare situation. If your cat is suffering from this disease, he will exhibit few common symptoms.

Symptoms

The thyroid gland is responsible for controlling the rate of metabolism. Your cat will drink and eat more than normal if the gland is malfunctioning. However, he will also begin to lose weight very fast. Your cat may also become more active than usual.

Hyperthyroidism in cats can also affect the gastrointestinal system. Diarrhea and vomiting are common signs. Problems with the heart are also common. They include increased heart rate, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure.

Diagnosis

This condition can only be diagnosed accurately using a blood sample. A test will measure the level of thyroid hormone in the blood. The vet may have a hard time diagnosing this disease since the level of thyroid hormone can vary over time. The vet may also palpate the thyroid gland to see if its enlarged.

Treatment

There are three treatment options for hyperthyroidism. Your cat can have drugs, radioactive iodine, or surgery. All thyroid tissue in the body is destroyed by radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine is the most effective treatment method, although it’s the most costly.

Surgery involves removing one or both of the thyroid glands. Since there may still be thyroid tissue in other areas of the body, surgery may not treat the condition effectively. Your cat may also be prescribed anti-thyroid medication that needs to be taken for life. If your cat stops taking these drugs, the symptoms will reappear quickly.

All owners should know their pet can fall victim to diseases in cats. You can read up on many different potential health problems at cat-illnesses.com. Click over right now.

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