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.

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Distemper is a potentially fatal disease in cats. A highly contagious is responsible for this disease. The virus can be transmitted through contact with other cats and humans. Infected feeding dishes, litter boxes, and bedding can also transmit the disease to your cat. Here is everything you need to know about distemper in cats.

Signs

Cats begin to show symptoms about 10 days after being exposed to the virus. Depression, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are all common signs. Improper grooming is also common. This will cause his hair to be rough. In some cases, cats show a third eyelid in the inner corner of the eye.

Diagnosis

Cats that are showing signs of distemper need to be taken to the vet as soon as possible. Once there, the vet will perform a blood test. A diagnosis will be confirmed if there are antibodies to the virus and a drop in the white blood cell count.

Treatment

Once diagnosed, your cat will need to begin immediate treatment. As you now know, vomiting and diarrhea are two of the most common signs of distemper in cats. This can easily lead to dehydration. Nutrients and fluids will be given to prevent this.

This disease can also open up the door for secondary bacterial infections. So, antibiotics may need to be given also. This will allow the immune system time to take over. Some cats also need a blood transfusion when dealing with this illness.

Prevention

The best way to prevent this disease is through vaccination. If you have a kitten, he will receive his first shot when he’s eight to ten weeks old. Booster shots are required to combat this disease effectively. They are given every one to three years.

The virus that causes distemper in cats is capable of surviving in the environment for years. The virus normally dwells in bedding, upholstery, and carpeting. You can use a normal disinfectant to destroy the virus.

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One of the most common conditions that cats face is diabetes. Cats suffer from this condition if insulin in their bodies don’t balance glucose properly. Obese and older cats have an increased risk of developing diabetes, although it can affect cats of any age or breed. Keep reading to learn all about diabetes in cats.

Cause

Your cat can develop this condition for two main reasons. Either the body produces insulin but doesn’t use it properly, or it fails to produce enough. The risk of developing this condition is increased if your cat suffers from a variety of diseases.

Obese cats have a high risk of developing diabetes, as mentioned earlier. Other things that can play a role include hormone imbalances, genetics, and diseases of the pancreas. The condition can also develop due to your cat taking certain medications.

Signs

Diabetes in cats doesn’t usually produce any symptoms in its early stages. Liver disease and secondary bacterial infections are common as the disease progresses. Increased urination, lethargy, rough hair, and increased appetite are all common signs. Although cats can start to eat more, they sometimes lose weight. Your cat’s hind lings will become weak if he develops a condition called neuropathy.

Diagnosis

At the beginning of the visit, your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination. Diabetes may be suspected based on your cat’s signs. A blood and urine sample will show a high level of sugar.

Treatment

Your cat will die from this disease if it isn’t treated. Like humans, this condition needs to be treated with insulin shots either once or twice a day. Oral medication and a special diet may be enough to battle this disease in rare cases. The amount of insulin your cat needs may change over time. Therefore, your cat will need to see the vet regularly to get this checked out.

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Anemia in cats is a condition that occurs when there is not enough hemoglobin or red blood cells produced. You should know that this isn’t a disease itself, but simply a sign of an underlying problem. You may be wondering what exactly causes anemia in cats.

Causes

Many things can cause this condition. The kidneys are responsible for producing hormones that stimulate red blood cell production. Therefore, many cats develop anemia due to kidney disease. Anemia may also occur if your cat is infected with parasites such as fleas, hookworms, and ticks.

Traumatic injuries can also cause anemia. The traumatic injury can damage internal organs or blood vessels. Serious diseases such as feline immunodeficiency or leukemia virus may also be to blame. Ingesting toxins or chemicals can also be to blame.

Signs

Cats normally have pink tongues, noses, and gums. These areas will lose their pink color if anemia develops. These areas will be pale in anemic cats. Lethargy is also a common symptom of anemia.

Treatment

As you may recall, this problem isn’t a disease, but merely a symptom of something else. It’s necessary for the vet to treat the underlying problem in order to resolve anemia. It’s sometimes necessary for your cat to receive a blood transfusions. Medications that stimulate the production of hormones responsible for red blood cell production will also help.

Prognosis

Most cats are able to recover from anemia without problems. However, this condition can be caused by some serious diseases. In these cases, anemia will be one of the least problems to worry about.

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Ear polyps in cats are benign growths in the middle ear, close to the ear drum, or in the back of the throat. These growths are very rare in felines. Cats less than four years old are usually affected. However, felines of any age or sex are at risk. Keep reading to learn all about cat ear polyps.

Causes

You may be wondering what causes these growths in your cat. Unfortunately, no one knows their exact cause, but there are a few possible reasons for their appearance. One theory points to bacteria or fungi causing inflammation. It’s also possible that these growths can be due to calicivirus in cats.

Signs

Ear polyps in cats causes some of the same symptoms brought on by an ear infection. Your cat will shake and scratch his head frequently. Sometimes, a thick discharge will emerge from the affected ear. Cats may also experience loss of coordination that will prevent them from walking in a straight line. Other cats experience trouble breathing and swallowing.

Diagnosis

The ear drum can become severely damaged if ear polyps aren’t detected early enough. A special instrument called an otoscope allows the vet to see clearly inside your cat’s ears and mouth. If a growth can’t be detected this way, a head x-ray may be required. If one is found, a biopsy will be done to determine if its cancerous or benign.

Treatment

If your cat develops polyps, he will likely need to undergo surgery. Your cat can undergo two different forms of surgery. During one procedure, the stalk will be cut so the polyp can then be removed. However, this method has one main fault. The polyp will likely recur in a few months since its base wasn’t cut.

Your cat could also have the second form of surgery. This procedure removes the base so the polyp doesn’t recur. During surgery, the bone that surrounds the inner ear will need to be removed so the base can be cut. This method of treatment leaves the least chance for recurrence.

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Much like people, cats can suffer from allergies too. There are four types of feline allergies. These types include food, inhalant, flea, and contact. Here’s a look at different types of cat allergies.

Food

Some felines develop an allergy to certain ingredients in their food. Most cats develop this type of allergy after consuming the food over a long period of time. Some of the ingredients that cause the most problems include milk, chicken, beef, wheat, corn, and eggs. Signs of a food allergy include digestive problems, respiratory problems, and severe itching. You will have to keep an eye on what foods your cat eats. Some cats also have to take steroids and antihistamines.

Flea

Cats normally don’t have much of a problem when they’re bitten by a flea. However, this isn’t always the case. Some cats will suffer a severe reaction to just a single bite. The intense itching will prompt your cat to chew or severely scratch himself. Hair will eventually start to fall out after the area has been chewed and scratched so much. Your cat can also develop open sores which may open him up to a bacterial infection. It’s vital to control fleas if your cat is allergic to their bites.

Inhalant

Some cats also experience inhalant allergies. Most cats suffer from this cat. Mold, mildew, pollen, and dust mites can all be problem. If your cat is allergic to pollen, he may experience flare-ups at certain times of the year, just like people. Cats allergic to some of the other substances may suffer problems at any time. Some cats are treated using hypoallergenic shampoo, while others undergo desensitization.

Contact

Contact allergies are also common in felines. Your house likely has many different materials that can prompt an allergic reaction. Flea collars and bedding are common items that cause problems. To prevent a reaction, you will simply have to keep your feline away from the material that he’s allergic to.

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Various fungal organisms can lead to cat ringworm. Young cats don’t have a developed immune system yet. This is the reason why they are usually affected. Also, cats that have long hair have an increased risk. The condition is also very infectious as it can be transmitted to other cats, dogs, and even you. Keep reading to learn more about feline ringworm.

Forms

As I mentioned earlier, cat ringworm is caused by various fungi. They include Microsporum Canis, Microsporum Gypsum, and Trichophyton. Microsporum Canis is usually the organism responsible in cats. So, what are some of the symptoms you should look for?

Symptoms

This fungus dwells in your cat’s hair follicles. As the shafts become weaker, your cat will start to lose hair. As the condition progresses, the hair loss will develop into circular patches usually on the head and limbs. The skin may also become dry and flaky. You would notice your cat scratching at it because it’s also itchy.

Diagnosis

There are multiple methods your veterinarian can diagnose this disease. The easiest way is to use an ultraviolet lamp. The lamp causes different species of fungus to glow fluorescent green. Another way to diagnose ringworm in cats is to remove a few strands of hair and ship them off to the lab. This method is very time-consuming though. The sample needs to sit for a while because fungus grows slowly.

Treatment

If left untreated, your cat will likely get rid of the condition himself in two to four months. However, in the meantime, your cat could easily pass the disease on to you or other animals. So, it’s best to get it treated quickly.

Most cats can be treated for ringworm using a lime sulfur shampoo. Antifungal medications can also be used to treat this condition. If your cat has long hair, you should clip it so the treatment regimen is more effective. Other animals in the household need to be treated as a precaution.

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Cat symptoms and illness.

Pet cat health care may be similar to caring for other pets. But such care may also have its own differences. One of them is that pet cats may suffer from a host of different diseases that other pets may not go through. Here is a list of some feline diseases that pet cats may suffer from at some point.

Feline Distemper

This disease usually affects pet cats at a young age. Known medically as feline panleukopenia, this type of viral infection lowers down the immune defenses of young kittens by severely affecting the production of white blood cells. This infection can make young kittens pass, liquid stool with blood due to the severe hemorrhaging that happens in their small intestine

Fever may also be expected and will lead the young kitten to become depressed and then refuse to take any food and water. It may seem to the pet owner that the cat has a temperamental personality, hence the name feline distemper. The infection actually has no effect on the cat’s personality in any way. Sadly, recovery for such conditions is very rare for a cat.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

This is another viral infection that is also fatal in cats. Once your pet cat shows signs of this infection, it can take years and years of trouble. This infection is usually common mostly in young adult cats and can be transmitted to other cats. There are two known types of this infection.

There is the "dry" type where the young adult cat is affected by high fever as well as problems with internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs and the intestines. With this type of infection, the cats never seem improve no matter how well the treatment is given.

There is also the "wet" type of the disease has the young adult cat having a fluid discharge within the abdomen. Occasionally the cat’s chest displays a golden and dense liquid that contains flakes within. This infection makes the cat run a high fever and would usually not eat well.

The only protection that cats can have over the disease is vaccination. But vaccines should be given to pet cats prior to any exposure to the virus or else the vaccine would not be very effective to prevent any infection.

Feline immune Deficiency Virus

This disease is similar to the Human Immune Deficiency Virus or HIV in humans. This virus in only found in cats and is being spread mainly through a bite from an infected cat. This disease suppresses the cat’s immune system and leads the cat to be more prone to all sorts of infection. There is an intranasal vaccine available to protect cats from the FIV infection although some veterinarians are not that convinced that it can protect  more effectively as compared to  other  vaccines.

Feline Leukemia Virus

This virus can severely limit an infected cat’s immune system. With the affected immune system, the cat has limited ability to defend against all sorts of other infections. This virus can be spread from contact with infected cats. Many cats can become carriers of the virus for years without displaying any outside symptoms of the infection.

Cats harboring the virus may at times develop clinical signs of the infection if they undergo surgery, get injured or when they get lost outside their usual environment. These diseases may give pet owners an idea of how pet cat health care may be important to ensure that their pets live healthier and longer lives.

Cat Illness Symptoms And Diagnosis

Cat health advice listing the common health issues and their symptoms and offering suggested actions to take and pain relief teatments for cats. 

Pain of body parts « Cat Illness – Latest information for cat illness

Cat Illness – Latest information for cat illness. Cats and illness. « our cat website. Pain of body parts. By catsillness. The first part of the pain body parts. Headache Migraine Facial pain. Eye pain.

Siamese Cat and Kitten Information

There’s plenty of synthetic parasiticides on the market, but you can opt for a natural approach to treating cat worms. 3: Common Chicken Illness & Health Issues. It is important to know about common chicken illnesses if

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When we experience pain in our bodies, we can easily tell someone that there is something wrong and that person will be able to bring you to the hospital. Pets cannot do that but watching them can tell you a lot of things which is why owners should practice cat care and be aware of the symptoms.

Here are a few diseases you should watch out for and their symptoms.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared disease and in fact is the leading cause of death among cats. It is caused by a coronavirus infection and the worse part is that the cats symptoms are very common with other ailments so it is really hard to tell.

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There is also Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) that is similar to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Just like the human version, it is a life long infection that progresses slowly and kills the cat. 

Cats can also in infected by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). It is a retrovirus that causes fatal cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Fortunately, it can be treated using some household detergents and bleach as well as warmth and drying. It is transmitted through the saliva, tears, urine and feces of infected cats. Unlike the other two, it cannot survive that long in the environment so it is only contagious when the infected cat stays with another cat for a long period of time. 

Worms are also another threat to cats and this is caused by a fungal infection that is spread through the spores. Since it is a self-limiting disease, you don’t to do anything to make it go away. It will eventually clear up but it may just take a few months.

If you cat is overweight, chances are it already has feline diabetes. The symptoms of this disease include excessive urination and thirst as well as weight loss or gain. Vets are not yet sure what causes this but there have been a few research studies that have shown that there is a link between pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalance and certain medications.

The symptoms of most of the diseases mentioned are very similar. These include diarrhea, vomiting, lameness lasting for more than 5 days in one leg,   a decrease in vision, excessive panting, a seizure, blood in the stool or urine, hair loss, persistent coughing or gagging and breathing heavily or rapidly at rest. In order to find the answer, your cat will have to undergo some tests.

The vet will take some blood, urine and feces samples. Any input that you have observed and give will also be useful. When the tests come out, only then will the proper treatment be administered to the cat as each case varies so what worked for one cat may not have the same positive effect with yours.

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Your cat could still be healthy if you gave it constant attention. This can be done by feeding it high quality food, giving it fresh water, allowing it to exercise, proper grooming, making sure it stays indoors and taking it regularly to the vet.

If you have missed any of these simple steps, something wrong is bound to happen and you will soon notice a change in the behavior of the feline and doing nothing about it just going to make matters worse. So observe proper cat care tips and look out for symptoms.

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ABOUT CATS AND CAT BREEDS

The system of cat licenses is therefore fundamentally flawed. However, I personally applaud them for trying. It is far better than simply encouraging Australians to go around shooting up cats like the Bengal cat mentioned above.

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If you have problems with your cat sneezing there are a couple of possibilities. There could possibly be a respiratory allergy or in more serious cases a virus. In many cases it could just be an allergy to something in the environment. In the more serious cases the could have picked up a virus and should be vaccinated. If the problem is chronic it is advised to take your cat to the vet for a proper check up.

Cats just like humans are prone to sicknesses. In fact, cats succumb to two cat viral infections that will be discussed shortly. The good news is that there is a cure for many cat illnesses.

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These two common viral infections are Feline Herpes 1 virus known as rhinotracheitis virus and infection with the organisms called Chlamydia psittaci and mycoplasma.

When a cat is infected, they will experience a fever, have weepy eyes, a crusty nose and sneeze a lot. This can go away with or without treatment but this can come back.

When this happens, the condition is called Feline Keratoconjunctivitis the virus settles in the nerves around their face. Corneal scars can be seen to a little over a centimeter in diameter. This makes it hard for the cat to see and it usually happens due to stresses associated with boarding, weather change, a new pet in the house or as mentioned earlier other diseases.

Things are going to get worse as the outer coating of the cornea will be lost to the invading virus. Secondary bacterial and mycoplasmal infection of these areas may cause deep ulcers around the eye and in some cases damage the surrounding areas as well.

Fortunately, this can be treated using an amino acid called –lysine by reducing the amount of another amino acid called arginine that is present in the cat’s body. The vet will prescribe a dosage between 200 to 500 mg per day and sprinkled into their food. There are different brands available and when you look for one, make sure it is glycol free.

You can also try topical antibiotics that have also proven to be effective but they are only designed to quell secondary bacterial invaders.

Another option is for you to use topical anti-virals that are designed to directly fight the virus. Some examples of these include  Herplex  (idoxuridine), Viroptic (trifluorothymidine, and Vira-A (vidarabine).  These medications are relatively expensive and have to be given 5 times a day. Only when the cornea is indeed infection should this be given.

Something more affordable than the topical anti-virals is an oral solution called Oral Interferon. Although it has never been scientifically proven to treat cat viral infections, cat owners that have used this have claimed that it does shorten the length of the infection. The best part is that there are no known side effects so you don’t lose anything by trying it. 

Vaccines seem to be the best way to prevent these diseases from happening. Ideally, this should be given to a cat during their 9th, 12th and 14th week of age. It should be administered using a 25 gauge needle on the anterior side of a rear leg and massaged afterwards to prevent tumors from forming in the injection sites.

There are other eye infections that mimic what was just mentioned. One example is eosinophilic conjunctivitis. So before any medication can be given, the vet will first have to do a test to make sure that the proper medication is given. 

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This is known as PCR or the Polymerase Chain Reaction test. It is a DNA test that amplifies the presence of viral DNA so that even one single virus can be detected in a sample from a conjunctival swab.

Cat viral infections are common among kittens but they can be prevented and cured. You have to know first which one you are dealing with so the proper medication can be given. For more information about them, do some research online and go talk to your vet.  

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