Medicine

My one-year-old domestic shorthair spayed female cat seems perfectly normal and then, without warning, shes passed out on the floor. Shes not out for long, but I dont think this is normal. What would cause such a thing?

Your kitten is now a young cat of eight to 12 months of age and the days of fighting kitten upper-respiratory infections are over. No more sneezing, no more runny eyes, you think. You thought you were out of the woods, but then one morning you notice your young adult cat has some trouble swallowing, maybe gagging, and a slight voice change along with some labored breathing at moments.

Two antiviral drugs have led to remission in cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), says Dr. Niels C. Pedersen, professor emeritus at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and long-time FIP researcher, speaking at the 2017 American Association of Feline Practitioners convention.

My 11-year-old domestic shorthaired cat was just diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, and we are trying to decide the best way to treat him. Weve been told that he is otherwise healthy, and our veterinarian has told us about the possibility of radioiodine therapy, but were concerned about the effects of the radiation on him and our family.

Although famotidine (brand-name Pepcid) is not FDA-approved for veterinary medicine, its commonly prescribed to prevent ulcers and treat gastritis, esophagitis and gastric or esophageal reflux.

When it comes to leaping, landing and twisting in mid-air, cats earn accolades for agility, flexibility and acrobatic prowess. Its not unusual to witness your cat leap effortlessly to the top of the refrigerator and, when ready, to land softly and easily on the kitchen floor. But despite their grace and flexible physique, cats do not always land safely on their feet and can be at risk for painful sprains, broken legs, and other fractured bones.

If you own a white cat, you most likely love his striking snowy coat and bright eyes. But you might also know that these brilliant features have implications that go deeper than appearance.

If your cat has difficulty swallowing, shakes his head, sneezes and breathes noisily as if hacking or snoring, you could dismiss the behavior as fleeting. But while you might think the cause will clear up on its own, the problem may be a nasopharyngeal polyp - an uncommon, noncancerous bump at the very back of the throat or in the ear canal that must be removed through a fairly simple surgery. …

When you pick up antibiotics at the veterinary clinic for your ailing cat, your handling, storage and disposal of the medication can go a long way toward improving his health, safety and the environment. Risks of medicine-related calamities exist in every home with pets. They include accidentally mixing human and pet medications, exposing cats to flea topical flea preventives made for dogs and storing medications incorrectly in a manner that may reduce their effectiveness.

Scientists have identified many factors that affect a species survival - from diet and weather to the size of breeding groups to social relationships. However, researchers at Michigan State have found that some wild cats dont necessarily respond to the same evolutionary pressures as other mammals, including humans and primates.

A neutered male Persian experiencing severe lower back pain had his owners concerned and his veterinarian puzzled. That prompted a referral to Cornell University Hospital for Animals, where the veterinary team turned to one of its most sophisticated diagnostic tools: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Corticosteroids have proven effective in treating a variety of conditions from allergic reactions to brain disease, but they present a balancing act for both owners and veterinarians. Owners, faced with their cats experiencing any one of a long list of health problems, must weigh if long-term use is worth the risk of steroids side effects. At the same time, veterinarians must determine the lowest dose of medication to control the condition.