Health

All too often, a sick older cat is brought to the veterinarian only to be diagnosed with late-stage kidney failure. Chronic kidney failure is one of the most prevalent illnesses in geriatric cats, but early detection and treatment greatly improves the prognosis for these cats. Unfortunately, cats tend to stay quiet when theyre ill and not all owners are aware of the initial subtle symptoms. Kidney disease can develop for months or years before it is detected.

A study published in the November 2017 Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine looked at cats admitted to a teaching hospital with gastrointestinal signs and low blood cobalamin (vitamin B12) levels. Twenty cats completed the study.

My 10-year-old Ragdoll loves paper, especially newspaper and cheap paperbacks. Shes been eating paper since I brought her home at 4 months of age from the breeder.

A new treatment called microbrachytherapy, which is used to treat inoperable feline oral squamous cell carcinomas, may be gaining momentum, according to a recent study published in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology.

When your cat develops a problem that might be neurologic, get her right to your veterinarian. Theres no time to waste.

Ear mites are a common presenting complaint in small-animal practice, says Dr. William Miller, VMD, DACVD, Dermatology Chief at Cornell University. The disorder can affect both dogs and cats but is far more common in cats.

It can be tempting when your cat seems to feel just a bit off-maybe sniffling or a little sore-to use an over-the-counter (OTC) medication to give her some relief. Is this OK? The response of veterinary experts is a resounding NO!

Cancer is a leading cause of death in cats, with tumors in the mammary gland, mouth, and skin being the most common. Currently, we rely on surgical removal of the tumor or a biopsy for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options. Since this procedure often requires anesthesia, we would like to find a way to use a simple blood sample to provide these answers.

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.

A truly incontinent cat isnt able to control when and where he leaks, says Leni K. Kaplan, DVM, MS, a lecturer in the Community Practice Service at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The best way to tell is to observe your cat. If he is posturing to urinate intentionally, then he is not incontinent.

Cats are stoic creatures, and they try not to let on when they are in pain. While crying out is an obvious sign of pain, its important to know the quieter symptoms that your cat may not be feeling well.

Safety is the first priority in an emergency situation-and that goes for both you and your cat. If your cat is sick or hurt, or if a natural disaster has occurred, you need to be able to move her without being bitten or scratched. These tips also work if you need to handle a cat that you dont know, although extreme care should be exercised when considering handling a cat with an unknown vaccine history.