Cat Diseases

Research at Colorado State University has uncovered a group of cancer-causing viruses in bobcats, mountain lions and domestic cats. Scientists are trying to determine if these formerly undetected viruses could cause cancer in our pet cats. Three hundred blood samples were taken from cats in Florida, Colorado and California. The viruses that were found in […]

Nuclear Sclerosis, sometimes called Lenticular Sclerosis is similar in appearance to cataracts and glaucoma, as the eye becomes cloudy. One of the differences is that with Nuclear Sclerosis, vision is usually not significantly affected. The parts of the eye concerned with nuclear sclerosis are: the cornea, the transparent tissue in front of the lens that […]

SSR or Sleeping Respiratory Rate is a valuable tool in assessing heart health in pets, particularly left side congestive heart failure (CHF). It is important to determine if CHF is present as medications are sometimes initially recommended for other cardiac diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, degenerative valve disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Measuring SSR is conducted […]

Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease that while you may not have heard about it, is common in pets. It can be detected even in its early stages and is treatable. The glomerulus is the part of the kidney that filters waste, water and other chemicals from the blood which are then eliminated through urination. Filtering […]

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a more common heart disease in cats, rare in dogs. It is frequently the cause of spontaneous death in cats. Some cats with hyperthyroidism may develop it, but when the thyroid problem is treated, HC may resolve itself. HC usually affects cats 1-5 years old, but can be present in younger or […]

While Addison’s Disease, also known as Hypoadrenocorticism is uncommon in cats, it is serious. It is brought on by insufficient amounts of cortisol and aldesterone, hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Causes of Addison’s Disease include autoimmune problems, trauma, use of steriods, infection, internal hemorrhage, cancer and more. Some symtoms mirror other diseases but can […]

If your cat has diarrhea, it’s best to call your veterinarian if it lasts more than 2 days. Be prepared beforehand to answer a number of questions so that your vet can determine the cause of diarrhea. Some of the questions will include frequency of bowel movements, is your cat straining, is there blood in […]

Nasopharyngeal polyps are noncancerous (benign) growths. They are tissues that affect the pharynx, nasal passages and ear canals. The pharynx is part of the throat connected to the nasal and oral cavities that propels swallowed food into the esophagus. The polyps are usually seen in young cats. The mass can be red, pink or gray […]

Feline Hyperthyroidism is a common disease of the thyroid, especially in older cats and appears to be on the rise. It is caused by an excess production of the thyroid hormone which then circulates through the cat’s blood stream. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include an increased appetite although accompanied by weight loss, increased thirst and urination, […]

The lens of the eye is normally transparent, allowing light through to the retina in back of the eye. A cataract causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy or opaque, decreasing or eventually blocking light to the retina, causing impaired vision and eventually blindness. Cataracts can be hereditary or caused by disease such […]