Halitosis doesn’t just affecting humans –our pets may also have it. In the actual fact, halitosis in cats is a common condition. This is mainly due to the plaque bacteria. In this article, we will be having a broad discussing about halitosis in cats. Give this article a read if you want to learn more about it.

Halitosis in Cats: What is this feline condition?

Bad breath or halitosis in cats is just a real problem, in case it becomes severe or chronic. Certainly, the cat’s breath is most probable to smell the same as the food they ate. There are some experts who suggest that canned or soft cat foods may lead to worse bad breath. Dry foods may cleanse the teeth of the cat.

Moreover, halitosis in cats is commonly due to the plaque bacteria. Any number of causes might be responsible for this particular condition, yet periodontal disease because of bacteria is the most common among all. The bacteria in the mouth is actually in association with the cavities and plaque.

The small cat breeds, as well as the brachycephalic breeds like the Persians and Himalayans, are, in fact, the most vulnerable to periodontal and some other mouth diseases, partly because their teeth are actually set closer together.

Causes of Cat Halitosis

The halitosis in cats may be due to something as simple as smelly food or something that’s as complicated as the liver cancer. It might be a bit of an obstruction, like a thread, pebble, or food. Moreover, bloody gums might be due to an electrical cord injury.

Tartar or plaque may also lead to bacterial, viral, or fungal buildup. Furthermore, the tiny infections, polyps, or the abscess may develop as well. Not only that, gastric acid reflux might also stink. Moreover, teething cats may also have halitosis, especially those that have baby teeth falling out in between 3-6 months.

Somewhat the minor illnesses that cause bad breath might include endocarditis, gingivitis, pharyngitis, sepsis, esophageal tube enlargement, tonsillitis, stomatitis, and sinusitis. Furthermore, the Coprophagia might also be the reason for it.

The serious malaises, which leads to bad breath, might include the following:

• Skin diseases
• Respiratory diseases
• Periodontal diseases
• Neurological diseases
• Liver diseases
• Kidney diseases
• Immunodeficiency virus renal failure
• Gastrointestinal cause
• Diabetes mellitus
• Bartonella henselae

Among these, the most outstanding cause of the condition is a disease of the mouth, just like the periodontal disease that is an infection of the gums, and supports tissues of the teeth. The periodontal disease due to plaque bacteria is actually the most common among the causes of halitosis in cats.

Symptoms of Cat Halitosis

The family pet may love rubbing its noses with you or the children, thus giving you a good chance to getting a smell of its breath. If you happen to get startled with a foul-smelling stink, then the cat may have a noteworthy problem. Below are the different symptoms, which may come in accompany with  the bad breath or halitosis in cats:

• Red, yellow, runny nose
• Weight loss
• Thirst
• Swelling
• Reclusiveness
• Putrid odor
• Poor coat condition
• Pawing mouth
• Pain
• Oral cavity lump
• Mouth dysfunction
• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Excessive urination
• Drooling
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Bleeding gums
• Appetite loss
• Aggressiveness

For sure, the difficulty with halitosis in cats is that it also may be an indication of some other maladies. Is the cat more aggressive, reclusive or irritable with the bad breath it has? Does the cat begin to eat, then jump right back? This might be because of a painful infection.

The swelling might happen in the stomach, mouth, or gums, does the cat have some difficulties in closing or opening its mouth? The mouth dysfunction might be an indication of a more severe ailment.

Prognosis in Cat Halitosis

The prognostic procedures in the evaluation of the periodontal disease being the most likely cause of the condition may include x-rays of the inside of the mouth, as well as the examination of the mouth for the characteristics like tooth mobility and concentrations of sulfide.

Moreover, vets may also conduct some biochemical, blood, or urinalysis diagnosis tests, which help to determine the cause. These may include more precise FIV or FeLV tests. X-rays and ultrasound, on the other hand, display the internal bone structure of the cat.

After completing a physical test of the tongue, gums, lips, and back of the mouth of the cat, the vet may need to demure the cat. Furthermore, the dental vet may also exam the mobility of the tooth and concentrations of sulfide, while the cat is under a local anesthetic.

Treatments for Cat Halitosis

Once the underlying cause of the condition is already known, some therapies might be beneficial in addressing the condition. In some instances, multiple causes might be to blame. For instance, the cat might have the condition and a foreign entity present in its mouth. The treatment for this may depend on the cause.

In case the periodontal disease is the one to blame, the treatment may need to include polishing and cleaning of the teeth, or extraction of teeth, which have more than 50% loss of the supporting bone and the gum tissues all over them. Some of the medications might be beneficial in reducing the odor, and help in controlling the bacteria, which infect the oral tissues and gums.

The disorders or conditions that cats experience doesn’t just affect the head or the body. In the actual fact, there are disorders that may affect their nail and claw as well. The claw and nail disorders in cats are actually normal and common for cats, yet these are so uncomfortable for them. If you want to learn more about this, feel free to give this article a read.

Claw and Nail Disorders in Cats: What really are these?

Out of the various kinds of nail disorders in cats, two are actually the most common to affect felines. First is the Paronychia –this is an infection of the nail bed, which inflames the tissue all over the nail, next is the Onychomycosis –a kind of fungal infection that affects the nail. Further, each of these illnesses may have painful and serious effects on the cat.

Moreover, nail disorders in cats may come in a variety of forms and from various causes. These claw and nail disorders are commonly due to some kind of infection in or all over the nail bed. A lot of cats may take notice about their nail disorder, and start to fuss with their own claw ceaselessly.

Causes of Cat Claw and Nail Disorders

Most of the claw and nail disorders are due to some kind of infection, yet that isn’t the case for all of the cats. The nail disorders may be caused by any of the causes below:

• Neoplasia
• Cutting the nails very close to the nail bed, hence leaving them open to infections
• Birth disorders
• High levels of growth hormones
• Brittle nails
• Immune system illnesses
• Trauma to the nails
• Cancerous tumors
• Fungal infections
• Bacterial infections

Symptoms of Cat Claw and Nail Disorders

The nail disorders are usually uncomfortable for cats. This may lead them in fussing around with their paws incessantly. In the event that a cat shows any of the below symptoms of claw and nail disorders in cats, they might be suffering from a nail disorder:

• Abnormal hail color
• Nail plate deformities
• Inflammation and swelling of the skin all over the nails
• Pain in the paws
• Difficulty in walking
• Compulsive biting and licking of the claws

Prognosis of Cat Claw and Nail Disorders

While the claw disorders might seem to be just a minor problem, they might be due to some serious infections or even main illnesses, just like cancer. For this very reason, it is important that a cat should be taken into a skilled vet who may diagnose the underlying cause of the condition.

Moreover, the vet may ask for the complete medical history of the cat, in order to determine if the issue is caused at birth or a congenital case. Further, it is also important to tell the vet if the nails of the cat have been affected. In case more than one nail is causing a trouble, it might mean that the cat has some serious medical issue.

If more tests or examinations are still needed, a vet might take a skin scraping from the skin near the nail of the cat and sent this sample to get analysed at the laboratory. This may help in determining what really is causing the nail disorder. Further, depending on the results of the tests, an extra fungal or bacterial culture might need to be taken, in order to know the exact reason why the issue began.

Treatment for Cat Claw and Nail Disorders

The treatment for the claw and nail disorders in cats may vary hugely depending on the cause of the condition. Even though most of the solutions of the conditions are non-invasive and easy, more serious treatments might be necessary in special circumstances.

Skin Inflammation

In the event that the skin around or under the nail has become inflamed, the cat may need surgical removal of the nail plate. This will help the tissue in draining and returning to its normal state. Additionally, a surgical procedure is relatively minor with little to no risks, and the cat must be back to its normal state weeks after the operation. This depends on how rapidly the nail regrows.

Fungal or Bacterial Infections

The infections may be curable with topical ointments, which are applied straight to the nail. All of these treatments often last for a span of 2 to 4 weeks. After this time, the cat must already have turned back to the normal.

 Recovery from Cat Claw and Nail Disorders

In most of the cases, topical treatments and / or minor surgical procedure may be enough in clearing up any issues, which the cat is facing. However, it is also important to monitor the health of the nail of the cat, as recurring issues might be suggestive of a more serious condition.

In case the nail disorder goes back in any form, it is important that the cat visits a vet as soon as possible. One more round of treatment might be called for, or the condition might be a symptom of cancer. Either way, these aren’t things that a cat owner is prepared to cure alone. 5

There are a lot of possible causes of kidney failure in cats. For example, some cats may be born with poorly functioning or constructed kidneys and not able to reach the total optimum health. In this article, we will discuss further about this particular feline illness. If you are interested about it, feel free to give this article a read.

Kidney Failure in Cats: What is this feline condition?

Kidney failure in cats may either progress slowly because of a chronic disease or just happen so suddenly because of trauma or poisoning. Both kinds should be addressed instantaneously. This is in order to save the life of the cat.

Moreover, the kidneys, as we know, are the ones responsible for some of the most important life functions. This includes maintaining the levels of blood pressure, filtering wastes and toxins from the bloodstreams, contributing to the red blood cells production, excreting the wastes via the urine, as well as producing a variety of vital hormones and enzymes. About 30% of the cats may develop kidney disease during their entire lifetime. A lot of these circumstances may progress and lead to the onset of kidney failure in cats. In the event that the kidneys fail in performing properly, the life of the affected cat may be at risk.

Types of Cat Kidney Failure

There are actually 2 types of kidney failure that affect cats, they are as follows:

• Chronic Kidney Failure –this develops slowly over time because of chronic kidney disease
• Acute Kidney Failure –this develops within days or weeks

Causes of Cat Kidney Failure

There are a few causes of kidney failure in cats. These may vary depending on the kind that the cat is experiencing. These causes may include:

Chronic

• Thyroid problems
• Advanced dental disease
• Autoimmune disorders
• Medications like acetaminophen
• Kidney cancer
• Recurrent urinary infection, which wear the kidneys down over a period of time
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections
• Hereditary and congenital abnormalities

Acute

• Urinary tract obstruction
• Kidney infection
• Shock from rapid blood loss or dehydration
• Trauma due to an accident
• Heart failure with low blood pressure, which prevents sufficient amount of blood from flowing to the kidneys
• Poisons like pesticides, antifreeze, or cleaning products

Symptoms of Cat Kidney Failure

Varying on the type of kidney failure your cat is experiencing, the symptoms may progress slowly or start so suddenly. The following are the possible symptoms of the condition:

• Indifference
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Brown-colored tongue
• Constipation
• Dry coat
• Oral ulcers on the gums and tongue
• Bad breath, which smells like ammonia
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Increase in the urinary output
• Increase in thirst because of waste and toxin buildup in the bloodstream

Prognosis of Cat Kidney Failure

The vet may need to know all of the occurring symptoms of kidney failure in cats, as well as when the symptoms started. In case a recent trauma or poisoning happened, the vet may need to get all the details of the incidents. Furthermore, the vet may also examine the cat physically, listening to its lungs and heart, as well as taking its blood pressure level.

Moreover, a biochemical profile and urinalysis may also be taken. I the actual fact, urinalysis may look for protein in the urine, which has leaked into the damaged kidneys and may measure the USG. Due to the fact that the kidney failure results in the kidneys not being able to filter the waste coming from the urine, the cat that has kidney failure may have urine that has a gravity that is so much like a distilled water. Further, the biochemical profile may look for the waste products in the blood that the kidneys must have already filtered out; the high numbers of these products are actually the indication of kidney failure in cats.

Treatments for Cat Kidney Failure

Here are some of the possible treatments for kidney failure in cats:

Acute kidney failure treatment

The cats who have acute kidney failure because of poisoning or trauma may often recover after the main issue that instigated the condition is addressed. This might include surgical procedure, blood transfusions, and fluid therapy. In the event that the kidneys do not respond after the main issue is already treated, some other courses of treatment may be necessary to address the condition.

Kidney transplant

The kidney transplant in cats need an experienced team of vet surgeons, nursing staff, and anesthesiologists. This is because the procedure is only performed in a several vet hospitals. During the transplant, a healthy kidney from another cat may be transplanted in the cat. Medications may be necessary to get administered to make sure the body of the cat does not reject the donor’s kidney.

Dialysis

Dialysis is actually a procedure, wherein a machine acts like the kidneys, filtering out the toxins and wastes, which buildup in the bloodstream. Furthermore, dialysis may be used in treating cats with chronic kidney illness or in removing poison from a cat with acute kidney disease. Unluckily, dialysis is just available in some vet clinics and may be so costly.

Do you happen to see your cat suffering from bleeding disorders? Are you wondering if it is normal or not? Well, actually, bleeding disorders in cats are often because of some hereditary gene mutations , just like in non Willebrand’s disease or hemophilia. Give this article if you want to learn more about it. Surely, you will learn a lot!

Bleeding Disorders in Cats: What are these?

The bleeding disorders in cats are often due to hereditary gene mutations. Moreover, the cats may show some sign of platelet disorders that may ultimately lead to the sudden development of the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy when left without any treatments. Whatever unusual bleeding that comes from an unknown injury source or a wound may warrant further investigations.

Moreover, bleeding disorders are the conditions, which impact the quality of the cat’s blood. Furhter, not all the blood conditions are actually lethal, yet they may be fatal, even without any prompt medical assistance. Most of the conditions of the blood are actually chronic kinds of conditions, which may be manageable, but not that much curable.

Causes of Cat Bleeding Disorders

Some disorders may impact the blood consistency, clotting factors, as well as the blood flow.

Vascular Disorders                              

• Autoimmune deficiencies
• Infectious diseases
• Vasculitis or the inflammation of the blood vessels

Coagulation Disorders

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation –the blood clots form when in the first place, they should not
• Hereditary disease –just like hemophilia
• Rat poison
• Medication –such as Warfarin
• Liver failure

Platelet Conditions

• Hereditary disease –such as von Willebrand’s disease
• Medications like aspirin
• Kidney failure
• Infections
• Thrombocytopathy –inefficiently functioning blood platelets
• Thrombocytopenia –insufficient amount of blood platelets

Symptoms of Cat Bleeding Disorders

A thorough and complete examination by the vet is necessary whenever the cat exhibits abnormal bleeding.

• Pale gums
• Presence of blood in the stool or urine
• Tiny pinpoint red spots on the gums or white of the eyes
• Bruising with no ostensible cause
• Bleeding gums
• Bleeding with no ostensible injury
• Excessive bleeding after a surgery
• Excessive or lengthy bleeding from an injury

Prognosis for Bleeding Disorders in Cats

The vet may perform a thorough examination. Further, he or she will look for the bleeding in the gums or in the eyes, as well as any bruising on the skin of the cat. Furthermore, the cat may be examined for any enlargement in the organs of the abdomen or the abdomen itself. Further, the vet may listen to the lungs and the heart of the cat. A thorough blood count may also be done for the determination of the number of red blood cells and platelets.

Moreover, a buccal mucosal bleeding time exam might be necessary. In this particular procedure, a tiny cut will be made on the gums of the cat and the time passed for a clot to form will then be measured. This certain procedure might be essential in the evaluation of the platelet functioning and in testing for von Willebrand’s disease. If the testing indicates the disease, a blood sample will then be tested for the measurement of the amount of the Willebrand’s factor present.

The vet may also attempt in determining the location and the number of sites of bleeding in the cat. He might order further tests, just like biopsies, x-rays, etc. These are all for the examination of the bleeding sites.

Titers for the diseases might be necessary if the platelet numbers are low. The vet might also order blood work to examine for certain antibodies to infections. Further, the biopsy or aspiration of the bone marrow may be needed if there is a low platelet count. This particular procedure needs sedation and anesthesia.

Testing, in order to measure the concentration of the coagulation factor in the cat’s blood might be essential as well. Additionally, in this kind of testing, the blood is being collected and the clotting will be activated chemically.

Treatment for Cat Bleeding Disorders

The treatment for the bleeding disorders in cats must focus on the determination of the underlying cause of the bleeding disorder. In case your cat has a lot of significant number of blood, a blood transfusion might be necessary. Further, it might also be probable to stop the bleeding in the single sites via bandaging or packing with the use of the gauze.

Furthermore, if the cat has a low count of platelet, the suspected cause may determine the course of the treatment. Due to the fact that the autoimmune diseases and the infectious diseases are often to blame in the suggestively reduced platelet counts, the treatments might include corticosteroids, in order to suppress the immunity or antibiotics, in order to address the contagious cause of the low count of blood platelet.

Additionally, plasma transfusion might be necessary as well if the cat really has von Willebrand’s disease. The medication may also be administered in curing in the release of the deficient factor. In case of toxic ingestion, the cat might receive vitamin K therapy with or even without a transfusion.

Further, liver failure or hemophilia might show a temporary response to the plasma transfusion. \lsdunhid

You may be is familiar with the Grumpy Cat –the little cat whose frown has made it famous all over the internet. Further, you might also be familiar with your very own grumpy cat, if you have a specifically undependable one at home. There is no doubt that cats have personalities that are often aggressive and diverse. Furthermore, there are also some cats that are inquisitive, anxious, and others are just reserved. However, what does it really mean if a cat is acting so depressed? You read it right, depression in cats is actually possible to happen. Is this a fact or a bluff? Read on to this article and know more about it!

Depression in Cats: Is it possible for cat to get depressed?

Without doubt, cats may exhibit a depressed behaviour, yet the general unanimity is that they don’t experience the similar emotional changes that are in association with the clinical depression that humans experience.

Generally, depression that humans experience is considered as a multifactorial disease. Furthermore, the condition may be situation and is due to a stressful situation, or medical issues, because of the chemical imbalances in the brain. The prognosis is actually based on self-stated symptoms. This just means that the signs and symptoms may be expressed vocally to a psychologist or a doctor.

These diagnostic principles aren’t actually available to the vets. Due to the fact that we cannot ask exactly what cats are feeling, whether they are angry or sad or joyous or anxious, we need to rely on the clues that they give via their daily activities and behaviour and make the assessments based on that.

Moreover, the clinical signs that we see tend to be avoidance behaviour, abnormal behaviour, lesser active, and loss or appetite. There are also some cats that might show changes in the usage of cat litter box, while the others have troubled patterns of sleep.

Symptoms and Causes of Cat Depression

Unluckily, the symptoms of depression in cats are due to a wide range of conditions in cats, thus getting into the root of the condition commonly involves visiting to the vet, in order to rule out some other problems. Medical conditions like gastrointestinal cancer or kidney disease may cause reduced appetite and nausea, which may mimic depression.

Moreover, some say that pain is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in cats, particularly the senior cats. It is also one of the leading causes of the clinical signs of depression in cats. Most of the time, there is physical disease or pain that causes a cat to act as if it is depressed.

A lot of pet owners who are actually dealing with terminally ill cats are actually concerned that the cats are experiencing depression, often showing their own sadness regarding the illness of their cat. It is advisable for the owners to rather consider some medical causes.

Evaluation Process for Cat Depression

Vets may start to evaluate by taking a thorough history of the symptoms, as well as performing a comprehensive physical examination.

Chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, and bloodwork might be recommended by the vet. These baseline tests commonly provide a great overall look at the cat’s organ function and health. Varying on the results, some other tests might be recommendable.

Furthermore, it is also possible that spinal tap, as well as MRI might be essential. This is often necessary if the vet is concerned about the neurological condition that affects the brian or the spine. Tumors, infections, and inflammatory illness o the nervous system may result in significant changes in the behaviour of the cat. The changes mainly due to anxiety and stress may be hard to differentiate to that of the medical conditions. Therefore, it is often a process of eliminating to reach a prognosis in a cat.

Even though cats tend to be resilient and independent, they may suffer from anxiety because of the changes in the routine, loss or addition of family member, or feeling threatened. In the actual fact, anxiety is one of the main behavioural conditions that vets see. Further, chronic stress may also have an impact on the emotional and physical health of the cat. Aggression, changes in the litter box, or self-inflicted hair loss are often map out to anxiety.

Treatments for Cat Depression

If a particular stressor may be recognized and removed, often the symptoms may resolve and improve. A vet or trainer who is experienced in cat behaviour may help with the recommendations in making a home surroundings lesser stressful to a cat that’s anxious.in case a cat feels exposed and does not have any place to hide on, for instance, might respond to covered furniture or to vertical spaces at home so it will feel more in control of the surrounding.

A competition in a multi-cat household may also be a reason for depression in cats. Varying on the situation, owners might need to add some resources in the form of an additional cat bowls and cat litter boxes, or even disperse the cats, which are not already getting along. Moreover, some cats may also respond to cat calming products. If you want to use them, they might be beneficial as well.

Most of the cats are somewhat food-oriented and like to be given some ‘human foods’ every now and then. However, we need to be careful enough in giving them human foods, as they may cause gastrointestinal irritation or may even be so toxic. Nonetheless, there is this one human food that has some surprising health benefits to cats. I am talking about the famous Halloween vegetable –pumpkin. In the actual fact, the health benefits of pumpkin in cats are so astounding and beneficial. Read on through this article and get to learn more about it!

Pumpkin for Cats: Is it really beneficial?

Pumpkin is a well-known winter and fall flavor, which a lot of people look forward to every year. Though humans may enjoy a variety of pumpkin dishes, what about the cats?

As a matter of fact, a plain pumpkin is a great source of fiber for the cats. Moreover, a lot of vets turn to pumpkin as their treatments for constipation in their cat patients. It is advisable as well that pumpkin is an easy cure for mild constipation in cats. Vets advise that it’ll get the colon moving a bit better in the cats that are predisposed to constipation.

The fiber that is in the pumpkin adds bulk to the diet as well. This is what makes the cats feel even more satiated. Furthermore, pumpkin is especially essential for the obese cats that are on a diet. Adding pumpkin at the mealtime may even be beneficial in preventing tender anal sac conditions or help reduce the hairballs.

Moreover, while the pumpkin is a great source of vitamins C and A that helps support the immunity and vision, it is advisable that it isn’t important to use the pumpkin as a vitamin supplement. Generally, cats are not deficient in these essential vitamins if they are on a proportionate diet plan.

There is also zinc in it –this is essential in improving the cat’s coat and skin. As well as cucurbitacin, which is a biochemical compound, which is believed to possess some activity against various intestinal parasites. Nonetheless, with a proportionate diet and proper vet care, most of these concerns may be taken care of even without the need for the vegetable.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin in Cats

Here are some of the best health benefits of pumpkin in cats:

• Weight loss. Cats seem to naturally love pumpkins. If you’re looking for a food that could take a several pounds off of your cat, try reducing an amount of its food and replace it with the same amount of pumpkin. This is beneficial in losing excess weight on your cat. This is one of the best health benefits of pumpkin, especially for obese cats.
• Urinary health. The pumpkin seeds are rich in essential antioxidants and fatty acids, as well as the oils that comes from the pumpkin seeds and flesh are essential in supporting the urinary health. They are a great source of vitamin A, iron, potassium, and beta-carotene as well. It might also be essential in reducing the risk of cancer development in cats.
• Digestive health. The pumpkin is a great source of fiber for the cats. Pureed pumpkin may help cats with diarrhea and constipation. It may also help with indigestion or upset stomachs.

How to Serve Pumpkin?

In case your cat loves pumpkin, the best way in serving it is straight out of the can. You should avoid any canned pumpkin products, which contain additional sugars or flavorings, most especially if the cat has diabetes. In the event that your choosy cat refuses eating pumpkin, consult your vet for some alternatives.

As long as your cat is very well hydrates, any additives might assist in treating constipation. Make sure to pay your vet a visit first, before you go and make decisions and changes to the cat’s diet.

Risks of Feeding Pumpkin to Cats

After we get to discuss the health benefits of pumpkin in cats, we now need to know the possible risks of it too.

In the actual fact, pumpkin is a relatively safe and easy additive. Though it is unlikely that pumpkin may upset the stomach of a cat, eating excessive amount of which may possibly cause diarrhea. In case this happens, it is the best to skip your next serving o it or just feed a much smaller amount. The vet may also advise that you modify the serving size, in case symptoms persist.

Bear in mind that you need not to serve the skin, pulp, or stem of the pumpkin to your cats. All of these parts just don’t have sufficient nutritional value to be essential for the cat. Moreover, it is the best to avoid feeding any leftover from jack-o-lanterns. This is because might have already been rotten. A plain canned pumpkin is the greatest option for your cat, and may stay fresh in the fridge for about week after opening.

Did you know that the domestic cat has descended from the cat species of the wild desert in Arabia and Africa? You read it right, the ancestors of the cats actually came from very hot places. Even on the blistering hot days, you are probable to not ever see your cat sweat at all. You might be wondering how do they keep themselves cool all the time. In this article we will discuss more about sweating in cats. If you want to learn about this and more, feel free to give this article a read.

Sweating in Cats: Do cats really sweat?                    

Although you might never see cats sweat, they are actually born with a proficient cooling system. Dissimilar to that of the humans, who are actually born with sweat glands all over their body, the sweat glands of the cats are just situated in a several hairless areas –this includes their chin, lips, paws, as well as on the skin that surrounds their anus.

In the event that the body sends a message into the brain that says the body temperature has become too high, the brain will send some signals to the glands and start sweating. In case the sweat evaporates, it will then produce a cooling effect on the skin.

Further, stress might also cause the cat to sweat. A particular cat, which is terrified in a vet clinic may often sweat via its small cat paws –this may leave wet footprints on some parts of the house. Worry less, sweating in cats is a normal phenomenon.

Tricks Cats Use in Cooling Down

Due to the fact that cats only have a limited amount of sweat glands, sweating alone isn’t sufficient in lowering the temperature of an overheated cat. Further, cats may also cool themselves via grooming –that is the reason why you might see the cat grooming itself more in the summer season.

In the event that the excessive saliva evaporates, it may cool the skin. Further, this is actually a typical behaviour, which cats use in dissipating the heat from their bodies. This is the reason why it is different than overgrooming because of stress, anxiety, pain, or skin problems. Moreover, a cat that’s overgrooming because of some health issues may have abnormally barbered and short hair, red skin, or bald areas in the area where the overgrooming takes place.

One more trick, which cats actually use to cool down is taking a siesta during the heat of the day. During the summer season, cats –specifically the outdoor ones –may disappear through the day, as well as increase their own activities at night.

Moreover, the same as their wild ancestors and some other wild fields, the domestic cats may find a cool, nice, hidden place to rest, as well as to spread out in their body over a cool exterior to disperse the heart. Once the sun has already gone down, they may then resume their behaviour of being of nocturnal hunting.

Panting in Cats: What about it, is it normal for them?

Now, we already know sweating cats is normal, the next thing we will know, is if panting in them is normal as well. In the actual fact, panting in cats is just as normal as it is in dogs. Though cats may use panting, in order to cool down, panting is commonly a sign that a particular cat is too stressed or too hot, or has a causal lung or heart disorder, which needs to be addressed by the vet. Moreover, there are times that panting in cats is normal and already a reason to be alarmed, most especially if you happen to know what kind of activity the cat was tangled in instantly previously.

If you happen to notice that the cat is panting, place the cat in a calm, cool area with a bowl of water where the cat may cool down. In case the panting keeps on going or if the cat is not acting in a normal manner, it might be a sign of heatstroke or heat stress in cats. In these particular circumstances, take the cat to the vet immediately.

Does Excessive Sweating in Cats an Indication of an Underlying Medical Illness?

Cats commonly never sweat sufficiently to characterize it as an excessive sweating. Nonetheless, in case a cat is in a cool surrounding and still may leave sweaty footprints, then that may already point to causal stress and / or anxiety, which must be addresses using a specialized vet or behaviourist.

Some of the cat owners might also notice an excessive sweating all over the mouth of the cat, yet in those circumstances, the cat is commonly drooling excessively because of a stomach or dental problem. Occasionally, a cat may also salivate with happiness when it is petted. In case that you notice excessive wetness all over the mouth of your cat, consult your vet.

Did you know that the bone overgrowth in cats is as possible as it is in humans? Even though it is a rare feline condition, it may still create an extreme discomfort, as well as pain to cats. It actually refers to the abnormal increase in the size of the bone, because of the new formation of the bone. This may cause some swellings at all the four limbs and is often being confused with arthritis. The overgrowth in the bones may also cause lameness to the cats due to pain and swelling at bones and joints. Read on to this article and get to learn more about this feline condition.

Bone Overgrowth in Cats: What is this feline condition?

The bone overgrowth in cats may happen when the development of the new bones suddenly causes an abnormal growth of the bones. Further, it is not that known to be a life-threatening illness, yet it still may cause discomfort, severe pain, and swelling in the cat. Additionally, this particular condition may be reduced when you visit the vet for prognosis and treatment.

Moreover, hypertrophic osteopathy or bone overgrowth is a feline condition, wherein the bones are abnormally growing in the pet. This particular condition is not really often found in cats –in fact, it is very rare of a cat condition. However, the cats are still at risk of suffering from it.

Causes of Cat Bone Overgrowth

The bone overgrowth in cats is commonly due to a causal disease or cause. This may range from a tumor to a heartworm disease. Below are some of the known possible causes of bone overgrowth in cats:

• Tumor on the liver, prostate gland, or urinary bladder
• Metastatic or primary lung tumor
• Abscess in the lungs
• Mycobacterial or lobar pneumonia
• Disease of the abdominal or chest area
• Heart illness
• Heartworm disease
• Pneumonia

Symptoms of Cat Bone Overgrowth

In case your cat is suffering from an overgrowth on its bone, you might notice some or all of the following symptoms of bone overgrowth in cats:

• Evidence of body cavity tumor
• Pain in the long bones
• Inability to use the limbs
• Lack of strength
• Painful limbs
• Swelling
• Unwillingness to move
• Tiredness
• Lethargy

Prognosis of Cat Bone Overgrowth

The signs and symptoms of the condition are often being confused with some other conditions, just like arthritis. Paying your vet a visit is important in making a precise diagnosis.

You may expect your vet to give the cat a thorough physical examination, in order to check the symptoms, as well as rule out some other conditions. The vet may also ask some question regarding the symptoms, medical history, as well as the behavior of the cat. You should bear in mind that you need to let your vet know that your cat has already suffered from past illnesses before, just like pneumonia or heartworm disease. These past conditions may play a significant role in the current situation of having bone overgrowth.

Moreover, the cat may also need to undergo some routine examinations, just like a complete blood count, biochemistry, and urinalysis. The exam results might come back as normal –that is why the vet may need to find any causal disease of the bone overgrowth. X-rays and ultrasounds are also done, in order to check for tumors, bone reactions, and new bone formations. Additionally, the vet may also check for further tumors, as well as recommend a biopsy, in order to see if the tumors are benign or hazardous.

The vet may use the signs and symptoms, as well as the test results to prognosis the underlying cause, as well as the bone overgrowth. It is so important that you take your cat to the vet as soon as you get to notice the symptoms of the bone overgrowth.

Treatments for Cat Bone Overgrowth

Unless the underlying cause is already identified, it is not always probable to treat the bone overgrowth. In case an underlying cause is already identified, treating it may help in relieving the pain, as well as discomfort in the cat.

Surgical procedure of tumors

Surgical operation is just used as a form of treatment in case an operable tumor is found in the cat. The vet may remove the tumor and cut the nerve around the area. This is mainly done for the reduction of pain, as well as to stop the abnormal growth of the bone. The fact of having a tumor removed surgically might be a bit stressful, yet the risk of the complications is commonly low for the cats.

Medication to relieve conditions

Using a medication is a common treatment for bone overgrowth in cats. the vet may prescribe antibiotics, in order to bring down the swelling and pain, as well as to bring comfort to the cat. It is very important to follow the proper guidelines, as well as administer the medication at the proper dosage and time. This is for the maintenance of the quality of life of the cat.

Cats are not safe from bone infections, just like us humans. In the actual fact, bone infections in cats happen when a particular fungal or bacterial infection happens to affect the bone marrow or the bone in general. In this article, we will be discussing more about this feline condition. Give this article a read and get to learn more about it.

Bone Infections in Cats: What is this feline condition?

The bone infections happen when a fungal or bacterial infection takes place in the bone marrow or in the bone. It is often referred to as osteomyelitis. This may happen directly in the bone right after a surgical procedure or a fracture happens. Further, it may also be spread to the bone via the bloodstream from a particular infection in different part of the body. Moreover, the infection may cause inflammation on the bone and its surrounding tissues.

Moreover, the cat may not show any signs of bone infection for certain time before the symptoms appear. This is what makes it likely for the infection to get austere by the time it is diagnosed. If you think that your cat might have a bone infection, you can seek some vet assistance right away. The medical treatment may be necessary in getting rid of the infection, and the earlier the treatments start, the better the result is for the cat. In some of the cases, bone infections may need surgical procedure or even amputation, just to treat it. Further, the treatments might need quite a few weeks of hospitalization.

Types of Bone Infections in Cats

The bone infection may be due to a sudden or acute, short-lived infection or by a chronic or long-lasting condition. The types of bone infection may include the following:

• Fungal infections
• Bacterial infections

Causes of Cat Bone Infection

A bone marrow or bone infection in cats is most typically triggered by fungus or bacteria, which has go into the body via the normal means of transmission, just like ingestion, through a wound, or the exposure to some other sick animals. In case the germs are already in the system of the cat, they might be transported via the blood to infect some other parts of the body –this includes the bones. Moreover, the infection may get into the bone marrow and the bone. This may cause pain and inflammation, thus resulting in the cat’s symptoms.

Some of the most common causes, which may lead to bone infection may include:

• Dental infection
• Soft tissue infection
• Implant
• Post-surgery
• Injuries, which come from claw wounds, bites, trauma, or fracture
• Some other infections

Symptoms of Cat Bone Infection

The bone infection in cats may cause a lot of symptoms in the cat. The most common among all is being so favoring of a limb or lameness, fever, and listlessness or apathetic behavior. In circumstances that the infection has already spread the symptoms related to the bone marrow and bone from some other parts of the body, the cat might exhibit some other localized symptoms, in relation to the infection. Moreover, it is possible as well for the cat to have general symptoms of the infection, just like difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and runny eyes or nose.

Some of the most common symptoms of bone infection in cats include the following:

• Oozing or pus from soft tissues or wound site
• Anorexia or lack of appetite
• Joint swelling
• Limb swelling
• Pulling back of muscles or wasting
• Reluctance to use the limb
• Arthritis or stiffness
• Limb pain
• Lesions or ulcers
• Depression or apathy
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Lameness

Prognosis of Cat Bone Infection

You may need to give a complete history of the cat’s overall health, including the onset and the nature of the symptoms, to the vet. After which, the vet will perform a thorough physical examination, urinalysis, biochemistry profile, as well as CBC. The history of the health of the cat will be essential in determining the cat’s condition –if it is chronic or acute. In case the infection has already gone underdiagnosed for some time, the appearance of the new bone growth on the site may be an indication of its duration.

In some circumstances, surgical biopsy may be done for more confirmation of the condition. In case of systemic infections, the vet may collect a blood sample, as well as grow the relevant organism in the sample to search for the most suitable antibiotic medications for the treatment.

Treatment for Cat Bone Infection

The treatment for the condition may vary depending on various factors. This includes if the infection is chronic or acute, its severity, its location, as well as the type of organism that causes it. If the infection of the cat is secondary to different infection or a wound, then more treatments may be needed in managing that condition. The vet may also start some treatments, just like antibiotics, even right before the exact organism that’s causing the infection has already been identified.

In case your cat has loss of its vision in one or both of its eyes without any ocular vascular injection or some other apparent signs of eye inflammation, it might be suffering from blind quiet eye. In the actual fact, blind quiet eye in cats may happen because of the abnormalities in the retinal image detection, optic nerve transmission, retinal focusing, or merely the inability of the central nervous system to interpret various images properly. Read on to this article to learn more about this feline condition!

Blind Quiet Eye in Cats: What is this feline condition?

If you happen to suspect that your cat has blind quiet eye, you must take it to the vet ophalmologist. This particular kind of animal doctor is actually an ocular specialist. Furthermore, the doctors in this filed may be able to diagnose some retinal defects and some other irregularities that are related to eye condition. Additionally, with this particular medical expertise, the chances of the pet in regaining normal sight may increase.

Moreover, the blind quiet eye in cats is the loss of vision in one or both of its eyes without any precise cause, just like inflammation. The common contributors to this particular condition is age, genetics, and diseases. Due to the fact that the underlying cause of this condition may vary, the treatment of it is not easy. In addition, identifying the source is actually the best way in determining the care.

Causes of Blind Quiet Eye

The instigation of the blind quiet eye in cats depends in the cat. Some of the cats are at a much higher risk than the others. They are the older ones or those that suffer from genetic disorders and diabetes. Furthermore, these factors actually set the stage from some common causes.

• Optic Nerve Impairments. The optic nerve is what transmits the impulses from the retina into the brain. If this is defective, it actually affects the vision. This happens in three different ways, disease, genetics, as well as trauma. The trauma may happen during a surgical procedure, or if traction or excessive weight moves the optic nerve. Moreover, underdevelopment of the optic nerve is what sets the stage for some malfunction. Moreover, hypoplasia is the medical term for it. Additionally, a tumor or cancer may lead to inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the optic nerve.
• Cataracts. A cataract grows when the lenses of the eye starts to become opaque or cloudy. As a result, light can’t travel via the retina. Consequently, there’s a loss of visual lucidity.
• SARDS. Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome is the ongoing deterioration of the retina. Additionally, as the retina weakens, it may detach. In the cats, this frequently happens because of the lack of Taurine amino acid.

Symptoms of Blind Quiet Eye

The symptoms of blind quiet eye in cats may manifest via physical behavior within 6 months up to 2 years. Moreover, mannerisms may become awkward or even slow. Some noticeable changes may appear in the reflexes, movement, and visual interactions. They are the following:

• Refusal to move
• Slow visual responses
• Odd placement of the paws
• Impaired vision, especially in the darkness
• Bumping into objects
• Excessive tripping
• Sudden falls

The early detection of the condition is necessary. So when the cat shows signs of blind quiet eye, you must seek some medical assistance instantly. You can schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible. The progression of the condition may lead to total blindness.

Prognosis of Blind Quiet Eye

You may need to give a complete history of the cat’s overall health, including the onset and the nature of the symptoms, to the vet. After which, the vet will perform a thorough physical examination, urinalysis, biochemistry profile, as well as CBC, in order to rule out any potential systemic causes of the condition.

During an ophthalmic examination, a penlight may be used in ruling out potential causes of the condition, just like retinal detachment or cataracts. Meanwhile, opthalmoloscopy might reveal the progressive optic nerve disease or retinal atrophy.

Treatment for Blind Quiet Eye

The vet may try to localize the condition and may often refer you to a vet ophthalmologist. Unluckily, there is no effective treatment for the blind quiet eye in cats that’s caused by SARDS, optic nerve atrophy, optic nerve hypoplasia, or progressive retinal atrophy. Nevertheless, luxated lenses, cataracts, and some other forms of retinal detachment might be treated through surgical operations.

Additionally, cats with a retinal detachment must have their exercise austerely restricted up until the retina gets resolutely reattached. Meanwhile, those who have nutritionally-induced retinopathy must be fed with a diet that has sufficient amounts of taurine amino acid.

Moreover, the medical care for this feline condition is actually broad. It depends on the causal source of the disease. A vet ophthalmologist may recommend a surgical procedure or a change on the diet. In some circumstances, there might be no treatments at all.