Feline Medicine

Most cats with kidney uroliths have no clinical signs.

Urolith in the urethra, most commonly composed of calcium oxalate.

It is helpful to divide cats with FLUTD into obstructive and non-obstructive uropathy for treatment purposes. Obstructive uropathy is most commonly seen in male cats due to the small diameter of the male urethra. Typical clinical signs include dysuria, hematuria, frequent attempts to urinate, and licking at the penis or prepuce.

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder in the cat. Since being first recognized in 1977, the incidence has increased steadily. This is, no doubt partly due to greater awareness and early screening, but certainly also due to a real increase in occurrence of this disease.

Vomiting is the forceful ejection of stomach and proximal duodenal contents through the mouth. Vomiting can be induced by vestibular, vagal, chemoreceptor trigger zone, or direct input to the emetic center. Diarrhea is a characterized by increased frequency of defecation, increased fluid content of the stool, or increased volume of stool.

Herpesvirus 1 (rhinotracheitis; FHV-1) and calicivirus (FCV) are the most common viral causes of sneezing and nasal discharge in the cat. If oral ulcers are present, calicivirus is most likely. If corneal ulcers are present, herpesvirus 1 is most likely. FHV-1 has now also been associated with chronic stomatitis, facial dermatitis, and endogenous uveitis. Viral rhinitis with or without secondary bacterial infection can be recurrent.

Use this questionnaire at any and all visits to help clients review subjects about which they might have questions.

The best diagnostic plan for feline odonotoclastic resorptive lesions.

In cats, bronchitis and asthma can be difficult to distinguish.

Evaluating serum chemistry profiles may help you diagnose this disease.

Changes in behavior are a clinical sign of osteoarthritis in cats.

A new study investigates the most efficient protocol for determining the degree of adrenocortical insufficiency or critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in cats.

Dr. Susan Little discusses pain management for cats that undergo onychectomy.

A recent study examined the safety and efficacy of orally administered famciclovir in cats experimentally infected with a pure strain of FHV-1.

February is National Heart Month and a good time to save cats from cardiac disease.

How stress affects blood glucose concentrations.

Advice on one rule-out: lung parasites.

This form of therapeutic intervention may be just the answer for this disease that affects up to 5% of the pet cat population.

Is it herpesvirus? Is it a bacterial infection? Drs. Little and VanVranken discuss how to handle these cases.

A recently published study evaluated the use of a commercially available point-of-care relaxin test for its sensitivity and specificity for pregnancy detection in cats.

Low-cost spays and neuters fill a crucial need. Veterinarians: Don't begrudge your colleagues who help.

How effective is "clipnosis"?

Drs. Susan Little and Pete Van Vranken discuss options for managing cats with this inconvenient disorder.

As with riding a wave or a bucking bronco, sometimes it's just best to move in conjunction with a cat rather than work against it.

We were out of Nosorb (Catco), the nonabsorbent granule cat litter used to collect urine samples, and needed to collect a sample that day.

One clinic's great idea for a fundraiser: catnip.

An important differential diagnosis in young pure-bred cats.

How would you help this cat with two serious conditions?

Dr. Mark Epstein gives his thoughts on feline pain management.

Let go of these popular misconceptions about opioid use in veterinary patients.