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Cat Illnesses - Page 11
Cat Care > Cat Illnesses - Page 11
- Mouse Favus
A type of ringworm that normally affects rodents and for which a cat can be a carrier without displaying symptoms. It may be possible for this to be passed via cats to human beings.
- Mycetoma
A rare fungal infection that may affect cats in certain parts of the USA and causes coughing, fever and loss of weight.
- Mycoplasma
Bacteria that may be implicated in a minor way in some cases of feline respiratory disease and may occasionally be involved in spontaneous abortion in pregnant queen cats.
- Neutering
A surgical operation to remove the reproductive organs of a cat to prevent mating and breeding. In torn cats this operation, also known as castration or orchidectomy, involves the removal of the testicles. In queen cats, ovariohysterectomy, or spaying, involves the removal of the womb and ovaries. Since the reproductive organs are completely removed, the sex hormones that they secrete and that are responsible for sexual behavior are no longer present, and this modifies the cat's behavior. In both sexes, this normally means that the animal no longer shows any sexual interest, although occasionally, in an older male cat, mating behavior may have become conditioned and persist for a time.
Neutering generally prevents the habit of urine spraying by males and is almost completely effective if the operation is carried out before puberty. Occasionally it may persist in an older male in whom it has become ingrained behavior. A queen ca no longer comes into oestrus, so calling ceases. Neutered cats are more likely to become obese, but this tendency is readily controlled by adjusting food intake.
- Nocardiosis
A rare bacterial infection of cats that affects the lungs and causes breathing problems.
- Nystagmus
Involuntary, rapid eye movements in which the pupils flick from side to side. In cats, it generally results free: concussion after an accidental blow on the head or is a symptom of a middle ear infection.
- Oedema
An accumulation of fluid in the body, possibly beneath the skin or in cavities or organs. In the case of an injury, the swelling may be localized, but fluid accumulation can be more general, as in liver disease. Other similar terms that may be used are ascites and 'dropsy'.
- Orthopaedic surgery
Orthopaedic surgery to repair fractures is quite commonly performed on cats. Often, long bones in the limbs may be secured with metal surgical pins or plates, while wire is frequently used to repair a broken jaw.
- Otitis externa
A scientific name for canker, meaning any infection and inflammation of the external ear canal.
- Paralysis
A condition ranging from muscle weakness to total loss of muscle movement and sensation caused by disease or damage to the brain, spinal cord or an individual nerve pathway. A cat may suffer paralysis of a front limb as a result of an accidental injury that damages the radial nerve. This is called 'radial paralysis' and is caused by a severe blow on the shoulder, often a glancing knock from a car. There is a complete loss of sensation in the affected limb, which is dragged along the ground and is liable to suffer further damage. If the nerve is badly damaged and unlikely to recover, the only solution is amputation of the limb, which will otherwise become gangrenous. Although this looks ungainly, most cats are adaptable and manage well on three legs if they have to.
The long tail of a cat is susceptible to similar paralysis if it becomes severely damaged in an accident. Once again, amputation is a very successful form of treatment, and a cat can manage quite happily with part of its tail or none at all.
Posterior paralysis, affecting the hind quarters and back legs, is a relatively common occurrence in cats as a result of spinal injuries sustained in road accidents. As well as losing all sensation and movement, the cat is often doubly incontinent as well. Sadly, there is usually little prospect of recovery, and the kindest course of action may be to have the cat put painlessly to sleep.
Cat Illnesses:
1-10 |
11-20 |
21-30 |
31-40 |
41-50 |
51-60 |
61-70 |
71-80 |
81-90 |
91-100 |
101-110 |
111-120 |
121-130 |
131-140 |
141-148
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