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Cat Illnesses - Page 12
Cat Care > Cat Illnesses - Page 12
- Periodontal Disease
Severe inflammation and disease of the gums, usually resulting from a buildup of tartar on the teeth.
- Plaster Casts
A cat that fractures the lower part of a limb may need to have the leg immobilized in plaster while the bone heals. Plaster casts are not an ideal solution for cats as they tend to get wet, chewed or dislodged in some way. Modern synthetic materials can be used and have many advantages, including lighter weight and increased durability, but the cost of these may prove prohibitive.
- Pleurisy
Inflammation of the pleura, the membranes that cover the lungs and line the inside of the chest wall. It is a severe and painful condition that can prove difficult to treat and may be fatal. It usually arises as a result of infection and may be a complication of feline respiratory disease, feline infectious peritonitis and feline leukemia. Symptoms include rapid, labored breathing, high temperature and the inability to lie because of severe pain and breathing difficulties. The condition can arise quite suddenly and requires urgent veterinary treatment.
- Pneumonia
An infection of the lungs resulting in inflammation with the small air sacs becoming filled with pus and fluid. In cats, it usually arises as a result of a secondary bacterial infection as a complication of feline respiratory disease. The symptoms are breathing problems, fever and loss of appetite. The cat needs veterinary treatment with antibiotics and should be kept indoors in warm surroundings.
- Poisoning
Cats are relatively less likely to consume poisonous substances than dogs as they are more fastidious about what they eat. However, cases of poisoning certainly do occur in cats, either through directly eating the substance itself, consuming a prey animal that has been poisoned or licking and swallowing a toxic substance from the fur. Cats are more vulnerable to the effects of poisoning than some other species as the liver is relatively poor in its ability to detoxify these substances. Some substances, especially those containing phenol, can be absorbed through the skin but cases of inhalation of toxic fumes are uncommon.
Symptoms of poisoning vary according to the type of substance involved. Corrosive substances such as some household and DIY chemicals (acids and alkalis, fluids containing lysol or phenol, paint strippers, fuel oils, oven cleaner, caustic soda, etc) cause burns and blisters in and around the mouth, internal burns, fluid loss and shock. Some of these substances, particularly phenol, lysol and white spirit, can be absorbed through the skin. These substances are very dangerous, and it may be necessary to give emergency artificial respiration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
If there is reason to suspect that a cat has been poisoned with a corrosive poison and the animal is conscious, wash the mouth with plenty of cool, clean water. In addition, trickle water into the mouth by means of a teaspoon or syringe. Do not attempt to induce vomiting as the substance causes more burning as it is brought back up, but dilute it with water as far as possible. Take the cat immediately to a veterinary clinic.
If the cat's coat is contaminated with a poisonous substance (commonly paint, road tar or fuel oil such as petrol or diesel) never attempt to remove it with any form of white spirit, strong detergent or disinfectant. If a small area is involved, cut off the affected hair and wash the area with plenty of warm water and mild shampoo. If a large area is affected, rub in a good quantity of vegetable oil, margarine, butter or lard to soften the substance, and wrap the cat in a towel. If the substance has hardened, you may have to wait for several hours for softening to occur, and the cat must be kept under constant supervision to prevent grooming. It is sensible to obtain veterinary advice. Later, bath the cat using plenty of warm water and mild shampoo and continue until all traces of the substance are removed.
With known ingested poisons other than corrosive substances, induce vomiting only if the animal is fully conscious. It is best to use a small knob of washing soda about the size of a marble or some crystals of rock salt. Alternatively, a strong solution of half a tablespoon of salt in a little warm water administered by syringe can be given. Wrap a towel around the cat to restrain it and place one hand around the head, face and upper jaw from behind. Raise the head upwards, holding the jaw to open the mouth and introduce the substance. Place it at the back of the tongue and close the mouth, keeping the head raised. Stroking the underside of the throat induces swallowing. Vomiting normally occurs within ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, and in the meantime obtain veterinary advice. Do not repeat the process if the cat does not vomit but take it to a veterinary clinic straight away.
Symptoms caused by ingested poisons include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems, neurological symptoms, convulsions, paralysis, listlessness, coma and collapse (shock). All these are sufficiently serious to warrant emergency veterinary treatment even if one cannot be sure that poisoning is the cause. If the poison is known, take the container it came in or any other information about it with you to the veterinary surgeon as this will be of value in giving treatment to counteract its effects.
Of course, the best way to prevent incidents of poisoning is to play it safe at all times by keeping toxic substances well out of a cat's way. Some cats develop a perverse liking for substances, such as antifreeze, that are poisonous. Remember that some of the medicines that can be given to people and dogs are highly toxic to cats so never leave any of these lying around. Aspirin and paracetamol, commonly used in the home, are both in this category. Make sure that any veterinary products you use are suitable for your cat, and stick rigidly to dosing guidelines. Take particular care with insecticidal preparations, which can. easily throve toxic if amounts are exceeded. Finally, discourage your cat from chewing house and garden plants, which may be poisonous, but make sure it has access to grass.
- Prolapse
A situation in which a part of an organ protrudes down through a natural body aperture. In cats, this occasionally affects the rectum, following severe diarrhea, or the uterus after the birth of kittens. The cat requires immediate veterinary treatment, usually in the form of corrective surgery, so it should not be given anything to eat or drink.
- Protozoal Diseases
Diseases that can affect cats (and other mammals) and are caused by microorganisms called protozoa. The most important one in cats is toxoplasmosis.
- Pseudorabies (Aujesky's disease)
An unpleasant viral disease that occurs in most parts of the world, although it is absent from the UK and Australia. Cats are thought to contract the virus by eating infected rats, and the illness is short, intense and usually fatal. The cat becomes highly excited, mews excessively and froths at the mouth as a result of excessive salivation. It develops a severe itch and scratches constantly, making the skin raw and bleeding. This is called 'mad itch', which is another popular name for this illness. Following this, the animal becomes lethargic, loses coordination and becomes progressively paralysed, lapsing into coma and death. There is a superficial resemblance to rabies, but it is of shorter duration and unpredictable attacks on other animals are not a feature of the illness.
- Pseudotuberculosis
A bacterial infection that rarely affects cats.
- Pyometra
Inflammation and infection of the womb, leading tc a buildup of pus, which is an uncommon condition in female cats. Symptoms include a vaginal discharge, lethargy, thirst, high temperature, loss of appetite and vomiting. The cat requires urgent veterinary treatment, normally in the form of surgery to remove the womb (neutering), along with courses of antibiotics.
Cat Illnesses:
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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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