Cat Illnesses - Page 15

141. Travel Sickness
     Cats occasionally suffer from travel sickness. The animal is usually quiet at first and then begins to retch and vomit. This is caused by disturbance of the organs of balance in the inner ear as a result of the motion of the vehicle. A cat that suffers from travel sickness should not be given anything to eat or drink prior to, or during, its journey. If necessary, a veterinary surgeon can supply a sedative tablet so that the cat will sleep during the journey.

142. Trench Mouth
     A bacterial disease that is common in cats and is similar to the trench fever that afflicted soldiers during World War I. It causes a painful inflamed mouth and gums (gingivitis), bad breath and possibly ulceration. If untreated, the teeth may become loose and fall out, and the infection can even spread to the underlying bone in severe cases. Treatment with antibiotics will kill the infection, and the cat may need special feeding if it has lost condition.

143. Tumor
     Any abnormal swelling occurring in any part of the body consisting of an unusual growth of tissue, which may be malignant or benign. Tumors tend to be classified according to the tissue of which they are composed and produce varying symptoms according to their site within the body.

144. Ulcer
     A break on the skin surface or on a mucous membrane lining a body cavity that is inflamed, infected and slow to heal. Cats can develop ulcers as a result of various diseases and conditions. Sites include the tongue (ulcerative glossitis), mouth, nose and eye (ulcerative keratitis) as a result of feline respiratory disease, and internal organs because of ingestion of poisonous substances such as aspirin.

     A 'rodent' ulcer is a chronic, dry, ulcerated lesion that can develop on the upper lip of a cat. In order to stop it from spreading, it needs to be treated with certain drugs prescribed by a veterinary surgeon.

145. Uraemia
     The condition in which there is excess urea (a metabolic by-product of protein) in the blood as a result of kidney failure. A cat with this condition is usually terminally ill.

146. Vomeronasal Organs (Jacobson's organs)
     A pair of small olfactory organs located near the roof of a cat's mouth that contain cells sensitive to chemical odors. These organs form part of the mechanism that gives the cat its keen sense of smell.

147. Vomiting
     The reflex action whereby the stomach contents are expelled through the mouth because of the contraction of the diaphragm and abdominal wall muscles. Vomiting is caused by stimulus of the appropriate centre in the brain but the primary agent is usually a sensation from the stomach itself, such as an irritant or toxic substance or gastric disease, travel sickness is another cause resulting from disturbance of the organs of balance in the inner ear.

     Vomiting is common in cats because of a minor digestive upset or to eliminate a fur ball, and in this case there probably will be no other symptoms. Food should not be given for about eight hours, but a small quantity of water can be offered after two hours if this does not provoke more vomiting. Continue to give water every hour until the cat is no longer thirsty. When feeding is resumed, offer a small quantity of a bland food at fist and then gradually increase the quantity to the normal amount. If vomiting resumes, is persistent or is accompanied by other symptoms, take the cat for veterinary examination and treatment.

148. Weight Loss
     Unexplained weight loss in a cat is a cause for concern and evidence of some underlying disease or disorder that requires veterinary investigation.

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