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Cat Illnesses - Page 6
Cat Care > Cat Illnesses - Page 6
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A record of the brain's electrical activity that is obtained by means of an instrument called an electroencephalograph. This type of recording may occasionally be useful in diagnosing brain disorders in cats.
- Elizabethan collar
A bucket-shaped device, looking rather like a lampshade, that is fitted over a cat's head to prevent it from scratching a sore ear or biting and interfering with a wound or bandage on some other part of its body. An Elizabethan collar can be obtained ready-made from a veterinary clinic or pet shop, but one can also be improvised at home. A children's sand bucket or a large flowerpot with the base cut out is often suitable as long as it is made from soft plastic that will 'give' a little. The edge that goes around the neck should be padded with sticking plaster to soften it, and strings fastened on to tie it to the cat's collar. Another alternative is to make the collar from a piece of strong card bent into a cone shape and trimmed to size. The collar should not be so wide that it prevents the cat from lying down and must be removed to enable the animal to eat and drink. The cat should not be allowed to roam freely while wearing the collar in case it gets caught up in some way. The neck must be checked regularly for rubbing and more padding applied if necessary.
- Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain, which is a rare condition in cats and usually associated with some infectious illness such as rabies.
- Entamoebiasls
A rare disease, caused by parasitic protozoa, that may occasionally affect cats in some countries of the world.
- Entropion
An eye condition, seen particularly in some breeds such as Persians, in which one or both of the eyelids curl inwards and cause inflammation and irritation by rubbing on the eyeball. Corrective eye surgery is needed to remedy this condition.
- Epiphora
The condition in which there are two wet streaks running from each eye down the side of the nose because of an overflow of tears (lacrimal fluid). In white cats, it produces a characteristic reddish-brown stain. Lacrimal fluid is continually produced by tear glands in the eyes and is washed across the surface by the action of blinking. Normally the excess drains away through the nasolacrimal duct that runs from the eye into the nasal cavity. In some cats, however, especially pedigree breeds with flat faces, e.g. Persians, the ducts may become blocked, and this results in tears flowing down the face. It may also occur in a cat with an eye inflammation or respiratory illness.
- Euthanasia
There are occasions when the kindest and most responsible course of action is to have a cat put painlessly tc sleep. Medically, this is only carried out when the cat's quality of life is poor and deteriorating and there is no hope of recovery. The usual method is by an injection of an overdose of anesthetic. The cat passes immediately into unconsciousness and a painless death.
- Eye worm (Thelazia Californiensis)
A parasitic worm that can affect rural cats in the southwest USA. The larval stage is transmitted by the deer fly, which inhabits woodland areas, and the worm develops behind the haw (third eyelid) of the cat. It causes a painful conjunctivitis, and the only form of treatment is surgical removal of the parasite.
- Feline Caticivirus Disease (FCD)
One of the two main forms of feline respiratory disease, or cat influenza, caused by feline caliciriviruses (FCV). On the whole, these viruses produce a milder form of the illness but this is not necessarily the case. Symptoms of FCD are sneezing, running eyes and nose, raised temperature, coughing and, characteristically, ulcers in the mouth on the tongue and palate. Sometimes the symptoms are so mild as to pass unnoticed and usually a cat with this form of 'flu will make a good recovery. The viruses are highly contagious and are spread by direct contact from cat to cat. The virus is expelled when the cat sneezes or coughs and can also be picked up from bedding, etc, although it can survive for only about ten days in a normal environment. In kennels or a cattery, it is necessary to isolate the cat and carry out a rigorous cleaning programme using strong bleaches. Veterinary advice should be sought for any cat that displays symptoms of cat 'flu. Fortunately, infection with FCV can be prevented by vaccination.
- Feline Infectious Anaemia (Feline Haemobartonellosis)
An infectious disease that is caused by the bacterium Haemobartonella felis. Many cats are believed to harbour the organism without showing signs of illness. It is most common in young torn cats and usually strikes during the spring and summer months. This is the time when there is more sexual activity and males are actively involved in fighting and trying to achieve dominance. Hence, it is likely that the organism is transmitted from one cat to another via infected saliva. Also, fleas probably spread the bacteria as they pass from one cat to another, and it is believed that the organism can cross the placenta to developing kittens during pregnancy.
The bacteria enter red blood cells and multiply rapidly, eventually causing rupture (haemolysis). New bacteria are then able to invade more red blood cells and there is further destruction. The bone marrow cannot replace the lost cells fast enough, so the typical symptom is (haemolytic) anaemia with pallor of mucous membranes, lethargy and loss of appetite. A cat displaying these symptoms should be taken to a veterinary surgeon and microscopic examination of a blood sample reveals the presence of the bacteria. Treatment is by means of courses of antibiotics, but severely anaemic cats may need a blood transfusion.
Cat Illnesses:
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41-50 |
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61-70 |
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91-100 |
101-110 |
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131-140 |
141-148
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