Cat Illnesses - Page 8

Cat Care > Cat Illnesses - Page 8

Frostbite
A rare condition in cats, and when it does occur it usually affects the tips of the ears, which appear to be white and cold and to lack sensation. Veterinary advice should be obtained in cases of suspected frostbite, but as an interim measure warm, but not hot, pads can be applied to the affected parts. As the circulation returns to normal, the skin usually reddens and is painful for a time. If the skin turns black rather than red (indicating gangrene) take the cat to a veterinary surgeon immediately.
Fur Balls or Hairballs
Cylindrical 'bullets' of accumulated fur that form from the hairs that are swallowed by a cat during grooming. They are particularly likely to occur in long-haired cats and are usually vomited up without causing harm. Sometimes, however, they may cause a blockage in the intestine, which may necessitate surgical removal under general anaesthetic.
Gangrene
The death of tissue because of a loss of blood supply or bacterial infection. There are two types of gangrene, 'dry' and 'moist'. Dry gangrene is caused purely by a loss of blood supply, and the affected part becomes cold and then turns brown or black. There is an obvious line of demarcation between living and dead tissue, and eventually the gangrenous part is sloughed off. Moist gangrene is caused by bacterial infection and there is putrefaction and fluid leakage with an obnoxious smell. There is pain and fever, and without prompt surgical intervention and antibiotic treatment, bacterial toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to death from blood poisoning. Gangrene can occur in a cat as a result of injury, burns, frostbite, etc, and is obviously more likely if suitable treatment for a wound is delayed or in a stray or neglected animal. It is always best to seek veterinary advice about the treatment of a wound or injury, particularly since cats are prone to infections.
Giardiasis
A rare disease in cats (which can also occur in people), affecting the digestive system and caused by a parasitic protozoan microorganism.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums. This is usually caused by a buildup of tartar on the teeth at their junction with the gums, which enables bacteria to proliferate and attack the tissues. The gums become red, swollen and irritated and bleed easily. If the tartar is not removed at this stage, the situation worsens and the gums may continue to swell and pull away from the root of the teeth. Bacteria are then able to attack the socket of the teeth, causing them to become loose and leading to severe infection or abscesses and great pain. This condition is known as periodontal disease. Gingivitis in cats can also occur with feline leukemia and trench mouth.
Glaucoma
A painful disorder caused by pressure from a buildup of fluid within the eye, usually in elderly cats that have a cataract. Veterinary treatment is needed and specialized surgery may be required.
Glomerulonephritis
A kidney disease in cats that is often an auto-immune disorder, i.e. one in which the damage is caused by the immune system. The cat requires a diet that is very high in protein but unfortunately, the condition often progresses to kidney failure.
Griseofulvin
An effective antifungal drug used in the treatment of ringworm.
Haematoma
A collection or leakage of blood that forms a firm swelling beneath the skin. It can arise anywhere as a result of a blow causing the rupture of a small blood vessel. In cats (and dogs), however, the most common site is the flap of an ear, arising as a result of a fight or head shaking and scratching caused by infestation with ear mites. The haematoma appears as a swelling that may alter in shape and is uncomfortable but not severely painful. The cat should be taken to a veterinary surgeon, and usually the haematoma needs to be opened and drained under a general anaesthetic. Otherwise there will be a permanent distortion or crumpled 'cauliflower' ear.
Haemorrhage
Bleeding-a flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel that may occur externally or internally. A haemorrhage is classified according to the type of vessels involved. Arterial haemorrhage is when bright red blood spurts in pulses from an artery. Venous haemorrhage is when there is a darker colored, steady flow from a vein. In a capillary haemorrhage, blood oozes from torn capillaries at the surface of a wound. In addition, a haemorrhage may be primary, i.e. it occurs at the moment of injury. A secondary haemorrhage can arise later as a result of infection (sepsis). Haemorrhage from a major artery is the most serious as large volumes of blood are quickly lost and death can occur within minutes. Haemorrhages at specific sites within the body are designated by special names, e.g. haematuria from the kidney or urinary tract, often indicated by the presence of blood in the urine. Also, haemoptysis, bleeding from the lungs, indicated by the coughing up of blood and haematemesis, from the digestive organs, which may be apparent if blood is vomited.

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

	Cat Illnesses - Page 8 Cat Care > Cat Illnesses - Page 8 Frostbite A rare condition in cats, and when it does occur it usually affects the tips of the ears, which appear to be white and cold and to lack sensation. Veterinary advice should be obtained in cases of suspected frostbite, but as an interim measure warm, but not hot, pads can be applied to the affected parts. As the circulation returns to normal, the skin usually reddens and is painful for a time. If the skin turns black rather than red (indicating gangrene) take the cat to a veterinary surgeon immediately. Fur Balls or Hairballs Cylindrical 'bullets' of accumulated fur that form from the hairs that are swallowed by a cat during grooming. They are particularly likely to occur in long-haired cats and are usually vomited up without causing harm. Sometimes, however, they may cause a blockage in the intestine, which may necessitate surgical removal under general anaesthetic. Gangrene The death of tissue because of a loss of blood supply or bacterial infection. There are two types of gangrene, 'dry' and 'moist'. Dry gangrene is caused purely by a loss of blood supply, and the affected part becomes cold and then turns brown or black. There is an obvious line of demarcation between living and dead tissue, and eventually the gangrenous part is sloughed off. Moist gangrene is caused by bacterial infection and there is putrefaction and fluid leakage with an obnoxious smell. There is pain and fever, and without prompt surgical intervention and antibiotic treatment, bacterial toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to death from blood poisoning. Gangrene can occur in a cat as a result of injury, burns, frostbite, etc, and is obviously more likely if suitable treatment for a wound is delayed or in a stray or neglected animal. It is always best to seek veterinary advice about the treatment of a wound or injury, particularly since cats are prone to infections. Giardiasis A rare disease in cats (which can also occur in people), affecting the digestive system and caused by a parasitic protozoan microorganism. Gingivitis Inflammation of the gums. This is usually caused by a buildup of tartar on the teeth at their junction with the gums, which enables bacteria to proliferate and attack the tissues. The gums become red, swollen and irritated and bleed easily. If the tartar is not removed at this stage, the situation worsens and the gums may continue to swell and pull away from the root of the teeth. Bacteria are then able to attack the socket of the teeth, causing them to become loose and leading to severe infection or abscesses and great pain. This condition is known as periodontal disease. Gingivitis in cats can also occur with feline leukemia and trench mouth. Glaucoma A painful disorder caused by pressure from a buildup of fluid within the eye, usually in elderly cats that have a cataract. Veterinary treatment is needed and specialized surgery may be required. Glomerulonephritis A kidney disease in cats that is often an auto-immune disorder, i.e. one in which the damage is caused by the immune system. The cat requires a diet that is very high in protein but unfortunately, the condition often progresses to kidney failure. Griseofulvin An effective antifungal drug used in the treatment of ringworm. Haematoma A collection or leakage of blood that forms a firm swelling beneath the skin. It can arise anywhere as a result of a blow causing the rupture of a small blood vessel. In cats (and dogs), however, the most common site is the flap of an ear, arising as a result of a fight or head shaking and scratching caused by infestation with ear mites. The haematoma appears as a swelling that may alter in shape and is uncomfortable but not severely painful. The cat should be taken to a veterinary surgeon, and usually the haematoma needs to be opened and drained under a general anaesthetic. Otherwise there will be a permanent distortion or crumpled 'cauliflower' ear. Haemorrhage Bleeding-a flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel that may occur externally or internally. A haemorrhage is classified according to the type of vessels involved. Arterial haemorrhage is when bright red blood spurts in pulses from an artery. Venous haemorrhage is when there is a darker colored, steady flow from a vein. In a capillary haemorrhage, blood oozes from torn capillaries at the surface of a wound. In addition, a haemorrhage may be primary, i.e. it occurs at the moment of injury. A secondary haemorrhage can arise later as a result of infection (sepsis). Haemorrhage from a major artery is the most serious as large volumes of blood are quickly lost and death can occur within minutes. Haemorrhages at specific sites within the body are designated by special names, e.g. haematuria from the kidney or urinary tract, often indicated by the presence of blood in the urine. Also, haemoptysis, bleeding from the lungs, indicated by the coughing up of blood and haematemesis, from the digestive organs, which may be apparent if blood is vomited. 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	Cat Care Cat Teeth Care Cat Ear & Eye Care Hair loss in cats Cat Worming Cat Vaccination Cat Neutering Leaving a Cat at Home Acquiring A Cat Choosing a Pet Kitten Choosing an Adult Cat The Cat that Chooses You Bringing Home a New Kitten Settling In of Kitten Taking Home an Adult Cat Cat Diet Raw/Cooked Food for Cat Bones for Cat Water for Cat Home-prepared Foods Commercial Foods for Cat Grass for Cats Feeding a Kitten Overfeeding and Obesity Underfeeding/Weight Loss Adaptations of Cat Cat's Eyes Cat's Ears Smelling Sense of Cat Whiskers of Cat Cats Balance Sense Cat's Teeth Cat Breeding Male Cat Female Cat or Queen Gestation Period for Cats Pseudo Pregnancy in Cat Cat Pregnancy Preparing Birth of Kittens Cat Labour and Birth When to Call a Vet Routine Care of Queen Cat Weaning A Kitten Rearing Orphan Kittens Determining Sex of Kittens Cat Parasites Cats Internal Parasites Cats External Parasites Cat Training Training a Kitten Cat Toilet Training Cat Learning Its Name Cat Walking on a Lead Using a Cat Flap or Cat Door Training an Adult Cat List of Cat Breeds Cat Grooming Cat Behaviour Cat Names Cat Language Elderly Cat Care Cat Illnesses First Aid for Cats Sitemap