Pet Health

There are many different types of skin tumors that can occur in cats. Once a tumor has been diagnosed, the treatment options will depend on the type of tumor the cat has and how aggressive the tumor is. There are three basic treatment options for skin tumors: waiting and watching, surgically removing the tumor, or freezing the tumor through cryotherapy.

Bladder stones in cats must be treated to avoid reoccurring urinary tract infections, painful urination, and the development of a fatal condition known as urinary obstruction.

Anthrax is a disease that can occur in cats if they ingest the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Fortunately recorded incidences of anthrax in cats are very rare, and it is believed that the cats became infected with the bacterium when they ate meat from an animal that had the disease. Anthrax is a potentially deadly disease, and the symptoms of anthrax in cats can be particularly lethal.

Cats can develop a lot of harmful medical conditions that people have as well. Sadly cancer is one of these conditions, and cancer is one of the leading causes of death in cats. Cats can develop any number of types of cancer, but there are two cancers that cats are most often diagnosed with: lymphoma and skin tumors.

Feline distemper, also known as panleukopenia, is actually caused by a parvovirus which is very similar to the parvovirus that causes parvo in puppies and dogs. While there is a vaccination available for feline distemper, unvaccinated cats and kittens that live in crowded and unsanitary condition are at risk of becoming infected with this highly contagious disease.

Feline herpesvirus, also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) and feline influenza, is a viral upper respiratory disease that causes flu like symptoms and secondary infections in cats. This highly contagious disease can cause life threatening symptoms which are particularly dangerous to kittens.

Histoplasmosis is a disease that can occur in cats when they ingest or inhale the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This type of fungus exists in nature in many areas, and cats that are exposed to the fungus do not always develop the histoplasmosis disease. However in some cases the fungus becomes lodged in the body and the resulting disease develops.

Coccidioidomycosis is a disease which can develop in cats if they are exposed to the fungus Coccidioides immitis. The disease is much more prevalent in dogs, but in some rare cases cats have become ill from this fungus. Most cases of coccidioidomycosis occur in the southwestern USA and Mexico.

Cats can suffer from a variety of allergies, just like people, but the symptoms of an allergic cat do not include sneezing and watery eyes. Most allergy symptoms in cats affect the cat’s skin, and the symptoms can often become so severe that the cat becomes extremely agitated and uncomfortable.

Treatments options for diarrhea in cats depend on why the cat is experiencing the diarrhea. If no specific cause of the diarrhea is discovered, than prescription medications and veterinarian recommended diets can help to treat persistent diarrhea in cats.