Pet Health Articles
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Feline calicivirus is a virus that is an important cause of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. The typical clinical signs of an upper respiratory infection involve the nose and throat such as sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, and discharge from the nose or eyes. Calicivirus is highly contagious and infected cats can shed the virus in saliva or secretions from the nose or eyes. The standard core vaccines that are given to cats include immunization against calicivirus and will help reduce the severity of disease and shorten the length of the illness if your cat is exposed.
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Demodicosis is a parasitic skin condition caused by Demodex mites. These microscopic mites can be found on the skin of all animals but, in some cases, they multiply to excessive levels and cause clinical signs. This handout discusses causes, signs, diagnosis, and treatment of demodicosis.
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Feline hemotrophic mycoplasmosis (FHM) is caused by a microscopic bacterial parasite that attaches itself to the surface of the cat's red blood cells. The infected blood cells may break down, or they may be treated as “foreign” by the cat's immune system and be destroyed. Anemia occurs if enough red blood cells are infected and destroyed. The test of choice is called a PCR assay. Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as doxycycline, enrofloxacin, or marbofloxacin are used to treat M.Haemofelis infections. Transmission is not fully understood.
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Feline herpes viral conjunctivitis is a form of primary conjunctivitis caused by the highly infectious feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), which is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats. This handout outlines the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for affected cats.
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Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) includes a set of clinical signs associated with abnormal urination and is the diagnosis when there is no identifiable cause of the clinical signs. Cats often suffer waxing and waning of symptoms such as straining to urinate, blood in urine, and inappropriate urination. Treatment and prognosis are discussed.
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This handout provides information on Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in cats. Included is information on how the disease is transmitted, the clinical signs, the recommendations for isolation of the infected cats, and potential treatment guidelines should your cat be infected with this virus.
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Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a complex disease caused by a virus that triggers an abnormal immune system response. Once ingested, it infects the intestine and may cause vomiting and diarrhea. It occurs worldwide in cats of all ages, but is most common in young cats, less than two years of age.
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Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a disease caused by a mutated strain of feline coronavirus that targets organs and tissues like the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, resulting in a variety of clinical signs. The best way to diagnose FIP in a living cat is through histopathology (the microscopic evaluation of tissue samples).
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Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that infects cats and depresses the immune system, making infected cats more prone to infections, anemia, and certain cancers. It is usually transmitted by direct contact between cats through close contact activities (mating, mutual grooming, sharing litter trays and food bowls). There is no cure, but a vaccine is available.
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Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that infects cats. FeLV depresses the immune system and cats tend to remain infected for life. There is no cure for FeLV, and the disease is fatal, so preventing FeLV through vaccination is highly recommended.