Medical Conditions

Don’t you love it when a problem is self-explanatory? ‘Cat scratch fever’ is one such condition as, ‘It does what it says on the label.’ This is people run a fever as a result of being scratched by a cat. Simple. However that simplicity belies a more complex condition so let’s take a look in more detail to see if this is something to worry about? (Spoiler alert: It isn’t… … [Read more...] about Cat Scratch Disease: What You Need to Know

Sometimes a cat is their own worst enemy, especially with regards to heart disease. The trouble is their naturally laid back attitude makes it difficult to spot the classic signs of heart disease. After all, in a condition where lack of energy and reluctance to run around are key markers, how is this different from a purfectly healthy cat? The means that heart disease … [Read more...] about Signs of Heart Disease and Heart Failure in Cats

Stress can do strange things to a cat. Unfortunately cats are prone to stress, not least when we introduce another fur friend into the family. The symptoms of stress are many and varied; and range from the obvious, such as spraying, to the subtle, such as over-grooming. But one thing’s for sure, as a responsible cat guardian the last thing you want is a distressed fur-baby, … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Reduce Stress in Cats

How much do you know about diabetes in cats? If your reaction is “Enough,” then this piece is especially for you. I like to think that by the end of the article you’ll understand why every cat guardian should be up to speed on the risk factors for diabetes. What is Diabetes? Let’s start at ground level by refreshing the memory about what diabetes is. Sugar diabetes … [Read more...] about Diabetes in Cats: What are the Risk Factors?

Do you know ear infections are less common in cats than dogs? Whereas one in five dogs suffers an ear infection, for cats this is more like one in fifty. This is great news for cats as a sore ear makes life a misery; however, for those affected its vital not to overlook or ignore it. The Ear: More Than Meets the Eye Anatomically speaking, the feline ear is divided into … [Read more...] about Chronic Ear Infections in Cats

How seriously do you take rabies in cats? If you live in a rabies-free country, this isn’t something you think much about, unless planning to travel abroad. However if you live in a country with endemic rabies, the disease must be taken extremely seriously, given that there’s no cure, it’s fatal, and can be passed to people. However, regardless of where you live, it’s … [Read more...] about Rabies Infection in Cats – World Rabies Day

Has your cat recently got braver? For example, perhaps she’s stopped running from the vacuum cleaner or fireworks no longer make her fearful. In fact, now you think about it she no longer comes running when you open the fridge door. The explanation for this change in behaviour might be that she’s gone deaf. In a similar way that elderly people suffer from hearing loss so … [Read more...] about Living with a Deaf Cat

FeLV, FIV, and FIP: What do these three have in common? Actually, they have quite a bit in common because they are all viral diseases of cats and don’t have a cure. Also, no cat guardian wants to be told that their cat has been diagnosed with any one of these conditions. However FeLV and FIV arguably have a worse reputation than they deserve, whilst FIP remains definitely … [Read more...] about Understanding Feline Viruses: FeLV, FIV, and FIP

What mental picture does the words “herpes virus” conjure up? In my mind I see a snuffling, sneezing, snotty-nosed kitten whose eyes are gummed shut. This is because herpes virus is one of the two viruses commonly linked to cat flu (the other being calici virus). But herpes virus also stars in its own solo show and causes an illness known as viral rhinotracheitis. Whilst … [Read more...] about Herpes Virus in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment

Are you a glass half-empty or a half-full person? When it comes to cancer in cats there’s good news and there’s bad news. First the good news: Cancer is less common in cats than dogs; half as likely to happen, to be precise. And the bad news: When cancer does develop it tends to be more serious. Cat cancers are three to four times more likely to be … [Read more...] about Facts About Cancer in Cats