Colitis refers to inflammation of the large intestine. It can be caused by infection (with bacteria such as salmonella or campylobacter), cancer or parasites, but more frequently is just associated with non-specific inflammation. In some cases the rest of the gastrointestinal tract can also be inflamed.

Signs of colitis

The most obvious sign of colitis is the production of small amounts of soft faeces. The cat may strain on the litter tray for some time and passing faeces can be very painful, so cats may cry out. There is often blood and mucous in the faeces. Usually the faeces are reasonably formed, but they can be quite liquid and if there is also a problem in the small intestine, the diarrhoea may be watery.

The disease is often associated with a reduced appetite and vomiting. The cat may have lost weight, especially if it is also suffering from small intestinal disease or if a cancer is present.

Diagnostic tests

Your veterinary surgeon may suspect a large intestinal disease the basis of clinical signs and a physical examination. Further tests will be necessary to determine the underlying cause.

Analysis and culture of faecal samples is important to identify parasites and infectious diseases. Several faecal samples may need to be examined to find the offending bacteria or parasite because the cat may not be shedding it into the faeces all the time.

It is also important to test for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), as infected cats can have colitis as a result of suppression of the immune system by these diseases.

If a parasitic or infectious cause has been ruled out, further investigation will be necessary. This usually needs to be done under general anaesthetic. Radiography (sometimes using a contrast medium), ultrasonography, endoscopy or surgical biopsies may be necessary to find the underlying cause of the disease.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the disease. If it is the result of a bacterial infection (uncommon), then antibiotics will be required - the cat may also have to be isolated from other cats. If it is a parasitic problem then the cat, and any other cats in the household, will need to be wormed with an appropriate preparation. Drugs or surgery may help in the event of other diseases.

In most cases, a special diet can fed - the use of hypoallergenic diets (diets with only one protein source), easily digestible diets and diets with added fibre have been shown to be helpful.

Prognosis

The prognosis for cats with colitis depends on the underlying disease and the severity of the colitis itself. Many cases respond very well to appropriate therapy, although the signs can be recurrent in some cats.

Most body organs have limited functions which are reasonably easy to understand. The eye transforms light waves into electrical signals which are relayed to the brain where they are interpreted as vision. The heart pumps blood around the body and alters its rate and strength of contraction according to demand. The liver, by contrast, has a myriad of functions and is probably one of the most complex organs in the body.

What does the liver do?

It aids digestion through the secretion of bile. It manufactures numerous chemicals, stores useful products and detoxifies potentially harmful substances. It's probably easier to compile a list of the processes in which the liver isn't involved rather than those in which it is. At the microscopic level, the liver has a very ordered structure composed of a complex network of cells, blood vessels and bile ducts. Memories of school dinners may suggest that this tissue is able to withstand all physical insults thrown at it but the liver is quite fragile. Evolution has tackled this design fault by hiding the liver in one of the most protected areas of the abdomen; the front edge lies against the diaphragm, the sheet of muscle which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The sides are covered by the last few ribs and the base sits on a large cushion of fat. The liver, as with all other organs, receives an arterial blood supply which carries oxygen to fuel the cells. The liver is unusual in that it also receives a second blood supply from the intestines. This blood contains numerous digestive products, many of which are utilised by the liver but others can be harmful if they reach the general circulation. The liver "sieves" out the undesirable products. Within the liver tissue are a number of coalescing vessels which carry bile. This fluid accumulates in the gall bladder which acts as a reservoir for the secretions. It is ejected into the upper intestines through the bile duct and helps digestion. Owners can sometimes encounter the yellowish green bile if their cat has vomited on an empty stomach. The liver has quite amazing powers of regeneration. Consequently, injury has to be severe to result in abnormalities.

How do I know if my cat has a liver problem?

If we suspect liver disease, the first step in investigation is to perform a thorough physical examination. Although the liver is tucked in at the front of the abdomen it is possible to palpate part of it in a relaxed co-operative cat. The normal liver should have quite sharp edges and a smooth surface. Most disease of the feline liver causes an increase in size. Some diseases induce a diffuse enlargement while others produce a very localised abnormality. Some diseases cause a smooth surface and blunting of the liver edges, while others produce knobbles and bumps. A more accurate impression of size is obtained by x-ray or ultrasound examination.

It's important to look at the mucus membranes of a sick cat. Jaundice is a yellowing of the membranes and is caused by elevated bile pigments in the bloodstream, either as a result of liver inflammation or because of blocked bile ducts. Jaundice can be quite subtle and can be difficult to detect in artificial light. In extreme cases, the jaundice is so severe that the skin becomes yellow.

Blood tests determine the degree of liver dysfunction and can help distinguish different diseases. The interpretation of liver enzyme levels has to be approached a little cautiously. Some conditions can have quite devastating effects on function but will not cause an elevation of the routinely tested enzymes. In these cases we may have to step up the blood test investigation and look at liver function tests. Cats with overactive thyroid glands often have increased liver enzymes. On occasions these can be so dramatic there is a danger of diagnosing primary liver disease. The enzymes usually return to normal levels once the thyroid activity is under control.

What causes liver disease in cats?

The cat has managed to escape having a specific feline hepatitis virus, which is quite remarkable given the huge list of viruses this species is prone to, but it does appear to have its own little list of typical liver diseases. One of the most straightforward of these is a septic infection of the liver. Bacteria track up the bile duct from the intestines and infect the liver. The body responds by producing "fighting" white blood cells which accumulate within the liver tissue. The signs of disease are often non-specific. Affected individuals are dull and lose weight. They may have a fever and be picky with their food. The liver is often a normal size on palpation and X-rays. Treatment is directed at eliminating the infection and an extended course of antibiotics usually resolves the problem very well but a few individuals experience periodic recurrence of the infection. Another of the feline specialities is a disease where there is an infiltration of the liver by cells of the immune system, predominantly a white blood cell known as the lymphocyte. This disease tends to be slower in onset and cats are generally less ill. Ascites, a fluid swelling of the abdomen, occurs fairly often and jaundice is usually present. The cause of the disease is not known. Although it has similarities to the septic infection, the response to antibiotics alone tends to be poor. Improvement is usually only achieved with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids. It can be very difficult to distinguish this condition from a cat which has liver disease as a result of infection with the Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) virus. FIP is a very peculiar and poorly understood disease. Any part of the body can be affected but if the virus targets the abdomen, the clinical signs and the blood results are identical to cats with the lymphocyte infiltration. It is important to try to differentiate the two because FIP is untreatable. There may initially appear to be a response to corticosteroids, but FIP is ultimately fatal. There are no definitive tests routinely available for the FIP virus so a liver biopsy is needed for accurate diagnosis. Liver biopsies can be quite tricky because a cat with an unhappy liver may have poor blood clotting function.

Can cancer affect the liver?

Tumours arising primarily within the liver are quite rare in the cat. If a growth is discovered it is more likely to be the result of spread from elsewhere in the body. The primary tumour may be very obvious if it is, for example, a tumour of the mammary tissues but other primary tumours may be very discrete. Lymphosarcoma is a solid form of leukaemia and arises from cancerous changes within the lymphocyte cell population. It usually affects the glands of the immune system but occasionally we are aware of liver involvement. This tumour is closely associated with feline leukaemia virus infection although the majority of cats with lymphosarcoma of the liver test negative.

What is cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is often the final event in an ongoing liver disease. The liver is so scarred it cannot support normal function and has lost the ability to regenerate even if the underlying disease is resolved. Cats are jaundiced, depressed and very thin, the quality of life is debatable and the outlook is hopeless. This prognosis is equally grim for people with advanced cirrhosis but they can now undergo increasingly successful liver transplants. Transplants for cats might sound like a fanciful notion but kidney transplants are already being performed on cats in the States. Nowadays we are not so much limited by science and technology than by the complex ethics which surround the issues. Fifty years ago, we wouldn't have dreamed of repairing a cat's broken leg with "high tech" internal metalwork. In fifty years hence, will we consider transplants as commonplace ?

Hairballs Can Jeopardize Your Cat's Health
Cats spend up to 1/3 of their waking hours self-grooming. The tiny barbs on a cat's tongue pull loose hair from it's coat and those hairs are swallowed. Because hair is very difficult to digest, it compacts with undigested food in the intestines.

The accumulation becomes a source of irritation if it is not eliminated in the litter box or coughed up. The result is messy fur-like, cigar-shaped forms on the floor or furniture. Some surgically removed hairballs are almost 3 inches in diameter.

Although you may not see hairballs, there may be a significant accumulation in your cat's stomach and intestines!

Signs of hairball problems:

* Fur-like, cigar-shaped clumps of fur on floor or furniture.

* Dry, hacking cough.

* Vomiting after meals.

* Preoccupation with eating plants or grass.

* Hair entwined with the feces.

* Dry dull coat and/or excessive shedding.

* Poor appetite and/or weight loss.

* Constipation or diarrhea.

Common Treatments: * Single focus products do not address a cat's entire system. * Mineral oil or petroleum lubricants are petrochemical products * Large amount of fiber can decrease intestinal absorption of nutrients and may result in malnourished animal * Enemas for constipation requires tranquilization and can be dangerous.



What Really Does Work?

A much better alternative for hairballs is HealthyPetNet's Purr-fectly Natural, .... Gourmet Cat Treats.

* Contains highly digestible animal proteins which nourish and strengthen hair.

* Contains essential fats from various sources including flaxseed meal, which provides oils necessary for healthy skin and coat.

* Improves coat health so less hair is swallowed during grooming.

* Contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, a friendly bacteria that provides nourishment for proper intestinal function.

* Contains Slippery Elm, a special herb that supports the natural moisture found in a healthy digestive system.

* Contains cellulose, a natural fiber that moves hair through the digestive tract.

* Contains natural glycerin, which helps lubricate the intestines and delicately move hair through the stomach and intestines.

* Formulated for finicky feline palates.

* No corn, wheat, by-products or dyes.

* No chemical preservatives.

Suggested feeding is 5 to 8 between meals daily, depending upon your cat's weight. This is not a substitute for your cat's daily diet.

Human-Cat Disease Transmission (Zoonoses)

Some diseases can be transmitted from cats to people (zoonoses). Most cannot. For example, you absolutely cannot contract AIDS from a cat with FIV or FeLV, although the diseases are related (all are retroviruses). This misconception led to the tragic deaths of hundreds of cats as panicked owners got rid of them.

Anyone with an impaired immune system is at risk of exposure to germs and other things from cats that healthy people would not contract; this is regardless of the health of the cat.

You are more likely to contract diseases from other people than your pets. Transmission of disease generally requires close contact between susceptible people and animals or their oral, nasal, ocular or digestive excretions. Use common sense and practice good hygiene to reduce your risks.

>From the Cornell Book of Cats:

Viral diseases transmitted by cats are rabies and cowpox, usually through biting or direct contact.

Ringworm is a fungus infection affecting the hair, skin, and nails. Humans contract it either by direct contact with the cat or by the spores shed from an infected animal.

Cat bites can cause a variety of diseases and infections, including pasteurella and tetanus.

Campylobacter enteritis, a disease of the small intestine, can be caused by contact with contaminated cat feces.

Cat scratch fever is an infection caused by a bacterial agent transmitted to the human via a cat scratch.

Conjunctivitis in humans can be caused by contact with the nasal and ocular discharges of cats infected with feline chlamydiosis.

Humans can become infected by Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever when a cat brings home ticks. If the cat becomes infected with plague, it can also infect humans directly.

Salmonella organisms, which are shed in discharges from the mouth, eyes, and in the feces, can cause intestinal disease in humans.

Toxoplasmosis is transmitted by contact with the feces of an infected cat. Although it is well-known that cats can transmit toxoplasmosis, many do not know that humans are more commonly infected by eating incompletely cooked meat.

Other parasites which can be acquired by humans are hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms: usually by direct or indirect contact with contaminated feces, or ingestion of contaminated fleas.

The Female Cat's Reproductive Cycle

Cats are polyestrus, which means females can have many heat periods in each breeding season. Each heat period lasts between 5-14 days. If she is mated, the cat will usually go out of heat within 24 hours.

Breeding season in the Northern hemisphere is during the months of late winter and early spring (March-September). Indoor-cats or cats living in warm climates can go into heat and become pregnant more than once during the breeding season.

When in heat, the cat may display several signs. These may vary between breeds and even between individual cats. Signs include the famous calling (loud meowing), increased appetite and restlessness. Many cats begin to roll on the floor and demand to be petted. Some cats may begin to spray urine around the house.

If the cat is not mated and does not become pregnant, she can go into heat repeatedly every 2-3 weeks. This means that if your cat goes into heat - you can't simply keep her locked up at home, waiting for it to go away. Unless you spay the cat, she will keep going into heat practically every month.


Pregnancy

Feline pregnancy, or gestation, usually lasts 63-65 days. The length of the pregnancy, from ovulation to birth can vary between different breeds - anything between 58-70 days is considered within normal range.

You should be able tell if your cat is pregnant by the second or third week of the pregnancy, as the nipples of the pregnant female become enlarged and change color to deep pink. Later on, the growing abdomen will become more visible and leave little room for doubt.

Take the cat to see the vet for a prenatal check-up. Your vet will be able to confirm the pregnancy using an ultrasound or other tests. He or she will also set a course of tests and future check-ups as necessary.

Occasionally, a cat may exhibit a condition called pseudo- pregnancy or false pregnancy, where elevated levels of hormones cause symptoms that look much like a pregnancy. This condition can last for several weeks and then gradually fade away.



Care During Pregnancy

A young and healthy pregnant cat usually needs little special care
other than extra attention to her nutrition.

She may experience nausea and morning sickness for a few days during mid-pregnancy, due to hormonal changes. She may also show a decrease in appetite and may even go off her food entirely a few days before the birth. If she stops eating for more than a couple of days, or if you notice a decrease in appetite for more than 3-4 days, consult your vet.

You should never medicate a cat unless your vet instructs to do so. This is especially important during pregnancy, where relatively safe and common drugs can be harmful. Let your vet know even if you only suspect your cat may be pregnant before any drugs are prescribed.

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Tippy & Alfred Say:

Spay & Neuter Your Pets....Before They become Pregnant

An often chronic problem for both in both canines and felines is the accumulation of magnesium amonium phosphate in their uninary tracts. This mineral compound is the cause of bladder disease and urethral obstructions in cats and dogs. Approximately 1% of the American cat population is affected. This same mineral is also often found as bladder stones in dogs. The symptoms can vary from slight to severe. Its presence is characterized by frequent urination of small amounts of urine to complete cessation of urine flow. The lack of urine flow can initiate dehydration, acidosis, and uremic poisoning ultimately leading to death.

There is a general consensus in the veterinary profession that the cause of the accumulation of magnesium ammonium phosphate in cats is diet (i.e. consuming the mineral compound). Cat food manufacturers report the amount of this mineral as the "ash content" on their labels. In the late 1980's, researchers at the University of California, School of Veterinary Medicine tested cats' ability to dispel the "ash" by feeding two magnesium compounds, magnesium chloride (an acid) and magnesium oxide (an alkali), to two groups of cats. Those cats fed the alkaline magnesium developed magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals. Those fed the acid form did not develop the crystals. In fact, some crystals dissolved in the acid form of the compound. The conclusion is that the pH of the urine influences the formation of magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals in cats and stones in dogs.

Some cat food manufactures have increased the acidity of their products to prevent the formation of magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals. As previously noted, only 1% of the American cat population has this urinary problem and feeding this acidic diet to the other 99% can cause the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, which is just as catastrophic. Only those cats affected should be targeted for treatment and prevention. As many pet owners know, the treatment of obstructive urinary tract disease is extensive and expensive to the pet owner. Therapeutically, ammonium chloride and methionine have been administered orally as urinary acidifiers but one must use caution with their long term use do to their potential toxic effects.

Since early 1992, I have been administering a botanical berry extract, vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry extract), in tablet form to attain the necessary acid pH to dissolve and prevent the formation of magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals and bladder stones. This product had been appropriately named "Carpon". Carpon has proven to be the "magic bullet" needed to treat, prevent, and control the formation of struvite crystals in cats and bladder stones in canines. This product is toxic free and will dissolve struvite crystals in a few hours. If your dog is already affected, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the stones. Carpon can then be administered as a safeguard against the return of the stone. As in the feline, crystals can be detected on routine urinalysis in the dog and a preventive protocol with Carpon will prevent the formation of larger stones.

Declawing
Declawing is the surgical removal of the claw and the surrounding tissue that it retracts into. Usually the claws on the front feet only are removed, but sometimes the digits are as well.

This is sometimes used as a last resort with inveterate scratchers of furniture, carpet, etc. However, if trained in kitten hood, most cats are very good about scratching only allowable items such as scratching posts.

Britain and a few other countries have made declawing illegal. Show cats may not be shown declawed. Many vets will refuse to do this procedure.

Declawed cats often compensate with their rear claws; many can still climb well, although their ability to defend themselves is often impaired and they should not be allowed outside without supervision.

Many declawed cats become biters when they find that their claws no longer work; others develop displays of growling.

Scratching is one way of marking territory (there are scent glands among the paw pads), so declawed cats will still "scratch" things even though there are no claws to sharpen.

Alternatives other than trimming the claws are "Soft Paws". These are soft plastic covers for the cat's claws. Generally, the vet will put them on, but cat owners can do so themselves if shown how. They will last about a month despite efforts to remove them.

Until very recently, cats were not thought to be affected by hip dysplasia. Well known in many dog breeds as an inherited disorder, cats were felt to be free of the condition. New information and research has shown that this disease does indeed exist in the cat and is likely an inherited disorder. No single gene is thought to be responsible for hip dysplasia in either the dog or the cat, but rather a complex interplay of several genetic factors is involved. We do know that if a cat or dog is found to have hip dysplasia, then both its parents must be either affected or carriers of the defect. Using new information, cat breeders are able to develop breeding programs to minimize the incidence of this problem in their breed.
Hip dysplasia is a disease of the hip joint. “Dysplasia” is a word that means abnormal development of a tissue. The hip is a ball and socket type of joint. The “ball” is the top of the femur (called the “head”) which fits into the “socket”, the depression in the pelvis called the acetabulum. A normal joint has a close fit of the femur’s head into the acetabulum, so that the joint functions smoothly and efficiently. The large muscles of the hip and pelvis help hold the joint in place and allow it to function properly.

In hip dysplasia, parts of the hip joint are abnormally shaped, so that the fit of the ball into the socket is poor. This allows the head of the femur to move easily out of the joint to some degree (called “subluxation” = dislocation). Over time, chronic changes develop in the bones of the hip joint from this abnormal movement and degenerative joint disease may result. In most cases, both hip joints are affected although one may be more severe than the other. Many cats with hip dysplasia go undetected. Due to their small size and the fact that cats are not exercised as much as dogs, along with their natural agility, they may have hip dysplasia and still function normally. In some cats, hip dysplasia is found incidentally when they are x-rayed for another reason. This disease is not obvious at birth, but develops as the young kitten grows.

Some cats with hip dysplasia, especially the more severely affected, will have obvious symptoms and experience pain. These cats may appear to be stiff when they walk and they may be reluctant to jump or climb. They may appear lame from time to time. In some cases, the symptoms only appear after some traumatic event, such as a fall. Cats with clinical symptoms compatible with hip dysplasia can have the diagnosis confirmed with x-rays of the hips. The veterinarian will be able to see various abnormalities in the hip joint associated with hip dysplasia. In some cases, the hip joint has partially or totally subluxated.

Just as in dogs, we can predict that the breeds of cats most likely to have hip dysplasia are the larger, heavy-boned breeds such as the Persian and Maine Coon. It is important to note, however, that hip dysplasia can and does occur in any breed and also in non-pedigreed cats, too. Breeders of dogs at risk for hip dysplasia have long used a screening process to try to identify those dogs at least risk of the disease for inclusion in a breeding program.

The most common screening process is an x-ray taken according to certain specifications that is submitted to the Hip Dysplasia Registry of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. Veterinarians who are orthopedic specialists review the x-ray and the registry then assigns a grade to the animal being examined. Preliminary evaluations can be done on cats under the age of 2 years, but a final certification is not issued until the cat is over 2 years old. Breeders use the certifications to determine which animals are best selected for breeding. OFA now reviews and grades hips for Maine Coon cats.

Another method of screening cats and dogs for hip dysplasia was developed at the University of Pennsylvania and is called PennHip. This method utilizes a different x-ray procedure designed to measure the degree of laxity, or looseness, in the hip joint. This system is not as readily available to breeders as the OFA system. However, several researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, including Dr. Gail Smith and Dr. Todd Murphy, are one of the few groups looking at hip dysplasia in cats. Since this is a newly recognized problem in cats, one of the first tasks for both OFA and PennHip is to develop a reference for what constitutes normal hips in a cat. Only by knowing what is normal can experts then determine if an individual cat has normal or abnormal hips.

What about treatment for an affected cat? As previously mentioned, many cats with hip dysplasia will show no discomfort at all. If a cat is known to have dysplastic hips and is overweight, weight reduction will reduce the chances that discomfort will be experienced. For cats who are diagnosed with hip dysplasia because they developed clinical signs of lameness and pain, several treatments are available. Veterinarians use anti-inflammatory and pain medications as well as dietary supplements designed to help in joint repair. Restricting exercise, such as limiting access to outdoors or the ability to climb up on objects, can be helpful as well. For severely affected cats, a surgery called a femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty is widely available that removes the damaged tissue. Cats who have had this surgery can usually expect a full return of hip function and freedom from pain and discomfort once post-operative healing has occurred.

The pancreas is a pale pink glandular organ nestled just under the stomach. It has two main functions: the production of metabolic hormones (insulin and glucagon which regulate blood sugar) and the production of digestive enzymes, which are secreted through a special duct into the intestine to digest our food. In the cat, the pancreatic duct frequently joins with the “common bile duct” from the liver. In this way both bile (a fluid used to excrete toxins as well as to prepare fat for absorption into our bodies) and pancreatic fluid which is rich in digestive enzymes enter the intestine from the same location. There are other hormonal products from the pancreas that assist in the regulation of digestion and movement of our food but the above description should present a basic picture of what the pancreas is there to do.


Pancreatitis is potentially a metabolic disaster. Here’s why:

The normal pancreas has a number of safeguards in place to keep its stored digestive enyzmes safely. If these enzyme escape, they will digest the body! This is exactly what happens when the pancreas gets inflamed: the enzymes escape and begin digesting the pancreas itself. The living tissue becomes further inflamed and the tissue damage quickly involves the adjacent liver. Toxins released from this orgy of tissue destruction is released into the circulation and can cause a body-wide inflammatory response. If the pancreas is affected so as to disrupt its ability to produce insulin, diabetes mellitus can result; this can be either temporary or permanent.

Special disasters include the disruption of “surfactants” in the lung tissue which normally keep the tiny air-filled alveoli from collapsing after each exhaled breath. Without surfactants, the alveoli close up and respiratory failure results.

Also, there is a special syndrome called “Weber-Christian syndrome” where fats throughout the body are destroyed.

Pancreatitis is one of the chief risk factors for the development of what is called “disseminated intravascular coagulation” or “DIC” which is basically a massive uncoupling of normal blood clotting and clot dissolving mechanisms. This leads to abnormal simultaneous bleeding and clotting of blood throughout the body.

Pancreatic encephalopathy (brain damage) can occur if the fats protecting the central nervous system become digested.

Fortunately, total disasters such as the above are rare but
one should be aware that the potential for such disasters
exists should the pancreatic inflammation get out of hand.

Most of the time the disease is confined to the area of the liver and pancreas.

Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic (acute cases can reverse completely)

Pancreatitis can be mild or severe (acute cases tend to be more severe)
What causes pancreatitis in the cat?

Unfortunately, 90% of the time we never find out. We have some idea of possible risk factors, though.

Trauma (getting hit by a car or falling from a great height)

An active feline distemper infection

Toxoplasma (a special parasite) infection can involve the pancreas (though it almost always involves other tissues as well)

There may be an association with pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease. (The theory is that the abnormal intestinal disease leads to an overgrowth of bacteria. These bacteria are able to crawl up the pancreatic duct and cause infection in the pancreas.)

Organophosphate insecticide exposure (organophosphates are not commonly used in flea control any more but they are readily available in hardware and garden stores. They are also present in some flea collars.)

Use of drugs (drugs have certainly caused pancreatitis in humans and dogs but have not been proven to have done so in the cat). Still, it is prudent to avoid drugs that have been associated with pancreatic inflammation in a cat with history of pancreatitis. Such drugs included: azathioprine (an immune suppressive agent), thiazide diuretics, furosemide (lasix), tetracycline (an antibiotic), valproic acid (a seizure control agent), and procainamide (a heart medicine).
Chances are the cause for a given case will never be revealed.

If your cat has pancreatitis, what might you observe at home?

In the dog (and human) this condition is associated with a lot of nausea and abdominal pain. According to one recent study in cats, though, only 35% of cats with pancreatitis showed vomiting and only 25% appeared to have abdominal pain. Fever is a possible sign but often the temperature will drop instead. Lethargy and appetite loss are consistent signs.

Pancreatitis is hard to diagnose. What tests can be run to find out if a cat has pancreatitis?

One of the first steps in evaluating a sick cat is a “metabolic database” (a blood panel and urinalysis). Often this will not turn up a good indicator of pancreatitis. There are two pancreatic enzymes commonly checked on this panel (amylase and lipase) but, unfortunately, elevations in these enzymes are not consistent even with obvious or severe pancreatitis. Changes in the liver usually are evident (remember, the pancreas is located near the liver and the liver very readily indicates when it has been damaged by releasing its own enzymes (ALT and AST).) Radiographs are often included in this initial testing work up but the pancreas is difficult to visualize and radiographs may not reveal the problem.

If the cat does not respond to support, further evaluation is needed: either ultrasound or other advanced imaging or actual surgical exploration. Ultrasound often reveals an enlarged pancreas surrounded by fluid and confirms the diagnosis. Surgical exploration offers the further advantage of allowing tissue sampling of other adjacent organs to rule out additional problems (such as inflammatory bowel disease). The pancreas can be biopsied but many veterinarians are reluctant to do so for fear that removing a piece of tissue could generate further inflammation. Some also feel that flushing the belly with warmed sterile fluids helps remove some of the inflammatory toxins.

There is another blood test which is very accurate in the diagnosis of pancreatitis and that is the “PLI” test. PLI stands for “Panreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity.” Lipase is one of the pancreatic digestive enzymes and small traces are normally present in the circulation. These levels jump dramatically in pancreatitis and the diagnosis can be confirmed with a less expensive and non-invasive test. The problem is that technology needed to run this test is unique and the test can only been run in certain facilities on certain days. Results are not necessarily available rapidly enough to help a very sick cat.

How is the cat treated?

“



There are three parts to treatment: removing the cause of the pancreatitis (this is usually not possible since the cause is only rarely known), monitoring and instituting protection against the disastrous complications listed above, and general support and symptomatic relief through the inflammatory crisis. Fluid therapy is used to support the vasculature and combat any dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea. Medicines are used to control pain and nausea. Food is withheld if vomiting is a problem; the diet should be low in fat and rich in carbohydrates (usually a prescription diet such as Hills W/D is used). Plasma transfusions seem to be helpful in dogs as they replace the clotting factors needed to prevent DIC as well as natural blood factors to deactivate pancreatic enzymes.

Prognosis

How the cat does in the long run depends on how severely ill he or she is. If the cat survives the episode of acute pancreatitis there is a good chance that he or she will live a normal life thereafter. Chronic cases of pancreatitis may, however, wax and wane for years requiring a permanent diet change and chronic medication administration.

1. Examine your cat's skin monthly, looking for tumors, blemishes, scaly areas or color changes.

2. Be concerned if you find new growths, or if any existing growths change colors or become larger.

3. Note any areas that bleed easily or do not heal normally - these may mean trouble.

4. Groom your cat daily with a fine-tooth comb to help you notice small changes early.

5. Massage your cat often, feeling for masses or other suspicious areas. Fingers often find things that you will not see because of the hair coat.

6. Look closely at your cat's eyelids and lips and inside his mouth for irregular areas or color changes. If your cat's nose or ears are white, check them closely for scaly, bumpy or reddened areas.

7. Report any suspicious findings to your veterinarian.


Tips:
Orange tabby cats often develop smooth dark spots on their lips and eyelids as they age that are not cancerous.

Chronic infections from cat-fight wounds that will not heal may resemble skin cancer.

Ask your veterinarian for more in-depth information about skin cancer in cats. See "How to Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer in Cats," under Related eHows.


Warnings:
Skin cancer left untreated may lead to serious consequences or even become inoperable.

Hookworms

There are four species of hookworms that infect dogs and cats in the United
States. They are Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma
tubaeforme and Uncinaria stenocephala. In dogs, A. caninum is the most
common hookworm and causes the worst disease. In cats, A. tubaeforme is
more common but is less likely to cause severe disease than A. caninum.
Dogs in the Northern states and in Canada are more likely to be infected
with U. stenocephala as it prefers cold climates and A. caninum prefers
warm climates.

A. caninum hookworm infestation in dogs can lead to severe anemia,
especially in puppies. These hookworms have big appetites and attach to the
intestine and feed on the dog's blood. The other three types of hookworms
are less likely to cause severe anemia but it is a potential problem with
them. Signs of hookworm infection include weight loss, pale color, black or
tarry looking stools, weakness, anemia and death. In areas in which
hookworms are prevalent there can be skin disease in pets associated with
exposure to the larval worms as well.

Hookworms can be acquired from the mother's milk, from penetration of the
skin by hookworm larvae in the environment and from eating hookworm larvae.
Some vets think that it may also be transmitted during pregnancy from
mothers to puppies but this is controversial and I believe that it has been
ruled out in cats.

One of the problems with hookworms is that they can accidentally infect
humans. This creates a problem called cutaneous larva migrans, which
loosely translates to worms migrating through the skin. Humans pick up the
hookworm larvae from areas contaminated by dog feces and they penetrate the
human's skin just like they would the dog's. Since they don't belong in the
human they don't develop into adults but just migrate around in the skin,
causing sores and inflammation, until they die. This is a good reason to
keep dogs and cats from defecating in playground areas, beaches and other
places where people's skin is likely to come in contact with the ground.

Fortunately, the monthly heartworm preventatives are also effective at
controlling hookworms and can provide a measure of protection against the
possibility of the cutaneous larva migrans syndrome occurring in the humans
that own dogs and cats on heartworm preventative medications. In areas in
which heartworms are not a problem but hookworms are, it is a good idea to
consider having a pet's stool examined for the presence of worm eggs once a
year and when clinical signs that may indicate infestation occur.

Kitten Deworming schedule:

Kittens at age 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age and then monthly
until 6 months of age.

FLUTD is a serious disease and if left untreated, it can result in death. Signs of FLUTD include:


Prolonged squatting or straining in or out of the litter box (some owners may confuse this with signs of constipation) and not producing urine or only a small amount


Frequent urination or straining


Pain while urinating (meowing or howling)


Urinating outside of the litter box


Blood in the urine


Frequent licking of the genital area


Vomiting


Depression

Some cats with FLUTD develop crystals in their urine. In the male cat, these crystals can block his urethra preventing him from urinating even though the bladder still fills. Sometimes, a plug can form and also block the urethra. You may have heard of a male cat with this condition called a 'blocked tom.'

What causes FLUTD?

Several factors can contribute to this disease including bacterial or viral infections, trauma, crystals in the urine, bladder stones, tumors of the urinary tract, and congenital abnormalities. In many cases, the cause is never discovered. Factors that may contribute to development of FLUTD include:

Not drinking enough water
A diet high in magnesium or other minerals
Too much acidity or alkalinity of the urine
Stress
How is FLUTD diagnosed?

A veterinarian will perform a physical exam on the cat. The veterinarian may find the bladder either small and thickened or very large and distended. The veterinarian will press on the bladder (called 'expressing' the bladder) to see if the cat is able to urinate or if the urethra is blocked. The veterinarian may also be able to feel bladder stones.

If the cat is able to urinate, urine is collected in a special box that does not contain litter. If the cat is blocked, a urine sample is collected using a procedure called 'cystocentesis.' In this procedure, a fine needle is inserted into the bladder through the abdomen. This does not hurt the cat, in fact, the cat often feels better because the veterinarian is relieving the urine pressure.

Your veterinarian may perform a 'urinalysis' that will indicate if there are crystals, bacteria, blood, or white blood cells in the urine; the urine pH and also how concentrated the urine is (called 'specific gravity'). The veterinarian may also take radiographs (X-rays) to look for stones, tumors, or congenital abnormalities. Certain dyes are sometimes passed into the bladder to aid in seeing abnormalities.

Blood may also be taken and tested because blocked cats often have more serious problems associated with the 'backup' of the urine in the body. This may make additional therapies necessary.

How is FLUTD treated?

If there are crystals, the type of crystal is determined and nutritional changes are often made. Special diets are often continued for the life of the cat. For cats that will not eat these special diets, urinary acidifiers are sometimes given if indicated.

Fluids are generally given to the cat intravenously (in the vein) or subcutaneously (under the skin near the scruff of the neck). These fluids treat dehydration and help to flush out the bladder. Cats are encouraged to drink more water.

If a bacterial infection is thought to be the cause, antibiotics are prescribed.

If the cat is 'blocked,' he is anesthetized and a small catheter is passed first into the urethra to remove the obstruction, then into the bladder to flush it out. The cat is then hospitalized with the urinary catheter in place for at least 24 hours to make sure there is no recurrence of the obstruction. The cat is generally kept on fluids and antibiotics.

If the FLUTD is caused by tumors or congenital abnormalities, surgery may be necessary along with other procedures.

Do all cats recover from FLUTD?

If the condition is diagnosed early, most cats can be treated successfully. Remember that this is a very serious disease and your veterinarian's advice must be strictly followed. Cats who are obstructed can become very ill, may develop irreversible kidney damage, and not all survive. It is imperative that if you suspect your cat of having a urinary obstruction, you contact your veterinarian immediately. Several hours can mean the difference between a successful outcome or a long hospitalization and sometimes, death.

Unfortunately, cats that have had a bout of FLUTD are more likely to have second or third occurrences. In these cases, additional tests and radiographs may be necessary to determine the cause of the recurrence. If a male cat has recurrences of the blockage, surgery may be necessary.

The primary cause of periodontal disease is accumulation of bacterial plaque on tooth surfaces. Periodontal disease can be divided into two categories: Gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is confined to gingival soft tissue, while periodontitis is a more severe form of disease involving loss of bone supporting the tooth. Cats with periodontitis, in addition to having gingivitis, may have gingival recession or increased pocket depth, alveolar bone loss, exposure of roots and furcations, tooth mobility, and eventual tooth loss. A periodontal probe is used to access the level of attachment loss, and measure pocket depth.

The prevention and treatment of feline periodontal disease consists of regular dental prophylaxis every 6 to 12 months. A thorough dental prophylaxis can only be performed under general anesthesia and consists of supragingival and subgingival scaling, subgingival currettage, root planing and polishing the teeth. Broad spectrum perioperative antibiotic therapy such as clavulanic acid/amoxicillin (Clavamox) is recommended.

Two additional abnormalities may be associated with feline periodontal disease, and can complicate treatment significantly. These abnormalities are oral inflammatory diseases and odontoclastic resorptive lesions. When periodontal disease is complicated by either of these conditions, exodontia is the treatment of choice. In cats, hard dry-food diets, especially tartar control diets, result in improved gingival health compared to a soft-food or semi-moist diet. In addition, daily brushing to remove plaque is ideal.

Although normally associated with dogs, heartworm disease is becoming an increasing problem in cats. The infection rates in cats are much lower than dogs because cats are not ideal hosts for heartworms. However, this does not mean that the disease is less serious in cats than in dogs. The opposite is usually the case.

Dogs can maintain a large number of worms for a long time, while cats will die suddenly with less than 10 worms. Even the presence of one worm in a cat's heart can cause a severe reaction. This difference is due to the fact that cats have a much more intense response in their immune and inflammatory systems.

Clinical Signs

In cats, it is difficult to recognize the clinical signs of heartworm. Sometimes there are no signs at all. In acute cases, the common clinical signs usually include collapse, breathing problems, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, blindness, or heart rhythm disturbances. In cases of cats that suffer from a more long-term disease, the signs can also include coughing, lethargy, or loss of appetite.

Diagnosis

Radiology is the most useful method of diagnosing heartworm disease in cats. Most infected cats will have abnormal chest x-rays, even when there are no outward signs.

Treatment

Most veterinarians provide a diseased cat with some type of medication, and let the worms die on their own.

Prevention

In the past, it was not considered necessary to give cats heartworm preventative. However, with the rising incidence of this disease in cats, the American Heartworm Society recommends the use of preventative medication only for outdoor cats in areas of heavy heartworm incidence.

Does your cat also sneeze, breathe heavily, or rub his face? Did you get your kitty from the humane society or some other shelter where there were many cats? If you answered yes to these questions, your cat may be suffering from rhinitis or in normal English – a kitty head cold. However, there are many diseases that feature runny noses, so you will need to bring your kitty to the clinic for a diagnosis.


What are the causes of my cat’s runny nose?

As stated above, many things could be causing your kitty’s runny nose. Some of the more common ones are listed below and a brief description of the treatment is given.

Chronic Viral Infection: Two viruses can infect the nasal passages that are generally incurable. However, many cats can be helped by a drug that stimulates the immune system to fight off the infection.
Chronic Bacterial Infection: These infections can be treated with antibiotics, cortisone, or antihistamines. In some cases, a drug that stimulates the immune system is needed.
Chronic Fungal Infections: There are medications that can treat fungal infections. However, they are very expensive and can have side effects. Dr. Simon will want to be completely sure that a fungus causes the infection before he prescribes any anti-fungal medication. This means that he will probably perform more tests.
Tumors: Sadly most nasal tumors are malignant and surgery is rarely successful at removing the cancer. Dr. Simon may prescribe chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Unfortunately most tumors will reoccur, so Dr. Simon may advise you to concentrate on making your friend’s last days more comfortable with pain medication or acupuncture and lots of love.
Inflammatory Polyps: These masses of tissue are non-cancerous. Dr. Simon may recommend surgery if he believes that he can remove all of the tissue. However, because many polyps begin in the ear and spread to the nose, he may not be able to remove all of the tissue. If not all of the tissue is removed, the polyps will usually grow back.
Foreign Bodies: Sometimes a piece of grass, twigs, or whatever your cat has gotten in to, can become lodged in the nose. Usually your cat will be successful in sneezing it out. If not, Dr. Simon will surgically remove the item.
Food Allergy: Cats can suffer from allergies just like humans. You will need to do a food trial for many weeks at home to determine what is causing your cat's allergies. We can give you advice on choosing a hypoallergenic diet for you cat. It can be very difficult to determine what is making your cat allergic, so be patient.


Home Care

Until you are able to come in for a diagnosis, you provide some home care for your cat. Keep your kitty’s nose clean by wiping it gently with a soft damp cloth. Just like when you get a cold, your kitty’s nose will be tender. You can try to give your cat an antihistamine like Clor-Trimeton. You can also give your cat vitamin C, vitamin A, and a sulfur supplement to help his immune system fight infection. The dosage instructions are below.



Antihistamine Cats less than 6 pounds - 2 mg every 8 – 12 hours
Cats between 6 and 12 pounds - 3 mg every 8-12 hours
Cats over 12 pounds - 4 mg every 8-12 hours

Vitamin C
Try to purchase in calcium ascorbate or sodium ascorbate forms rather than acidic acid form, which can upset your cat’s stomach.
Cats less than 6 pounds - 100 mg daily
Cats between 6 and 12 pounds - 250 mg daily
Cats over 12 pounds - 500mg daily

Vitamin A
Can be toxic. Do not use for more than a two week period Cats less than 6 pounds – 1,000 IU daily
Cats between 6 and 12 pounds - 3,000 IU daily
Cats over 12 pounds - 6,000 IU daily

Sulfur (methylsulfonyl methane)
Available at health food stores
Cats less than 6 pounds – 50mg daily
Cats between 6 and 12 pounds – 150mg daily
Cats over 12 pounds -
250mg daily