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Cat Health

Ringworm in Cats – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Ringworm in cats

Ringworm at a glance

  • Ringworm in cats is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin and fur. It is contagious to cats, other pets and people.
  • Cats become infected by direct contact with an infected animal or via fungal spores which are in the environment.
  • Symptoms include circular red lesions and areas of hair loss.
  • Treatment includes oral anti-fungal drugs, medicated baths and/or medicated shampoos and dips.

 

Also known as dermatophytosis (pronounced der-mato-ptosis), ringworm a common fungal infection which affects the skin, fur, and nails of cats. It is caused by a microscopic group of parasitic, fungal organisms known as dermatophytes (which means “plants that live on the skin“).

Ringworm invades the dead, outer layers of the skin, claws, and hair. The name ringworm comes from the ring like, circular lesions which develop on the cat’s skin. The fungus is more common in areas of high humidity and temperatures. Continue reading

Cat Articles

Petting Induced Aggression in Cats

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Petting induced aggression in cats

What is petting-induced aggression?

Petting-induced aggression common problem many cat owners experiences. One minute you are enjoying some time petting your cat and all of a sudden he turns around takes a bite or swipe and then runs off and hides.

The cause of this behaviour is unknown although it is thought that some cats can only accept a certain amount of petting before becoming uncomfortable.

Being taken away from their mother and siblings can lead to a number of behavioural problems, which highlights the importance of not adopting a cat until he or she is a minimum of 10-12 weeks.

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Cat Articles

Odd Eyed Cats (heterochromia)

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Odd eyed cat

Also known as dichroic eyes, heterochromia iridis (hetero = different, chromia = colours, iridis = iris), is a condition in which cats have odd-coloured eyes. One will be blue, the other may be green, copper or brown. The condition may be inherited, congenital or acquired. Continue reading

Cat Articles

Pointed (Colourpoint) Cats – About, Breeds and Genetics

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Colourpoint cats

Recently there was an interesting discussion around a photo of a beautiful pointed kitten and what breed of cat he may be. People suggested he was a Siamese, Traditional Siamese (due to his rounder head), Birman, Ragdoll, Snowshoe or Tonkinese. A few put forward that he was a lovely seal point domestic shorthair (aka a mixed breed cat). The cat in the image above has a similar appearance, with a rounder face and a slightly fluffier coat than that of the modern-day Siamese.

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Cat Health

Blood in Cat Urine (hematuria) – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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Blood in cat urine

Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It is a symptom of an underlying disorder and isn’t a disease in itself. As are many causes of hematuria in cats ranging from mild to severe and life-threatening, prompt veterinary attention is required. It can be classified as microscopic or gross.

Microscopic hematuria is where the urine appears normal but upon microscopic examination,  red blood cells are found to be present.

Gross hematuria is where the cat’s urine is visibly discoloured due to the high numbers of red blood cells. Continue reading

Cat Articles

Feeding Advice For Fussy Cats

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Feeding advice for fussy cats

Unlike dogs, cats have a reputation for being somewhat fussy when it comes to food, but I think the word is somewhat of a misnomer. Cats aren’t intentionally fussy, there’s always a reason why a cat becomes fussy over food. This article looks at common causes of food rejection in cats and what you can do to overcome this. Continue reading

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Manx Syndrome in Cats – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Manx syndrome

Manx syndrome is a collection of disorders affecting the spine and sometimes the hind limbs of affected cats. It is believed to be a form of spina bifida, in which the spine fails to develop as it should.

The condition is congenital (present at birth) and occurs during development in the caudal (tail) region of the embryonic neural tube. The (caudal/tail vertebrae) are absent and in some cases, one or more of the sacral bones are deformed or reduced in number. Along with this, a shortening of the spinal cord (spinal cord dysgenesis) and/or absence of the cauda equina (the bundle of nerves located at the lower end of the spinal cord which transmit messages to the pelvic organs and hind legs), resulting in fecal and urinary dysfunction due to innervation in the anal and perineal area affecting the bladder and anus. Partial paralysis may also occur in the hind legs.  Continue reading

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Cat Worms – Everything You Need To Know

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Cat worms

Parasitic worms are one of the most common types of parasite to infect cats. Even indoor cats can get worms, highlighting the importance of a strict worming regime.

Worms can take up residence in many parts of the body. The three most common worms are intestinal worms, which either feed on the stomach contents or on your cat’s blood which can cause malnutrition and/or anemia. Other organs can also be infected with worms including the heart, bladder and kidney. We look at the most common parasitic worms below. Continue reading

Cat Health

Hookworms in Cats

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Hookworms in cats

Hookworms are small, thin nematodes that are approximately 10 to 20 mm in length. They are a common intestinal parasitic worm of dogs, but can also infect cats.

They live in the small intestine of the cat, attaching themselves to the intestinal wall using teeth like  hooks (hence the name) where they feed on the blood and tissue. Blood loss can lead to anaemia, intestinal bleeding, intestinal inflammation, diarrhea and even death. Continue reading