Cat health articles. Browse our health collection for common and uncommon cat health issues.
“Doc, I found a new lump on my cat’s back when I was petting her…should I be worried?” Sometimes in practice, I would receive a call or visit from a concerned client asking about a new bump. I would explain that the major reasons for bumps in the area of the tail and back include … Read more
Sometimes in practice, I would receive a call from a concerned client because their cat suddenly had a bump or scab on their nose. I would explain to the owner that because cat noses are more exposed than other parts of the body, they’re more sensitive and lesions are more visible. Fortunately, nasal bridge sores, … Read more
Seeing your cat having a seizure is scary for owners. Sometimes identifying seizures is straightforward, but the symptoms of seizures can also be challenging to recognize. Unresponsiveness and full-body twitching (convulsions) are typical examples of seizures. However, other forms include twitching on one part of the body or unusual behaviors like vocalizing or excessive drooling. … Read more
What is a cyst, and why does it need to be drained? A cyst is a small, non-cancerous, pimple-like growth on the skin. There are several types of cysts in cats (Read our article: Types of Cysts in Cats – With Pictures) The most common type of cyst found in cats is a sebaceous cyst. … Read more
If you see an unusual raised growth on your cat’s skin, it could be a wart. While not as common as some other lumps and bumps, warts can occur particularly in older or immunocompromised cats. The lesions are usually benign and often caused by the feline papillomavirus(FPV). Warts in cats aren’t dangerous, but they should … Read more
Itchy cats are a common complaint in small animal practice. Many times, the cause of irritated skin in a cat is atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis in cats occurs when your kitty encounters an allergen in her environment. She may ingest, inhale, or contact a protein to which she’s allergic, and the immune reaction results in … Read more
Has your cat been scratching and grooming herself a lot recently? Many times, kitties that start itching and licking excessively have dermatitis. There are various causes of dermatitis in cats, and they can all cause your furry friend to become extremely itchy and uncomfortable. What is cat dermatitis? [with pictures] Simply put, dermatitis is an … Read more
It’s usually pleasurable to pet a cat. But when you encounter a lump under your furbaby’s skin, it can be concerning. Fortunately, there are also several benign reasons for lumps and bumps in cats – including cysts. Cysts are small growths under the skin that may contain fluid, dead skin cells, or semi-solid materials. They … Read more
“Doc, help. My cat is drooling and smells bad,” was an occasional complaint from one of my kitty parents. When I heard these words, I would tell the owner to bring their cat in for an exam and explain the possible causes of these particular symptoms. There are various reasons for the symptoms of cat … Read more
Occasionally in practice, I would examine a cat because the owner noticed it was sneezing and slobbering a lot. During the office visit, I would take time to counsel my clients about various reasons cats may drool and sneeze. Based on my exam findings and diagnostic tests, I recommended treatment plans designed to fit the … Read more