Cat friendly clinic

Actinomycosis in cats

Actinomycosis in cats

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

Actinomycosis in cats is a rare but serious bacterial infection caused by bacteria of the genus Actinomyces. From a veterinary perspective, it is important to understand that these pathogens do not necessarily come "from the outside." Rather, they are opportunistic bacteria that can normally be found as part of the natural mucosal flora and only cause illness when they penetrate deeper layers through an injury, dental or oral disease, a foreign body, or other tissue trauma.

Actinomycosis in cats Read More »

Salivary gland cancer in cats

Salivary gland cancer in cats

Cancer in animals, Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

From a veterinary perspective, a newly appearing, firm, or slowly growing swelling on the lower jaw, at the base of the ear, or on the side of the neck should not be observed for days or weeks in a cat, but rather examined promptly. It is typical for adenocarcinoma of the parotid or mandibular gland (salivary gland cancer) in cats that the change may initially be painless. This often leads owners to wait too long in practice.

Salivary gland cancer in cats Read More »

Cancer of the external ear canal in cats

Cancer of the external ear canal in cats

Cancer in animals, Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

If you suspect your cat has adenocarcinoma of the ceruminous glands of the ear (cancer in the external ear canal), you should consult a veterinarian promptly, within 2 to 3 days. This is especially important if there is unilateral, foul-smelling, or bloody ear discharge, visible pinkish growths in the ear canal, head tilt, dizziness, an uncoordinated gait, frequent scratching of the ear, or enlarged lymph nodes in the head and neck area.

Cancer of the external ear canal in cats Read More »

Aggression in cats

Aggression in cats

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

Aggression in cats is one of the most common behavioral problems that bring cat owners to the vet. From a veterinary perspective, however, aggression in cats is almost never simply "bad behavior." In many cases, aggression in cats is a warning sign. Underlying causes can include fear, pain, stress, territorial conflicts, unsuitable environmental conditions, hormonal influences, or misguided play behavior. This is precisely why it is so important not to dismiss aggression in cats as a character flaw, but to understand it as a serious symptom. Expert sources from Cornell, Merck, International Cat Care, and the Feline Veterinary Medical Association unanimously emphasize that aggression must always be considered within its context and that medical causes should be ruled out before any behavioral intervention.

Aggression in cats Read More »

Aelurostrongylosis

Aelurostrongylosis in cats

Cat diseases, Cat friendly clinic / By

Aelurostrongylosis is a parasitic lung disease in cats that is often diagnosed later than it should be. As a veterinarian, I frequently see cat owners mistaking coughing, fatigue, reduced playfulness, or labored breathing for a harmless irritation, asthma, or a temporary infection. This is precisely the problem: Aelurostrongylosis can begin insidiously but develop into a serious lower respiratory tract disease. It is typically caused by the feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, which infests the bronchioles and lung tissue. There, Aelurostrongylosis leads to inflammation, coughing, mucus production, and, in severe cases, significant respiratory distress.

Aelurostrongylosis in cats Read More »

Freestyle Libre for Cat with Diabetes

Freestyle Libre for Cat with Diabetes

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common hormonal diseases in cats. In my daily work as a veterinarian, I regularly see feline patients whose diabetes diagnosis initially causes great uncertainty for their owners. Many wonder how they can reliably monitor their cat's blood sugar without having to constantly take their pet to the vet. This is precisely where the Freestyle Libre feline diabetes monitoring system comes in. This modern system enables continuous monitoring of glucose levels and significantly simplifies the management of the disease for both veterinarians and owners.

Freestyle Libre for Cat with Diabetes Read More »

Feline distemper

Feline distemper

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

Feline panleukopenia (FPV) is caused by the feline panleukopenia virus, a parvovirus that can be extremely resistant in the environment. The virus preferentially infects rapidly dividing cells: intestinal mucosa, bone marrow, and lymphatic tissue. This explains the typical symptoms: severe gastrointestinal infection, dehydration, and often pronounced leukopenia (a significant drop in white blood cell count). This is also why feline panleukopenia is not "just" diarrhea, but a potentially life-threatening emergency.

Feline distemper Read More »

Promoting fluid intake

Promoting fluid intake in dehydrated cats

Cat friendly clinic, Cat news / By

Promoting fluid intake is a central theme in modern small animal medicine. With a particular focus on promoting fluid intake in dehydrated cats, this approach is gaining increasing importance, as many cats with mild to moderate dehydration do not necessarily require inpatient intravenous fluid therapy. As a veterinarian with many years of experience in the internal medicine care of cats, I see daily how crucial targeted fluid intake promotion is for the prognosis, organ function, and quality of life of dehydrated cats.

Promoting fluid intake in dehydrated cats Read More »

Unclassified cardiomyopathy (UCM) in cats

Unclassified cardiomyopathy (UCM) in cats

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

Unclassified Cardiomyopathy (UCM) in Cats: A Veterinary Guide to Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment. Explained by your veterinarian, Susanne Arndt. As a veterinarian, I unfortunately see many cats with heart disease in my practice. While many owners have heard of HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), Unclassified Cardiomyopathy (UCM) in cats is often a mystery.

Unclassified cardiomyopathy (UCM) in cats Read More »

Roundworms in the cat

Roundworms in the cat

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

The term roundworms in cats primarily covers two species: Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. In practice, Toxocara cati dominates. Infection typically occurs via the ingestion of infectious eggs from the environment, via prey (mice, birds) or - in kittens - via the mother's milk. Once ingested, the larvae continue to develop in the intestine, partially migrate through the body and finally mature into adult, spaghetti-like worms in the small intestine. These produce masses of eggs, which are excreted in the faeces and contaminate the environment. This completes the cycle of infection.

Roundworms in the cat Read More »

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cat

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cat

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases, Cat news / By

As a practising vet, I see hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats very frequently - it is the most common heart disease in cats. This is a concentric thickening of the left ventricular wall without any other disease that could explain this condition. In contrast to secondary heart changes (e.g. hyperthyroidism or acromegaly), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats is characterised by structurally altered heart muscle cells that are arranged in disorder (myocardial „disarray“) and do not behave normally in functional terms. This leads to a stiffer ventricle, restricted filling in diastole and often to an enlargement of the left atrium.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cat Read More »

Buried knot after tooth extraction

Buried knot after tooth extraction

Dental treatments, Cat friendly clinic / By

As veterinarians (small animal practice, specialising in dentistry among other things), we have been observing for many years how crucial it is for cats to have a clean, non-irritating and stable wound care after tooth extraction. In recent months, a prospective study has been the subject of much discussion: it compares a „recessed“ knot technique - the buried knot for cat tooth extraction - with the usual external knot placement in a simple single knot. The results fit very well with my practical experience and give cat owners clear guidance: the buried knot for cat tooth extraction can visibly reduce early healing irritation without impairing the success rate of wound healing. SAGE Journals

Buried knot after tooth extraction Read More »

Cat-proof your balcony

Cat-proof your balcony

Cat friendly clinic / By

As a veterinarian with years of experience in small animal practice, I see the same preventable emergencies every summer: falls from balconies, windowsills, or loggias. The pattern is always similar: a bird flutters by, a sudden siren, a playful jump – and in seconds, the cozy vantage point becomes a hazard. "Making balconies cat-proof" is therefore far more than a DIY project; it's primary prevention against serious trauma. International animal welfare organizations and expert sources have been warning for years about the so-called high-rise syndrome, i.e., injuries from falls from a great height – completely preventable through simple structural and organizational measures. ASPCA+1

Cat-proof your balcony Read More »

Paraoesophageal abscess

Paraoesophageal abscess

Cat friendly clinic, Surgery, Dog diseases, Cat diseases / By

As a veterinarian, I am frequently confronted with complex chest diseases where a thorough diagnosis and prompt treatment determine the prognosis. A typical example is a paraesophageal abscess – a collection of pus in the tissue adjacent to the esophagus. A paraesophageal abscess usually develops as a result of a small perforation of the esophagus, often caused by swallowed foreign bodies (e.g., bones, sticks, fishhooks) or by secondary infections in the mediastinum. Even wood splinters that migrate easily from the throat or tongue can travel caudally along tissue fascia and cause a paraesophageal abscess near the esophagus. We see the interplay of a foreign body, local inflammation, bacterial colonization, and an encapsulated pus-filled cavity relatively frequently in dogs, whereas it is less common in cats.

Paraoesophageal abscess Read More »

Poisonous plants for cats

Poisonous plants for cats

Cat friendly clinic / By

As a veterinarian, I frequently see cats suspected of having ingested plant toxins. Many owners assume that cats instinctively know what is harmful. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Poisonous plants and cats are therefore a topic that every cat owner should take seriously – both indoors and outdoors. In this comprehensive article, I explain which plants are particularly problematic, how to recognize risks early, what to do in an emergency, and what safe alternatives exist. I also provide links to reliable international sources so you can quickly verify information.

Poisonous plants for cats Read More »

Scroll to Top