cat medicine

Arthritis in older cats

Arthritis in older cats

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

Osteoarthritis in older cats is far more common than many cat owners realize. In one study of geriatric cats, radiologically detectable degenerative changes were found in 90 percent of the animals. Another study found radiological signs of degenerative joint disease in 92 percent of the cats included in the study. These figures should not be interpreted to mean that every older cat is necessarily in severe pain. Radiographic changes and the actual intensity of pain do not always correlate. However, they do highlight the importance of considering osteoarthritis in older cats early on.

Arthritis in older cats Read More »

FeLV-associated tumors in cats

FeLV-associated tumors in cats

Oncology / By

Lymphoma/FeLV-associated tumors in cats is an important topic in small animal medicine because it connects two areas that cat owners often only notice very late: malignant diseases of the lymphatic system and infection with the feline leukemia virus, or FeLV for short. A lymphoma is a tumor that originates from lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell and part of the immune system. Therefore, a lymphoma in a cat can develop in very different locations: in the intestines, lymph nodes, chest cavity, nose, skin, liver, spleen, bone marrow, or even in several organs simultaneously. FeLV is a feline retrovirus that can contribute to, among other things, immunodeficiency, anemia, and certain types of cancer. International veterinary sources such as the Cornell Feline Health Center, the Merck Veterinary Manual, and the AAFP Retrovirus Guidelines describe FeLV as a globally occurring infection that can significantly impact the quality of life and life expectancy of cats.

FeLV-associated tumors in cats Read More »

Cat wheezing

Cat wheezing

General / By

When a cat wheezes, many pet owners are initially alarmed because the noise can be sudden, unusual, and difficult to identify. Some cats snore softly in their sleep, while others make brief breathing noises after grooming, after excitement, or in very dry air.

A cat doesn't simply wheeze for no reason. If the noise is new, recurring, intensifies, or occurs alongside coughing, sneezing, open-mouth breathing, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, or visible respiratory distress, it's crucial from a veterinary perspective to consider not only the noise itself but also the overall picture: How is the cat breathing? How is it behaving? Is it eating? Is it grooming itself? Is it hiding? Does it seem stressed?

Cat wheezing Read More »

Shock lung in cats

Shock lung in cats

Cat diseases, Cat friendly clinic / By

Acute respiratory distress in cats is always an emergency. If a cat suddenly starts breathing heavily, with its mouth open, stretches its neck forward, spreads its elbows, shows pale or bluish mucous membranes, collapses, or appears extremely lethargic, you must not wait. In such situations, every minute counts. Cats often show signs of respiratory distress late and may only appear quieter, more withdrawn, or less resilient for a long time. By the time the owner clearly recognizes the respiratory distress, the cat is often already critically ill.

Shock lung in cats Read More »

acute liver failure in cats

Acute liver failure in cats

Cat friendly clinic, Cat diseases / By

Acute liver failure in cats is an emergency. If your cat suddenly appears severely weak, stops eating, vomits repeatedly, has yellowish mucous membranes, develops bleeding, seems disoriented, or has seizures, you should immediately seek veterinary care. Cats with severe liver disease often deteriorate rapidly within a few hours. Liver and gallbladder diseases in cats must therefore be investigated early because the causes are very diverse and some cases can quickly become critical.

Acute liver failure 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 »

Christmas opening hours

Christmas opening hours

Christmas / By

Why do I emphasise the Christmas opening hours so clearly? In more than 6 years as an assistant vet at the small animal clinic Dr Thomas Graf (Cologne), in my year of setting up and expanding a small animal department at the Lahr Animal Health Centre and since 2013 as a practice owner, I have experienced that typical risks occur more frequently around Christmas: foreign food (e.g. high-fat roast leftovers), sweets containing xylitol, swallowed gift ribbon leftovers, scented oils, candles and pine needles. At the same time, many surgeries are closing or reducing operations to a minimum, which is why clear Christmas opening hours are crucial. Our extended emergency service availability from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily offers you planning security.

Christmas opening hours Read More »

Hepatic lipidosis in cats

Hepatic lipidosis in cats

Cat diseases, Cat friendly clinic / By

Cats are obligate carnivores and require a protein-rich diet with essential amino acids for their energy metabolism. Even a short period of loss of appetite or hyporexia can lead to metabolic disturbances.1,2 In a negative energy balance, lipase activity in peripheral adipose tissue is stimulated to release fatty acids into the bloodstream. These are taken up by the liver, oxidized, and either incorporated into VLDL (very-low-density lipoproteins) or stored intracellularly as triglycerides.1 In anorexic cats, most triglycerides are stored in liver vacuoles due to limited oxidative capacity and VLDL redistribution.

Hepatic lipidosis in cats Read More »

Stabilization of cats with urethral obstruction

Stabilization of cats with urethral obstruction

Cat diseases, Cat friendly clinic / By

Urethral obstruction is common in male cats and can be idiopathic or caused by urethral mucus plugs, urolithiasis, strictures, or neoplasms.1,2 The recommended treatment is usually urethral catheterization.1,2 Depending on the duration of the obstruction, stabilization may be necessary prior to administering sedation or anesthesia to facilitate catheter placement.

Stabilization of cats with urethral obstruction Read More »

Pheochromocytoma in cats

Pheochromocytoma in cats

Cat diseases, Cat friendly clinic, Surgery / By

Pheochromocytoma in cats is a rare but clinically significant condition arising from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or the sympathetic paraganglia. These tumors typically produce excessive amounts of catecholamines such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. Although pheochromocytoma in cats is not frequently diagnosed, it is important to recognize this condition because it can have serious consequences if left untreated. The following is a comprehensive summary of the key aspects of pheochromocytoma in cats.

Pheochromocytoma in cats Read More »

Scroll to Top