CAT HEALTH & MEDICINE

You might feel a lump by accident as you stroke your pet. They frequently make themselves known by touch rather than by sight.

You Found a Lump On Your Cat. Now What?

After the lymphatic system, a cat’s skin is the most common site for tumors, cysts, and other abnormal growths that manifest themselves as lumps....
A very scared cat might do better at the veterinarian’s office if she gets a dose of gabapentin beforehand.

A Drug to Keep Cats Calm During Vet Visits?

You try everything to keep your cat calm and agreeable during her trips to the vet. You leave out her travel carrier all the...

Generic Version of Common Drug Approved

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic version of the brand-name drug Clavamox, used to treat infections of the skin, soft tissue,...
These days, more veterinarians are asking people to wait in the car while they examine their pets.

Curbside Care on the Uptick

Curbside care for cats — taking your cat from the car and examining her in the office while you wait outside — became more...

Cytology Versus Biopsy

You notice a lump on your cat’s flank, and the vet says she wants to examine it with cytology but may have to proceed...
Roundworms can easily be transmitted from mother to kitten during nursing.

The Most Common Worms in Cats

First the scary news. Roundworms infect many cats in the United States. One possible route of infestation is through mother’s milk, which is why...
Veterinary technician Brandy Tabor with her own cat, Kitty Gumball. He’s clearly not in pain in this photo.

The Fifth Vital Sign

In 1996, pain began to be considered the fifth vital sign in human medicine, needing to be assessed along with temperature, pulse, respiratory rate,...

Dear Doctor: When the diagnosis is mast cell tumors

Q. During a routine check-up, my cat was diagnosed with mast cell tumors on her skin. How worried should I be? Danielle Castellani Hoboken, New Jersey A....
When’s the last time your cat gave a luxurious stretch and yawn?

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

Aging cats often start vocalizing a lot more, change how and even whether they interact with people, and start soiling the house. The shifts...
The official recommendation for how long a cat should fast before undergoing anesthesia may differ from what the veterinarian tells you. Listen to the doctor.

How Long Should Your Cat Fast Before Anesthesia?

For healthy adult cats about to undergo an operation, the American Animal Hospital Association now recommends a 4- to 6-hour fast prior to anesthesia....
A cat with asthma who learns to use an inhaler can often enjoy significant relief from symptoms.

For Cats with Asthma, Inhalers

We often think of cats as exacerbating breathing problems in people with asthma. But cats, too, can suffer from the wheezing and coughing that...
Spaying or neutering can result in an increased appetite.

Does Spaying or Neutering Really Lead to Weight Gain?

If you’ve recently had your cat spayed or neutered and it looks like your pet has put on a few, you’re probably not imagining...