CAT HEALTH & MEDICINE

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a very common cause of illness in cats, especially older animals. Previous studies estimated that one in three cats are likely to develop kidney disease during their lifetime. A recent study in cats has shown the prevalence of CKD to be even higher than formerly believed, however - with 50 percent of cats of all ages, and up to 81 percent of cats aged 15 years and older, being afflicted.

Cancer. The word alone evokes high emotions when we hear its diagnosis, whether the disease involves a family member, friend or beloved pet. Our thoughts tend to run from astonishment to guilt and fear as we grapple to come to terms with it, and what to do next. Like humans, our pets are also living longer these days - and that fact alone contributes to the increasing likelihood of some of our cats one day developing cancer.

Cat behavior consultant Sally Williams and her husband, Scott, share their home with four male cats of varying ages: Jonesey, Marlin, Finnegan and Brodie. In 2015, Brodie began having sneezing spells, which could have been anything - but then the sneezing became persistent and tinged with blood. Cancer became an immediate concern. In June 2015, 12-year-old Brodie was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, nasal cancer, and treatment started in July. …

Bloodwork: How often is best? Q I have an eight-year-old cat who I rescued from a shelter as a kitten. I take Desmond to our local veterinarian once yearly for a health examination. During our last visit, the veterinarian recommended that we run bloodwork every year. Is this really necessary for my cat, who is overall healthy? If so, can you explain the advantages of looking at bloodwork every year? Edwina L. Stockgate …

Q Our 19-year-old cat Nellie had a very frightening seizure this morning. She was flipping out — she ended up lying on the...

Q I have a question about my 13-year-old female tabby, who I adopted when she was four weeks old. Molly twitches (thats the best way I can describe it) when she is lying next to me (while shes awake, not sleeping). I have asked our trusted regular veterinarian, but nothing has been revealed through physical examination. Should I be concerned? Diane Fritz …

Q My dear 16-year-old cat, whom I adopted from a local shelter 15 years ago, has mild to moderate gingivitis. I know it is very important to keep his gums healthy, but he has developed an intolerance to antibiotics, and I can no longer have his teeth professionally cleaned. Unfortunately, I find it impossible to brush his teeth myself. Is there any other way his teeth can be cleaned? Thank you for any information you…

A test for feline pancreatitis? Q In the December 2012 issue, Catnip published an article titled: Pancreatitis: Still a Mystery. Over the years, I have had four cats with pancreatitis, so Im quite experienced with this difficult disease. I feel that the article omitted a couple of important issues. There was no mention of nausea, and nausea is a huge problem for cats with pancreatitis. Additionally, there was no mention of the blood test that is specifically…

Q Recently, Catnip published an article called "Does Your Cat Have Bad Breath?" and the author Dr. Plotnick mentions oral cancers that are common in cats. He states that early detection and aggressive treatment are essential for therapy to be successful.

Consider this frightening occurrence: A cat darts into the street near his owners home and is struck by an oncoming car. One or more of the bones in one leg are severely broken, and a quick trip to the nearest veterinary clinic yields some very upsetting news. The fractured limb is beyond surgical repair, and the cats owners are faced with a limited set of options as explained by the veterinarian: Either the injured cat…

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine -including an improved understanding of feline nutrition - cats are living longer these days. But these extended life spans also mean that many cats are more likely to develop arthritis. This painful and potentially crippling joint disease is a predominantly age-related condition. In one study, researchers carefully analyzed X-rays of the spines and limbs of 100 middle-aged or elderly cats living in U.S. homes. The images revealed that 90 percent…

Cats acquire the illness through the bite of a tick, usually the Lone Star tick. The tick picks up the parasite from bobcats, which are the reservoir host. Bobcats, when infected with Cytauxzoon felis, develop only mild clinical signs of illness. The bobcats recover - and then become persistent carriers. When a tick feeds on an infected bobcat, the tick acquires the pathogen. These ticks can bite and infect other bobcats, or they can bite a domestic cat instead, which leads to severe illness and often death. All felids are susceptible to infection; however, cytauxzoonosis has never been described in a non-felid.