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850 results for “Disease spread”
What Is Cat Stomatitis and How Is It Treated?
Cat stomatitis is one of the harder feline diseases to cure, and severe cases can be fatal because a sore mouth leads a sensitive cat to stop eating. Its cause is complex, tied as much to the immune system as to infection, which is why antibiotics alone fall short. This guide explains what stomatitis is, its symptoms and types, how extraction works, and the daily oral care that prevention depends on.
Lice on Cats and Dogs: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment
Lice peak in winter, especially in January, when thick coats let them breed undisturbed. They strike young, stray, and undernourished pets, causing itching, restlessness, hair loss, and in heavy infestations anemia and weakness. Two main types live on pets: blood-feeding sucking lice and coat-chewing lice, each with its own species on dogs and cats. Lice are host-specific and do not infect people, though fleas from pets can. This guide covers the types, the harm they do, how they are diagnosed, and how to treat and prevent them.
What to Do If Your Cat Has Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is an environmental fungus found in soil and air, and cats often catch it by inhaling spores that travel from the lungs to the rest of the body, or through wounded skin and the mouth. Pigeons are the most important carrier, so the fungus concentrates wherever birds roost, in attics, and among decaying leaves. Signs range from skin nodules and nasal discharge to nervous-system and eye problems. Diagnosis relies on microscopy, fungal culture, X-rays, and blood tests, and oral antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole are the main treatment. Starting therapy early and keeping it consistent gives the best chance of recovery.
Cat Upper Respiratory Infection: Symptoms and Treatment
A cat upper respiratory infection is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper airways. Affected cats typically cough, sneeze, and have a runny nose, sometimes with yellow nasal discharge, and a sudden drop in temperature, poor nutrition, or stress can trigger an outbreak. The usual culprits are viruses such as herpesvirus and calicivirus, bacteria such as Chlamydia, and fungi such as Cryptococcus. This article covers the common pathogens, how viral, bacterial, and fungal infections differ in their signs, what else can mimic these symptoms, and the supportive care and medications veterinarians rely on to treat them, from keeping the eyes and nose clear to antiviral, antibiotic, and antifungal therapy.
Treating and Preventing Cat Tartar
Ignored mouth hygiene leads to tartar, common in cats over two on soft food, peaking at five and eight. Plaque hardens into tartar that causes gum damage, loose teeth, and bad breath. Professional ultrasound scaling under anesthesia is best; severely bad teeth should be pulled. Prevent with early brushing using pet paste and gauze, and feed cat kibble.
Why Indoor Cats Can Still Get Parasites
Many owners assume an indoor cat cannot catch parasites, but that is not true. Parasite eggs can ride home on your shoes and clothes, and mosquitoes, cockroaches, raw meat, or household plants can all introduce infection. Some parasites are zoonotic and can spread from cat to owner, so regular deworming matters regardless of lifestyle. Internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and heartworms, and external ones like fleas, lice, ticks, and mites are most common in spring and summer; nematodes and toxoplasma can also pass to people. Deworming is straightforward: oral medication every three months, or more often for raw-fed cats, plus topical drops applied to the skin at the back of the neck. Always follow the dose by weight, since these drugs are toxic in excess.
How to Give Your Cat Vitamin B
Ringworm often strikes weak, underfed cats and can stem from vitamin B lack, which also causes weight loss, hair loss, and serious nerve and eye damage. Use cat-specific B vitamins, not human ones they can't absorb, and feed B-rich food and fruit. After baths, dry fully, and disinfect the environment to stop ringworm spread.
What Is Uveitis in Cats?
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, and it can be painful and watery for the cat. Most cases are not from a clear single cause; some stem from eye problems, others from disease elsewhere in the body. Because uveitis can lead to glaucoma and even blindness, it should never be ignored. A slit-lamp and eye-pressure exam confirm it, and treatment usually means anti-inflammatory eye drops. If no underlying illness is found, the outlook is good.
How to Treat Cat Sinusitis
Cat sinusitis is a common respiratory disease that can cause difficult breathing, coughing, head discomfort, and discharge. Treatment centers on controlling the infection—antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate for bacterial cases, or antiviral drugs like interferon when a virus is involved—plus isolation to protect other cats. Severe cases may need nasal flushing, and surgery if pus builds up and blocks breathing. This article outlines the symptoms, treatments, and home care you should know.
Should You Shave Your Cat’s Fur?
When summer heat arrives or shedding season peaks, many owners wonder whether to shave their cat. In short, healthy cats do not need shaving, and doing it can actually cause harm. Shaving should be reserved for genuine medical needs such as skin disease. This article explains why shaving won't cool your cat and the real risks it brings.