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6122 results for “FIC”
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.
The Unusual Nature of Feline Stomatitis
Feline stomatitis is more puzzling than a simple mouth infection. A survey of eighty-three clinics found it peaks in adult cats, especially ages one to three, and in purebreds and short-haired domestics. The cause is unclear but points to infection or immunity, likely feline calicivirus. Most cases improve after extraction, yet a real need remains for safer, more complete treatments that ease pain, inflammation, and healing at once.
Should You Put a Collar or Bell on Your Cat?
Collars spark debate among cat owners, and with good reason: they carry real risks, from neck constriction to trapped claws and skin irritation, while flea collars add toxin exposure. Yet a safe collar with an ID tag can bring a lost cat home. This guide weighs the risks and rewards and shares how to choose and fit a collar, plus the truth about bells and hearing.
Five Rare Cat Diseases Every Owner Should Know
Most cat illnesses are familiar, but a few rare conditions can catch owners off guard. From contagious mites and bizarre allergic behavior to the much-feared FIP, hormone-driven acromegaly, and a mysterious nervous-system disorder, these diseases are uncommon yet serious. Knowing the warning signs helps you seek the right diagnosis before a rare illness becomes untreatable.
Choosing Food for a Cat With Chronic Soft Stools or Diarrhea
Low-fat diets are often prescribed for cats with chronic digestive trouble, borrowed from human thinking, but is that right for an obligate carnivore? A controlled study of sixty cats with chronic diarrhea found no real difference between low-fat and high-fat diets, and that cats handle animal fat efficiently. The takeaway: choose food built on quality animal protein and fat rather than worrying about fat level.
Is a Cat That Won’t Eat Just Picky, or Something Worse?
A cat turning up its nose at food is not always simple fussiness. There is a world of difference between a picky eater and a cat with pathological anorexia, and confusing the two can be dangerous, since starving an anorexic cat only speeds decline. This guide shows how to tell them apart, the warning signs that demand a vet, and gentle ways to tempt a reluctant eater back to food.
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.
Why Does My Cat Have Uneven Eye Size?
A cat with one eye larger than the other is common and can be genetic, but if it appears later it usually points to irritation, inflammation, feline herpes, injury, or heat. The right response depends on the cause, so judge by the situation. If a foreign object is the culprit, gently clearing it often restores the eye quickly. Eyelid inversion may need surgery, so see a veterinarian. Other causes include eye disease such as conjunctivitis or keratitis, feline rhinotracheitis with discharge and sneezing, trauma, and diet-related heat that responds to lighter food and more water.
Three Reasons Why Cats Shed Excessively
Heavy shedding is one of the most frustrating parts of cat ownership, but not every cause is out of your control. While seasonal coat changes cannot be stopped, diet and nutrition often can be fixed. This article breaks down three common triggers: weather shifts, too much salt, and poor nutrition, with practical steps to keep loose hair under control.
Feeding an Overweight or Obese Cat
Most adult cats should weigh around nine jin, yet free-feeding makes nearly all of them gain weight. Obesity fuels joint disease and diabetes, so the answer is scheduled, measured meals that cap daily calories at roughly 200 to 225 kcal. If obesity is already causing serious illness, work with a vet on a safe weight-loss plan and monitor progress with regular checkups.