Search Results
65 results for “cat genetics”
What to Do When Your Cat Has a Weak Immune System
A cat with weak immunity gets sick easily, and several factors can be responsible—an unbalanced diet, an unclean living environment, genetic predisposition, advancing age, chronic stress, or lack of exercise. Because the causes vary, care should be tailored to the individual cat. In general, boosting immunity means feeding a balanced diet, encouraging moderate exercise, keeping the environment clean and sanitary, staying current on parasite control and vaccinations, and providing routine grooming. With consistent, personalized management, you can strengthen your cat's natural defenses and reduce how often it falls ill.
Why Do Cats Get Stomatitis?
Feline stomatitis is a painful, chronic, immune-driven inflammation of the mouth—not just sore gums. Calicivirus and autoimmune disease are the usual triggers, while other viruses, plaque, breed, stress, and poor nutrition add risk. Because it hurts to eat, cats waste away, so finding the cause matters; for stubborn cases, full-mouth extraction often brings lasting relief.
Why Your Cat Eats But Stays Thin
A cat that eats plenty yet stays thin can point to a weak digestive system, high activity, picky eating, illness, or genetics. If the cat is not naturally slender but eats well without gaining weight, a vet check is wise to rule out problems and adjust diet. Some cats are simply born lean and stay healthy that way, which is no cause for worry. Either way, forcing extra weight is unhealthy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, immune-mediated, erosive polyarthritis, often in small and toy breeds between 8 months and 9 years. It causes recurring lameness, stiff swollen joints, fever, and poor appetite, and can end in joint deformity. Treatment relieves pain, controls inflammation, and protects joint tissue.
Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Intervertebral disc disease occurs when a degenerating disc bulges or ruptures and presses on the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, and movement loss. It favors the thoracolumbar (about 85%) and cervical (about 15%) spine in small or chondrodystrophic dogs. Conservative rest and anti-inflammatories help mild cases; severe ones need decompressive surgery.
Hip Dysplasia in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary developmental disorder of the hip joint influenced by genetics and environment, common in large breeds such as shepherds and setters. Progressive laxity and deformity cause lameness, reluctance to rise, and a characteristic 'bunny-hopping' gait; management is conservative with weight control and pain relief, and surgery is considered case by case.
Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Elbow dysplasia is a group of inherited developmental elbow joint diseases - ununited anconeal process, fragmented medial coronoid process, and osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle - driven by genetics and rapid growth. It causes forelimb lameness, a reluctance to walk, and sometimes a crackling joint sound. Weight control, pain relief, and surgery in severe cases are the mainstays.
Osteochondrosis and Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Osteochondrosis is a disturbance of cartilage-to-bone conversion in the growing ends of long bones, and when cartilage separates it forms osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). It affects fast-growing large breeds, causing gradually worsening lameness and joint pain, and can lead to degenerative joint disease if untreated. Early surgery gives the best outcome.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (metaphyseal osteopathy) is a bone-growth disorder of the active growing ends of long bones in young, rapidly growing large-breed dogs. It causes symmetric swelling, heat, and pain over the metaphyses with lameness, fever, and lethargy, and is managed with pain control, infection prevention, and nutrition.
Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats
Diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats is a disorder of insulin deficiency or resistance that causes persistently high blood sugar. Classic signs are excessive drinking, eating, and urinating with weight loss, and treatment centers on diet, insulin or other glucose-lowering medication, and monitoring.