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748 results for “feline infection”
Dealing with Cat Tear Stains
Tear overflow (epiphora) happens when tears overproduce or the nasolacrimal duct blocks, spilling onto the fur. The reddish-brown stain comes from porphyrin—an iron waste in tears that oxidizes in air and sunlight. Common causes: too much salt (human food, salty kibble), 'heat', ear infections that stimulate tearing, duct blockage, entropion (inward lashes), dacryoadenitis, and feline herpes (tears plus nasal discharge—watch unvaccinated cats). Genetics play a role too. Cut salty food and see a vet to find the true cause.
6 Common Cat Diseases and How to Prevent Them
Cats hide pain well and can't tell you what's wrong, so owners need a basic grasp of common feline illnesses. Beyond regular checkups and vaccines, know the warning signs of the six frequent problems: urinary tract disease, respiratory infection, periodontal disease, parasites, ringworm, and ear mites. This guide summarizes each condition's symptoms and the everyday prevention that matters most—more water, less stress, dental care, deworming, and a clean, dry environment.
What to Use to Disinfect Your Cat’s Living Space
Home disinfection serves two goals: kill germs and odor, and block contagious feline disease like panleukopenia, calicivirus, and ringworm. Common products include sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and chlorine dioxide, quaternary ammonium, phenolics, potassium monopersulfate, alcohol, UV, and ozone. For pet homes, diluted bleach and chlorine dioxide are effective and safe when rinsed; avoid phenolic and essential-oil-based disinfectants, which are toxic to cats, and ensure areas dry before the cat returns.
How to Prevent Heartworm in Cats
Heartworm actually takes hold in a cat's lungs, not the heart, and although cats are not the worm's natural host, they can still be infected by a mosquito carrying larvae. Cats are often overlooked: infection rates are only 5–15% of a dog's under the same conditions, symptoms are subtle (about 28% show none), and tests are less accurate than in dogs. Prevention matters — avoid mosquitoes and use a vet-prescribed monthly topical preventive. Test for infection before giving any preventive, since treating an already-infected cat can cause shock.
How to Supplement Vitamin B for Your Cat
Vitamin B deficiency in cats frequently appears as skin trouble—especially ringworm—along with a dull coat, weight loss, and loss of appetite, and in serious cases it can progress to eye and nerve problems. Because cats cannot store or synthesize enough B vitamins on their own, daily diet matters. This guide covers the warning signs of deficiency, why human B supplements are a poor fit for cats, and safe ways to meet their needs: B-rich cat food, small amounts of fruit, thorough drying after baths, regular disinfection of bedding and surroundings, and sunlight to help keep skin healthy.
Should You Vaccinate a Cat That Has a Cold?
Don't vaccinate a cat that has a cold—wait until it recovers. Vaccinating a sick cat can cause vaccine failure and lower its already weak resistance, worsening the cold or inviting other infections. The best time to vaccinate is when the cat is healthy, the right age, and its immune system is working normally. Kittens usually get their first shot at about 8 weeks, commonly three shots spaced three to four weeks apart; adults typically get two feline-combination shots, the second three to four weeks after the first. After that, a titer check every three years shows whether boosters are needed. Also skip vaccination if the cat is vomiting, diarrheal, newly recovered, low in spirit, pregnant, has an allergy history, swelling, or is already infected.
What to Do When Your Cat’s Eye Is Swollen
A swollen cat eye usually comes from a play-related bump or scratch, a stray foreign object, an insect bite or sting, or inflammation such as conjunctivitis. Gentle cleaning with saline and a cat-specific eye drop often helps mild cases, while a suspected bee sting (with a venom-bearing stinger) or viral conjunctivitis from cat flu needs veterinary care. Keeping your cat's paws clean also prevents further infection.
Cat Vomiting Yellow Fluid and Undigested Kibble: Causes and Care
When a cat throws up yellow fluid and undigested kibble, weak intestines, especially in kittens, are often to blame. If lethargy and appetite loss accompany it, rule out feline panleukopenia with a vet. Otherwise the usual causes are simple indigestion from irregular feeding, intestinal parasites, or gastroenteritis from spoiled food. Manage mild cases with a pet probiotic and a short fast, treat parasites with a dewormer, and seek a clinic if it persists beyond 24 hours.
What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Vaccinations
Vaccines are a core part of protecting your dog or cat. A vaccine is a weakened virus that trains the immune system to fight real infections, guarding against deadly diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, rabies, feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis. Puppies can be vaccinated from 45 days old and kittens from 63 days, after weaning and a short settling-in period. Even with proper vaccines, immunity can fail due to maternal antibodies, immunosuppression, stress, or infection during the incubation window—so follow your vet's timing.
My cat is vomiting yellow fluid with blood
A cat vomiting yellow fluid with blood can stem from indigestion, feline distemper virus, internal parasites, or gastroenteritis. Try brief fasting, give pet anti-inflammatory and anti-vomiting meds plus probiotics, and watch for improvement. If vomiting persists, see a vet.