Educational Articles
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Too much vitamin A can lead to poisoning. While somewhat uncommon in North America, vitamin A toxicity is sometimes diagnosed in cats that are fed primarily table scraps. There seems to be considerable variability in how susceptible individual cats are to this problem. It takes a long time for the clinical signs associated with vitamin A toxicity to develop; symptoms do not usually appear until the cat is at least middle-aged.
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Vitamin D poisoning occurs when a cat ingests a toxic dose of vitamin D. A common source of vitamin D poisoning is when a cat accidentally ingests rodenticides containing vitamin D. The initial clinical signs of poisoning occur anywhere from 8 to 48 hours after ingestion and include depression, weakness, and appetite loss. Vomiting, increased drinking and urination, constipation, and dehydration typically follow these signs.
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Vomiting may be caused by disorders of the stomach, but is a clinical sign that can occur with many diseases and problems. Different types of vomiting are reviewed. Any required tests are determined based on physical examination of your cat and questions regarding how your cat has been acting and feeling at home.
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Von Willebrand's disease is an inherited bleeding disorder. Cats with von Willebrand's disease lack von Willebrand's factor, a blood protein that helps platelets adhere to sites of blood vessel injury. Although affected cats have normal platelets, they experience clotting difficulties because their platelets do not properly adhere to injury sites.
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Cancer is the result of genetic damage to cells. While some breeds may be more predisposed to certain forms of cancer, age-related changes and environmental factors are also often at fault. Some tests can be performed to determine the type of cancer present. Treatment options are available but do not necessarily cure cancer.
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Cat grass can be one of many cereal grains such as oat, wheat, barley, alfalfa, or rye. The grass is planted and cultivated indoors and presented to the cat as a supplement to the existing diet. Eating grass targets a cat’s natural instinct to forage and provides entertainment as well as nutritional and digestive value.
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Whipworms are intestinal parasites measuring about 1/4 inch (6 mm) in length. They live in the intestinal tract of cats where they can cause severe irritation. Whipworm infection results in watery diarrhea, weight loss, and general debilitation. Fecal testing will not detect every infection. Whipworm infection in cats is rare in North America but cases appear to be rising.
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A cat’s ability to smell is far more advanced than ours. The Jacobson’s organ, located inside the nasal cavity, opens into the roof of the mouth behind the upper incisors and serves as a secondary olfactory system designed for chemical communication related to mating. Cats use their keen sense of smell, along with a visual assessment, to provide vital information about a new feline acquaintance. The way cats sniff rear ends can establish which of two cats is dominant and set the foundation of their relationship.
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Turning around before bedtime has its origin mostly in evolutionary history where cat ancestors were practicing these habits for health or protection. These innate habits remain in their genetic code to this day but if your cat is seeming to be doing it excessively, it could be a sign of underlying medical problems, such as arthritis of neurological disorders. Contact your veterinarian if your cat appears to have difficulty settling down.
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Running a veterinary clinic has a lot of overhead and behind the scenes cost that many pet owners aren't aware of. Human healthcare is far more expensive and less efficient than you realize. Plan ahead and take preventive steps to help reduce treating costly problems.