Diabetes mellitus strikes 1 in 400 cats, though recent veterinary studies  note that it is becoming more common lately in cats. Symptoms in cats are similar to those in humans. Diabetes in cats occurs less frequently than in dogs. 80-95% of diabetic cats experience something similar to type-2 diabetes. but are generally severely insulin-dependent by the time symptoms are diagnosed. The condition is definitely treatable, and need not shorten the animal’s life span or life quality. In type-2 cats, prompt effective treatment can even lead to diabetic remission, in which the cat no longer needs injected insulin. Untreated, the condition leads to increasingly weak legs in cats, and eventually malnutrition, ketoacidosis and/or dehydration, and death.

Symptoms

Cats will generally show a gradual onset of the disease over a few weeks, and it may escape notice for a while. The condition is unusual in cats less… Read the rest

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV can be transmitted between infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, the virus can be lethal. The disease caused by this virus is a form of cancer of blood cells called lymphocytes (a leukemia).

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of infection with feline leukemia virus are quite varied and include loss of appetite, poor coat condition, infections of the skin, bladder and respiratory tract, oral disease, seizures, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), skin lesions, fatigue, fever, weight loss, stomatitis, gingivitis, litter box avoidance, pancytopenia, poor grooming, reoccurring bacterial and viral illnesses, anemia, diarrhea, and jaundice.

Transmission

Cats infected with FeLV can serve as sources of infection. Transmission is related to the subgroup (see below). Cats… Read the rest

Kidney disease (also referred to in medical terminology as renal disease) is a common finding in cats and dogs, especially those who are reaching their senior years. In acute disease, such as a toxicity, the signs occur suddenly and can be very severe. In chronic kidney disease, the onset may be very slow and the signs fairly nonspecific, i.e., the animal is “just not doing well.” Whether the disease is acute or chronic is typically related to the cause.

What are the causes of kidney disease? There are many causes of renal disease, and they may include: Age Viral, fungal, or bacterial infections Parasites Cancer Amyloidosis (caused by abnormal deposits of a certain type of protein in the kidney) Inflammation Autoimmune diseases Trauma Toxic reaction to poisons or medications Congenital and inherited disorders This is not a complete list but demonstrates what the veterinarian is… Read the rest