Cat health conditions

Ear canal tumors in cats are masses that occur in the ear canal and can begin in the skin, sweat gland, and muscle tissues of the ear.

Ear mites are a common parasite found in the ear canal of cats. These microscopic creatures live on the surface of the skin, feeding on skin oil and ear wax.

Polyps are benign, non cancerous masses which can grow in multiple locations in cats. A common location of polyps in cats is the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the nasal cavity.

Ectopic ureter is a congenital condition (birth defect) in cats where one or both ureters attach incorrectly to the urinary tract.

Elbow dysplasia in cats is a group of abnormalities that affect the elbow joints of the front limbs. In cats, elbow dysplasia is very rare but can lead to lameness and drastically affect quality of life.

Biting electric cords can result in electrocution, which ranges in severity from mild burns to life-threatening cardiac arrest. Many cats develop fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) within 36 hours of the initial shock.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition where the muscle of the lower heart deteriorates, which causes it to stretch and lose function. Fluid accumulates in the lungs as the heart begins to fail. 

Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic disorder characterized by repeated seizures happening over weeks, months, or years.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a disorder in which there is insufficient synthesis or secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas to the intestine. In cats, this is most commonly caused by damage to the pancreatic glands from chronic inflammation (pancreatitis).

Tumors of the eye, defined as abnormal cell growth in or around the eyes, are uncommon in cats. Most eye tumors are malignant, aggressive, fast-growing, and likely to spread throughout the body where they have serious consequences.

Cats experience different types of eye infections from bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic agents that infect the conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids, or interior structures, leading to conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis, or uveitis, respectively.

Eyelash and eyelid disorders in cats are uncommon. Brachycephalic breeds (those with flat faces) are at higher risk of these disorders.

Eyelid-gland masses in cats form when the glands that lubricate the eyelids (meibomian glands) become overly full and/or infected.

Blepharitis is inflammation of the upper or lower eyelid. This condition can affect one or both eyes, and the experience is uncomfortable. Blepharitis is common in cats and is caused by a variety of underlying conditions including infections, birth defects, allergies, immune conditions, environmental irritants, and cancers.

An eyelid tumor is a mass of rapidly growing cells located anywhere on the eyelid from the base of the lashes to the topmost edge of the lid. Masses can be benign or malignant but in cats, eyelid tumors are usually malignant.