Cat health conditions

Facial paralysis in cats is a disorder of the cranial nerve that controls the muscles of the face. Possible causes include injury, ear infection, nerve inflammation, and tumors.

Fading kitten syndrome occurs when newborn kittens fail to thrive and are likely to expire prematurely, usually prior to weaning. Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and include excessive crying, low body temperature, lethargy, separating from littermates, weight loss, and poor sucking reflex

False pregnancy is a common and normal part of the reproductive cycle of intact female cats. False pregnancy is characterized by hormonal and physiologic changes consistent with pregnancy, even though the cat is not pregnant.

Fatty liver disease (FLD) describes accumulation of fat in the liver. In cases of FLD, fat is released from stores in the body in response to a prolonged period of fasting.

Fatty tissue tumors are masses of cells which develop under the skin in cats and are primarily composed of fat. They are soft to the touch, round, and not anchored, so they tend to move freely when pressed.

Feline herpesvirus (FHV) is a common and highly contagious respiratory illness in cats resulting from infection with type 1 Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1). Transmission occurs through direct or indirect, contact with nasal or eye secretions

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is an uncommon viral disease of cats, caused by a retrovirus similar to human immunodeficiency virus.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease in cats which results in inflammation of the lining of the abdominal wall (peritoneum), although it may affect many other body structures as well.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases and is the most common cause of cancer in cats. 

Feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD) lead to inflammation of some or all of the feline lower urinary tract (bladder, urethra).

Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs) are a condition of unknown origin where a cat’s tooth erodes.

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV), also known as distemper, is a highly contagious viral infection in cats.

Feline pododermatitis (also known as plasma cell pododermatitis, or PCP) is a rare disease that causes inflammation of the paw pads.

Fibrosarcomas are a group of malignant tumors (cancer) that originate in fibrous connective tissue. This type of tumor develops slowly and does not often spread, but can cause extensive tissue damage.

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a skin disease that results when a cat develops an allergy to flea saliva. The body treats the allergen as a harmful substance and reacts disproportionately.

Cats are particularly sensitive to many flea and tick medications, and exposure to formulations that are not specifically approved for feline use can be fatal.

Fleas are irritating parasitic insects that reside and feed on the skin of animal hosts, including cats. Fleas are found worldwide and year round. Cats may be exposed to fleas at any time,

Food allergies are a reaction of the immune system to specific proteins within the diet.

Frostbite is a rare condition in cats that results from loss of blood flow to parts of the body as a result of extreme cold. The body restricts blood flow to the extremities when exposed to severely cold temperature.

Sporotrichosis is an uncommon fungal infection that affects the skin of cats.

Aspergillosis is a type of fungal infection in cats caused by the organism Aspergillus, a species of fungus. Two types of aspergillosis occur in cats: nasal (affects the nose) and systemic (affects internal organs).

Blastomycosis is a fungal infection in cats caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is commonly found in soil around bodies of water. Cases are most commonly identified around the Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee, and St. Lawrence rivers.

Coccidioidomycosis in cats is a systemic infection caused by inhalation of dust-borne fungal spores of Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. Coccidioides is endemic in dry, desert areas and outbreaks commonly occur after dust storms.

Cryptococcosis in cats is a systemic fungal disease affecting the skin, respiratory tract, eyes, and central nervous system (CNS) as well as adjacent tissues in some cases. Cryptococcus is a yeast-like fungus found in soil and decaying matter contaminated with bird droppings worldwide, and can survive for years in the environment.