Cat health conditions

The larynx, or voice box, is the part of the throat located at the entrance of the trachea (windpipe). Laryngeal paralysis can cause partial or complete upper airway obstruction, which can lead to breathing difficulties.

Lead poisoning in cats is caused by the presence of toxic amounts of lead in the body. When lead poisoning does occur in cats, it is thought to be from self-grooming of lead-containing particles from the fur, but in most cases, there is no known exposure. 

Lenticular sclerosis in cats is a condition in which the lenses of the eyes are compressed, causing the eyes to become progressively more foggy and cloudy with age.

Leptospirosis in cats is a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals. Leptospirosis is most often contracted by exposure to contaminated water or soil via mucous membranes or breaks in the skin.

Cat lice (*Felicola subrostratus*) are small insects of the chewing type that feed on the host’s skin and hair.

Lily toxicosis is caused in cats by ingestion of a toxic dose of any form of the plants belonging to the *Lilium* genus (e.g. Asiatic, Easter, Japanese, Oriental, Stargazer, Tiger, and Wood lilies). The precise mechanism of lily poisoning in cats is unknown.

Limb fractures are common in cats and typically occur when a bone breaks after an injury such as car accidents, falling from heights, or other blunt force trauma. Fractures can also result from weakening of the bone from conditions such as bone infection or tumors.

Abnormal growth of cells (tumors) in the liver and bile system can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous and prone to spread). Liver tissue, bile ducts and the gallbladder all have the potential to grow tumors in cats.

Respiratory parasites are organisms that can cause bronchitis or pneumonia in infected cats.

Lower urinary tract cancers are defined as disorganized, uncontrolled growth of cells in the bladder, urethra, and the prostate gland in male cats. Lower urinary tract cancers are rare in cats.

Bacterial lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when a bacterial infection arises in the urethra or bladder. UTIs commonly develop in association with a number of other conditions in cats such as urinary stones, constipation, megacolon, or other urinary tract diseases.

Lung cancer is the formation of one or more malignant tumors in the lungs. Primary lung cancer in cats is rare but when it occurs, it is likely to metastasize.

Cats are considered resistant to Lyme disease, with no naturally occurring cases of this illness reported.

Lymphoma (lymphosarcoma) is a common form of cancer that causes an uncontrolled growth in the number of lymphocytes (white blood cells).