Cat health conditions

Pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas, which is a common digestive disease of cats.

Leishmaniasis is a protozoic infection in cats caused by the parasites of the *Leishmania* genus.

Giardiasis refers to a parasitic infection by one of several protozoans in the Giaridia family. In many cases this microorganism lives in infected cats without causing any harm or symptoms.

Pennyroyal poisoning is a rare, life-threatening condition in cats caused by the ingestion of pennyroyal essential oil. Pennyroyal oil is a natural pesticide used in flea control; even though it is effective in controlling parasites, it is highly toxic to both cats and dogs.

Pericardial effusion is an uncommon cardiovascular disease in cats, defined as an abnormal amount of fluid accumulated in the sac around the heart (pericardium).

Peritonitis is an uncommon condition in cats described as inflammation of the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity). Peritonitis may be septic (caused by an infectious agent) or aseptic (sterile).

Pit viper bites are venomous bites from snakes of the crotalid family. Crotalids include rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths (water moccasins). All known or suspected snake bites in cats require emergency veterinary attention.

Plague is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria which can affect different species, including cats and humans. Flea bites, contact with infected rodents, or inhalation of infected saliva droplets can transmit Y. pestis bacteria.

Polymyositis is a rare condition in cats which affects the way nerves interact with muscles, characterized by inflammation of one or more muscle groups. Long term inflammation results in damage to the muscle tissue

A portosystemic shunt (PSS) occurs in cats when abnormal blood flow from the digestive and ancillary organs bypasses the liver. Blood from the digestive and enzyme-secreting organs normally flows through into the liver where toxins are processed before being eliminated by the kidneys.

Poxvirus infection in cats is caused by viruses in the Poxviridae family. Cowpox virus is the most common cause of infection, but other viruses in this family can infect cats as well.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in cats is a genetically inherited  condition that destroys retinal cells required for vision. PRA inevitably leads to blindness. PRA is caused by a variety of genetic defects and is most common in Abyssinian and Persian cats.

Lens prolapse, or luxation, is when the lens of the eye becomes dislocated from its proper position. A dislocated lens can move into the front (anterior) or the rear (posterior) of the eye, and may be primary (inherited) or secondary (occurring due to another condition).

Proptosis is a condition in which the eyeball pops forward, trapping the eyelids behind it. In some cases, the eyeball comes out of the socket entirely.

Cancer of the prostate gland occurs when collections of cells of the prostate divide uncontrollably. Prostatic tumors are very rare in cats, but more common in dogs and because of this, much of what we know about this condition in cats comes from data about dogs.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is exceedingly rare in cats and refers to the excessive growth of the prostate gland due to non-cancerous cell growth.

The prostate is a small gland near the bladder of male cats, which produces some of the fluids found in semen. Prostatitis describes inflammation of the prostate.

Amyloidosis in cats is the accumulation of amyloid, a type of protein. Amyloidosis may occur throughout the body, with the kidneys being the most severely affected.

Trichomoniasis in cats is caused by the Tritrichomonas protozoa. While the precise mechanisms of infection are currently unknown, it is thought to be transmitted via the fecal-oral route.

Feline pyoderma is a bacterial skin infection in cats. Pyoderma translates to “pus in the skin,” and is uncommon in cats, although it may be underdiagnosed. Pyoderma occurs when the normal, resident bacterial population of the skin (microflora), moves through the skin barrier resulting in an infection.