Cat health conditions

Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (FATE) is a life-threatening condition in which a blood clot lodges in the saddle: the final section of the aorta that provides blood to the hindlimbs of the cat. The cause of FATE is most commonly heart disease, and in rarer cases cancer or other causes.

The bacteria Salmonella spp. often infects the intestines of mammals, including cats. Salmonella infection may lead to symptomatic illness, which is referred to as salmonellosis.

Feline scabies, or mange, is a rare, but highly contagious condition caused by the parasitic mite Notoedres cati.

Whereas humans get sneezy and sniffly at certain times of the year, some cats get red, itchy skin and secondary skin infections for the same reason: seasonal allergies.

Seborrhea is a skin disorder in cats caused by abnormal keratinization (the process where skin cells grow and shed). It occurs as both oily (seborrhea oleosa) and dry (seborrhea sicca) and results in flaking skin.

Separation anxiety is a complex and rare behavioral condition that affects cats when they are separated from their owners.

Sialocele in cats refers to swelling caused by an accumulation of saliva leaking from a salivary gland or duct into surrounding tissue forming a visible mass on the face or mouth area. Sialocele can be a painful, inflammatory condition, and can also lead to complications such as difficulty breathing or eating.

An abscess in cats is a localized collection of pus inside a cavity; abscesses can occur anywhere in the body, but this article focuses on subcutaneous abscesses. Punctures in the skin seal over quickly, trapping bacteria, which then multiplies.

A skin tag in cats, also known as an acrochordon, cutaneous tag, soft fibroma, or fibrovascular papilloma, is a benign growth that protrudes or hangs from the surface of the skin.

Sleep aid toxicosis in cats is a condition that occurs as the result of an overdose of benzodiazepines, which are commonly used as sedatives and sleep aids in human and veterinary medicine.

Metaldehyde toxicosis in cats, also referred to as snail and slug bait poisoning, is a life-threatening condition resulting from the ingestion of metaldehyde containing products.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in cats is a malignant tumor originating from the striated muscle cells (muscles normally attached to bones), occurring wherever there are striated muscle fibers. 

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of tumors that arise from the connective tissue, muscle, or nervous tissues in cats. This group of tumors includes fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, myxosarcoma, and injection site sarcoma.

Feline Solar Dermatitis is a serious skin disorder that occurs in cats with thin hair or short, white hair.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a cancer of the flat cells that line many tissues in cats, such as the skin, mouth, and esophagus. SCC occurs most commonly where hair is sparse or light-colored as there is less protection from UV rays.

Peptic, or gastrointestinal, ulcers are crater-like lesions in the lining of the stomach or intestines. GI ulcers occur either when stomach acid production is increased, or when there is damage to the protective lining of the tract.

Helicobacter is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach of cats, typically causing no symptoms. In rare cases, cats may develop vomiting, reduced appetite, diarrhea, or weight loss.

Stomatitis is a form of inflammation affecting the fleshy parts of the mouth. The causes are not fully understood, but often relate to an exaggerated immune response to plaque bacteria, or injury to the mouth. 

A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, in cats refers to a disruption of blood flow within the brain, preventing oxygen delivery to the tissue.

Have a look at the base of your cat’s tail. Is it greasy? If so, your cat might have stud tail. It’s an issue with their sebaceous glands, which are near the base of the tail and produce oil or wax to keep your cat’s fur soft and healthy. With stud tail in cats, these glands are overactive, producing so much oil that it builds up on the fur. Stud tail is often a hormonal issue in non-neutered cats, but it can occur in every cat.

Glue toxicosis is a rare condition in cats that occurs as the result of the ingestion of adhesive products.

Swimmer syndrome is a congenital condition in which the muscles and tendons in a kitten’s legs do not develop properly, causing them to be unable to walk.

Synechiae in cats are adhesions between an eye’s iris (colored ring) and either the cornea (outer layer) or lens (located behind the iris).