Cat injury

A bulging eye in cats may be characterized as abnormal enlargement of the eyeball (referred to as buphthalmos) or as protrusion of the eye beyond the socket (referred to as exophthalmos).

Genital discharge in cats is an uncommon presentation with a variety of underlying causes.

A rash is a very common symptom of many skin conditions in cats. Rashes include many different skin abnormalities including red spots, hair loss, scabs, raw patches, and thick crusting with wrinkled skin (lichenification).

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) in cats is a rare condition affecting the first two vertebrae in the neck, known as the atlas and axis bones. These bones are responsible for head movement; instability in the joint between these two bones results in pain and damage to the spinal cord.

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in cats, but is overall uncommon in cats. The cranial cruciate ligament is one of the primary stabilizers of the knee joint 

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.

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.

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

Coral snake bite poisoning occurs when a coral snake bites, and delivers venom, into a cat. Coral snakes are part of the *Elapidae* family, and are found in the southeastern United States and Australia.

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.

Septic arthritis is rare in cats and is described as joint inflammation triggered by infection. Septic arthritis occurs when a joint becomes infected by a bite or puncture wound. Rarely, infection spreads through the bloodstream and infects multiple joints.

In cats, gums normally appear to be smooth with a salmon-pink color. Red gums or gums spotted with a brown, bright pink, red, or purple coloration are caused by hemorrhage of the mucosal surface called petechiae or ecchymosis.

Gagging, or retching, describes muscular contraction of the throat that appears similar to the initial stages of vomiting or coughing, but is distinct from both these processes. Causes of gagging include hairballs, eating excessively fast, nausea, inflammation of the throat or the esophagus...

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.

Jaw fractures are a common presentation in cats, and often result from direct trauma such as car accidents, falling from a height, weakening of the jaw due to bone infection, or tumors. Typical symptoms include oral pain, swelling, reduced ability to eat food, and oral or nasal discharge which is often blood-tinged.

Weakness describes a lack of power and energy available to the body. In cats, evidence of weakness includes fatigue after activity, difficulty executing athletic movements, asymmetry in the position of the body, difficulty rising, muscle shaking, and difficulty holding up the head.

Foxtails and other grasses produce seeds that have evolved to stick to hair and penetrate skin as a dispersal mechanism. Grass awns penetrate the body through the skin or tissue around the eyes, but are also often found in the mouth, nose, or ears.

Heartworm is a serious disease in cats caused by the parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis. The parasite lives primarily in the blood vessels that connect the heart and the lungs. Heartworm disease is uncommon in cats, but is increasingly thought to be underdiagnosed.

Blepharospasm is a term that describes repeated, spasmodic movement of the eyelids, commonly referred to as squinting. Blepharospasm is a broad symptom that is seen as a feature of different underlying diseases in cats, including injury, infection, inflammation, and developmental abnormalities.

Patellar luxation is a condition that affects the kneecap, causing it to dislocate either towards the inside or outside of the leg. In cats, this disorder is usually hereditary and develops gradually with age.

Hip dysplasia in cats describes abnormal development of the hip joint, resulting in excessive movement of the joint within its socket. Hip dysplasia is a lifelong, degenerative condition, where excessive movement of the joint gradually wears away bone and cartilage in the affected joint.

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.

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is a syndrome where the stomach stretches (dilatation) and twists (volvulus), cutting off the blood supply to the stomach and other vital organs. GDV is a very dangerous situation leading to tissue death and circulatory shock, and without intervention is rapidly fatal.

Panting is not a common symptom in cats. Rapid, open-mouthed breathing, which is normal in dogs, might be a symptom of a severe, potentially fatal, illness in cats. There are many possible causes for panting in cats, some of them more dangerous than others.

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.

Hypothermia is defined as low body temperature. In cats, this is when body temperature drops below 98°F (36.6°C). Normal body temperature is between 101-102°F (38.3-38.8°C) in cats. Hypothermia can be life-threatening, and prompt medical attention is required to ensure positive outcomes.

Feline osteosarcoma (OSA) is a type of cancer that arises from uncontrolled growth of bone cells. OSA is the most common type of bone cancer in cats. The underlying cause of OSA is unknown, but previous trauma, bone infection, or radiation are thought to be possible contributing factors.

An aural hematoma is an accumulation of blood between the cartilage and skin of the ear. Aural hematomas in cats present with a visible thickening of the ear flap.

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.

Loss of consciousness in cats is when the animal is not aware of its surroundings and is not awake. Unconscious cats are responsive only to strong, unpleasant stimuli such as a toe pinch, but not to sounds or touch.