Cat preventative wellness

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.

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.

Roundworms (otherwise known as nematodes or ascarids) are a common type of internal parasite that regularly infects cats. While infection rarely causes illness in healthy cats, a heavy worm burden can cause serious health issues such as pneumonia or intestinal blockage.

Whipworms, a parasitic species from the genus Trichuris, infect the digestive tract of cats and release their eggs through the stool into the environment. Once the eggs mature for 9-21 days, they become infectious.

Tapeworms are a common gastrointestinal parasite in cats. Tapeworms are transmitted by ingestion of fleas or raw meat infected with tapeworms. Tapeworm infections are normally asymptomatic but occasionally result in weight loss, abdominal distension, anal itch, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Hookworms are a type of intestinal parasite that feed on blood in cats. Hookworms pass their eggs in the host fecal matter, contaminating the environment.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a common, highly contagious virus that causes respiratory infection and oral disease in cats. FCV is not usually life threatening, although in rare cases it develops into FCV-VSD which has more severe symptoms and is potentially fatal.

Rabies is a rare, but fatal infectious viral disease. If a cat is suspected to be infected with the rabies virus, or has been bitten by a potentially rabid animal, immediate veterinary attention is required.

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

Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency is a rare, life-threatening condition where inadequate levels of vitamin B1 are available to the cat’s body systems.

Demodicosis is a form of mange caused by parasitic Demodex spp. mites. It differs from sarcoptic mange and notoedric mange, or “feline scabies”, which are caused by Sarcoptes spp. mites.

Cheyletiellosis in cats is a form of mange commonly known as ‘walking dandruff’. Caused by parasitic Cheyletiella species of mites living on the skin of many animals including cats, dogs, and rabbits

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

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are a group of bacterial and viral infections that affect the mouth, nose, eyes, and sinuses of cats.

Undescended testicle(s), or cryptorchidism, is a failure of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) of a cat’s testicles to properly settle into the scrotum during development.

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

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,

Ticks are small, parasitic arachnids found worldwide year round. Ticks feed on the blood of their hosts which allows them to transmit diseases

A cat is considered obese when its weight exceeds 20% of its estimated ideal body weight.

Dental disease is an umbrella term for a number of disorders that affect the teeth, gums, and tooth support structures. In cats, the most common forms are gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth resorption (FORLs).

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