The Cat Page


Animal Pet Doctor.com and The FoxNest Veterinary Hospital...Compassionate Care for Pets Since 1984

A lot of the medical information on this web site are interchangeable between dogs and cats. 

But some diseases and problems are more or less unique to cats. 

And of course, cats themselves are unique and fascinating creatures.

This page is devoted to my feline friends:



Total U.S. owned cat population  71 million

Of the 71 million, 87% are already neutered or spayed by their caring owners

Total unowned/feral cat population  est. 25-40 million

Number of cats *and dogs* entering shelters annually  8.3 million 

More than half of cats entering shelters are relinquished by their owners for reasons such as: a) moving b) landlord won't allow pet; c) too many animals in household; d) cost of pet maintenance; e) owner's personal problems; etc.

Approximately half of the cats entering shelters are unadoptable because they are too old, sick, have serious behavior problems, or are unweaned litters of unowned/feral cats.

Less than 1% of cats entering shelters are purebred


Feline Normal Values:

Normal Temperature range - 100.0 to 102.5
Average weight range - 6 to 14 lbs
Heart rate - up to 250 beats per minute 
Pulse rate - 110 to 130
Respiration - 20 to 30
Gestation - 62 days give or take a few days
Estrous Cycle - as often as every 15 to 21 days
Estrus - 2-4 days
Average life span - 10 to 18 years





ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol)  is Poisonous to Cats

Cats have less of the enzyme required to detoxify acetaminophen. As a result, there are many dangerous metabolites, or break-down products of this medicine that bind to red blood cells and other tissue cells, resulting in the destruction of these cells. There may also be direct damage to cells. As little as one regular strength tablet (325 mg) can poison a cat to the degree that it can develop noticeable clinical signs of illness. Two extra-strength tablets are likely to kill a cat.
More information about this and other poisons on our poison pages.



Clients who think cats trigger asthma in children might be mistaken

I thought this was interesting: 

A study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that high levels of cat allergen decrease the risk of asthma
by altering the body's immune response to cats.

Researchers measured the levels of antibodies in children and found that although low-to-medium amounts of cat allergen trigger allergies, high amounts reduce immunoglobulin antibodies and the likelihood of asthma.


Cat History...
Cats first came to Europe and the Middle East about 1000 B.C., most likely from Greek and Phoenician traders. The ancient Greeks and Romans also highly valued cats for their ability to control undesirable rodents. The cat was considered the guardian spirit of a household, and the symbol of liberty in Rome.

Domestic cats then spread throughout Asia, where they were used to protect the silkworm cocoons from rodents, which was vital to the silk industry. The people of the Orient greatly admired the mystery and beauty of the cat, and many writers and artists in Japan and China celebrated these animals in their art.

Click here for a short history of cats and a very interesting article about cat extermination in Australia


Heartworm Disease in Cats

Cases of heartworm disease in cats have been reported across the United States and many other countries. Heartworm disease is most common in areas where dogs are also at risk.

What are the signs?
The most common signs of heartworm disease in cats - coughing , vomiting, breathing difficulties, weight loss, and lethargy - are often mistaken for other conditions such as asthma, pneumonia and digestive problems.

In fact, most common clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats resembles bronchial asthma.

For more about heartworm disease in cats, please go to our section about heart disease:


Antifreeze Poisoning

Signs of antifreeze poisoning depend upon the time after ingestion. In the first few hours after ingestion the pet may be depressed and staggering and may have seizures. They may drink lots of water, urinate large amounts and vomit. The pet may appear to feel better but in a day or two get much worse as the kidneys fail. Signs of kidney failure include depression and vomiting. The amount of urine they pass will often decrease to a very small amount.
For more information about antifreeze poisoning, go to our section on urinary tract diseases    or to our page about   Anti-Freeze Poisoning

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

The cause of HCM is unknown, although certain breeds of cats appear to be predisposed. Middle-aged male cats may be more commonly affected. Sometimes heart muscle thickening similar to HCM can develop secondary to other disorders such as hyperthyroidism (elevated thyroid hormone) and systemic hypertension (elevated blood pressure).

For more information about this and other heart diseases of cats, please go to our section about heart disease.





Hyperthyroidism in the Cat

Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands. Hyperthyroidism occurs most commonly in older cats.  There are 2 thyroid glands located in the neck. One or both of the glands can enlarge and overproduce thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone affects the function of most organs in the body, so the signs of hyperthyroidism are quite variable.
Signs of hyperthyroidism can include:
·weight loss
·increased appetite
·increased activity and restlessness
·aggressive or "cranky" behavior
·a poor hair coat
·a fast heart rate
·increased water drinking
·increased urination
·periodic vomiting
·increased amount of  stool or diarrhea

More information soon
























On This Page:
Things of medical interest to the cat owner


More Cat Related Information On Other Pages:

Cats that just aren't feeling well..."What to expect when you go to the vet"

A Short History of Cats
and an interesting article about cat extermination in Australia

Vaccine Recommendations

Feline Heartworm Disease

Urine Spraying and Marking Behavior in Cats

Leukemia

Feline Aids

Feline Hyperthyroidism

Feline Heart Disease

Taurine Deficiency

Tylenol Sensitivity

Feline Reproduction & Sex

Feline Corona Virus FIP

Feline Upper Respiratory Disease

The Dog Page

Respiratory Diseases in the Cat and Dog

Home:AnimalPetDoctor

Respiratory: Feline Asthma

Respiratory: Feline Upper Respiratory Complex (Colds)

Respiratory: Kennel Cough in Dogs

Respiratory: Heartworm disease in dogs and cats

Respiratory: Pneumonia

Respiratory: Cancer

Respiratory: Fungal

Repiratory: Tracheal Collapse


Respiratory: Laryngeal Paralysis



Diseases People get from Pets

The Human Animal Bond

The Pharmacy Page

The Poison Page

Nutrition Page

Lumps, Bumps & Cancer

Veterinary Dentistry

Pet Sex & Reproduction

Ferrets, Rabbits, etc

The Dog Page






Comments about Spaying, Castration, and Declawing:
Please go to our page about surgery


Toxoplasmosis from Cats Please go to our page about Infectious Diseases


Arthritis in Cats    Go to our section on arthritis

Rabies in dogs and cats

Canine distemper (CDV) 

Canine parvovirus (CPV)

Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH)

Tracheobronchitis (CAV-2)
Kennel Cough

Leptospirosis

Lymes

Canine herpesvirus (CHV)


Toxic Shock Syndrome in Canines caused by Streptococcus

Brucellosis in Dogs

Ringworm


"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." 
- Robert A. Heinlein





"The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath."
--W. C. Fields



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