Allergies are one of the most common health conditions in the world. Everybody knows someone who suffers mightily during allergy season, when certain molds and pollens prevail more in the environment. Unfortunately, our feline companions experience the same kinds of allergies that we humans experience, causing them the same kind of misery.

How allergies happen

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances called allergens, foreign proteins that the immune system tries to attack and remove. Allergens themselves are fairly harmless; it’s the aggressive immune response that causes the problem.

Allergens enter the body in a variety of ways:

• Inhalation (dust, mold, pollen)
• Indigestion (food)
• Through the skin (insect bites)

Allergic cats will show different symptoms, depending on the route that the allergen enters the body:

Respiratory: sneezing, runny nose, eye discharge (upper respiratory) or coughing and wheezing (lower
respiratory).

Dermatologic: itchy skin, possibly with scabs and/or hair loss.

Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Cough and sneeze

When airborne allergens irritate the respiratory system in humans, they commonly cause sneezing; itchy, red eyes; and a runny nose. Although these upper respiratory signs are sometimes seen in cats, it’s more common for airborne allergens to cause a response in the lower respiratory tract (the lungs).

In this situation, the cat inhales the allergen, which triggers a hypersensitivity reaction. The airways constrict, and glands in the airways secrete mucus to trap the allergen and prevent it from migrating further into the lungs. The cough reflex also initiates to expel the trapped allergen. Cats who respond to inhaled allergens in this way are said to have allergic bronchitis. A more familiar term for this condition is asthma.

Do a dietary elimination trial, in which your cat is fed a diet containing a protein source she hasn’t encountered before (like duck, rabbit or venison), to obtain a definitive diagnosis.

Scratch, chew, lick

Although airborne allergens can trigger respiratory signs in cats, it’s more common for these allergens to affect the skin. When this occurs, we call the condition atopic dermatitis or atopy.

Common airborne allergens include house dust, pollens, molds, grasses and mildew. Cats with atopy are often very itchy, and they manifest this by scratching their skin and grooming excessively, which often results in hair loss.  Some cats will develop small scabs all over their body, a condition called miliary dermatitis (because the small, crusty scabs resemble millet seeds). Cats with atopy may show signs only during certain seasons, when the particular allergen is prevalent, although signs can be seen year-round as well, if the allergen is constantly present in the environment (house dust, for example).

Contact dermatitis is a fairly uncommon skin disorder in which the skin reacts to an external substance that it comes into contact with. Sometimes the skin becomes inflamed because the substance itself is irritating or caustic, like household cleaners. This irritant contact dermatitis should be distinguished from allergic contact → dermatitis in which the skin becomes inflamed because the cat is allergic to the substance that is contacting the skin, such as flea collars, certain plants, synthetic carpet material, bedding (especially wool) and some shampoos.  Allergic contact dermatitis is fairly rare in cats; I’ve only seen two or three cases at my cat hospital over the past few decades.

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common allergy in cats. When fleas bite a cat, they deposit their saliva into the skin before they draw their blood meal. (How’s that for a disgusting thought?) Some cats are allergic to proteins in the flea’s saliva, and they can show a severe skin reaction, even from one flea bite. The itching can be intense, and cats will often lick and chew excessively at their skin, especially around the base of the tail. Fortunately, there are now many topical flea-control products that are designed to kill fleas as soon as they jump on a cat, before they get a chance to bite, giving relief to most flea-allergic kitties.

Scratch, vomit, diarrhea

Adverse reactions to food may manifest themselves via the skin. In cats, the most common foods associated with food allergy include chicken, fish, beef and dairy. Even if a cat has been consuming an ingredient for a long time, he can still develop an allergy to it later in life. Severe generalized itching, miliary dermatitis, localized itching around the head, neck, ears and face, and self-inflicted hair loss due to over-grooming may be seen. A few cats will scratch so much that they cause trauma to their skin, and a bacterial skin infection may develop in the traumatized areas.

Some cats with food allergy develop gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and/or diarrhea. These gastrointestinal signs can occur with or without concurrent skin symptoms.

Dietary elimination trials, in which the cat is fed a diet containing a protein source they haven’t encountered before (such as duck, rabbit or venison) are necessary to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Most veterinary offices sell prescription diets that contain proteins that are new to the cat. There are also prescription diets in which the protein has been hydrolyzed (pre-digested) into molecules that are too small for the immune system to recognize.

These dietary trials require patience on the part of the owner, as it may take anywhere from three to 12 weeks before improvement in the skin is noted. Cats who only experience gastrointestinal signs from their food allergy often show improvement much more rapidly when fed a hypoallergenic diet. Once a diet is found that resolves the cat’s symptoms, the cat will need to be on that diet long-term. Avoid cat treats should be avoided, as they might contain a protein source that triggers the reaction.

The ideal treatment for allergies is to avoid the allergen. This may be possible with allergic contact dermatitis, food allergy and flea allergy but may be difficult or impossible with inhalant allergy. Fortunately, there are numerous treatments and medications available for allergic conditions in cats, allowing our feline companions to live much more comfortable lives.

• Also see: Can Cats Be Allergic to Humans? Quick Facts & Other Allergies Cats Can Have

The post Combat Common Feline Allergies by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

A few years ago, I owned a wonderful and unique polydactyl cat named Mittens. She had many distinguishing personality traits and quirky characteristics in addition to her giant front feet. But Mittens was a vomiter.

If I came home and there was a puddle of cat vomit somewhere in the apartment, there was little doubt as to which of my cats was the culprit. Mittens was considerate enough to make a few bizarre vocalizations before she vomited, which was her way of saying to me, “You have 20 seconds to run and get some paper towels,” and most of the time I slid those towels in front of her just in the nick of time, sparing the couch or the rug.

Initially, the episodes were infrequent (maybe once a month), but as time went on, the frequency increased, and it became apparent that this wasn’t just a “sensitive stomach.” As a cat veterinarian, I had my suspicions, and after a variety of tests, they were confirmed. Mittens had inflammatory bowel disease.

What is IBD?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in which an excessive amount of inflammatory cells infiltrate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing it to become chronically irritated and inflamed. All ages, genders and breeds can be affected, but it is most common in middle-aged and older cats.

The exuberant inflammatory response can affect different regions of the GI tract: stomach, small intestine or colon (large intestine).

• If the stomach is the primary site, we call the condition gastritis.
• If it’s the small intestine, it is  termed enteritis.
• Inflammation of the large intestine is called colitis.

These all fall under the umbrella of inflammatory bowel disease.

Zeroing in on IBD

The clinical signs of IBD can mimic those of other disorders, making diagnosis challenging and necessitating a fairly extensive workup. For example, vomiting and weight loss are commonly seen in cats with kidney disease and/or hyperthyroidism, and these disorders need to be ruled out. Intestinal parasites, viral infections (like feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus), food allergy and gastrointestinal cancer must also be considered when evaluating cats with the above clinical signs.

In cases of IBD, routine laboratory tests are often normal. On a biochemistry panel, an increase in the liver enzymes is sometimes seen, as some cats with IBD will have concurrent cholangiohepatitis — inflammation of the liver and bile ducts.

Abdominal X-rays might help rule out conditions such as a GI obstruction or an abdominal tumor, but they are ineffective for diagnosing IBD. Ultrasound provides more information, such as whether the intestinal walls are thicker than normal, if the pancreas is concurrently inflamed and if the lymph nodes associated with the GI tract are enlarged, findings that support (but still don’t confirm) a diagnosis of IBD.

To definitively diagnose feline IBD, biopsy specimens from the GI tract must be obtained in one of two ways:

1. Endoscopy is a procedure in which a long, flexible snake-like probe (the endoscope) enters the GI tract through the cat’s mouth (“upper GI endoscopy”) or anus (“lower GI endoscopy”), in order to visualize the internal lining of the GI tract and obtain biopsy specimens. Endoscopy offers advantages over surgery in that it is much less invasive; cats usually can go home the same day.

A significant limitation of endoscopy is that the endoscope can only reach the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). The sections further along the intestine (the jejunum and ileum) cannot be accessed with an endoscope. Another limitation of endoscopy is that the biopsy specimens obtained by this method consist only of the intestinal lining rather than a full-thickness biopsy of the intestinal tract. This can occasionally result in a misdiagnosis.

2. Exploratory surgery is more invasive, but allows better quality intestinal biopsy specimens to be taken. During surgery, the liver, pancreas and abdominal lymph nodes can also be inspected and biopsied if warranted. Your veterinarian will discuss with you, in detail, the pros and cons of each procedure and which would be most appropriate for your cat. Both procedures — endoscopy and abdominal exploratory surgery — require general anesthesia.

Treating IBD

Treatment involves suppression of the inflammatory response in the GI tract, usually through the use of prescription diets and immunosuppressive drugs.

Because dietary allergens have been implicated in some cases, a hypoallergenic diet may produce significant improvement. A hypoallergenic diet contains a protein source that the cat has never been exposed to before. There are numerous commercially manufactured hypoallergenic diets with novel protein sources, such as rabbit, venison and duck. There are also prescription diets in which the protein has been hydrolyzed into fragments that are too small to be detected by the immune system, preventing it from overreacting. These diets alone are inadequate at inducing long-lasting remission in cats with IBD.

Corticosteroids are the most commonly prescribed immunosuppressive drugs for IBD. Typically, oral prednisolone is given for at least two to four weeks. If clinical signs resolve, the dosage is slowly tapered until the lowest effective dose is reached. In cases of severe inflammation in which a dietary change and prednisolone are ineffective, other immunosuppressive drugs can be added to the protocol.

Although IBD isn’t curable, most cats respond well to treatment and live good quality, comfortable lives. After her diagnosis (at age 6), my Mittens responded well to treatment and lived relatively symptom-free for another eight years.

The post Help for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Of the many differences between cats and dogs, one of the more obvious ones is the way they breathe. Dogs mainly breathe with their mouths open, while cats generally breathe with their mouths closed. Because cats rarely do it, the sight of a cat panting or breathing with his mouth open is something to pay attention to. There are several reasons why a cat might pant or show labored breathing — some benign and some not so benign.

Heavy Breathing in Cats: When to Call the Vet

1. Cats will sometimes pant if they’re playing very boisterously. This is much more common in kittens, who run and wrestle and sometimes just don’t know when to stop! While the panting isn’t anything to worry about, if you see it occurring, calmly separate the kittens, let them catch their breath and then just monitor them during future frantic play sessions.
2. Cats tolerate heat quite well, but when in a situation where it gets too hot, they may start to pant. Examples are when they are in a car or other closed-in space and have no access to a shady, cooler spot.

Humans have sweat glands all over their bodies, allowing for efficient dissipation of heat. Cats have sweat glands on the pads of their paws and between their toes. This is not enough surface area to effectively regulate their body temperature. To prevent themselves from overheating, they pant, dissipating the excess heat via evaporation.

3. Stress is another reason for cats to pant. As a veterinarian, I’ve seen this countless times. Cats are averse to traveling, and they clearly dislike being confined to a cat carrier. I’ve had many cats arrive at my practice agitated and panting, and I’ve had to quickly triage them to make sure that the panting is just from stress and not from something more nefarious.
4. Cardiac conditions can cause labored breathing in cats. Cardiomyopathies (disorders of the heart muscle) are, sadly, fairly common in cats. In many cases, these conditions progress slowly.

Cats, being adept at hiding their signs of illness, may not reveal that there’s a problem until late in the game, when congestive heart failure begins to develop. Fluid may build up in and around the cat’s lungs, resulting in labored breathing. The respiratory rate increases, and although the cat may outwardly be at rest, the chest is noticeably moving in and out, giving the appearance as if the cat has just jogged around the block a few times. Severely affected cats may breathe with their mouths open, which is a dire sign.

Early intervention is crucial if a cat is to recover. If you think your cat’s breathing might be labored but aren’t completely certain, err on the cautious side and have the cat promptly examined.

5. Respiratory disorders can also cause labored breathing in cats and are very common. The most common of these are viral upper respiratory infections (URIs) and often result in nasal discharge that obstructs the flow of air through the nostrils, making it difficult for cats to breathe. The labored breathing associated with URIs generally isn’t too worrisome, as it is due to nasal and sinus congestion, rather than a lung disorder, which would be a greater concern. The nasal congestion from a URI tends to be noisy rather than labored, and rarely causes cats to breathe with their mouths open.

However, I’ve had a few overbred Persian cats in my practice, with markedly flat faces and exceptionally tiny nostrils, acquire a URI, and these cats really paid the price. The nasal discharge completely obstructed their nostrils, and they were forced to breathe with their mouths open. As we’ve noted, breathing with the mouth open is not natural for cats, and these poor kitties were miserable, barely able to sleep, until their colds resolved.

Asthma is a very common respiratory disorder in cats and is very similar to asthma in humans. The airways in asthmatic cats are hyper-reactive and may undergo spontaneous constriction or narrowing when exposed to certain substances or allergens. Asthmatic cats develop increased mucus in their airways, airway inflammation, coughing, wheezing and labored breathing.

Most cats present to the veterinarian with a history of chronic coughing, but some cats present with acute, severe signs — wheezing, labored breathing, and sometimes panting or open-mouth breathing, the so-called “asthma attack.” An asthma attack is a veterinary emergency that requires immediate care. Asthma tends to respond well to treatment with anti-inflammatory medications (given orally or via specially designed kitty inhalers) and bronchodilators (drugs that widen the air passages).

Breathing with the mouth open does not come naturally to cats, and they find it distressing. If your cat is panting and you’ve ruled out the common causes, or if you suspect he’s breathing more heavily than normal, regardless of whether his mouth is open or not, his abnormal breathing pattern may be a sign of something more serious, and prompt veterinary care is necessary to determine the cause.

Panting Versus Labored Breathing: What to Look for

• Panting in cats looks similar to panting in dogs.
• Panting tends to occur acutely from environmental factors, such as overheating, anxiety or overexertion.
• Labored breathing (the medical term is dyspnea) tends to develop slowly over time, sometimes days or weeks.
• Labored breathing could be a sign of a serious medical

Feature Image Credit: Zhuravlev, Andrey, Shutterstock

The post Heavy Breathing in Cats: When to Call the Vet by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

There are few things more exciting than bringing a cat or a kitten into your home for the first time. Before an adult cat or kitten takes up permanent residence in your home, a visit to the veterinarian is in order to make sure things start out on the right paw. Let’s review your kitty’s wellness checklist.

1. Check for FeLV and FIV

First things first: Confirm your new cat’s virus status. It’s hard to imagine an adoption agency placing a cat for adoption without testing for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FeLV is one of the most feared viruses in cats. Adult cats who contract this virus may live for months (or perhaps years) if well-cared for at home, but kittens who contract FeLV rarely survive more than a few weeks after the diagnosis is made.

FIV is the feline equivalent of human HIV. It’s not as deadly as FeLV, but it’s still a significant concern. Cats who test positive for FIV eventually become more susceptible to a variety of infectious diseases and cancers as the virus slowly weakens the immune system. Even if the cat has been tested by the adoption facility, I recommend repeating the test at the first visit so there is no doubt.

2. Confirm your cat has been spayed or neutered

Cats and kittens are wonderful, but there is no need to bring any more of them into the world. Many shelters spay or neuter kittens very early, around 8 weeks of age. It would be quite surprising for an adoption facility to release an adult cat who hasn’t been sterilized.

If your kitten hasn’t been sterilized, it should be done as soon as practical, typically around 5 months of age. For male cats, the reproductive status is easy to confirm: Just lift up the tail and take a peek. If a female cat has been adopted out and there are no records to indicate that she has been spayed, your veterinarian can shave the abdomen and look for a spay scar.

3. Get vaccinations

To ensure that cats remain healthy, their vaccination status must be current. Feline vaccinations are categorized as either “core” or “non-core.” Core vaccinations are those that every cat should receive. Non-core vaccinations are those that may or may not be necessary, depending on that cat’s lifestyle.

CORE: All cats should be vaccinated against the herpes and calicivirus. These viruses are the main culprits in causing upper respiratory infections. Panleukopenia is a viral disease that causes severe (sometimes fatal) diarrhea in kittens and is also a core vaccine. All cats should be vaccinated against rabies, as well.

Other non-core vaccines are available for cats (Bordetella, Chlamydia, etc.). Whether they are appropriate depends on your cat’s lifestyle. Your veterinarian can advise you further.

4. Examine for URIs

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are common in newly adopted cats, especially kittens. They’re mainly viral in nature and can often cause:

✤ sneezing

✤ watery eyes

✤ runny nose

✤ drooling

✤ congestion

✤ fever

✤ poor appetite

The herpes virus is the most common respiratory virus, causing profuse sneezing and nasal discharge. The calicivirus causes milder respiratory signs; however, it can cause painful mouth ulcers, especially on the tongue. Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) in both eyes often accompanies these symptoms.

Treatment of URIs consists of supportive care in the form of oral antibiotics, oral antivirals and medicated eye ointments. As mentioned above, there are vaccines against these viruses, and all cats should be vaccinated and kept current on these vaccines.

5. Look for parasites

Gastrointestinal parasites are a common finding in cats and kittens who have come from a multi-cat environment. Roundworms and hookworms can accumulate in the digestive tract, depriving a kitten of valuable nutrients during this vulnerable stage in their life.

Coccidia are protozoan parasites often found in kittens that have come from an unsanitary environment. Diarrhea flecked with blood, accompanied by straining and increased frequency of defecation, are classic signs of coccidiosis. Adult cats, fortunately, are less commonly affected. You should bring a fecal sample to the veterinarian during that first visit, if possible, to make sure your cat is free of internal parasites.

6. Search for ear mites

Ear mites are pesky, microscopic bugs that live in the ears, causing intense itching and constant discomfort. Kittens are more commonly affected than adults, and the incidence is higher in cats from a multi-cat environment, such as a shelter, cattery or pet store.

Kittens with ear mites sometimes scratch their ears so vigorously as to cause bleeding, and severe infestations can cause rupture of the eardrum and inflammation of the middle ear, resulting in balance and coordination problems. Ear mites often manifest as an accumulation of dry, brown, crusty material in the ear canals.

During that first exam, your veterinarian will examine the ears and will sample any debris, if present, for evaluation under the microscope. If mites are seen, there’s no need to worry, as they are easily treated.

7. Scrutinize for ringworm

Ringworm is the most common infectious skin disease of cats. Despite the name, ringworm is a fungus, not a worm. The classic appearance of ringworm is one or more areas of patchy hair loss, accompanied by some scaling and crusting. Any part of the body can be affected, but it has a particular affinity for the head, especially the hair around the eyes, ears, nose and lips.

Long-haired cats, especially Persians and Himalayans, are more commonly affected than short-haired cats. Ringworm is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be spread to humans. I’ve seen many cat owners become afflicted along with their cats during an outbreak.

Ringworm is treatable with oral medication and shampoos, but it is a major nuisance. All cats (especially kittens) coming from a multi-cat environment should be thoroughly checked for ringworm during that first veterinary exam.

8. Fight fleas

Fleas will always be a major annoyance to cats (and their owners), so seek out flea solutions.

Fleas cause itchiness and are associated with a variety of disorders in cats, such as bartonellosis, flea allergic dermatitis and tapeworms. Fleas feed on blood, and severely infested kittens can experience life-threatening anemia from blood loss.

Fortunately, there have been major breakthroughs in the field of flea control, making old-fashioned sprays, powders and shampoos obsolete. Oral medications kill fleas rapidly, and topical preparations, usually administered once a month, provide long-term flea control. (Some of these products control internal parasites as well, giving cat owners additional bang for their buck.)

The safest and most effective products are available only through veterinarians. Beware of over-the-counter products packaged to mimic the veterinary products. These may contain permethrin which, in concentrated doses, can cause severe and often fatal toxicosis if applied to cats and kittens.

Adopting a kitten or adult cat is a rewarding experience. They relieve loneliness and are good for your mental and physical health. Ensuring your cat’s good health is key to making sure your cat sticks around for the long haul, and it all begins with that first post-adoption veterinary visit.

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Cats are living longer than ever. When I began my veterinary career, a 20-year-old cat was a rarity. Now, I see at least a dozen every year. It’s wonderful that we get to spend additional years with our beloved companions, but increased longevity is a double-edged sword.

A longer life span also means more time for cats to develop disorders associated with aging. Advances in veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics have allowed for improved management of age-related medical conditions such as cancer, arthritis and kidney disease; however, there’s another age-associated ailment for which there is still no definitive treatment: the decline in cognitive ability as a cat grows older.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is a slow, degenerative condition of the brain that leads to impairment of a cat’s cognitive ability. Affected cats show difficulty with learning, memory and awareness. People often use lay terms like feline dementia, senility and even “kitty Alzheimer’s” (as a client of mine used to call it), and I have no issue with this, as most people can relate to these terms and understand their implications.

Signs of CDS

A number of behavioral changes can be seen in cats with CDS, such as these six:

1. Disorientation, which is the most common. Cats may appear lost or confused despite having lived in their environment for years. Many years ago, I adopted a 10-year-old cat named Ethel who lived, impressively, for an additional 10 years. Around age 17, her behavior began to change. One morning, I placed a bowl of canned food on her placemat, and she wandered over to eat. Five steps before arriving at the bowl, she slowed to a halt, sat down and stared blankly around the room. After a minute, I picked her up and carried her the remaining few steps to the bowl. She saw the bowl, bent down and began eating as usual. Apparently, she had forgotten, in mid-stride, why she was walking toward her placemat. Cats with CDS may wander behind furniture and get trapped, get stuck in the corner of a room or sometimes just stare off into space.
2. Changes in social interaction. Some cats may become very clingy. Others may get cranky, irritable or anxious with their owners. I’ve had a few clients tell me that their cat no longer seems to recognize them. (Ethel became very clingy, which I didn’t mind at all.)
3. Less frequent grooming
4. Decreased appetite
5. Altered sleep-wake cycles. A cat who previously slept through the night may now wake up in the middle of the night and pace or wander, sometimes vocalizing loudly.
6. Inconsistent use of the litter box. This is a commonly reported symptom of CDS, possibly because they can’t always remember where their litter box is located.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing CDS can be tricky because many of the signs may be subtle. Mild changes in mood, grooming behavior and appetite are often dismissed as being a normal part of aging when, in fact, they’re part of the syndrome. In addition, some of the medical conditions seen in older cats can mimic behavioral changes in CDS.

For example, cats with hyperthyroidism often vocalize loudly, and cats with arthritis may have trouble getting in and out of their litter box, resulting in them seeking alternative places to eliminate. It’s important to have a veterinarian examine your cat to rule out medical causes for the behavioral changes.

According to one study, approximately 28% of cats aged 11 to 14 will show at least one behavioral sign related to CDS. Thisincreases to 50% for cats over the age of 15.

Treatment

There are no FDA-approved treatments for feline CDS. The goal of treatment is to support the cat’s current cognitive function, relieve any anxiety and improve the cat’s welfare as best as possible. Maintaining a stimulating environment to keep the cat’s mind engaged can slow the progression and perhaps even improve cognitive function. This can be achieved through a regular exercise schedule, use of interactive toys, placing a bird feeder outside the cat’s favorite window, etc.

Pharmaceutical options for feline CDS are lacking. The drug selegiline (brand name Anipryl) is FDA-approved only for canine CDS, not feline CDS. Use of this drug in cats is considered to be “off-label.” Large, controlled studies are lacking; however, a small open trial using selegiline showed a positive effect in cats, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners supports the use of this drug for feline CDS.

S-adenosylmethionine (brand name Novifit) has shown some benefit in cats with mild to moderate cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that this drug may be most useful if given in the early stages of CDS. A number of other products and supplements have been suggested as being potentially beneficial (antioxidants, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids), and there are many nutritional supplements that are marketed as being cognition-enhancing, but controlled studies of their efficacy are lacking.

Diets rich in vitamin E and antioxidants may slow the progression of CDS, and many prescription diets for seniors contain increased amounts of these substances. For cats whose main symptom of CDS is heightened anxiety, anti-anxiety medication may provide some relief. A little extra love and attention is something all cats enjoy, but it may be especially beneficial for cats with CDS.

Although CDS is progressive, affected cats usually have a good quality of life, especially if the owner is aware of the condition and provides the cat with the emotional and environmental support it needs.

Senior Cat House Rules

Adjust Kitty’s environment to make it more senior-friendly and make your cat more comfortable.

✤ Important resources like food, water, and the litter box should be readily accessible; elderly cats should not have to walk up and down a flight of stairs to access these resources.

✤ Night-lights should be used to illuminate dark areas and hallways to help the cat locate his food and litter box more easily.

✤ Add another litter box to the household to help reduce accidents in the house. Litter boxes with low sides are preferable, as they are easier for the cat to enter and exit.

✤ Any alterations to the environment should be gradual and discreet; predictability and consistency take on increased importance as cats age. Now is not the time to renovate the house, rearrange the furniture or introduce a new pet to the household.

The post How to Deal with Cognitive Decline in Cats by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Common Causes of Tearing in Cats

The medical term epiphora means excessive tearing. In general, when we investigate the reasons for epiphora, we can narrow it down to two broad categories: excessive tear production or inadequate tear drainage.

Tearing is the proper response by the eyes when something is irritating them. Dust, chemicals, smog and smoke can trigger an increase in tearing in cats, just like it does in humans. When the irritant goes away, the epiphora usually resolves. Sometimes, however, the irritant persists, and the tearing becomes chronic.

A common cause of epiphora in cats is a condition called entropion, which occurs when the eyelid (usually the lower lid) rolls inward. The fur on the eyelid will be in direct contact with the cornea. Anyone who’s ever gotten a grain of sand or a stray eyelash in their eye knows that the cornea is loaded with pain receptors, and the constant contact of the hair with the cornea leads to persistent tearing.

Applying ointment to the cornea can soothe the eye and helps form a barrier between the hair and the cornea, but this is just a temporary fix. The treatment of entropion is surgical: a wedge of skin below the affected eye is removed, and the edges of the defect are sutured together. This will cause the eyelid to roll back outward, taking the hair off of the cornea and giving the cat some relief.

Corneal ulcers (scratches or abrasions to the corneal surface) are another cause of epiphora. These are quite painful and will cause redness, squinting and tearing, and the cat will frequently rub at the eye. Left untreated, a corneal ulcer can persist and progress, and if the ulcer goes deep enough, the eye could rupture and vision could be lost. (More about corneal ulcers and their treatment in my column from last year’s September/ October issue of Catster, which is online at www.catster.com.) Infections, allergies and other types of eye injuries also cause excessive tear production.

Once we’ve ruled out the common causes of excessive tear production, we focus our attention on problems with tear drainage. Normally, tears drain from the eye into the cat’s nose and throat through a small duct located at the inner corner of the eye. Sometimes, the tears can’t drain because the opening of the duct is blocked. Cats who have had eye inflammation due to severe respiratory infections (often as kittens, especially if coming from a shelter or pet store) often develop scarring at the opening of the tear duct, preventing proper drainage.

If a blocked tear duct is suspected, a cannula can be inserted into the duct (with the cat under anesthesia, of course) to try to unblock it. Some cats have a blocked tear duct because the duct failed to open during the cat’s development. This can be corrected surgically. Brachycephalic cats (flat-faced breeds like Himalayans and Persians) usually have anatomical abnormalities of their tear ducts. This, along with their big eyes and shallow eye sockets, predisposes these breeds to epiphora. The tears fail to enter the tear duct and instead roll down their face.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing a tear drainage problem in cats is easy (and is actually a little bit of fun). A drop of fluorescent yellow dye is placed in the cat’s eye. The tear duct runs from the corner of the eye to the nose. If the duct is open, the dye makes its way to the nose, and the cat’s nose will appear to glow in the dark under a black light. It looks freaky, and kids find it fascinating. (Adults, too!) If the nose doesn’t light up, we can’t say with 100% certainty that the tear duct is blocked, but it would surely warrant further investigation.

If an underlying cause for epiphora can be identified and treated, most cases resolve. Cats with anatomical issues, however, are probably destined to a life of watery eyes and wet faces. Tears do contain a small amount of pigment, and cats with light-colored fur may show some reddish-brown tear staining of the fur beneath the eyes. The staining is harmless, but many owners find it unsightly.

A variety of products are available to help minimize the staining; however, a veterinarian should be consulted beforehand, to make sure the product is safe and FDA-approved. Products containing antibiotics should be avoided, as they can lead to bacterial resistance. I also recommend avoiding products with hydrogen peroxide, as this can be very irritating if it gets into the eye accidentally.

The post Blocked Tear Duct in Cats (Epiphora): Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Cat dental problems are among the most common medical issues seen in cats. If unaddressed, dental problems can lead to a variety of consequences including bad breath, loose teeth, oral pain and difficulty eating.

In my experience, the most common feline dental emergency is a sudden inability to eat because of a mouth that has been severely neglected. While humans see their teeth in the mirror daily during toothbrushing, most people do not check their pet’s teeth regularly, if at all. I’ve had many cats come to my hospital for sudden loss of appetite, and upon examination I discovered an infected, diseased mouth with loose and missing teeth, bleeding gums, severe dental tartar and breath that would make your eyes water.

Invariably, the owner insists that the cat had been eating fine just until that morning and, given their stoic, resilient nature, I’m sure this is true for many of these cats. Because the mouth is painful to the point that the cat can no longer eat, this is indeed a veterinary emergency, requiring dental X-rays, a dental cleaning, tooth extraction, antibiotics and possible hospitalization with nutritional support until the cat is feeling better and can resume eating.

What are the signs of cat dental problems?

Sometimes it can be challenging to tell if a cat is experiencing oral discomfort, because cats are secretive by nature. Occasionally, cats will show you that their mouth is hurting by:

• pawing at it
• drooling
• deliberately turning their head to one side as they eat, to avoid chewing on the side of the mouth that’s painful
• refusing to eat dry kibble and only eating canned food

At what point is a dental/oral issue considered to be an emergency? As a feline practitioner, there are several scenarios that I feel require immediate attention.

Trauma to the oral cavity

Hard tissue trauma involves injury to bone tissue and can result in fractures, often accompanied by oral pain, bleeding, loss of function and susceptibility to infection. The trauma can be from a high-energy impact (falling from a height, a bullet, BB or other projectile), a bite from another animal or a previous, progressive pathological condition that can weaken the facial bones or teeth, such as a tumor.

Soft tissue trauma tends to damage structures like the tongue, the soft palate or the oral mucosa (the tissue that lines the oral cavity). Foreign bodies (like a fish hook), impalement and caustic liquids can cause soft tissue trauma.

Initial stabilization of cats with oral trauma requires pain control and antibiotics. Definitive treatment depends on the nature of the trauma and may require surgical repair.

Tooth fractures

A broken tooth is a dental emergency. When a tooth is fractured, the pulp cavity inside becomes exposed, causing pain. Bacteria can enter the exposed pulp cavity, causing eventual infection.

A tooth with exposed pulp should be extracted promptly. Advances in veterinary endodontics have made it possible to treat and salvage some fractured teeth, and a referral to a veterinary dentist can be pursued if the client is so inclined. These treatments are costly, and most cat owners opt for extraction.

Inability to open or close the mouth

This is an infrequent problem, though it does occur occasionally. Masticatory muscle myositis, an inflammatory condition in which the chewing muscles become inflamed, can hinder the opening of the mouth. Fortunately, this condition is very rare in cats.

Tetanus is a bacterial infection that can cause all of the muscles to become rigid, including the facial muscles, preventing the mouth from opening (“lockjaw”). Tetanus is also quite rare in cats.

A retrobulbar abscess (a pocket of infection behind one of the eyeballs) can cause the eyeball to protrude. Although affected cats can open their mouth, they often resist because of the acute pain that results when they do. Thankfully, this too is uncommon. (I’ve seen one case in my career, and that was in a dog.)

An inability to close the mouth is more common than inability to open it, with the most common reason being a dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In simple terms, the mandible (lower jaw) pops out of the joint. This can happen from simple, accidental trauma. It results in the teeth being improperly aligned, and affected cats suddenly find themselves unable to close their mouths. This causes immediate distress and agitation, and many cats will anxiously paw at their mouth. Sedation (or full anesthesia) may be necessary to return the jaw back into the proper position.

I’ve treated a few cases of this over the years. When I was an intern (back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth) one of my professors showed me a technique in which a pencil is used as a fulcrum to pop the mandible back into place. A full description of this procedure is beyond the scope of this article, but all feline practitioners seem to know this trick, and it works like a charm. Most cats return to normal immediately after the mandible is popped back into place.

Prevention is key!

Keep up your cat’s oral health with these dental essentials, all available on chewy.com and other pet supply retailers.

Time for a checkup

The best way to treat emergency conditions in cats is to prevent them from occurring. Some oral emergencies may be unavoidable; however, regular veterinary exams that include a thorough evaluation of the mouth can help prevent dental disease from progressing to a point where emergency treatment is required.

Featured Image: demaerre | Getty Images

Read Next: Why Dental Disease Is the Most Common Problem Cats Face

The post What is a Cat Dental Emergency? Health & Care Facts by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

My friends have heard me complain about my spouse’s loud snoring. A snoring cat, however, has never bothered me. My beloved cat Crispy, who died in 2017, was a notorious snorer.

I found her rhythmic respiratory sounds soothing and reassuring. If the environmental sound generator on my nightstand had a “Crispy Snoring” setting, I would dial it in every night.

Snoring occurs when the tissues in the upper airways (the nose and the back of the throat) vibrate during breathing. This is most likely to occur when cats are the most relaxed — when they’re sleeping. Also, any obstruction to the flow of air through the upper airways can contribute to the onset of snoring.

So, is it normal for a cat to snore? The short answer is … sometimes. There are harmless reasons for cats to snore and some not-so-harmless reasons.

Weird sleeping positions can cause cat snoring

The most harmless reason would be a weird sleep position. Cats are master contortionists. Positions that look bizarre to us are often perfectly comfortable for our feline friends.
A sleeping position in which the head is oddly twisted can sometimes result in snoring if that position causes slight narrowing of the air passages. This occurs with my cat, Glitter. If I call her name she’ll briefly awaken, then fall right back asleep with her head in a new position. The snoring usually disappears. Basically, this is the equivalent to nudging your snoring spouse, hoping their new sleep position is quieter.

Brachycephalics

Snoring is fairly common in brachycephalic cats — those with flat faces, like Himalayans, Burmese and Persians. These breeds have abnormal nasal anatomy. Their short nasal passages and smaller-than-normal nostrils can cause obstruction to airflow, resulting in snoring. Another common feature in these breeds is a soft palate that extends further back than other breeds. This elongated soft palate can partially block the entrance to the trachea (windpipe), making it tougher for air to pass through, contributing to snoring.

Obesity

Obesity can predispose cats to snoring. Excess fat may deposit in the tissues that surround the upper airways, narrowing the flow of air and making the respiratory sounds more audible, especially during sleep. Snoring is merely one of many reasons why cat owners should prevent their cats from becoming overweight.

Infections

Upper respiratory viral infections are common in cats, resulting in the same type of clinical symptoms that humans experience with colds: coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, and a stuffy nose. Not surprisingly, a cat with a respiratory infection is more prone to snoring. Cats with chronic sinusitis (persistent upper respiratory inflammation and infection) are lifelong noisy breathers and are notorious snorers.

Nasopharyngeal polyps

In young cats, a common cause of snoring is nasopharyngeal polyps (NPs). These are benign, pinkish-white growths that typically arise from the lining of the middle ear and extend into the nasopharynx (the back of the throat). The average age ranges from 14 months to 3 years, although I’ve seen many cases in kittens between 4 and 8 months.

While these masses are benign (not cancerous), they can grow to a size that causes obstruction of the nasopharynx. Affected cats don’t just snore when they are sleeping; they snore all the time, their loud breathing noises often mimicking those heard in Bulldogs and Pugs. In addition to noisy breathing, cats with NPs often have nasal discharge, gagging and trouble swallowing.

The most common approach to treatment of NPs involves removal of the polyp using gentle traction. The cat is anesthetized or is heavily sedated. Using a spay hook (a probe-like surgical instrument with a small curve at the end), the soft palate is retracted, revealing the polyp. The polyp is then grasped with forceps and gently pulled out. Polyps are growths with a small stalk, and it is imperative that the polyp is grasped by the stalk to ensure complete removal, otherwise it may regrow.

Removal of a nasopharyngeal polyp can be a very satisfying surgery for veterinarians, as the cat experiences immediate relief. I clearly recall my most memorable polyp case: an uncomfortable 5-month old kitten whose breathing could be heard across the room. My staff and I marveled at the dimensions of the polyp — almost the size of my thumb! When the anesthesia wore off, we had a happy, playful new kitten and a shocked (and delighted) owner.

While snoring can be a cute, quirky, harmless characteristic in many cats, it can sometimes be a sign of illness. If your typically quiet cat suddenly starts snoring, or the snoring becomes louder, or if your cat develops other symptoms along with the snoring like sneezing, poor appetite, weight loss or difficulty breathing, prompt examination by a veterinarian is warranted.

• Read Next: Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

Featured Image Credit: Magui RF, Shutterstock

The post Is Cat Snoring Normal? Facts & When to Worry by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Disease processes occur in the mouth more than anywhere else in a cat’s body. Dental disease is very common and, if untreated, it can lead to bad breath, swollen and bleeding gums, difficulty eating and oral pain. Cats are secretive by nature, and they often don’t reveal that they are experiencing oral discomfort. Occasionally, cats reveal that their mouth is hurting by drooling, deliberately turning their heads to one side as they eat to avoid chewing on the side of the mouth that’s painful and sometimes pawing at their mouths. Some might stop eating dry food because it’s become painful to crunch and will only eat wet food.

The Burmese cat is one of my favorite breeds. Adorable little faces aside, I loved my Burmese patients for how friendly and cooperative they are in the examination room. Whether it was a routine physical exam, taking an X-ray or obtaining a blood sample, they made my job easy.

Although all breeds of cat are susceptible to oral/dental disease, there is one enigmatic (and thankfully not very common) oral condition for which Burmese cats are particularly predisposed: feline orofacial pain syndrome (FOPS).

What FOPS looks like

The main noticeable signs of FOPS are exaggerated licking and chewing movements, with pawing at the mouth. Typically (but not always), the discomfort is unilateral or worse on one side. The signs of oral discomfort can be continuous (20% of cases) but it often comes in discrete episodes (80% of cases). These episodes of discomfort are often triggered by mouth movement, such as eating, drinking or grooming. Episodes can last a few minutes, or they can go on for several hours, with some people reporting a brief period of anxious behavior by the cat just prior to an episode.

Distracting the cat temporarily out of the episodes is possible in some cats. Severe cases can result in the cat damaging their tongue from the repetitive chewing motions or injuring their face from aggressive pawing. Most cats appear to be pain-free between episodes.

What breeds get it

Challenging treatment

There is no definitive diagnostic test for FOPS. Diagnosis is made based on the clinical signs (episodic licking, chewing, pawing at the face), breed and elimination of other causes for the clinical signs, such as a foreign body stuck in the mouth or throat, or another neurological disease that could affect the trigeminal nerve, such as cancer.

Treatment can be challenging. An Elizabethan collar can be used to prevent damage to the face by excessive pawing, or soft plastic nail caps can be applied to the paws. A referral to a veterinary dentist is worth considering, as dental issues can aggravate the condition; in one study, approximately 50% of cats with FOPS that underwent dental treatment had sustained improvement in clinical signs.

Because this is a painful condition, analgesics are the mainstay of treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be given but must be dosed carefully, as cats do not metabolize them very well. Pain medications such as gabapentin are often effective and may be given in combination with NSAIDs. In cases that respond poorly, anti-epileptic drugs should be considered, as some of these drugs have analgesic, desensitizing properties. Environmental factors should also be addressed. Identifying social incompatibility in a multi-cat household is important and, if present, steps should be taken to correct it.

The prognosis for FOPS is considered fair to good. Spontaneous remission may occur in a small percentage of cats, but most require treatment. Many cats (about 50%) respond to short-term medication during episodes. Some can be weaned off medication entirely or at least between recurrent episodes. About one-third of cats require long-term treatment. Sadly, despite treatment, some cats cannot be made comfortable. In that study of 113 cats with FOPS, 12% of the cats had to be euthanized due to treatment failure.

Fortunately, FOPS is a rare condition. In my 32 years of veterinary practice, I have yet to see or treat a case of it. Owners of Burmese cats should be aware of the condition and make sure that their cat receives regular veterinary checkups, with particular emphasis on dental care.

Featured photo: Yana Tatevosian | Getty Image

Read Next: Make Time for Tooth Care

The post Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS): Signs, Causes & Care (Vet Answer) by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Aside from being a thing of beauty, the feline eye is an important, delicate organ. Cats are predators, and their eyesight has evolved to assist them in hunting. As nocturnal creatures, cats are more sensitive to light. While they can’t see in total darkness, cats require only one-sixth the amount of light as that of a person to see. Their pupils can dilate three times larger than a human’s, and the cornea is bigger, allowing for more light to enter.

Occasionally, cats develop a problem with one or both eyes, especially the corneas. Anyone who has ever experienced having an eyelash trapped under a contact lens or a grain of sand blown into their eye quickly discovers that the cornea is teeming with pain receptors. A corneal ulcer — a scratch or scrape involving the cornea — is an uncomfortable, potentially vision-threatening disorder in cats.

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the clear membrane that covers the surface of the eyeball, essentially acting as a windshield. It is composed of several layers. The outer surface is called the epithelium. Just beneath the epithelium is the stroma. The innermost layer is called Descemet’s (pronounced “dessa-mets”) membrane.

Cats have developed well-refined mechanisms to prevent damage to their corneas. They have vibrissae (those big “whiskers” above their eyelids), which are good at detecting objects that approach their eyes, allowing them to take evasive action. Cats also have a well-developed blink response. In addition, they have a muscle attached to the back of their eyeball (the retractor bulbi muscle) that can pull the eyeball back into the socket. This allows a membrane (the nictitating membrane or “third eyelid”) to elevate, protecting the cornea.

Despite these sophisticated mechanisms, cats occasionally suffer trauma to the cornea, and an erosion or abrasion occurs on the corneal surface. As noted above, we call this open wound within the cornea a corneal ulcer. Most ulcers involve the surface epithelium. Some ulcers go a little deeper, into the stroma. If it goes further into the stroma all the way down to Descemet’s membrane, the ulcer is called a descemetocele (pronounced “dessa- meta-seal”), a perilous situation with little leeway. If the ulcer goes deeper, through Descemet’s membrane, the eyeball will rupture and vision will be lost.

The most frequent cause of corneal ulcers in cats is infection with the feline herpesvirus. Trauma is another common cause, such as a scratch from another cat, rubbing the eye on the carpet or an unexpected interaction with a plant or tree branch. Foreign bodies and chemicals can also abrade the cornea, but these are less likely scenarios. Eyelid disorders are another possible cause of corneal trauma. Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward, causing hair near the margin of the eyelid to contact the cornea. Over time, this can lead to an ulcer. I have surgically repaired many cases of entropion. Any breed of cat may acquire a corneal ulcer, but breeds with bulging eyes, such as Persians, are at increased risk.

Diagnosis

Because corneal ulcers are painful, most affected cats will show signs of discomfort, such as tearing, rubbing the eye and keeping the eye partly or completely closed. To prove that an ulcer is the cause of the discomfort, a fluorescein stain is usually performed. To perform this test, a drop of a fluorescent orange-colored liquid is applied to the cornea. If the cornea is intact, the dye washes smoothly over the corneal surface. If an erosion or ulcer is present, however, the dye will adhere to the ulcerated area and can be easily detected using a black light.

Treatment

Regardless of the cause, corneal ulcers must be treated promptly. The feline cornea is only 0.5 millimeters thick. Delaying therapy can lead to rupture of the eyeball and loss of vision.

Treatment varies, depending on the depth and severity of the ulcer. Antibiotic drops or ointment is applied to the cornea several times a day to prevent an infection from occurring.

How to administer eye medication

Treatment for corneal ulcers involves administering drops or ointments. Drops are often easier to administer. Ointments have the advantage of providing lubrication and allowing for increased contact time for the medication and are especially useful given at bedtime.  Ointment application involves using the thumb or forefinger to gently roll the lower eyelid downward. Ointment is then squeezed into the exposed space (called the “conjunctival sac”), and the eye is opened and closed by hand several times to evenly distribute the ointment over the eye. Approaching the eye from the outside corner can prevent the cat from seeing the tip of the tube, making administration a bit easier. Eye drops are instilled with the cat’s nose tilted slightly upward. To prevent contamination, the tip of the dropper bottle or ointment tube should not be touched by fingers or any other surface, and should not come into direct contact with the eye.

Irritation of the cornea often leads to spasm of a muscle inside the eye called the ciliary muscle. When this muscle spasms, it causes pain for the cat. Atropine drops or ointment applied to the affected eye causes paralysis of the ciliary muscle, reducing pain and discomfort. Atropine will cause the pupil to dilate widely, making the affected eye very sensitive to light and causing squinting, especially in bright light. Cats who rub at their eye a lot may need to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent further trauma. If the herpesvirus is the suspected cause, anti-viral medicine is warranted. Ulcers caused by the herpesvirus typically take longer to heal than superficial ulcers caused by trauma.
Superficial ulcers typically heal in three to five days. After a few days of ulcer treatment, the fluorescein stain test is performed again. If the cornea does not take up any stain, it is considered to be healed.

Deep ulcers that are at risk for perforating require more aggressive therapy, such as applying a special soft contact lens to the affected cornea or some type of surgical technique designed to cover the ulcer. A common surgical procedure is a conjunctival graft. In this procedure, a small piece of tissue adjacent to the cornea is sutured over the ulcer. This allows blood vessels to deliver nutrients, antibodies and infection-fighting cells to the damaged cornea, as well as providing mechanical support, in a similar fashion to how a skin graft promotes healing of a severe burn. Complicated cases like this require referral to a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

A corneal ulcer is a potentially vision-threatening condition. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment is required to preserve vision and keep cats comfortable.

Top photograph: SbytovaMN | Getty Images

Read Next: Cat Pupils: Here’s What Your Cat’s Eyes Are Telling You

The post Corneal Ulcer In Cats: Causes, Signs & Treatment Options by Dr. Arnold Plotnick appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.