Keeping Your Family Cat Healthy and Safe
We understand how important your cat's health is to you. As a cat owner, you work hard to educate yourself on ways to keep your pet safe and healthy. The Cat Clinic of Cary values our role as a partner in your cat's veterinary health, and we know how overwhelming it can be looking for information. Below we have compiled a list of some of the most common feline diseases.
Hyperthyroidism is caused when a tumor in the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. These tumors are most often benign or non-cancerous in nature, with less than 3–5% of cats with hyperthyroidism contracting thyroid cancer.
Most often diagnosed in older cats, with 13 years being the average, the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are weight loss despite a good appetite and increased thirst. Feline patients are generally treated with medications that block the production of thyroid hormones. These medications can take a few weeks to take effect, and side effects are uncommon, especially if not experienced within the first three months of taking the medication.
Diabetes mellitus is the inability to produce enough insulin to balance the body's blood sugar levels. While it can be found in cats of average weight, it is generally found in overweight cats. Typical symptoms include increased thirst and urination. Blood tests done by your veterinarian will help develop an appropriate insulin therapy treatment that you administer at home through injections, in conjunction with dietary changes.
Chronic renal disease (CRD) refers to any kidney disease that has been present for more than a few months. There are many causes associated with CRD, including birth defects, high blood pressure, and infection. Symptoms include increased thirst and urination, vomiting and diarrhea, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Your veterinarian can use diagnostic blood and urine tests to confirm diagnosis. Depending on the severity of your cat's condition, your veterinarian can discuss a multitude of treatment options.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs when the ventricle walls of the heart thicken, which can lead to congestive heart failure. Symptoms of this disease are most commonly identified by your veterinarian while listening to your cat's heart during routine exams. Unfortunately, there is no cure for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but there are medications available to help slow down the progression and manage the disease.