What is FIV in a cat?
FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus) is a viral infection that affects cats. It causes affected animals to have a weaker immune system in comparison to non-FIV positive cats. FIV initially results in a short-lived illness which is often not noticed by a cat’s owner.
How do cats get FIV and FeLV?
In the case of FIV, saliva from an infected cat is the primary mode of transmission. The FeLV virus is shed through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk; it may be transmitted through mutual grooming, from queen (mother) to kitten, bite wounds, or rarely, through shared litterboxes and feeding dishes.
Is there a body condition score for cats?
Although there are a few systems out there, most veterinarians use a 1-9 system, and it’s something you can quickly learn so you can evaluate your cat. The Body Condition Score system is independent of the actual size of your cat, how muscular they are, or even how much fur they have.
Which is the most common heart disease in cats?
Although there are many types of potential heart problems in cats, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is by far the most common heart condition to affect the feline population. What Causes Heart Disease In Cats? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), heart disease in cats affects 1 of every 10 cats worldwide.
Why does my cat have a low BCs?
When you pet a cat with a low BCS, you can really feel the bones of the spine as well as those of the ribcage. Although there are other reasons these bones can stick out (particularly in old kitties that have thyroid, kidney, or other diseases), in a younger healthy cat, being too thin is the most common cause.
Is it normal for a cat to cough all the time?
Coughing on rare occasions (once every few months or even less frequently) could be normal, but most cats do not cough unless something is wrong. A cat’s respiratory system goes from the nose all the way to the lungs—including the nasal cavity (chamber of the nose), pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and lungs.
How often should I let my cat Pee?
You may need to keep a close eye on your cat to know for sure. It will also be important to know what is normal for your cat so that changes will be noticeable. One study, reported by DVM 360, indicated that cats produced an average of 28 ml/kg of urine every 24 hours.
What causes an older cat to have behavior problems?
In fact, it’s the most common reason that older cats are seen by behaviorists. Any number of medical problems can contribute to inappropriate elimination, including sensory decline, neuromuscular conditions that affect mobility, brain tumors, kidney dysfunction and endocrine system disorders.
What does it mean when your cat Pees a lot?
Increased volume (polyuria): If your cat is urinating larger than normal volumes, it’s called polyuria. Most of the time excessive urinating is a result of the body’s inability to regulate urine formation.
What kind of skin disease does my cat have?
Pemphigus in Cats. Pemphigus is a general designation for a group of autoimmune skin diseases involving ulceration and crusting of the skin, as well as the formation of fluid-filled sacs and cysts (vesicles), and pus filled lesions (pustules).
