Articles
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Regular wellness exams and laboratory testing are designed to detect hidden disease in older cats, allowing earlier intervention to manage or slow the progress of the disease. Typical testing in senior and geriatric cats includes complete blood count (CBC) that assesses the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets; a biochemistry panel that provides information about the organs, electrolytes, blood sugar, and proteins; urinalysis that assesses kidney function and can identify inflammation or infection in the urinary tract; thyroid testing to identify hyperthyroidism; and blood pressure assessment to identify hypertension.
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Compounded medications are not approved by federal authorities. They are medications that have been altered to provide more accurate dosing or easier administration. They have not been tested for safety, stability, potency, or efficacy.
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Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. These diseases most often result in an abnormal mass of tissue (tumor). Cancer develops when damaged or abnormal cells survive and continue to divide when they should have died. This handout outlines some factors that can contribute to the development of cancer, as well as signs, tests, and treatments.
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Palatability describes how appealing a food is to a dog or cat and how readily they eat it. Understanding which ingredients improve palatability is important to pet food manufacturers. This article addresses several commonly asked questions about how to make pet foods as tasty as possible.
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Cats can have misalignment of the teeth much like people. In people, orthodontic care can be used to perfect a pleasing smile or create a functional bite. In cats, the goal is to make the mouth functional and pain free. Often, this involves moving, reducing the height of teeth, or extracting teeth.
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Wheat gluten + monosodium glutamate (brand name For-Bid) is a food additive commonly used to deter coprophagy (eating stool). Give as directed by your veterinarian. Side effects have not been reported. Do not use concurrently with steroids. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary clinic.
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Whipworms are intestinal parasites that can cause severe irritation to the intestines. Whipworm infection rarely affects cats. Large infestations of whipworm can cause watery diarrhea, weight loss, and general debilitation. Smaller infestations are likely to be asymptomatic.
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White willow bark is a supplement made from the bark of the white willow tree (Salix alba). The active ingredient in white willow bark is salicin, which is similar to the active ingredient in aspirin. It is most often used in cats and dogs to treat pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and to treat fever.
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Cats will always lick, but it is sometimes embarrassing when they lick their private parts. Licking after eliminating is normal; however, if your cat licks more frequently, or you notice other signs such as discharge; swollen or red penis, vulva, or anus; pustules; discoloration of the skin; or if your cat strains to urinate, see your veterinarian for help. Appropriate medical therapy can reduce your cat's discomfort.
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A cat's ability to smell is far more advanced than ours. Cats use their keen sense of smell, along with a visual assessment, to provide vital information about a new feline acquaintance. The way cats sniff rear ends can establish which of two cats is dominant and set the foundation of their relationship.