Why Can Feline Diarrhea Be Difficult to Investigate? A single episode of diarrhea may follow a dietary change or stress, but persistent or recurrent gastrointestinal signs can have many possible causes. Infectious gastrointestinal disease in cats may involve viruses, bacteria, or protozoal parasites. Cornell notes that prolonged diarrhea, particularly when…

Why Do Cats Develop Respiratory Disease? Sneezing once or twice may not seem unusual, but persistent sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, conjunctivitis, fever, or reduced appetite can indicate respiratory disease. The term feline respiratory disease complex describes respiratory illness that may involve several viral and bacterial agents. Feline herpesvirus type…

Cats are experts at hiding discomfort. A skipped meal, an unusually quiet afternoon, or a little less interest in play may initially seem insignificant. However, subtle changes in appetite, energy, or behavior can sometimes be the first indication of an underlying health problem. Feline pancreatitis is one condition that can…

What is Feline Panleukopenia and Which Cats Does It Affect? Feline panleukopenia (FPV) is a highly contagious, often fatal disease of domestic and wild felids caused by feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), a parvovirus closely related to canine parvovirus. The virus targets rapidly dividing cells, primarily in the intestinal crypt epithelium,…

Every year on June 4, National Hug Your Cat Day offers a warm reminder of the bond between cats and their caregivers. June is also widely recognized as Adopt a Cat Month, making it a meaningful time to focus not only on affection, but also on responsible feline health care.…

Feline free thyroxine (fFT4) is a useful thyroid marker in cats, especially when hyperthyroidism is suspected but the diagnostic picture is not yet straightforward. Hyperthyroidism is most common in older cats, usually over 7 years of age, and typical signs include weight loss despite a good appetite, hyperactivity, increased vocalization,…

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that can weaken immune defenses over time. Many cats appear normal for years, but immune suppression can increase the risk of chronic oral disease, recurrent infections, and some cancers, so risk awareness and timely testing matter.     What is FIV and why…