Pregnancy in dogs and cats is not always obvious during its early stages. Changes in appetite, behavior, body weight, or abdominal size may develop as pregnancy progresses, but these observations alone cannot reliably confirm pregnancy. Relaxin is a hormone produced primarily by placental tissue during pregnancy. In dogs and cats,…
Why Are Skin Problems So Common in Cats and Dogs? Itching, hair loss, redness, scaling, crusting, and skin lesions are among the signs that frequently bring cats and dogs to veterinary clinics. However, similar-looking skin problems can have very different causes, ranging from allergies and parasites to bacterial and fungal…
Insulin is a major metabolic hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. One of its most important roles is helping regulate blood glucose by coordinating how glucose is used and stored throughout the body. Because insulin secretion is closely linked to blood glucose concentration, measuring insulin can provide…
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…
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus of cats that can cause immune suppression, anemia, and lymphoma. Many cats have no obvious signs early, so routine testing and prevention are key in shelters, multi cat homes, and for cats with outdoor exposure. What is FeLV and why does it…
Trichomonas foetus is a microscopic protozoan parasite that can affect different species in different ways. In cattle, it is best known for reducing reproductive performance through early pregnancy loss and infertility. In cats, it is an important cause of chronic large-bowel diarrhea, particularly in young animals and multi-cat environments. Because…









