Health

Advances in treatments are helping people born with congenital heart disease live longer and with greater quality of life. But not all structural problems with the heart can be permanently fixed in childhood. In fact, many treatments that help get these patients into adulthood often need revisiting later in life. Being born with congenital heart disease means being always mindful of your heart health. Some of these individuals, because they have been heart patients their whole lives, are mindful of their diet, exercise and risk factor control.

Cats dont develop gallstones the way we do. Ours are made from cholesterol. Cats stones usually consist of calcium and a bile pigment called bilirubin. However, just as in people, cats can have gallstones without any symptoms or ill effects. Unless a cat has an X-ray or ultrasound for some reason, his owner might never know he had the disorder.

Thank you for contacting us, and I am very sorry to hear about you kittys diagnosis. FeLV is a very common viral infection in cats, and while it is true that it often shortens the lifespan of infected cats (the average lifespan after diagnosis is approximately two-and-a-half years), it is important to note that infected cats can have a high quality of life for prolonged periods of time if they are managed appropriately.

Researchers at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in the U.K. have, for the first time, identified the bacteria associated with feline periodontitis. This condition, characterized by inflammation of the gums and other tissues, is estimated to affect two-thirds of cats over 3 years of age, causing pain, difficulty eating and tooth loss.

All cats face the risk of heart disease, from domestic shorthairs to prized rare breeds, but the signs can remain undetected for years before resulting in diminished or total loss of cardiac function. The challenge for owners is to be alert to subtle changes in their cats.

Come spring and fall, animal shelters across the country are flooded with newborn kittens often in need of round-the-clock care to help them survive, thrive and eventually be adopted. As adorable as shelter kittens may appear, how can you tell if theyre healthy?

Your cat is scratching, licking away sections of fur. His head, neck and ears itch. With the arrival of spring, you might suspect a flea infestation, but more likely allergies to airborne substances could be to blame. The usual suspects - pollens, molds and dust mites - can cause inflammation of the skin called feline atopic dermatitis (AD).

My 10-year-old domestic shorthaired cat has just been diagnosed with high blood pressure during a visit to his veterinarian. I was shocked to learn this, as he does not show any signs of having a problem, and I am now very concerned about how to keep him healthy. I am working with his veterinarian to treat him, but should I be restricting his salt intake?

Two different disorders in cats - inflammatory bowel disease and a cancer of the gastrointestinal tract called alimentary lymphoma - have similar signs, including lack of appetite, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea.

At the end of a long workday, you look forward to uninterrupted slumber, but your cat has other plans. In two hours, he jars you awake by leaping on the bed - knocking the air out of you. An hour later, he swats a book off your nightstand. And 30 minutes before your alarm sounds, he begins loud, demanding meows.

Over the past decade, veterinarians have dramatically increased their use of laser therapy for wound healing and inflammatory conditions in the elbow, knee and lower back. Unlike surgical lasers that cut and vaporize tissue, their low-level lasers painlessly penetrate below the skin to help in healing deep tissue and joint problems.