Educational Articles
-
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by the bacteria Bartonella that is transmitted by cat fleas and other biting insects. Cats act as reservoirs for the bacteria. Humans are exposed to the bacteria through flea feces that contaminate skin lesions or eyes. Signs include fever, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, and lesions on the eye and skin. The disease is usually self-limiting; however, some people will require antibiotics, especially if they are immunocompromised. Tests are available for diagnosis in humans as well as in cats. The most important ways you can prevent CSD include strict flea control, good hygiene, keeping your cat indoors, and keeping your cat's nails trimmed.
-
Cefpodoxime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat skin infections in dogs. It is also used off-label in cats and to treat other types of infection. It is given orally in tablet or liquid form. Side effects are uncommon. If a negative reaction occurs, contact your veterinarian.
-
Chlamydial conjunctivitis in cats is highly contagious and can look similar to herpes conjunctivitis. Young cats and kittens are especially vulnerable to this infection, although chlamydia can be detected in cats of all ages. It is one of the most common causes of infectious conjunctivitis in cats. This handout describes the clinical signs and how this condition can be treated or prevented.
-
Chronic upper respiratory tract disease in cats results from inflammation of any part of the upper respiratory tract. Many conditions contribute to this. Treatment is based on the underlying cause.
-
Coccidia are single-celled organisms that can act as a parasite after infecting your cat through the gastrointestinal tract. The most common form affecting cats, Isospora, is not a concern for infecting people, unlike Toxoplasma. They are highly resistant to environmental conditions, so cleanliness is important to prevent re-infection. Treatment is often simple with the appropriate antibiotics prescribed by your veterinarian.
-
COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Current evidence suggests that person-to-person spread is the main source of infection. While there is evidence of transmission from humans to dogs and cats, it does not appear common. If you suspect that you are ill with COVID-19, you should take the same precautions with your pet as you would with people.
-
Cuterebra is the scientific name for the North American rabbit or rodent botfly. Cats are accidental hosts of Cuterebra larvae, and they are rarely evident from external skin inspection. A hole enlarges when the warble has matured, often leading to an infected empty cyst. Treatment depends on when the condition is discovered, and in many cases, antibiotics are used to treat secondary infections.
-
Cytauxzoonosis is an often-fatal disease caused by a tick-borne protozoan parasite, typically found in bobcats. It is more commonly seen in the southern United States but is spreading with tick migration. It can cause anorexia, lethargy, respiratory difficulty, anemia, and jaundice. Diagnostic testing, treatment options, and preventives are described in this handout. This disease is not transmissible to dogs or humans.
-
Diarrhea is a symptom of an underlying problem that may be minor or very serious. Some cases may resolve on their own or with minimal treatment, while other cases require in-depth diagnostic testing and more aggressive treatment to address the underlying condition. The possible causes, diagnostic tests, and treatment protocols for diarrhea in cats are numerous and they are explained in this handout.
-
Echinococcosis refers to being infected with a tapeworm of the genus Echinococcus and is primarily a parasite of coyotes and foxes. Infected cats are usually asymptomatic, but in both cats and humans the parasite can cause large cysts to form within the lungs and liver. E.multilocularis is treated with praziquantel and in most cases the prognosis is good.