Print Hyperphosphatemia in Cats Hyperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which abnormally elevated levels of phosphate are present in the cat’s blood. It can occur at any age but is more common in kittens or old cats with kidney problems. Additionally, cats with bone diseases and calcium deficiency are susceptible to hyperphosphatemia. Hyperphosphatemia [...]
Print Hypermagnesemia in Cats Electrolytes are required in the body for many vital functions, like keeping fluid balance, normal heart and brain functions, delivery of oxygen, and many more. Magnesium, after potassium, is the second most abundant positively charged electrolyte found inside cells. Bones and muscles contain a major portion of magnesium in the [...]
Print Iron Toxicity in Cats While iron is an essential nutrient for the regular functioning of a cat’s body, it can become lethal when it is present in large quantities in the bloodstream. Cats may be ingesting unhealthy amounts of iron when they are being given multivitamins that are not appropriate for their age, [...]
Print Hyperchloremia in Cats Hyperchloremia refers to abnormally high levels of chloride (an electrolyte) in the blood. Electrolytes play important roles within the dog’s body: helping in heart and nervous system functions, fluid balance, delivery of oxygen, and much more. For every electrolyte a very delicate chemical balance is required, and each electrolyte has [...]
Print Hypercapnia in Cats Hypercapnia is synonymous with hypoventilation, or inadequate inhalation of fresh air. It is generally the result of alveolar hypoventilation, a failure of the air cells in the lungs to take in adequate amounts of clean oxygen. It may also be related to lung disease or to environmental conditions that result [...]
Print Hypercalcemia in Cats Hypercalcemia is characterized by an abnormally high amount of calcium in the blood. A cat is considered hypercalcemic when its total serum calcium level is greater than 10.5 mg/dL. Behind the thyroid gland in the neck, there are four parathyroid glands which secrete the hormones the body needs to [...]
Print Hypopyon and Lipid Flare in Cats Hypopyon is the accumulation of white blood cells in the front (anterior) chamber of the eye. An inflammatory breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier allows for entry of blood cells into this chamber; chemoattractants, chemical substances that influence the migration of cells, can act as a conveyor for [...]
Print Renal Tubular Acidosis in Cats Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a rare syndrome that causes the kidney to be unable to excrete acid through the urine, leading to extreme acidity of the cat’s blood. Cats with RTA will also have abnormal levels of potassium in the blood. This condition occurs as a part [...]
Print Ovarian Remnant Syndrome in Cats An ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and ovaries are removed from a female cat. Such a removal results in the cessation of subsequent estrus (heat) symptoms in the female. However, some female cats continue to exhibit the behavioral and/or physical signs pertaining to estrus [...]
Print Seizures, Convulsions, Status Epilepticus Epilepsy is a disease that is characterized by convulsions (seizures), and sometimes the two terms are confused. Symptoms and Types A seizure may have several symptoms or only a few, including: Loss of consciousness Muscle contraction Hallucinations Involuntarily urination, defecation, drooling (salivation) Loss of recognition of [...]