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Idiopathic epilepsy is a specific term that describes seizures in cats without a clear cause. It's also known as genetic or congenital epilepsy. Whether you call it epilepsy, a seizure, or convulsions, it all refers to the same thing: a sudden burst of overactivity in the brain's neurons that leads to involuntary muscle contractions, unusual sensations, abnormal behavior, or a combination of these events. Here's a breakdown of idiopathic epilepsy in cats, along with information on diagnosing and treating this condition. Seizures in cats can manifest in a variety of ways. They can range from mild twitches or facial tremors to your cat collapsing on its side, howling, clenching its teeth, losing bladder control, and flailing its limbs. Cat seizures usually come on suddenly and end on their own, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes. Idiopathic epilepsy can occur in all breeds and mixed-breed cats. Since idiopathic epilepsy may have a genetic component, cats with epileps...

Naproxen is a popular over-the-counter medication used to treat pain and inflammation. However, it's easy for dogs to ingest a toxic dose of naproxen, especially when well-meaning owners administer it without knowing the dangerous consequences. Naproxen toxicity often occurs when a concerned pet owner gives their dog too much of the drug to relieve pain, not realizing it can lead to serious complications. Initially, toxic levels of naproxen can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. In severe cases, or with increased dosages, naproxen can lead to kidney failure, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Symptoms of Naproxen Toxicity in Dogs If your dog ingests naproxen, keep an eye out for these symptoms: Loss of appetite Vomiting Black, tarry stools Vomiting blood Abdominal pain Dehydration Weakness Lethargy   Diagnosing Naproxen Toxicity in Dogs Diagnosis is usually based on a physical examination and a history of your dog's exposure to naproxen. Blood tests are often performed...

From our earliest interactions with cats, we've seen them as mystical, almost otherworldly creatures—either revered or suspected of being possessed. It's not hard to see why. Cats have this way of staring at you without blinking, as if they're seeing something invisible. They also tend to go from being calm to darting around the house for no apparent reason, or suddenly switch from peaceful to aggressive in a flash. Some of these traits can become more intense in cats with Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome, also known as FHS. Cats with this condition may exhibit bizarre behavior changes, hallucinate, and act as though they're in a manic or schizophrenic state, or even like they're "possessed."    Symptoms of Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) Sudden bursts of bizarre overactivity or aggressive behavior. Frantically grooming their sides or tail (which could lead to hair loss). Tail swishing, tail chasing, or aggressively attacking their own tail. Dilated pupil...

Estrogen toxicity in dogs happens when there's too much estrogen (a female sex hormone) in the body, either from an internal source or from external medication. This condition is most commonly seen in female dogs of breeding age and older male dogs. This toxicity can be caused by tumors that produce estrogen or by estrogen-like drugs, which are sometimes used to treat various conditions in dogs, like prostate disease, anal tumors, or urinary incontinence (a lack of bladder control).   Symptoms of Estrogen Toxicity in Dogs Signs that your dog might have estrogen toxicity include: Lethargy Pale gums (usually due to anemia) Bleeding from the skin, in the urine, stool, or from vomiting Fever Recurring or persistent infections Hair loss Males developing female characteristics   Diagnosing Estrogen Toxicity in Dogs To diagnose estrogen toxicity in dogs, veterinarians use various tests to find the source of the estrogen and determine its effects. Here are some common tests: Complete ...

A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is removed from your cat to be examined under a microscope. It’s typically done to get more information about a health issue or to confirm a diagnosis. This procedure usually requires anesthesia because it's invasive.   There are different ways to take a biopsy, depending on the type of tissue or organ involved. If only a small piece of tissue is needed, this is called an "incisional biopsy." If the whole tumor or growth is removed, it's called an "excisional biopsy." When the whole tumor is taken out, the outer edges of the tissue are checked under a microscope to see if the entire mass has been successfully removed. The biopsy results can tell you the type of tumor or disease happening and help your vet decide on the best treatment plan for your cat.   Vet Examination for Biopsy When your cat is sick, your vet will ask a lot of questions to understand what’s been going on. This can include your cat's age, when t...

Culture and Sensitivity testing, usually abbreviated as "C&S," is a lab test used to identify the presence and type of bacteria causing an infection and to determine which antibiotics are likely to be effective in killing the bacteria. Samples for a culture can be taken from a cat's urine, blood, body fluids, pus, secretions, or tissues. The sensitivity test is a follow-up to the culture analysis. Once bacteria are cultured and isolated on a medium, they are tested against different antibiotics to find out which ones are effective. What Does Culture and Sensitivity Testing Reveal for Cats? A normal culture result shows "no bacterial growth," unless the sample is taken from areas where bacteria are typically present, like the nose or mouth. A positive result indicates that a microorganism or bacteria was found. In most cases, the specific bacteria can be identified (e.g., Streptococcus species). Sensitivity testing follows a positive culture result. Sensitivi...

Conjunctivitis is when the conjunctiva—the clear tissue lining the inside of your cat's eyelids and covering the white part of the eye—gets inflamed. Normally, the conjunctiva is moist and shiny, with tiny blood vessels visible through the translucent tissue. It acts as a barrier, trapping tiny particles in the air and helping to keep viruses and bacteria from getting into your cat's eyes. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye issues in cats. It could be the only problem with your cat’s eyes or it might be related to another condition or abnormality.   Causes of Conjunctivitis in Cats Conjunctivitis in cats can have many different causes, including: Viral infections like herpesvirus or calicivirus Eye infections caused by chlamydia Bacterial infections Problems with the cornea Issues with tear production Infections or abnormalities of the eyelids Contact with foreign substances like plant material, fibers, sand, or chemicals Environmental irritants Trauma to the eye Idio...

If your dog is constantly scratching, there's a good chance they're dealing with something called pruritus—basically, an itchy sensation that makes them want to scratch or chew on themselves. It’s caused by a chemical reaction in the skin that irritates the nerves and sends a "scratch me" signal to the brain. And here's the tricky part: scratching itself can make the problem worse by causing inflammation and inviting infections.   How much this itchiness affects your dog's well-being depends on how severe it is. Mild itching might not be a big deal, but if it's really intense, your dog could end up with some painful skin lesions or even infections. Plus, constant scratching can make your dog super uncomfortable and disrupt their sleep. Every dog has an "itch threshold," the point where the itching becomes unbearable, and they just can't stop scratching. Take a dog with a mild dust mite allergy; it might be fine most of the time. But if fleas ...

Fear is a natural and functional response to stimuli that can be perceived as threats. If we or our cats had no fear at all, it could lead us into serious trouble. But when fear becomes excessive or irrational, it turns into a phobia—an intense and unnecessary fear that's no longer protective but rather dysfunctional.   Some cats seem scared of almost everything unfamiliar, whether it's people or other cats. They might hide when visitors arrive and even avoid other cats. Generally, these cats do better in smaller, familiar environments with just a few trusted humans or accepted feline companions.   The root of such phobias often lies in a combination of genetics and environment. Some cats are predisposed to fear because of their genetic makeup. If their parents or grandparents were overly fearful, that trait might be passed down. But genes are just part of the puzzle. A kitten's early experiences are just as important, if not more so. A cat that's prone to fear genetica...