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Litter, water, claws and boredom — where most cat problems begin.

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Catsmehrdad20d agoThere are seven kittens in totalHello Doctor, I am seeking an urgent second opinion regarding a group of seven approximately 6-month-old kittens that have become seriously ill. There are seven kittens in total. The illness started approximately 5 days ago, and unfortunately, two of the kittens have already died. According to the veterinarian who previously examined them, a feline panleukopenia (FPV) test was positive. Clinical signs observed The affected kittens have developed several of the following signs: Severe lethargy and weakness Fever Complete or severe loss of appetite Vomiting Diarrhea The diarrhea was initially yellow and later became green and then dark/blackish Markedly reduced urination Increased water consumption Oral pain and significant lesions/inflammation inside the mouth Difficulty breathing in some of the kittens Progressive yellow discoloration of the eyes, which makes me concerned about jaundice Severe deterioration over several days Two kittens have already died I have also noticed severe inflammation and abnormal tissue in the mouth. In one kitten, there appears to be an unusual piece/layer of tissue covering much of the front teeth. When the upper lip is pulled back, this tissue appears somewhat detached or separate from the underlying gum rather than being clearly continuous with it. I have not attempted to remove it. I previously took several photographs of the oral lesions and can provide them if helpful. Current concerns Because of the positive FPV test and the gastrointestinal signs, feline panleukopenia seems to be an important confirmed diagnosis. However, I am concerned that there may be another concurrent disease, because of the following combination: severe oral lesions, respiratory difficulty, progressive jaundice/yellow eyes, and the severity of the disease affecting multiple kittens. I am particularly wondering whether feline calicivirus (FCV), severe systemic calicivirus infection, FIP, secondary bacterial sepsis, hepatic disease, or another concurrent infection could also be involved. I understand that these cannot be diagnosed reliably from symptoms alone. Important additional information At the moment, unfortunately, I do not have access to the previous blood test results, CBC/biochemistry results, or radiographs. I am trying to obtain them. I would especially like to know what diagnostic tests you would recommend urgently, considering the current situation. If possible, I would appreciate your opinion regarding: Whether the clinical picture is consistent with severe feline panleukopenia. Whether the yellow discoloration could represent jaundice, and what the most important differential diagnoses would be. Whether concurrent feline calicivirus infection could explain the oral lesions and respiratory signs. Whether FIP should be investigated at this stage and, if so, which tests would be most useful. Whether the oral tissue described above could represent severe inflammatory/proliferative tissue, necrotic tissue, sloughed mucosa, or something else. Which blood tests and imaging studies should be prioritized. What emergency supportive treatment would be appropriate while the diagnostic work-up is being performed. The kittens are very young and several are critically ill, so I am particularly concerned about dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, hypoglycemia, anemia, secondary bacterial infection/sepsis, and liver involvement. I would be very grateful for any guidance on what should be done immediately and which diagnostic findings would help distinguish severe panleukopenia from concurrent FCV, FIP, or other systemic disease. I can also send photographs of the mouth, eyes, and any other visible clinical signs. Thank you very much for your help.0 repliesNo vet yet
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CatsNar 24d agoMy cat, Scottish fold, 1.5 years oldMy cat , Scottish fold , 1.5 years old. Puked three times last week. 2 hair balls , 1 was food. I took him to the vet on Wednesday and they did an xray and found that he was constipated. They gave me laxative (enulose) 2mL every 8 hours until he produced a soft stool. Thursday morning he produced a pretty big stool but I wasn’t sure if it was soft or not. My vet wasn’t in the office and won’t be until tomorrow so I couldn’t speak with her. But the vet told me to stop after he produced stool. When I called and spoke to a tech they told me to keep the laxative going. I wasn’t sure very scared and not sure what to do. So I didn’t give it to him. Then by Saturday night I realized he hadn’t pooped. I gave him some that night but got worried about administering it without speaking to someone. It is now Monday and no poops since Thursday that I’ve seen. I have an appointment tomorrow at 4:40 with the vet. But of course I couldn’t speak with her today and spoke to another tech who told me to administer the laxative . So I gave it to him at 4:30. Around 10pm he puked a very small amount. I have to give him another scheduled dose at 12;30 and not sure if that’s safe or not. He is still drinking water and running around and cuddling. I’m just honestly so scared and hate doing this stuff and I want to know if it’s still a good idea to give him the full dose tonight before bed. I can’t monitor him all night. I need to sleep0 repliesNo vet yet
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CatsPet parent26d agoMy cat was an older male cat, approximately 11–13 years oldI would like to ask for a veterinary opinion about my cat’s medical history and the cause of his deterioration. My cat was an older male cat, approximately 11–13 years old. He had been living with me for many years. He had diabetes, which had been diagnosed about three years earlier, and he also had chronic kidney problems. On June 18, 2026, he underwent a dental procedure under general anesthesia, including dental cleaning and multiple tooth extractions. The medications recorded in the veterinary report included midazolam, butorphanol, medetomidine (Domitor), Antisedan, Clamox, and meloxicam. Before the dental procedure, he was eating normally. About 36 hours after the dental procedure, he stopped eating completely. He continued drinking and urinating, and there was no significant vomiting. About six days after the procedure, his condition became serious enough that he was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic and hospitalized for several nights. During that hospitalization, he was found to have severe hyperglycemia and significant kidney abnormalities/acute kidney injury. His glucose was reported to be above 540 mg/dL at one point, and his creatinine and BUN were also elevated. He was dehydrated and had lost weight. He received IV fluids and supportive treatment. After he stabilized, he returned home. For approximately the next 10 days he appeared relatively stable. He was eating again and was receiving subcutaneous fluids at home (about 40 mL per day). His glucose later improved substantially, from around 500 mg/dL to approximately 140 mg/dL. Approximately 20 days after the dental procedure, he suddenly developed severe breathing difficulty. He was taken to the veterinarian, and chest X-rays showed a large amount of free air in the chest cavity (pneumothorax). The veterinarian drained approximately 2–3 liters of air, but his condition did not improve adequately and the air continued to accumulate. The veterinarian suspected a rupture involving lung tissue and considered it a spontaneous pneumothorax. There was no known trauma or accident. The veterinarian also considered his chronic disease, weight loss/cachexia, and poor tissue condition as part of his overall medical condition. My main question is about the cause of the pneumothorax. Could a complication from the endotracheal tube used during the dental anesthesia realistically cause a pneumothorax that appears approximately 20 days later, especially when the cat had been hospitalized, stabilized, returned home, and remained relatively stable for about 10 days? There was no obvious subcutaneous emphysema reported, and the pneumothorax appeared much later rather than immediately after anesthesia. I would like to know, based on veterinary medicine and the timeline, whether an anesthesia/endotracheal-tube complication is medically plausible, or whether this pattern would be more consistent with a spontaneous pneumothorax or an underlying lung problem. The cat ultimately deteriorated and died from the respiratory crisis.0 repliesNo vet yet
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CatsPet parent27d agoHe is approximately 3 years old, give or take, as he is a rescue and we don’t know his…Hi, I’m looking for advice about my cat who has feline asthma. He is approximately 3 years old, give or take, as he is a rescue and we don’t know his exact age. He is white and has black spots I live in a remote/desert area of Algeria. Most of the veterinarians available here mainly work with farm animals , so they don’t have much experience with feline asthma, inhalers, or spacer therapy. There are also no veterinary pharmacies where I live, so if an inhaler is appropriate, I would have to obtain it from a regular human pharmacy. My cat has asthma attacks from time to time. At the moment, the treatment our vet gives him is corticosteroids for the first 5 days of every month. Despite this, he still sometimes has attacks. He is also extremely skinny/underweight. His abdomen looks very sunken in, even though he eats very well and has a good appetite. Our vet told us that because of his condition, it may be difficult for him to gain weight. He also has very noticeable abdominal breathing when he breathes, his abdomen visibly moves in and out with each breath, almost like contractions, rather than breathing mainly with his chest. I would like to ask a veterinarian experienced with feline asthma whether there is a safer or more appropriate long-term management plan, particularly whether an inhaled corticosteroid such as fluticasone and/or a bronchodilator such as salbutamol/albuterol could be appropriate for him. If inhaled treatment is appropriate, could you please tell me what medication and type of spacer/mask are normally used for cats, and what I should ask for at a human pharmacy? I understand that online advice cannot replace an examination, and I’m not asking for a prescription without proper assessment. I mainly need guidance because access to feline respiratory specialists and veterinary medications is very limited where I live. Thank you very much.0 repliesNo vet yet
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CatsAmina28d ago2 vets told us that it would resolve with restHello, when my male Scottish Fold cat was only 3 months old he started limping and his hip seemed to be displaced. 2 vets told us that it would resolve with rest. He started walking normally again, but he was never able to jump. He always climbed onto beds and chairs using his front legs and over the following months he gradually became less active. He is now 1 year and 5 months old and weighs 8,73 pounds (he weighed 9,25 pounds two months ago). Recently, he started hiding and appeared to be in severe pain. Our vet gave him an anti-inflammatory injection, and he became extremely playful and acted like a completely normal cat again. However, while running and playing, he seemed to injure himself. His hips appeared visibly displaced. He started hiding again, refused to eat or use the litter box, and could barely tolerate being touched. Once again, the anti-inflammatory injection made him much more comfortable. We had new X-rays taken, which I have attached. I have also attached his X-ray from when he was 3 months old for comparison. Link to view all the x-rays : https://imgur.com/a/1-5-years-old-scottish-fold-x-rays-wsDKzGd The vet says that he has Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia. I would be incredibly grateful if any veterinarians or veterinary radiologists could take a look at his X-rays and share their opinion on what they see. He is so young and in so much pain, I'm completely devastated, please help. Thank you1 replyVet answered
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CatsKeriSep 11The 3 Most Common Causes of Feline Itching and OvergroomingThe most common causes of excessive scratching and overgrooming in cats are flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies, and environmental allergies. Allergies can be challenging to manage, and some cats may have more than one type of allergy at the same time. When trying to identify the cause, it can be helpful to work through each category systematically. Start with flea prevention The first—and often easiest—place to start is consistent, year-round flea prevention. This applies to both indoor and outdoor cats. Yes, even indoor-only cats can get fleas! Fleas can hitch a ride into the home on people, clothing, or other pets, and some sensitive cats can experience a significant flare-up from just a single flea bite. I generally prefer prescription flea preventatives over over-the-counter products because your veterinarian can recommend a product that is safe and effective for your individual cat. Because fleas have multiple life stages, consistent flea control for at least three consecutive months is important when trying to rule out flea allergy dermatitis. If fleas are contributing to your cat’s symptoms, you may notice a significant improvement in scratching and overgrooming with effective flea control. Next, consider food allergies If your kitty is still experiencing symptoms despite consistent flea prevention, food allergies may be the next category to investigate. Your veterinarian may recommend a carefully controlled diet trial. Depending on your cat’s history, this may involve a novel-protein diet containing a protein your cat has not previously eaten, such as rabbit, duck, or venison, or a prescription hydrolyzed diet. Prescription diets can be more expensive, but they are specifically formulated for dietary trials and generally have stricter manufacturing controls to reduce the risk of cross-contamination with other proteins. Talk with your veterinarian about which diet would be most appropriate for your kitty and how long the diet trial should last. Finally, consider environmental allergies Environmental allergies can be some of the most challenging allergies to manage. If you notice your cat’s itching or overgrooming becomes worse during certain times of the year, environmental allergens may be contributing. Regular cleaning, dusting, washing bedding, and using an air purifier may help reduce allergens in the home. If these measures aren’t enough, your veterinarian can discuss additional options, which may include medications or further allergy evaluation. Finding the underlying cause of itching and overgrooming in cats can take time and often involves some trial and error. Starting with consistent, year-round flea prevention and then working with your veterinarian to investigate food and environmental allergies can help narrow down the cause and find the best treatment plan. Hope this helps your itchy kitties feel more comfortable! 🐱💕0 repliesNo vet yet
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CatsPet parentAug 19Country: Ukraine Cat: Murka, 12 years old, mixed breed, female, weight 4.1 kgCountry: Ukraine Cat: Murka, 12 years old, mixed breed, female, weight 4.1 kg. Mammary gland masses have been known since at least July 2024. Cytology dated 17 July 2024 described a mammary gland cyst, but also identified cells consistent with a mammary adenoma undergoing malignant transformation; histopathology was recommended. As of August 2026, Murka has two mammary gland masses, approximately 0.5 cm and up to 1.5 cm in size. Repeat cytology dated 6 August 2026 showed that one mass is most consistent with mammary adenocarcinoma. The second mass has cystic changes; no signs of malignant epithelial neoplasia were identified in the examined sample, but malignancy cannot be completely excluded. In July 2026, urinary tract abnormalities were also identified. Urinalysis dated 12 July 2026 showed marked leukocyturia and a urine specific gravity of 1.025. A urine culture from the same date identified Enterococcus faecalis. Murka is currently completing a prescribed course of Marfloxin. On repeat urinalysis dated 2 August 2026, urine specific gravity was 1.030, leukocytes were +++, and microflora was ++. Kidney function is also a concern because Murka has been drinking a large amount of water for a long time, currently approximately 400 ml per day. Blood chemistry dated 12 July 2026 showed creatinine 91 µmol/L, urea 11 mmol/L, and phosphorus 1.9 mmol/L. SDMA dated 2 August 2026 was 16.84 µg/dL, with the laboratory reference range up to 18.2 µg/dL. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in August 2026. Total T4 dated 2 August 2026 was 71 nmol/L, with the laboratory upper reference limit of 60 nmol/L. Treatment with Thyrozol (thiamazole/methimazole) has been started, and T4 and other laboratory parameters are being monitored at our local veterinary clinic. An echocardiogram was performed in 2024. Before possible surgery, we plan to repeat the cardiac examination and measure blood pressure, considering Murka’s age and newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism. The main purpose of this consultation is to assess anesthesia safety and determine how Murka should be stabilized before surgery. We would like to understand how safe general anesthesia would be after stabilization of hyperthyroidism and treatment of the urinary infection, taking into account possible underlying kidney disease and the need for an updated cardiac assessment. We would especially like advice regarding which parameters should be stabilized before surgery, which examinations are necessary for proper anesthetic risk assessment, what type of anesthesia and which anesthetic medications would be preferable for a patient like Murka, what monitoring should be mandatory during surgery, how perioperative fluid therapy should be managed, and how Murka should be monitored during recovery from anesthesia.1 replyVet tech answered
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CatsNateAug 17Cats hide illness so well that weight is basically your only early warningA dog that feels bad acts like it. A cat that feels bad goes and sits somewhere, and looks exactly like a cat sitting somewhere. That instinct is why so much feline disease gets caught late. Chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes and dental pain all develop over months and the cat compensates the entire time. By the point behavior changes in a way you can't miss, it's usually well along. Weight is what moves first and it's the one thing you can actually measure at home. Half a pound off a 10 pound cat is 5 percent of body weight, the equivalent of a 9 pound loss on a 180 pound person, and you will not see it under fur. So weigh them monthly. Stand on a bathroom scale, note it, pick up the cat, stand on it again, subtract. Write it down somewhere you'll keep. That's the whole practice and it'll find things a year before you'd have noticed them any other way. Worth watching alongside it: drinking noticeably more, or bigger clumps in the litter box, which points at kidneys, diabetes or thyroid. Eating well but losing weight anyway, which is the classic hyperthyroid picture in an older cat. Hiding more than usual. Stopping grooming, or overgrooming one particular spot. And no longer jumping onto things they used to jump onto, because arthritis is massively underdiagnosed in cats and cats basically never limp. On water, since it connects. Cats came from desert animals and have a weak thirst drive, so they run mildly dehydrated on dry food, which isn't doing kidneys or bladders any favors over a lifetime. Wet food moves the needle more than any fountain does, though plenty of cats do drink more from moving water. Put the bowl away from the food and use something wide and shallow so their whiskers aren't hitting the sides. Senior cats, meaning around 10 and up, want bloodwork annually even when they look perfect. That's how kidney disease gets caught while there's still something useful to do about it.0 repliesNo vet yet
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CatsPawsRx TeamAug 17If you have a cat, never let lilies in the houseThis is the one plant worth being absolute about, because there's no safe dose and there's a real clock on it. True lilies (Lilium, so Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Oriental, stargazer) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) cause acute kidney failure in cats. Every part of the plant is toxic. Petals, leaves, stem, the pollen, and the water in the vase. A cat that brushes past a bouquet and then grooms pollen off its own fur has been exposed. Chewing one leaf can be enough. The FDA and the vet schools all land on the same timing: treatment started within roughly 12 to 18 hours of exposure is what saves cats. Past that the kidneys are often already gone. Early signs are vague and start within a few hours, so drooling, vomiting, going off food, hiding, generally acting flat. Then they can look like they've recovered, which is the trap, because that's exactly the window where the kidney damage is happening quietly. If you think there's been any exposure at all, don't wait for symptoms. Go, and bring the plant or a photo of it so it can be identified properly. Not every plant with lily in the name is one of these, for what it's worth. Peace lily, calla lily and lily of the valley are different plants with different problems, still not cat food but not the kidney failure ones. Peruvian lily isn't a true lily either. If you can't tell which you're looking at, treat it as the dangerous kind. Practical version: tell people not to send you flowers with lilies in them. Most florists will substitute without blinking if you ask. It's a small thing to ask for and it's probably the highest value item on the whole cat proofing list.0 repliesNo vet yet

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