Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition in humans that causes challenges in speech, nonverbal communication, social interaction, and restricted and/or repetitive behaviors. Based on feline behavior and the book 'All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum' by Kathy Hoopman, some people may believe that cats have autistic tendencies. But are cats autistic, or are we anthropomorphizing? What Are...
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Just like humans, cats can come into contact with toxic substances that are hazardous to their health. Cats encounter poisonous substances by swallowing them, chewing on them, inhaling them, or coming into physical contact by brushing against or walking through them. When dealing with suspected poisoning in cats, it is important to recognize the signs of poisoning and know what...
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One of the most common reasons cats are seen by a DVM is diarrhea and loose stools. Diarrhea can happen all of a sudden, or it can involve chronically abnormal bowel movements. There are many causes of diarrhea, and consequently, many ways to to treat it. Diarrhea can be painful, and it can indicate underlying issues, like cancer, inflammatory bowel...
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Hypercalcemia in cats is a medical condition that occurs when the calcium levels in a cat's blood are elevated beyond what is considered normal. Elevated blood calcium can occur as a primary problem such as in hyperparathyroidism, or it can occur secondary to another medical problem. If your cat has been diagnosed with hypercalcemia, this article provides you with working...
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Is it possible for cats to be born with Down syndrome? This question was made famous by Monty the cat, who was born with facial structure and health problems that were similar to those that a human born with Down syndrome would exhibit. After he took Instagram and the internet by storm, many cat owners created accounts for their own cats that had signs similar...
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Thanks to the advent of modern medicine, cats are living longer than ever. One of the challenges that comes with being the guardian of an elderly feline companion is feline cognitive dysfunction, otherwise known as feline dementia. Similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans, feline cognitive dysfunction can cause senior cats to experience disorientation, cognitive decline, disruption of the regular sleep-wake...
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You've probably seen cross-eyed cats in your life, and after marveling at their adorable expressions, wondered why they have crossed eyes. The condition that causes eyes to be continually crossed has a medical name: strabismus. Strabismus usually doesn't impact a cat's quality of life and isn't considered a problem in cats that are born that way, but if a cat suddenly develops strabismus later in life, it could...
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When is it the right time to euthanize a cat? Deciding when to let a beloved cat go is probably the most difficult decision cat owners have to make. To say that the decision for euthanasia is emotionally loaded, fraught with confusion, and difficult to make with logic is an understatement. Factors To Consider When Deciding When To Euthanize A...
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