Neutering, castration,
Overview:
Orchidectomy, or neutering, is a procedure commonly performed on male cats for ethical, behavioral, and medical purposes. The surgery requires general anesthesia, but is a short and simple procedure. Most cats behave normally following surgery, but should be kept quiet and indoors for a week afterwards, in order to facilitate the healing of incisions and prevent complications. An orchidectomy will not affect a cat's personality, and it will prevent certain potentially serious problems, including unwanted reproduction and undesirable behaviors such as spraying and roaming.
Icterus, jaundice
Overview:
The whites of the eyes of a cat with jaundice often are more yellow than they are white; the animal's skin and gums may develop a yellowish tinge as well. These changes in color result from deposits of bile pigment entering the cat's tissues, a common occurrence among animals with jaundice. Unfortunately, this yellowish hue is not as serious as the possible diseases that can be associated with it, including kidney damage, liver disease, and disorders of the nervous system.
Feline hyperthyroidism
Overview:
Feline hyperthyroidism is the most common hormonal abnormality and is a common disease of aging cats. Hyperthyroidism is a feline disorder affecting multiple body systems due to an overabundance of the thyroid hormone, which increases the metabolism. Because of this increase, the cat's body systems function at an accelerated rate that it may not be able to sustain. As a result, problems with the heart, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys may occur; weight loss, hyperactivity, and increased appetite are classic signs of the disease.
High blood pressure
Overview:
Most cats with hypertension have an underlying illness responsible for its development; kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are the two most common diseases associated with high blood pressure in cats. In rare circumstances, primary hypertension -- high blood pressure without an associated or underlying cause -- can occur. The diagnosis is made by measuring the blood pressure, and treatment is usually initiated if the elevation is severe or if symptoms due to the high blood pressure are present. The long-term outlook with treatment for high blood pressure has not yet been determined. However, with increased awareness of the condition and early identification of elevated blood pressure readings, serious consequences of hypertension may be prevented from developing.
Feline heartworm disease
Overview:
Heartworm disease is a serious infection of the heart by parasitic worms called Dirofilaria immitis. It is not uncommon for infected cats to develop fatal respiratory and cardiac-related complications. Other cats, however, will have only minor symptoms such as vomiting, or no clinical signs at all.
Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, which inject the larvae from the heartworm parasite into the skin when they bite. Thus, outdoor cats are at higher risk of infection, as they have an increased exposure to mosquitoes. Certain sections of the world have heavier populations of heartworm disease than others; cases of feline heartworm have been found most frequently in the eastern and mid-western states and in California.