ask-the-vet

Can a Cat Remember Abuse? Everything You’ll Want to Know (Vet Answer)

by
owner calming his cat

Cats are fantastic creatures and great companions. They purr, provide us with hours of entertaining internet videos, add warmth to our homes, and generally sleep. A lot. But just like some people, cats can have tough lives. Sometimes, this means seeing the not-so-friendly aspect of humans, as well, including intentional or unintentional abuse. Many abused … Read more

6 Most Common Eye Problems in Cats (Vet Answers)

by
Gray cat with eye infection

Eye problems in cats aren’t all that common, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t occur. Often, the types of issues seen are quite age-dependent. For instance, young cats can get specific illnesses, like infections and “cat flu”, which impact the eyes and are often viral or bacterial in nature, due to their developing immune … Read more

How Common is Cat Scratch Disease? What You Should Know! (Vet Answer)

by
scratch on a man's hand made by a cat

Cat scratch disease is caused by a bacteria called Bartonella henselae, and is, fortunately, rare in the United States. A retrospective study performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looked at years of health insurance data (for the time period of 2005–2013) for adults under 65 years of age1. As a result, the … Read more

What Vaccines Does My Indoor Cat Need? (Vet Answer)

by
Veterinarian giving injection to cat

Vaccines are designed to protect against a variety of feline diseases, including rabies virus, feline leukemia virus, feline distemper (also called parvovirus), feline calicivirus, and feline herpes virus. The timing of vaccines can be a bit complicated, as well as what vaccines an individual cat actually needs. Most cats receive a primary series of vaccines … Read more

Why Does My Cat Lick Food But Not Eat? (Vet Answer)

by
grey cat licking lips after eating cat food from bowl inside on floor

You spend what feels like hours trying to pick a cat food that you think they will like—online shopping, reading reviews, maybe picking up a few tasty looking cans in the store, as well. Will they like dry or wet? Chunks, shreds, or pate? Large kibble or small? But, you get home, and start to … Read more

Urinary Blockage in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Care (Vet Answer)

by
Cat near litter box_New Africa_Shutterstock

Urinary blockages in cats are one of the most serious medical issues that cat owners and veterinarian alike must deal with. True blockages represent emergencies, as a blockage can quickly lead to electrolyte imbalances that can cause serious consequences, such as changes to heart rate, toxin buildup within the body, and death, if not treated … Read more

When Does My Cat Need Vaccines? Cat Vaccine Schedule Explained (Vet Answer)

by
vet giving kitten vaccine

One of the best ways to keep a cat healthy is to ensure that they get the medical care they need. This means that in addition to a yearly or twice-yearly physical exam with their vet, they need to have their vaccine needs assessed on an annual basis as well. Vaccines can consist of core … Read more

Rabies Vaccines for Cats: A Complete Guide (Vet Answer)

by
cat getting a shot from a vet

Vaccines are an important way of contributing to your cat’s medical care—ensuring they stay healthy for many years to come. In addition to a yearly or twice-yearly physical exam with their vet, they also need to have their vaccine needs assessed on an annual basis. Vaccines consist of core and non-core vaccines, depending on a … Read more

Mercury Poisoning in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, Dangers, & Treatment (Vet Answer)

by
Open Canned Tuna

Mercury poisoning in cats is a rare condition. However, with mercury levels being fairly high in some commercially sold fish, it is possible for a cat to suffer from mercury toxicity after ingestion of these fish. Mercury1 is a naturally occurring element that does not break down. It can be found naturally in water, certain … Read more

My Cat Licked Flea Medicine! Here’s What to Do (Vet Answer)

by
cat licking its paw

Routine care for your cat will often include giving them a monthly or tri-monthly flea treatment. Thanks to modern medicine, this has never been easier, as flea medicine is now often found in topical form—where the medication can be applied directly to the skin and absorbed. This prevents the dreaded pilling of a cat, which … Read more

Excited Cats 2022 ©.