ask-the-vet Archives - Excited Cats

Why Are My Cat’s Paws Peeling? (Vet Answer)

March 14, 2023 by Dr. Joe Mallat

It can be easy to overlook your cat’s paws, especially if he or she doesn’t like you touching that area. However, cats’ paws act as their hands and feet, so they serve a number of important functions. Running, jumping, climbing, feeling, grasping toys—all of these activities depend on the paws being healthy! Additionally, the paws … Read more

Dr. Joe Mallat

Joe is a veterinarian from Sydney, Australia. When he’s not working, he enjoys exercising, cooking, and exploring the wilderness in Australia. He has worked for 2 years at a mixed practice on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, treating animals of all sizes. His areas of particular interest include internal medicine, wound management and oncology. Joe’s love for the profession comes not only from helping cats, but also from helping their owners and working with wonderful teams of people.

Joe completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney in 2020.

Retinal Detachment in Cats: Causes, Signs, and Care (Vet Answer)

March 14, 2023 by Dr. Joe Mallat

tuxedo domestic shorthair cat with large dilated pupils

As a pet owner, having your cat diagnosed with retinal detachment can be overwhelming. It can happen quickly, with few (if any) warning signs, and the consequences—looking after a potentially blind or visually impaired cat—can be drastic. Thankfully, if retinal detachment is caught early enough, vision can be restored, meaning your cat can see again, … Read more

Dr. Joe Mallat

Joe completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney in 2020.

Why Do Cat Scratches Itch? 4 Common Reasons (Vet Answer)

March 6, 2023March 2, 2023 by Dr. Sharon Butzke DVM (Vet)

It is not uncommon for cat owners to get scratched from time to time, whether by accident during play, or as a result of an irritated swat. Most of us know how important it is to clean the area right away to prevent infection. Even when cleaned properly, cat scratches often feel itchy. This article … Read more

Dr. Sharon Butzke DVM (Vet)

Sharon has been drawn to animals for as long as she can remember. She was raised in Ontario, Canada and fulfilled her childhood dream when she obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2009. Since then, she has worked in a variety of small animal clinics, with a focus on cats and dogs. She loves sharing her knowledge and empowering people to take the best possible care of their pets! Sharon currently resides in British Columbia with her husband, daughter, and a loveable Great Dane named Parker.

Feline Leukemia Virus in Cats (Vet Answer): Signs, Causes & Care

March 8, 2023February 23, 2023 by Dr. Meg Barnes

Second only to trauma, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a leading cause of death in cats worldwide. In 2010, statistics suggested that it affected 2–3% of cats1, making it a crucial disease to consider for the health and well-being of the cat population. Fortunately, testing and vaccination programs have reduced the prevalence of the disease … Read more

Dr. Meg Barnes

Meg is an Australian veterinary surgeon, cat expert, and writer, currently living and working in Scotland with her family. She is a passionate advocate of preventative medicine, educating clients, and believes medicine never has a one size fits all approach. When not vetting, her happy place is out walking the hills with her baby daughter and over-excited Labrador in tow, and writing.

Will a Cat Abscess Heal on Its Own? (Vet Answer)

March 15, 2023February 23, 2023 by Dr. Meg Barnes

A cat abscess, defined as a painful collection of pus, is a common ailment, but it can often be difficult to detect because most cats dislike being examined when they are in pain1. Some abscesses look like lumps, and others may be open and weeping and appear obviously infected. Occasionally, your cat may seem to … Read more

Dr. Meg Barnes

5 Most Common Cancers in Cats (Vet Answer): Signs, Causes & Treatments

March 8, 2023February 23, 2023 by Dr. Meg Barnes

It’s an unfortunate reality that cats are susceptible to cancer, just like humans are. Advances in veterinary medicine and pet care are making it easier to detect cancer, though, and with the subsequent increase in lifespans, the rates of diagnoses are increasing. However, diagnosis can still be difficult, especially since older animals are often suffering … Read more

Dr. Meg Barnes

Are Cats Able to Feel Pain in Their Whiskers? (Vet Answer)

January 12, 2023 by Leigh Wilder

Your cat is cute as a button, with a friendly face made even more endearing by the presence of whiskers. But aside from their visual appeal, what purpose do whiskers serve in our feline friends? If trimmed or damaged, can cats feel pain in their whiskers? Thankfully, while cat whiskers can transmit sensory information, they … Read more

Leigh Wilder

Leigh is a veterinarian with almost 10 years of experience in the US. She has loved animals since she was a child, and grew up caring for hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, fish, and dogs. Leigh received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota and has worked in both small animal clinical practice and shelter medicine since graduation. Leigh enjoys small animal preventative medicine and surgery and loves helping pet owners by sharing her knowledge. Outside of work Leigh enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.

Blood Clots in Cats (Aortic Thromboembolism) – Vet Answer on Causes, Symptoms & Care

February 3, 2023January 6, 2023 by Kim Podlecki

Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (abbreviated FATE) is a highly fatal disease caused by a blood clot becoming stuck at the aortic trifurcation—the area where the blood supply to both back legs occurs. This condition almost always occurs acutely, and can come as quite a shock to owners. FATE can occur when your cat has shown absolutely … Read more

Kim Podlecki

A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Podlecki has more than 12 years of experience working with small animals in the United States. Dr. Podlecki worked almost exclusively in emergency and specialty medicine for more than 10 years before transitioning to relief in both general practice and ER. Dr. Podlecki also owns her own consulting company (renewvetconsulting.com) with the focus of helping veterinary hospitals prioritize their staff to promote a healthier internal culture.

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

January 25, 2023November 13, 2022 by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet)

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

Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet)

Dr. Lauren has worked in all aspects of the veterinary field throughout her career and therefore she has a deep understanding of animals. Since graduating from veterinary school, Lauren has worked in multiple countries, fostered many animals, and volunteered her time to help pets and vets alike.

6 Most Common Eye Problems in Cats (Vet Answers)

March 6, 2023November 1, 2022 by Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet)

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

Dr. Lauren Demos (Vet)