Articles

What is megacolon?  The gastrointestinal tract terminates in a tubular organ called the colon. The colon serves as a site for absorption of water and storage of fecal material. It is continuous with the rectum.

Pyothorax is an infection that occurs in the pleural space. The pleural space is located between the lungs and the chest wall. In the normal cat this space is almost non-existent because the lungs lie against the chest wall.

What is “inappropriate elimination”?  This is a term that means that a cat is urinating and/or defecating in the house but not in the litter box. 

What is pancreatitis?  The pancreas is a vital organ that is located on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions:

We would like to congratulate you on the acquisition of your new kitten. Owning a cat can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it also carries with it quite a bit of responsibility.

In its simplest terms, pyometra is an infection in the uterus. However, most cases of pyometra are much more difficult to manage than a routine infection. 

What is inflammatory bowel disease?  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not a specific disease. Rather, it is a specific reaction that the stomach or intestines have to chronic irritation. 

Heartworms are 9-11” long worms that live in a cat’s heart or in the arteries going to the lungs (pulmonary arteries). Although they occur commonly in dogs, most people do not consider them a problem for the cat.

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure.

An aural (ear) hematoma is a collection of blood, serum, or a blood clot within the pinna (ear flap). When present, the pinna will be very thick. The swelling may involve the entire pinna or it may involve only one area.