A fracture is any break in bone or cartilage, whether it is complete or incomplete. With any fracture there is also damage to the surrounding soft tissues.The majority of fractures are caused by trauma sustained by motor vehicle accidents. Occasionally they will occur because of an underlying bone ... more >>

Frostbite is injury to tissue that occurs when an animal is exposed to freezing temperatures accompanied by high winds. The primary areas that are affected include the feet, tail and tips of the ears. The body responds to exposure to cold temperatures by reducing blood flow to the outer parts of ... more >>

There are three layers to the tooth. The outside layer is a thin layer called the enamel. The second layer is under the enamel consists of a hard substance called dentin. The inside of the tooth is called the dental pulp, which is made up of arteries, veins, nerves and connective tissue. A ... more >>

This article contains a list of common diseases and conditions of cats listed alphabetically. Each link will take you to an article with more information about that specific condition.For information about general symptoms (such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, lethargy, lack of appetite, etc.), ... more >>

Gasoline and other petroleum products are not among the top animal poisons, but they can cause illness if ingested or exposed to the skin. The most common petroleum products associated with illness include motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, propane and diesel. Toxicity caused by petroleum products is ... more >>

Gastric foreign body is a term that refers to any material other than food that is eaten and that results in a serious digestive problem in the stomach. Foreign bodies such as toys, string, clothing and plastic can become lodged in the stomach and create an obstruction. Any household object your ... more >>

Gastric motility disorders are abnormalities that result from conditions that disrupt normal emptying of the stomach resulting in distention and subsequent abnormal function of the stomach.There are many causes of gastric motility disorders, including: Metabolic Disorders Hypokalemia (low ... more >>

Gastritis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The most common sign associated with gastritis is vomiting. Although signs may be mild and self-limiting in some cases, they can be debilitating and even life threatening in others, necessitating ... more >>

Gastric foreign body is a term that refers to any material other than food that is eaten and that results in a serious digestive problem in the stomach. Foreign bodies such as toys, string, clothing and plastic can become lodged in the stomach and create an obstruction. Any household object your ... more >>

Gastrointestinal ulcerations are inflammatory lesions that extend into the deeper layers of the gastrointestinal tract, going beyond the mucosa (lining). They need to be differentiated from erosions, which are more superficial and involve only the mucosa. Gastrointestinal ulcers are uncommon in ... more >>

Gastrointestinal neoplasia is cancer located anywhere throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the oral cavity (mouth), esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines, and rectum. GI neoplasia can be primary, which means it originates in the GI tract, or metastatic, which is ... more >>

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue resulting in redness and swelling, most commonly caused by dental plaque. Plaque results when bacteria normally found in the mouth mix with proteins and starches found in saliva to produce a gritty material that adheres to the teeth. Plaque eventually ... more >>

Glaucoma is abnormally high pressure in the eye. Inside the normal eye there is constant production and drainage of a watery fluid called aqueous humor. When there is a problem with the drainage of this fluid, the pressure within the eye can increase. High pressure causes damage to the optic nerve, ... more >>

Giardia is a protozoan parasite found all over the world. It infects humans, many domestic animals and birds. Giardia lives in the intestinal tract and infection may be asymptomatic or can result in gastrointestinal symptoms.Giardia infections (called Giardiasis) show no gender or breed ... more >>

The kidneys consist of many thousand microscopic filtering units called glomeruli that filter water and small substances from the bloodstream. The tubules of the kidney then reabsorb vital substances such as glucose and electrolytes from the filtered fluid leaving unneeded substances and a small ... more >>

In our increasingly violent society, the ready availability of firearms not only increases the risk of injury to people but also to our pets. Gunshot injury is particularly common in poor urban areas and rural areas. The damage associated with gunshot injury depends on the area of the body in which ... more >>

Hairballs are not among the many endearing qualities of long-haired cats, but they are part of the package. How should you deal with them? Here are some answers.Hairballs, also called trichobezoar or fur balls, develop when a cat grooms herself with her tongue and ingests the hair. This hair forms ... more >>

Head trauma is a blunt or penetrating injury occurring to the head. In cats it may occur due to a variety of causes, the most common of which is a motor vehicle accident. Other causes include blunt trauma such as being hit by bats or swings or being stepped on, falls, gunshot wounds or animal ... more >>

Heartworm disease is a serious and fatal disease of the heart and lungs caused by a parasite, Dirofilaria immitis, that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Historically, heartworm disease in cats has been given less consideration than in dogs because the incidence is so much lower compared to dogs and ... more >>

Helicobacter is a stomach-associated spiral shaped bacterium that has been linked to peptic ulcer disease and cancer in humans. The organism can be isolated from the stomach of some cats and dogs, but whether it induces any disease is controversial. The organism is found in a large percentage of ... more >>

Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant cancer of the cells that form blood vessels. Because these tumors start in blood vessels, they are frequently filled with blood. Consequently, when a blood-filled tumor ruptures, it can cause problems with internal or external bleeding. Hemangiosarcoma is ... more >>

Hemolytic anemia is a disease process in which the red blood cells, the cells that carry oxygen and impart a red color to blood, are destroyed, resulting in a decreased number in the bloodstream. Red blood cells supply the body with oxygen, so when there are fewer of them, the animal lacks energy ... more >>

Hypopyon is the accumulation of white blood cells within the liquid of the anterior (front) chamber of the eye. The cells are released from inflamed blood vessels located within the iris and tissues behind the iris. When inflammation of the iris and ciliary body occurs (also called anterior ... more >>

Normal body temperature for cats is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Hypothermia is a medical term used to describe a body temperature that is below normal. The most common cause of hypothermia is prolonged exposure to cold environmental temperatures. If left untreated, affected animals may ... more >>

Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland. This gland is responsible for producing and secreting thyroid hormone (thyroxine), which affects nearly all body systems. Thyroxine is the hormone that is primarily responsible for regulating the metabolic rate of many different tissues in the ... more >>