Feline infectious peritonitis is a virus commonly found in the feline population.  It is an untreatable, often fatal disease.  Currently there is no known treatment for this virus.

Some available treatments are designed to induce a short term remission.  Unfortunately, it is only successful in a small number of cats.  Treatment is mostly aimed at supportive care.  Good nutrition and fluid therapy are an essential part of the treatment. Cats with feline infectious peritonitis are often treated with a regimen of antibiotics, corticosteroids, and cytotoxic medications.  Blood transfusions and draining fluids from the chest or abdominal areas also play a large role in the prescribed treatment plan.  Research is being done to find an immunosuppressive medication that will cure cats diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis.

The use of the immune suppressant drugs; cyclophosphamide and prednisone, are used as a combination therapy to help slow down the progress of the virus.  Even with the use of glucocorticoids, certain therapies fail to cure the disease.  Many veterinarians have recommended using immune modulators as a medical option for the treatment of the feline infectious peritonitis virus.  At the present time, there is no documented confirmation of their effectiveness in treating this disease.

Clinical signs, laboratory tests, and a record of the patient’s past medical history can be of great assistance in the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis.  A blood test may be conducted to determine whether the cat has been exposed to the feline corona virus.

The test detects the presence of antibodies against the feline corona virus.  A cat produces the antibodies when it is exposed to the virus, although exposure doesn’t mean a cat will contact feline infectious peritonitis.  A definitive diagnosis can only be made when a lab technician conducts a series of tests.  The chemistry profile of the cat will be analyzed for an elevation in protein and globulin levels and low red blood cell count.  These values are indicators of feline infectious peritonitis.  The fluid from the chest or abdomen will also be analyzed. Radiographs will show the accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity of an infected feline.

An ultrasound can record information concerning the condition of the internal organs and give an indication of which, if any organs are surrounded by fluid.  A DNA or PCR test can also be used to diagnose feline infectious peritonitis.  This test will analyze DNA samples from the blood to detect the presence of viral genetic material.

Feline epilepsy is usually caused by an infection, kidney failure, drug overdose, trauma, or metabolic disorder; although in most cases it is a genetic disease.  The actual causes that trigger epilepsy among cats are still unknown.

Epilepsy causes an unorganized firing of the nerves present inside a cat’s brain.  Under normal circumstances, impulses are sent out in a consistent and synchronized manner, maintaining accurately counted time lots of movement.  A cat suffering from epilepsy usually lacks consciousness or becomes ignorant of their environment and frequently have uncoordinated bodily actions.  Epilepsy is a disease which can be controlled but cannot be cured.

Feline seizures can be divided into three categories depending upon the intensity.  The three categories include petit mal, grand mal, and status epilepticus.  In most cases, the petit mal and the grand mal seizures are not fatal.  While the status epilepticus is a deadly life-threatening disease.  Status epilepticus can cause damage to the organs and can increase the internal temperature of the body to an alarming height.  Such health conditions often result in death.  Some veterinarians recommend the use of anti-convolusant medications to treat acute symptoms of feline epilepsy.  Feline epileptic seizures cannot be treated only controlled.

The treatment of feline urinary tract infections is determined by the symptoms exhibited by the patient.  Symptoms can vary depending upon the severity of the infection.  In cases of feline urinary infections, one of the first signs pet owners notice is non use of the litter box or other changes in urinary habits.  As a rule, other symptoms develop over time.

Feline urinary tract infections are most often associated with symptoms of:

• Urinating outside of the litter box
• Urinating in bathtubs or sinks
• Blood in the urine
• Frequent licking
• Lethargy
• Straining while trying to urinate
• Crying while trying to urinate
• Frequent trips to the litter box

A feline urinary tract infection is a very serious problem and can have dire consequences.  At the first indication of a cat exhibiting symptoms of an infection, a veterinarian should be consulted.  Cats can become blocked, very quickly, and if not treated immediately; death can be the result of severe infections. Symptoms commonly start out very mild, but can escalate rapidly and create other diseases or infections.  A complete examination by a veterinarian is the only way to know for sure if a cat is suffering from a urinary tract infection.

The causes of feline hyperesthesia are generally unknown, many veterinarians are of the opinion it is mainly due to inferior diets, consumption of chemicals and preservatives found in cat foods, and over vaccination.  It is sometimes called the rolling skin syndrome and seizures resembling those seen in epilepsy cases are experienced by cats suffering from this disease.

In comparison to dogs, cats are highly sensitive to chemicals and toxins present in vaccines.  Many of the flea and tick products found in today’s pet market cause extreme side effects in cats.  Therefore, many veterinarians recommend the use of homeopathic medications.  The use of Azmira detoxifier is highly recommended for use in cats.  Nupro supplement has also been proven to be significantly successful for use in cats suffering from feline hyperesthesia syndrome.  It helps to increase an infected cat’s nutritional intake.

Nupro supplement also has properties that aid in the promotion of hair growth, and healing dry skin.  This product can be used to protect or control a feline flea infestation, without causing the side effects as seen in harsh chemical flea repellants.  Nupro has also been found to increase the production of blood, while controlling flatulence and increasing a cat’s appetite and energy production.

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome has similarities resembling a seizure syndrome and is called the feline rolling skin syndrome.  Cats suffering from this condition often display erratic behavioral changes, appearing to fantasize or become highly active and display violent behavior.

Other commonly observed clinical signs of feline hyperesthesia syndrome include scaring of the skin near the tail, dilated pupils, mood changes, tearing at the skin near the tail, and loud meowing.  Occasionally cats suffering from this syndrome will be the victim of bleeding and severe hair loss.  As very little is known about this disease, it is extremely difficult to diagnose feline hyperesthesia syndrome.  The most universal way to make a diagnosis of this condition is to discount other possible diseases displaying some of the same symptoms.

It is recommended that cats experiencing the symptoms indicative of feline hyperesthesia syndrome begin treatment with a complete physical examination.  A veterinarian will also need a historical account of the cat’s past behavior as well as physical history.  In many instances, the inclusion of a chemistry profile will be required to examine blood count and thyroid hormone levels.  Proper treatment can be initiated after medical results rule out other disorders; leading to a diagnosis of feline hyperesthesia syndrome.

Feline epilepsy is a neurological disorder; although incurable, treatment is available to decrease frequency and severity of the seizures.  In most cases of feline epilepsy, a cat’s life is not threatened unless status epilepticus develops. Idiopathic epilepsy, the most common form of epilepsy experienced by cats can be treated through the use of anticonvulsant medications.

Phenobarbital is the most effective drug in this category and can be given orally to cats.  Phenobarbital acts as a sedative, calming the nerves in the brain.

A few temporary side effects such as excessive water intake and frequent urination, along with excessive eating, and a feeling of lethargy are common occurrences during the early treatment phase when using this medication.  Another anticonvulsant drug, valium or diazepam can also be given orally, although during an emergency it is given intravenously.  Diazepam is recommended in the treatment of feline status epilepticus.  Potassium bromide is also frequently recommended by veterinarians for cats that are suffering from epilepsy and liver disease.

As a rule, anticonvulsant medications are usually not prescribed unless the patient has more than one seizure per month or the duration of seizures is more than thirty minutes.  Regularly scheduled blood tests are essential to observe the cat’s response to these medications and to provide protection against the harmful effects of the anticonvulsant drugs needed to treat their epileptic disorders.

Cats often suffer from digestive disorders that lead to diarrhea and vomiting.  Sometimes they regurgitate after eating.  This occurs as a response to a blockage in the esophagus caused by food or fur.  This habit of regurgitation is not the same as vomiting.

Unlike regurgitation, vomiting is distinguished by the odor of stomach acid.  Frequent regurgitation is a sign of a digestive disorder.  One of the common symptoms of feline digestive problems is hairballs.   Secretion of an insufficient quantity of digestive enzymes can cause a pancreatic disorder.  This condition takes the cat’s craving for food away and causes weight loss.

Another feline digestive problem occurs due to the presence of parasites or worms in the cat’s stomach.  The parasites will cause bloody stool, signs of fatigue, and weight loss.  Digestive disorders also occur when a cat swallows something, which gets stuck in their intestines causing them to vomit frequently.

Inflammatory bowel disease can cause diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and resulting weight loss.  The presence of a tumor can cause a blockage, creating digestive distress.

If a cat is frequently seen struggling to vomit, it needs to be examined by a veterinarian.  Feline digestive disorders can be fatal, therefore requiring immediate medical attention.

Feline epilepsy is seldom seen in very young cats.  They normally have their first seizure between the ages of two to three years of age.  Feline epileptic seizures vary in intensity.  Three categories of seizures can be associated with the feline population:

• Petit Mal
• Grand Mal
• Status Epilepticus

Petit mal is classified as seizures in their mildest form.  In the midst of a petit mal seizure, a cat may cry out as if in pain, develop a blank stare, or shake one leg.  Seizures of this nature normally last less than a minute.

The most common epileptic seizure recognized in cats is the grand mal seizure.  During an episode of a grand mal seizure, a cat will fall to one side and urinate or defecate uncontrollably.  Frothing at the mouth and paddling their feet are regular occurrences that can be observed during the grand mal seizure, which usually lasts approximately five minutes.  Cats will appear to be unaware of surrounding activities.

The most severe seizure suffered by cats is known as the status epilepticus.  This type of seizure occurs as a reflection of the grand mal seizure and may last for several hours.  The cat will give the appearance of coming out of the seizure, and then lapse into another seizure.

In most instances, the petit mal and the grand mal are not life-threatening.  The status epilepticus is an extremely serious condition and can lead to a crucially high internal body temperature.  Organ damage and death can be the result of this type of seizure.

There is no cure for a cat suffering with a viral infection, such as calicivirus.  Care should be taken to keep the cat as warm and comfortable as possible, while treating the flu-like symptoms.  The discharge from the eyes and nose should be gently cleaned with a warm cloth dipped in a salt water solution.  In the case of a secondary bacterial infection, a veterinarian can guide the pet owner by prescribing an antibiotic.

If the virus is accompanied by mouth ulcers, the cat may stop eating.  Eating and drinking should be monitored very carefully.  When a cat loses its sense of smell it also loses interest in eating.  Soft food with enticing flavors should be offered to the cat to encourage eating.  If the cat becomes dehydrated, it may need to be put on intravenous fluids.  Oxygen therapy can also be used if breathing difficulty becomes critical.

Isolation is highly recommended for a cat that is being treated for calicivirus to protect other cats that may be exposed.  The virus is airborne and extremely contagious.  Treatment of the more severe cases of feline calicivirus may require a few days of hospitalization.