Library
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The most common cause of hip dislocation is blunt force trauma such as a fall or an automobile injury. Most cats with a hip dislocation will have severe hind limb lameness and pain, and may not be able to put any weight on the affected limb. A diagnostic X-ray will show the direction of dislocation, and whether a fracture of any part of the hip joint has occurred. In many cases, it is possible to replace the femoral head in the acetabulum by manipulation under general anesthesia. If the femoral head has been successfully replaced and the correct postoperative treatment has been adhered to, it is unlikely that the hip will redislocate.
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Taking care of a paralyzed pet comes with many challenges. This handout reviews the needs of a paralyzed pet and how an owner can help them at home.
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Horner's syndrome is a common neurological disorder of the eye and facial muscles and can occur suddenly. Horner's syndrome is caused by dysfunction of the sympathetic nerves of the eyes and surrounding facial muscles. It may be due to an injury such as a bite wound or blunt trauma, a tumor, intervertebral disc disease, or middle or inner ear disease. If an underlying cause can be identified, treatments will target that issue; however, many cases spontaneously recover after some time.
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Cats are very good at hiding signs of pain, so cat owners need to be very observant to recognize behavior changes that indicate their cat needs help. Some of the most common behavior changes are associated with grooming and litter box habits. This handout describes these and other changes to watch for, as well as advice on how to support your aging cat.
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Hypercalcemia occurs when the level of calcium in the blood is higher than normal. High calcium levels may signal the presence of serious underlying diseases including kidney failure, adrenal gland failure, a parathyroid gland tumor, and some types of cancer. Cats may have idiopathic hypercalcemia, in which no cause can be identified. Signs and testing for hypercalcemia are discussed.
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Hyperlipidemia refers to elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and can be due to several causes. Often times there are no clinical signs. Hyperlipidemia is confirmed using a 12-18 hours fasting sample. The pet's medical history and a search for an underlying cause is important for its treatment. If no underlying cause is found, your pet will need to start eating a low-fat, high-fiber diets, and may be started on the appropriate medications and supplements.
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Cats have two thyroid glands, which are located in the neck and play a vital role in regulating the body's metabolic rate. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by the overproduction of thyroid hormone and a subsequent increase in metabolic rate. This disease is common in older cats.
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Hypocalcemia means that the level of calcium in the bloodstream is low. Signs of hypocalcemia include restlessness, stiffness, weakness, irritability, muscle tremors, hypersensitivity to touch and sound, and seizures.
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Hypokalemia is a term that refers to a low blood concentration of potassium. Potassium is an important electrolyte within the body and is vital for the normal function of muscles and nerves. Mild to moderate hypokalemia often does not cause clinical sigs, but severe hypokalemia can result in generalized muscle weakness, lack of appetite, and some cats may become constipated. The underlying cause of hypokalemia is often chronic kidney failure. Hypokalemia and its associated clinical signs may be quickly corrected by potassium supplementation. Depending on the cause, it may be necessary to continue supplementing potassium permanently.
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Ibuprofen is commonly used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation in humans. Ibuprofen poisoning occurs when a cat ingests a toxic dose of ibuprofen, either through misuse or by accident. Ibuprofen poisoning causes many different clinical signs because many different organ systems can be affected. Most commonly, cats show signs related to kidney problems.