cats

Cat Hairball Blockage: Warning Signs and When to Go to the ER

Most cats retch or gag up a hairball now and then, and it is usually more gross than dangerous. The problem is that the early signs of a hairball blockage can look like “just another hairball” until your cat is dehydrated, painful, or truly obstructed. As a veterinary assistant, I always tell...

Feline Diabetic Remission: What It Means and What Owners Actually Do

If your cat has diabetes, the word remission can feel like hope and pressure at the same time. Hope that insulin might not be forever. Pressure because you may wonder if you are doing enough, doing it right, or missing something important. As a veterinary assistant, I like to keep this simple and...

Stud Tail in Cats

If you have ever scratched your cat right above the tail and noticed your fingers came away oily, or you spotted a dark, waxy patch that just will not brush out, you may be dealing with stud tail . The good news is that many cases improve with the right hygiene routine and a little patience. The...

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex in Cats

If your cat has a stubborn sore on the lip, an angry-looking patch on the belly, or a swollen chin that will not go away, it is easy to assume it is acne, a scratch, or a spider bite. One possible cause is Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex , often shortened to EGC . It is also commonly mistaken for...

Hypothyroidism in Cats: Signs, Testing, and Treatment

If you have ever searched “thyroid problems in cats,” you probably noticed that most articles focus on hyperthyroidism . That makes sense because hyperthyroidism is one of the most common hormone disorders in older cats. Hypothyroidism , on the other hand, is rare in cats. It does happen, but...

Hepatic Lipidosis in Cats: When Not Eating Becomes an Emergency

When a cat stops eating, it is not just a picky phase. In cats, poor appetite can quickly turn into a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition called hepatic lipidosis , also known as fatty liver disease . As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how fast it can snowball, especially after a...

Why Is My Cat Drinking So Much Water?

If you have caught yourself thinking, “Why is my cat drinking so much water all of a sudden?” you are paying attention in exactly the right way. Increased thirst is called polydipsia . When it comes along with increased urination, we call it polyuria . Together, these signs can be an early clue...

Toxoplasmosis in Cats

Toxoplasmosis is one of those topics that can make cat parents feel nervous fast, especially if someone in the home is pregnant or immunocompromised. The good news is this: with a little knowledge and a few simple habits, you can dramatically reduce risk without treating your cat like a walking...

Triaditis in Cats

If your cat is vomiting and suddenly not eating, that is scary enough. Add yellow-tinged gums or eyes, a fever, or belly pain and it can feel like everything is happening at once. Sometimes it is. Triaditis is a real syndrome in cats where the pancreas , the bile ducts (and sometimes the liver) ,...

Retrain Your Cat to Use the Litter Box

When a cat stops using the litter box after a move, a stressful event, or an illness, it can feel personal. It almost never is. In my experience as a veterinary assistant, litter box problems most often point to pain or urgency , stress or feeling unsafe , or a box or litter setup that is not...

Expressing a Cat’s Anal Glands at Home

As a veterinary assistant, I have to start with the most important truth: most cats do not need routine anal gland expression at home. When they do, it is usually because something is off, like inflammation, infection, allergies, diarrhea, obesity, or an anatomic issue. That is why this topic needs...

Feline Panleukopenia (Cat Distemper): Symptoms, Treatment, Survival

Hearing the words feline panleukopenia , often called cat distemper , can be terrifying, especially if your cat is a kitten and is suddenly vomiting, having diarrhea, and acting “not like themselves.” This disease is caused by a highly contagious virus that attacks the gut and immune system,...

Best Flea and Tick Prevention for Cats

Flea and tick prevention for cats is not just about comfort. It is about safety, too. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen well-meaning pet parents accidentally use a dog product on a cat and create a true emergency. Cats metabolize certain insecticides very differently than dogs, and some...

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is the most common heart disease in cats. It happens when the muscular wall of the heart, especially the left ventricle, becomes abnormally thick. That extra thickness makes it harder for the heart to relax and fill properly, which can raise pressures inside the...

Cushing’s Syndrome in Cats: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Cushing’s syndrome in cats, also called feline hyperadrenocorticism , happens when a cat’s body is exposed to too much cortisol for too long. (You may also hear people say “Cushing’s disease.” Technically, that term is often used for the pituitary-driven form, but many pet owners and...

How Much Does It Cost to Spay or Neuter a Cat?

As a veterinary assistant, I hear this question all the time because it is a smart one. Spaying and neutering prevent surprise litters, reduce certain health risks, and can make life easier for both cats and humans. The tricky part is that the price can vary a lot based on your location, your...

Homemade Cat Food for IBD (Low-Residue Recipes)

If your cat has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), feeding can feel like a daily guessing game. You want to stop the vomiting and diarrhea, help them maintain weight, and still serve food they actually want to eat. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how much diet can help some IBD cats,...

Feline Leukemia (FeLV): Stages, Treatment, and What to Expect

If your cat has just been diagnosed with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed. As a veterinary assistant, I have seen how scary this diagnosis sounds, and I have also seen FeLV-positive cats live happy, comfortable lives with the right plan and the right...

Homemade Cat Food for Liver Disease

If your cat has been diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) or a chronic liver condition, food can feel suddenly complicated. As a veterinary assistant, I want you to know two things can be true at once: liver disease is serious, and you can absolutely make nutrition simpler and more...

Gabapentin for Cats: Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects

Gabapentin is one of the most common medications I see veterinarians reach for in cats, especially when we need help with pain , anxiety , or safe, low-stress handling for vet visits. If your cat has ever turned into a tiny panther at the carrier or the clinic, you are not alone. Below, I will walk...