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Category: Feline

  • Glipizide therapy in diabetic cats

    Glipizide is an oral blood glucose lowering drug in the sulphonylurea class. It acts by causing the beta cells in the pancreas to release insulin, and may also increase sensitivity to insulin.

    A structural diagram of glipizide.
    A structural diagram of glipizide.

    Glipizide is used to treat type II diabetes in cats along with diet, exercise and insulin therapy if necessary. It is highly effective when combined with a low carbohydrate diet.

    The most common side effects reported are vomiting, diarrhoea and hypoglycaemia.

    Glipizide is safe and well-tolerated by most cats, and can avoid the use of insulin altogether. However, it should not be used in cats with liver or kidney disease, as this can result in pronounced hypoglycaemia.

  • Feline asthma

    Vet examines cat
    Image © iStockphoto.com/deepblue4you

    A young cat in good condition with a history of coughing and mixed dyspnoea with increased abdominal effort on expiration is most likely to have feline asthma.

    Although chest radiographs are necessary to confirm, harsh lung sounds in all fields and the absence of a heart murmur or gallop rhythm makes the diagnosis of asthma very likely.

  • Alopecia in cats

    Endocrine alopecia in cats is extremely rare. (more…)

  • Pectus excavatum in cats

    Pectus excavatum is a common congenital malformation of the sternum and costochondral cartilages affecting cats, especially males. (more…)

  • Taurine deficiency in cats

    It’s common knowledge that cats cannot thrive on dog food due to inadequate taurine levels in dog food, resulting in cardiomyopathy.

    Taurine deficiency in cats will also cause retinal degeneration. Once generalised retinal atrophy has occurred, there is no reversing the disease.

    Taurine content is high in milk, liver and shellfish. The daily requirement for the cat is 35-56mg.