Cats
From Plant to Pet: Veterinary Impacts of the Pathogenic Fungus, Fusarium
Streptococcus canis on Feline Skin: A New Frontier in Zoonotic Risk for Pet Owners and Implications for Treatment Strategies for Veterinarians
Pet-Proofing Your Home for Halloween: A Vet’s Checklist to Pet Safety
As a care provider, here’s what you can do to prepare your clinic for emergency pet care on the Night of Fright.
World Rabies Day 2023: What to Know About Rabies for All Pets
Rabies is a deadly disease that can impact anyone, not just your furry friends! It is a zoonotic infection, meaning that it is transmitted between animals, and animals can pass it on to humans. World Rabies Day is celebrated to bring awareness to this fatal infection and the importance of staying up to date with pet vaccination records to prevent its spread to you and the pets you care for! The World Rabies Day 2023 theme is “All for 1, One Health for all” to share the idea that rabies infects m
4 Reasons Your Cat is Not Getting Better with Antibiotics
Antibiotics can lose their effectiveness due to antibiotic resistance that develops due to unnecessary antibiotics. Ensuring accurate diagnoses and, more importantly, prescribing antibiotics tailored specifically to your pet are important measures to prevent declining antibiotic effectiveness. Have you ever been concerned when your beloved feline companion isn’t responding to antibiotic treatment as expected? It’s crucial to address this issue for the well-being of our furry friends. Here are 4
Lumps and Bumps on a Cat’s Skin
Cats are affectionate creatures (albeit on their own terms) and when Fluffy demands that scratch under her chin or a stroke down her back, you may come across a lump, bump, or even some crusts. The fastidious nature of cats means that what you’ve found isn’t likely to be foreign material stuck in her fur, but actually some changes within the skin itself. MiDOG Next-Gen Sequencing Technology may be appropriate in assisting with a diagnosis, but first, let’s discuss the types of skin lesions you m
Diagnosing Feline Fungal Infections
Just like humans, cats can suffer fungal infections! Fungi are parasitic spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter. While there are roughly 144,000 known species of fungi that exist, cats are susceptible to only select fungal infections. Fungal infections can be passed on to cats through ingestion, inhalation, and absorption through skin, with environmental exposure to soil with pathogenic fungus being the primary mode of transmission for cats. And so without further ado, here are th
Why is My Cat Itching?: Allergies and the Feline Microbiome
Has your cat been itching and scratching their skin more often than normal? If so, your furry friend may be suffering from feline dermatitis! Feline dermatitis is a general term that describes inflammation or irritation of the skin [1]. This condition can manifest in several ways, and has long been associated with allergies and environmental factors [2]. However, Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) technology has allowed veterinarians and researchers to understand the more complex, multifactorial etiology
Pathogen Spotlight of the Month: Escherichia Coli
If your cat has been struggling to use the litterbox, they might be suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI)! While UTIs are less common in younger cats, these infections progress to feline lower urinary tract disorders in 40-45% of cats older than 10 years [1]. Feline urine even in a healthy state is not sterile, and is home to a plethora of bacteria; however, when pathogenic bacteria are able to outcompete healthy bacteria, urinary tract infections may manifest. Escherichia coli has long
New Study: Antimicrobial Resistant Genes and Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis
Does your cat’s “meowth” look red and swollen? If so, your friend may be suffering from feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), which is a painful and chronic inflammatory disease of the oral cavity that affects 0.7% to 12% of cats in their lifetime [1]. FCGS has a multifactorial etiology caused by a “hyper” immune response to one or more initial triggers. Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is uncomfortable at best for your furry friend, and if left untreated may result in serious health complica
Interview with Dermatology Specialist: Dr. Alissa Rexo (Part 2)
Antibiotic resistance is an increasing global problem, both for public and animal health and welfare. Considering antibiotic resistance is influenced not only by human and animal antibiotic use, but also by intrinsic resistance exhibited by some pathogenic microorganisms, understanding the clinical implications of animal skin microbiomes is becoming increasingly important. With contemporary research employing the use of Next-Gen Sequencing to aptly characterize the skin microbiome of various ani
Feline Gingivostomatitis: Advancements in Clinical Diagnostics
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a painful, chronic inflammatory disease of the oral cavity that affects 0.7% to 12% of cats in their lifetime [1]. FCGS has a multifactorial etiology caused by a “hyper” immune response to one or more initial triggers. Therefore, a combination of understanding the conditions that cause FCGS and the infective pathogens themselves is critical in delivering quality healthcare to your cat. Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is uncomfortable at best for your f
Feline Respiratory Disease Complex: How to Identify Respiratory Infections in Your Cat
If your cat is coughing up more than hairballs, your furry friend may have feline respiratory disease complex! Feline respiratory disease complex (FRDC) is an umbrella term for respiratory illnesses in cats caused by a group of organisms and/or viruses, and is estimated to occur in approximately 25.8% of cats in high-risk group settings [1]. FRDC, also known as feline upper respiratory infection (URI), can be complicated to treat due to possible secondary bacterial infections on top of the initi
Feline Urinary Tract Infections: From Subclinical to Severe
Has your cat been struggling in the litter box? Or maybe you’ve noticed that despite being potty trained for years, your cat has recently started to lose control. These behaviors may seem more puzzling than concerning but could be indicative of a painful and dangerous urinary tract infection. What is a Urinary Tract Infection? You might not realize it, but there are actually a lot of bacteria that inhabit the urinary system and are considered part of a normal or healthy urinary bacterial communi