Reviewed for accuracy on July 30, 2020 by Sarah Wallace, DVM Cats and kittens are susceptible to a variety of intestinal parasites, including cestodes, more commonly known as tapeworms. Tapeworms resemble long and flat ribbon-like worms ranging in size from 4 to 20 inches. Cats can get tapeworms through ingesting fleas, which can occur during… Read More

Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite cats (and dogs) can get, and many cats will get them at some point in their lives. The 3- to 5-inch long worms live in the cat’s intestines, where they live on food the cat has eaten. Your cat can get roundworms from feces or a contaminated environment,… Read More

Hookworms are thread-like worms about a half-inch long that live in the digestive system of cats (and dogs). Hookworms attach to the lining of the intestinal wall and feed on the cat’s blood. Because they are so small, they are not visible in feces, and they are long-lived – they can actually live as long… Read More

Heartworms are parasites that cause a progressive and potentially fatal illness that damages the lungs, heart and arteries of cats and dogs. Heartworms, which can grow to more than a foot long, enter a cat’s body via a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes pick up the heartworm larvae when they bite infected dogs, coyotes, wolves, foxes, or… Read More

  Ringworm is not actually a worm, but rather a fungus (dermatophytosis) that is very popular among cats, and can spread to humans and even other domesticated animals. Ringworm in cats and dogs presents with patchy red spots, usually circular, and sometimes bald areas on the head, chest, back, and legs on cats (severe infections can… Read More

Many pet parents know the importance of spaying or neutering their own pet, and frequently assume pets at the shelter level are being spayed or neutered. But have you wondered why? We spoke with our friends at Pawsitive Alliance, an organization that not only helps “less desirable” pets get adopted with their Why Not Me?… Read More

Cats can become host to several types of intestinal parasites, which are referred to as worms. Infestations can cause an array of symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stool, worms visible in the stool, coughing, constipation, and bloating. Possible Types of Worms in Cats Unfortunately, there are multiple types of worms that can affect… Read More

Yes, it is OK to use Neosporin on your dog with veterinarian approval, but we do not recommend using it on cats. After receiving some veterinarian feedback, we have restricted our recommendation to dogs only, as there have been reports of cats having life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to the antibiotic ingredients in Neosporin (most specifically in ophthalmic preparations… Read More

Reviewed for accuracy on July 4, 2020 by Sarah Wallace, DVM Key Takeaways Cats can break bones with the most common fractures occurring in the femur, pelvis, jaw, and tail. If your cat shows signs of a fracture, such as limping or refusing to bear weight on a leg, then seek veterinary care as soon… Read More

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a virus that weakens a cat’s immune system. Although vets say that FIV is similar in structure to HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus) and causes a feline disease much like AIDS in humans, FIV infects only felines and is not zoonotic. FIV is referred to as a “lentivirus,” which means… Read More

Reviewed for accuracy on May 11, 2020 by Sarah Wallace, DVM Kennel cough and upper respiratory infections are common in pets, especially during winter months, and especially among kittens and puppies. While some colds can be resolved with at-home treatment, some may require medical care, so be certain you don’t need to take your kitty or pup into… Read More