DrBarchas.com is a free resource for people with pets. Searchable articles are available on diseases, behavior, symptoms, and medical treatments for dogs and cats.
Cats and dogs.
Dogs and cats
Foxtails, or grass awns, are arrow-shaped stickers that are produced by some types of grasses that have gone to seed. Foxtails carry grass seeds. They evolved to embed in the skin and be spread by animals.
Cats and kittens
Upper respiratory infections, also known as URIs, are very common in cats. They are similar to colds in people, but they are caused by different types of germs.
URIs are especially common in kittens, and almost all cats will have experienced an upper respiratory infection by the time they reach adulthood. A very large proportion of kittens adopted from shelters suffer from URIs shortly after adoption.
Cats and dogs
Fever of unknown origin is a common syndrome in cats and dogs. Affected animals experience an elevated body temperature, usually accompanied by lethargy, weakness, and lack of appetite.
As the name implies, the cause of fever of unknown origin is not determined in most cases. However, most pets with the syndrome are treated for bacterial infections. This treatment usually is successful.
Cats and dogs of both genders.
Overview
Cats and dogs
IBD is a common syndrome in which the stomach, intestines, or colon (or a combination of the three) becomes chronically irritated. This results in chronic or intermittent diarrhea, vomiting, or both.
Cats, usually middle-aged or older.
Overview
Kidney disease, or kidney failure, is the most common major medical problem of older cats. Many cats survive with kidney disease for months or years after diagnosis. However, kidney disease generally is not curable. The disease is chronic and progressive, and over time causes fatality in most cases.
Primarily dogs; rarely cats
Marijuana intoxication may occur in pets that have access to marijuana plants, dried portions of the plants, or foodstuffs containing marijuana.
Primarily dogs; occasionally cats
Aural hematomas occur when blood accumulates underneath the skin in the external portion of the ear. A noticeably swollen area develops on the ear. The area is often painful or irritating to the pet.
Aural hematomas develop when trauma occurs to the ear. Direct trauma or chronic, violent head shaking can break blood vessels in the ear. Broken blood vessels allow blood to accumulate under the skin, forming a hematoma.