Dogs
Hot spots are areas of skin that rapidly become irritated and infected, resulting in hair loss, moistness, and inflammation of the area. They are called “hot” because they develop very quickly–in many cases overnight. Often, self trauma such as excessive licking or scratching is involved in the development of hot spots. However, hot spots can occur in the absence of licking or scratching.
Common Causes
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Laxatone® and Petromalt® are commonly prescribed to prevent and eliminate hairballs in cats. They are laxatives that promote the passage of intestinal contents through the rectum as feces. Although the two products (and other, similar products) primarily are marketed as hairball remedies, they also are used to treat and prevent constipation.
Cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine are related medicines. They are in a class of drugs called H2 blockers. They have similar effects and uses in veterinary medicine.
H2 blockers cause decreased production of stomach acid. In pets, these medicines are prescribed mainly to treat or prevent gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite). They also may be used to prevent or treat ulcers or irritation of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.
Furosemide is a medication that is commonly prescribed for heart disease in dogs and cats. It is infrequently used to treat other medical conditions, including high blood pressure or, rarely, certain kidney and urinary disorders.
Furosemide is in a class of medications called diuretics. Medications in this class work by causing increased urine production.
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.
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
FIV is a virus that is related to HIV, the human AIDS virus. Experts do not believe FIV is capable of infecting humans. FIV causes a syndrome in cats that is similar to human AIDS.
Most FIV-infected cats catch the virus by fighting with other cats. The virus spreads when an infected cat bites a cat that is not infected. A much smaller number of cats catch the virus from their mother as kittens. Sexual transmission of FIV does not appear to be common.
Cats
Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, is a poorly understood and extremely dangerous disease of cats. The disease is resistant to treatment and very difficult to diagnose. Almost all cats that contract FIP die from the disease.
Cats
Feline leukemia virus, or FeLV, is a virus that infects cats. It is related to FIV and HIV, the virus that causes human AIDS. There is no evidence that FeLV can infect humans.
FeLV does not sicken every cat that is infected with it. However, some cats that are infected with FeLV suffer suppression of the immune system or develop cancers. These cats often die from the virus.