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Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease in which IgG antibodies attack the acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction (see figures below). Acetycholine is the chemical responsible for communication between nerves. In MG, the body develops antibodies against the sites where acetylcholine binds, thus blocking their action. This results in skeletal muscle weakness. There are […]
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Laminin alpha2-deficient muscular dystrophy
Contents 1Causes 2 Symptoms 3 Treatment 4 References Causes Laminin alpha2-deficient muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease in cats, although the genes responsible for the laminin alpha2-deficiency are yet to be identified and characterised. Laminins are large glycoproteins that make up the basement membranes in a variety of tissues including muscle and Schwann cells. Although named muscular dystrophy, […]
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Spongiform encephalopathy
Spongiform encephalopathy is a neurological disease of cats that affects the central nervous system. Spongiform change in the central nervous system can involve the grey or white matter, or both, and is characterised by leucoencephalopathy, with the presence of vacuoles in the myelin sheaths, in the dendrites or axons in the neuropil, in the neuronal cell bodies or […]
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Neurological disease
There are a broad range of diseases in cats which are capable of causing neurological signs. Complete neurological testing is mandatory prior to further diagnostic workup[1]. Diseases of the nervous system of cats: Acquired motor neurone disease Dyslipidemia Hydrocephalus Neuraxonal dystrophy Aortic thromboembolism Encephalitozoon encephalitis Hypervitaminosis A Niemann-Pick disease Arachnoid cysts Episodic weakness Hyperoxaluria Non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis Arthrogryposis […]
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Anorexia
In cats, anorexia is usually a state of inappetance (failing to eat) for more than 3 days in its normal environment. In some cats, other symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea may help establish a cause[1]. In cats, there are many non-disease states where anorexia is observed such as anxiety due to changes in the home environment, presence of […]
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Laboratory values
Normal clinical values for cats: Temperature 37.8°C – 39.3°C Heart rate 120 – 140 bpm Respiratory rate 16 – 40 bpm Capillary refill time (CRT) < 2 sec Capillary colour pink/red Urine volume 10 – 20 mL / Kg / day Urine specific gravity (USG) 1.020 – 1.040 Blood pressure < 160/130 mm Hg
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Gingivitis
Gingivitis, as opposed to normal dental decay associated with age, is an inflammatory disease of the gums leading to premature tooth loss and gum disease that is both painful and detrimental to cat health. A significant number of cats with gingivitis are prone to chronic renal disease because of the constant insult by bacterial antigens which are […]
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Gastroenterology
Diseases of the gastroenteric system, organized by the part of the gastrointestinal tract involved. Mouth Normal dentition Brachycephalic syndrome Oligodontia Cleft palate Caliciviral stomatitis and oral ulcers Gingivitis Nasopharyngeal polyps Oral neoplasia Oesophagus Oesophagitis Oesophageal strictures Megaoesophagus Stomach Assessment of gastric motility Gastritis Gastroparesis Stomach ulcers and Helicobacter spp infection Gastric neoplasia Gastric-dilation volvulus Spontaneous gastric perforation […]