Cat Diseases

Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre

Holistic Vet - Homeopathic Vet - Acupuncture Vet - Herbal Vet

Diseases of Cats

Building this page is an ongoing work.

Here we describe various cat diseases (feline diseases), with reference to acupuncture, herbal treatment, homeopathic treatment, chiropractic manipulation etc., where appropriate. We invite and accept referrals for complementary and alternative medicine treatments.

see also: Cat Cases

return to cat main page: Cats

Cat Disease List

In addition to the above links, we have a suite of brief introductory pages for quick reference on the following:

If these prove useful to readers and if we receive requests for others, we shall try to oblige as soon as possible.

ALLERGY - ALLERGIES

What is it?

The term ‘allergy’ implies a malfunction of the immune system. The word is derived from Ancient Greek, to mean ‘other function’, so it is one of the few modern disease names that accurately and meaningfully describes the fundamental dysfunction, rather than simply describing signs and symptoms.

In allergy, the immune system responds inappropriately to ‘allergens’, which are materials that ‘trigger’ the reaction. These may be pollens, house dust, flea saliva, moulds, grass proteins, garden plants, house plants, food components, household reagents or certain chemicals. Removing or reducing these allergens from the environment or diet of the cat may reduce the symptoms but will not cure the problem.

What causes it?

This is not known with certainty but any powerful immune challenges, such as virus or vaccination, are likely candidates.

Flea allergy

In the UK, many cats have fleas. Flea allergy is diagnosed very frequently, sometimes quite fallaciously. The presence of fleas at the time of a skin problem does not necessarily mean that the cat suffers a flea allergy. If a flea allergy does occur, this is a deep constitutional problem which needs correcting and just removing fleas, often with toxic chemicals, is not the full answer (see below).

Is allergy treatable?

In conventional medicine, it is usual to try to suppress the allergic reaction with anti-inflammatory drugs (such as steroid/cortisone) or with anti-histamines. This is a life-time task and can, in fact, lead to a worsening of the disease in the longer term. A course of desensitising vaccines may be offered, which are based on the result of specific allergy tests. This technique seems to be aimed to 'tire', to ‘exhaust’ or to 'wear out' the immune system into non-reactivity, but only helps in a few cases.

In natural medicine, at the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre, we try to rebalance the immune system, such that the allergic reaction ceases to occur. This may require homeopathic constitutional prescribing and/or a remedy based more on specific troublesome symptoms. In addition to homeopathy, herbs and acupuncture can play a part in treatment.

In either case, it is wise to try to reduce the allergenic challenge from the environment in the meantime but, whereas in conventional medicine this is a permanent requirement, in natural medicine, a normal tolerance for the allergen may be re-established.

Diet is an essential component of holistic treatment, in that the immune system will heal much faster and more effectively if given a natural, healthy, unprocessed diet. Furthermore, some allergies occur to chemicals in the diet for which the cat has no need but which may be harmful anyway.

ALOPECIA

What is it?

This word simply means loss of hair. Hairless patches appear or there may just be ‘thinning’ of the coat. In cats it is quite commonly distributed on the abdomen, groin and inner thighs.

How does it arise?

It can occur through hormonal imbalance, dietary imbalance or stress. In some instances, it can arise from allergy to fleas or other materials. Chemical contamination of the skin may also produce alopecia.

Is it curable?

With natural medicines, it is usually possible to help a cat to overcome the psychological and stress situations that might lead to alopecia. Homeopathy and Flower essences can be enormously helpful in this regard. The treatment of allergies is dealt with elsewhere.

Hormonal alopecia can be more troublesome. Since most cats are either spayed or castrated, their glandular system is no longer complete. This does not represent a total bar to successful natural therapy, however. Full holistic constitutional homeopathic prescribing is often highly successful in removing the problem. There may be a need for repeat treatments at certain times of year, since this condition is often seasonal.

As a support to the body, in its attempts to restore proper balance, a natural and unprocessed diet can be very helpful, assuming the cat will take to it after years on manufactured food, on which cats can appear to become dependent.

AORTIC EMBOLISM - AORTIC THROMBOSIS

ARTHRITIS

What is it?

The term ‘arthritis’ implies inflammation of a joint. Taken literally, this can include a simple sprain but it is more often used to describe osteo-arthritis, in which long-term bony changes occur in the skeleton, around the joints. These changes can result in swelling and deformation of the joint. The resultant pain and altered movement can cause lameness or can, in bad cases, be quite crippling.

What causes it?

It can result from a poorly healed injury, ruptured ligaments, developmental problems (rare in the cat), infective damage, surgery or repetitive strain injury. The latter is very common in cats, who climb compulsively and jump down onto concrete, swing from branches and eaves and generally traumatise themselves as a normal way of life in a modern human environment. The chronic inflammation around the joint stimulates new bone formation, which alters the shape of the joint, restricts the range of movement and gives rise to pain.

Is it treatable?

By and large, the answer is yes. A cure may not be possible but positive responses can result in reduced symptoms or even apparent disappearance of symptoms in the best cases. Quality of life can generally be improved or restored and drug usage can be reduced or removed.

In conventional medicine, it is usual to try to suppress the inflammatory reaction and block the pain response with pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), steroid/cortisone or a combination of these). This is a life-time task and not every cat can tolerate these drugs. While some pain relief can be achieved, progress of the disease is not altered.

In natural medicine, at the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre, we try to stimulate more healthy and normal skeletal remodelling, aiming for long-term improvement in joint shape and structure. We try to rebalance the body’s inflammatory responses, thus reducing or removing pain. In difficult cases, pain may be more directly controlled by acupuncture or by specific homeopathic or herbal medication. LASER therapy is an invaluable tool in cats, who not only tolerate and accept it but seem to enjoy it. Magnet therapy shows great promise, in some cases (it is not usually possible to predict which cases) and can alter the whole situation over a period.

Diet is an essential component of holistic treatment, in that the immune system will heal much faster and more effectively if given a natural, healthy, unprocessed diet. Healthy skeletal structure depends upon healthy raw materials, thus exploiting the constant recycling of the skeleton. The activity of inflammatory mediators can be modified through diet. Certain supplements may have a beneficial effect (e.g. essential fatty acids, cartilage precursors (best supplied by the provision of raw bones), alfalfa etc.).

In order to try to optimise the way in which the cat uses his or her skeleton, we use chiropractic manipulation. There are usually multiple skeletal misalignments in arthritis cases. Some of these may be part of the ‘cause’ and some may be part of the ‘effect’ of the disease. In either case, better movement results in better healing capability.

ASTHMA - FELINE ASTHMA

This is a condition characterised by respiratory difficulty or distress and sometimes with excess mucus in airways and nasal passages. It can be fairly constant or can be episodic. There may or may not be an accompanying cough.

It appears to be a disease of immune origin (i.e. immune malfunction) and can often follow vaccination, which is designed to be a potent disturbance to normal immune function.

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AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS (AUTOIMMUNE)

In autoimmune disorders, the cat's immune system turns on the cat's own tissues and organs. The consequences can be severe but many cases respond favourably to homeopathic prescribing (homeopathy). Possible triggers may be toxins, virus infection or vaccination.

BACK PROBLEMS - NECK PROBLEMS

What is it?

Back problems can be extremely disabling and painful for a cat. Problems can vary from simple soreness, with sensitivity to pressure, through spinal and pelvic misalignments to a full-blown injury or to serious chronic pathology (e.g. spondylosis). The early signs can be easy to miss, as we can so easily write off the reduced activity and altered movement to ‘age’.

How does it occur?

Life’s wear and tear, in the complex and unnatural environment and lifestyle a cat shares with us, can lead to misalignments of the back (spine). If these are not corrected in a timely fashion, secondary longer-term damage can ensue. Neck injuries occur from falls and other traumas. Lameness can lead to uneven stresses on the spine, resulting in misalignments.

Is it responsive to treatment?

Simple misalignments are usually easy to correct by chiropractic manipulation. The immediate effects of such input can be startling. Any pain, resulting from the muscle spasm caused by misalignment, can usually also be helped by LASER, acupuncture and homeopathy. At the AVMC, we integrate these therapies to try to achieve optimum healing. Magnet therapy may also be helpful in some cases. Long-term pathology, such as spondylosis, is treated in a similar way to arthritis.

Even the independent NHS watchdog, NICE (N.I.C.E. - National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), has recognised the potential benefit from acupuncture and manipulation in the relief of human back pain (as of May 2009).

Back People

There are many ‘back people’ who ply their trade. Animal-qualified chiropractors are examined by the McTimoney Chiropractic Association. These are genuine. Of those without this qualification, some will, of course, also be genuine but caution is advised in using someone without the qualification. Some self-appointed back people are dangerous.

Physiotherapists work on the musculature, which can be very valuable in suitable cases, but most with whom we have had contact do not acknowledge spinal misalignment.

All chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and other manipulators are required, by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, to work only on the recommendation of a vet and under the supervision of a vet.

Gadgets

Many pieces of equipment are recommended, by salespersons or practitioners, for back problems. Ultra-sound, LASER therapy, Magnet, Faradic and TENS are but a few of these. Before embarking on such programmes, which can be expensive quite apart from safety and welfare considerations, please consult your vet, to enquire about suitability or safety for the particular cat. You may need to consult a vet who is experienced in a full range of holistic therapies for cats, to access the necessary expertise to evaluate these tools.

Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Homeopathy can make a useful contribution to integrated pain management (integrative pain management).

BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS

Behavioural problems are commonly presented for homeopathic treatment. Not all are strictly behavioural in nature, in that there may be an underlying physical cause, dietary cause or even some internal disease, an extreme example of which can be low-grade meningitis or encephalitis.

As some problems are purely behavioural in origin, resulting perhaps from hereditary or learned causes, behavioural therapy is worth considering. However, the possibility of a more organic cause must not be overlooked.

If the problem is curable, which not all are, then the holistic approach provided by homeopathy, including close attention to dietary, nutritional and environmental detail, should be able to bring about a positive result.

It is worth remembering that, while insurance companies tend to exclude treatment for purely behavioural problems from their benefits, those problems which have an underlying physical or dietary cause are claimable.

CALICIVIRUS & FVR (FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS)

Calicivirus and FVR are two of the 'cat flu'-type virus infections. In acute stages, cats will often respond well to homeopathy. Chronic cases can usually be helped. However, gum disease (stomatitis / gingivitis) arising from calicivirus can be a very stubborn condition to treat.

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CANCER

The dreaded word, cancer, is deeply feared by most of us. When it strikes, however, it is important to try to look dispassionately at it, in order to see it for what it is and to be able to stand a chance of beating it.

It is, by and large, a disease of our times. We pollute our air, water and food with so many chemicals and unknown and unquantified cocktails of chemicals, that the earth has never met before in its millions of years of existence. Yet we expect it to cope. We bombard our bodies and those of our animals with so much adverse material and influence that it should not be surprising when the system yields to this pressure on occasions.

Vaccinations (vaccination problems), pollution, manufactured diets and suppression of simpler diseases are all possible potent causes, behind the general state of cancer. In cats, there are viruses that can be involved and there is a specific vaccinal tumour (Vaccination Site Sarcoma - caused by vaccination, mostly in the USA).

How can we beat it? Firstly, it is important to realise that some individuals can do so, especially with the help and support offered by natural medicine and holistic diet work. We have examples of success with cancer and malignancy. These include especially the virus-induced forms. Secondly, it is important to face the opponent and accept that much of cancer is brought about by our lifestyle and habits, both as individuals and as a race. Some of these bad practices are, happily, reversible, if we recognise them.

Diet, holistic medicine, change of lifestyle and love can turn around some very powerful diseases. While we sadly lose a significant proportion of our feline cancer cases, many do survive, to lead a happy and long life. We can only do our best and we can only promise effort. In treating cancers, we adopt an uncompromising, pedantic and detailed approach to health management and treatment, which is the best way we know to stand a chance of beating this most formidable of foes. We have only one crack at it, with no 'dress rehearsals'.

The main weapons in our fight against cancer are: homeopathy, diet, herbs, supplements and management changes.

CAT FLU - FELINE INFLUENZA

CHLAMYDIA

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CONSTIPATION

Constipation in the cat usually results from colon and rectum malfunction or even paralysis. The cause is unknown but it is a serious condition. At our present state of knowledge, we are unable to rule out dry diets and the cumulative effect of multiple treatments with insecticidal compounds as a possible causes or part-causes. Hair ball has been blamed by some sources.

With constipation, the cat will usually strain ineffectually to pass faeces. When faeces accumulates, this is known as obstipation. The enlarged and flaccid colon is termed 'megacolon'.

When a cat suffers this problem, manual abdominal massage, enemas or surgery are the options for clearing the obstruction, depending upon the size and hardness of the faecal accumulation. To maintain the passing of faeces thereafter, bulk aperients are necessary, along with homeopathic attempts to restore a degree of function to the large bowel and possibly acupuncture. Surgical removal of most of the colon is a possibility in refractory cases. Although unattractive, it has proved successful in a number of cases.

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CYSTITIS

DIABETES

This condition can usually be helped by homeopathy, in that diabetic cats appear to be easier to balance on their insulin treatment and may, with time, show a reduction or even in some cases cessation of the need for insulin. This is an area demanding experience and expertise on the part of the prescriber.

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DIARRHOEA

This condition can usually be helped by homeopathy and a full holistic approach, including diet etc. Acute diarrhoea usually responds very quickly. Chronic diarrhoea (and related conditions, e.g. colitis) can take a little longer to resolve but usually responds positively to homeopathic treatment. Chronic diarrhoea in cats especially can be extremely stubborn. Many such cases are seen at AVMC.

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EAR PROBLEMS - EAR MITES - OTODECTES

We are frequently called upon to treat ear infections and other ear problems in cats. Happily, most cats experience a positive outcome. We mostly use homeopathy and aromatherapy, to overcome the problem.

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EOSINOPHILIC SKIN DISEASE

This condition may be of autoimmune origin. It usually responds well to homeopathy. We find LASER therapy (not LASER surgery) to be very helpful, in addition to the homeopathic treatment.

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FELINE DYSAUTONOMIA (KEY-GASKELL)

It is not clear how this disease was caused. In the early 1980s, it was very common (at least we saw many cases at AVMC). Cases could be very distressing but many responded well to homeopathic prescribing (homeopathy) and careful nursing, even before the syndrome was officially identified. At first, we were taken by surprise by the sudden emergence of such a devastating and widespread disease.

We have seen no cases for many years. Cases were very widespread and occurred in a definite period. Speculation leads one to suspect food contamination or vaccine contamination (or contamination of some other frequently or widely administered intervention, almost certainly of human manufacture - of course, no one is owning up to this), since toxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum is now suspected as having been associated with this syndrome.

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FeLV - FELINE LEUKOSIS VIRUS

Cases have survived, with the aid of homeopathy. Also, spread within a colony appears to be preventable, using homeoprophylaxis.

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FIP - FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS

This is a serious disease of cats, associated with a coronavirus. It can remain latent in the body for some time after infection is acquired. The disease can spread within a colony of cats.

Two forms of the disease are recognised: the dry form and the wet form. Cases have survived, with the aid of homeopathy. Also, spread within a colony appears to be preventable, using homeoprophylaxis.

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FIV - FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

Cases have survived, with the aid of homeopathy. Also, spread within a colony appears to be preventable, using homeoprophylaxis.

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FUS - FELINE UROLOGICAL SYNDROME

FLEA ALLERGY - FLEA ALLERGIC DERMATITIS

See 'Allergy'

FLEAS

There are natural methods of control which do not involve harsh chemicals. The AVMC can advise on this issue.

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FOOD POISONING

Pending completion of this section, we must warn that cats are very susceptible to food poisoning, so food hygiene and food receptacle hygiene is of great importance for cats, especially during warmer weather or in a well-heated house.

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GINGIVITIS - STOMATITIS

Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums, infection of the gums) is quite prevalent in cats. It can be immune-related. It threatens tooth viability. It can arise from failure to supply a correct diet (i.e. insufficient chewing of raw meat or bones) and from viral infection (e.g. calicivirus). Vaccination may also play a part, although this would be almost impossible to prove in any single case. Homeopathy provides a way to ameliorate a proportion of cases. Natural mouth washes (e.g. containing oils such as myrrh and rosemary) can also help. This can be a very stubborn condition to treat. In some severe and troublesome cases, although it seems a very drastic thing to do, removal of teeth has been effective in restoring welfare although not, of course, providing a cure.

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HEART DISEASE

There are many useful strategies to help heart disease, in particular nutrition, homeopathy and herbs. It is a very complex and potentially dangerous group of conditions, for which we advise consulting a homeopathic vet with appropriate skills and experience.

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HERPES - FELINE HERPES

Viral conditions can usually be significantly helped by homeopathic prescribing (homeopathy). Herpes cases have usually responded. Prevention of spread within a colony of cats also appears to be possible (homeoprophylaxis).

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HYPERTHYROID - HYPERTHYROIDISM

This is presently a common problem in cats, which makes one think that there is something that we are doing, which is causing it. Diet, flea treatments, wormers, vaccines etc. have to be considered as possible aetiological agents. It is characterised by a cat that is forever hungry (constant voracious appetite), yowls for food, desires fresh air, loses weight drastically and has a poor coat.

Homeopathy can be used to treat hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, with reasonable hopes for control (rather than cure). We have maintained many such cats for a good number of years, on homeopathic medication. The conventional alternative is a form of chemotherapy or surgery (or both).

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ILIAC THROMBOSIS - AORTIC EMBOLISM

The condition is characterised by sudden-onset paraplegia (hind quarter paralysis), usually with cold hind limbs and possibly cyanosis (blueness) of the skin. At the AVMC our experience with this condition has been very positive, using homeopathy and acupuncture.

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INFLUENZA - FELINE INFLUENZA

KEY GASKELL SYNDROME

KIDNEY DISEASE

While not able to offer a cure of chronic renal failure, homeopathy can provide a means of maintaining a good quality of life, even in many quite severe cases and often for what appears to be a normal lifespan (see case history).

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MILIARY DERMATITIS - MILIARY ECZEMA

Homeopathy can usually help this condition. Too often, it is dismissed as simple flea allergy, whereas it is in reality a much more complex disease than that, possibly involving endocrine and immune balance.

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OBESITY

Obesity is the word used to describe serious overweight. It can arise from overfeeding, incorrect diet and thyroid problems (i.e. thyroid insufficiency, a.k.a. myxoedema, hypothyroidism). If reduction of food intake fails to solve the problem, one of the other two factors is likely to be at work. In the case of hypothyroidism, the cat is usually also quite sluggish, chilly and lazy. Another cause of obesity is long-term steroid (cortisone, corticosteroid) treatment and hormonal progestagen therapy (now discredited).

Incorrect diet: It is now well-accepted that incorrect diet can lead to obesity in humans (children and adults), which is reaching epidemic proportions in the UK and USA. For some reason, it is less well-accepted that similar factors operate with dogs and cats. Modern, processed, high-carbohydrate foods are leading to a serious overweight problem in the UK's dog population (there is also growing concern about cats), so much so that the RSPCA has issued a public notice, warning people of the welfare aspect of this. They also state that obesity can lead to other diseases, such as arthritis, heart problems and diabetes ("Pet obesity can cause arthritis, high blood pressure, poor liver function and diabetes, amongst other conditions." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4939082.stm). A more scientific and objective appraisal might suggest that these diseases may share a common causality with obesity ( e.g. unsuitable diets), rather than being 'caused by' obesity.

Why do they not also condemn the unsuitable manufactured foods? The link is clear. Obesity is on the march and the sale of manufactured pet foods, in supermarkets and veterinary practices, is a massive and growing market and highly profitable sector. Instead, the RSPCA has 'teamed up' with Joe Inglis (vet), who markets his own range of foods, under the guise of fresh food. Of course, this may be a step in the right direction, but it is far from fresh food. This is sadly still commerciality, under a subtle disguise. I would be happier if any commercial links between the RSPCA and others were absolutely transparent.

Cats have no dietary requirement for carbohydrate foods and, in some cases, feeding those foods will lead to serious overweight problems. Furthermore, the processing involved in manufacture alters various nutrients, in a negative way which, along with undesirable additives, can add to the obesity problem. At the AVMC, we advocate the feeding of fresh, home-prepared foods and a low carbohydrate diet, in which case, obesity does not arise.

Homeopathic prescribing, along with dietary advice, can help many cases of dietary obesity.

A stark illustration of the powerful negative effect of unsuitable diets was provided in September 2007, from a surprising quarter. A trip to the Rock of Gibraltar presented Barbary Apes (Macaca sylvanus) of two distinct 'varieties'. Around the tourist shop, pickings of cake, ice cream, biscuits and sweets had led to obesity, whereas those on the rock proper, fed copious quantities of fresh fruit, were athletic, muscular and slim. Pictures illustrate this point admirably:

Other causes: Some cases of thyroid problems may also be helped by homeopathy. For steroid-induced obesity, the remedy has to be to find another (e.g. homeopathy or acupuncture) treatment for the disease for which the steroid was prescribed and to wean the patient gradually off the steroid (under veterinary guidance). However we have found that, if too much steroid has been given, over a period, the damage can sadly be irreparable.

PARALYSIS

Paralysis usually results from damage to the nerves (motor nerves) which supply muscles. It can affect any motor nerve and therefore any muscular part of the body. It is called hemiplegia when one side of the body is affected, paraplegia when both hind limbs are affected and quadriplegia when all four limbs are affected.

Nerves are generally able to heal more rapidly and more effectively than is generally believed. This capability is greatly enhanced by appropriately integrated homeopathic, acupuncture, LASER and dietary input, resulting in some surprising successes, often long after the original injury has occurred and when hope had receded.

While promises of success cannot be guaranteed, at the AVMC we do not set out by giving cases a gloomy prognosis, in view of having experienced such consistently positive results of therapy.

The most common forms of paralysis that we have treated are: Disc Disease (usually dogs) Radial Paralysis, Tail Paralysis, Aortic Embolism or Iliac Thrombosis (cats) and brachial plexus injury.

RODENT ULCER

This condition appears to be of possible auto-immune origin. Cases usually respond well to homeopathy. Some cases can recur from time to time, but these relapses usually respond well again. At the AVMC, we have found LASER therapy to be enormously beneficial, in support of the homeopathic treatment.

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SARCOMA

This section is in preparation. We have a policy of ongoing improvement, augmentation and updating, so that our website is constantly changing. We hope you have enjoyed what you have seen so far and found it helpful, so that you will revisit us soon, to see the latest developments. Put the home page in your 'bookmarks'/'favourites', for ease of revisiting.

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SINUSITIS

Using homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture and other techniques, we have usually been able to provide relief for patients suffering this problem.

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STOMATITIS

TEETH

Tooth health with carnivorous species is a constant challenge, unless they have access to raw meat and bones. This is mainly a dietary issue (nutrition) but, in cats, viral diseases may also affect gum health. If tartar is not kept at bay and if gum health is not maintained, the likely sequel is tooth infection, pain and eventual loss of teeth.

Cats can suffer dental caries (tooth decay) more readily than dogs. Avoid providing a significant proportion of carbohydrate food.

THROMBOSIS

URINE SPRAYING

Cats exhibiting this behaviour usually respond well to homeopathy. It is a complex behavioural issue, which requires quite detailed investigation in each case.

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UROLOGICAL SYNDROME

Cystitis and general feline urological problems usually show a good response to homeopathy. Preventive medicine (esp. diet) is also very important.

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VACCINATION PROBLEMS
Vaccinosis

While the motivation for vaccination is easy to see and is highly commendable, the possibility of harmful effects are rarely openly discussed. Since the positive side of vaccination needs no further explanation, this paper will look briefly at the ‘down’ side.

Vaccination usually implies the introduction to the body, usually by injection, of antigenic material (proteins from viruses or bacteria), which may be live or inactivated. It is not often understood that it may also include preservatives, foreign tissue of the same or a different species and other chemicals.

The stimulus to the immune system may be over harsh, especially in the case of repeated doses, or in kittens that may not have been well-endowed with maternal immunity at the time of early vaccination. The science behind repeated dosing, usually annually, is not well developed and can be shown, in many cases, to be seriously flawed.

The route of administration is not natural, infective attack being expected by the body to occur via nose or mouth. This can therefore override the body’s normal immune responses.

The vaccinal challenge, in susceptible individuals, can result in a temporary or semi-permanent imbalance in immune function. We may see the possible effects of this in allergy, auto-immunity, skin disorders, sinus problems, hyperthyroidism, hormonal imbalance, susceptibility to viruses and bacteria, etc.

The ill effects of vaccination can often be seen some time after the injection. Three months is not an untoward interval, for the chronic effects of immune imbalance finally to be expressed as visible signs. There are, however, rarer and more dramatic ‘immediate’ ill-effects. These include anaphyllaxis (a violent and life-threatening allergic response), abscessation at the site of injection, excessive pyrexia (fever), fits and convulsions.

Homeopathy can often correct the imbalance caused by ill-effects of vaccination but this is in by no means every case.

The homeopathic alternative to vaccine, which appears to have served thousands of cats well, is as yet unproven by conventional scientific parameters. This is the use of nosodes. The method of proof required involves animal experimentation, from which we recoil. Clinical trials, providing very promising results, have been undertaken and published (research) and more are under way, in both dogs and cats. The method is far from conventional acceptance, however, as matters currently stand.

Page relates to: veterinary herbal medicine - veterinary natural medicine - holistic veterinary medicine - veterinary complementary medicine - veterinary holistic medicine - veterinary acupuncture - veterinary homeopathy - veterinary herbs - veterinary herbalism - natural veterinary medicine - complementary veterinary medicine - complementary medicine - alternative medicine - alternative veterinary medicine - veterinary alternative medicine - holistic vet - homeopathic vet - acupuncture vet - herbal vet - herb vet - cat - cats - feline - kitten - kittens - queen - tom - tomcat - colony - colonies

ALLERGY - ALLERGIES

What is it?

What causes it?

Flea allergy

Is allergy treatable?

ALOPECIA

What is it?

How does it arise?

Is it curable?

AORTIC EMBOLISM - AORTIC THROMBOSIS

ARTHRITIS

What is it?

What causes it?

Is it treatable?

ASTHMA - FELINE ASTHMA

AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS (AUTOIMMUNE)

BACK PROBLEMS - NECK PROBLEMS

What is it?

How does it occur?

Is it responsive to treatment?

Back People

Gadgets

BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS

CALICIVIRUS & FVR (FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS)

CANCER

CAT FLU - FELINE INFLUENZA

CHLAMYDIA

CONSTIPATION

CYSTITIS

DIABETES

DIARRHOEA

EAR PROBLEMS - EAR MITES - OTODECTES

EOSINOPHILIC SKIN DISEASE

FELINE DYSAUTONOMIA (KEY-GASKELL)

FeLV - FELINE LEUKOSIS VIRUS

FIP - FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS

FIV - FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

FUS - FELINE UROLOGICAL SYNDROME

FLEA ALLERGY - FLEA ALLERGIC DERMATITIS

See 'Allergy'

FLEAS

FOOD POISONING

GINGIVITIS - STOMATITIS

HEART DISEASE

HERPES - FELINE HERPES

HYPERTHYROID - HYPERTHYROIDISM

ILIAC THROMBOSIS - AORTIC EMBOLISM

INFLUENZA - FELINE INFLUENZA

KEY GASKELL SYNDROME

KIDNEY DISEASE

MILIARY DERMATITIS - MILIARY ECZEMA

OBESITY

PARALYSIS

RODENT ULCER

SARCOMA

SINUSITIS

STOMATITIS

TEETH

THROMBOSIS

URINE SPRAYING

UROLOGICAL SYNDROME

VACCINATION PROBLEMS Vaccinosis

VACCINATION PROBLEMS
Vaccinosis