Cats are intriguing and mysterious creatures. They possess a remarkable ability to conceal their illnesses, making it challenging for pet owners to detect when something is amiss. In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons behind cats' secretive behavior, explore common feline diseases, and highlight crucial symptoms to be aware of.

​Cats differ from dogs in how they handle illness due to their innate instinct to hide any signs of weakness or vulnerability. This behavior stems from their evolutionary background as solitary hunters, where displaying illness could make them an easy target for predators. Consequently, even when cats are unwell, they often feign normalcy, masking their discomfort and making it harder to identify their health issues.

Although cats are good at hiding their illnesses, there are several health problems that frequently affect them. Learning about these common diseases can help you ensure your cat gets the care they need:

1. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD): This term covers various urinary system issues, like infections and bladder stones. Look for signs such as peeing often, struggling to pee, blood in the urine, and excessive grooming in that area.

2. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Older cats are prone to CKD, which means their kidneys gradually stop working well. Early signs include drinking more water, peeing more, losing weight, and reduced appetite.

3. Hyperthyroidism: Some cats have an overactive thyroid gland, causing increased metabolism. Weight loss despite a big appetite, restlessness, excessive thirst, and more peeing are common symptoms.

4. Diabetes Mellitus: Cats can also get diabetes, just like humans. Watch for obesity, increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, and a big appetite.

5. Dental Disease: Dental problems are common in cats, including gum disease, tooth decay, and swollen gums. Pay attention to bad breath, reluctance to eat, drooling, and pawing at the mouth.

Even though cats try to hide their ailments, there are clues that attentive owners can notice. Keep an eye out for these symptoms that might indicate a health problem:

1. Changes in appetite: If your cat suddenly eats more or less than usual, it could be a sign of trouble.

2. Litter box changes: Pay attention to frequent or difficult urination, or if your cat strains in the litter box, as it could mean a urinary issue.

3. Weight changes: Significant weight loss or gain shouldn't be ignored.

4. Grooming habits: Cats groom themselves, but excessive licking, hair loss, or tangled fur might indicate discomfort or pain.

5. Behavioral changes: Unusual aggression, hiding, being less active, or seeming tired all the time may be signs of an underlying problem.

Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are crucial to keep your cat healthy and catch any issues early. Since cats are experts at hiding illness, professional expertise is essential for diagnosing and treating diseases before they become severe or life-threatening.Regular check-ups are important to keep your cat healthy and catch problems early. Cats are good at hiding illness, so it's crucial to have a professional check their health. During a check-up, your vet will carefully examine your cat from head to tail. They will listen to their heart and lungs, check their eyes, ears, and mouth, feel their abdomen, and look at their skin and coat. This helps us find any hidden issues or signs of illness that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Sometimes, the vet may suggest additional tests to learn more about your cat's health. Bloodwork can show how the organs are working and detect infections or other problems. It helps find conditions like kidney disease, liver issues, diabetes, and thyroid imbalances. Urinalysis is another important test that can find urinary tract infections, kidney problems, and other urinary disorders.

By combining physical exam findings with tests like bloodwork and urinalysis, we can better understand your cat's health. This helps us make accurate diagnoses and create treatment plans just for your cat. Finding problems early means better chances of success, less suffering for your cat, and often - less expensive and less invasive treatments.

Cats are remarkable creatures with a unique ability to hide illness, making their care more complex than dogs. As responsible pet owners, it's our duty to remain vigilant and attentive, noticing subtle changes in behavior, appetite, and grooming. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial for early detection of potential issues. Veterinarians, with their specialized knowledge, can uncover hidden illnesses that cats may try to conceal.

Contact us at Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital today to book your cat's check-up. Our experienced team is here to provide the expert care your feline companion deserves. You can call or text our office at 412-364-5511, or conveniently request an appointment online or through the Pet Health Network app. Act now and give your cat the best care possible!

Spring is a beautiful season in Pittsburgh with longer days, warmer weather, and blooming flowers. However, it also brings some hazards for your furry friends. As a responsible pet owner, it's essential to know what these hazards are and how to prevent them.

Here are some of the most common springtime pet hazards:

1. Poisonous plants: Many plants that are blooming in spring are toxic to pets, such as lilies, daffodils, tulips, and azaleas. If ingested, they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death. Keep your pets away from these plants, and consider planting pet-friendly flowers, such as marigolds, sunflowers, or petunias.
   
   
2. Allergies: Just like humans, pets can suffer from seasonal allergies, which can cause itching, sneezing, and runny nose. If you notice your pet's allergy symptoms, talk to your vet about treatment options, such as antihistamines or allergy shots.
   
   
3. Fleas and ticks: As the weather warms up, fleas and ticks become more active and can infest your pets. Use flea and tick preventives recommended by your vet and purchased through a trusted source to guarantee you're getting genuine products (like our online pharmacy!), and check your pet's fur regularly for signs of infestation, such as itching or scratching.
   
   
4. Spring cleaning products: If you're doing spring cleaning, make sure to keep your pets away from cleaning products, such as bleach, ammonia, or disinfectants. These products can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, or poisoning if ingested.
   
   
5. Open windows and doors: With the warm weather, you may want to open your windows and doors to let in some fresh air. However, be mindful of your pets' safety, especially if they like to explore or escape. Make sure your windows and doors have screens or barriers, and supervise your pets when they're outside. This is a good time to make sure microchip information is up-to-date, too!

By being aware of these hazards and taking preventive measures, you can help your pets enjoy a safe and happy spring season. If you have any concerns about your pet's health or behavior, don't hesitate to contact us — we're here to help!

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING ONLINE PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS
As of April 1, 2023, we will be working exclusively with our partnered online pharmacy. Details available here.

ATTENTION CLIENTS: Please read regarding prescription refills!

Please submit refill requests 7 days in advance. Your pet's veterinarian must approve Rx refills - if he or she is not in the office for a day or two, your request will be delayed. Also, we do our best to keep medications in stock - but if something needs to be ordered, we need time to get it in.
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IMPORTANT: Please make your refill request only once, using EITHER our pharmacy phone line OR via text/app. Multiple requests may be addressed by two different staff members, causing confusion, double work, and a delay of your request.

Note that the above also applies to prescription food.
We thank you for your cooperation so that we can best serve you and your furry family!

Our mobile app is called Pet Health Network and is available on iOS and Android. You can use it to request an appointment, view your pet’s vaccination history and prescription details, request prescription refills, and access information about our practice. To start using the app, download Pet Health Network from the iPhone App Store or the Android Google Play store.

Monday 9/5: LABOR DAY - Office is closed. Please click here for an updated list of emergency veterinarians in the Pittsburgh area.

Friday 9/2: Open as usual (previously announced that we would have no veterinarian on site in the A.M. - but now Dr. Gaiser will be here!)
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Tuesday 9/13: Closing at 4:00PM due to staffing issues.

August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month! (Yes, that's a thing ) The “Awareness” part is very important, though — itchy dogs and cats might be telling you something about their health! Many pet owners don’t know that itchiness can often be a symptom of a problem that actually requires treatment...

Causes for chronic itching can range from food and/or environmental allergies to parasites or nutritional needs. Because of the constant scratching, secondary bacterial or fungal infections are frequently found during dermatologic exams, too.

These tend to take some time to develop, so the good news is that early intervention into the cause of the itch can prevent raw or infected skin.
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The constant scratching is probably driving you nuts, but it doesn't compare to how aggravated your pet feels when they can't stop the itch. Call us so we can fix it!

New texting and mobile app now available!
 
There are two new convenient ways to contact us: our new mobile app, and two-way texting!
 
Our new mobile app is called Pet Health Network. You can use it to request an appointment, view your pet’s vaccination history and prescription details, request prescription refills, and access information about our practice. To start using the app, download Pet Health Network from the iPhone App Store or the Android Google Play store.
 
Whether you have the mobile app or not, you can text us anytime at 412-218-3067. Messages received outside of office hours will be addressed the next day.
 
We look forward to hearing from you!