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Cats + Diagnosis

  • The ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) is a surface mite that lives on cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets. It is usually found in the ear canal but it can also live on the skin surface.

  • These tumours are polyp-like growths with a narrow base or a stalk. Some are nodular overgrowths secondary to inflammation but others are benign or malignant cancers of the glands found in this area.

  • Albumin is an important protein found in the bloodstream. It is not normally present in the urine of healthy dogs and cats. Microalbuminuria refers to the presence of small quantities of albumin in the urine.

  • Tumours of the cortex of the adrenal glands may be overgrowths (hyperplasias) or benign (non-spreading) or malignant (spreading) cancers. Usually they are producing hormones that will have secondary clinical effects elsewhere in the body.

  • Tumours of the medulla of the adrenal glands may be hyperplasias (non-cancerous cell overgrowths) or be cancerous. Few are diagnosed until late in the disease because, unlike tumours of the adrenal cortex, medullary tumours do not produce clinical signs.

  • Today many forms of epilepsy in our pets can be successfully controlled by the use of anticonvulsant drugs. These are often needed for long periods of time, usually for life and can have side effects.

  • These are non-specific clinical signs and can be caused by many different conditions and diseases.

  • These are tumours arising from structures within the eye. They tend to result in an increase in the internal pressure (glaucoma), which then leads to blindness.

  • Melanocytic tumours are formed by abnormal melanocytes. Melanocytoma is a benign (non-spreading) melanoma. Malignant (spreading) tumours are sometimes called melanoma or more specifically malignant melanoma or melanosarcoma.

  • Faeces and urine analyses are relatively simple but important tests that are often carried out in-house (i.e. not sent away to specialist laboratories).