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Crate training is most used with dogs, but it can be useful for kittens and cats too. Crate training is useful in many situations, such as providing a safe place when home alone or unsupervised. Cats that are calm in their crates experience less distress when they need to travel, visit the veterinary hospital, or stay at a boarding facility. Starting while your cat is young makes training easier, but even adult cats can be trained to relax in a crate. If your cat shows signs of distress (e.g., prolonged vocalization, trying to escape, salivation, rapid continuous movement) while using the training methods provided in this handout, consult your veterinarian.
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Lime sulfur topical is a leave-on agent used to treat fungal skin infections such as ringworm (dermatophytosis) and topical yeast infections (Malassezia dermatitis) in dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and horses. Lime sulfur topical can also be useful in the treatment of several species of skin and fur mites and lice.
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Lincomycin is given by mouth or injection and is used on and off label to treat certain bacterial infections. Give as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or similar drugs, in pets with a candida fungal infection, very young pets, or in rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, or horses. If a negative reaction occurs, please call the veterinary office.
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One particularly dangerous type of foreign body in cats is a linear foreign body: a long, thin object such as string, yarn, or tinsel. If one end of the linear foreign body becomes lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal perforation may occur due to bunching up of the intestines. The most common signs of a linear foreign body include vomiting, anorexia (refusal to eat), dehydration, and lethargy. If your veterinarian suspects a linear foreign body, your cat will need an exploratory laparotomy (abdominal surgery).
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Linezolid is an antibiotic used to treat multi-drug-resistant, gram-positive bacterial infections in cats and dogs. Its use is limited to susceptible infections with documented resistance to other antimicrobials. Its use is off label in veterinary medicine. Linezolid comes in tablet and powder forms that may be compounded into liquid.
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The liver is an important organ necessary for controlling many different body functions. Signs of liver disease in cats include increased drinking and urination, abdominal swelling, jaundice, digestive upset, and weight loss. Signs, diagnostics, and treatments are discussed.
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Platynosomiasis is a disease caused by a parasitic worm called a liver fluke. It affects cats in tropical and subtropical regions. The lifecycle is complex and involves several hosts. Cats can become infected by ingesting lizards or amphibians that have the larval stages of the fluke. The flukes live in the bile ducts and gall bladder of affected cats, causing symptoms of liver disease.
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Primary liver tumors in dogs and cats are rare. There are 4 types: hepatocellular tumors, bile duct tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, and sarcomas. These cancers can be massive, nodular, or diffuse in form. In dogs, most liver tumors are malignant, while in cats, most are benign.
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Cats can have hearing loss due to increasing age or chronic ear infections, or they may be born with a defect. Deafness in cats can present some challenges, but overall they can have healthy, normal lives. It is possible to teach your cat household routines by using hand signals and body language. It is important to take their deafness into account when considering their safety, and they must remain indoors or in outdoor enclosures.
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Lomustine is given by mouth and is used off label to treat certain cancers such as mast cell tumors and brain tumors. Give this medication as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and hair loss. Do not use in pets that are severely allergic to it. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.