Dr. Emma Chandley, BVM MRCVS (Veterinarian)

Frankincense is most widely known for being gifted by one of the three wise men in the nativity story. It may not be common knowledge, but it is widely used as an essential oil. Essential oils are extracts from plants and trees known for aromatic uses and their medicinal properties. Many essential oils are unsafe […]

Seizures can be a frightening experience for both owners and their cats. There are many different types and causes. Usually, seizures are not life-threatening unless they last for a prolonged amount of time or cause the cat to injure themselves somehow when the seizure is occurring. Focal seizures in cats are the most common type

Pyrantel pamoate is an anthelmintic (dewormer) drug that is frequently used in cats, dogs, small animals, and birds. Its use is “off-label” in cats but many vets safely prescribe it as an effective treatment. Pyrantel can be used on its own or in combination with other anti-parasite drugs for the treatment of heartworm and intestinal

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Animals and humans become infected via the bite of a tick. It is a common misconception that Lyme disease is caused by ticks, as ticks merely spread the disease. Lyme disease is mainly spread by Ixodes ticks. These commonly feed off deer and

Hyperthyroidism is a very common condition seen in cats, and in this condition, the thyroid becomes overactive. One or both of the thyroid glands can be affected. A benign swelling of the thyroid tissue is the most common cause, but malignant tumors do occur too. Clinical signs of hyperthyroidism in cats include weight loss, increased

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in cats is a specific group of disorders affecting the connective tissue. They are typically characterized by loose and stretchy skin that is very fragile. The disorder is caused by a genetic defect which means the cat doesn’t produce collagen correctly. The collagen fibers have an abnormal structure which means the skin is

All cat lovers will be aware that our cats have many unique ways of communicating with us. Owners will be familiar with the affectionate head rub or “boop” when they are feeling playful or wanting some attention. Cats frequently rub their head against things to spread chemical messengers called pheromones around. They use these to

Autoimmune disease is a relatively uncommon phenomenon seen in cats. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system malfunctions and produces an inappropriate response to its own cells. The immune system mistakenly interprets part of the cat’s body as a threat and attacks it. Autoimmune diseases are complicated and can be extremely challenging to diagnose and

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone tumor that occurs in cats, and it can occur in any bone in a cat’s body. It is a very aggressive type of cancer and can spread to other parts of the body rapidly. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone tumor in cats, however, it is relatively

Cats that have not been spayed cycle through a fertile period every 14–21 days during the breeding season.1 This is called being “in heat.” When a female cat is in heat, this is an indication she is ready to mate with a male cat. Some owners find the behavior of their cats while they are