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Dr. Rachel

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About

Dr. Rachel Ellison lives on a mountain in Utah with her husband, daughter, and son, as well as their animal menagerie— a Bernese Mountain Dog, a Bengal/Siamese mix, and an orange tabby cat, as well as numerous chickens. During her free time, she enjoys being with those she loves, cooking and baking, reading, hiking, sharing her knowledge about cats, and exploring nature and the world around her.

Archive

Can Cats Have Bipolar Syndrome? Our Vet Explains

One minute, your cat is cuddling with you as happy as a clam, and the next minute, they are climbing up the curtains, yowling, and acting like a banshee. What could be going on? With such fluctuation in behaviors, one...

sick cat lying on the sofa

Can Cats Get Dogs Sick? Our Vet Explains Illnesses & Prevention Tips

If you have a sick cat, you may wonder if they may be able to spread the same sickness to your unsuspecting dog. The short answer is that it will depend on the illness, but yes, some medical maladies can...

cat and dog lying together on bed

How to Put Your Cat on a Diet: 20 Tips to Lose Weight (Vet Answer)

Were you aware that in 2022, a whopping 61% of cats were overweight or obese1? While this means that almost two out of every three cats are affected, fortunately, there are many ways for cat owners to combat this extra...

tabby cat eating food from feeding bowl

Miliary Dermatitis in Cats: Causes, Signs & Treatments (Vet Answer)

Miliary dermatitis, also called feline miliary dermatitis, may sound like an unusual name for a medical condition, but it is a common malady that affects our feline friends. Surprisingly, it is not a specific diagnosis or disease but rather a...

Miliary dermatitis in a cat caused by flea bite allergy

Vestibular Disease in Cats: Causes, Signs, & Treatments (Vet Answer)

It can be quite alarming to suddenly see your beloved cat exhibit a tilted head, eyes darting back and forth wildly (nystagmus), and falling without being able to get back up. If these sudden and severe signs come into play,...

cat being observed by a female veterinarian

Kidney Stones in Cats (Vet Answer): Causes, Signs & Care

Crystals, minerals, and precipitates—these things can form and grow within an animal’s urinary tract system to become what is called a stone (also referred to as a urolith or calculi). Stones can vary both in where they are located in...

vet holding a pet's kidney stone

Can You Use Dog Flea Collars on Cats? (Vet Answer)

Fleas are annoying, problematic little parasites that can cause itchiness, discomfort, and even the spread of diseases in their hosts. In today’s day and age, there are numerous ways to prevent or treat our pets afflicted by these pests, such...

hand holding a flea collar

Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs & Treatments

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a neurologic disease that occurs when a cat’s cerebellum is underdeveloped. This happens in utero and permanently affects a cat’s movements and coordination. Because of this, the disease can also be referred to as “wobbly cat syndrome”...

Tabby cat with cerebellar hypoplasia

Is There a Home Remedy for a Cat With a Fever? Our Vet Explains

If your cat has a fever, you may be wondering if there is a remedy you can use to help treat it at home. No human medications are safe for cats, and treating a cat with a fever on your...

thermometer with a body temperature of a cat

Why Is My Cat Peeing Blood? Our Vet Explains Causes, Treatments & FAQ

Imagine going to clean out your cat’s litter box and suddenly witnessing your cat urinating out what appears to be blood! As an owner, it can be shocking and rather alarming to discover your kitty showing blood in their urine....

owner collecting urine of cat

Anesthesia for Cats: Our Vet Explains When It’s Needed, Risks & Precautions

Despite the widespread use of anesthesia in veterinary medicine, some cat owners may be unsure about the details surrounding anesthesia or even apprehensive of its use for their feline friend. In this article, we’ll discuss more about the use of...

vet giving injection cute grey cat

Cat Dermatitis: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs, Treatment

Feline dermatitis is a broad, non-specific medical term that means inflammation of the skin in cats. This catch-all phrase is most often used as an umbrella of sorts for various individualized causes of skin irritation, most often in instances where...

cat-with-dermatitis

Cat Spleen: Our Vet Explains What it is & How it Works

The spleen often remains an elusive organ that many people have heard of, but not too many know the specifics of. And while they may be aware that their cat has one, if they were to be asked where the...

a siamese cat getting examined by a vet at the clinic

What Causes Anemia in Cats? Our Vet Explains

Anemia is a decrease in the body’s normal amount of hemoglobin and/or healthy red blood cells in the blood. This itself is not a disease per se, but rather a result or secondary consequence of another underlying health problem. In...

sick stray senior cat

Hard Lump on Cat’s Lower Jaw: Causes & Care

If a cat pet parent were to find a lump on their cat’s lower jaw, they are likely to be very concerned. While there could be various causes or medical issues present, having the cat seen promptly allows for the...

Cat with a bad jaw