Giardiasis is an intestinal infection of man and animals. It occurs worldwide and is a common cause of “Traveler’s Diarrhea” in people. It is a fairly frequent infection of outdoor enthusiasts who drink contaminated water. “Beaver fever” is another name for Giardia in people. Giardiasis is caused by a protozoal parasite called Giardia intestinalis. Other examples of protozoal parasites that can cause enteric disease are Coccidia, Cryptosporidia and Toxoplasma.

PROBLEM PREVENTION

Cats are fabulous pets and companions. They adapt wonderfully to our modern life. Litterboxes are a great invention that helps allow our feline friends to cohabit with us humans. They can be a good imitation of the cat’s natural place to do his business – nice soft sandy soil. Unfortunately, quite frequently some cats develop problems with using the litterbox. This creates huge problems for the owners and can really interfere with their relationship with their cat.

Many cats have been diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus. This is a very common illness in cats (as well as people). One of the functions of the pancreas is to produce insulin. Insulin is responsible for controlling blood sugars. In Diabetes Mellitus, most of the pancreatic cells wear out so that insulin is no longer produced, so that the blood sugar levels rise too high. Fortunately, a lot can be done to help. Some cats regain good sugar levels with diet alone. Some cats need drugs that alter their carbohydrate metabolism, and some cats need to go on insulin.

Plants causing primarily GI signs (vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite):

Sneezing? Stuffed up? Watery, itchy eyes? There are all common signs of allergies. We can be allergic to many different things in our environment such as pollen, grass, dust, and unfortunately our pets. Allergies can develop at any time in our lives, and with the increasingly poor air quality of our environment, more and more people are experiencing allergies for the first time.

Urinary obstruction is a common problem in male cats. If your cat is fed dry food, crystals can form in the urine. These crystals can accumulate and block the urethra which is the tube that takes urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. This is a very serious problem and there are things you can do the lower the chances of it happening to your cat.

What is Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is an intestinal tract infection caused by a one-celled organism (protozoa) called coccidia. Coccidia are not parasitic worms; they are microscopic parasites that live within cells of the intestinal lining. Because they live in the intestinal tract and commonly cause diarrhea, they are often confused with worms.

What is Hyperthyroidism?

This is a common disease of older cats. The thyroid gland is located in the neck just below the throat. It makes a hormone that affects your cat’s whole body. It is comparable to the gas supply for a car and this hormone gives your cat ‘get up and go’ and stimulates the entire metabolism. Often, older cats develop a benign tumour of this gland that is harmless except it secrets too much of this hormone. The excess levels of the hormone causes the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism which include weight loss, personality change, heart murmur, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, and more.

If you are reading this guide, you’ve probably been instructed to give your cat subcutaneous (SQ – pronounced “sub-Q”) fluids at home. It may seem daunting at first, but many people are easily able to keep their cats healthy and comfortable at home by administering these life-sustaining fluids under the skin.

Call us at 519-660-0300 to set up an appointment and find out more about the hospital.

During COVID we are examining cats in the hospital while their people wait outside or at home to maintain the recommended social distancing protocol.

We look forward to meeting your kitty!

Arrival Policy

For the safety of our patients and clients, we ask that all cats be brought into the hospital in a secure carrier or attached to a leash.

Central Cat Hopsital offers carriers for rent. Please call for details.

Payment Options

Payment is required when services are rendered.

During COVID we prefer contactless payment when possible. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and e-transfer/INTERAC.

Debit is accepted but you will have to enter the hospital with a mask and follow physical distancing requirements.

Cost estimate is available for most services in advance. Please feel free to discuss charges before procedures are performed.