Feline Medicine Lecture Notes Reference

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering feline medicine, including infectious diseases, digestive system disorders, urinary system conditions, and reproductive medicine based on the lecture transcript.

Pruritus

One of the common presenting signs in feline medicine, specifically referring to itching.

Core Vaccines

Vaccines appropriate to protect most animals against diseases that pose a risk of severe disease due to virulent, highly infectious pathogens.

Non-core vaccinations

Vaccines that target diseases of animal risk based on the geographic region or lifestyle of the pet and protect against less severe threats.

MDAs (Maternally Derived Antibodies)

Commonly administered by $8-12$ weeks old in kittens to allow an active immunologic response.

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)

A respiratory disease caused by feline herpesvirus type $1$; signs include fever ($39-40^\text{o}$), sneezing, and nasal discharge.

Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)

A disease caused by DNA Parvoviridae that affects young unvaccinated cats; characterized by a severe-moderate panleukopenia with WBC counts potentially $< 500/\text{microL}$.

Regressive Infection (FeLV)

A feline leukemia virus infection state where the cat becomes aviremic after a transient infection.

Progressive Infection (FeLV)

A feline leukemia virus infection state where the cat maintains viremia.

Effusive (Wet) Form of FIP

A form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis representing $75\%$ of cases, characterized by vasculitis and accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the thoracic and abdominal cavity.

Periodontal Disease

An infectious inflammation of the gingiva that affects all structures involved in tooth attachments, progressing from gingivitis to periodontitis.

Gingivitis

A reversible inflammation of the gum margins caused by tartar accumulation, with sulcal depths remaining within normal limits ($1\,\text{mm}$ in cats).

Periodontitis

An irreversible disease resulting in the loss of gingival epithelial root attachment and alveolar bone resorption.

High-rise Syndrome

Head injuries resulting from falls often causing fracture of the mandibular symphysis or separation of the hard palate in cats.

Vomiting

Forceful ejection of contents from the stomach and upper small intestine, typically preceded by nausea and retching.

Regurgitation

A passive motion expelling undigested food that does not require effort or contraction of abdominal muscles.

Megacolon

A condition involving a defect in the neurostimulation mechanism that promotes colon evacuation, frequently seen in middle-aged to older, obese cats.

Cholangiohepatitis

A common hepatobiliary disorder in cats involving a complex of cholangitis and biliary cirrhosis; Persian cats are often predisposed.

Feline Hepatic Lipidosis

The most common hepatopathy in cats, affecting adult obese cats; often precipitated by anorexia following stress or environmental changes.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas believed to develop when digestive enzymes are activated within the gland, resulting in autodigestion.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

Also known as Feline Urologic Syndrome or Idiopathic Cystitis, it is a nonmalignant inflammatory condition of the bladder.

Struvite

Magnesium ammonium phosphate, which accounts for approximately $60\%$ of feline uroliths.

Azotemia

A buildup of toxins within the body resulting from a decline in glomerular filtration during renal failure.

Pyometra

A bacterial infection of the uterus occurring as the final stage of a continuum beginning with endometrial hyperplasia under the influence of progesterone.

Dystocia

Difficulty in giving birth, indicated when a queen has been in labor longer than $4$ hours without producing a fetus.

Agalactia

The lack of milk production resulting from stress, malnutrition, premature parturition, or infection.

Puerperal Tetany (Eclampsia)

A condition involving hypocalcemia, often in small breeds during lactation, presenting with ataxia, trembling, and seizures.

Postpartum Metritis

An ascending uterine infection occurring within a week postpartum, commonly caused by E. coli, Staphylococci, or Klebsiella.