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The cat has a dark tongue. Discoloration of gums in cats - red, white, gray




Cyanosis or cyanosis of visible mucous membranes is always a frightening sign! It is not an independent disease, but at the same time, it can be a symptom of several (including life-threatening animal) diseases.

Why do mucous membranes turn blue?

The color of the mucous membranes depends on the saturation of the blood with oxygen and carbon dioxide. If for some reason the blood does not receive enough oxygen, the mucous membranes acquire a bluish tint.
In the event that cyanosis is persistent and the body does not receive the required amount of oxygen for a long time, a serious condition for the animal's body can develop, up to a fatal outcome.

Normally, the color of visible mucous membranes is pink (from intense to pale pink). The color is easy to see in the oral cavity: gums, lips, inside of the cheeks, tongue, if the cat is aggressive and there is no way to open her mouth, you can see the color of the conjunctiva (the inner surface of the eyelid).

The most common causes of cyanosis in cats

pneumothorax and hydrothorax

Most often it occurs as a result of injuries in the chest area, falls from a height, car accidents, bites. Pneumothorax- accumulation of air in the chest cavity, hydrothorax- accumulation of fluid. Under these conditions, the lungs do not have the ability to fill with air normally, and in some cases part or one entire lung collapses (does not function). If the process of fluid or air entering the chest cavity does not stop, then the animal dies from suffocation.

If you notice that for some time your animal begins to breathe worse, shortness of breath develops (breathing is frequent and with an open mouth) and cyanosis (from several minutes to several days after injury) you need to contact the clinic to rule out these life-threatening states! To confirm this diagnosis, the doctor will need to take x-rays. And then the liquid or air from the chest cavity is removed. This procedure is usually performed under sedation (a small dose of a sedative drug) in some cases, general anesthesia is required.

It is also necessary to identify the cause of this condition. This may require examination of the fluid removed from the chest cavity. Further treatment will be aimed at preventing the onset of symptoms and treating the disease that caused them.

In cats, when falling from a height, it is often found diaphragmatic hernia(rupture of the diaphragm and prolapse of the abdominal organs into the chest). In this condition, the lungs are also inadequately filled with air due to their displacement. A lack of oxygen and cyanosis develops.

This problem is solved by surgery - all organs return to their places, and the gap in the diaphragm (the tissue that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity) is sutured. However, such an operation is appropriate only if the diaphragm rupture has occurred recently, with chronic injuries and the normal quality of life of the animal, the operation is not always indicated.

Causes that also cause chest effusion in cats are FIP, or feline infectious peritonitis, and lymphosarcoma(viral feline leukemia).
With these diseases, fluid accumulates in the chest and abdominal cavity (not always), the general condition of the animal worsens, the cat refuses to eat, and cyanosis appears.
To make such diagnoses, a study of the detected fluid will be required. Blood tests and ultrasound of the chest and abdomen.

Pulmonary edema

A very life-threatening condition - requires urgent assistance and immediate treatment to the clinic! In addition to cyanosis, pulmonary edema is also accompanied by other symptoms: incessant shortness of breath (the cat breathes with its tongue hanging out), anxiety. Upon receipt of an animal with such symptoms for admission, the doctor will urgently assess the condition of the animal and decide on the need to place the animal for inpatient treatment (which is indicated for animals with severe symptoms of respiratory failure). Also, at the very initial stages of diagnosis, it is necessary to determine the nature of the edema - its cause (since this is not an independent disease, but only a clinical manifestation of some hidden problem of the body).

An x-ray of the lungs is required to confirm the diagnosis, determine the severity of the condition, and discover a possible cause. To relieve the symptoms of edema and improve the condition of the animal, active diuretic (diuretic) therapy will be carried out.

After normalization of the animal's condition and identification of the cause of pulmonary edema, the cat should receive treatment for its underlying disease, in order to avoid the recurrence of this symptom.

cat asthma

Asthma in cats is a disease of cats of different ages, accompanied by coughing and worsening of breathing, in severe cases, respiratory failure and cyanosis develop. This disease can be suspected by detecting characteristic changes in the lungs (on an x-ray in a lateral projection) and confirmed by the detection of an increased number of eosinophils (blood cells responsible for the body's immune response) in the blood.

This disease in cats is of an immune nature - therefore, for its treatment, the cat is prescribed and selected the minimum dose of glucocorticoid hormones for life.

congenital heart defects

Also, the cause of these disorders can be congenital heart disease.

The tongue of a cat consists of several groups of muscles that move in different directions. cat tongue is unique in that its surface is covered with what appear to be spines (called papillae) that form a rough surface that acts like a brush when it licks its fur.

The cat's tongue has several functions, such as helping with the cat's daily grooming, removing food debris from the cat's mouth and muzzle, tasting food, and measuring the temperature of food. The tongue is used when swallowing food, as well as drinking with it.

Healthy is pink. Any change in color or shape of the cat's tongue is indicative of a problem that should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Why does a cat have a rough tongue

This is due to the papillae on the surface of the tongue. There are four types of papillae:

Filiform papillae (cone-shaped)- are the most common form of papillae. They grow in the opposite direction to the palate and help the cat in grooming. They are located on the front half of the tongue. And they're the ones that cause the grater feeling when your cat licks you.

Foliate papillae- the largest of all papillae of the cat's tongue. They form two groups on either side of the tongue, in front of the gutter papillae.

fungiform papillae- as the name suggests, they are mushroom-shaped and located on the sides of the tongue.

Gutter papillae- located on the back of the cat's tongue. They are located behind the fungiform papillae in a V-shaped row.

Taste sensations of a cat

The cat's sense of smell is much more developed than ours, but cats have a relatively small number, only 473, compared to humans, who have 9000. Taste buds are located on the foliate, fungiform, and trough papillae of the tongue, but not on the filiform papillae.

It is not yet clear whether cats can sense. Some people think so, although these sensations are not at all developed compared to the sensations of salty, sour, and bitter.

The cat's tongue is also sensitive to temperature, the preferred temperature is around 30*C. It is useful for owners to know that cats do not like to eat food directly from the refrigerator for this reason.

Diseases of the tongue in a cat

There are several feline diseases that affect the condition of the tongue.

  • Glossitis - inflammation of the tongue
  • Ulcers - can be caused by some viral infections, the tongue can also affect
  • Foreign body - bone fragments can injure the tongue, a thread can be accidentally wound around the tongue.
  • Cancer – Cats can get tongue cancer.

Why does a cat stick out its tongue

This happens quite often, as a rule, if the cat licked the fur before, or after sleep. A small part of the tongue remains sticking out of the mouth. This is normal and nothing to worry about - the cat simply forgot to put the tongue back.

In cats with short jaws, such breeds as, or

Sholicheva Alisa Andreevna
veterinary cardiologist

Cyanosis or cyanosis of visible mucous membranes is always a frightening sign!
It is not an independent disease, but at the same time, it can be a symptom of several (including life-threatening animal) diseases.

Why do mucous membranes turn blue?
The color of the mucous membranes depends on the saturation of the blood with oxygen and carbon dioxide.
If for some reason the blood does not receive enough oxygen, the mucous membranes acquire a bluish tint.
In the event that cyanosis is persistent and the body does not receive the required amount of oxygen for a long time, a serious condition for the animal's body can develop, up to a fatal outcome.
Normally, the color of visible mucous membranes is pink (from intense to pale pink). The color is easy to see in the oral cavity: gums, lips, inside of the cheeks, tongue, if the cat is aggressive and there is no way to open her mouth, you can see the color of the conjunctiva (the inner surface of the eyelid).

The most common causes of cyanosis in cats are:

  • pneumothorax and hydrothorax
    Most often it occurs as a result of injuries in the chest area, falls from a height, car accidents, bites.
    Pneumothorax- accumulation of air in the chest cavity, hydrothorax- accumulation of fluid. Under these conditions, the lungs do not have the ability to fill with air normally, and in some cases part or one entire lung collapses (does not function).
    If the process of fluid or air entering the chest cavity does not stop, then the animal dies from suffocation.
    If you notice that for some time your animal begins to breathe worse, shortness of breath develops (breathing is frequent and with an open mouth) and cyanosis (from several minutes to several days after injury) you need to contact the clinic to rule out these life-threatening states!
    To confirm this diagnosis, the doctor will need to take x-rays. And then the liquid or air from the chest cavity is removed. This procedure is usually performed under sedation (a small dose of a sedative drug) in some cases, general anesthesia is required.
    It is also necessary to identify the cause of this condition. This may require examination of the fluid removed from the chest cavity. Further treatment will be aimed at preventing the onset of symptoms and treating the disease that caused them.
    In cats, when falling from a height, it is often found diaphragmatic hernia(rupture of the diaphragm and prolapse of the abdominal organs into the chest). In this condition, the lungs are also inadequately filled with air due to their displacement. A lack of oxygen and cyanosis develops.
    This problem is solved by surgery - all organs return to their places, and the gap in the diaphragm (the tissue that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity) is sutured. However, such an operation is appropriate only if the diaphragm rupture has occurred recently, with chronic injuries and the normal quality of life of the animal, the operation is not always indicated.

    Causes that also cause chest effusion in cats are FIP, or feline infectious peritonitis, and lymphosarcoma(viral feline leukemia).
    With these diseases, fluid accumulates in the chest and abdominal cavity (not always), the general condition of the animal worsens, the cat refuses to eat, and cyanosis appears.
    To make such diagnoses, a study of the detected fluid will be required. Blood tests and ultrasound of the chest and abdomen.

  • pulmonary edema
    A very life-threatening condition - requires urgent assistance and immediate treatment to the clinic!
    In addition to cyanosis, pulmonary edema is also accompanied by other symptoms: incessant shortness of breath (the cat breathes with its tongue hanging out), anxiety. Upon receipt of an animal with such symptoms for admission, the doctor will urgently assess the condition of the animal and decide on the need to place the animal for inpatient treatment (which is indicated for animals with severe symptoms of respiratory failure). Also, at the very initial stages of diagnosis, it is necessary to determine the nature of the edema - its cause (since this is not an independent disease, but only a clinical manifestation of some hidden problem of the body).
    An x-ray of the lungs is required to confirm the diagnosis, determine the severity of the condition, and discover a possible cause. To relieve the symptoms of edema and improve the condition of the animal, active diuretic (diuretic) therapy will be carried out.
    After normalization of the animal's condition and identification of the cause of pulmonary edema, the cat should receive treatment for its underlying disease, in order to avoid the recurrence of this symptom.
  • feline asthma- a disease of cats of different ages, accompanied by coughing and worsening of breathing, in severe cases, respiratory failure and cyanosis develop.
    This disease can be suspected by detecting characteristic changes in the lungs (on an x-ray in a lateral projection) and confirmed by the detection of an increased number of eosinophils (blood cells responsible for the body's immune response) in the blood.
    This disease in cats is of an immune nature - therefore, for its treatment, the cat is prescribed and selected the minimum dose of glucocorticoid hormones for life.
  • congenital heart defects
    Owners notice persistent cyanosis in their pets at an early age.
    The so-called "blue" (causing cyanosis) defects include:
    • atrial septal defect
    • ventricular septal defect
    • combined defect "tetralogy of Fallot".

The incidence of these congenital heart defects in cats is very low.
To make such a diagnosis, it will be necessary to undergo a full cardiological examination: ECG (electrocardiography), ECHO (ultrasound of the heart) and chest x-ray.

Remember!
The presence of cyanosis always indicates that the body does not have enough oxygen and there is an excess of carbon dioxide. It is always life threatening. Your task is to deliver the animal to the clinic as soon as possible.

Sholicheva Alisa Andreevna

According to many people, cats are one of the most tenacious creatures. Is that really how it is?

Indeed, it is difficult to attribute cats to painful creatures. They are less susceptible to various diseases than other animals. But like any animal, cats can get sick with cat-specific diseases or catch a cold, they can be obese.

It is worth mentioning that domestic (pedigreed) cats are more susceptible to diseases than yard cats. Long-haired cats get sick more often than short-haired ones.

Establishing the symptoms of the disease in cats is quite problematic.

When ill, cats behave like steadfast tin soldiers, often hiding their illness.

Cats can have similar symptoms for different diseases. Therefore, to establish the cause of the disease and the correct diagnosis, the cat should be immediately shown to the veterinarian. By the appearance and habits of the animal, you can establish the true state of health of your pet.

If the owner saw that the cat is lethargic, sleeps a lot, eats poorly and has unkempt hair, then this is a clear sign that not everything is in order with the health of your pet.

In this case, you should not hesitate to contact the veterinarian, delay can adversely affect the well-being of the animal.

Common Symptoms

One of the brightest criteria for the health of a cat is its coat. If the cat's coat is even and shiny, there is no dandruff, and the cat does not itch all the time, then this is evidence of health. The nose will tell about the temperature.

The normal temperature of an adult cat is 38-39 degrees, a kitten is above 39.5 degrees.

A moist and cool nose indicates that the temperature is normal. A dry nose indicates a fever. In this case, the cat often licks his lips.

A low temperature is more dangerous than a high one and indicates that the cat's immune system is weakened, and the body does not resist the disease well.

The visible symptoms of a disease state include various kinds of discharge from the eyes, nose, as well as a pale bluish tongue. Obvious symptoms of cat diseases include vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. This is a clear signal of the possible development of a serious internal pathology in the animal, requiring immediate examination.

  • Symptoms of Cat Disease
  • Symptoms of Cat Disease
  • Symptoms of Cat Disease

Vaccination prevents infection with some infectious diseases. Cats can develop diseases that other mammals suffer from: diabetes, cancer, asthma, kidney disease.

AsthmaChronic renal failureCancerDiabetesLeukemiaUrinary stonesHepatic amyloidosisHyperthyroidismImmunodeficiency virusHepatic lipidosisInfectious peritonitisHypertrophic cardiomyopathy Ringworm

Liver disease

Before you take a cat home, you should make sure that it is healthy. Every year for a cat you need to arrange a veterinary examination. The sooner you detect a disease, the easier it is to treat.

There are diseases that are transmitted from cats to humans, but this does not happen often. These diseases are: Cat-scratch fever Rabies Ringworm

Toxoplasmosis

the animal sways, limps.

The easiest way to diagnose skin diseases is the purr. The most common are wet and dry eczema, mats, and trichomes.

If your cat is covered in red spots, itches all the time and she has hair falling out, it is most likely dry eczema. But wet eczema is characterized by the appearance of weeping red spots, and this disease occurs due to allergies.

Felled wool or tangles, this disease is characteristic, mainly for long-haired cat breeds.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. disease in cats.

Common infectious diseases in cats are colds, tonsillitis, bronchitis. The symptoms of these diseases in cats are very similar to those in humans. The disease is accompanied by a runny nose, cough, indigestion and fever. For example, weakened and old animals usually get sick with bronchitis.

For treatment, you need to use expectorants and disinfectants, drugs that dilate the bronchi, antibiotics, antimicrobials, inhalation.

Common diseases

Another ailment that a cat can get is otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear). This disease brings unbearable pain to the pet. The main cause of this disease are drafts, plus microorganisms such as streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus.

Common symptoms of this disease are: loss or significant decrease in appetite, ear pain, fever, apathy, and sometimes vomiting.

For treatment, it is necessary to take a course of antibiotics. And, also, it is necessary to regularly wash the cat's ears with hydrogen peroxide (3% solution), then you need to drip 2 drops of iodoform ether inside. And of course, be sure to pierce the painkillers.

In the treatment of this disease, it is imperative to use antibiotics intramuscularly.

Also, it is necessary to regularly and methodically wash the cat's eyes with a weak solution of furacilin, while it is imperative to apply such ointments to the conjunctival sac daily as: tetracycline, oletetrinovaya, erythromycin. If necessary, give sulfa drugs orally.

Infectious diseases of cats and dogs

Pulmonary edema in a cat is a non-communicable disease. It arises as a result of internal individual processes in the animal's body, so it is impossible for them to become infected.

The structure of the lungs of cats has much in common with the structure of the human organ. They consist of alveoli filled with air and entangled in a network of blood vessels.

When you inhale, oxygen is saturated, and when you exhale, carbon dioxide is released. With edema, fluid accumulates in the alveoli, bronchi and connective tissue, and blood also stagnates in them.

As a result, the functioning volume of the lungs decreases, then oxygen starvation occurs.

In the absence of oxygen, the cells simply cannot get rid of the recycled carbon dioxide.

Types of pulmonary edema in cats

Experts divide this disease into two main types:

  • cardiogenic;
  • not cardiogenic.

Cardiogenic pathology appears due to congenital or acquired problems with cardiac activity (cardiomyopathy, diseases of the muscle tissue of the heart). It has been proven that certain cat breeds are prone to pathological thickening of the myocardial walls:

  • Persian;
  • sphinxes;
  • maine coons;
  • ragdolls;
  • Abyssinian:
  • Bengal;
  • Norwegian Forest;
  • British;
  • Scottish Fold and others.

Toxic effect on lung tissue.

Poisonous substances can damage the alveoli and cause inflammation. Because of this, serious infections develop: sepsis, pneumonia, etc. Poisoning with biological or chemical poisons leads to the destruction of the cell membrane and the development of respiratory pathology.

Various injuries.

The pathological process can develop due to damage to the chest due to ionizing radiation, electric shock, penetration of foreign bodies, falling from a height, etc.

Associated diseases.

Renal failure in the terminal stage, severe hypertension, general intoxication of the body, brain damage of a different nature, and pulmonary embolism can lead to a disease of the respiratory system. Seizures can interfere with respiratory function due to disruption of the nerve supply to the lung tissue.

Decreased levels of albumin in the blood.

Anaphylactic reactions and allergies (rare).

External manifestations of the disease

Symptoms of pulmonary edema in a cat grow very quickly, and can also be expressed gradually and paroxysmal.

When edema appears, the first thing that happens is heavy breathing. There are also changes in the type of breathing in cats: the traditional one is chest-abdominal, and when edema occurs, the four-legged pet begins to breathe only with the stomach.

Diseases of cats and cats: symptoms and treatment

Liver disease

Toxoplasmosis

Various injuries.

Wheezing on breathing.

Breathing with an open mouth.

For representatives of the cat family, such behavior is not typical. Sometimes cats can breathe with their mouths open after a wild game or hyperactivity. But it doesn't last longer than a couple of minutes. If the cat sticks out its tongue, breathes heavily and often, suffocates, then this is a cause for concern.

Mucous membranes and tongue turned blue.

This is a sign of respiratory failure, as well as oxygen deficiency in the lungs and tissues. At first, the mucous membranes and tongue can turn very red, and then turn blue.

Cough.

It indicates the body's attempts to remove mucus and fluid from the alveoli. This process has a reflex character. The cough with edema is always wet, with expectoration of sputum, mucus and sometimes blood.

Decreased activity.