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Feline inappropriate elimination (urinating or defecating outside of the litter box) is the most common behavior complaint of cat owners. This can be an extremely frustrating problem, but it is one that can be solved with some time and effort. However, it is important to remember that the veterinarian cannot fix this problem overnight, especially if it has been occurring for many weeks or months.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in cats. This disease is characterized by a progressive thickening of the heart muscle, resulting in a very small left ventricle with a very thick wall. Most cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown, but it can sometimes occur secondary to hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, or high blood pressure.

Hyperthyroidism is a very common hormonal disorder seen in middle-aged to older cats. The disorder occurs when the thyroid glands begin producing excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. This happens most often due to the development of a benign thyroid adenoma (tumor). It is not known what causes this tumor to develop in certain cats.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is an invariably fatal viral disease that is fortunately rare in cats. FIP is caused by a mutated form of the feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV). FeCV is a relatively common virus that many cats have been exposed to; however, a cat who is infected with FeCV may show no signs of disease at all. In most cases, there is a mild fever and short course of diarrhea associated with FeCV infection. FeCV is thought to be spread via inhalation or ingestion of contaminated feces or saliva. The lethal FIP syndrome is relatively rare in cats.

Aspirin is a commonly found household medication that many people take as they please for minor aches and pains. This is not a safe solution for your cat. Although cats can be safely treated with aspirin under veterinary supervision, it is not recommended to ever give your cat aspirin without prior approval from your veterinarian.

Aspirin has a very long half-life in cats. This means that it is present in the body in its active form for a long time, much longer than in humans or dogs. Cats are also much smaller than humans, so a safe dose for us can be very dangerous for a cat.

Acetaminophen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug commonly available in such human forms as Tylenol and Percoset. Acetaminophen is also a component of various other cold and flu medications. Although acetaminophen is a safe drug for you to take to relieve minor aches and pains, it is highly toxic to your cat! Even one pill can be a deadly dose of acetaminophen for a cat. Never give Tylenol (or any other form of acetaminophen) to your cat!