Cat Facts

compiled by Nancy Kerr

D is for:

Dilute Calico is not a cat breed; it is a coat pattern made up of distinct solid-colored patches. Dilute calicos have the same tri-colored coat that calicos have, but the dilute gene causes the colors to be muted and appear faded. The red will dilute to cream, and the black dilutes to blue (gray). Dilute calicos are sometimes called calamanco cats.

 

Delphinium also known as Larkspur. These vibrant flowering plants are native to the Northern Hemisphere and can be found in many gardens. However, they contain alkaloid compounds that are toxic to cats. This includes delsoline and methyllycaconitine, which can cause symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite when ingested by cats. If you suspect that your cat has ingested delphinium, contact your veterinarian immediately.

 

Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic worm that can infect cats, causing a potentially life-threatening condition known as feline heartworm disease. They live in the heart or nearby large blood vessels of infected animals. Female worms are 6-14″ long (15-36 cm) and 1/8″ wide (3 mm). Males are about half the size of the females. Although cats are not ideal hosts for this worm, they can still develop severe lung disease and be killed by migrating worms. Even one adult heartworm can cause fatal lung disease. Up to 1/3 of infected cats live indoors only. , although they are not as susceptible to infection as dogs. A cat is not a natural host of heartworms because the worms do not thrive as well inside a cat’s body. Both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk for heartworm disease.

 

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the cat’s skin. Most commonly, food allergies, flea bites, or an environmental allergen trigger areas of irritated skin (dermis). The irritation leads to rubbing and scratching, which may cause rashes, patches of bumps, or scabs on your feline. As the skin is broken and traumatized, secondary bacterial infections can occur. Other symptoms may include fur loss, continual scratching and grooming, and dandruff.  Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to determine what type of dermatitis your cat may have and how best to treat it.

 

Dislocated Joints can be painful and serious health problems for cats. A joint dislocation occurs when the point at which two or more bones meet is disrupted or damaged. This can occur at any joint, but it usually occurs in the legs or the tail of cats, and can be caused by trauma or by a physical malformation. Signs of a dislocation include difficulty with movement, swelling or abnormal looking joints, lethargy, increased vocalization, or reactions to being touched. A joint that has been dislocated in the past is more likely to dislocate again. If your cat has a dislocated joint, it needs to be seen by a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.