Library
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Spironolactone is a diuretic, and is used to increase the amount of urine produced and excreted from the body. It is prescribed when the pet does not respond to other diuretics, or if other diuretics have resulted in low potassium levels.
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Spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide is a combination aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone) and thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) used to remove excess fluid and salt from the body in cats and dogs. This medication can be used in combination with other drugs to lower blood pressure and for protective effects on the heart muscle. It has also been used in dogs with fluid-up in the abdomen due to liver failure.
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The spleen is an abdominal organ located near the stomach. The spleen contains two types of tissue, red pulp and white pulp.
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Spondylosis deformans is a condition that affects the vertebral bones of the spine and is characterized by the presence of bony spurs or osteophytes along the edges of the bones of the spine. Spondylosis deformans is a chronic condition that is associated with aging and most cats show no symptoms. This condition is usually diagnosed from X-rays of the spine. Treatment recommendations depend on the individual cat and whether they are showing any clinical signs, such as pain and difficulty with movement.
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Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a tumor of the cells that make up the contact or upper layer of the skin. UV light exposure has been described as a developmental factor in people and appears to be associated with its development in cats. Areas affected include the ear tips, skin, toes, or peri-ocular region. Fine needle aspiration or biopsy may be performed for diagnosis. The metastatic rate does not appear overly clear, though staging is always recommended. SCC of the toe can occur as a primary tumor or may have spread from the lung (lung-digit syndrome). Surgery is almost always recommended in any case of SCC; the role of chemotherapy is controversial. Radiation therapy has an excellent response rate in cats with the SCC affecting the nasal planum and may give long-term tumor control.
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Stanozolol is an anabolic steroid. It has been prescribed to improve appetite, promote weight gain, and/or to increase muscle strength and vitality in cats. It may also be used to treat anemia.
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Stem cells are unspecialized cells that are capable of renewing themselves though cell division. Under certain conditions, they can become a specific tissue or organ cell. In many tissues, stem cells serve as an internal repair system, replacing damaged or dead tissues by reproducing and turning into the needed cells. This type of repair is common in the gut and bone marrow, where stem cells routinely replace damaged tissues.
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This handout discusses the use of corticosteroid (such as prednisone or dexamethasone) in the cat. Reasons for their use as well as the common short-term and long-term side effects of these drugs are outlined, along with strategies to avoid these effects.
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Tumors of the epithelial, glandular stomach lining include non-cancerous polyps and some types of chronic (hyperplastic) gastritis. Malignant epithelial tumors (gastric adenocarcinomas) cause progressive illness.
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Strokes are rare in cats. Some causes include a blood clot such as a thrombus or embolus that lodges in a cerebral blood vessel, cerebral bleeding from trauma, or a blood clotting disorder; however, the cause is often unknown. Signs of a stroke are variable depending on the regions of the brain affected and the degree and duration of blood and oxygen deprivation. Magnetic resonance imaging is the ideal diagnostic test for diagnosing a stroke. Treatment is complex and there is no guarantee of complete success. Your veterinarian will help you assess progress and plan remedial action.