Glossary - Furbabies Cat Care Site

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A

Abdominal Pain
Cat may appear hunched over
Abdominal Tenderness
Cat may appear hunched over, reluctant to be touched in the abdominal area
Abscess
An infection in a pocket of tissue just under the skin, usually caused by a cat bite. Appears as a lump or swelling, usually on the cat's head, tail or back.
Absorbency
Ability of cat litter to soak up urine
Abyssinian
Shorthaired cat breed with a ticked coat [breed profile]
Acetaminophen (Panadol, Tylenol)
Drug which causes severe toxicity in cats, also known as paracetamol
Acetylcysteine
Used to treat acetaminophen poisoning in cats, it aids in detoxification of the drug and enhances its elimination
Acne
Black/brown crusty formation on the chin
Acquired
Not inherited
Activated Charcoal
Organic material treated to increase its absorptive power, used as an antidote for several poisonings
Advantage
A monthly top-spot preparation applied to the back of the cat's neck as a treatment for fleas
Aggression
Angry, destructive behaviour (behavior), may cause injury, usually involves one cat attacking another cat or human
Agouti
Ticking of the fur, each individual hair has several bands of light and dark pigment along it
Ailurophile
Person who loves cats
Ailurophilia
Love of cats
Ailurophobe
Person who is afraid of cats
Ailurophobia
Fear of cats
Albinism
Absence of normal pigmentation (colouring) in the body (hair, skin, eyes)
All Breeds Club
Cat club which caters for all breeds of cat
Allergen
A substance capable of causing allergy or hypersensitivity. Substances that may cause an allergic reaction in cats include pollens, certain foods, and flea saliva.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Lesions on the skin where the poison would have contacted, usually hairless areas
Allergy
An exaggerated immune response to a substance (an allergen). Allergy occurs on the second or subsequent exposure to the allergen. Substances that may cause an allergic reaction in cats include pollens, certain foods, and flea saliva.
Alopecia
Hair loss due to any cause.
Alter
A desexed cat or kitten - a castrated male or spayed female
Altered Vision
Impaired vision, blurred vision
American Shorthair
Cat breed with a thick short coat, large head and large eyes [breed profile]
Ammonia
Byproduct of urine
Anaemia
Reduced number of red blood cells in the blood (also spelt anemia)
Analgesics
Medication to reduce or relieve pain
Anemia
Reduced number of red blood cells in the blood (also spelt anaemia)
Animal Shelter
Organization that provides temporary accommodation for rescued cats and rehomes them
Anorexia
Lack of appetite for food
AOV - Any Other Variety
A registered cat or kitten who does not conform to the accepted show standard due to coat colour, coat length, presence of a tail (Manx), un-folded ears (Scottish Fold)
Arthritis
Inflammation of the joints
Asthma
A condition marked by recurrent attacks of coughing or wheezing
Ataxia
Inability to balance (wobbliness) when trying to walk
Aversion
Avoidance of a particular area or object, for example a litter box aversion
Azotemia
The presence of nitrogen-containing compounds in the blood


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B

Balanced
A cat with good proportions and conformation (body size, shape and symmetry) in relation to its breed standard
Balinese
Cat breed with the body shape, temperament and markings of the Siamese but a semi-long coat [breed profile]
Behavior
The activity or pattern of activity of the cat (also spelt behaviour)
Behaviour
The activity or pattern of activity of the cat (also spelt behavior)
Benching
Placing a cat or kitten into it's cage at a cat show, ready for judging
Benching Cage
The cage in a show hall where the cat or kitten is placed into (by the owner) at the start of the show
Bengal
Shorthaired cat breed with a leopard patterned coat [breed profile]
Betadine
Iodine solution used for treating wounds and as an anti-infective agent
Bib
The ruff, or lengthened fur around the neck/chest area
Bicolor
A cat that is half white and half another color, sometimes also used for a white cat with patches of another color, e.g. blue bicolor, brown tabby bicolor (also spelt bicolour)
Bicolour
A cat that is half white and half another colour, sometimes also used for a white cat with patches of another colour, e.g. blue bicolour, brown tabby bicolour (also spelt bicolor)
Birman
Longhaired cat breed with blue eyes, a light coloured body and darker points (ears, face, legs, tail) [breed profile]
BIS - Best In Show
A cat at a cat show that has placed top in its class
Bleeding
Loss of blood from the body
Blindness
Lack or loss of ability to see
Bloodline
A group of cats related by ancestry or pedigree
Blood Sample
Laboratory examination of a blood sample is a useful way to diagnose many illnesses. In cats, samples are usually taken from the jugular vein in the neck.
Blood Transfusion
Whole blood given intravenously (into a vein) to support the circulation
Blue
Silver-grey (gray) coat colour, dilute form of black coat colouring
Blue Point
A cat with blue/grey (gray) points and a light blue/grey or beige body
Blurred Vision
Decreased ability to see, may crash into objects when in an unusual environment
Body Condition Score
An assessment of the amount of fat covering the cats ribs, hips and the shape of the cats waist
Bombay
Cat breed with a short jet black coat and copper eyes [breed profile]
Booster
A top up vaccination, given every one to three years (depending on your veterinarian's recommendation and the type of vaccine used), to boost the immune response.
Bradycardia
Slow heartbeat (less than 60 beats per minute)
Break
A deep indentation at the bridge of the nose, between the eyes or just below the eyes
Breeches
Longer hair on the backs of the thighs (upper hindlegs), also called britches
Breed
A separate distinct group of cats, with similar physical appearance, who produce similar offspring when bred
Breeder
Person who breeds pedigree kittens
Registered Breeder - breeder registered with their local cat association.
Breed Standard
Guidelines set out for each breed by a cat association which lists the qualities that the breed will be judged on in the show ring
Breed True
To produce a kitten very similar to the parents
Britches
Longer hair on the backs of the thighs (upper hindlegs), also called breeches
British Shorthair
Shorthaired cat breed with a large round stocky body and dense plush coat [breed profile]
Burmese
Shorthaired cat breed with a fine satiny coat which lies close to the body [breed profile]
Burmese Craniofacial Defect
Genetic disorder that affects skull development of the foetus (fetus), resulting in kittens with severely deformed heads
Buttons
White spots on the belly


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C

Cage Curtains
Material used to cover the back and sides of a cage at a cat show
Calculus
Hard, yellow-brown mineralised deposits on tooth surfaces. Also called Tartar.
Calicivirus (FCV)
Highly infectious viral disease affecting the upper respiratory tract. Also known as "cat flu"
Calico
White cat with red and black patches
Calling
The howling and cries made by a female cat when she is in season
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Irregularity of the normal heart rhythm
Cardiomyopathy
A disease of the heart muscle that can result in heart failure
Carrier
1) - Cage used for transporting the cat
2) - A cat who carries a virus or other disease organism without showing clinical signs
3) - A cat with one recessive allele and one dominant allele for a particular trait, a heterozygote
Carry Cage
Cage used for transporting the cat
Castrate
1) - A neutered male cat
2) - Desexing (neutering) a male cat by removal of the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, parts of the vas deferens)
Castration
Desexing (neutering) a male cat by removal of the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, parts of the vas deferens)
Cat
A domesticated feline
Cat Age Equilvalent
How old the cat would be if it was a human
Cat Bed
Bed for the cat to sleep in. Beds come in many shapes and sizes.
Cat Carrier
Cage used for transporting the cat
Cat Door
Small hinged door to allow a cat access to another room or outside without the main door being opened
Cat Fancier
A person involved in breeding or showing cats, usually pedigrees
Cat Fancy
Clubs, societies or organizations with a common interest in cats, usually for showing and breeding
Cat Flap
Small hinged door to allow a cat access to another room or outside without the main door being opened
Cat Food
Food formulated to meet a cats nutritional needs
Cat Litter
Granular substance used to fill the litter box. Can be paper pellets, sand, sawdust, clay
Catmint
Perennial herb with purple flowers which some cats show a liking to. It contains the same chemical as catnip but in a weaker form
Catnip
Perennial herb with white flowers that most cats show a liking to
Cat Run
Enclosed caged outdoor area to allow a cat outside without being able to escape
Cat Show
An exhibition of cats, both pedigree and domestic, who compete for prizes and awards
Cattery
1) - a name registered by a breeder to identify their line of breeding
2) - a boarding facility specifically for cats
Cat Toothbrush
Toothbrush with an angled handle specifically designed for brushing a cats teeth
Cat Toothpaste
Specially formulated toothpaste for cats
Cat Tower
A large scratching post with several platforms - carpet or rope covered tower for the cat to mark its claws on instead of the furniture
Cat Toys
Toys designed for a cat
Certified Pedigree
A pedigree document showing a cats background for 3, 4, or 5 generations, including names, colours, registration numbers and show titles
Chamois
Sheepskin cloth used for grooming some shorthaired cats to make the coat shine
Chartreux
Cat breed with a medium length blue-grey coat [breed profile]
Cheyletiella
A mite causing mild dermatitis in cats
Chlamydophila
A bacteria causing eye infections in cats. Previously called Chlamydia.
Chocolate
Medium-brown coat colour
Circulatory Depression
Reduced blood flow around the body
Claw Clippers
Special scissors/clippers designed for cutting cats claws
Claw Clipping
Trimming/cutting a cats claws
Claws
Sharp retractable digits on the end of a cats paws
Clay Litter
Cat litter made from a clay-based material
Clippers
1) - motorized shears used to trim a cats coat
2) - special scissors/clippers designed for cutting cats claws
Clowder
A group of cats
Clumping Litter
Cat litter that forms hard lumps (clumps) when wet by urine
CNS Depression
Decreased interest in surroundings, decreased response to external stimuli, reduced activity, (depression of the central nervous system)
Coagulopathy
Any disorder of blood clotting
Cobby
Sturdy, round and compact body shape, with short legs, broad shoulders and rump
Collapse
Loss of strength, state of depression
Collar
Worn around the cat's neck as a means of identification if the cat goes missing
Colony
Group of wild or feral cats living outside
Colorpoint
A cat with darker shading on its mask, ears, paws and tail (also spelt colourpoint)
Colorpoint Carrier
Non-pointed Persian cat carrying the gene for colored points (also spelt colourpoint carrier)
Colostrum
Milky fluid secreted from the mothers mammary glands (nipples) for the first few days after birth. It is rich in protein and contains antibodies which help protect the kittens from disease
Colourpoint
A cat with darker shading on its mask, ears, paws and tail (also spelt colorpoint)
Colourpoint Carrier
Non-pointed Persian cat carrying the gene for coloured points (also spelt colorpoint carrier)
Coma
State of unconsciousness, cat doesn't wake up when it hears the owners voice
Conformation
Body shape, size and symmetry of a cat, the ideal conformation for each breed is detailed in the breed standard
Congenital
Present at and existing from the time of birth
Congenital Degenerative Myopathy
Muscle spasms causing stiff and awkward movements, condition in Devon Rex cats often incorrectly called "spasticity"
Congestion Of Oral Mucous Membranes
Bluish colour to the lips, gums, conjunctiva of the eye
Constipation
Increased intestinal transit time resulting in hard dry faeces (feces) passed less frequently than normal
Convulsions
Series of involuntary muscle contractions
Cornish Rex
Cat breed with short curly coat [breed profile]
CPC
Colourpoint carrier, non-pointed Persian cat carrying the gene for coloured points
Cramps
Painful muscle contractions
Craniofacial Defect
Genetic disorder that affects skull development of the foetus (fetus), resulting in kittens with severely deformed heads
Cream
Light yellowish coat colour, dilute form of red coat colouring
Cross Breed
Kitten with parents from different breeds
Crossed Eyes
Eyes looking towards each other rather than looking straight ahead
Cryptorchid
A male cat whose testicles have not descended
Ctenocephalides felis
The most common flea of cats and dogs
Curry Brush
Soft rubber brush effective at getting loose fur out of a cat's coat
Cyanosis
Blue discolouration of the skin and mucous membranes (lips, gums, conjunctiva of the eye)
Cymric
Longhaired cat breed with long hindlimbs and missing all or at least part of the tail, longhaired version of the Manx [breed profile]
Cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder


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References

Blood DC & Studdert VP, Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, Great Britain: W.B. Saunders & Co, 1999

Carlson DG & Giffin JM, Cat Owners Home Veterinary Handbook, New York: Howell Book House, 1995

Plunkett SJ, Emergency Procedures For The Small Animal Veterinarian, Spain: W.B. Saunders & Co, 2002


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