Glossary - Furbabies Cat Care Site

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N

Nares
Nostrils
Nasolacrimal Duct
Duct taking tears from the eye to the nose, narrowing of this duct in Persian and Exotic cats causes tears to run down the face
Nausea
Unpleasant feeling with a tendency to vomit
Neck Lesion
Holes in a cat's tooth along the gum line, causes pain and can result in loss of the tooth
Necrosis
Death of cells
Neonate
A kitten between zero and two weeks old
Neoplasia
The formation of a neoplasm (a tumour or any new or abnormal growth)
Neoplasm
1) - A tumour (tumor)
2) - Any new or abnormal growth, especially if cell multiplication is uncontrolled and progressive. Neoplasms may be benign or malignant.
Nervous System Depression
Decreased interest in surroundings, decreased response to external stimuli, reduced activity
Neuter
A desexed (castrated) male cat or kitten
Neutering
Desexing an animal by surgical removal of the reproductive organs
Niclosamide
The active ingredient of some de-worming medications for cats and kittens
Nictitating Membrane
Another name for the third eyelid, the thin membrane that moves across the eye when the upper and lower eyelids are closed, may be visible when a cat is sick
Non-agouti
Uniform colouring of hair without ticking, solid colouring
Norwegian Forest Cat
Longhaired cat breed with large muscular body and woolly undercoat [breed profile]
Nose Leather
Smooth hairless skin on the cats nose, between and around the nostrils
Nystagmus
Periodic, rhythmic, involuntary movement of both eyeballs


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O

Obesity
Excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Overfeeding and lack of exercise are the main causes
Ocicat
Shorthaired cat breed with a spotted coat [breed profile]
Ocular
To do with the eye
Odd-Eyed
Having different coloured eyes, usually one eye is blue, the other is copper or orange
Odor Neutralizer
A substance that takes away urine smells or other smells when applied to the affected area (also spelt odour neutralizer)
Odour Neutralizer
A substance that takes away urine smells or other smells when applied to the affected area (also spelt odor neutralizer)
Oedema
Abnormal accumulation of fluid
Oestrus
The heat period - the time during the reproductive cycle when the queen (female) displays interest in mating. Queens may rub against objects, crawl with their belly close to the floor, roll and vocalize (also spelt estrus)
Ollulanus tricuspis
An uncommon stomach parasite of cats
Oral
Medication or treatment that can be given by mouth
Oral Cavity
The mouth
Oriental
Shorthaired cat breed with a solid colored coat, slim body, large pointed ears and green eyes [breed profile]
OTC
Over-the-counter - medications or products that can be obtained without a prescription
Out Of Coat
Longhaired cat during moulting (molting) season with a thinner than normal haircoat (compared to a thick full show coat)
Ovariohysterectomy
Desexing (spaying) a female cat by removal of the female reproductive organs (ovaries, oviducts, uterus)
Over the counter (OTC)
Medications or products that can be obtained without a prescription


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P

Pads
Tough hairless cushions on the bottom of a cats paw
Pain-Induced Aggression
Defensive angry behaviour triggered by pain
Panleukopenia
Highly contagious viral disease which causes high death loss, especially among young kittens, also called Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE)
Papers
A cats certificate of registration and pedigree form
Paracetamol (Panadol, Tylenol)
Drug which causes severe toxicity in cats, also known as acetaminophen
Paralysis
Loss or reduced function, e.g. inability to use a limb
Patellar Luxation
Displacement of the kneecap
Pedigree
1) - a cat conforming to a recognized pedigree breed
2) - the "family tree" of any particular cat
Peke-Faced Persian
A Persian cat with a very short, flattened face, resembling that of a Pekingese dog
Pelleted Litter
Cat litter in the shape of small cylindrical pellets, it may be made from recycled paper, wood or other materials
Persian
Longhaired cat breed with a broad head, short nose and cobby body [breed profile]
Pheromone
Scent used by cats to determine territory. When cats rub their chin on objects, they are depositing facial pheromones for other cats to smell.
Physical Exam
The clinical exam that your veterinarian gives your cat to look for health problems
Pica
Eating of non-food items such as wool and fabrics, most common in Siamese and Oriental breeds
Pigmentation
Colouring
Pinnae
Ear flaps
Piperazine
The active ingredient of some de-worming medications for cats and kittens
Pixie
Persian cat bred to be smaller than the breed standard
PKD
Polycystic Kidney Disease - slowly progressive kidney disease resulting in multiple cysts in the kidneys, autosomal dominant inheritance in Persian cats
Plaque
Soft mass (composed of bacteria, polymers and cells) that accumulates on tooth surfaces, it can lead to gum disease. Plaque can be removed by brushing your cat's teeth, dental chew toys, or some dry foods (kibble)
Play Aggression
Biting, batting or growling at another cat or human during play
Points
Extremities of the body comprising the mask, ears, feet, legs and tail
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Slowly progressive kidney disease resulting in multiple cysts in the kidneys, autosomal dominant inheritance in Persian cats
Polydactyly
Having extra toes, an inherited defect in cats
Polydipsia
Increased thirst, increased water intake
Polyphagia
Excessive intake of food, increased appetite
Polyuria
Excreting large volumes of urine, increased urination
Portocaval Shunt
Shunt resulting in blood from the intestines bypassing the liver
Pound
Rescue center or shelter for stray animals
PRA
Progressive Retinal Atrophy - retinal degeneration that can lead to blindness
Praziquantel
The active ingredient of some de-worming medications for cats and kittens
Predatory Aggression
A cats normal instinctive desire to chase, hunt and attack prey, this behaviour becomes inappropriate when directed towards humans or other pets
Prefix
The cattery name of the breeder of a cat, the prefix always appears at the beginning of a registered cats name
Pricked
When a cats ears are held high on the head
Progeny
The offspring of a particular cat
Program
A flea treatment for cats available in both an oral and an injectable form
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Retinal degeneration that can lead to blindness
Prostration
Extreme exhaustion, lack of energy
Puberty
The age of sexual maturity, usually around five to eight months in cats. Males reach puberty later than females. Longhair cats reach puberty later than shorthair cats
Pulse
Heartbeat
Purebred
A cat conforming to a recognized pedigree breed
Pupil
Black part of the eye
Pyloric Dysfunction
Delayed emptying of the stomach
Pyometra
Accumulation of pus within the uterus
Pyrantel
The active ingredient of some de-worming medications for cats and kittens
Pyrexia
Fever


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Q

Quarantine
Period of isolation to prevent the spread of disease
Queen
An unneutered (entire) breeding female cat
Quick
The pink part of a cats claw containing nerves and blood vessels. It should be avoided when clipping the cats claws.


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R

Rabies
Fatal disease spread by bites or contact with the saliva of an infected animal
Radiograph
An x-ray film
Ragdoll
Longhaired cat breed with a plush silky coat and a docile temperament [breed profile]
Recognition
Official acceptance of a breed or colour variety of a cat by the governing body
Red
Orange-ginger coat colour
Redirected Aggression
Angry destructive behaviour triggered by one stimulus but redirected at something else
Regenerative Anaemia
Reduced number of mature red blood cells in the blood, but an increased number of immature (nucleated) red blood cells (also spelt regenerative anemia)
Regenerative Anemia
Reduced number of mature red blood cells in the blood, but an increased number of immature (nucleated) red blood cells (also spelt regenerative anaemia)
Renal Failure
Inability of kidneys to function properly, kidney failure
Respiration
Breathing
Respiratory Depression
Decreased rate or depth of breathing
Revolution
A monthly top-spot preparation applied to the back of the cat's neck as a treatment for fleas, roundworms, heartworm, ear mites and hookworms
Rhinotracheitis
Highly infectious viral disease, caused by Felid Herpesvirus-1, affecting the upper respiratory tract. Also known as "cat flu"
Ringworm
A fungus that can cause hair loss in cats
Roman Nose
Nose with a bulge out (convex)
Roundworm
A thin spaghetti-like worm that lives in the cat's intestines. Infection is very common in kittens, they pick up the infection when they suckle milk from their mother. Signs include a pot belly, poor coat and diarrhoea (diarrhea)
Rubber Curry Brush
Soft rubber brush effective at getting loose fur out of a cat's coat
Ruff
Lengthened fur around the neck and chest of a longhaired cat
Rumpy
Manx cat with a hollow where the tail should be
Run
Colouring extending past the area it should, e.g. white extending up part of the front leg from a glove on a Birman cat
Russian Blue
Shorthaired cat with short dense silvery blue-grey coat and green eyes [breed profile]


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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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