Articles
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Clarithromycin is given by mouth and used off label to treat certain bacterial infections in several animal species. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or other macrolide antibiotics, in rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, or horses more than four months old.
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Clindamycin topical (brand names ClinzGard®, others) is an antimicrobial used to treat bacterial skin infections, acne, anal sac abscesses, and other wounds in cats and dogs. Clindamycin topical comes in variety of forms.
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Clonazepam is given by mouth and is used off label to treat seizures and certain behavioral disorders in dogs and cats. Common side effects include sleepiness, incoordination, drooling, excitement, or increased appetite.
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Clopidogrel is used off label to prevent abnormal blood clots in dogs, cats, and horses. In cats, this medication may also improve circulation in the lower limbs when used after a blood clot event. It is given by mouth in the form of a tablet or compounded liquid.
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Clotrimazole topical is an antifungal used in the treatment of surface skin infections caused by fungal organisms in cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other animals. Clotrimazole topical comes in a variety of forms that may be specially compounded and/or be combined with other medications. All forms are applied topically.
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Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the soil fungus Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadii. The early signs of coccidioidomycosis include fever, lethargy, poor appetite, coughing, and joint pain. Diagnosis is by biopsy of lesions or blood testing for antibodies to the Coccidioides organism. The prognosis for recovery is dependent of the extent of lesions in the cat’s body.
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Colloidal oatmeal topical (brand name DermAllay®, Epi-Soothe, others) is an anti-inflammatory, antipruritic (anti-itching), and emollient (softening, soothing) agent used in the treatment of surface skin disorders and skin reactions in cats and dogs. It is made from oat grains (Avena sativa). Colloidal oatmeal topical comes in spray, cream rinse, and shampoo forms.
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Severe heart disease in cats can lead to congestive heart failure, a condition that occurs when the heart is no longer able to pump blood to the body, and fluid starts to back up. With right-sided heart failure, fluid backs up in body cavities, whereas with left-sided heart failure, fluid backs up into the lungs. The most common type of heart disease in cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Difficulty breathing is the number one clinical sign.
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Coonhound paralysis is a sudden inflammation of multiple nerve roots and peripheral nerves in dogs, and occasionally cats. It can be caused by an immune reaction to raccoon saliva. It can also occur in dogs who have not encountered a raccoon. In this case, it is called acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis, and its cause is often unknown. Dogs with coonhound paralysis start out with a stiff-legged gait that rapidly progresses to paralysis of all four legs. Good nursing care is essential for recovery.
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Corneal lipidosis is an accumulation of fatty substances within the cornea. This is caused by genetics (corneal dystrophy), eye inflammation (corneal degeneration), or by an increase in circulating lipids in the body (hyperlipidemia). Visually, lipidosis appears as a sparkly or shiny area of the cornea. It is diagnosed by a thorough eye exam, bloodwork, and patient history. Treatment and prognosis will depend on the cause and may include treatment of underlying inflammatory conditions of the eye, or systemic treatment of elevated lipid blood levels.
