1.) What are the dark-colored specks visible in the cat fur pictured below?



      a. Flea feces
      b. Flakes from a scab
      c. Dandruff
      d. Dirt

2.) The disease-related acronym FIP stands for what?
      a. Fatal Intestinal Parasite
      b. Feline Instability Prognosis
      c. Feline Infectious Peritonitis
      d. Flea Inspection Personnel

3.) The cat species is blessedly free of hip dysplasia.
      a. True
      b. False

4.) What virus is the leading cause of death and contagious disease in cats worldwide?
      a. Feline Coronavirus (FVC)
      b. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
      c. Modified Liver Virus (MLV)
      d. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

5.) A healthy cat’s nose usually feels:
      a. Warm and wet
      b. Hot and dry
      c. Cool and slightly damp
      d. Cold and dry

6.) The inflamed appearance of the gums pictured below is a symptom of what common cat ailment?



      a. Conjunctivitis
      b. Oral Cancer
      c. Diabetes
      d. Gingivitis

7.) Which of the following is a symptom of Kidney Disease in cats?
      a. Weight loss
      b. Increase in thirst
      c. Oral ulcers
      d. All of the above

8.) If your cat begins to hack or cough, you should:
      a. Call your vet immediately
      b. Alter his diet
      c. Watch for other symptoms because coughing is common in healthy cats
      d. Execute the Heimlich Maneuver

9.) What is the best way to remove a tick from your cat’s skin?
      a. Pull it off with your fingers
      b. Wait for it to die and fall off on its own
      c. Dab it with rubbing alcohol or flea treatment, then pull it off with tweezers
      d. None of the above

10.) What is Coccida?
      a. A parasite that burrows into the lining of the cat’s intestines
      b. A chronic bone condition, usually found in older cats
      c. A variation of influenza that originated in South Africa
      d. A brand of flea treatment

11.) Heartworms are spread by:
      a. Fleas
      b. Mosquitoes
      c. A mother nursing her kittens
      d. The sharing of food

12.) Cats generally develop tapeworms when they:
      a. Fight with another cat that has tapeworms
      b. Drink out of the toilet
      c. Ingest fleas that have been infected with tapeworm larvae during grooming
      d. Kill birds

13.) Feline Panleukopenia (otherwise known as FPV, or feline distemper) is most commonly found in cats:
      a. Over the age of 10
      b. Under the age of 1
      c. With short hair
      d. With long hair

14.) What is the earliest age at which kittens can receive their first rabies vaccination?
      a. 1 week
      b. 6 months
      c. 1 year
      d. 3 months

15.) Rabies is always fatal.
      a. True
      b. False

16.) Illnesses that can move from animals to humans are called:
      a. Zoonoses
      b. Toxoplasmosis
      c. Parasites
      d. Ringworm

17.) The dark material resembling coffee grounds in the ear pictured below is a sign this cat is suffering from:



      a. Cancer of the ear
      b. Ear mites
      c. Ear fleas
      d. A sinus infection

18.) Tender mouth sores are the signature sign of what fairly serious strain of feline Upper Respiratory Infection?
      a. Calicivirus
      b. Pharyngitis
      c. Rhinotracheitis
      d. Adenovirus

19.) Which of the following viruses has no protective vaccine currently available?
      a. Feline Panleukopenia
      b. Feline Leukemia
      c. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
      d. None of the above

20.) An inflammation of the membrane surrounding your cat’s eye is a symptom of what common ailment?
      a. Conjunctivitis
      b. Gingivitis
      c. Heartworm
      d. Blindness

21.) Mange is caused by:
      a. Fleas
      b. Worms
      c. A food allergy
      d. Mites

22.) The protrusion of your cat’s third eyelid can be a sign of disease.
      a. True
      b. False

23.) The first symptoms of Feline Panleukopenia, otherwise known as Feline Distemper, are:
      a. Vomiting and fever
      b. Hair loss
      c. Drooling and bloody diarrhea
      d. Depression and loss of appetite

24.) The parasite pictured below is a:



      a. Hookworm
      b. Roundworm
      c. Earthworm
      d. Tapeworm

25.) The majority of all white cats with blue eyes are deaf.
      a. True
      b. False

SCORING

Count up your answers using the answer guide below, and grade yourself. Each correct answer is worth one point.

ANSWERS
1) a, 2) c, 3) b, 4) d, 5) c, 6) d, 7) d, 8) a, 9) c, 10) a, 11) b, 12) c, 13) b, 14) d, 15) a, 16) a, 17) b, 18) a, 19) d, 20) a, 21) d, 22) a, 23) a, 24) d, 25) a

For 1 – 5 correct: Whoa! It’s time to start paying a little more attention to your cat’s health. You know you’re supposed to feed him, right?

For 6 – 12 correct: Could be worse. At least you know what a flea looks like. Right?

For 13 – 20 correct: Now we’re talking. Your cat is in good hands.

For 21 – 25 correct: Yes! Just be sure to get your veterinary degree before opening that practice!

Justin W. Sanders lives with his cat Squeak in Portland, Ore.