Cats can suffer from many different diseases, some of which are incredibly common. In fact, a majority of cat parents will have to deal with at least one or two of these diseases at some point in their lives. So, what are the common cat diseases? Let’s check them out:
Also Read: 8 Common Dog Diseases: Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment
Here are 8 major cat diseases:
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection and a one of the common cat diseases that affects the feline population. It’s caused by a type of fungus called dermatophytosis
Cats are especially prone to ringworm because they have fur, which can trap bacteria and fungi, allowing them to grow and spread rapidly. Ringworm is most common in domesticated cats who live indoors, but it can also affect wild cats and even dogs.
Symptoms of Ringworm in Cats
Ringworm is characterized by small red or blue spots that itch and crust over when scratched. The spots may also produce hairs if they get wet or dry out quickly.
Ringworm Treatment in Cats
Ringworm can be treated with topical medication, but it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of more serious conditions—like fungal skin infections—so you can treat them early on before the infection spreads further.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a virus that causes immunodeficiency in cats. It is not contagious to humans, but it can be spread through blood transfusions and some types of surgical procedures. It is common among house cats and kittens, but the disease can also affect cats with long tails or heavy coats, which means that they are at greater risk for contracting the disease.
Symptoms of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or groin area
- Fever and lethargy
- Decreased activity level or reluctance to play with toys
- Hair loss around the eyes, mouth and anus
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Treatment
The most common form of treatment for FIV is to administer a course of antiviral drugs
Heartworm
Heartworm disease is one of the most common diseases affecting cats. It is caused by a parasitic roundworm, called heartworm. This roundworm can live in your cat’s bloodstream for months or even years, causing serious health problems. Heartworms are difficult to cure and can be fatal if left untreated.
Symptoms of Heartworm in Cats
Symptoms of heartworm disease vary depending on which part of the heartworm is affected. Symptoms may include: coughing, shortness of breath, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), coughing up mucus, coughing up blood-tinged mucus or blood in your pet’s vomit or diarrhea, and sudden death (myocarditis), an enlarged heart, and rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).
Heartworm Treatment in Cats
Heartworm treatment is a serious business. If you want to make sure your cat is protected from heartworms, there are several steps you need to take. The first thing you need to do is make sure that your cat has been vaccinated against heartworms. The best way to get this done is by having your vet administer the vaccine, so they can give you the instructions you need on how long it should be administered for and how often it needs to be given.
After this, the next step is to have your vet perform a blood test on your cat’s blood. This will show if there are any signs of an infection or disease in your pet’s system at all. If there are any issues, then it means that there could be infections or diseases going around that could be dangerous for them if not treated immediately.
If either of these things happen then the third step would be finding a vet who specializes in treating animals with diseases like this and getting them started on treatment right away!
Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV)
Feline leukemia virus (FelV) is a contagious viral disease that affects cats. One of the major dieases in cats, FeIV is passed between cats through saliva, urine, or feces.
FelV is a relatively common disease in cats, but it can be fatal if left untreated. It’s caused by a virus that infects the cat’s blood and tissues, causing chronic inflammation of the bone marrow and lymph nodes.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV) Symptoms
Cats with FelV may experience fever and swelling of the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), which can make them seem lethargic and anorectic. They may also experience weakness or loss of appetite, followed by weight loss.
Infected cats are often less active than usual, but they can still feel warm to the touch and drink normally. They may also experience diarrhea that lasts for several days before improving or disappearing again for long periods of time.
Treatment of Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV)
If your cat has been diagnosed with FelV, seek veterinary care as soon as possible so that you can begin treatment right away.
Eye Problems in Cats
Conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, cataracts, glaucoma, trauma, viruses, inflammation, and retinal disease are all causes of eye problems in cats.
Symptoms of Eye Problems in Cats
Watery eyes, tear-stained fur, cloudiness, red or white eyelid linings, gunk in the corners of the eye, squinting, pawing at the eye, or a visible third eyelid are all signs that your cat has eye problems.
Eye-Problem Treatment in Cats
There isn’t much you can do unless you know what’s causing your cat’s eye problems other than call your vet. Eye problems should be treated as an emergency, so schedule an appointment right away.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms, one of the most common feline health issues, live in your cat’s small intestine and can grow to be as long as 2 feet long. Tapeworms, on the other hand, are segmented and usually break apart when expelled. A full worm is extremely unlikely to be seen. The segments are usually visible.
Symptoms of Tapeworm in Cats
Tapeworm infection symptoms can be subtle, but they can include vomiting and weight loss. The simplest way to tell if your cat has tapeworms is to examine its feces, anus, and bedding. Tapeworms usually exit your cat’s anus while it is sleeping or relaxed. If you notice small white worms or what appear to be rice or sesame seed grains, your cat most likely has tapeworms.
Tapeworm Treatments in Cats
Injection, oral, or topical medication are all options for treatment. However, because cats almost always get tapeworms from swallowing a flea, make sure to address any flea issues your cat has before tackling tapeworms.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)
FLUTD can affect both male and female cats, and it is more common in cats who are overweight or unfit, or who eat dry food. Stress, a multi-cat household, and unexpected changes can all increase a cat’s risk of FLUTD, and treatment is determined by the type of FLUTD your cat has.
Symptoms of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)
Among the FLUTD symptoms are:
- Drinking more
- Attempting to urinate
- Urine stained with blood
- Urinating in unusual places
- Crying while urinating
- Licking around the urinary tract (often because of pain)
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD) Treatment
If you suspect your cat has a urinary tract infection, contact your veterinarian right away
Roundworms (Toxocara spp.) in Cats
Roundworms is an infection caused by the parasite roundworm. Cats’ intestines are frequently infested with roundworms. Cats excrete roundworm eggs in their feces. Roundworms can be acquired by humans and cats by ingesting roundworm eggs from the environment, such as dirt contaminated with cat poop.
Symptoms of Roundworms in Cats
Kittens are not typically sick, but those that are may exhibit mild diarrhea, dehydration, a rough coat, and a pot-bellied appearance.
Roundworm Treatment in Cats
With each booster vaccination visit, kittens are dewormed. If your adult cat goes outside, you may want to give him a dewomer on a regular basis. Nursing females should be treated alongside their kitten litter.
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