
Common Cat Diseases, Their Symptoms And Treatment
Who doesn't love a cat? These tiny little furballs with their adorable face and cute appearance is all one needs to brighten their day. Since time immemorial, cats have been known to be the greatest emotional support animals to their loved ones, helping individuals with depression, anxiety and other physical and mental disabilities.
As amazing cats are, it must also be kept in mind that they are not invulnerable to health risks and diseases themselves, and must be treated for common cat illnesses. Ensuring the best healthcare for your cat does not just make sure your little furry pal lives a long, comfortable life, but it also fosters communication between yourselves, as you're less likely to fall sick from touching or petting your cat.
Cats are generally susceptible to several types of cat diseases. These diseases can arise from different causes, and not all of them are contagious. But even minor illness in cats like diarrhoea or flea infestations can be uncomfortable for your fuzzy friend. In addition, some diseases like leukaemia and heartworm can prove to be deadly cat sickness, or adversely affect the lifestyle of your cat. Hence, it is extremely vital as a cat parent to keep an eye out for symptoms and signs of illness in cats. Identifying and detecting some of the most common health concerns can help you get your little munchkin the right diagnosis for cat disease and its treatment at the right time, and avoid any deadly cat disease. You can learn more about the major cat illnesses and learn how to treat and avoid them from this article.
Different types of Cat Diseases
Diabetes:
Diabetes is among the most common illnesses in cats, especially those suffering from obesity. Diabetes in cats is commonly seen as the inability to naturally produce sufficient levels of insulin in the body to balance the blood sugar levels. Diabetes in cats can be observed through diseases in cats and cat disease symptoms like frequent thirst and urination, rapid weight loss, and vomiting. A veterinarian can recommend blood and urine tests to determine whether your cat has diabetes, and plan a special diet containing low carbohydrates and high protein. Oral medications and insulin therapies are also effective in treating diabetes but must be done only if suggested by your veterinarian.
Kidney Diseases:
Felines, especially long hair breeds over the age of 7 are especially susceptible to renal and kidney diseases. It can be caused by several reasons, but mostly due to ingestion of toxic chemicals or substances, like antifreeze, pesticides, or even ibuprofen - a drug usually recommended for human use. Cats afflicted with kidney diseases often display symptoms like rapid hair and weight loss, dry hair, drooling, bad breath, frequent thirst as well as bowel movements. Kidney diseases are diseases that are common in cats and are one of the most fatal conditions, the risks of which rise as the fur baby ages. If your cat is displaying symptoms of kidney disease, it is wise to consult the veterinarian immediately for a professional diagnosis of cat disease and its treatment.
FIV and HIV disease specific to cats:
FIV, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is a common disease in cats that affects cats worldwide. Unlike other cat’s diseases, FIV attacks the immune system in cats directly, making them more sensitive to common infections and diseases. This deadly cat disease often targets and kills the white blood cells present in your feline friend, increasing their vulnerability to secondary infections as well. FIV is contagious in nature and is passed on through deep bite wounds, or from the mother to her kittens. As FIV is slower in nature, it can remain undetected for years before your cat starts showing visual symptoms. If your cat starts showing FIV-specific cat’s diseases and symptoms, like lack of appetite, weight loss, poor coat quality, chronic diarrhoea, seizures and signs of neurological disorders, it is important to get it diagnosed for FIV.
Leukaemia:
Leukaemia is a fatal as a cat’s disease, claiming the lives of about 85% of cats persistently diagnosed with it. Leukaemia often suppresses the immune system in cats and is a leading cause of anaemia and lymphoma. Leukaemia in cats is often spread through viruses present in saliva and urine and can be transferred from one cat to another through close contact, sharing a food bowl, and fighting. Kittens are also vulnerable to leukaemia from having shared the mother's placenta. Leukaemia brings about symptoms like diarrhoea, skin and bladder disorders and infertility. Thankfully, the severity of leukaemia in cats has come down over the years due to improvements in vaccines and diagnostics.
Rabies:
Rabies is a common disease in cats and neurological disorders to be found in carnivorous animals, including cats. Rabies in fur kids spread through bites and scratches and can prove fatal if it spreads throughout the nervous system including the brain. What makes rabies extremely threatening is the fact that it can be transferred to humans through saliva from getting bitten by rabid cats. Rabies in felines can show extreme signs of central nervous system disturbance and changes in behavioural patterns. The common cat sickness and symptoms associated with rabies include weight loss, muscle spasms and seizures, unexpected paralysis, hyperactivity and aggression. This cat’s deadly disease requires immediate attention from specialists.
Heartworm:
Heartworm is a concerning health issue in cats, spread primarily by mosquitoes. This cat’s deadly disease is hard to detect and is rarely diagnosed before it is too late. Heartworm is a condition caused by foot-long worms that live in the heart, lungs, and topical blood vessels, and can worsen over time, leading to lung disease in cats, acute heart failure and damage to other associated organs. Cats suffering from heartworm often display signs like vomiting, coughing, seizures, fainting, and respiratory difficulties. There has been no medication to treat cats with heartworms, so the only prevention involves precautions that can lower the risks of your furry friend developing the effects of heartworm disease.
Hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism is a common cat disease, caused by excessive production of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland in cats. As an endocrine disease, hyperthyroidism can be frequently detected in cats over the age of 8. A cat's metabolic rate can rise to alarming levels as an effect of hyperthyroidism, causing significant stress to the heart, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs. Unless treated appropriately, hyperthyroidism in cats can lead to high blood pressure, hypertension, and heart diseases which can prove fatal for your furbaby. So, if you come across potential symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as weight loss, diarrhoea, frequent vomiting, increased thirst and urination, poor coat condition, or changes in appetite, it is important to book an appointment with your veterinarian to avoid this cat sickness.
How to take care of a diseased cat?
Care
- Like any ailing person, your little furball also deserves all the extra love and attention to get well sooner. However, cats do not usually like loud noise or crowded spaces, so if your cat is sick, providing it with a quiet resting place away from the noise goes a long way in ensuring the best care for your cat. In addition to a warm sleeping place, make sure they have easy and convenient access to food and water, and the litter box is just within their reach. While your cat is still recovering from a disease, it is important to let it rest, so avoid provoking or unnecessarily riling them up.
Diet plans
It is common for sick cats to avoid eating. However, they still do need the essential nutrients for sustenance, as well as to recover from their ailment. So, it is important to make sure your cat has the necessary amount of food and water to stay fed and hydrated. Providing clean drinking water and fresh cat food in smaller quantities can encourage your cat to resume eating and drinking. However, it must be kept in mind that a sick cat will not be able to rely on its regular diet as it may lead to indigestion and food allergies. So, you can prepare a special Kitten diet plan for your munchkin having consulted with your veterinarian, making sure it consists of all important vitamins and nutrients it needs for a speedy recovery.
Frequency to visit the veterinarian
Cats should be taken to the veterinarian at least twice a year, once every six months. However, if your cat is sick and ailing, make sure to consult the vet as frequently as possible. Depending on the severity of your cat’s health, your cat might require visits twice a month, or at least on a weekly basis.
Precautions for cat disease and its treatment
Sick cats require certain precautions for their well-being and yours, too. It is extremely important to wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching your cat to avoid the transmission of germs of any kind. Cleaning your cat’s litter box on a regular basis is also vital in avoiding contamination. Furthermore, in a diseased state, your cat might not be in the best of its moods, so it is better to avoid any unnecessary excitement for your cat, which might end in scratches or bites. In addition, it is also important to keep your cat cool and be in continuous touch with your veterinarian,
Diseases of cats FAQ
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What is spraying and marking in cats?
Male cats spraying is considered a vital part of feline communication. While most outdoor cats spray to mark territories, spraying in household cats is more instinctive. Female cat spraying and urine marking in cats are also for attracting mates.
Do cats spray when happy?
While spraying can have several connotations, it does not generally indicate happiness in cats. Cat urine spraying is usually used for urine marking in cats to indicate territories, warding off predators, and attracting potential mates when in heat.
How do I get my cat to stop spraying?
Since male cats spraying is mostly associated with non-neutered cats looking for a mate in heat, getting your cat spayed or neutered is a possible long-term solution. Additionally, veterinarians may recommend medications like Fluoxetine or Clomipramine with a high success rate.
Is cat spraying the same as peeing?
Cat parents often wonder, why do cats spray? Contrary to popular belief, cat peeing and spraying are not the same. While cat pee involves your furry relieving itself, cat spray is more intentional to communicate certain things like marking territories.
Why is my cat spraying?
Cats are known to spray for several reasons, such as cat marking their territories, warding away predators, or attracting potential mates when they are in heat. Cats under stress and anxiety are known to urine spray as well.
How can I clean my cats' teeth naturally?
You can naturally clean your cat’s teeth using dental additives in their drinking water as cat gingivitis treatment that help get rid of microbial growth and tartar accumulation. Additionally, you can also consider getting eco-friendly biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes for cats!
Do I need to brush my cat’s teeth with toothpaste?
Toothpaste for cats can be extremely beneficial in maintaining good oral health in cats. Other than preventing tooth decay, plaque build-up, and microbial actions that causes infection, feline toothpastes contain calcium, phosphates, and minerals to fortify and maintain their dental health.
Is it too late to brush my cat’s teeth?
It is never too late to brush a cat’s teeth to maintain good cat dental health. If you suspect gingivitis in cats, with symptoms such as pale gums in cats, aversion to eating and drinking, or foul breath, it is important to visit a cat dentist.
Are you supposed to brush your cat’s teeth?
Yes, cats over the age of 7 are prone to the risks of periodontal diseases and must maintain good dental health. Additionally, brushing a cat’s teeth regularly helps get rid of plaque and microbial growth, and avoid cat tooth decay.
How harmful are fleas to cats?
Fleas in cats do not usually cause mortal harm, but can often lead to severe anaemia, weakness and allergies. Furthermore, cats can be exposed to the risks of tape worms in cats, flea allergy dermatitis, and open wounds if untreated.
Are fleas killing my cat?
Although flea bites can cause significant irritation and skin injury to fur babies, they do not usually lead to life-threatening situations. However, having a flea infestation can cause cats to become anaemic, and can often prove lethal for smaller kittens.
Can humans get fleas from cats?
Although rare, but humans can still get fleas from cats. Flea bites in humans can cause blisters and lesions at the location of the bite, severe cases may also lead to open wounds, infections, and flea-borne diseases like plague and typhus.
How do you get rid of fleas on a cat?
If your furry feline has fleas, you can consider giving them a sulphur bath or using flea and tick management shampoos to get rid of fleas in cats. Regularly brushing their coat using a flea comb can also prove beneficial.
What to do if my cat is drinking too much water?
Cats drinking unusually high amounts of cat water call for professional attention as it often indicates diabetes or hyperthyroidism. So, if your cat is drinking way too much cat water than necessary, it might be time for you to consult a veterinarian.
Which is the best way to give water to a cat?
While a shallow bowl with wider sides is the easiest and most common way of serving water to cats, having the best cat water fountain that offers continuous and clean, fresh running water can also encourage fur babies to drink more.
How to give water to the cat?
Cats prefer drinking from a water bowl or pail that is clean and shallow, and has wider sides. Additionally, having the best cat water fountain at home that offers continuous fresh running water can also encourage your kitty to drink more.
Is it an emergency if my cat won't drink water?
Cats can avoid drinking water once they've had their daily fill. However, cat won’t drink water when they are stressed or are suffering from an underlying health disorder such as feline UTI, which might call for an emergency.
What kind of water should cats drink?
Felines can regularly drink normal tap water or filtered water without facing any health concerns. However, if you want to go the extra mile by offering bottled water to your furry munchkin, spring water should be your top preference.
Should cats be skinny?
Being lightweight helps cats to effortlessly jump to high grounds, and flexibly pass through difficult terrains. However, cats are not supposed to be too skinny which restricts them from having a normal lifestyle. Being malnourished can cause health problems too.
What is low weight for a cat?
Adult cats with weights lower than 4 kg can be considered malnourished and underweight. Underweight cats have a visibly narrow frame and must be immediately treated to avoid the risks of health concerns like parasites, bacterial diseases, and so on.
How much should a cat eat a day?
The everyday caloric intake of furry felines depends on their age, breed, and their health conditions. An average caloric intake of 250 calories is sufficient for cats with a weight of 4 to 5 kg and more for larger breeds.
What is the normal weight for a cat?
The normal weight for a cat can vary depending on its age and breed. However, the normal weight for smaller cat breeds ranges between 4 to 4.5 kg, while the ideal cat weight for larger breeds is about 11 kg.
What can I use to clean my kitten’s eyes?
Unless your furry munchkin is suffering from genuine eye problems, you might not need kitten eye care medications to clean your kitty’s eyes. Clean water and over-the-counter eye drops can be used for ensuring regular and optimal cat eye health.
Should I wash my cat’s ears?
It is unwise to wash a cat’s ears, as it may clog their ear canal or damage the eardrum. Instead, schedule designated cat ear cleaning sessions and gently clean out the eardrums with cat ear cleansers and soft cotton balls.
What can I use to clean my cat’s ears at home?
If you are cleaning your cat’s ears at home, you would need a towel, cat ear cleanser, some soft cotton balls or gauze, and cat ear cleansing wipes. Make sure to use cleansers that are designed specifically for feline use.
How can I treat my cat’s skin naturally?
Giving your cat a bath using cat shampoo is a good option for cat skin care. But if you prefer a more natural solution, spraying lemon-infused water over their haircoat also helps in keeping the coat clean and getting rid of fleas.
How do you take care of a cat’s skin?
While cats are excellent groomers themselves, proper cat skin care, such as brushing their coats regularly and bathing them on a monthly basis is also important to get rid of loose and matted fur, dirt, and dead skin cells.
Do cats need vet checkups?
It is important to take cat to vet to get them checked for any underlying health disorders. Additionally, during the kitten check up, your veterinarian may inform you about any changes in your kitty’s diet or upcoming vaccinations that might be required.
What tests do cats need yearly?
Feline leukaemia virus, feline infectious peritonitis, and feline immunodeficiency virus are some tests that might be suggested when you take cat to vet. In addition to the cat vet check up cost at the kitten check up, there may be additional charges if your cat needs tests.
How often should a cat have a health check?
Wondering when to take cat to vet? Kittens may need a veterinarian appointment every three to four weeks. Now that you know when to take newborn kittens to vet, cats over four months of age need annual check-ups. Senior cats might require veterinary appointments every six months.
How do I check if my cat is healthy?
It is important to know when to take cat to vet, by keeping an eye on them for possible symptoms of illness, such as frequent urination, diarrhoea or vomiting, change in behaviour, excessive shedding, nausea, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
How do you take care of a newborn kitten without a mother?
It is crucial to learn how to care for a kitten, how do you bathe a kitten/how to care for a stray kitten and how to feed newborn kittens without a mother. You can feed them kitten formula instead of newborn kittens milk.
How do you take care of a kitten for beginners?
Wondering how to care for newborn kittens, how do you take care of a stray kitten and how to feed newborn kittens? In addition to knowing when to bathe kittens and can I bathe my 1 month old kitten, you must look into their kitten bathing and eating habits and kitten sleeping schedules.
How much do you feed a kitten?
Wondering how to feed kittens and how to care for a kitten? Kittens require a higher caloric intake when it comes to how to feed kittens. So, what to feed newborn kittens? Kittens over 6 weeks can be fed a cup of dry cat food every day.
What is the best way to feed kittens?
Are you worried about how to care for a kitten or how to care for newborn kittens? In their infancy, kittens are completely dependent on newborn kittens milk as the source of nutrition. They gradually transition to solid food and water from newborn kittens milk.
How to get rid of worms in cats naturally?
Foods like pumpkin seeds, chamomile, coconut, carrots, and apple cider vinegar can prove to be very effective against worm infections for your cat. But it is always advisable to visit a vet for a surer treatment against worm infection.
How long does it take to get rid of worms in cats?
Worms can multiply in numbers at a rapid pace and can continue to do so even after the first dose of deworm cat medicine. Thus, the process of treatment for worm infection can last for a month to make sure not a single worm is left in your cart.
What should I do if my cats have worms?
If you suspect that your cats have worms, you should immediately take it to a vet. Administering medicines to your cat on your own can have a severe impact on your cat. Instead, you should always consult a vet for the treatment of worms.
Can humans get worms from cats?
Yes, humans can also get infected by cats. This is why it is always advised to wear gloves while feeding your cat, or cleaning its litter. If you use your bare hands, then avoid putting them in your eyes or mouth and clean them thoroughly.
How do you know if a cat has worms?
Different worms exhibit different structures. Thus, you can lookout for signs of them in the faeces of your pet cat. You can also be attentive to symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, such as worms in cat vomit.
What are the characteristic features of cat poisoning?
Most fur babies are vulnerable to toxic items that can lead to poisoning. You can identify cat poisoning from symptoms like coughing, swelling or inflammations, excessive drooling and shedding, fever, seizure and twitching, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, increased thirst and urination, the cat keeps vomiting etc.
What causes a cat to vomit food?
There are several reasons you can find your cat throwing up food. While your cat vomits after eating, it often include harmless reasons like an excess of hairball, it might also include other serious reasons like a parasitic or bacterial infestation, indigestion or food allergies, pancreatitis, poisoning, stress and depression.
How to treat a cat that won’t eat?
If your cat is showing a strong aversion to food, but isn’t necessarily sick or vomiting, you can tempt your cat by offering food that has been warmed up, offering strong-smelling foods (like sardines), or hand feeding your cat.
Why doesn’t the cat want to eat and vomit?
Your fur kiddo can throw up due to several factors, the primary of which is a food allergy or indigestion. Your cats can also fall sick and refuse to eat due to other health concerns like parasitic or bacterial infestations. The cause of cat puking can also be digestive, renal or liver diseases.
What to do when a cat vomits?
If you find your cat throwing up, it is important to remove its food to avoid any further indigestion. You can also renew its water bowl, making sure your cat drinks fresh water and stays sufficiently hydrated throughout the period. Later, you can introduce low cooked fish or chicken to their diet, making sure they are offered in smaller quantities. If the cat vomited green, you must look for professional health and support
How long does it take for a cat to heal from skin diseases?
The time taken by a cat to heal from cat skin disease is often influenced by their age, lifestyle and the severity of their condition. Usually, cats can recover from most skin diseases within 8 to 10 weeks, after which the allergic signs disappear. However, if you suspect your cats have skin diseases, it is better to take them to a veterinarian rather than wait for them to heal on their own.
Can cat scabies heal on their own?
Scabies is caused by mites and fleas living on the skin of your furry friend. Unless appropriate initiations are taken in order to kill the mites, scabies cannot heal on its own. Once the mites have been killed and removed from your cat's body, topical medicines and ointments can be beneficial in treating scabies even faster.
Why does my cat have scabs but no fleas?
Scabs in cats do not always indicate mite or flea actions. Scabs can be caused by several other factors including environmental allergies, agents like debris, as well as due to an injury from a fight with other animals. Topical steroid creams are usually of help in treating scabs and reducing itchiness and discomfort.
Why is my cat's skin dry and peeling?
The dryness and peeling nature of a cat's skin can result from several reasons, including food allergies, environmental allergies, and even fungal actions. However, you can treat your cat by including more Omega-3, zinc, and fatty acids in their diet. Home remedies like apple cider vinegar and water spray are also helpful in treating dry and flaky skin.
Can scabies in cats be cured?
Yes, scabies in cats can be treated through topical medications and flea control treatments. Topical medications to treat scabies can be applied by injections, shampoo, or dips. In addition, your veterinarian can also suggest measures to kill the mites causing scabies, as well as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to treat the skin conditions.
What are contagious diseases for cats?
Feline panleukopenia is one of the most contagious viral diseases in cats, which is spread through bodily fluids, fleas, faeces, as well as through contaminated blood, water bowls, litter boxes and clothing. It can also be passed on to kittens from an unvaccinated mother.
What is the deadliest disease for cats?
Though most cats have an innate resistance to diseases, some cats succumb to the deadliest diseases. Some of the most common cat sickness include feline leukaemia (which results in several health risks, ultimately attacking the immune system and bone marrow failure), feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV, which attacks the immune system, making the cat susceptible to the most common infections and diseases)
Can humans catch diseases from cats?
Though human beings are not susceptible to cat-specific diseases, they can still get sick from having been in contact with sick cats. In addition, sick cats often carry harmful germs which can lead to potential health risks unless safety precautions are followed.
What are the symptoms of a sick cat?
If your cat is suffering from an ailment, here are some of the common symptoms that can help identify the diseases in cat. These symptoms often characterize themselves without any slight changes in the mood, rapid breathing and shortness of breath, I have just the noticeable weight and hair loss, vomiting and diarrhoea.
What are the common cat diseases?
Cats are easily susceptible to several diseases. Hence, it is important to be able to identify some of the most common diseases in cats. Some of the common cat diseases that can bring down your feline friend include leukaemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), diabetes, heartworm, and more.
How long does cat conjunctivitis last?
Conjunctivitis is a common eye problem in cats that does not cause any lasting damage. Cat conjunctivitis, whether bacterial or viral, goes away by itself in weeks without the need for medical intervention or complex red eye in cats treatment.
Will cat conjunctivitis go away by itself?
Yes, cat conjunctivitis is one of the most common kinds of eye problem in cats that our felines can experience multiple times in their lives. However, conjunctivitis generally does not require external intervention as they subside within a short while.
When should I worry about my cat's eye infection?
Common cat's eye infections, such as conjunctivitis does not always call for red eye in cats treatment as they generally subside within weeks. However, severe cases must be treated with red eye in cats treatment like eye drop for feline furries.
How can I treat my cat's eye infection?
Cat's eye infections can be usually treated with topical antibacterial ointments and eye drop for cats. In addition to eye drop for cats, veterinarians can also recommend broad-spectrum antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs and other cat eye medicine as effective cat eye treatment.
Are ear infections painful for cats?
Although ear infections caused by mites on cats or cat yeast infection last for a couple of weeks, long-standing or recurrent yeast infections cat ear caused by mites on cats is painful, making it necessary to use proper cat ear infection treatment.
How do you get rid of ear mites in cats?
Ear mites on cats are common causes with cases like cat has ear infections and cat yeast infection. Thoroughly clean the cat's ears with ear mite treatment for cats before applying topical medications and ointments to get rid of ear mites in cats, or when your cat has itchy ears.
Is cat ear infection serious?
Although not all ear infections are serious and last only for weeks without the need for cat ear infection treatment or ear mite medicine for cats, long-lasting ear infections can pose a serious threat. Not to mention they cause discomfort.
Can cat ear infections go away on their own?
Yes, ear infections usually go away within a couple of weeks, without ear mite medicine for cats being used or cat ear infection treatment being necessary, so there's no need to worry about treat ear mites in cats, or how to treat cat ear infections.
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