Understanding different common cat diseases help you to better protect your cat from getting sick. Every cat owner wants their cat happy, healthy, active and full of energy. But sadly cats can contract various types of diseases and illnesses. For timely diagnosis and treatment one should know common signs and symptoms of different diseases so you can get your cat to Veterinarian for timely cure. Here in this guide I will explain to you some common cat diseases.
1- Ringworm
As apparent from the name ringworm is not caused by any type of worm but it is a fungal infection. It’s also called Dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum and Trichophyton. You should avoid direct contact with your cat if you suspect it has ringworm because it’s zoonotic disease means it can spread to humans from animals through contact. It is advised to quarantine your cat. It is self-limiting disease and resolves within few months. Signs and symptoms involves inflammamed areas on skin, crust formation and dandruff.
Symptoms includes:
- Hairloss
- Dandruff
- Circular Areas of hair loss
- Nail Abnormalities
- Excessive grooming
For Diagnosis wooden lamp examination is most common method used. Others methods involves skin scrapping and fungal culture.
Treatment involves topical applications of fungal medication , systemic administration and oral treatment.Ringworm symptoms takes 3-4 months to completely resolve.
2- Rabies
It’s viral infection of cats affecting their nervous system. Rabies is a fatal disease caused by bite of infected animal like cat or dog. It’s is mainly transmitted through saliva of infected animal. Virus can survive for 2 hour in saliva. Rabies vaccination is very critical to prevent its spread.
Symptoms includes
- Sudden change in behavior
- Drooling and Salivation Seizures
- Unexplained Paralysis which is progressing
- Difficulty swelling Loss of appetite
- Hyperexcitability Irritability
- Nervousness and Depression
Rabies progress in 3 stages:
1- Prodromal State 2-3 days
2- Excitative stage next 1-7 days
3- Paralytic Stage final 2-4 days
Site of Bite is important more closer it to the brain disease progress severely accordingly.
It’s difficult to diagnose rabies but immunofluorescence microscopy and polymerase chain reaction can be performed. Confirmatory diagnosis is done by taking biopsy sample of deceased animal.
Unfortunately there is no treatment of rabies once symptoms start appearing so you should immediately takes your cat to your veterinarian once it’s bitten by suspected rabies infected animal for vaccination.
3-Hyperthyroidism
It’s common cat disease caused by increases production of thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) from thyroid gland located in cat’s neck. Increased production of these hormones results from hyperactivity of thyroid gland due to non cancerous tumors.Hyperthyroidism is more common in older cats.
Symptoms includes:
- Weight loss
- Polydipsia (increased thrust)
- Polyuria (excessive peeing)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive vocalizations
- Poor body condition
- Poor coat
- Heart murmurs
- Hyperactivity
- Some cats can show “apathetic hyperthyroidism” as they are lethargic and depressed.
Diagnosis is based on physical examination, Thyroid function blood test, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone test and Urinalysis.
Administration of radioactive iodine is preferred treatment option.Surgical management by performing thyroidectomy can also be considered. Daily Medications of methimazole show effective results.
4-Diabetes
Diabetes is caused by insufficient insulin production (Type I) or body does not respond to insulin produced (Type II). Both of these conditions results in increased glucose concentration in blood because insulin can not transport it to cells. Obese, old cats and male gender is predisposed to the disease. There is 4 times more chances of diabetes in obese cats than healthy cats.
Symptoms includes:
- Polyuria
- Polydipsia
- Weight loss
- In severe cases of diabetes cat can assume “plantigrade stance” of hindlimbs.
Urinalysis and Blood tests should be performed to evaluate glucose concentration. Measurement of serum fructosamine concentration can be performed to check blood glucose level of previous 2-3 week because stressed cats can persistently show hyperglycemia.
Diabetic cats require regular insulin injections one or two per weeks. Weight of cat should be managed. Monitoring water intake and urination is important.
5-Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
FIV is most common infectious disease of cats globally. It is caused by bite of infected cat or through its saliva. Cats remains infected for rest of their lives and for years asymptomatic. FIV gradually destroys immune system so symptoms can appears years after contracting the virus. It is more common in feral and fighting cats. FIV weakens immune system causing immune suppression and secondary infections.
Symptoms includes:
- Recurrent fever
- Gradual weight loss
- Lymphadenopathy
- Uveitis
- Diarrhea
- Pyrexia
- Choreoretinitis
- And neurological signs.
- Secondary diseases includes gingivitis, stomatitis, respiratory signs, conjunctivitis, keratitis and encephalitis.
Diagnosis is based on antibody detection using ELISA, PCR ,IFA or Western Blotting.
There is no specific treatment for FIV. Like FeLV its vaccination is not widely available.Cat infected with FIV can leave normally for years. Major goal for these cats is to prevent secondary infections by keeping cats inside.
6-Feline Penleukopenia Virus (FPV)
FPV is caused by parvovirus and commonly referred as “cat plague” or “feline distemper”. It’s common in young cats less than 1 year old mostly around 4 months old. Unvaccinated cats are at increased risk of this disease. Therefore its vaccination is important and is one of the four diseases against which your cat must be vaccinated. Common mode of transmission is contact with infected cat feces, vomitus and contaminated fomite.
Symptoms includes:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Hunched posture
- Nervous Signs.
Veterinarian will diagnose disease based on signs and symptoms. Confirmatory diagnosis is based on blood count test and lab test.
Immediately isolate your cat after you suspect it is having faline panleukopenia virus. Visit your veterinarian he may perform fluid therapy and prescribe medications like antiemetics and antibiotics.
Cats can recover after aggressive treatment but prognosis is not really good.
7-Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)
FeLV is second leading cause of deaths in cats. Approximately 85 percent of cats die within 3 years of diagnosis. Feline leukemia virus is lentivirus affecting young cats age between 3-5 years. Most Cats develop lymphoma. It’s transmitted through direct contact with infected cats or their secretions most commonly oronasal. This virus destroys White Blood Cells of which are responsible for defense mechanism and leaves cat immunocompromised making it vulnerable to other pathogens. As this virus attacks RBCs cat shows symptoms associated with it.
Symptoms includes:
- Pale gums due to anemia
- Stomatitis
- Inappetence
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Parlor
- Pyrexia
- Cat may show neurological signs due to lymphoma.
- Cats can develop transient form (in which cat shows symptoms) and latent form (in which cat is consistently shedding virus but no symptoms appear.
For Diagnosis ELISA , IFA and PCR test can be performed. These test detects p27 antigen for confirmatory diagnosis.Routine vaccination of cats against FeLV is recommended.
There no specific treatment for this virus. But azidothymidine (AZT) and Feline recombinant interferon are used but their use is controversial.If your cat has contracted virus its management is very important to prevent secondary infection. It’s is recommended to have balance diet for your cat, deworm it , apply flea treatment and avoid giving it raw meat.
Conclusion
These are the some of the most common cat diseases. Whenever you suspect your cat is showing abnormal behavior and disease symptoms immediately visit your veterinarian. Monitor the signs and don’t go for self medication. Every pet owner wants their pet immune from disease and takes necessary measures which starts when you are buying or adopting a new pet.