Pause for Paws
Feline Diseases
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Feline Infectious Peritonits, or F.I.P., is a fatal disease. There are no treatments. There are no accurate diagnostic tests. There are no cures. There is, however, a vaccine. If you have a multi-cat household or if your cat goes outdoors, please ask your veterinarian about your cat(s) receiving this vaccine.
Symptoms of F.I.P. include:
1. Anorexia
2. Loss of or increased appetite, with weight loss present
3. Diarrhea
4. Vomitting
5. Lethargy
6. Swollen abdomen (this is due to fluid retention)
7. Cancer
8. Eye infections
If your cat is experiencing any of the above symptoms, please see your veterinarian immediately.
If you have a multi-cat household, or if you are getting a new kitten, after having a death because of F.I.P., please either clean & disinfect, or get new, litter boxes, food & water bowls, cat bedding & cat toys.
Best preventions: Don't allow your cat outdoors, vaccinate for F.I.P. if you have a multi-cat household. When purchasing a kitten, ask the breeder if there is a history F.I.P. in the home. Even if the breeder tells you there was but it was years ago...F.I.P. has been known to surface after 5 years! Don't assume it's "gone" because a few years have passed!
New studies have shown F.I.P. is not as contagious as first thought. For my household this is a Godsend. However, don't just assume because it's not as easy to catch as a cold that your cat can't get it. Please take the responsible approach & vaccinate, keep kitty indoors & whenever bringing a kitten in, ask about the history of disease in the breeder's home!
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary Tract Infection, or U.T.I., is a serious feline disease. It is most serious for male cats due to their narrower uretha. However, female cats can also be inflicted with this disease.
Symptoms:
1. Squatting without urine stream
2. Avoiding litter box (this is due to associating litter box with pain)
3. Lethargy
4. Fever
5. Loss of appetite
6. Drinking less
7. Blood in urine
If you observe your cat with any of the above symptoms, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. U.T.I. can be fatal if not corrected immediately.
There are simple ways to help avoid U.T.I.'s.
1. Feed a premium quality cat food.
2. Make sure your cat has an ample supply of fresh, clean water.
3. Offer your cat a PhBalancer (can be found at veterinarian's or local pet store).
Remember, the most important thing is to watch your cat...if you notice any of the common symptoms associated with U.T.I., consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Feline Diabetes
I honestly do not know much about Feline Diabetes. What I do know, however, is that with the proper treatment & care, your cat can live out a fairly normal life.
To learn more about this treatable feline disease, please follow the Feline Diabetes link below. It's a wonderful & informative site.
