By carefully observing and feeling your cat's body, a veterinarian can often detect disease. Further diagnostics may be necessry either to confirm that disease is present or differentiate between diseases. Many older cats have hyperthyroidism and and enlarged thyroid may be felt on exam a simple blood test can confirm this and in may cases can be managed successfully with treatment.
Some of the more common tests that may be performed are: examining stool samples and urine, blood chemisty profiles, and skin scrapings to check for parasites or infections.
If you notice any of the following in your cat ask your veterinarian for advice"
Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness or lethargy
Abnormal discharge from nose, eyes, or other body openings
Change in appetite(increase or decrease), cats can get very sick if they do not eat for several days.
Abnormal lumps or bumps, limping.
Very foul breath,
Drinking habits change, urinating more, reluctance to use the litter box, straining to urinate.
Persistant vomiting or diarrhea.
All cats are at risk of exposure to various infectious diseases, even indoor cats. Some disease are life-threatening while others, like rabies also pose a public health risk. Vaccination is the best way to help fortify your cat's immune system. Thus, preventive vaccination is one of the most reliable and cost effective methods of health care available.
Common Infectious Diseases of Cats
Rabies: Is a viral disease that can affect mammals, including cats, dogs, wildlife and humans. The virus infects cells of the nervous cystem, producing incoordination and abnormal behavior. Rabies is usually transnitted by bite wounds. Vaccines are very effective in preventing rabies. Most states require rabies vaccinations at 1 to 3 year intervals.
Feline Panleukopenia: Also known as distemper, this disease is hightly contagious and often fatal. The disease is caused by a parvovirus transmitted by contact with infected cats, their feces or environmental contamination. The virus is very hardy and capable of surviving for months in the environment. Signs of acute infection include fever, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydrations, tremors, incoordination. Kitttens often die withing a few hours of showing subtle signs.
Feline Respiratory Disease: The majority of feline respiratory diseases results from 2 easily transmitted infections, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis(FVR), caused by a herpesviruis, and Felline Caliciviurus(FVC). Each of these diseases rusult in similar illnesses. Signs include nose and eye discharge, conjunctivitis, ulcers of the oral cavity, anorxia, depression and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Cats usually recover in 1-2 weeks. Kittens are at greatest risk of FVR and FCV because they usually have had no vaccinations or exposure to help build immunity.
Feline Leukemia: is a high mortality disease caused by the Feline Leukemia Virus. Felv produces an initial immunosuppressive infection followed by other diseases. Cats that survive these initial diseases may developt some form of cancer. The disease is easily transmitted by direct contact with infected cats or contaminated food dishes or litter boxes.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis: is caused by a coronavirus that is transmitted by contact with infected cats. FIP causes a widely distributed inflammation of tissues and organs in cluding peritonitis. Although not always present, a classic sign is abdominal swelling with fluid as a result of the inflammation. Once signs appear fatalities is approaching 100%.
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