Feline Diseases

Tammy's note:  As you can see, many of these problems can be simply prevented by keeping your cat INDOORS and with proper vaccinations.  Always keep your pet's vaccination up to date and keep exposure to strange animals limited.  At this time, some vaccinations may cause more harm than good (such as FIP, in some cases FeLV) so whenever possible, vaccinate for what you MUST... but keep to a minimum the vaccinations that your pet may not require.  Please ask your vet for assistance in this matter... if you have selected a good vet that cares more about your animal than their pocket book (*grin*), you will receive the best possible advice on this matter.

DISCLAIMER: This chart is meant to be a simple quick look guide to some of the more common illnesses in cats. It does not by any means replace the advice and care of a good vet.

DISEASE  SYMPTOMS CAUSES TREATMENT PREVENTION
Feline Panleukopenia (Distemper) lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, fever exposure to infected cats or virus in environment IMMEDIATE EXAM BY VET REQUIRED Vaccination, keeping cat indoors
Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) sneezing, coughing, runny eyes or nose, lethargy, lack of appetite, fever exposure to infected cats or airborne infective secretions antibiotics vaccination (lessens severity), keep cat indoors
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) general ill health, lethargy, depression cat bite wounds, litterbox sharing with infected cat, mother to kittens IMMEDIATE EXAM BY VET REQUIRED vaccination
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) history of ill health, bloated stomach, loss of balance wheezing, yellow colouring of eyes exposure to virus (method of transmission not known) IMMEDIATE EXAM BY VET REQUIRED vaccination, keep cat indoors
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) history of ill health, bleeding/inflamed gums, dull/unkempt coat, diarrhea, discharge from nose, weight loss, recurring infections cat bite wounds IMMEDIATE EXAM BY VET REQUIRED vaccination NOT available, keep cat indoors
Ringworm hairless, round lesions frequently seen first on face and paws direct or airborne contact with spores anti-fungal ointment applied to lesions and/or oral medication prescribed by vet keep cat indoors
Ear Mites "coffee grounds" type wax in ear canal, frequent ear scratching close contact with infected cat ear drops as prescribed by veterinarian keep cat indoors
Skin Mites dandruff, small bumps or scabs, constant scratching close contact with infected dog or cat injection by veterinarian avoid stress, keep cat indoors
Roundworms general poor health, poor coat, potbellied appearance, delayed growth in kittens swallowing eggs passed in feces, hunting/eating infested rodents medication as prescribed keep cat indoors
Tapeworms rice-like segments found near cat's anus, on stools or in bedding fleas or hunting/eating infested rodents single injection by vet or oral medication keep cat indoors
Toxoplasmosis most affected cats do not show any symptoms; more acute symptoms of the infection are breathing difficulty, jaundice, fever, diarrhea and vomiting over a period of 2 weeks contact with infected animal's feces, eating contaminated prey as prescribed by vet keep litter box clean, feed only canned cat food, keep cat indoors
Giardia chronic diarrhea, pale stools with very bad odor and blood or mucus contact with infected stool, drinking contaminated water oral medication as prescribed by vet provide clean water, keep cat indoors
Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS) abnormal litter box habits, frequent urination, squatting in litter box for long periods of time, urination outside the litterbox, excessive licking of the anal area, crying during urination diets high in ash and magnesium, stress IMMEDIATE EXAM BY VET REQUIRED avoid stress, feed quality foods, get to know your cat's litter box habits

Prevent illnesses in your cat(s):  

  •  BE ALERT TO SIGNS OF POSSIBLE TROUBLE

  •  ALWAYS SEEK PROMPT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FROM YOUR VETERINARIAN WHENEVER NECESSARY.

    • (Reproduced with permission from the
    Toronto Humane Society's Animal Talk Newsletter.)

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