What are the 10 most common diseases in cats?
The cat is very exposed to all kinds of pathologies which can be caused by a virus, a bacterium or a parasite, but for some, the origin is still poorly identified today. Here are ten diseases frequently encountered in cats, their particularities and the symptoms who should alert. To protect the health of your little companion, it is very important to consult a veterinarian, because as we will see, many cat diseases are very contagious and some are deadly.
1 – Coryza
This highly contagious disease caused by a virus that has nothing to do with the flu is still commonly called the cat flu. It must be treated as soon as possible because its treatment is long. Despite everything, the cat affected by Coryza will remain a carrier of the virus throughout its life. This is why recurrence cannot be ruled out. The main symptoms of Coryza are fever, sneezing, discharge from the eyes, an aggravation of the infection of the respiratory tract, mouth ulcerations, even a pulmonary complication. If the symptoms are reminiscent of a bad cold at first, the general condition of the cat can very quickly weaken.
Every cat should be vaccinated against Coryza.
2 – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
It’s a serious disease, sometimes deadly in the weakest kittens and adult cats but is also the cause of abortions in cats. It is transmitted to cats by Feline Herpes Virus 1 or FeHV-1 responsible for Coryza. Transmission is through saliva and lacrimal secretions. Cats that sneeze, cough or have conjunctivitis easily infect others. Weight loss, fever, loss of appetite, cough, conjunctivitis, severe rhinitis, dehydration are the main symptoms of FVR. If in doubt, consult the veterinarian. There vaccination of the cat makes it possible to protect its immune system, and consequently to limit the risks of contamination by this type of virus.
3 – Feline leukosis
Feline leukosis is a viral disease caused by the feline leukemia virus. It’s a disease extremely serious especially since the incubation time can reach two years. Even a cat that shows no symptoms is contagious throughout his life. Leucosis is transmitted through sexual contact, saliva, blood and during breastfeeding. No treatment can cure a cat with feline leukosis which is, alas, a fatal illness.
4 – Feline Viral Leukemia or FeLV
This retrovirus infection is among the most serious that we deplore in cats since it can cause cancer, immunodeficiency and leads to at least various so-called secondary conditions. Its diagnosis and treatment are complex. The main symptoms of FeLV are a general dejection in the cat, runny nose and eyes, an increase in lymph nodes, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, fever, anemia, and even neurological disorders.
No treatment currently does not eradicate feline viral leukemia to such an extent that it is fatal in 9 out of 10 cats within 4 years of the first symptoms.
5 – Cat typhus
Also called feline panleukopenia, typhus in cats is an infectious viral disease affecting mainly cats living in communities or stray cats today. It is caused by a parvovirus, and is very contagious. Cat typhus symptoms appear after an incubation period of 2 to 5 days. They vary according to the form of the disease (subacute, acute or – the most serious – hyperacute): loss of appetite, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhoea. There hyperacute form maybe fatal to the young or fragile animal in just a few hours. There is no treatment for typhus.
The best way to prevent typhus in cats is vaccination which is 100% effective.
6 – Cat pancreatitis
The origin of this serious disease is still unknown, but we know that it can follow a treatment or be transmitted to the cat by different viruses and bacteria. It strikes male and female, young and old cats indiscriminately. There are two forms of pancreatitis, chronic and acute, the latter being easier to diagnose than the chronic form because the associated symptoms occur suddenly and are extremely violent. Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, even jaundice. You have to react quickly.
7 – Feline acne
This skin condition is common in cats. It is characterized by inflammation of the sebaceous glands, in the chin and lower lip. It is identifiable by the presence of blackheads, crusts, and in its severe form, local infections that lead to edema, pimples and fistulas. Feline acne can be treated well, but the risk of recurrence should not be overlooked. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to prefer ceramic bowls rather than plastic which is not always well tolerated by small felines.
8 – Chlamydiosis in cats
This feline disease is caused by bacteria chlamydophila felis and is transmitted through ocular and nasal secretions. It mainly affects small felines that live in communities. It’s about a complication of Coryza Sometimes transmissible to humans whose immune system is weakened. Symptoms of Chlamydia are conjunctivitis, runny eyes, runny nose, sneezing, very swollen eyelids, frequent coughing fits. The cat is at risk of respiratory disease and serious pulmonary complications.
Prevention of Chlamydiosis in cats requires vaccination.
9 – The FIV or AIDS of the cat
It is one of the most serious contagious viral diseases of cats. The virus in question is a retrovirus similar to that of AIDS in humans, however cat FIV is not transmissible to humans. The incubation period can last several years during which the animal contaminates its congeners while it does not present any symptoms, but the manifestations of the disease eventually declare themselves. These are for example the increase in the volume of the lymph nodes, weight loss, high fever. Then, the cat vomits, has diarrhea and because of its weakening of the immune system it presents many affections at the oral, nasal, ocular, cutaneous level. There death of the cat is inevitable.
10 – Feline Borreliosis
Transmitted by the tick, borreliosis which is also called Lyme disease is less common in cats than in dogs. Still, she is a danger. It sets in insidiously and symptoms only appear 60 to 90 days after the tick bite. It requires antibiotic treatment. The cat becomes listless, has a fever and loses its appetite. Sometimes he presents with joint stiffness, and in an advanced stage, this inflammation can lead to paralysis. In the absence of treatment, and in the most serious cases, the heart or the kidneys of the cat can be affected and the vital prognosis is engaged.
Prevention involves inspecting the cat’s fur after each walk outside. It is essential to remove ticks as quickly as possible using a tick remover.
