Cat Illnesses

Illnesses to Watch Out for In Your Cat

It’s important to be aware of some of the more common cat illnesses.

You’ll find a well-bred, active cat remarkably immune to falling ill.

But you still need to know what to look out for, especially as your cat ages.

The best source of information and treatment for your pet is always your vet.

This article is simply a resource for you to use to help you to be aware of the symptoms s of some common illnesses.

Always take your cat to the vet if you are at all worried or if your cat appears unwell.

Urinary Tract Infection

• The cat may growl or snarl when using the litter tray.
• There may be blood in the urine.
• They may visit the litter tray often, sometimes passing nothing.
• They may start to urinate in the house.

If you are noticing the above symptoms, then it is highly likely to be a well developed infection that is in need of treatment by a vet.

Your vet will probably prescribe antibiotics.

Don’t put this one off to see if it gets better in a day or two. If you can clearly see the symptoms then it’s probably not going to go away by itself and if the infection reaches the kidneys or causes a blockage will quickly become very serious indeed. So, visit your vet immediately.

Respiratory Infection

• It’s highly infectious, passing easily from one cat to the next. This means that indoor cats are less likely to get it, so keep an eye on your outdoor cats.
• Your cat will sneeze, cough and have a runny nose.
• Occasionally your cat may become feverish.
• Watery eyes
• Sore throat showing up as difficulty in meowing

Generally, just as for humans, this is something you just have to get over. If your cat is not eating, not drinking and very limp or lethargic then it’s time to get your cat tot the vet for an expert opinion and care.

Your vet will not be able to prescribe antibiotics as respiratory infections are usually a virus, however, there may be secondary infections that respond to antibiotics. Your vet will have some tips on how to keep your cat comfortable.

Feline Distemper

This virus mainly affects kittens so make sure you have her vaccinated early. It is spread through direct contact, litter trays and shared food and water bowls.

• Your cat will be limp and lethargic.
• They will have diarrhea and vomiting
• They will not be interested in eating or drinking
• Their fur may start shedding in large amounts and lose its shine

This is definitely a time to visit your vet as a priority.

The vet may run some tests to confirm the diagnosis, but generally the symptoms are pretty clear. You may hear your vet refer to the condition as Feline Panleukopenia.

There is no medicine your cat can take for this virus, so the treatment will be to rehydrate her, keep her quiet (complete bed rest) and try to get small amounts of bland food into her. Antibiotics may be necessary if she has developed a secondary infection.

As far as cat illnesses go, this is a tough one. The virus is difficult for your cat to fight off and you must act very quickly if you see these symptoms as it is often fatal.

Make sure your cat is vaccinated against it in the first place.

Kidney Failure

This can be a very real problem in older cats.

• Your cat may be constipated
• Show little interest in food
• Some cats suffer from vomiting
• Your cat will drink often

As the kidneys deteriorate they will need to have more and more liquid flowing through them to flush the waste through. The tipping point comes when your cat can no longer keep up with the demand for fluid and the toxins in the blood affect her body.

A diagnosis of kidney failure is sad news for a cat and her owner as, unfortunately, there is no cure. Your vet will help you work out the best way to keep her comfortable and to prolong her life as long as is humane.

It is possible to treat cats with dialysis, but be aware that this is not a cheap option and she will not be cured by this.

Diabetes

• Increased appetite with no weight gain or with weight loss.
• Excessive drinking and urinating
• Over time your cat will become lethargic and look unwell.
• Some cats suffer from ketoacidosis becoming limp with vomiting and diarrhea.

These symptoms require urgent attention from your vet as it will have an impact on the quality of life for your cat and her lifespan.

Initially your cat will undergo tests, be treated for dehydration and be kept in for round the clock care by your vet.

Once the condition is confirmed you may be able to treat it with a combination of diet control and twoce daily insulin shots.

Don’t Ignore Possible Cat Illnesses

Cat illnesses need attention from your vet to keep her well and content.

Don’t ignore anything out of the ordinary, you may just catch the beginning of an illness early enough to make a real difference in your cats chances of recovery.

This is by no means a complete list of cat illnesses. It’s just an overview of five illnesses that can be common in household cats.

It’s always handy to have a good quality resource on hand to help you decide if your cat needs to go to the vet. I recommend The Complete Cat Health Care Guide. It will answer the most common cat health questions as well as provide information about caring for your cat.

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