Common Cat Diseases

There are many common diseases and illnesses that affect cats, both infectious diseases and metabolic or internal diseases. An infectious disease is one caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite, and can be transmitted from cat to cat. A metabolic disease is a disorder of an organ system or body function. Examples of these would include diabetes and kidney disease. These various diseases can be mild or severe, and can affect young or old.

Infectious diseases:

The most common infectious disease of cats seen in veterinary clinics is the upper respiratory infection complex, or URI. This is like a cold in humans, and can be caused by a number of viruses. These viruses are spread easily from cat to cat, and are most often seen in animals from shelters, where there is a high concentration of cats. The virus causes sneezing, runny eyes and nose, and fever. Like a cold, it takes several days to recover from an upper respiratory infection. Any cat suffering from an upper respiratory infection should be seen by a veterinarian. There is a vaccination available to prevent the most common upper respiratory viruses.

Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV, or Feline AIDS) are two deadly viruses spread by close cat to cat contact, especially bite wounds. These viruses only affect cats, not humans. Like the AIDS virus in people, these viruses cause disease long after infection, sometimes years. A vaccination is available to prevent Feline Leukemia Virus but not FIV. The best prevention against these deadly diseases is to keep your cat indoors, away from contact with stray cats.

Ringworm is actually caused by a fungus, not a worm. It is usually seen in cats that are in close confinement, like a shelter or breeding colony. Sometimes, however, cats can become infected by contact with fungus spores in the soil. Ringworm causes hair loss, and a dry, scaly and often red skin. The skin is itchy and the cat will often be seen scratching. However, many skin conditions can cause itchy skin, so if your cat is itchy, have your veterinarian examine the condition. Ringworm CAN be spread to people, and cause a red itchy spot on the skin.

Metabolic Diseases:

One of the most common diseases seen in cats is diabetes. The most common symptoms seen by owners of diabetic cats are a large increase in water consumption and urination. Rapid weight loss is also seen. Left untreated, diabetes can be life threatening. But properly diagnosed and treated, many diabetic cats can live long, happy lives.

Another common ailment seen in veterinary practices is kidney disease. The kidneys are responsible for eliminating the body’s liquid waste and for regulating the body’s fluid balance. When the kidneys fail, the cat will become dehydrated and sick due to the accumulation of waste in the body. Owners will often notice weight loss, poor appetite, and sometimes increased thirst. Depending on the severity of the kidney disease, veterinarians will treat kidney disease with special diets, fluids, and other medications.

Urinary tract disease is caused by inflammation of the bladder. A bacterial infection or microscopic crystal accumulation in the bladder, or both causes this inflammation. Cat owners will see a cat that visits the litter box frequently, strains to urinate, cries when urinating, or urinates in inappropriate places (out of the litter box). Anytime you see these symptoms, you should have a veterinarian evaluate your cat and it’s urine, to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment. This is especially important in male cats, where a urinary tract disease can lead to blockage, which can be life threatening.

Presented by Dr. Andrew King, Cat Hospital of Sarasota, 941-921-4040.