This article will summarize common diseases in cats that you need to know if you want to take good care of your furry friend. Consequences, symptoms, and how to handle each disease will be revealed right below!
1. Rabies
- Cause: Rabies virus
- Symptoms: Fever, muscle pain, drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, light sensitivity, biting objects, loud crying.
- Prevention: Vaccinate your cat as early as possible.
2. Feline Panleukopenia (FP)
- Cause: FP virus
- Symptoms: Loss of appetite, vomiting, acute diarrhea, dehydration, eye discharge, blackened mouth, foul-smelling stool.
- Treatment: Take your cat to the vet immediately.
3. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
- Cause: Retrovirus family virus
- Symptoms: Fever, swollen lymph nodes, sensitive skin, respiratory issues, chronic diarrhea, red eyes.
- Treatment: Consult your veterinarian for the best treatment.
4. Chlamydia Infection
- Cause: Bacteria Chlamydia Psittaci
- Symptoms: Watery eyes, eye discharge, nasal discharge, sneezing, mild fever, breathing difficulty, pneumonia.
- Treatment: Use broad-spectrum antibiotics like tetracycline or doxycycline.
5. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
- Cause: FeLV virus
- Symptoms: Gum ulcers, yellowing gums, loss of appetite, weight loss, dry fur, wheezing, fatigue, high fever, acute diarrhea.
- Prevention: Regular vet check-ups and avoiding infected areas.
6. Cat Worms
- Cause: Hookworms, tapeworms
- Symptoms: Worms in stool, fatigue, loss of appetite, eating but not gaining weight.
- Prevention: Regular deworming and providing clean food.
7. Skin Diseases in Cats
7.1. Cat Fungal Infection
- Cause: Fungi
- Symptoms: Itching, hair loss in patches, scaly skin with discharge or pus.
- Treatment: Refer to detailed articles about cat fungal infections.
7.2. Fleas and Ticks
- Cause: Fleas and ticks
- Symptoms: Itching, hair loss, skin damage.
- Prevention: Keep the cat and its environment clean.
8. Diarrhea
- Cause: Bacteria, worms, digestive disorders, FIP, FIV.
- Treatment: Identify the exact cause for proper treatment.
9. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
- Cause: Feline Corona virus (FCoV)
- Symptoms: Swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, mild fever, breathing difficulty, pale skin.
- Prevention: Keep living areas clean and avoid overcrowded cat habitats.
10. Diabetes in Cats
- Cause: Insulin deficiency or resistance
- Symptoms: Increased thirst, frequent urination, eating more but losing weight, dry fur.
- Treatment: Adjust diet and use medication as prescribed by a veterinarian.
These are the common diseases in cats. Hopefully, with this information, you will be able to take better care of your beloved cats!