Most Common Diseases & Infections in Cats : Diagnosis , Treatment & Preventive Measures
Cats are extremely independent and mysterious little creatures that are good at hiding, especially when something is wrong, making it difficult for pet parents to tell if their cats are ill or unwell. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the signs and symptoms of health related problems in cats. As a cat parent, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of common illnesses so you can seek veterinary help for your feline friend in a timely manner if necessary. Cats love the company of their humans and if your feline friend has been ignoring you of late or hiding in places where you can’t find them, it is a sign that all is not well in health department. You may also notice your cat purring although not happily or neglect grooming. There are many illnesses in cats that are common and some of them can be severe. Depending on their breed, these diseases can be hereditary or DNA-based too. Every pet owner knows how their cats behave when they are sick and if you feel your fluffy friend is under the weather, you must immediately take them to a vet.
Here are some of the most common diseases and infections that cats suffer from:
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) can be transmitted to cats through contact with bodily fluids and excretions of an infected cat. Similar to HIV in humans, FIV causes immunosuppression, severely compromising a cat’s immune system and its ability to fight infections and other diseases. Therefore, most FIV-positive cats suffer from chronic URIs (upper respiratory infection) and various other secondary infections.
FIV infection can be detected with a blood test. While there is no vaccine or cure for this, infected cats may not show symptoms until years after the initial infection. Cats with FIV can live a relatively comfortable life for months to years if they have access to adequate medical care and a safe environment before the disease reaches its chronic stages.
- Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats and it is much more devastating than FIV. FeLV is a retrovirus that infects cats and can be transmitted from infected cats through saliva or nasal secretions. It usually results in lymphoma, leukemia, and severe anemia in young cats. It weakens the cat’s immune system and can be fatal. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for it.
- Feline Parvovirus (FPV)
Feline Parvovirus (FPV), also known as feline panleukopenia virus or feline distemper, is spread oronasally i.e. through contact with the mouth or nose and causes depression, lethargy, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
FPV can be diagnosed through testing of fecal samples. Treatment is primarily supportive care. While most cases are asymptomatic or mild, it can be fatal to kittens.
- Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) includes various conditions that can affect a cat’s bladder and urethra. Cats with FLUTD usually show signs of difficulty and pain when urinating, increased frequency of urination, blood in the urine, loss of appetite, vomiting and more.
FLUTD can be life-threatening if ignored, making it crucial that cats get immediate medical attention and treatment.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)
Some estimates say as many as 3% of cats seen by vets have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is a group of feline diseases with multiple causes.
Female and male cats can get FLUTD, and it often occurs in cats that are overweight or unfit or who eat dry food. Stress, a multi-cat household, and sudden changes can all raise a cat’s risk of FLUTD, and treatment depends on the type of FLUTD your cat has. FLUTD symptoms include:
- Drinking more
- Straining to urinate
- Urinating more frequently
- Bloody urine
- Urinating in unusual places
- Crying when urinating
- Licking around the urinary area (often because of pain)
- Depression
- Dehydration
- Lack of appetite
- Vomiting
It’s always an emergency if your cat can’t urinate. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your cat has a urinary tract problem.
To lessen your cat’s chances of FLUTD:
- Have clean, fresh water available at all times.
- Talk to your vet about the best diet for your cat. They may suggest a special diet or recommend that you give your cat canned food.
- Give your cat frequent, small meals.
- Reduce sources of stress. Try not to make any major changes in your cat’s routine.
- Make sure your cat has access to a clean litter box in a quiet part of the house.
- Eye infections
Eye problems are extremely common in cats and can be caused by numerous things including inflammation, conjunctivitis, cataracts, glaucoma, trauma from fights or injuries, viruses, and retinal diseases.
Some of the symptoms include gunk formation in the corner of the eyes, squinting, pawing at the eye, watery eyes, tear-stained fur, cloudiness, and more. It’s best to have a veterinarian diagnose the cause of your cat’s eye infection at the earliest to avoid loss of sight.
- Parasites
Infections from parasites are extremely common in cats as they can easily get infested with parasites both internally and externally.
Fleas are a very common external feline health problem, but it can be easily diagnosed and treated with shampoos and medications. Some of the symptoms include constant scratching, redness and irritation, loss of fur, and skin infections.
There are several types of internal parasites that cause problems in cats including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and more. Some of the symptoms of internal parasite infections include vomiting, diarrhea, mucoid or bloody feces, loss of appetite, loss of weight, and more.
Cats are good at self-maintenance. But even your fastidious feline can’t prevent some of these more common cat diseases and health issues.
6.Vomiting
Vomiting is a very common problem with cats with a multitude of causes. They range from eating something poisonous or inedible (like string), to infection, urinary tract disease, or diabetes to hairballs.
Symptoms are usually obvious and include drooling and abdominal heaving. Vomiting can quickly leave your cat dehydrated, so if your cat continues vomiting or acts ill, call your vet right away. It may help to collect a sample of your cat’s vomit and take it with you to the vet.
Since there are so many possible causes of vomiting in cats, you can’t prevent them all. But there are some things you can do to make some of the most common ones less likely:
Treat your cat for fleas. Fleas can cause intestinal parasites like tapeworms that in turn, cause vomiting.
Feed the right foods. It’s best to stick with foods designed just for the nutritional needs of cats. Foods such as dairy products and raw or undercooked meats can make your cat sick.
Head off hairballs. To get rid of extra hair before your cat has a chance to swallow it, treat them to regular grooming sessions with a brush and comb. You can also try a laxative product formulated for hairballs: A dot placed on their paw once a week or so will help to lubricate their digestive tract.
Keep non-edible items out of reach. Watch out for and pick up things that might be tempting for your kitty to chew that if swallowed, could trigger vomiting, like rubber bands or thread. Keep things like poisonous houseplants and human medications away from your cat.
7.Fleas
Fleas are a very common external feline health problem. But it’s one you can easily treat. Signs your cat has fleas include:
- Flea dirt on its skin (it looks like tiny black dots)
- Constant scratching
- Frequent licking
- Red or irritated skin
- Hair loss
- Skin infections or hot spots
Fleas can live for more than a year (although they typically don’t) and your cat risks anemia if the problem becomes serious, so be sure to treat your cat’s flea problem and prevent future infestations.
Talk to your vet about which flea control would be best for your cat. Treatments include oral medication, powders, foams, and topical medication.
Remember that flea medications only kill fleas that come in contact with your cat. To prevent fleas,
- Keep your cat inside.
- Vacuum your floors, rugs and carpets, baseboards, and upholstered furniture daily.
- Wash your cat’s bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
8.Tapeworms
Tapeworms are one of the most common feline health problems. These parasites live in your cat’s small intestine and can grow to be as long as 2 feet. They’re made up of segments called proglottids and usually break apart when your cat passes them. It’s very unlikely to see a full worm. You’ll usually just see the segments.
Symptoms of a tapeworm infection can be hard to see but may include vomiting and weight loss. The easiest way to tell if your cat has tapeworms is to look at its poop, around its anus, and where it sleeps. Usually tapeworms come out of your cat’s anus while it is sleeping or relaxed. If you see tiny white worms or what look like grains of rice or sesame seeds, your cat likely has tapeworms.
If your cat is heavily infected, you may see other tapeworm symptoms such as:
- Irritation in the anus area
- Weight loss
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Anemia
- Dehydration
- Inability to thrive
How Do Cats Get Tapeworms?
When they clean themselves, cats can ingest fleas that are infected with tapeworm larvae. The larvae develop into adult tapeworms inside the cats’ intestines.
Cats that are older than 6 months are more likely to get tapeworm infections. Kittens can get tapeworm infections if they have fleas.
Can Humans Get Cat Tapeworms?
It is possible for humans to get tapeworm infections from cats. In order to get a tapeworm infection, you’d need to swallow a flea that has the tapeworm larvae.
It’s more common for children to get tapeworm infections. You’ll see the proglottids in the child’s stool or in and around their anus. Teach your children to wash their hands after playing with your cat. Don’t let your kids play in areas where there may be cat poop.
Talk with your doctor if you think your child has tapeworms. Your doctor will examine your child and provide the best treatment options.
What Is the Treatment for Tapeworm in Cats?
You’ll need to treat your adult cat with a deworming product every 1 to 3 months. Speak to your vet about getting the right kind of dewormer for your cats. You can find many deworming products in supermarkets and pet stores, but they may not all be safe for your cat or effective for the type of worms that your cat has.
Your cat will usually be given a drug called praziquantel in pill form or as a shot. Praziquantel is a tapeworm dewormer for cats. The drug helps to dissolve the tapeworms in the intestines.
How Do You Prevent Tapeworm in Cats?
Your cat can easily get reinfected with tapeworms. There are some things you can do regularly to keep tapeworm infections at bay:
Control the carriers. Get rid of fleas and ticks, as well as mice and other rodents, which can carry tapeworm larvae that can transfer to your pet. Keep your cat on a regular flea preventative.
Deworm regularly. Deworm your cat regularly to prevent reinfection.
Dispose of cat waste daily. Scoop your litterbox often and throw the poop and urine clumps away in a plastic trash bag. Clean and wash the litterbox regularly using a pet-friendly disinfectant.
9.Diarrhea
When your cat has diarrhea, they’ll have to poop more frequently than usual, and their poop will be soft, runny, or even watery. It may be yellowish or grayish in color and smell especially bad. Diarrhea usually clears up fairly quickly. If it goes on longer than a day or so, it may be a sign of a serious problem.
Many things can cause diarrhea in cats, including a change in diet, stress, intestinal parasites, allergies, infections, liver or kidney disease, cancer, and more.
If your cat has diarrhea, offer them plenty of fresh, clean water so they don’t get dehydrated. Then take their food away for no more than 12 hours. If they still have diarrhea after a day, take them to the vet. Take them right away if they
- Won’t eat
- Are straining to poop
- Are vomiting
- Pass dark or bloody stools
- Have a fever
- Are sluggish
10.Eye Problems
A few symptoms that may mean your cat has eye problems include:
- Watery eyes
- Buildup of discharge in the corners of the eye
- Tear stains on the fur around the eyes
- Cloudy eyes
- Red or white eyelid linings
- Excessive squinting
- Pawing at the eye
- Visible third eyelid
A number of things can cause eye problems in cats can be caused by a number of things, including:
- Trauma
- Viruses
- Inflammation
- Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
- Corneal ulcers
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Retinal disease
You can keep your cat’s eyes clean by wiping your cat’s eyes gently with a cotton ball dampened in warm water. If you notice signs of eye problems in your cat, make an appointment with your vet.
Common Diseases in Adult Cats
Not surprisingly, adult cats are susceptible to or may have already caught many of the diseases that kittens acquire, such as parasites (fleas, intestinal worms, and ear mites) and viruses causing URI complex, FeLV, FIV, and panleukopenia. However, as a cat ages, it can develop additional issues such as diabetes, urinary tract disease, dental disease, cancers, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperthyroidism, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
11.Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that can often be prevented through weight management. We know that obese cats are at greater risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that either affects insulin production or response. This causes the blood sugar to stay in the blood rather than going to the brain, muscles, and other tissues that need the sugar for energy. Diabetic cats often have a voracious appetite but lose weight, drink and urinate more, and often have vomiting and diarrhea.
Diabetes is diagnosed through blood work, including a blood glucose curve and fructosamine tests. Management is via diet, weight management, and insulin injections. This disease can increase the frequency of urinary tract infections as excess sugar in the blood tends to spill over into the urine. Sugar in the urine creates a food source for bacteria to thrive. Your vet may recommend routine urine tests (urinalysis) to monitor for infection.
12.Dental Disease in Cats
Dental disease is something that can be more difficult for cat owners to monitor, especially if your cat doesn’t like having his face or mouth touched. Beginning to brush a cat’s teeth when they are young can help slow the progression of dental disease. Signs of dental disease include bad breath, decreased interest in food, rubbing the face, squinting, or facial swelling on one side of the face. The best way to maintain good oral hygiene is to brush your cat’s teeth and keep up to date with routine dental cleanings, which your vet does under general anesthesia.
13.Common Types of Cancer in Adult Cats
Cancer is an unfortunate disease in all species and can develop in many forms and organs. Symptoms depend on which organs are involved. The most commonly diagnosed cancers in cats are lymphoma, FeLV, mammary cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and fibrosarcoma.
Lymphoma can be localized, affecting an organ such as a kidney, or be disseminated throughout the intestines. Intestinal lymphoma can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss with a good appetite, and lethargy.
Blood work and x-rays or ultrasound with biopsy are usually required to definitively diagnose any form of cancer. However, there are many other types of cancers affecting any organ in the body. Any mass should be checked by your veterinarian. Oftentimes, cancers cause weight loss despite a good appetite.
14.Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) unfortunately, tends to be more common in cats as they age. The kidneys flush out toxins and help with red blood cell production and regulation of our electrolytes. As the kidneys lose their ability to function, symptoms include increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, weight loss, and in later stages can cause neurological problems and ulcers in the mouth and intestinal tract.
Your veterinarian will need to run blood work, a urinalysis, and possibly x-rays or an ultrasound to properly identify kidney disease. There is a test called the SDMA test which is more sensitive and can detect the early stages of the disease. Catching kidney dysfunction early is important in helping your cat live a longer, healthier life. Kidney disease cannot be cured but it can be managed with the proper diet and supportive care such as fluids.
15.Hyperthyroidism in Cats
Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disease that can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, urination, and activity along with weight loss despite an increased appetite. The thyroid is sometimes called the master gland as it regulates metabolism. An overactive or “hyper” thyroid can also affect heart rate and blood pressure which can, in turn, affect the kidneys, heart, and eyes.
It is important to see your vet if you see any of the symptoms above, as hyperthyroidism can be managed with medications that suppress thyroid function, diet, irradiation of the thyroid, surgery, and blood pressure medications. Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed with blood work, including a thyroid test and blood pressure check. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause damage to the heart, blindness, and lead to kidney failure.
16.Heart Disease in Cats
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is often suspected through auscultation of a murmur with a stethoscope, an abnormal EKG, or high blood pressure readings. X-rays help rule out other problems but can’t see inside the heart. HCM causes a thickening of the walls of the heart. This thickening causes changes to the chambers within the heart but rarely does the overall size of the heart change. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart so that the inside of the heart can be assessed.
Sometimes, there are other causes for heart murmurs such as issues with a valve or heartworms. HCM cannot be cured but can be managed with weight control, blood pressure medications (if needed), and cardiac medications including calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, or diuretics.
Signs of heart disease that you may notice at home include shortness of breath, open mouth breathing (an emergency), increased respiratory effort, blue or purple gums (an emergency), or increased hiding.
Having a sick cat can feel overwhelming, but the good news is that you don’t have to diagnose your pet. That’s your vet’s job. The important thing for you to do is to keep your cat at a healthy weight, provide quality cat food, plenty of love, fresh water, and brush its teeth. Monitor your cat’s appetite, thirst, and elimination. If you should notice unexplained weight loss, decreased or increased thirst, appetite or activity, changes in urination, vomiting, or diarrhea then you should see a vet.
