Cat Illness

Cat Illness- Prevention

Thousands of cats die each year as a result of a communicable disease. These communicable diseases are common and preventable. Other diseases are common diseases that are seen more now because cats are living lo- nger lives due to better living conditions, being kept indoors and better vet care. Vaccines and quarantine procedures are the preventable measures that can save the lives of these cats. Owners need to be educated regarding potential threats to the health of cats.

 Some of these communicable diseases (infectious diseases) can be quite virulent. The common diseases that are most often the cause of these deaths are giardia, panleukopenia (feline distemper), bartonella henselae, and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).

 Cat owners should also learn about the factors that contribute to exposure to these diseases that include letting cats roam free, poor diet, heredity, and aging. Certain diseases target senior cats. Stress can also contribute to weakening the immune system of the cat making the animal susceptible to disease.

 A cat is considered to be a senior when they are 10 years from birth or in human equivalent 54 years. The diseases that are common for these older cats are diabetes, chronic kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, and cancers. Early detection is key to the survival of an older cat from any of these diseases. Routine veterinary care is vital for detection and for prevention.

 Many of the diseases that are fatal for cats are preventable when cats receive proper vaccinations. Cat vaccines to be effective must be given in a series of injections typically given around age 6 to 8 weeks, again at around 12 weeks of age and then at 16 weeks of age. After the first series of kitten shots the adult cat needs a yearly exam for health checks and for continuation of vaccinations that are appropriate for your cat. If you have an outdoor cat your cat will need to have the leukemia vaccine and the feline aids vaccine.

 Feline diabetes mellitus like the human form has two types: type 1 and type 2. Warning signs for this disease are excessive thirst or excessive urination, loss of weight, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, poor skin, poor coat condition, breathing problems, and dehydration.

 Hepatic lipidosis otherwise known as the fatty liver disease is seen in older cats that are overweight and then owners put them on a diet and they lose weight too rapidly. Cats can also get this disease if they develop anorexia. Warning signs for this disease are loss of appetite, listlessness, rapid weight loss, a yellowing of the eyes or skin, vomiting, and an abdomen that swells.

 Kidney disease is common to older cats. The warning signs are weight loss, excessive thirst and urination, vomiting and also a loss of appetite, which contributes to the weight loss.

 Hyperthyroidism is also another disease that is common to older cats. Warning signs are again weight loss, increased thirst and increased urination, an increase in appetite, followed by vomiting and diarrhea. There is also hyperactivity.

 Feline hypertension can be seen in cats of all ages and is often associated with other diseases such as kidney disease, heart diseases and hyperthyroidism. Your vet can monitor blood pressure with a Doppler. If your cat already has other diseases the vet is more than likely already monitoring them. Warning signs are a rapid heart rate or a heart murmur, the cat will have dilated pupils and the pupils do not respond to light shined in them, and also sudden blindness.