What are the most common cat diseases?

What are the most common cat diseases?

Cats are prone to a handful of specific illnesses, all with distinctive symptoms. Knowing what ails them and why will help you determine the right treatment to get them healthy again. Preventing problems, from viruses to worms, will keep your cat from being sidelined by discomfort. Viruses and bacteria can invade a cat's nose, throat and sinuses, causing upper respiratory infections (URIs). Feline calicivirus and feline herpes virus are the most contagious types of URIs. In multi-cat homes or shelters, viruses are passed through shared food or water dishes, grooming or sneezing. Secondary bacterial infections may develop along with the viruses. Stress and overcrowding contribute to URIs, and cats with flat faces, such as Persians, are more susceptible to infection. Outdoor cats and those that live in multi-cat homes have the highest risk of disease. However, indoor cats and "only cats" can get sick, too. The good news about cat illnesses is that most are easily preventable; the bad news is that once your cat contracts an illness, it can be very difficult to treat. It's also important to keep in mind that even minor ailments can suggest major health problems.

Some cats will immediately become ill upon contracting the virus; however, in other cats, symptoms of the disease will not manifest for several weeks. Feline leukemia can result in a number of conditions, including system-wide infections, diarrhea, skin infections, eye disease, respiratory tract infections, bla According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are more than 70 million feral and stray cats roaming the streets. Because stray cats often carry dangerous diseases, the best thing that you can do to protect your domesticated cat against serious illness is to keep it indoors. By staying inside, your cat is less likely to fight with other animals and risk the chance of spreading diseases through wounds. You'll also keep it away from infection-spreading parasites, including fleas and ticks, and prevent the kidney failure that can come as a result of ingesting poisonous substances such as antifreeze.

infections, infertility, anemia and cancer. Any severe chronic illness can be a sign of feline leukemia.

Even indoor cats can get worms. Roundworm is one of the most widespread forms, contracted from eating infected insects, rodents or birds or by contact with contaminated soil. Roundworms invade a cat's intestines, and can migrate to his bloodstream and organs. Spaghetti-shaped strings in his feces or vomit, a distended belly, dull coat, lack of appetite and diarrhea indicate roundworm infestation. A large buildup of roundworms can be fatal for kittens.

Cats get tapeworm, long and ribbon-shaped, from ingesting a flea that has consumed tapeworm eggs. The larvae hatch in the cat's stomach, attaching to its small intestines. Tapeworms sap nutrients; a feline heavily infested with tapeworms will lose weight and suffer mild diarrhea. Rice-shaped grains around the cat's anus and in his feces signal tapeworm.

. The best you can do is make sure your cat is vaccinated against the disease, and keep it inside to avoid contact with infected animals.