What Kinds of Infections Can Kill a Cat?

Pets can get effective vaccines from vet offices that quell distemper, rabies and respiratory diseases. However, there are still a few, lesser known diseases that are a threat to cats. According to Pets, Vets and You, 10% of cats fall victim to fatal diseases. The most common means of protection is to keep your cat indoors, vaccinated and practice regular blood testing.

  1. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

    • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is also known as FIV, and is similar to the HIV virus that leads to AIDS in humans. Some cats can carry the disease for years before symptoms arise. The infected cat will eventually develop anemia and be increasingly prone to diseases. Cancer will also develop. Unfortunately, this virus is fatal. According to Pets, Vets and You, about 10% of the cat population will be a carrier for this disease and vets do not have a vaccine developed for it yet. If you are concerned that your cat may have FIV, get a blood test done at the vet's office.

    Feline Infectious Peritonitis

    • Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP, can survive in moist areas for up to several months. This disease can be carried into the house on shoes, clothes or hands and transferred to your cat. FIP is caused by a mutation of the corona virus. Symptoms of FIP include sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, fluid build-up in the chest or abdomen and fever. Your cat my also experience diarrhea, liver inflammation, weight loss and lethargy. When symptoms initiate, it may be days, weeks or months before eventually causing death. Cats can become virus carriers for this disease as well. There is a vaccine for FIP that requires two initial doses one month apart. Afterward, annual boosters are required. This vaccine may save your cat's life.

    Feline Leukemia Virus

    • Feline Leukemia Virus, or FeLV, is the most fatal disease of cats. This disease destroys the cat's immune system. The cat becomes susceptible to cancer, anemia or other infectious diseases a healthy feline would be safe from. To test your cat for this disease, there is a blood test that is 99% accurate in diagnosing FeLV, according to Pets, Vets and You. There is also a vaccine. However, the vaccination process correlates to the cancer fibrosarcoma.