Contagious Fatal Cat Diseases

Several diseases are both contagious and fatal among felines. While there are many vaccinations available to help prevent these diseases, many owners do not give their cats all the vaccinations required. Fatal feline diseases are almost as hard for an owner to watch as they are on the cat's body. Unvaccinated, outdoor cats are more susceptible to many diseases due to the increased chance of meeting a carrier.

  1. Feline Leukemia Virus

    • The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is prevalent in cats across the world. As of 2006, two to three percent of cats in the United States had the disease, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center. The disease is fatal within three years of detection in 80 percent of those infected. The virus is released from infected cats in high amounts through nasal secretions and saliva, but is also released in feces, urine and a mother cat's milk.

      FeLV attacks the cat's immune system and is the number one cause of cancer. The body's immune system may become so damaged that the infected cat is unable to ward off everyday viruses, infections and bacteria. There is a preventative vaccine available for uninfected cats, however, the vaccine is unable to help treat the disease once the cat is infected.

    Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

    • Feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, is very similar to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). FIV can lead to the development of AIDS in felines, although a rather long asymptomatic period takes place before AIDS manifests. The average life span for a cat with FIV is five years from diagnosis, according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

      The disease attacks the immune system, just as FeLV does. The cat is more susceptible to viruses and bacteria which may cause infection, and later lead to more diseases. The most common form of transmission is through bite wounds from infected cats. The disease doesn't seem to be transmitted easily through non-aggressive cats, therefore it may be possible to keep an infected cat with an uninfected cat if they don't fight with or bite each other.

    Rabies

    • Rabies is transmitted most often through the saliva of an infected animal. The disease can be fatal to your cat within 10 days. All mammals are susceptible to this disease, so it is imperative to vaccinate your cat. The disease remains one of the most feared infections due to its ease of spreading.

      If your cat is unvaccinated and outdoors, it can receive rabies from getting into a fight with another cat or wild animal that is infected. The most common carriers of rabies are skunks, coyotes, raccoons, bats or foxes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rabies is zoonotic, meaning you, too, can become infected with the disease if your cat becomes infected.