Cat Viruses & Symptoms

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

• Feline immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus that weakens a cat's immune system. The virus can lie in wait for years, during which time the infected cat will appear healthy. In time, the virus causes a severe state of immune deficiency, leaving the cat susceptible to secondary infections and diseases. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, about 1.5 to 3 percent of seemingly healthy cats in the United States are infected with feline immunodeficiency virus.

  Early symptoms of the virus include swollen lymph nodes and fever. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, poor skin and coat conditions, diarrhea and chronic respiratory and bladder infections.

Feline Leukemia Virus

• Feline leukemia virus affects about 2 to 3 percent of the U.S. cat population. It is spread by bodily fluids such as saliva and urine. The virus is one of the most common causes of feline cancer, weakens the immune system and contributes to a variety of blood disorders. Symptoms include gradual weight loss, loss of appetite, pale and inflamed gums, chronic diarrhea and enlarged lymph nodes.

Feline Herpes Virus

• Feline herpes virus is a disease that causes feline viral rhinotracheitis, which is an upper respiratory tract disease. Once infected by feline herpes virus, a cat becomes a lifelong carrier of the disease even after successful medical treatment. The can remain latent, posing no risk to the cat's health, though it can reactivate under circumstances of stress or with use of certain steroid medications. Symptoms of feline herpes virus include excessive secretions from the nose and eyes, as well as loss of appetite, fever and depression.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

• Feline infectious peritonitis is a life-threatening disease. As the name implies, the disease is highly infectious and typically spreads through very young cats, though cats of any age are susceptible. Feline infectious peritonitis attacks the cells of the intestinal wall. There are two manifestations of the virus, "wet" and "dry." Symptoms of both manifestations include loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and general lethargy. The wet form of the virus causes edema of the abdominal and chest cavities, which can lead to difficulty breathing. The dry form of the virus causes small granule-like accumulations in the cat's organs that can lead to vomiting, complications of the liver and jaundice. Both formscan also cause mild to severe diarrhea.

Feline Panleukopenia

• Feline panleukopenia is a disease caused by feline parvovirus. This disease is highly contagious and has a high fatality rate among infected cats whose treatment is delayed. Feline panleukopenia attacks and kills the blood cells contained in the intestines and bone marrow, which eventually leads to severe anemia. A depletion of white blood cells also increases the risk of other secondary infections. Signs of feline panleukopenia include high fever, vomiting, runny nose, loss of appetite and excessive diarrhea.