Domestic Cat Diseases

Types

• Our feline friends are affected by a number of diseases.. Parasites are one of your kitty's most common problems. External parasites include fleas, ticks, lice and mites. Tapeworms, toxoplasmosis, roundworms and protozoan coccidia are examples of parasites that live within the cat's intestinal tract. The most common infectious diseases affecting cats are feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious anemia and feline leukemia.. Non-infectious diseases that afflict cats include cancer, diabetes, anemia, and arthritis as well as other bone and joint diseases.

Identification

• External parasites are generally easy to spot and to treat. Sometimes there are clear signs that there is something wrong with your cat -- diarrhea, vomiting, infected-looking wounds, goopy eyes and noses and other things of that nature. If you notice these symptoms, keep track of what you notice and how long it has been a problem. If the symptoms persist or gets worse, contact your veterinarian.

  Some diseases are harder to identify. If your cat seems listless or unusually erratic, uninterested in food, drink or play or like she is in some kind of pain, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Warning

• Some cat diseases are transmittable to humans. If your cat has not been vaccinated against rabies, is allowed outdoors and is behaving unusually, call your veterinarian as rabies is extremely dangerous. Humans can also contract the bacteria Bartonella henselae, also known as cat scratch disease or cat scratch fever. Initially, you may notice a sore or abscess, followed by swelling of the lymph nodes and then the onset of flulike symptoms. If your immune system is compromised, complications from cat scratch disease are more likely. Cats can also transmit toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease, to humans. Toxoplasmosis is found in cat feces and can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects in pregnant mothers. It can also be fatal in people who have compromised immune systems.

Prevention/Solution

• Most diseases affecting domestic cats are treatable and many are preventable. Cats should have regular veterinarian checkups and receive their vaccinations and parasite treatments on time, particularly cats allowed to go outdoors. Let your veterinarian know if your cat plays outside because that will affect the types of vaccinations your cat will receive. If you notice unusual fluids, symptoms or behaviors coming from your cat, be sure and contact your veterinarian in order to treat diseases as quickly and effectively as possible. If you are pregnant, let someone else change the kitty litter for nine months. If you suspect that you've contracted a disease from your cat, contact your doctor.

The Indoor/Outdoor Debate

• How your cat lives can affect its health. Cats that spend some time outside are often very happy and less prone to obesity and neuroses, but they are much more likely to contract diseases and parasites than strictly indoor cats. Additionally, cats who play outside are at much more risk for physical injury.

  Conversely, indoor cats are much less likely to contract diseases and parasites, and will stay safe from other animals, mean humans and cars. They tend, however, to be heavier and often suffer from health problems that accompany obesity like joint issues and diabetes. They also may be a little crazy, but these problems can be averted if they're given lots of opportunities to play and "hunt."