Types of House Cat Diseases

Diabetes

• Some cats, particularly male cats who have been neutered, can gain a significant amount of weight living an indoors-only lifestyle. Increased weight puts a cat at risk for diabetes--the inability of the body to process sugars correctly. If left untreated, diabetes in a cat can lead to paralysis, blindness, infection in the limbs and/or tail, and death. Behavioral changes, such as drinking a lot of water, peeing a lot, and drastic changes in weight, may indicate diabetes in your cat.

  Diabetes can be easily tested for by your veterinarian and treatment may include dietary changes (such as to a food which is formulated for regulate diabetes) or insulin shots and overnight monitoring, depending on how advanced your cat's diabetes is.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

• A rare kind of heart disease which can develop in cats is Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It is a difficult-to-diagnose disease in which the muscles of the heart are weak because of genetic defect. This may cause inadequate blood flow which causes blood to pool in the heart where it clots. These clots can then dislodge spontaneously, causing an "embolism" or blockage of the arteries, lungs, or brain. Typically these clots are "thrown" between 5 and 7 years of age and manifest spontaneously, with little warning. Prevention before hand depends upon early detection and the administration of drugs aimed at thinning the blood and preventing blood clots.

  If the cat suffers a sudden embolism, it may experience paralysis in its back legs (a "saddle thrombus"), difficulty in breathing, or a stroke. Typically these clots will occur again, often frequently, even if treatment is given in a timely manner. Usually, however, veterinarians recommend euthanasia to alleviate the pain and suffering of the cat as many cases are hopeless.

Renal Failure

• Chronic Renal Failure, also called Chronic Renal Insufficiency, is when the tissue of the cat's kidneys begins to die off or otherwise fail to work properly, leaving much of the blood uncleaned and leading to a variety of symptoms. Symptoms include excessive urination, inadequate urination, muscle wasting, emaciation, loss of fur, constipation, weakness and convulsions, to name a few.

  There is no way to prevent CRF/CRI, but treatment can sometimes alleviate the problems. Treatment includes changing and management of diet, adequate clean water, subcutaneous fluid therapy, dialysis and frequent visits to the veterinarian.

Worms

• Worms, particularly round worms and tapeworms, are parasitic microorganisms which are introduced to the digestive tract of cats through a variety of means. For example, round worms can be introduced in kittens through the mother's milk while tapeworms can be acquired through the natural act of grooming and eating any fleas found.

  Parasitic worms usually cause the cat to alter its eating habits, defecating habits, and behavior. If a cat seems to have a full "pot belly" but is continuously hungry, it may have roundworms. Similarly, if a cat is hungry but looses weight despite eating a lot, it may have a tapeworm.

  Detecting these worms is relatively easy; roundworms may be present as tiny white worms in the stool or vomit of an infected cat. Tapeworms may leave dried segments in the stool or fur around the anus of the affected cat.

  Treatment for round worm is usually accomplished with over-the-counter medications; while tapeworms require specialized medicine from a veterinarian.

Allergies

• Domestic cats can also develop allergies to their food or to their environment. If a cat is ill after eating food or is scratching itself a lot after eating, it may be allergies to the food. It is recommended that you stop giving the cat that food and consult a veterinarian to find a good, hypoallergenic food for your cat.

  Environmental allergies are more difficult to spot. If the cat seems to be rubbing its eyes or nose, sneezes a lot, or has mucus discharge around the eyes or nose, it may have allergies. Your veterinarian will be able to prescribe some anti-allergy medications as well as make some suggestions on how to modify the cat's home to minimize environmental allergies.

Cancers and Leukemia

• Much like humans can develop cancers and leukemia, so too can cats. Feline leukemia is typically screened for by veterinarians working in animal shelters and human societies, but is still prevalent among kittens who are adopted privately. Additionally, leukemia may develop in older cats and is believed to be caused by the Feline Leukemia Virus (or FeLV).

  Cancers of the various organs can also develop, especially in older cats. Treatments for cancer include surgery to remove tumors and chemotherapy. It is imperative to work closely with your veterinarian and to understand the type of cancer and your treatment options regarding both cancer and leukemia.