Common House Cat Diseases

A house cat can contract a variety of diseases that can leave him with a chronic condition or even kill him. Most of the diseases can be prevented by keeping the cat up to date on his vaccinations and ensuring he does not come in contact with infected animals.

  1. Upper Respiratory Infections

    • Upper respiratory infections are similar to the common cold in humans, but left untreated in cats, they can be fatal. Upper respiratory infections are contagious. Cats can get them from humans, other cats and by coming in contact with a food bowl or toy of an infected cat. Treatment includes antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.

    Feline Panleukopenia

    • Feline panleukopenia, or feline distemper, is a highly contagious virus that attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing internal ulceration and a mortality rate of between 60 percent and 90 percent. It can occur suddenly. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. It is prevented by getting your cat vaccinated.

    Feline Leukemia Virus

    • Feline leukemia virus attacks the immune system and can cause cancer and other diseases. There are two stages to FeLV. Sometimes a cat is able to develop a sufficient immune response and stop the virus from progressing to the second stage. In the second stage, the infection spreads to the bone marrow and other tissues, and most cats will have the virus for the rest of their lives.

    Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (

    • Feline immunodeficiency virus produces similar symptoms in cats as AIDS does in humans. FIV is fatal and attacks the immune system causing chronic, nonresponsive infections; respiratory problems; appetite loss; persistent diarrhea and oral infections. A cat gets infected by being bitten by an infected cat. There is no cure.

    Feline Infectious Peritonitis

    • Feline infectious peritonitis is a fatal disease, but only about 5 percent to 10 percent of the cats exposed to it develop the illness. The virus affects the white blood cells and is carried throughout the body. Keeping the cat up to date on his or her vaccinations is the best prevention.