Cat Diseases: Signs and Symptoms

If a cat is ill, it usually behaves differently than usual. A previously temperamental animal may suddenly withdraw. But irritated to aggressive behavior is also possible. Usually, there are harmless causes behind the symptoms. However, cats can also suffer from serious diseases.

How Do I Know If My Cat is Sick?

It’s not always easy to tell if a cat is sick. The animals instinctively hide weaknesses, as this was essential for survival in the wild. A weak animal was attacked preferentially by enemies and was, therefore, more likely to be a victim than a strong and healthy one. If you suspect an illness, you should not hesitate to visit the veterinarian. Depending on the diagnosis and the treatment required, the cost to the pet owner can vary greatly. It becomes more expensive, especially when an operation is unavoidable. You can make provisions for such a case by taking out cat health insurance.

First Signs of a Possible Illness

• The cat has no appetite and does not go to the food bowl.
• The cat has an appetite but does not like to eat properly. A possible background could be tooth or gum problems.
• She has an unpleasant smell in her mouth. Here, too, there could be problems with teeth or gums, among many other possible causes.
• The cat looks noticeably tired and dull. She sleeps a lot more than usual.
• Suddenly she is no longer housebroken. It can be caused by a painful bladder or kidney disease.
• Kidney disease can also be concluded if the affected cat suddenly drinks a lot.
• If there is pain, this can be expressed in aggressive behavior such as scratching or biting.
• If the animal no longer likes to move, plays hardly or not at all, then joint problems could be behind it.
• Joint problems could also be the reason why the cat stops grooming itself properly.
• If a cat throws up frequently, it is at risk of becoming dehydrated. The vet visit should be done as soon as possible.
• If an animal starts to pull out its hair or grooms itself more intensively, itching can be the reason. Possible triggers are parasites or a food allergy.
• If the cat meows louder or more often than usual, this can be an indication of pain. Sometimes there are hearing problems as well.
• If the animal hides noticeably often, an illness can also be the background.

When Do Cat Diseases Occur?

The timing of the onset of a disease can have various causes. Factors such as age and diet are important. There are cat diseases that only show up in older animals. Others, on the other hand, occur in very young cats because their immune systems are not yet mature. They are then more susceptible to infections. Diseases that can be traced back to poor nutrition can often be combated simply by changing your diet and regular exercise. Being overweight can also be reduced by offering the cat less food and encouraging it to exercise more in the form of free walks or games.

What Cat Diseases are There?

Like humans, cats can suffer from a wide variety of diseases. As the owner of an animal, you should always be very careful to identify possible diseases in good time and have them treated.

Cat Diseases

• abscess
• anemia
• seizures
• aortic thrombosis
• inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis)
• pelvic fracture (after a fall from a great height, for example from a window)
• bladder infection (cystitis)
• bladder stones
• pleurisy
• chronic renal failure
• diabetes mellitus
• diarrhea
• eclampsia
• vomit
• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)
• FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
• FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
• flea infestation
• FORL (Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion)
• jaundice
• giardiasis
• hair loss
• corneal injury
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• cat pox
• cat flu
• cat disease (panleukopenia)
• lungworms
• Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
• ear mites
• overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• stomatitis (gingivostomatitis)
• rabies
• toxoplasmosis
• poisoning
• worms
• tartar

What Complaints are Typical in Cats?

Some of the symptoms that cats often suffer from indicating the nature of the disease. Depending on the extent and duration of the symptoms, the veterinarian should be consulted.

Cats often suffer from these symptoms:

Gastrointestinal Diseases

The following symptoms suggest a disease of the gastrointestinal tract:

• Diarrhea with blood or mucus in the stool
• loss of appetite
• fatigue
• stomach pain
• frequent defecation, often with great effort

Urinary stones

Neutered, overweight, and less active indoor cats are more frequently affected by urinary stones than those who move around a lot. Older cats and some breeds (e.g. the Burmese cat) are also more prone to urinary stones. If a cat suffers from urinary stones, it usually shows the following symptoms:

• frequent urination
• pain or trouble urinating
• blood in the urine

Kidney diseases

Kidney failure is one of the most common diseases in cats. Typical signs are the following symptoms:

• increased drinking
• reluctance to eat
• frequent urination
• indifference
• vomiting and/or weight loss

Liver diseases

Liver disease is not readily recognizable because there are no characteristic symptoms. The disease is usually triggered by an infection, obesity, poisoning, or congestion of the blood in the liver. Possible symptoms of liver disease include:

• loss of appetite
• significant behavioral changes
• dull fur
• yellowing of the eyes or gums

Overweight

In cats, obesity is considered a serious disease that can lead to other serious health problems. These include, among other things:

• Weakening of the cardiovascular system
• impairment of the immune system
• increased risk of tumors
• increased risk of diabetes
• increased risk of urinary stones

What Cat Diseases are Common?

Cats can get many diseases. Some of these are particularly common. These include, for example:

• Cat flu: The disease can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Infection with the pathogen leads to inflammation of the airways and eyes. In severe cases, the skin and lungs are also affected.
• Feline distemper: The disease is often transmitted from unvaccinated mother cats to their kittens during pregnancy. Cats infected with the virus then suffer from vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. When young cats are affected, prompt treatment is essential as kittens can die from the disease within a day. But the infection can also be life-threatening for older cats.
• Feline leukemia: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a common trigger. Other causes can also cause leukemia in cats. However, they are not yet sufficiently well known. In addition to malignant tumors, the animals suffer from a weakened immune system and anemia. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with other cats. The course of the disease can be chronic or acute. In acute cases, clear symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea suddenly appear. In the chronic course, there are only slight or no symptoms at the beginning of the disease. Owners can have their cat vaccinated against FeLV at the veterinarian.
• Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP): FIP is triggered by so-called feline coronaviruses. It often occurs when several cats are kept together. The transmission can already take place from the mother animal to the puppies. Peritonitis occurs, in some cases, only the pleura is inflamed. Other typical symptoms that last for several weeks are high fever, exhaustion, pale mucous membranes, and loss of appetite. The disease course of FIP is usually fatal.
• Kidney weakness: This common disease in cats can be triggered by a variety of causes. Kidney dysfunction often occurs in old age, but poisoning, too much protein over a long period of time, or infections can weaken the kidneys. Severe thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting, and frequent urination are some of the symptoms. The disease is usually only discovered in an advanced stage since the symptoms are hardly pronounced beforehand. Owners should therefore have their cat checked regularly by a veterinarian.
• Feline diabetes: Diabetes in cats can be hereditary, but it can also be promoted by poor diet and lifestyle. Overweight cats are particularly prone to diabetes. Symptoms include excessive drinking, frequent urination, and a dull and shaggy coat.
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): Most often, the overactive thyroid is caused by a lump or growth on the thyroid gland. If left untreated, there is a risk of serious organ damage to the kidneys, heart, or liver. A typical symptom of hyperthyroidism is weight loss with an increase in appetite. But a lack of appetite is also possible. The cats urinate more frequently and develop an increased thirst. Affected animals behave remarkably aggressively, are very lively and restless.
• Parasite infestation: Unlike worms, which infest the cat’s internal organs, parasites (ectoparasites) colonize the animal’s external body. These include ticks, fleas, and ear mites. When ticks bite into the skin to suck blood, they can transmit diseases. Fleas occupy the fur and also suck blood. The cat then scratches a lot. Ear mites colonize the pinna and feed on skin cells and the secretions of the ears. Then the affected animal often scratches its ears, which in turn can lead to ear infections.
• Toxoplasmosis: The infection is caused by the protozoal parasite Toxoplasma gondii. If healthy cats become infected, they usually show no symptoms. Occasional diarrhea is possible. If young or immunocompromised cats are infected, they suffer from shortness of breath, fever, diarrhea, cough, and inflammation. Kittens that are infected at birth can die from the disease. – Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted to humans. This is particularly dangerous if you become ill during pregnancy.
• Worm diseases: If cats eat infected mice or come into contact with the feces of infected cats, they can become infected with worms. These are usually roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms. Symptoms vary depending on the specific worm infestation. However, diarrhea and vomiting often occur.

Which Cat Diseases are Dangerous for My Cat?

Some cat diseases can no longer be successfully treated even by the vet. For example Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). The FIP virus spreads particularly quickly when many cats live together. The course of the disease is usually fatal. The veterinarian can vaccinate the cat against the feline coronavirus, but the vaccination does not offer 100 percent protection.

Cat disease is another life-threatening disease. Dogs and cats can also infect each other with the pathogen. Owners should consult a doctor at the first symptoms such as vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. However, your cat can still die as a result of the disease, especially if it is very young or older. An animal should be vaccinated against cat disease as early as possible.

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), colloquially known as feline AIDS, is the trigger of immune deficiency disease. It is similar to the AIDS infection known to humans. However, sick cats cannot transmit the immunodeficiency virus to humans. In infected animals, FIV is asymptomatic for a long time until the immune system is destroyed and secondary infections lead to death.

Kidney disease can also be fatal in cats. Since they are often diagnosed too late, the veterinarian should check the kidney values ​​regularly. This can be done as part of continuous check-ups.

How Can You Prevent Cat Diseases?

A variety of cat diseases can be prevented. As a cat owner, you should therefore follow a few tips to ensure that the cat stays healthy.

Disease Prevention Tips:

• Daily grooming of the cat, such as brushing the fur.
• When grooming, pay attention to possible abnormalities in the ears, eyes, and teeth.
• Get enough exercise on a regular basis. For example, through free passages or specific cat games.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Avoid obesity through overfeeding.
• Watching the cat carefully: Changes in behavior can be a sign of illness.
• Get regular check-ups at the vet.
• Get preventive vaccinations. Outdoor cats need additional vaccinations, for example against rabies and feline leukosis.

FAQ about cat diseases

What to do if the cat is sick?

As soon as you notice signs of illness in your cat, you should definitely go to the vet. Symptoms of a possible illness can be, for example, excessive drinking, frequent urination diarrhea, and vomiting. But noticeable changes in behavior also indicate an illness. Under no circumstances should you give your cat medication or home remedies intended for humans. Cats need different medicines because they suffer from different diseases than humans.

What Cat Diseases Can Be Transmitted to Humans?

Some diseases of cats can also be transmitted to humans. One then speaks of zoonoses. These include fox tapeworm, fungal infections, and toxoplasmosis. When a person falls ill with one of the zoonoses depends on the personal immune status, but also on the infectivity of the pathogen.

What cat diseases are dangerous for humans?

Cats can infect people with diseases that are very dangerous. Toxoplasmosis infection is usually harmless. However, people with a weak immune system often react with flu-like symptoms. If a pregnant woman is infected with the pathogen, this can trigger a miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. In later stages, significant damage to the child’s brain and internal organs is possible. If there is a transmission with the fox tapeworm, there are no symptoms at first. However, since the fox tapeworm attacks the liver (echinococcosis), this can be life-threatening for humans.

All statements are without guarantee.