Mary Allen
Cats inspire with their beauty, their elegant appearance and yes, their own character, and the fact that they are completely resistant to upbringing is very well received by us cat owners. Unfortunately, even the beloved velvet paws sometimes get sick.
Of course, in these cases, a trip to the vet and in some cases the administration of medication is unavoidable. This article is about the ten most common diseases in cats and the symptoms that make them noticeable. Get to know your cat better so that you can go to the vet quickly in the event of an illness.
You can find out which symptoms belong to which diseases below. The most common signs include loss of appetite and increased drinking.
The cat flu
Many owners think nothing of it when you talk about cat flu. This is the most common disease in cats, but unfortunately, it cannot be compared to a normal cold. Cat flu should always be taken seriously because it is a disease transmitted by bacteria and viruses. If the cat’s cold in the animals is not treated, the cat can die.
The symptoms include, for example, the typical nasal discharge. Also, cats sneeze more often than normal. Likewise, affected animals often have blurred or even sticky eyes. In most cats, it can also be observed that they no longer eat much and have a fever.
Young cats and kittens in particular are affected by this disease. This is what makes this disease so particularly dangerous because the little ones don’t have such a good immune system and are of course not as strong as the normal adult cat. Accordingly, they also have no reserves that they could fall back on.
Please contact your vet immediately at the first sign. Even if your cat only shows one symptom. It is always better to be on the safe side and it is better to present your animal to your doctor once too much than once too little. Treatment is now with antibiotics. In addition, it is advisable that the cats are vaccinated against cat flu at an early stage. As can best be done between the eighth and twelfth week of life. Then the animal should get the vaccinations every year as a booster.
Important:
Not only is cat flu very dangerous, it is also highly contagious to other cats, so please isolate your cat at the time.
The cat plague
Cat distemper is also known as cat distemper. This is a highly contagious cat disease, which ranks second. The cat epidemic is a viral disease which, like cat flu, can unfortunately be fatal in affected animals. For this reason, it is always important to consult a veterinarian so that he can intervene directly.
One of the most typical symptoms of this disease is high fever. In addition, many cats suffer from fatigue and a lack of movement. So you sleep a lot more than usual and don’t feel like playing anymore. In addition, affected animals vomit and show loss of appetite.
If you take your cat to the vet in good time, appropriate treatment can prevent a worse course. Treatment is usually with interferons, an anti-dehydration IV fluid, and serum antibodies. Cat disease can also be prevented in advance with a vaccination administered between the sixth and twelfth week of life. The refresher is now regularly every 3 years.
Ectoparasite infestation
Unfortunately, the dear velvet paws can be afflicted by a variety of different parasites. Outdoor cats in particular are welcome to bring ticks, fleas, mange mites or ear mites home with them. But indoor cats are also sometimes attacked when they have contact with other animals. Even we humans can transmit these parasites if we have had contact with an affected animal and then go home to the house cat.
If the cat suffers from a flea infestation, you can work with various means, which, depending on the product, can be bought either from the veterinarian, in pet shops or even online. There are collars, flea powder and shampoo here. However, don’t forget to clean the environment as well as the cat. Vacuum everything several times and dispose of the vacuum cleaner bags directly in the garbage. In addition, there is also a spray here, with which the scratching post, the sofa and Co. should be sprayed. The sleeping place, on the other hand, should be washed in the washing machine at high temperatures to ensure that the fleas, their eggs and the pupated parasites die.
Ticks can be removed directly and easily. This is particularly easy with a special tick tweezer. However, always try to remove the ticks completely. Caution is advised for the next few days because ticks could also transmit diseases, for example. So if your cat’s behavior changes, please consult the veterinarian.
The spot-on remedies are offered for both parasites and have an effect that lasts for several weeks. For this reason, you should give your cat the spot-on agent regularly. This is dripped down the animals’ necks so that they cannot lick it off. Many also use unrefined coconut oil. The cat should be rubbed with it every 2-3 days. Fleas and ticks hate this smell. In the case of fleas and ticks, a visit to the vet is usually not absolutely necessary. While cats often show no symptoms when it comes to ticks, when it comes to fleas, the animals scratch more often, startle themselves out of their sleep or even form bald spots.
Unfortunately, this looks different again with an infestation of ear or mange mites, so that a veterinarian has to carry out the appropriate treatment. The infestation by mites is often made clear by more frequent scratching. While the body is attacked by mange mites and it itches everywhere, a cat suffering from ear mites shows this primarily by deliberately scratching its ear or shaking its head frequently. The vet can now clean the ears and give a remedy. There are also very special spot-on agents here.
The endoparasite infestation
An endoparasite infestation is an infestation of parasites in the small intestine. They are also known as hookworms, tapeworms, or dishworms and grow to a length of five to ten centimeters.
Cats are primarily infected by eating prey. So if you eat a mouse that is unfortunately infested with worms or is carrying its eggs, these will be transferred to the cat. Transmission is also possible via the faeces. Kittens can also become infected through the cat’s mother’s breast milk. Worms can be detected through cat feces.
The symptoms are different. Most cats show a loss of appetite and develop a shaggy coat. Furthermore, it can be observed that the cats are becoming thinner and thinner and from time to time affected animals even vomit.
A visit to a veterinarian is also on the agenda here. This can now administer a wormer, which can also be ordered online and is usually a bit cheaper here. However, the administration of spot-on agents is also possible in the event of an infestation with worms.
The chronic renal insufficiency
Older cats in particular are affected by kidney failure, or CRF for short. This is a very dangerous disease for the animals, which unfortunately in most cases gradually leads to the death of the cats. In renal insufficiency, cats’ kidney function steadily decreases and the condition continues to worsen.
The symptoms are varied and should never be underestimated. Many cats are more thirsty than usual and, of course, urinate more as a result. In addition, they often show a lack of appetite and develop a dull and lackluster coat. Many cats also vomit and a significant weight loss is not only visible on the scales, but also on the outside. A sweetish odor can now often be perceived from the mouth and the urine also changes colour.
Kidney failure is not curable. Nevertheless, treatment by the veterinarian is very important. Many cats need an IV from time to time. There is also the possibility that the veterinarian can provide your cat with relief and slow down the disease process. Unfortunately, there are very few medications available here. However, it is very important that you give your cat a special food that contains less protein. The protein can no longer be broken down properly by the body. You can also read our article on this disease for more information.
The feline leukemia
Feline leukemia is a serious viral disease in cats. Disruption of blood cell formation by the feline leukemia virus is typical. In addition, tumors form, which can occur distributed throughout the body. Unfortunately, it is a very dangerous disease that often leads to the death of animals. However, it is possible that your cat can live a few more years of life without worries despite this devastating illness.
The symptoms are very different. It is important that you always go to the vet at the first sign or the slightest suspicion. Many cats often react with a loss of appetite and are more tired and weak than normal. They also become thinner and lose weight. Most cats also have a fever.
Your vet should draw blood from your cat at the slightest suspicion and can then easily and very definitely diagnose this disease. Unfortunately, once feline leukemia has been confirmed, there are no direct treatment options to stop or even cure this disease. However, please consult your veterinarian for advice and inquire about this disease. However, remember that even with this disease, you can get your cat vaccinated in advance, so you can avoid contagion right from the start.
FIP
FIP cat disease, feline infectious peritontitis, is caused by corona viruses. Unfortunately, most velvet paws affected by this disease die of peritonitis. It is also a very contagious scratching disease that can be transmitted through saliva or faeces.
In many cases, cats struggle with a bloated body and lack of appetite. They are also tired, lie around a lot and sleep more than usual.
There are different courses of this disease. In a dry form, the internal organs become inflamed, while in the wet form, the animal suffers from ascites, which causes the body to bloat. In both cases, however, the disease is chronic and fatal for the animal.
Treatment by a doctor is still recommended, of course, even if there are no treatment options as yet. However, you have the opportunity to spare your loved one the suffering. It is important that you always have it clarified whether it really is FIP, because diagnosing this disease is not always easy.
Toxoplasmosis in cats
Toxoplasmosis in cats is caused by the infestation of parasites in the intestines. Above all, the outdoor cats are surpassed by this, so that this disease naturally occurs less frequently in indoor cats. It is important to note that humans can also become infected, since the germs are excreted by the cat through the intestines. Especially in the case of pregnant women, there is an additional danger for the unborn child, which should not be underestimated under any circumstances, since severe mental disabilities can arise here. A maximum of hygiene is therefore important. In this case, the man should clean the litter box or the woman should do it with gloves and then clean herself.
Unfortunately, many cats show no signs of toxoplasmosis, which of course makes it difficult to recognize. Breathing disorders or the typical loss of appetite with fever can rarely be seen.
As soon as you are unsure and possibly suspect toxoplasmosis in your cat, you must consult a vet immediately. If the suspicion is confirmed, your cat can now be treated with antibiotics. If you are pregnant, your gynecologist can test you for toxoplasmosis and its resistance.
Feline diabetes
Our animals can also get diabetes, which unfortunately also includes the cats. In this disease, the production of insulin in the pancreas is restricted. Blood sugar levels rise, which causes the immune system to weaken. If left untreated by a veterinarian, diabetes is fatal in cats.
You can determine diabetes in your darling, for example, through weight loss, which occurs despite a good appetite. In addition, the affected cats drink more than usual and often appear battered.
If you suspect it, please contact your veterinarian immediately. After the diagnosis of diabetes has been confirmed, this disease can be treated really well so that your darling can enjoy a happy and symptom-free life for years to come. Usually, the first thing to do is change your diet. If it is a particularly severe case of diabetes, the insulin level must be ensured with medication, which is usually done with injections.
Overactive thyroid in cats
Hyperthyroidism not only affects us humans, but unfortunately can also affect cats. If this disease is not treated, serious physical damage can occur, affecting the kidneys or the heart, for example, so that the cat can even die from it.
Cats that suffer from an overactive thyroid show very different symptoms. These include, for example, diarrhea or dull fur. But there is also weight loss. Some animals also vomit. Affected cats also show increased panting and sometimes shortness of breath.
If you have any of these symptoms, please visit your veterinarian quickly so that your cats can be treated immediately if such a diagnosis is made. This is indeed possible. However, there are also surgical options, for example, so-called radioiodine therapy. It involves destroying the diseased tissue on the thyroid to restore normal and regular function. So your cat can go on living normally and unrestricted again.
Conclusion – better to play it safe
Many cats show many different symptoms when they are not feeling well. In such a case, you should always take your darling straight to the vet to ensure that the animal can be treated as quickly as possible. In many cases, worse consequential damage can be avoided in this case, and even if there are no treatment options for your darling, you can ensure that your cat is spared suffering and medication can provide relief. Even if you are not sure how to interpret the behavior or whether your cat is really ill, it is always better to go to the doctor once too often than not enough.