Cat diseases : watch for early warnings

Copyright 2006 Marc Deschamps

Watch your cat and disease signs that may indicate a variety of health problems. Being alert to these indicators can help treat your cat quickly and efficiently.

Bad breath

Don't panic if your cat has a bad breath. Check first if he had fish or other food with strong odours. If not, consult your veterinary as bad breath may the the sign of a tooth decay, urinary problems or the presence of round worms.

Abundant saliva

This sign of cat disease may be the cause of poisoning or viral infection such as pneumonia. However it may simply be due to a foreign object lodged in the cat's mouth. In that case take the object out before the cat swallows it.

Decolorated gums

This might indicate aneamia, the presence of parisites or other affection. If this symptom follows an accident it may be due to internal bleeding.

Running nose

This sign of cat disease is, most of the time, caused by pneumonia.

Sneezing

Your cat caught a cold or something is stuck in his nose !!

Red and burning eyes

Sometimes, this sign of cat disease indicates respiratory problems. It can also be caused by dust.

Running eyes

This is always due to a cold.

Eyes turning opaque

This sign of cat disease indicates a major ocular problem. Consult your veterinary immediately .

Your cat is constantly scratching his ears

Parasites may be present. If the ear contains brownish and smelling crusts there might be an ulceration. If the ear is warm and aching this is probably due to an hematom that will require minor surgery.

Frequent coughing

This sign of cat disease is the result of a pneumonia.

Quick and heavy respiration

This is the symptom of pneumonia or heart problems.

Your cat does not eat anymore

This is a classic cat disease symptom resulting from a variety of health problems. However, bear in mind that a cat in healthy condition can skip 2 to 3 meals. Be concerned only if he skips more.

Your cat is losing weight quickly

This is a sign of probable aneamia or viral infection.

Your cat is weak and apathetic

Again this may be due to aneamia or the presence of parasites. This sign of cat disease may also result from heart problems.

Your cat does not drink water anymore

If your cat peaks over the water bowl but does'nt drink anything he may have typhus or a kidney infection.

He drinks too much !

You would not suspect this is a sign of cat disease. Unfortunately, this may the symptom of a variety of sicknesses : diabetes, liver problem, or uterus infection.

Vomitting

If your cat vomits frequently it may not mean he is sick. But if he vomits a yellow liquid, often times the typhus is the culprit. You also have to watch intoxications and kidney or liver infections. In any event, consult your veterinary immediately.

Urinary difficulties

This may be a serious cat disease symptom. The presence of blood in the urine, particularly with the male cat, requires a quick action you should rush to the veterinary.

Constipation

Here we have several possibilities but it is likely that your cat is not physically active and that his nutrition is not well balanced. Cut on the dehydrated food for a while. You may also use a light laxative. If this is not working, constipation may be caused by tiny hair balls .... or a tumour.

Diarrhea

A real diarrhoea is totally liquid. Your cat may have been excited or his nutrition is unbalanced. Add rice or pasta to his meals for a day or two. If you find traces of blood in the diarrhoea, this sign of cat disease may result from a tumour or it may indicate the presence of parasites.

High fever

A body temperature exceeding 38.8 celsius is a sign that something is working wrong. Don't guess, check with your veterinary.

Drastic change in behavior

This is a sign of cat disease that is difficult to gauge. If your animal becomes aggressive he may have contracted the rage. You may also detect this problem if his mewing is low and rough.

About the Author

Marc Deschamps is the editor of Kitten Cat Magazine, a free online publication, where people can share their passion for cats and learn more about this extraordinary animal. Other articles on cat diseases can be found at http://www.kitten-cat-magazine.com/cat-and-disease.html

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Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a common agent in cats that is usually transmitted through virus-infected saliva via cat fight wounds, mutual grooming, or sharing food and water dishes. The most hazardous situation for FeLV transmission is a multi-cat household in which a large number of cats are crowded into a limited space.

The virus causes a fatal infection through development of malignancy or depression of immunity (inability to fight infection) with the development of secondary diseases. The virus lives only a few days in the environment and is easily killed by common detergent and disinfectants. Thus, most of the risk of transmission is due to direct contact between cats.

Most cats with FeLV infection die within 2 or 3 years of the time of infection. The most common problem is depression of the immune system, which makes the cat susceptible to a variety of secondary infections. Cats may have persistent and recurring abscesses, chronic mouth infections, chronic respiratory diseases, diarrhea, and poor appetite. The virus can also suppress the cells of the bone marrow that produce red and white blood cells. Red blood cell suppression produces severe anemia. Suppression of the white blood cells needed for prevention of bacterial invasion allows the development of uncontrollable infections.

Development of malignancies is also a major concern in FeLV-infected cats. FeLV was originally identified in 1964 in Scotland in catteries where there was an epidemic of malignancies. It was later found that months to years after infection, many cats develop malignancies of the cells of the lymph nodes and the bone marrow. When these malignant cells are found in the blood, the malignancy is called a leukemia. These malignancies can also be found in many organs including the bone marrow, chest, kidneys, liver, and intestinal tract (called lymphoma).

There is no treatment to terminate FeLV; only supportive care and treatment of the secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics are possible. Some of the malignancies induced by FeLV can be controlled with chemotherapeutic drugs for a few months to a year of longer.

Fortunately, there are vaccines that are quite effective in preventing FeLV infection. Young cats are more susceptible to Infection than adult cats and should be vaccinated before they come in contact with possible FeLV carrier cats. The current recommendation is an initial vaccine after 9 weeks of age and a second booster dose 3 weeks to a month later. Yearly booster vaccines are recommended for cats at risk.

Only killed virus vaccines are available for vaccinating cats against FeLV because of concerns that a modified live virus in a vaccine could undergo a mutation into a potentially dangerous virus. Killed virus vaccines of any type can cause the development of a tumor called a fibrosarcoma. This is an aggressive malignancy of fibrous tissue that develops in response to inflammation at the site of vaccination.

The rate of development of malignancies at vaccine injection sites is estimated to be 1 in 5000 doses of vaccine given. In cats that are exposed to FeLV, outside cats, and cats that come in contact with cats that go outside, the infection rate of FeLV is 2 per 100. In these cats, the benefit of vaccination far outweigh the possible problems of vaccine induced tumors. In cats very unlikely to be exposed, the risk/benefit ratio of vaccination is less evident. Cats that are kept strictly indoors are not at risk for infection if other cats in the same household are not infected with FeLV and all cats in the household are kept indoors.

There are a number of in-office blood tests that your veterinarian can perform to identify FeLV-infected cats. Cats in multiple-cat households should be checked to be sure they are not carriers of FeLV. All new cats introduced into the household must be quarantined for 3 months and checked twice for FeLV infection before being admitted into the household. Checking cats in the household and preventing the entry of infected cats are effective in developing a FeLV-free environment where vaccination is not necessary.

FeLV infection is a lethal infection of cats that can be readily prevented. All cats at risk should be vaccinated regularly.

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin any course of treatment without consulting your regular veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every 12 months.

About the Author