Common Cat Diseases and How to Treat Them
Cats are popular pets around the world, and millions of people keep them at home. However, cats are susceptible to a
number of diseases and health problems that affect their well-being and comfort. Cat diseases vary in nature, symptoms, and causative agents, including viral, bacterial, fungal, cancerous, and genetic diseases.
Some cat diseases are considered serious and can lead to the cat's death if not treated properly and promptly. These include diseases of the respiratory, digestive, urinary, nervous, eye, and ear systems. Unfortunately, cat parents don't bring their feline friends to the vet for preventative visits like dog owners do, and visits are usually due to severe illness or wounds from a cat fight.
1. Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats
Upper respiratory infections (URIs) in cats, similar to human colds, are one of the most common feline illnesses. This highly contagious viral and bacterial infection is transmitted through contact with saliva or secretions from the nose and eyes of infected cats.
Once infected, the cat becomes a "chronic carrier" of the disease and can become ill when immunocompromised, such as during times of extreme stress - new pets in the household, moving, new family members, etc.
Common causes of upper respiratory infections in cats
Viral agents:
Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), feline calicivirus (FVC), and feline retroviruses, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV), can be contributing factors to URIs.
Bacterial agents:
Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica), Chlamydophila felis (C. felis), Mycoplasma spp. (bacteria), less common contributors
