by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: November 19, 2008

There is a saying that cats have nine lives, but just as any other animal they may be prone to several diseases. It is true that felines may be quite stoic in hiding their pain so for this reason, anytime your cat is not acting right it is best to have your veterinarian do a thourough check up to rule out any major ailments or diseases. Below you will find some major feline diseases and their symptoms.

-Infectious diseases-

Panleukopenia

This is a leading cause of death in baby kittens. Many times the kitten or cat may die before even the owner notices the symptoms. Owners therefore, may think their cat was poisoned. Also known as feline distemper, panleukopenia is a disease you want to prevent by having your cat vaccinated against it. This infectious disease is very contagious and all it takes for it to be transmitted, is contact with contaminated food bowls, litter boxes and even shoes or clothing of sombody that has dealth with an infected animal. The virus is very hardy as it may survive a good year. Symptoms of this disease are as follows: inappetence, lethargy, fever, vomiting yellow bile, diarrhea, yellow stools sometimes streaked with blood, pain in the abdomen and crouched up posture. Treatment varies and chances of recovery are higher if the disease is detected early.

Calicivirus/Rhinotracheitits

Symptoms generally begin around 2 to 17 days post exposure. An affected cat will sneeze frequently and exhibit a watery discharge from the eyes and nose. The eyes in particular, may be affected by conjunctivitis. Days later, the cat will appear feverish and lethargic. The appetite is lost and the secretions turn from watery to sticky resembling pus. Calicivirus and rhinotracheitis may share similar symptoms, but cats with rhinotracheitis generally develop a cough and in severe cases corneal ulcers, while cats affected by calicivirus develop ulcers in their mouths. Both diseases are curable but complications may arise.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

This disease is transmitted via secretions and is most common in outdoor cats. The disease may present in two forms: the wet form and the dry form. In the wet form the cat will become inappetent, lethargic and listless. Fluids will accumulate in the body causing abored breathing and the abdomen may swell (ascites). There may be fever, vomiting and diarrhea. The disease may turn fatal once the fluids reach the heart sac. The dry form presents the same initial symptoms as the wet form without the accumulation of fluids.

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