All animals, like people, are prone to health problems. Cat owners should be aware of a number of conditions that can affect their animals because they recognize the symptoms of common cat illnesses is the key to ensure that your pet is treated promptly and effectively.
The five most common diseases in cats
Of course, there are a large number of health conditions that concern the cat owners. However, the five most widespread illness among domestic cats are: upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, kidney failure, diabetes and feline panleukopenia, otherwise known as feline distemper.
Fortunately, all these conditions are preventable or treatable. Also, if you know what to look for, these diseases are easy to spot.
Urinary tract infection
Sometimes known by the acronym FLUTD (Feline lower urinary tract), urinary tract infections are more common in male cats, but is found in both sexes. Symptoms include an increase in the amount and/or frequency of urine, blood in the urine and increased thirst.
A veterinarian usually diagnose a urinary infection with a urinalysis. He or she may also be able to hear an enlarged bladder during a physical examination. If your cat is diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, treatment includes antibiotics and an increase in fluids. You may also find that a diet designed to lower magnesium and phosphorus is helpful.
Upper respiratory tract infection
Any respiratory problem should be taken seriously, as it can lead to pneumonia. Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection include coughing, increased respiratory rate and discharge from the nose. In some cases, a minor respiratory infection can be solved with steam inhalation, rest, increased fluid intake. However, more severe infections require a course of antibiotics for bacteria is killed.
If your vet suspects an upper respiratory tract infection, he or she will perform a chest x-ray to make sure that the infection has not spread to the lungs of the cat. It is wise to remember that even a minor respiratory infection can be fatal if left untreated.
Renal insufficiency
Renal failure or chronic renal failure, can be mistaken for FLUTD. In fact, the two conditions are often co-morbidities. Cats with kidney failure can also experience a loss of appetite, lethargy and the owners may notice sunken eyes, vomiting and diarrhea. Another symptom to be mindful of is a smell similar to nail varnish on the cat's breath and urine.
In order to diagnose kidney failure, a veterinarian will take a blood sample. Treatment require antibiotics and intravenous fluids to combat dehydration. A cat with chronic renal failure requires a diet low in phosphorus and protein. In addition, he or she requires regular veterinary checks.
Diabetes
Feline diabetes is a growing problem among domestic cats. Often, it is caused by overeating and lack of exercise and is therefore preventable in most cases. Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, vomiting and dehydration.
A veterinarian takes samples of blood and urine to check glucose levels. If a cat is diagnosed with diabetes may require insulin injections and dietary changes for managing blood sugar. If a cat you must have insulin intravenously, must be wary of overdose of insulin, which is rare, but can occur.
Feline panleukopenia
Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious viral infection. If you suspect that your pet may have feline distemper, that it is essential that he or she is quarantined. Symptoms include abdominal pain (the cat may arch their backs in case of pain), vomiting, dehydration and loss of appetite.
If not treated quickly, feline panleukopenia can be a killer, so it is important to seek veterinary help as soon as possible. Treatment includes antibiotics, increasing fluids and antiemetics.
Of course, there are simple steps, such as immunizations, regular checkups and good diet, which will keep your cat at low risk from these and other feline diseases.
The five most common diseases in cats
Of course, there are a large number of health conditions that concern the cat owners. However, the five most widespread illness among domestic cats are: upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, kidney failure, diabetes and feline panleukopenia, otherwise known as feline distemper.
Fortunately, all these conditions are preventable or treatable. Also, if you know what to look for, these diseases are easy to spot.
Urinary tract infection
Sometimes known by the acronym FLUTD (Feline lower urinary tract), urinary tract infections are more common in male cats, but is found in both sexes. Symptoms include an increase in the amount and/or frequency of urine, blood in the urine and increased thirst.
A veterinarian usually diagnose a urinary infection with a urinalysis. He or she may also be able to hear an enlarged bladder during a physical examination. If your cat is diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, treatment includes antibiotics and an increase in fluids. You may also find that a diet designed to lower magnesium and phosphorus is helpful.
Upper respiratory tract infection
Any respiratory problem should be taken seriously, as it can lead to pneumonia. Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection include coughing, increased respiratory rate and discharge from the nose. In some cases, a minor respiratory infection can be solved with steam inhalation, rest, increased fluid intake. However, more severe infections require a course of antibiotics for bacteria is killed.
If your vet suspects an upper respiratory tract infection, he or she will perform a chest x-ray to make sure that the infection has not spread to the lungs of the cat. It is wise to remember that even a minor respiratory infection can be fatal if left untreated.
Renal insufficiency
Renal failure or chronic renal failure, can be mistaken for FLUTD. In fact, the two conditions are often co-morbidities. Cats with kidney failure can also experience a loss of appetite, lethargy and the owners may notice sunken eyes, vomiting and diarrhea. Another symptom to be mindful of is a smell similar to nail varnish on the cat's breath and urine.
In order to diagnose kidney failure, a veterinarian will take a blood sample. Treatment require antibiotics and intravenous fluids to combat dehydration. A cat with chronic renal failure requires a diet low in phosphorus and protein. In addition, he or she requires regular veterinary checks.
Diabetes
Feline diabetes is a growing problem among domestic cats. Often, it is caused by overeating and lack of exercise and is therefore preventable in most cases. Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, vomiting and dehydration.
A veterinarian takes samples of blood and urine to check glucose levels. If a cat is diagnosed with diabetes may require insulin injections and dietary changes for managing blood sugar. If a cat you must have insulin intravenously, must be wary of overdose of insulin, which is rare, but can occur.
Feline panleukopenia
Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious viral infection. If you suspect that your pet may have feline distemper, that it is essential that he or she is quarantined. Symptoms include abdominal pain (the cat may arch their backs in case of pain), vomiting, dehydration and loss of appetite.
If not treated quickly, feline panleukopenia can be a killer, so it is important to seek veterinary help as soon as possible. Treatment includes antibiotics, increasing fluids and antiemetics.
Of course, there are simple steps, such as immunizations, regular checkups and good diet, which will keep your cat at low risk from these and other feline diseases.
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