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 Cat Health - The key to keeping a healthy cat is to assess your cat's health. All your cat health questions are answered with information on how to identify common cat health problems as well as major health concerns to ensure good cat health.
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Cat Health Problems. Information highlighting some of the common health problems and the various diseases which affect domestic and elderly cats.
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CAT HEALTH PROBLEMS
Feline Panleukopenia
Feline
distemper. Caused by a resistant virus that may remain infectious
for more than a year at room temperature on inanimate objects.
Transmitted through blood, urine, feces, nasal secretions, & fleas
from infected cats.
It destroys many of the cat's white blood cells,
attacks the intestines and Lymph nodes. Fatal for 50% to 70% of cats.
Symptoms: lethargic, vomiting, high fever, dehydration. Sickness can
last three to four days after first signs are noticed and before death occurs.Highly contagious.
Calicivirus
Attacks the lungs and lower
respiratory tract causing pneumonia (the cause of 40% of all
respiratory diseases in cats).
Often complicated by other infections
and can be fatal. Ulcers may be seen on the tongue and lips. Highly
contagious.
Calici spreads from cat to cat, generally by sneezing.
Rhinotracheitis
Attacks the upper respiratory tract. All kittens and
cats are at risk, recovery is slow; can be fatal.
May become
carriers for life; can shed virus intermittently especially when
under stress.
Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, mucous discharge
from eyes and nose. Highly contagious.
FIP - Feline Infectious
Peritonitis Affects cats of all ages, but mostly from six months to two years of
age.
It is a viral infection that is usually fatal. Symptoms include
low-grade upper respiratory infection, anorexia, depression, anemia,
vomiting and/or diarrhea. Highly contagious.
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 Cat Loss - Cat loss information, including cat bereavement, making the appropriate arrangements after the loss of a cat, choices of burial and how to cope with cat loss.
Elderly Cat Health Problems
Diseases that are
easily overcome in a younger cat can often be devastating to an
older cat.
There is a greater susceptibility to disease and the
occurrence of cancer increases.
The likelihood of dental disease increases with age. The buildup of
tartar is accompanied by gingivitis resulting in gum recession, root
exposure, decay and tooth loss.
Severe periodontal disease can
result in bacteria showering the bloodstream. These bacteria tend to
lodge in the kidneys and the heart, causing severe disease.
With age, the stomach and intestines begin to lose the ability to
digest and absorb nutrients, especially calcium and fat-soluble
vitamins.
The liver function decreases, resulting in slower
metabolism of toxins and drugs.
Kidney function gradually declines
in the older cat, decreasing the capacity to concentrate urine. This
results in increased water loss and, combined with a decreased water
intake, leads to dehydration.
Decreased blood volume from
dehydration can overly stress an already failing heart.
Certain diseases occur with higher incidence in older cats, such as
chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, liver
disease, and chronic bronchial disease.
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Site written by Gemma Littlemore