An Overview of Cat Diseases
Cats are usually very healthy animals and they have relatively few diseases that plague them. However, many cat owners don’t take their cat to the veterinarian on a regular basis, so sometimes when a cat does get sick, the disease progresses to an advanced stage before even being diagnosed.
Preventable Diseases
Some diseases that cats get are contagious viruses that are preventable through vaccinations. Distemper is a virus that causes upper respiratory disease and viral diarrhea. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and feline leukemia (FeLV) are fatal viruses that only affect cats. Rabies can spread across species lines and fatally affects the brain of the animal or human. All of these diseases, however, can be prevented by simply vaccinating cats.
Diabetes
The other diseases that cats suffer from cannot be prevented, and are generally associated with older cats. Some cats develop diabetes as they get older. It is hard to determine risk factors for this disease in cats, but it is somewhat more common in overweight cats. Diabetes in cats may show itself by weight loss, increased drinking and urination, and lethargy. Feline diabetes can be managed with insulin, just like in humans.
Renal Disease
Other older cats will develop kidney disease. This is sometimes secondary to things like diabetes or recurring urinary infections. Renal failure in cats can be managed by frequent fluid administration, and a prescription diet.
Hyperthyroidism
Another more common disease of cats is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disorder that results in elevated thyroid hormones. In cats, this is usually displayed by weight loss, hyperactivity, and increased appetite. Hyperthyroidism can be managed through medication, surgery on the thyroid itself, or the use of radioactive iodine to stop the output of extra hormones.
Cancer
Cats can also develop various forms of cancer, some of which are caused by feline leukemia or even vaccine reactions in the skin. In many cases, cancer is fatal to cats, due to its quick progression, as well as the frailty of cats in the first place.
Cat owners can help ensure a long, healthy life for their cats by getting their cats vaccinated and by watching for signs like weight loss, lethargy, or poor skin coat. Those cats that develop diseases as they get older can usually still live years with the right medical care.
