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Cat Illnesses - Page 13
Cat Care > Cat Illnesses - Page 13
- Rabies
An extremely severe viral disease that can affect people, cats, dogs and many other wild and domestic animals. Once symptoms are present, it is invariably fatal except in the case of one or two extremely rare exceptions. The normal route of transmission is through the bite of an infected (rabid) animal the virus being present in saliva. It is possible, although unlikely, for saliva to enter through an existing cut or to be inhaled.
Both people and cats can be vaccinated against rabies. However, vaccination is not permitted for pets in the UK except ii special circumstances, i.e. if they are going into quarantine kennels or abroad to a country where rabies is endemic. la some countries, e.g. most parts of the USA, vaccination is a legal requirement for owners of cats and dogs.
The fate of a cat bitten by another animal that is proved to be rabid depends very much upon the country concerned and the vaccination status. The accepted recommendation is that a non-vaccinated animal should immediately be put to sleep. It may be possible for a vaccinated cat to be treated with antiserum or vaccination and then to be kept strictly quarantined for a period of at least three months. In western countries, it is rare for a person to be infected with rabies. Prompt treatment of any bite, by thorough cleansing of the wound and injections of the rabies vaccine, antiserum and immunoglobulin, can prevent me disease from developing. Tragically, those in other parts of me world are often not as fortunate.
A cat with rabies passes through three stages, and symptoms usually appear within one month, although it may be four months or longer. In the first stage (the prodromal), which is short-lived and lasts for two days or less, there is a change in the cat's nature. The animal usually becomes fearful and wishes to hide away or, less commonly, it is more affectionate man usual. The second stage is one of great excitement and agitation, called 'furious' rabies, which lasts longer in cats man in other animals. It may persist for up to four days, in which time the cat, if disturbed, attacks anything within reach, including objects, people and other animals. This occurs without warning and the cat hangs on and may even break its teeth and claws. In the final stage, the cat becomes progressively more paralyzed from its rear quarters forwards, and this phase is called 'dumb' rabies. There is a characteristic change in the voice, which becomes husky as the result of effects on the throat muscles. Saliva drips from the mouth, and the cat may gradually lapse into coma and death or die during the course of a convulsion. Death usually occurs within four or five days of the onset of symptoms.
In countries where rabies is endemic, including most of Europe, the virus persists in a variety of wild animals. These are an ever-present source of infection for domestic pets, which can be effectively protected only if all are vaccinated. Unfortunately there are always some that slip through the net, and this is the reason why vaccination is not permitted in the UK because it is feared that it would lead to a relaxation in people's attitude to rabies. Vigilant quarantine and other regulations governing the movement of animals has so far kept the UK free of the disease. At present, there are calls for vaccination rather than quarantine of incoming pets to be given greater prominence.
- Radiography
The diagnostic technique of examining the body using X-rays. A radiograph is obtained, which can aid diagnosis and treatment of, e.g. dislocations, fractures and the location of tumors or swallowed objects.
- Ranula
A lump beneath the tongue that is usually caused by a blocked salivary gland duct.
- Rickets
A malformation of the bones of young mammals caused by a deficiency of vitamin D. It is rarely seen in cats.
- Ringworm
A highly infectious disease that attacks the hairs and outer layers of dead skin and is readily transmitted from one mammal to another and to people. Ringworm is a fungal infection, and the common causal fungus in cats is called Microsporum canis. Ringworm typically appears as circular, bare skin lesions with raised, dry, crusted edges. They are not always circular, however, and may appear as bare patches that gradually enlarge as the infection spreads. Young cats are most susceptible to ringworm because of their immature immune system, end the lesions are worse if there is a deficiency in vitamin A. usually the lesions do not itch so scratching is not a particular problem.
A cat with a suspected ringworm infection must be examined and treated by a veterinary surgeon. It may be necessary to identify the fungus by examining hair samples under ultraviolet light. Microsporum canis emits a characteristic yellow-green fluorescence that is not given off by some other fungi mat cause ringworm. Treatment has to be thorough, and because of the contagious nature of the infection, all pets and home surroundings should be included. It is preferable to burn all bedding and other items used by an infected cat although particular strong disinfectants can be used. The infected animal must be kept isolated and treated with tablets containing the anti-ringworm preparation Griseofulvin, while other fungicidal preparations are used directly on the lesions themselves. It may be necessary to continue treatment for some time as the infection can be quite resistant and persistent. Griseofulvin must not be given to a pregnant cat as it can cause developmental abnormalities in the foetuses.
People involved with an infected cat should take precautions, wear gloves, wash their hands and keep handling to a minimum. Medical attention should be sought if any member of the family develops a skin irritation. Always treat ringworm promptly before it has a chance to spread.
- Self-mutilation
There are a number of circumstances in which self-mutilation, in the form of biting and scratching, can occur. It is generally provoked by extreme itching, and commonly occurs in cats as a result of the presence of ear mites or other external parasites. Some hormonal disorders can cause severe itching, leading tc self-mutilation, as can the viral disease pseudorabies.
- Sedatives
There are a number of circumstances in which it may be necessary to give a cat a sedative drug or tranquillizer, mainly those in which it is in pain or fearful and liable to bite and scratch or if it suffers from travel sickness.
- Shock
A serious physiological condition of acute circulatory failure in which the blood pressure in the arteries is too low to provide the normal blood, and hence oxygen supply, to the body. There are numerous different causes, and it is a life-threatening condition requiring emergency first aid and urgent veterinary treatment for the affected cat.
- Simulated Illness
It is not unknown for a cat to feign the symptoms of an illness or disorder from which it has recovered in order to regain the attention that it received at that time. This is generally not constant, and it is probably best to give the cat plenty of attention while it is not behaving in this way while ignoring it when it is.
- Stomach Worms
Internal parasites that are flukes that occasionally infect cats in parts of the USA. They can cause vomiting and loss of appetite.
Cat Illnesses:
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11-20 |
21-30 |
31-40 |
41-50 |
51-60 |
61-70 |
71-80 |
81-90 |
91-100 |
101-110 |
111-120 |
121-130 |
131-140 |
141-148
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