Cat Illnesses - Page 4

31. Coccidiosis
    A relatively rare disease in cats in the United Kingdom caused by parasitic infestation by a minute protozoan microorganism. The organism inhabits the bowel and is responsible for the production of diarrhea (which may contain blood), loss of weight and debility and, possibly, anemia. This condition must be diagnosed and treated by a veterinary surgeon.

32. Coma
    A state of deep unconsciousness from which a cat cannot be roused. It may be accompanied by noisy breathing and a strong heart action but there is no response to painful stimuli and a lack of eye reflexes. It may arise as a result of injury to the brain, high fever caused by infection, extremes of heat and cold, diabetes, ingestion of drugs or poisons or inhalation of poisonous fumes such as carbon monoxide. A cat in a coma requires immediate emergency veterinary attention, and treatment and prognosis depends upon cause. The animal may need artificial respiration or cardiopulmonary resuscitation if its condition deteriorates.

33. Conjunctivitis
    Inflammation of the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the front of the eye. The eye becomes red and sore, and there may be a sticky discharge. It can result from a scratch or abrasion, allowing access to bacteria that cause infection. Usually it is a condition that accompanies feline respiratory disease. The cat should be examined by a veterinary surgeon and is likely to need antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Your veterinary surgeon can show you how to apply these at home. Generally, two people are needed, one to restrain the cat on a table and the other to apply the drops or ointment.

34. Constipation
    A condition in which the bowels are opened too infrequently and the faeces become hard, dry and difficult to pass. True constipation is usually only a problem in elderly cats. Apparent straining may in fact be indicative of the opposite disorder, diarrhea or cystitis or feline urological syndrome.

35. Convulsions or Fits
    involuntary, rapid and alternate contractions and relaxations of muscles throwing the body and limbs into contortions, often with partial or complete unconsciousness. Usually there is an initial trembling followed by marked contractions of the muscles, generally resulting in the animal collapsing onto the ground and thrashing its limbs and biting its jaws. Sphincter muscles controlling the bladder and anus may relax, causing urine and faeces to be voided, and the cat may salivate. If the cat is on a hard surface or close to jutting-out objects, these should be covered with cushions, blankets or coats to prevent injury. It is best not to interfere with, or try to restrain, the cat in any way unless it is in a dangerous position. In this case, the cat should have a coat or blanket placed around it so that it can be pulled clear of the hazard with less risk of the person being scratched or bitten. All sources of noise, heat and light should be switched off and the curtains drawn. A fit normally lasts for less than fifteen minutes, and as the muscular activity subsides, the cat may appear dazed, frightened and not able to see properly. It should be kept calm and quiet in a cool, darkened room and reassured by the presence of its owner while veterinary assistance is summoned. Some cats, however, may react viciously in the recovery phase or else hide under furniture in extreme fear. Occasionally fits continue, and this emergency condition is known as status epilepticus.

    Although fits are relatively uncommon in cats, it is possible for an affected animal to have several in any one day. The most common cause is ingestion of certain poisons, but others include brain injuries or inflammation of the membranes (encephalitis and meningitis), liver and kidney diseases, deficiency in the B vitamin thiamine, and a low blood calcium level in a queen cat that has recently given birth. Sometimes the cause cannot be determined and, while drugs can be given to control recurrent convulsions, these may not be necessary if the condition is mild or unlikely to recur.

36. Coughing
    As with people, a cat may cough for a number of different reasons, some of which are more serious than others. If the cough is of a transitory nature, there is no need for alarm as it may have been caused by inhalation of some irritating substance such as dust or pollen. If it is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms such as breathing problems, nasal discharge, runny eyes, loss of appetite, etc, the cat should be taken for veterinary diagnosis and treatment. A cough in cats may be a symptom of feline respiratory disease (cat influenza), heart disease or infestation by certain internal parasites.

37. Cryptococcus
    A rare fungal disease affecting cats in parts of the USA, producing respiratory and nervous symptoms.

38. Cryptorchidism and monorchidism
    A condition in which both or one of the testicles of a male torn cat fail to descend into the scrotum and are retained within the abdomen. A veterinary surgeon may advise waiting to see if the testicle(s) eventually descend(s) correctly, but if not, abdominal surgery is required for removal. This is necessary for two reasons. Firstly, the animal may behave like a true torn, and secondly, there is a greatly increased risk of cancer in the affected testicle(s).

39. Cystitis
    Inflammation of the bladder, normally caused by bacterial infection and more common in queens than in male cats. The symptoms of cystitis are frequent attempts to urinate but with only a few drops being passed. The urine frequently contains blood, and the process is evidently painful. There may be other signs of illness, such as lethargy and a raised temperature. The cat should be taken to a veterinary surgeon and will normally need a course of antibiotics to kill the infection.

40. Deafness
    Congenital, i.e. inborn, deafness in cats frequently accompanies white coat color and is almost always present if the adult animal also has two blue eyes. A white cat with a single blue eye is usually deaf on one side. More usually, however, deafness is a condition of old age in cats and is linked to degenerative changes in the organs of the inner ear responsible for hearing. A deaf cat is obviously at increased risk from road traffic and misses out on vocal exchanges with other cats. Frequently, a cat that is congenitally deaf is very alert in its other senses and can, for example, detect and interpret vibrations in the ground and air.

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