|
Cat Illnesses - Page 7
Cat Care > Cat Illnesses - Page 7
- Feline Infectious Enteritis (feline virus enteritis, feline panleucopenia)
A serious and highly contagious viral disease of cats that is common in all parts of the world. Cats become infected either through direct contact or indirectly via objects, such as bedding, that has become contaminated. The virus, of a type known as a parvovirus, is a long-lasting one that can persist in the environment for over a year and is extremely resistant to decay. It can be destroyed by using certain strong bleaches and by boiling, but it is difficult to be certain that it has been eradicated. Symptoms usually appear about five to ten days after infection, beginning with vomiting, apathy, high temperature and diarrhea. There is severe abdominal pain and thirst, and the cat may sit hunched up near its water bowl but is too ill and miserable to attempt to drink. The animal quickly becomes dehydrated and may collapse and die quite quickly within five days of first showing symptoms. The outlook for kittens under three months of age is usually poor. A veterinary surgeon should be consulted immediately if a cat is showing any signs of this illness. The animal may need to be hospitalized, kept in isolation and given fluids intravenously and will also be prescribed antibiotics to deal with any secondary bacterial infections.
There are no drugs available to kill the virus so treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. The virus causes a reduction in the cat's white blood cell count, and some animals may need a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, even those cats that recover may have sustained residual damage to their intestine and bowel and be prone to diarrhea. If a pregnant queen cat becomes infected she may abort the foetuses or the virus may cause brain damage in the kittens that becomes apparent only after birth. Since the virus persists for so long in the environment, other animals should be kept away from affected premises for at least six months. Fortunately, this unpleasant and distressing disease can be prevented by vaccination.
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
A viral disease of cats that was first identified about 35 years ago and the incidence of which appears to be increasing. It is more common in young animals under three years old and those living in groups. It is believed that many more cats are infected than the number showing signs of illness and that most (80 per cent) develop a natural immunity. Often, FIP seems to flare up in a cat that is already suffering from feline leukaemia, presumably because of the animal's compromised immunity.
FIP produces two sets of symptoms, only one of which features peritonitis or inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. In both forms of the illness, the incubation period is weeks or even months after initial infection. Symptoms are similar at first and include loss of appetite and weight, raised temperature and dehydration. In the 'wet' form, fluid collects in the abdomen (ascites) and frequently in the chest cavity, causing breathing problems. There is accompanying peritonitis. In the 'dry' form, oedema (fluid collection) is absent but there may be damage to the kidneys and nervous tissue. The eyes are also affected and may undergo a color change.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this illness, and the most that can be done is to try to relieve the symptoms. There is a high mortality rate, death usually occurring two to five weeks after the symptoms have first appeared.
- Feline Leukaemia
A common disease of cats, caused by a virus, that has been designated feline leukaemia virus or FeLV. In bet, it is not strictly comparable to the leukaemia that affects people (and dogs), taking a somewhat different form and having an identifiable cause, a virus that can be readily transmitted to other cats. The virus commonly causes cancer in the form of malignant tumors, known as lymphomas, that arise in lymph issue of the lymph nodes, spleen and thymus gland and also the kidneys, nasal passages and nervous system.
Symptoms are variable depending upon the site of the tumor but include loss of appetite and weight, feverishness, breathing problems, swallowing difficulties, diarrhea and anemia. Anemia occurs because the virus may damage both the immune system and the bone marrow and red blood cells. Compromised immunity enables other illnesses to gain a hold, particularly feline infectious anemia and feline infectious peritonitis. Infections of the mouth and gums (gingivitis) also may occur because of lowered immunity.
A cat showing any symptoms of illness should be taken to a veterinary surgeon. Diagnosis is made through analysis of samples. Unfortunately, there is no cure and over two thirds of cats with leukemia die within one or two years. Symptoms can be relieved with palliative drug treatment. Recently a vaccine has been developed to protect cats against this severe disease and so it is hoped the incidence will decline.
- Feline Pneumonitis
An infectious illness affecting cats in parts of the USA and caused by Chlamydia bacteria. These organisms may also contribute in a minor way in some cases of feline respiratory disease.
- Feline Reovirus Infection
Reoviruses are a group that occasionally cause a very minor form of feline respiratory disease, mainly in the form of conjunctivitis, but this is considered to be relatively insignificant. They can infect cats and other animals in another way, causing the disease pseudorabies.
- Feline Salmonellosis
An uncommon but highly infectious form of gastroenteritis in cats characterized by vomiting, diarrhea containing blood and high temperature. It is possible for this illness to be passed from a cat to a person although this is believed to be rare.
- Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS)
A serious disorder affecting male cats in which particles of crystalline material build up to form a blockage of the urethra (the duct carrying urine from the bladder to the outside via the penis). The cat repeatedly licks his penis and makes frequent visits to the litter tray but passes little or no urine. Any that is passed may be tinged with blood. The posture of the cat is noticeably different from normal-his back is arched and the head lowered and the whole body is tensed, indicative of pain.
The cat may cry out and is evidently in pain. He should be taken immediately to a veterinary surgeon and not given any food or drink. Usually a general anaesthetic is needed in order to pass a catheter into the bladder to remove the blockage and withdraw urine. Sometimes the urine has to be taken off by means of a needle that is introduced into the bladder through the wall of the abdomen. Occasionally abdominal surgery is needed. There should be no delay in seeking treatment if FUS is suspected, as the condition can worsen rapidly leading to shock and death. Rarely, a cat may even burst its bladder or the kidneys may be affected, causing worsening renal failure.
Feline urological syndrome frequently recurs, and a cat that has had such a problem should not be given dried foods that have been implicated in its development. Female cats do not get FUS as they possess a wider urethra and normally pass any 'grit' without difficulty.
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
(FVR infection) feline viral rhinotracheitis virus causes the most severe of the two forms of feline respiratory disease or cat influenza. The illness is passed by direct and indirect contact (with infected bedding, etc) and is particularly dangerous where many cats are kept together. Symptoms appear after about ten days following infection and include runny eyes and nose, sneezing, profuse salivation, coughing, loss of appetite, feverishness and apathy. Secondary bacterial infections are common, and the discharges may become thick and purulent, causing breathing problems and eyes that are gummed together, ulcers in the mouth and eyes may develop.
After about one week, most cats usually begin to improve but the main problem is persuading them to eat and drink, dehydration is a very real danger, and when deaths occur (particularly in elderly cats and kittens) they are usually either due to this or to the development of pneumonia. Hence it is vital to take a cat displaying any symptoms for veterinary treatment, which takes the form of antibiotics to combat secondary infection and, in severe cases, intravenous fluid replacement.
Some cats that recover are left with persistent catarrh and breathing problems that, rarely, may affect the sinuses within the skull. Fortunately, vaccination can prevent this unpleasant disease and is particularly important since recovered cats are generally carriers of the virus. Also, FVR virus is believed to be unable to survive for more than one day away from a cat and is readily destroyed by disinfectants and bleaches. Devoted nursing of a cat with this illness is of great benefit in making the animal feel better and speeding up its recovery.
- Foreign Body (in the mouth or swallowed)
Kittens and juvenile cats may pick up some inappropriate and indigestible object in their mouth during play, and this may become stuck or may be swallowed. Cats that are in the habit of eating their prey may have problems with a bone becoming caught behind the teeth. It is usually fairly obvious if something is stuck in a cat's mouth by the chewing movements of its jaws and tongue. The cat paws at its mouth and often produces lots of saliva in its attempts to dislodge the object. If there is any obstruction of the airway, the cat will make choking noises. If the cat's efforts are unsuccessful, try to remove the object yourself. Wrap the cat up in a thick towel so that only its head is free and place it on a table. It is easier if there are two people, one of whom firmly restrains the cat. Take hold of the scruff (the loose skin at the back of the neck) and turn the cat's head to the side so that its nose points towards the ceiling. Usually the mouth opens at the same time but, if not, the lower jaw can be pulled downwards gently. If possible, remove the object using tweezers or thin pliers to avoid the risk of being bitten.
A swallowed object may sometimes pass through the gut and be eliminated with the faeces without causing harm, but unfortunately this is not always the case. An object may become stuck or cause an obstruction or perforation in some part of the gut with serious consequences. It may get as far as the rectum and become lodged there, causing the cat to strain and lick the anal area. If there is any reason to suspect that a cat has swallowed some object it is wise to consult a veterinary surgeon without delay. The cat may need to have X-rays to locate the object and surgery to remove it, carried out under a general anaesthetic.
- Fracture
Any break in a bone that may be complete or incomplete. In a simple (or closed) fracture, the skin remains more or less intact but in a compound (or open) fracture there is an open wound connecting the broken bone with the surface. This type of fracture is generally more serious as it provides a greater risk of infection and more blood loss. A 'greenstick' fracture occurs in a young animal whose bones are still soft and tend to bend rather than break. The fracture occurs on the opposite side to the causal force. A complicated fracture involves damage to surrounding soft tissue, including nerves and blood vessels. A depressed fracture involves the skull when a piece of bone is forced inwards and may damage the brain.
Fractures are frequent injuries in cats, generally as a result of a road accident. The commonest bones involved are the femur (thigh) of the hind limbs, the pelvis, lower jaw and tail. It can be difficult to determine whether a cat has suffered a fracture or a dislocation, and diagnostic X-rays may be needed. Certain symptoms and signs of a fracture may be present. These include severe pain and swelling, an unusual degree of movement with a grating sound (crepitus), or there may be an obvious bump where a broken bone has been displaced. The pain and bleeding that may result from a fracture can easily lead to shock, and the cat requires immediate veterinary treatment. It will normally need surgery under general anaesthetic to repair the damage.
Cat Illnesses:
1-10 |
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
| |