Wouldn’t it be great if cats could just tell us what they were thinking and feeling? Instead of having to play detective, looking for symptoms or clinical signs of illness, we could immediately be alerted of any and all health issues.
Cat owners don’t have the luxury of directly speaking to their feline friend, but all hope isn’t lost. Armed with information about common conditions that afflict cats, pet owners can detect illnesses early, optimizing a cat’s quality of life.
To work with compassionate and caring vets in New York City, contact Hudson Animal Hospital at 212-706-4088. We provide top-quality veterinary care and unparalleled service.
The Most Common Cat Illnesses and Their Symptoms
This list includes the most common illnesses pet parents encounter, but it is by no means 100% comprehensive. To protect your pet’s health, it’s important to be proactive and book routine veterinary care visits.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
One of the most common cat illnesses is Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). This affects up to 2-3% of the feline population, and it results in weakened immune systems in pet cats. As a result, cats become susceptible to other types of infections, referred to as secondary infections. These include anemia and cancer.
Common symptoms of FeLV include:
- Chronic weight loss
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Poor coat condition
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Lack of appetite
- Anemia
Currently, there is no cure for FeLV, but it can potentially be prevented through vaccinations, and it can be managed with supportive care, allowing a cat to live a reasonably long, high-quality life.
The disease is spread between cats, so both indoor cats in multi-cat households and outdoor pets can be susceptible.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
FIV is similarly equivalent to HIV in humans. This feline disease weakens a cat’s immune system, and like FeLV, it causes cats to become prone to catching infections, which can be life-threatening. FIV can be spread to other cats through cat bites, so outdoor cats who get into scuffles and sustain bite wounds are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.
The following symptoms are common with FIV:
- Chronic infections
- Weight loss
- Gum disease
- Poor coat condition
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Motor function problems
Note that these symptoms tend to develop slowly, so you’re unlikely to notice an overnight change in your companion animal. Even though this is one of the more common cat illnesses, FIV doesn’t have a cure (yet), the illness can be managed with proper veterinary medicine and care, a healthy diet, and a stress-free environment.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
Feline lower urinary tract diseases affect the bladder and urethra. FLUTD is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of urinary tract issues, including bladder infections, bladder stones, and urethral blockages.
Symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Staining of bedding and furniture
- Blood in the urine
- Difficulty urinating
- Crying out in pain
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Thankfully, there are several treatment options available for urinary tract issues in cats. Antibiotics are often a first option, along with medication, to reduce inflammation. Surgery may be required if your cat has developed bladder stones.
While there’s no guarantee your cat won’t contract a urinary illness during their lifetime, you can potentially prevent this illness by providing fresh water for your feline at all times, feeding your cat a healthy, age-appropriate diet, and ensuring that litter boxes are always clean.
Diabetes Mellitus
Like humans, cats sometimes have a difficult time regulating blood sugar levels, a hallmark sign of diabetes. Often, a combination of a cat’s age and obesity can play a part in the development of diabetes mellitus in cats.
Symptoms of diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Lethargy
- Increased urination
- Poor coat condition
Keeping your cat at a healthy weight may be considered the best way to prevent diabetes in cats, though certain risk factors should be accounted for. Specifically, male cats are more susceptible, and diabetes is one of the more common cat illnesses in certain breeds like Burmese and Siamese cats.
Diabetes in felines can become more likely to occur in older cats, and it can be diagnosed with a blood test, a urine glucose test, or an insulin sensitivity test. Insulin injections and diet modifications are commonly prescribed treatment routes.
Dental Disease
It’s quite common for cats to experience dental disease, also known as periodontal disease. In fact, up to 90% of felines over the age of four will be affected by this condition, so both adult cats and younger cats are susceptible.
The underlying cause of periodontal disease is a buildup of plaque, which leads to gum inflammation and tooth decay. If your cat is suffering from periodontal disease, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Drooling
- Difficulty eating
- Discolored teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
Regular veterinary visits can ensure that dental disease in cats is caught early, and regular cleanings combined with at-home oral care can keep your cat’s mouth healthy.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Did you know that cats also experience something akin to the common cold? And just as with humans, upper respiratory infections can be highly contagious. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medications to rid your cat’s body of the infection and prevent it from spreading to other cats.
Common symptoms of upper respiratory infections include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose and nasal discharge
- Coughing
- congestion
- Fever
- Eye problems (including irritation, discharge, and inflammation of the eye)
- Mouth ulcers
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain
There are varying causes of upper respiratory infections, though the leading causes of this illness are feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. There is a vaccine available that may protect your feline companions. It’s typically recommended to give kittens this vaccination with corresponding booster shots every three to four years.
Intestinal Parasites
Parasites also make our list of common cat illnesses, and this condition should be treated immediately because it can cause a host of health problems. Intestinal parasites are worms, including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, etc. You might have also heard of giardia, which is a microscopic parasite that affects around 4% of cats in the United States (with kittens being more susceptible).
Infected cats may display the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Bloating in the stomach area
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Scooting (aka anal itching)
- Dull coat
Cats can catch parasites by ingesting infected feces or contaminated food. Coming in contact with other infected animals and fleas can also put your feline companion at risk for parasites. In some cases, a cat may have no symptoms, and an examination by a vet can detect the presence of parasites. Your veterinarian may also take a stool sample to identify the type of parasite your cat is dealing with.
Having your cat on a regular dose of deworming medication can help keep parasites at bay, and good hygiene practices are also an important preventative measure.
Heart Disease
There are several different types of heart disease, but the most common in felines is referred to as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM for short). This illness results in a thickening of the heart walls and poor circulation. Unfortunately, there’s not yet a cure for this disease, but it can be managed with medications that also work to improve the heart function in your pet. Some medications work to relax the heart muscle, while others can regulate the heart rate or slow fluid build-up.
Symptoms of heart disease include:
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Reduced kidney function
- Swelling in the limbs
- Sudden collapse
There are several ways that heart disease can be diagnosed. Depending on the symptoms your cat is manifesting, a veterinarian may order a physical exam, chest x-rays, an ultrasound, and/or an electrocardiogram (ECG). The life expectancy of a cat with heart disease varies greatly, ranging from short-term after diagnosis to normal.
Feline Distemper
Also known as feline panleukopenia virus, feline distemper is both highly contagious and potentially fatal. It’s a viral disease that affects a cat’s gastrointestinal, immune, and nervous system.
The most common causes of feline distemper are coming into contact with infected cats, contaminated surfaces, or fleas that have bitten an infected cat. In terms of contact with infected cats, there are numerous ways to spread the illness, such as through saliva, vomit, feces, and even nasal discharge, making this among the common cat illnesses.
Symptoms of feline distemper include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
Feline distemper is one of those severe emergency situations that any cat parent dreads. It requires aggressive treatment, which can sometimes mean hospitalization. When a young cat or kitten contracts distemper, it can lead to brain damage with lifelong effects.
There is a vaccine for feline distemper, so it’s recommended that any new cat in your household receives this vaccine. Other prevention measures are also prudent, including keeping cats indoors, choosing groomers and kennels with top-notch sanitation protocols, and keeping surfaces in your home clean.
Cat Scratch Disease
Cat scratch disease (CSD), also called cat scratch fever, can be transmitted by direct contact between cats and humans, so it’s important to understand this illness and be aware of how to treat and prevent it. The cause is Bartonella bacteria, and cats carry this bacteria in their saliva. When a human is bitten or scratched by a cat, the disease can spread.
Cats rarely show symptoms of CSD, but when they do, the symptoms may be:
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Skin redness, skin infections, or lesions
According to the CDC, healthy cats can have the bacteria in their bloodstream that causes cat scratch fever. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 3 healthy cats are carrying the disease and can pass it on, so this is top on the list of common cat illnesses. Though the disease is relatively rare in humans, children are at a higher risk, so be careful if your household is home to both kids and cats.
Cancer
Sadly, approximately 1 in 5 cats will contract cancer during their lifetime. Like cancer in humans, cancer in cats is characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. As these cells spread to other parts of the body, they can cause major health problems because they disrupt the normal functions of your cells.
There are various forms of cancer that can develop in cats, including bone cancer, lymphoma, skin cancer, and tissue cancer. Typically, older cats are at risk, though there could be genetic predispositions or exposure to environmental toxins that increase the chances of a cat experiencing cancer.
Depending on the type of cancer, common symptoms that you may observe include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lumps
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Unexplained bleeding
- Irregular bowel movements
- Difficulty breathing
- A noticeable behavior change
Several treatment options may be available, including those covered by pet insurance. The outcome of these treatments can also be dependent on early detection, so regular vet visits are essential. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, or palliative care (compassionate care to improve your cat’s quality of life during a terminal illness).
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism in cats is relatively rare, but it’s still something to be on the lookout for. The disease occurs when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones, which can affect your cat’s ability to regulate metabolism and perform other key bodily functions.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Sluggishness
- Weight gain
- Poor coat quality
- Hair loss
- Cold intolerance
- Slow heart rate
- Increased sleeping
Thankfully, this disease can be managed with medication in the form of thyroid hormone supplementation. This can restore thyroid function and help the body function normally.
Schedule an Appointment for Your Cat at Hudson Animal Hospital
Cats are a part of the family, and they deserve to receive the highest standard of care. For specific pet care tips and medical advice, including help with senior cat care, our experienced team of veterinarians and technicians is eager to serve your feline friends. We are 100% dedicated to your cat’s health.
To schedule an appointment, request emergency care, or ask us a question, contact Hudson Animal Hospital at 212-706-4088 or send us an email.