Cat Diseases

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Cats require certain elements in order to live a healthy, happy life. These include a loving, safe environment, a quality diet and taking steps to protect them against infectious diseases. At one time or another, all cats will be exposed to deadly and disabling diseases. Your veterinarian can help to protect your pet from these through annual health exams and immunizations (vaccinations). Vaccines are available for all of the following diseases.

Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
All cats are susceptible to the highly contagious feline panleukopenia, but it primarily affects kittens. It is particularly difficult to treat and the mortality rate of kittens is high. The clinical signs include fever, depression, diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. The best protection is to begin a vaccination schedule at an early age.

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
FVR is an upper-respiratory virus. It is the most widespread, contagious and severe of it's kind and affects cats of all ages. Symptoms include fever, coughing, discharge from nose and eyes, and difficulty breathing. Recovered cats may become non-symptomatic carriers for life.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
The calicivirus is another major upper-respiratory virus. Symptoms include ulcers or blisters on the tongue, fever and pneumonia. Like FVR, treatment is limited and some cats may become lifetime non-symptomatic carriers.

Feline Chlamydiosis (Pneumonitis)
This is a respiratory disease caused by an extremely contagious bacteria that infects the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose. The symptoms include excessive tearing and salivation, sneezing, coughing and conjunctivitis. Treatment involves several weeks of antibiotics.

Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
Feline leukemia is the leading cause of disease and death in cats. In addition to being fatal by itself, it also attacks the immune system. This means that the cat is not able to fight off infections that it would normally be able to resist. Although the virus dies quickly once it is outside of the cat's body, it can be highly contagious when cats come into contact with eachother. Testing for feline leukemia should always be done when introducing any new cat into your household.


	Rabies Rabies affects the central nervous system in all mammals, including humans, and it is therefore required by law in the state of Georgia that all dogs and cats be vaccinated against it. It is passed through saliva, usually through a bite wound or other break in the skin. There is no cure for rabies and it always leads to death.


	Ringworm Ringworm is a fungus that can be passed to humans and causes dry, flakey skin and hairloss. The cure for it is very involved, often resulting in multiple treatments.


	Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) FIP can present itself in either of two different forms, the dry form or the wet form. In the wet form, fluid builds up in the body's cavities, particularly the abdomen. Various systems may be affected in the dry form including the liver, kidney, lungs, intestines, nervous system or eyes and clinical signs will depend on this. Although the risk for contracting FIP is relatively low, it is very difficult to diagnose, there is no cure at this time and the disease will progressively lead to death in either form.



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