According to records, there are more than thousands of feral and stray cats roaming around the streets. It is indispensable to take care of these cats as they carry deadly diseases and eventually transfer them to your pet cats.
Many people lose their feline friends, and some don’t want to pet due to the same reason. Some of the common diseases found in cats include kidney failure, ticks, fleas, parasites, and more.
Compared to pet cats, stray or outdoor cats are more likely to have feline diseases. However, you can take protective measures to prevent your cat friends or neighborhood cats from these diseases.
Most feline diseases are treatable if they have been caught at the starting stage. Although there will be minor problems, they can be easily treated by an average visit to the vet. All you need to do is keep a check on your loved ones, even if they’re street cats.
Diseases affecting cats
There are a lot of potential diseases that can affect a cat. Experts at Pharr Road Animal Hospital through critical diagnosis to help your cat recover from such conditions. You must keep a close check on the animal to make sure it doesn’t face discomfort. If they do, you know where to get them for treatment! Some of the common feline diseases include:
- Feline Infectious Enteritis
FIE spreads in cats due to parvovirus. It is also known as Feline Parvoviral Enteritis. It is incredibly contagious and can prove to be deadly for cats. It can lower the white blood cell count in cats. This disease is usually transferred from the body fluid of the cats.
It remains active throughout the body and leads to spreading even for long distances. Some of the common symptoms of feline infectious enteritis include:
- Damaged intestinal walls
- Diarrhea
- Malnutrition
- Anemia
- Dehydration
Feline Infectious Enteritis can be deadly for the cats since it leads to leukopenia. If any cat is affected by it, it can die within 24 hours. Thus, if you suspect any symptoms, you should prefer contacting the vet. Rehydration therapy and antibiotics can quickly treat feline disease.
- Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
It is the second most common feline disease. It affects the respiratory tract of cats. Since it is adaptable, the vets usually find it tough to treat. The virus can spread quickly and rapidly. Therefore no antiviral treatment can help in treating the disease. Vaccinations may not be enough to treat FCV. Consequently, it is preferred to prevent it. Most unvaccinated cats are highly prone to the disease, so you must consider vaccination a survival necessity.
Feline Calicivirus extremely infectious, thereby proving to be fatal for life. The cat’s bodily fluids usually transmit the disease. Sharing bed and food can also make other cats prone to the disease.
Some of the prominent and visible symptoms of FCV in cats are:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Trauma
- Ulcers in mouth
- Pneumonia
Despite being vaccinated, your cat can get infected by FCV. One important thing to note is that rehydration therapy and corticosteroids can help in treating diseases. You should take the cat to the vet immediately to prevent the disease from spreading. If not treated in time, it can cause lameness, fever, and arthritis.
- Feline Leukemia Virus
This virus usually affects aging cats, and it can also be one of the leading causes of renal failure. FLV can cause leukemia in cats. All the cats should be vaccinated against feline leukemia virus to prevent the risk of this disease. However, only indoor cats are prone to this virus rather than anyone else.
The feline leukemia virus transmits through bodily fluids such as blood and feces. Although it retains itself under the body, it does not survive externally. As a result, FLV can be found in very high amounts in stray and feral cats. Also, if they come in contact with pet cats, it can affect them. If you have a lot of cats in your house, your house is more prone to this infection.
Some of the visible signs and symptoms of feline leukemia are:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Pale gums
- Sterility
- Sudden weight loss
- Anemia
- Swollen glands
- Jaundice and more
Feline leukemia virus profoundly affects the immune system of the cat. It paves the pathway for all the other diseases to change your cat. As the doctor recommends, your indoor cats must be vaccinated against the disease. If you notice any symptoms of leukemia in your cat, you must rush them to the vet immediately.
No matter whether your cat is affected or not, you should prefer keeping a close check on your cat’s health. Moreover, it is indispensable to schedule a regular check-up with the vet to ensure the proper health of your feline friends. Consider a 6-month check up essential for your pets as much it is necessary for you.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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