Feline Diseases & Parasites

Small Animal Technology

Common Diseases

• 6 Categories• 1) Infectious Diseases

• 2) Noninfectious Diseases

• 3) Internal Parasites

• 4) External Parasites

• 5) Fungal Diseases

• 6) Poisonings

Symptoms of Illness

• Loss of appetite

• Sudden loss of weight

• Changes in behavior

• Apathy

• Neglect of grooming

• Dull fur

• Loss of hair

• Itching or scratching

• Swelling of the body

• Constant vomiting

• Increased thirst

• Diarrhea

Feline Infectious Peritonitis-Infectious

• Caused by coronavirus

• Coronavirus infections are relatively common in domestic cats, but the majority of these do not produce signs of disease.

• Although a cat may show no signs of disease, it may serve as a carrier.

• The normal means of transmission is by direct contact.

• The disease occurs in 2 forms: 1-abdomen and chest accumulate fluid, 2-associated with specific organ failure

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

• 1st Form-cat experiences a fever, refuses to eat, appears depressed, and loses weight

• As the disease progresses, the body cavities continue to fill with fluid, organ systems are affected, and signs of specific organ failure occur.

• Death may eventually occur as a result of organ failure.

• 2nd Form-lesions affecting the cat’s eyes are very common and may be the first indication of the disease

• The disease may progress to the point that the cat dies from organ failure.

• Diagnosis is made from symptoms and laboratory results.

• Vaccination exists for FIP, but no routine immunization is available.

Rabies-Infectious

• Viral infection of all warm-blooded animals.

• Vaccination exists.

• A first vaccination should be given at 12 weeks of age and a second vaccination at 18 weeks of age.

• A booster should be given every 3 years.

Feline Leukemia-Infectious

• Disease complex is caused by an RNA virus that occurs worldwide.

• The infection is related to the density population of the cat population in various areas.

• Virus is excreted primarily in the infected cat’s salivary secretions; however, the virus may also be present in respiratory secretions, feces, and urine.

• It is spread through direct contact and by sharing litter boxes, food, and water dishes.

Feline Leukemia-Infectious

• Symptoms of the disease may not be present or may be difficult to recognize

• Can include fever, depression, loss of appetite, and enlargement of lymph nodes may be early signs

• Kittens usually die as a result of pneumonia, accumulation of pus in the chest, intestinal infections, or blood infections.

• A vaccine is available.

• It is estimated that about 30% of all severe illnesses in cats are caused by this virus.

Entropion-Noninfectious

• A condition in which the eyeball sinks into its socket or in which there is a spasm of the eyelid due to discomfort.

• The turning in the eyelid allows hair to come in contact with the cornea, causing discomfort, watering, and possibly conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the inner surface of the eyelids) and keratitis (an inflammation of the cornea).

• These conditions are more prevalent in the Persian and related breeds.

Wet Eyes-Noninfectious

• Condition of excessive tear production or blockage of the canals that normally drain tears into the nasal cavity, causing tears to overflow at the inner corners of the eyes.

• This condition appears more frequently in the Persian and related breeds and is especially a problem with cats that are used for show.

Toxoplasmosis-Internal Parasites

• Caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a single-celled protozoan parasite

• Cats are primary target for infection

• Infectious agent may be picked up by eating raw meat or contaminated feces.

• Infected cats may develop fever, jaundice, enlarged lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, anemia, eye inflammation, encephalitis, and intestinal disease.

• Cats may also develop stiff, painful muscles and have difficulty moving or be unable to move.

• Accurate diagnosis is possible through laboratory tests; because symptoms are so widely varied, however, they are not reliable aids in diagnosis of the disease.

• No vaccination exists.

Toxoplasmosis-Internal Parasites

• Humans can become infected with Toxoplasma gondii

• Transmission is usually through ingestion of infected raw or undercooked meat or by ingestion of feces.

• Ingestion is usually connected with handling cat litter boxes or contaminated soil.

• Pregnant women should be especially concerned because unborn fetuses appear to be at great risk to toxoplasmosis during early pregnancy.

• Pregnant women should avoid handling litter boxes.

Ascarids-Internal Parasites

• Cats acquire ascarid infections from ingesting eggs that have been passed in the feces of an infected animal.

• Nursing kittens may become infected with ascarid larvae through the milk of the mother cat.

• Symptoms include animal becoming anemic.

Feline Scabies-External Parasites

• Also known as notoedric mange, is a skin disease that is common in certain local areas of the U.S.

• These mites are highly contagious to other cats and may be transmitted to people and dogs.

• They cause hair loss and thickening and crusting of the skin, usually affecting the head and forelegs.

• Parasiticidal rinses are used to treat notoedric mange.

Lice-External Parasites

• Cats are infected by one common species of biting louse.

• When a cat is infected, the lice are usually found around the head.

• Many pesticides are available to control adult lice; treatment should be repeated at 2 week intervals.