|
Common Health Issues with Your Cute Cats
If you are thinking about getting a cat, or already have one, it is
important to be familiar with some major cat health concerns. By being
educated about common feline health problems, you can help to ensure
your furry friend will have a long, healthy life with you. There are
many fatal viruses and diseases that can affect cats. Luckily, many of
the diseases can be prevented through vaccination. The most common
diseases are:
 Feline panleukopenia is caused by the feline parvovirus.
This highly infectious disease is especially prevalent in catteries,
shelters and boarding facilities. Panleukopenia is particularly fatal in
kittens, and can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea and even death.
Feline Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus are the two most common causes
of upper respiratory diseases in cats. Caused by the herpesvirus or the
calicivirus, both are highly contagious between cats, transmitted via
nose-to-nose contact or by sharing infected items. Although these
viruses are not usually life-threatening in adult cats, affected kittens
can die from the disease, and some cats that develop the virus may
become chronic carriers.
Rabies is a deadly, untreatable illness that is transmitted through
the bites of affected animals. The disease is always fatal, and due to
their propensity for hunting species of animals that may be infected
with rabies, it is recommended that all cats be vaccinated for rabies.
Feline Leukemia Virus is a retrovirus that works by attacking the immune
system of affected cats. Extremely contagious, it can be transmitted by
saliva and nasal discharge, as well as from an infected mother cat to
her kittens. The disease causes an array of problems including weight
loss, lethargy, anemia, cancer, and infections. A simple blood test must
be performed prior to vaccinating for FeLV to ensure a cat is not a
carrier of the disease. Kittens should be vaccinated at 12-16 weeks,
with a booster in four weeks, and every year thereafter.
 The best way to address your cat health concerns is to create a
relationship with your cats’ veterinarian. Careful discussion can help
you to select the best vaccination protocol for your cat, as well as
helping you to keep your cat healthy throughout his or her life.
Ensuring your cat is free of parasites is an important part of pet
ownership. Your cat sits in your lap, sleeps on your bed or couch, and
is part of your life- and it’s important to know that he is not
harbouring parasites on the inside, or the outside. Routine faecal
screening with your veterinarian can help to detect and eliminate common
internal parasites, such as roundworms, tapeworms, coccidia and Giardia.
In addition to their adverse effects on your cats health, many of these
parasites are zoonotic, meaning that they can be transmitted to humans,
especially children. External parasites, such as fleas and ticks, are
equally important to remove and prevent from infesting your pet. There
is an excess of highly effective products available on the market that
work well in killing fleas and ticks, and preventing them from infecting
your cat. In addition to being annoying and even painful to your pet,
fleas and ticks can transmit serious diseases, such as tapeworms and
lyme disease, to your cat.
|
