Preventable Feline Diseases The bad news: these feline diseases are common and can be devastating, even deadly. The good news: they are preventable by routine examinations, clinic-administered vaccinations and good pet health care.
*Remember, the single most important factor in determining your cat's risk for the following diseases is its lifestyle. And the best way to determine that is through regular clinic visits and careful discussion with your veterinarian about the environment in which your cat lives.
After all, the better we know them, the better we can protect them.
Panleukopenia (pan-LOO-ko-PEE-nee-a)
Also known as feline distemper, panleukopenia is among the most widespread of all cat diseases and is extremely contagious. Clinical signs include fever, loss of appetite or coordination, tremors, vomiting and diarrhea. Death occurs in three-fourths of kittens and about half of adult cats that get the disease.
Rhinotracheitis (RYE-no-tray-key-EYE-tus)
A highly contagious respiratory disease, rhinotracheitis is characterized by sneezing, loss of appetite and eye inflammation. It is the most serious of the upper respiratory diseases in cats, and, in advanced stages, produces a discharge from both the eyes and nose. Rhinotracheitis can be fatal to kittens and can become chronic.
Calicivirus (kaa-LEASE-ee-VY-rus)
This serious upper respiratory disease often occurs simultaneously with rhinotracheitis. Signs of infection are similar, but cats with calicivirus may also have ulcers on the tongue. Death is uncommon.
Chlamydiosis (kla-MID-ee-OH-sis)
Another highly contagious respiratory disease, chlamydiosis was previously called pneumonitis. Signs are similar to rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. However, the main signs of infection are inflammation of the eyes or nose and excessive lacrimation (tears). Symptoms sometimes appear in only one eye.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) (loo-KEEM-ee-a)
This virus suppresses the cat's immune system, leaving it unable to resist other infections, including pneumonia. Infection can be transient and recoverable or permanent and fatal, depending on the situation. Signs of possible infection are continuing poor health or frequent illness or fever. Feline leukemia virus, as its name suggests, can also cause leukemia and other cancers of white blood cells. (To find out more, see FAQs about FeLV.)
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) (PAIR-ah-ton-EYE-tus)
This disease is caused by a virus that uses the cat's own immune system to create disease. Once clinical signs develop, it is virtually 100% fatal. Clinical signs may include fever, weight loss, poor appetite or a swollen abdomen. Vaccination is done through nose drops instead of shots, targeting the initial replication site of the virus. (To find out more, see FAQs about FIP.)
Rabies (RAY-bees)
This widely feared pet disease is more prevalent in cats than in any other domestic animal. It's transmitted to all warm-blooded animals, including humans, mainly through the bite of an infected animal. Infected cats may withdraw and avoid contact with people or become unnaturally aggressive. Once clinical signs appear, death always occurs. Vaccination is vital, not only to protect your cat, but yourself and your family.
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