Hervey Foundation

Diseases

Many diseases common to cats can be prevented in two ways: by keeping your cat indoors, and by having your cat vaccinated according to your veterinarian's advice.

Common feline illnesses include the following:

Upper respiratory infections
(URI's). URI's are similar in many ways to the common cold in humans and produce many of the same symptoms: sneezing, runny nose and eyes, reddened eyes, fever, and decreased appetite. However, URI's can be much more serious than common colds—they can be fatal if left untreated. These airborne viruses are highly contagious; they can be transmitted to cats through human handling and through contact with other cats and with inanimate objects such as litter boxes, food bowls, and grooming tools. Separate any new cat from your other cats for at least three weeks until you are sure your newcomer doesn't have any symptoms of a URI.

Prevention is the best approach to URI's—have your cat vaccinated. But if your cat does come down with cold-like symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away. The veterinarian will probably prescribe antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and give you precise care instructions. Follow them carefully and make sure your cat eats and drinks sufficiently.

Rabies.
All cats, even indoor cats, should be vaccinated against rabies, which is now seen more commonly in cats than in any other domestic animal. Rabies is a viral illness that is transmitted through bite wounds from infected animals and attacks the nervous system. If your cat bites anyone, you may need to show proof of rabies vaccination.

Rabies is a fatal illness. Prevent rabies through vaccination and by keeping your cat inside.

Feline panleukopenia.
Commonly known as feline distemper, this is a highly contagious viral disease that can be transmitted through contact with humans, infected cats, clothing, hair, paws, food bowls, and even cat carriers. The disease comes on suddenly with vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Vaccinate against this virus.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
FeLV is a fatal infectious virus that affects the immune system and can cause several forms of cancer and other associated diseases. It is transmitted through the saliva, urine, and feces of infected cats. There is no link between feline leukemia and human forms of leukemia.

There are blood tests to determine if your cat may be carrying the virus. Your cat should be tested before being vaccinated. Since there is no cure, it is best to keep your cat indoors (and away from contact with other cats). Discuss vaccination schedules with you veterinarian.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
FIV is similar to human acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), but it is not the same virus and cannot be passed to humans.

This fatal virus attacks the immune system, causing a variety of symptoms. General signs can include chronic, non responding infections; respiratory problems; appetite loss; persistent diarrhea; and severe oral infections. FIV is passed from cat to cat primarily through bites.

A vaccine is available to help protect cats from contracting FIV, but an FIV blood test should always be performed before vaccination. The best protection against FIV is keeping your cat happy indoors.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
FIP is another virus that is almost always fatal to cats. This virus can take two forms, commonly referred to as wet (which involves fluid in the abdomen) and dry (which does not). Both forms of FIP may cause fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

A blood test is available to determine if your cat has been exposed to this family of viruses. You can learn more about this test by talking to your regular veterinarian. There is no effective treatment for FIP, but there is hope for prevention in the form of recently developed vaccines. The best prevention is to keep your cat indoors, up-to-date on vaccines, and away from strange animals.

FELINE DISTEMPER
Feline Panleukopenia, more commonly known as feline distemper, is caused by the feline parvovirus. It is a highly contagious virus resulting in severe depression, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and eventual death. This virus is an extremely hardy virus, and can survive in the environment for years. Panleulcopenia most commonly affects those cats, which have not developed immunity through vaccinations, or kittens that have failed to receive protective antibodies from their mother. Kittens aged 2-4 months are most commonly affected.

Clinical signs of Feline Distemper include severe depression, involving a “panleukopenia posture” - feet tucked under the body, with the head hanging down lower than the shoulder blades. These cats are often described as not wanting to eat or drink, but posturing with their head over the food and water bowls. Cats may be feverish, may be severely dehydrated, and may have vomiting and diarrhea, anorexia, and abdominal pain. As a result, the kittens become severely dehydrated. In severe cases, these kittens present fiat out, are unable to rise, have a low body temperature, and are severely depressed. Kittens affected with the virus before birth (while in tuno), may show signs of incoordination, wide stance, and a “choppy” gait The panleukopenia virus attacks the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for motor coordination, resulting in improper formation.

Clinical signs and routine blood work, indicating a very low white blood cell count, usually confirm the diagnosis of feline panleukopenia. More specific tests involving serum antibody analysis can also be done.

If infected by feline distemper, the mainstay of treatment is supportive care. Intravenous fluids to combat the severe dehydration, keeping the patient warm, administering antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections, withholding food in the early stages to decrease the vomiting and diarrhea, and eventually providing nutritional support These supportive measures are used until the cat’s own immune system can take over and fight the virus. Unfortunately most cases end in death within 5-7 days of the onset of this disease. If these animals survive the acute phase of infection, the following recovery is usually rapid.

To prevent feline distemper, it is recommended that kittens be vaccinated two to three times, depending on its age, with an approved vaccine. Annual vaccinations are required to ensure that the immunity is maintained.

Please remember that feline distemper is a FATAL disease, and can easily be prevented with the proper husbandry and vaccination protocols. Please consult your veterinarian for his/her recommendations.

Dr. Tammy Wilde
Tudor Glen Veterinary Clinic

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