A variety of cat illnesses and symptoms may worry you, or even be fatal if they aren't treated quickly enough. Here, our vets offer insight into signs and symptoms you should be aware of in your White Settlement cat.
What are some common cat illnesses?
As a cat parent, here are illnesses you need to be aware of. Be prepared to visit your veterinarian if necessary, especially since cats tend to instinctively isolate when sick. Here are 3 common cat illnesses and their symptoms.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Your cat's upper respiratory tract—their throat, nose and sinuses—can become infected with viruses and bacteria. Often passed around in multi-cat households and shelters, cats may contract feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus through something as basic as sharing a food or water bowl.
They can transmit this virus to other cats the same way, or by sneezing or coughing. It can also be passed during grooming.
Symptoms include:
- Runny nose or clear/colored nasal discharge
- Gagging, drooling
- Decreased or lost appetite
- Congestion
- Fever
- Cough
- Sneezing
Diabetes
If a cat doesn't produce sufficient insulin to balance blood sugar or glucose levels, they develop diabetes mellitus. Left untreated, it may lead to several serious symptoms, such as:
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Thirst
- Motor function problems
- Increased urination
- Increased appetite (as the body cannot use the energy in food) or loss of appetite
- Death
- Coma
If diabetes is poorly controlled, the disease can shorten a cat's lifespan and lead to numerous health problems such as nerve disorders. It may also result in severe emergency situations. Treatment can include insulin injections and will be focused on managing this condition.
Cancer
Uncontrolled growth of cells can cause cancer, which can affect a wide range of organs and cells in a cat's body. The disease first starts to develop within a cell, before it attaches to tissue below the skin and potentially spreading to other areas.
A common contributor to cancer is Feline Leukemia Virus, which cats can be diagnosed against. Other causes include environmental toxins. If caught early during a physical exam, your vet may be able to treat cancer.
Symptoms include:
- Chronic weight loss
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
- Sores that do not heal
- Odor from the mouth
- Unexplained bleeding or discharge
- Marked increase or decrease in appetite
- Lumps or bumps that change in size or shape
Depending on whether the tumor is caught and diagnosed early enough, the type of cancer and its extent, specific location within the body, etc., whether an effective treatment plan can be developed, and other factors, a number of treatments such as radiation, surgery and chemotherapy may be attempted.
What should I do if my cat is ill?
If your cat is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, it's incredibly important to bring them into the vet as soon as possible. At Frontier Veterinary Hospital, we have an onsite pharmacy, in-house diagnostic laboratory, and emergency services during our regular hours in order to provide your pet with the veterinary care they need.