Infectious diseases are, by far, those that most concern us all humans who live with one or more cats. Regardless of how old they are, if we do not provide them with the necessary care, their immune system will not be able to eliminate viruses, bacteria or any other potential enemy of the health of our furry.
Thus, it is important that we know what are the most common infectious diseases in cats. In this way, we can more easily identify the symptoms, which would help the animal's condition to improve in less time. Let's discover them.
Rage
Rabies is a viral disease that is, in most cases, fatal. It affects the central nervous system, and is transmitted through wounds or bites. The most frequent symptoms are: sudden behavior changes, irritability, depression, and in severe cases generalized paralysis, coma y death. The rabies vaccine is mandatory, and will be administered at 6 months of age and once a year.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Caused by a coronavirus, two forms have been described: wet and dry. In both forms they present the same first symptoms: fever, loss of appetite y apathy. In the wet form it will be seen that the cat loses weight, it is difficult to breathe and has anemia; and in the dry form the animal will have several affected organs, so the symptoms will be very varied: paralysis, disorientation, loss of vision.
Feline viral panleukopenia
This disease is caused by parvovirus, and it is highly infectious. It is characterized by a decrease in white blood cells, which weakens the immune system, and by the destruction of the intestinal mucosa. Thus, the symptoms are: Diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, dolor abdominal. The vaccine is the only effective method to prevent panleukopenia.
Feline leukemia
It is a very serious disease that is also transmitted through a virus, specifically a retrovirus. It affects the immune system, so it can cause tumors, anemia, decreased defenses e infections of all kinds.
Feline calicivirus
This is a disease that, although it is not fatal, it can prevent the animal from leading a normal life. The most frequent symptoms are: appearance of ulcers on the tongue, palate and nostrils, general discomfort, sneeze, conjunctivitis. It can be easily prevented by vaccination.
Feline chlamydia
Chlamydia is a disease of the respiratory tract. The symptoms are: conjunctivitis that does not heal easily, rhinitis, and mild lung injuries. It can also affect the cat's genitalia. It is transmitted by direct contact, and while the vaccine can help, you can never really be sure that you are completely over it.
Feline viral rhinotracheitis
Transmitted by a virus, it is transmitted by direct contact. It affects the respiratory tract, causing sneeze, fever, lack of appetite, cough, excessive salivation and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing. However, you should know that it can be prevented by giving the corresponding vaccine from 2 months of age.
Whenever our furry is not well, it is best to take him to the specialist. So I'm sure he will soon recover 🙂.