Sickness happens, even in cats. There are a number of common illnesses that cats can have with some being more severe than others. Since cats aren’t able to tell us when they aren’t feeling well, it’s important to be equipped with knowledge of some of the most common symptoms. When your cat shows some of the signs of illness or simply isn’t acting like itself, you’ll be able to act quickly and alert your vet.
1. Feline Leukemia
Let’s begin with one of the most common illnesses in domestic cats: Feline Leukemia. Leukemia is a scary word to humans because it is usually associated with cancer, but it is not as serious in cats.
Feline Leukemia can be an article in itself because it can present in so many different ways. Broadly speaking, Feline Leukemia is a lifelong infection in your cat that can either not show any symptoms or create a cycle of infection and health problems in your cat. Usually, symptoms of this disease are things like infections, eye conditions, skin infections, and eye problems.
Many cats are either passed Feline Leukemia from an infected mother or get the disease while nursing. The other way to get this disease is through prolonged contact with another infected cat, though you should not be worried that this disease will cling to surfaces in your home.
2. Cancer
Cats can, unfortunately, suffer from cancer. There are many types of cancers that a cat can suffer from and in any part of the body. Tumors are also included in this if they are cancerous.
Cancer treatment can be more difficult in cats because they are smaller, but after the cancer is confirmed with a biopsy, there are treatment options. Specialized vets can perform chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and surgery to remove the cancer.
3. Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is incurable in cats and can present itself in some of the following ways:
- Weight loss due to poor appetite
- High blood pressure
- Increased urination
- Lethargy
- Bad breath
While there is no cure, there are treatments that your vet can give your cat. Many are simple, like special food and medication.
4. Upper Respiratory Infection
Another common illness that you’ll see in cats is upper respiratory infections. Again, this presents similar symptoms as humans have: stuffy nose, runny eyes, sneezing, fevers, and even coughing.
You can take your cat to the vet for treatment, but most upper respiratory infections clear up anywhere from one to three weeks. Make sure to keep an eye on your cat if they are young or old because symptoms could be worse.
5. Bladder Infection
Bladder infections are one of the easier infections to see in your cat if you see them straining to pee or peeing outside the litter box. There may also be a small amount of blood in the urine. Your vet can officially diagnose your cat with a urine sample.
One of the easiest treatments for your cat is going to be a diet change with special food, but the bladder infection should clear on its own in about a week.
Some cats suffer from chronic bladder infections, which may call for additional treatment.
6. Heartworms
Heartworms in cats can be fatal, but this is one illness that you can actually prevent before it happens with year-round heartworm medicine. This is one illness that is easier to prevent than it is to treat because most treatments can be fatal to cats.
A cat with heartworms will present with worsening symptoms that seem like a cold, only worse. Additional symptoms can include seizures, difficulty walking, collapse, and death. A diagnosed cat could live up to four years with management.
7. Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that leads to fur loss and skin inflammation in cats. These symptoms may also be coupled with excessive grooming from your cats. This infection happens most often around the tail, feet, and ears.
Treatment from your vet is the best route with this one. Ringworm can clear up on its own, but it could take months. A simple topical treatment will speed up the healing process for your cat.
8. Obesity
Obesity can be as common in cats as it is in humans and occurs for many of the same reasons as it does in humans. It is difficult to say what your cat’s ideal weight is because it will depend on a variety of factors, such as breed and gender. Generally speaking, you should expect your cat to be anywhere from 8 to 12 pounds. Some female cats, for instance, may be under that range, and a male, Maine Coon could be healthy closer to 15 pounds.
Once your cat starts creeping over that 12-to-15-pound scale reading, your cat may be considered obese.
9. Diarrhea
Keep an eye on your cat if you see them using the litter box more often than usual, especially if you see watery poop.
Long term diarrhea can be a sign of more serious issues, but almost every cat will experience short term diarrhea at one time or another. Most of the time, a change in diet is the culprit of sudden diarrhea. Your cat might have also eaten something that they should not have, such as milk or some other type of human food that upset their stomach.
10. Diabetes
Cats, like humans, can suffer from diabetes. A cat is diagnosed with diabetes when their insulin levels decrease, resulting in higher-than-normal blood glucose levels.
Some of the risk factors to keep an eye out for in your cat are:
- Obesity
- Older age
- Activity levels, especially inactivity
- Gender, with males experiencing diabetes more often than females
Treatment for diabetes is, again, the same as with humans. Cats can be put on insulin treatments, but there are newer oral medications on the market these days. Vets will also advise a change in diet to encourage weight loss.
