Most Common Diseases and Symptoms in Cats

Cats are extremely successful at taking care of themselves. Any change in their health causes changes in their movements and daily lives. Therefore, cat owners need to monitor their cats' daily lives in order to understand the illnesses that occur in their cats early and to get help. While some illnesses cause very big changes, it can be difficult to notice the symptoms of some illnesses.

Kanser

Cancer in humans is similar to cancer in cats in many ways. In cats, cancer occurs when a cell grows uncontrollably, damaging surrounding tissue or spreading to other parts of the body. Like humans, cats have different types of cancer. This disease can occur in a single area, like a tumor, or it can occur in different parts of the body. Cancer is a disease dependent on multiple factors, and there is no single known cause. However, genetic and environmental factors contribute to the occurrence of cancer in cats. Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the ear, nose, or eyelid and develops as a result of continuous sun exposure. White or light-colored cats have a higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. Another common type of cancer in cats is lymphoma. Also known as lymphosarcoma, this condition accounts for 30% of cancers in cats. Feline leukemia virus is the biggest cause of lymphoma in cats. It does not only cause gastrointestinal forms. Feline leukemia virus can be transmitted through direct touch or saliva, it is usually seen in young cats and does not always cause symptoms. Therefore, regular leukemia vaccination is necessary. Symptoms of cancer include lumps, swelling, skin infections, bad breath, weight loss, sudden lethargy, diarrhea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing. Diabetes Diabetes in cats is a complex disease caused by insufficient insulin secretion or an inadequate response to insulin. After a cat eats, its digestive system breaks down the food into various components, including glucose. Glucose is then transported into the bloodstream with insulin. When cats do not secrete enough insulin or cannot use this hormone normally, the amount of sugar in the blood increases, resulting in hyperglycemia.

Cancer is a disease dependent on multiple factors and there is no single known cause. However, genetic and environmental factors cause cancer in cats. Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the ear, nose, or eyelid and develops as a result of continuous sun exposure. White or light-colored cats have a higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. Another common type of cancer in cats is lymphoma. Also known as lymphosarcoma, this condition accounts for 30% of cancers in cats. Feline leukemia virus (FLP) is the leading cause of lymphoma in cats. It does not only cause gastrointestinal forms. FLP can be transmitted through direct touch or saliva, is usually seen in young cats, and does not always cause symptoms. Therefore, regular leukemia vaccination is necessary. Symptoms of cancer include lumps, swelling, skin infections, bad breath, weight loss, sudden lethargy, diarrhea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing. Diabetes is a complex disease in cats caused by insufficient insulin secretion or an inadequate response to insulin. After a cat eats, its digestive system breaks down the food into various components, including glucose. Glucose is transported into the bloodstream by insulin. When cats do not produce enough insulin or cannot use this hormone normally, the amount of sugar in the blood increases, resulting in hyperglycemia. Although heartworm is a common ailment among dogs, it also affects cats. However, cats are not the natural host for the heartworm, called Dirofilaria immitis. Therefore, heartworms cannot complete their normal life cycle in a cat's body. A smaller number of worms can usually survive in a cat's body, and these generally do not reach the cat's heart. Surviving heartworms cause an overreaction of the immune system in cats, leading to serious health problems.

Symptoms of cancer include lumps, swelling, skin infections, bad breath, weight loss, sudden lethargy, diarrhea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing.

Diyabet

After a cat eats, its digestive system breaks down the food into various components, including glucose. Glucose is transported into the bloodstream by insulin. When cats do not produce enough insulin or cannot use this hormone normally, the amount of sugar in the blood increases, resulting in hyperglycemia.

Diabetes is a manageable disease in cats and is not among the fatal feline diseases. Unlike humans, cats do not have two different types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 2 diabetes can be completely cured with proper treatment. Type 1 diabetes is controlled with insulin support.

Diabetes is one of the easiest diseases to detect in cats. Symptoms such as eating too much or too little food, weight loss, excessive water consumption, unusually pleasant breath, lethargy, excessive urination, urinating outside the litter box, and urinary tract infections are among the signs of diabetes.

Kalp Kurdu

Heartworm, transmitted by infected mosquitoes, causes various ailments in domestic cats. Cats are not actually natural carriers for heartworms, and despite its name, it causes lung disease in cats. Those living in areas with high mosquito populations should be especially careful. Heartworms, although common among dogs, also affect cats. However, cats are not natural hosts for heartworms called Dirofilaria immitis. Therefore, heartworms cannot complete their normal life cycle in the body of cats. Usually, fewer and smaller numbers of worms can live in the body of cats, and they usually do not reach the hearts of cats. Surviving heartworms cause an overreaction of the immune system in cats, leading to serious illnesses. Heartworms are also among the easily detectable diseases in cats. Persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, depression, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, and rarely vomiting are symptoms of heartworm. Sudden death is also caused by heartworms and is therefore considered among the fatal diseases of cats.

Although heartworm is a common ailment among dogs, it also affects cats. However, cats are not the natural host for the heartworm, called Dirofilaria immitis. Therefore, heartworms cannot complete their normal life cycle in a cat's body. A smaller number of worms can usually survive in a cat's body, and these generally do not reach the cat's heart. Surviving heartworms cause an overreaction of the immune system in cats, leading to serious health problems.

Heartworm is also among the easily detectable feline diseases. Symptoms of heartworm include persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, depression, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, and rarely vomiting. Sudden death is also caused by heartworm, and therefore it is considered among the fatal feline diseases.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including cats, dogs, and humans. The reason rabies has such a frightening name among people is because it is 100% fatal once symptoms appear.

Rabies is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It can also rarely spread through the saliva of infected animals coming into contact with an open wound. Although rabies is associated with dogs, it is actually more common in cats. Therefore, cats must be vaccinated.

Symptoms of rabies do not appear immediately, and it can take months for the first symptoms to appear. The main symptoms are irritability, loss of appetite, weakness, imbalance, paralysis, and sudden death. Due to its 100% mortality rate, rabies is among the deadly feline diseases that require attention. You can find detailed information in our article "Things You Should Know About Rabies in Cats".

Hair Fungus

Hair fungus, or ringworm as it is more commonly known, is a fungus that affects the skin, fur, and nails. Although not very common among cats, it is one of the cat diseases that should be taken seriously due to its extremely contagious nature. It causes rounded bald patches. This fungus spreads very quickly to other animals and humans in the house.

Hair fungus usually manifests itself with skin lesions that occur on the head, ears, or forelegs. In addition, bald patches that cause redness in the center also indicate hair fungus. In very extreme cases, these areas spread to the entire body of the cat. In addition, cats can carry hair fungus spores and continue their lives without showing any symptoms.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

The nose, throat, and sinuses constitute the upper respiratory tract of cats, and infections occur here due to various viruses or bacteria.

Viruses cause 80% of upper respiratory tract infections in cats. Feline calicivirus or feline herpesvirus causes 80-90% of infectious upper respiratory tract infections. It is especially common in homes or shelters with many cats. This virus is transmitted to other cats through sneezing, coughing, licking, or sharing the same food. Once infected, cats remain carriers for life. In some cases, various bacterial infections can also occur as a result of this viral infection.

Upper respiratory tract infection is among the common feline diseases. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, coughing, phlegm, fever, loss of appetite, ulcers in the nose or mouth, rapid breathing, breathing with the mouth open, or depression. Urinary Tract Infection Urinary tract infections account for 3% of diagnoses in cats today and are among the fatal feline diseases. Many things cause urinary tract infections. This condition, which is seen in both male and female cats, is especially common in overweight cats, cats that eat dry food, and stressed cats. The incidence of this condition also increases in homes with more than one cat. In addition, sudden changes in a cat's life can also cause urinary tract infections. Treatment varies depending on the cause. Difficulty in a cat's bowel movements is a very urgent situation and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include excessive thirst, bloody urine, urinating in unusual places, crying while urinating, licking the area, depression, loss of appetite, and vomiting. If you have any concerns about your cat's health, you should always consult a veterinarian. You can find information about vitamins and supplements you can use for your cat's health with your veterinarian's recommendation by clicking here.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Currently, urinary tract infections account for 3% of diagnoses in cats, and this disease is among the fatal feline diseases. Many things cause urinary tract infections. This condition, seen in both male and female cats, is especially common in overweight cats, cats that eat dry food, and stressed cats. The incidence of this condition also increases in homes with more than one cat. In addition, sudden changes in a cat's life can also cause urinary tract infections. Treatment varies depending on the cause.

Difficulty in urinating or defecating in cats is a very urgent situation and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include excessive thirst, bloody urine, urinating in unusual places, crying while urinating, licking the area, depression, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

If you have any concerns about your cat's health, you should always consult a veterinarian. You can find information about vitamins and supplements you can use for your cat's health with a veterinarian's recommendation by clicking here.