Common Cat Diseases and Ailments

As a cat owner, learning how to recognize commonunknown animals, and have any new cats you intend
cat diseases is essential to keeping your feline happyto adopt tested for the disease before bringing them
and healthy. Here are some common ailments yourinto your home.
cat could suffer from, and information about what typeUrinary Tract Infections
of care is best.If you notice your cat avoiding the litter box or
Upper Respiratory Infectionsexperiencing discolored urine, visit the vet as soon as
Upper respiratory infections are much like a humanpossible. This could indicate a urinary tract infection or
cold. Your cat may have a runny nose and watery,urinary tract stone. If the urinary tract becomes
red eyes, a fever, decreased appetite and sneezing.blocked, your cat could die.
Unlike colds, these infections are dangerous and can killHyperthyroidism
your cat. They are also highly contagious, so keepCats who are over the age of 8 often succumb to
your cat away from ill cats. If you notice your cat hashyperthyroidism, which can cause weigh loss, stomach
any symptoms that seem like a cold, call your vet sodiscomfort, an increased appetite and increased desire
you can seek treatment immediately. Keeping your catfor water. This can be treated medically or through the
vaccinated can also help protect against this problem.surgical removal of the thyroid.
Feline Leukemia VirusThese are just a few of the common diseases that
The Feline Leukemia Virus is a retrovirus thatcan affect cats. If you notice your cat isn't acting like
suppresses a cat's immune system, making your pether normal self, talk to your veterinarian. Often doing a
more susceptible to other diseases and cancer. Thelittle bit now can keep a simple illness from becoming
virus is contagious, so keep your cat away fromsomething dangerous or deadly.