Common Cat Diseases: A Quick Guide to Viruses & Infecti

Have you ever heard of "panleukopenia in cats"? It might sound unfamiliar, but you've likely heard of "cat flu." Panleukopenia, also known as cat flu or feline infectious enteritis, is essentially the same condition. Just by the name, you can deduce that the primary symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea, followed by weakness and dehydration.

This disease poses a significant threat to cats that haven't been vaccinated or those with incomplete vaccinations. It's highly contagious, affecting cats of all ages, and has a devastatingly high mortality rate.

Next up is "feline rhinotracheitis," caused by the feline herpesvirus. The name itself suggests that the symptoms are related to the eyes and nose, with affected cats suffering from sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, severe conjunctivitis, and keratitis.

Feline rhinotracheitis can be particularly harmful to kittens, with a mortality rate exceeding 50% if not treated promptly. It's transmitted between cats and can be prevented through vaccination.

Then there's "feline calicivirus," which causes infectious rhinoconjunctivitis. The symptoms are quite similar to those of feline rhinotracheitis, including sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, and conjunctivitis. However, feline calicivirus can also lead to viral stomatitis and pneumonia.

Feline calicivirus is only transmitted among feline species and has a high incidence rate, though the mortality rate is low. Pneumonia is the main cause of death in kittens, and vaccination is an effective preventive measure.

"Feline pneumonitis" is a highly contagious disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci. It leads to a complex of respiratory symptoms in cats, often in conjunction with other respiratory diseases like feline rhinotracheitis or feline calicivirus, which can trigger purulent pneumonia. While Chlamydia psittaci itself doesn't cause pneumonia, it can exacerbate the symptoms of other respiratory infections.

Recurrent infections with Chlamydia psittaci can occur, and the disease is contagious. Vaccination is available to prevent infection.

"Rabies" is a wellknown and terrifying zoonotic disease with a 100% mortality rate once symptoms appear. Both dogs and cats can contract rabies, and the only way to prevent it is through regular vaccination, ideally once a year. Rabies typically presents with neurological symptoms, such as anxiety, nervousness, and ultimately, paralysis and death.

"Feline leukemia" is a malignant tumorcausing infectious disease caused by feline leukemia virus and feline sarcoma virus. It leads to severe immunosuppression, severe nonregenerative anemia, and lymphoma.

Young cats are particularly susceptible to feline leukemia, with susceptibility decreasing with age. Infected cats have a high mortality rate, and there is no effective treatment or vaccine available.

"Feline AIDS" is an infectious disease caused by the feline immunodeficiency virus. Rest assured, it does not transmit to humans. The disease is usually transmitted through bites, mating, or milk. Affected cats may exhibit symptoms like chronic wounds, diarrhea, stomatitis, and rhinitis, which can increase the likelihood of tumor development.

Domestic purebred cats tend to have stable genetic characteristics and a lower incidence rate, while stray or freeroaming cats have a higher incidence rate. Feline AIDS can lead to the death of cats, and there is currently no effective treatment. Prevention is, therefore, crucial.

"Feline infectious peritonitis" is a disease caused by the feline coronavirus. The virus typically remains in the intestines without causing illness. However, when the virus mutates and leaves the intestines to infect other organs, it can lead to feline infectious peritonitis.

Cats that are infected with this type of feline coronavirus will carry the virus for life. If their immune system is weakened, they can become ill, and the mortality rate is extremely high, reaching up to 95%.

The clinical symptoms of feline infectious peritonitis include exudative forms, which present with pleural effusion, ascites, and peritonitis, and nonexudative forms, which primarily affect the eyes, central nervous system, and other organs, leading to granulomas.