Top 6 Cat Diseases and How to Prevent Them

Regular checkups and timely vaccinations are crucial for maintaining your cat's health, but understanding common ailments they may face in daily life is equally important for prevention and early detection. Today, let's delve into six common illnesses that affect cats, ensuring their wellbeing.

Cat Urinary System Disorders

Urinary system disorders are among the most prevalent and serious health issues in cats. Approximately one in ten cats that visit veterinary clinics suffer from urinary problems. These disorders encompass a range of conditions related to the cat's urethra, including spontaneous cystitis, urinary tract stones, urinary tract obstructions, urinary tract infections, and other urethral diseases.

1) Types of Disorders

1. Spontaneous Cystitis: Affecting about 60% of cases, this condition has an unknown cause (spontaneous) and often resolves on its own.

2. Urinary Tract Stones: Around 20%, these are commonly known as feline crystals. Due to their carnivorous nature, cats typically have a urine pH between 6.06.5. An imbalance in acidity or alkalinity can lead to the formation of alkaline or acidic stones.

3. Urinary Tract Obstructions: Occurring in 10%20% of cases, this condition arises when stones block the urethra.

4. Urinary Tract Infections: Generally caused by bacterial infections, these are more common in older cats (over 8 years old) than in younger ones.

2) Common Symptoms

1. Difficulty urinating, often accompanied by painful cries.

2. Urinating in inappropriate places.

3. Excessive licking of the bottom or urethral area.

4. Hematuria (urine with blood).

If you notice these symptoms in your cat, it's essential to seek veterinary care promptly.

3) Common Causes and Preventive Measures

1. Limit dry food consumption. Dry food has low water content and is a common trigger for urinary disorders. Cats need about 2.5 times the amount of water as their dry food weight daily. Monitor your cat's water intake to ensure they are drinking enough.

2. Reduce stress. Cats under stress or fear are more susceptible to urinary issues. Minimize startling your cat and avoid unnecessary transportation.

3. Control weight. Obesity is a common cause of urinary disorders. Causes of obesity include overeating and high carbohydrate content in their diet.

4. Pay extra attention to older cats. Older cats are more prone to illness.

5. Choose an open litter box. It's recommended to scoop the litter box daily to keep an eye on your cat's bathroom habits.

Transmissible Diseases

Respiratory infections are among the most common transmissible diseases in cats. Symptoms include runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and fever. Most respiratory infections are caused by viruses, and while there are no specific treatments, it's important to have your cat examined by a veterinarian to prevent complications.

Dental Diseases

Teeth are vital for cats, with 85% of cats over three years old experiencing some form of dental issue. Cats can develop tartar, which, if left uncleaned, can lead to dental calculus and periodontal disease. Don't rely on dry food to clean their teeth.

If your cat starts having trouble eating, bad breath, or changes in their chewing habits, it's time to pay attention to their oral health. If you notice yellow or other colored tartar on their teeth, it's a sign they may need a dental cleaning.

Preventive Measures

1. Regular brushing. Start getting your cat used to brushing their teeth from a young age, even though they may not enjoy it. This is the simplest and most effective way to protect their teeth.

2. Regular veterinary dental checkups and cleanings. If you can't manage your cat's teeth at home, consider regular dental exams and cleanings at the vet.

Parasites

1) Common Cat Parasites

1. Internal: Roundworms, heartworms, etc.

Cats with internal parasites may exhibit symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and painful crying. If you notice these signs, take your cat to the vet immediately.

2. External: Fleas, lice, etc.

Cats with external parasites may scratch frequently, start to lose fur, and develop bald spots on their skin. If you find black granules on your cat or in their sleeping area, and they turn red when wet, it's a sign of parasites.

2) Preventive Measures

Regular deworming for both internal and external parasites is crucial for preventing parasitic infections. Remember, cats can still be at risk of parasites even if they stay indoors, as they might inadvertently ingest flies or small insects.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a common fungal skin disease that often appears on the face, limbs, and tail of cats. It presents as circular or elliptical lesions, with rough hair and intense itching leading to scratching and bald spots.

Due to its long treatment period, difficulty in curing, high contagiousness, and potential for recurrence, ringworm can also be transmitted to humans, causing skin itching and peeling.

Ringworm is more common in undernourished or sickly cats.

Preventive Measures

1. Enhance your cat's nutrition, particularly by increasing their intake of B vitamins, which can boost their immune system and speed up the healing process.

2. Keep your cat away from damp, dark places.

Ear Mites

If your cat frequently shakes its head and tries to scratch its ears with its hind legs, look inside their ears. You may see brownish debris, some of which may be greasy or flaky. This is a sign of ear mites in your cat's ears.

1) Treatment Methods

The simplest and most effective treatment for ear mites is to use a catspecific ear medication. You can find many options online. Gently clean your cat's outer ear canal with a cotton swab dipped in the ear medication. If the ear mites are severe, you may need to clean the ears every two to three days. Generally, you should see improvement within about a month.

2) Preventive Measures

Regularly (every 1 to 2 weeks) clean your cat's ear canals with a specialized cleaning solution to prevent ear mite issues.