Common Cat Diseases: What's Easy to Spread?

Common Infectious Diseases That Cats Are Prone To

1. Feline Distemper

Feline distemper is a highly contagious disease that can be devastating for kittens. When one kitten in a litter falls ill, it often affects the entire litter, leading to discomfort and distress. The primary symptom of feline distemper is persistent diarrhea, which can ultimately lead to dehydration and death. I once personally saved a litter of kittens suffering from distemper, and despite my best efforts, only two of the five kittens survived. While feline distemper is generally less severe in adult cats, especially with proper vaccinations, it's crucial to get your pets vaccinated to avoid complications. The best preventive measure is vaccination, followed by avoiding overcrowded living conditions for your felines.

2. Feline Rhinotracheitis

Feline rhinotracheitis is another highly contagious disease, particularly among kittens. It causes a range of upper respiratory symptoms, including eye and nose discharge, coughing, sneezing, loss of appetite, and fever. The disease can be particularly harmful to kittens, and even if they recover, they may suffer from longterm consequences. The most effective way to prevent feline rhinotracheitis is through vaccination.

3. Feline Calicivirus

Feline calicivirus shares similar symptoms with rhinotracheitis and can also affect the upper respiratory system. However, it is particularly notorious for causing oral ulcers and gingivitis, which can lead to a loss of appetite and eventually starvation. Many cats infected with calicivirus suffer from chronic gingivitis and gradual weight loss, ultimately leading to death. Scarily, even after recovery, these cats can carry the virus for a long time, spreading it to other cats through their secretions and feces. If a cat is diagnosed with this virus, it's essential to keep it isolated from other pets.

4. Feline Panleukopenia

While some of the diseases mentioned earlier may have a chance of cure, feline panleukopenia is often a death sentence. Although some veterinary clinics claim that panleukopenia can be cured, this is a costly option, requiring nearly $200,000. For most families, this is an unaffordable option, making panleukopenia a significant disaster for cats. To prevent panleukopenia, we can only reduce the cat's stress response and avoid keeping them in overly stressful conditions, as stress can exacerbate their condition.

For these prevalent cat diseases, vaccination is the key to prevention. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to vaccinate your cats, and pet owners should not be complacent. Additionally, avoiding the overcrowding of cats in confined spaces is a crucial method for preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Tip: Click Pet Infectious Disease Prevention Methods to learn more about how to prevent cat infections.