Infectious Diseases in Cats

Infectious diseases in cats are caused by viruses, fungi, parasites or bacteria that your cat has picked up somewhere. The infection can be spread by bites from fleas and ticks or by a protozoan such as giardia or toxoplasmosis. They can be spread through direct or indirect contact or through airborne pathogens.

Cats rarely cough so if you do notice your cat coughing, it could be an inflammation of the respiratory tracts or bronchitis. Bronchitis may be caused by an infection caused by a virus or allergy or even an allergic reaction. Cats with bronchitis could have a mucus discharge from the nose. A simple cough may be alleviated with a teaspoon of honey but if this doesn't work, or if your cat is running a temperature, a visit to the vet is advised. Keep your cat warm and away from drafts, the same as you would for a child. Pneumonia is when the lungs become inflamed, and is usually caused by an infection. This can lead to pronounced difficulty in breathing and must be treated as serious.

Another serious respiratory disease is feline asthma. This is caused by allergies to common substances such as pollen, mould, dust, smoke, chemical cleaning products used in the home or even things such as cat litter or moist air. In feline asthma, bronchial spasms make the bronchi tighten. This in turn causes swelling of the tissue surrounding the area which then turns into an asthmatic attack. And just like in humans, cats can have an exercise induced asthma attack. If you notice your cat wheezing after exercise or having trouble catching its breath, a visit to the vet is a good idea to either confirm or rule out feline asthma.

Another problem to be aware of is feline infectious anaemia. This is more common in male cats between one and three years old. The disease is caused by a micro-organism called hemobartonella felis which attaches to the surface of red blood cells and destroys them. As the red blood cells are destroyed, the cat then becomes anaemic. It is thought that this is transmitted during contact, usually a fight. Around one third of untreated cats will die. Symptoms can include a high temperature and pale gums, and the under-lid of the eye can be pale as well. Your vet can do a blood test to diagnose this.

Feline infectious peritonitis is the biggest cause of death in cats after panleukopenia. It can be very hard to diagnose as the signs can be non-specific. White blood cells are infected with the virus and the infected blood moves the virus throughout the cat's body. The disease is almost always fatal.

Feline leukaemia virus is transmitted by transfer of saliva or nasal secretions from an infected cat to other cats. This can happen if cats share a water or feed bowl. If the newly infected animal is normally healthy, his immune system can kill the virus. However, it can be fatal. The feline leukaemia virus is not a cancer despite the 'leukaemia' name.

Cat flu is really a misnomer as cats don't catch colds or flu the way we humans do. Cat flu is a general term used to describe problems with the upper respiratory tract. The most common cause is the feline herpes virus (FHV) or feline calicivirus (FCV). Generally, feline herpes virus is more severe than FCV. Cat flu is usually passed through an eye, nasal or mouth discharge. It can also be transmitted through contaminated feeding dishes or even contaminated bedding. FCV can live in the environment for a long time and is resistant to many popular disinfectants. As there are no drugs for viral infections, home care is the only way to treat them. Make sure your cat eats and drinks regularly to prevent dehydration. Cleaning the discharge with a soft cloth soaked in water is also necessary. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics to prevent any secondary infection occurring.

Some infectious cat diseases are preventable. Talk to your vet about vaccinating your cat or kitten. These vaccinations not only guard your cat against diseases, they also help stop the spread of these diseases to other cats. If your cat is kept indoors, it has less chance of becoming infected.

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