Chronic kidney disease is the most common silent killer in cats, and can be genetic. With this disease, 75% of both of your cat's kidneys don't work properly, and there are a few symptoms you can identify: Excessive drinking and urinating. Larger clumps in the litter box.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in senior cats. Cancer is really a blanket term for uncontrolled cell growth, which means there are many different forms this can take – many different kinds of cancer that can attack your pet.
The most common causes of sudden death in cats are heart disease and associated conditions. Feline cardiomyopathy or “heart muscle disease” and feline heartworm disease are the most common causes of sudden death in outwardly healthy cats. Both of these conditions frequently give no warning.
1... The number one infectious disease killer of cats in the United States today is Feline Leukemia Virus, or FeLV. FeLV destroys the cat's immune system so that he falls prey to anemia, cancer or infectious diseases that a healthy cat would not get. A simple blood test is 99% accurate in diagnosing the disease.
There is no treatment or cure for feline rabies. Vaccines are highly effective in prevention, and all pets should receive them regularly.
Feline calicivirus is a highly contagious virus that causes a mild to severe respiratory infection and oral disease in cats. It is especially common in shelters and breeding colonies, and often infects young cats.
Most people who become infected with Toxoplasma gondii are not aware of it because they have no symptoms at all. Some people who have toxoplasmosis may feel as if they have the “flu” with swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that may last for a month or more.
Thirteen eventually died, often relapsing after a remission and dying of neurological FIP in the brain. Seven cats survived and appear to remain disease free as of now, one as long as 1 year following treatment.
Feline panleukopenia (FP) is a highly contagious viral disease of cats caused by the feline parvovirus.
What are the causes? In cats, the most common cause of sudden death is heart disease, more specifically, cardiomyopathy. This disease is typically hereditary and develops early in life but can be secondary to other diseases later in life. Often times this is not detected until after death, on necropsy.
The answer is clear when you realize that the average lifespan of an indoor cat ranges from 10 to 20 years, whereas cats who go outdoors typically live only 2 to 5 years.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards. When caring for older cats it sometimes helps to appreciate their age in human terms.
If multiple cats are using the same litter box, chances are one of them could get sick from the excess waste in the box if it isn't cleaned and managed well.
Toxoplasmosis (tok-so-plaz-MOE-sis) is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. People often get the infection from eating undercooked meat. You can also get it from contact with cat feces.
Cats are often stereotyped as standoffish and aloof, even to the people who love them most, but the truth is that cats can be just as protective of their people as dogs are of theirs. Put simply, cats love their family and their family loves them right back.
According to experts, an individual must not have more than five cats. If you really love cats, six is the maximum. There is no going more than this amount. This is as it is impossible for any person or even a household to care for more than six cats.
Genetic factors are also thought to contribute to the development of FIP. Male cats are affected more often than females Pure bred cats including Abyssinian, Bengal, Birman, Himalayan, Ragdoll and Devon Rex may be more predisposed to developing FIP.
How is FIP Transmitted? FECV lives in the cells of the intestinal tract and is shed in cats' feces. Cats become infected with FECV after they ingest the virus when they groom or eat. The mutant feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) that causes the disease is not contagious to other cats.
Signs Of FIP In Cats
Signs are: A swollen belly or trouble breathing. Poor appetite and muscle loss.
Acute toxoplasmosis is often asymptomatic in healthy adults. However, symptoms may manifest and are often influenza-like: swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fever, and fatigue, or muscle aches and pains that last for a month or more.
It is unlikely that you would be exposed to the parasite by touching an infected cat because cats usually do not carry the parasite on their fur. In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis include fever, swollen glands and muscle aches. Most people who become infected with Toxoplasma have no symptoms. If people develop symptoms, they usually begin 1 to 3 weeks after being exposed to the parasite. Symptoms usually last for 2 to 4 weeks.