Cat Disease Fall 2007

Feline Panleukopenia Cat Distemper Cause: Parvovirus or DNA virus Affects young cats less than 16 weeks of age (75% death rate) Spread: Direct contact with infected cats, food, water, bedding, or litter

Feline Panleukopenia Symptoms: Depression, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, dehydration, vomiting Can cause fetus to be stillborn, brain damage or death. Treatment: Fluids, nutrients, antibiotics Prevention: Vaccinate

Herpes virus and Calicivirus Herpes: DNA virus Calicivirus: RNA virus Both respiratory diseases Transmission: Discharge from mouth, nose, and eyes. Direct contact between animals.

Herpes virus and Calicivirus Cat can be a carrier without showing signs of the disease. Symptoms: Depression, sneezing, coughing, and fever

Ulcers in the mouth can occur in both diseases Ulcers of the cornea in herpes virus Prevention: Vaccinate

Rhinotracheitis Cause: Herpes virus in respiratory system Symptoms: Sneezing and nasal discharge. Prevention: Vaccinate kittens at 8 and 12 weeks old with annual boosters.

Peritonitis Cause: Cornenavirus Transmission: Direct contact of cats Symptoms: May not show any, but can be a carrier.

Peritonitis 2 forms Fluid in abdomen and chest Fever, depression, loss of appetite, weight loss and organ failure

Peritonitis Death occurs Other form Specific organ failure Symptoms: Lesions on the cat’s eye Prevention: Vaccinate

Leukemia Cause: RNA virus Transmission: Urine, feces, respiratory secretion and salivary gland secretion Symptoms: Fever, loss of appetite, depression, and enlargement of lymph nodes Difficult to recognize

Leukemia Kittens usually die due to the accumulation of puss in the chest or intestinal or blood infections. Prevention: Vaccinate 30% of all diseases stem from this virus

Enteric Corona virus Affects kittens between 4-12 weeks old Transmission: Ingestion of feces Cause: Epithelial cells in Small Intestine Symptoms: Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration or blood in feces Prevention: Vaccinate

Pneumonitis Cause: Chlamydia psittaci Symptoms: Runny nose and eyes Prevention: Colostrum and annual vaccinations

Rabies Cause: Viral Disease Symptoms: Eating objects and abnormal behavior Transmission: Saliva from infected animal Prevention: Vaccinations at 12 and 18 weeks with boosters every three years

Urologic Syndrome Urinary tract issue Cause: Improper diet, reduced water intake, or a virus Symptoms: Blockage of urethra, uremic poisoning, and death

Urologic Syndrome Lack of water or diets high in magnesium and phosphorus-Salts form stones Stones block urethra and cause poisoning

Entropion Cause: Eye sinks into socket or eyelid spasm due to discomfort Turning of eyelid causes hair to come in contact with cornea Symptoms: Watering of eyes, conjunctivitis (inflammation of membrane lining the eyelid) and keratitis (inflammation of cornea)

Wet Eyes Cause: Blockage or tear duct or excessive tear production Symptoms: Blockage of the nasal cavity causing overflow into eyes Treatment: Keep eyes clean

Toxoplasmosis Cause: Parasite Transmission: Raw meat or feces Symptoms: Jaundice, fever, enlarged lymph noides, anemia, difficulty breathing, eye inflammation and intestinal disease

Toxoplasmosis Humans become infected by handling of the litter box Pregnant women should avoid the box to avoid risk to the fetus. Change litter box daily

Hookworms Cause: Larvae ingested through water or feces Blood sucking parasite in small intestine Symptoms: Anemia, white gums and dark feces

Hookworms

Ascarids Cause: Ingesting feces from infected animals Kittens can get larvae through milk Symptoms: Pot-bellied look

Tapeworms Cause: Fleas, mice or rats serve as intermediate hosts Prevention: Eliminate fleas and consumption of mice and rats Treatment: Dewormer

Tapeworm

Lice Not common in cats Found around head Treatment: Pesticides at two week intervals

Lice

Mites Cause: Parasite Symptoms: Hair loss, reddening and crusting of neck, ears and head Treatment: See vet

Mites

Scabies Mange Spread to humans and dogs Symptoms: Missing hair, thickening of skin Treatment: Parasidiicidal rinses

Mites Use meds. for cats not dogs Cats lick fur and will ingest powder