The Five Most Dangerous Cat Diseases to Look Out For

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There are more than seventy million stray cats that roam the streets. Unlike domesticated cats that stay at home, the stray cats are prone to dangerous diseases. But his doesn't mean that an indoor cat cannot get sick. Though illnesses are preventable, once the cat contracts any of the below illnesses, it can be very difficult to treat. Five of the most dangerous cat diseases you must look out for are

• Feline Leukemia

It is a disease that spreads through saliva, nose discharge, and urine and is mostly spread by sharing food and water bowls, bites, or simply living together. The disease can also be passed from the mother to the kitten. While some cats become ill immediately after contracting the virus, others might not show symptoms for a long time. Conditions associated with feline leukemia include diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, eye disease, skin infections, among others.

• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Unlike humans, the immunodeficiency virus in felines may not spread through sexual contact. Bite and wounds are the primary factors that make cats susceptible to FIV. Kittens contacting FIV from mother at birth is a rare occurrence. FIV is a terminal disease that can be prevented if you keep your cat indoors and are up to date on vaccinations.

• Renal failure

It is one of the leading causes of death in cats and is caused by kidney disease. Renal failure can be acute or chronic, and the symptoms include nausea, increased thirst, excessive urination, vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, weight loss, constipation, among others. There is no cure for renal failure, but you can treat it by adjusting your cat’s diet, medication, and hydration therapy.

• Feline Panleukopenia

It is a highly contagious viral disease in cats and kittens that contract this disease almost always die. It is also known as feline distemper, and it attacks a cat's immune system by affecting its intestinal tract. The symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, tail, and back leg biting. There are very few cases of Feline Panleukopenia in vaccinated cats. The best way to prevent this disease is to vaccinate your cat and avoid contact with unvaccinated and feral animals.

• Feline rabies

Feline rabies is considered the most dangerous disease as it can be passed along to human beings as well. It is a degenerative and debilitating disease that affects the nervous system and is spread through a bite. Symptoms of feline rabies include yowling, drooling, poor coordination, conjunctivitis, strange behavior, depression, weight loss, and fever. Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure for feline rabies. You can protect your cat by vaccinating it on time and keeping it indoors. You can keep your cat protected and away from diseases by being up to date on their vaccination, following a healthy diet, and keeping them indoors and away from stray animals.

Cat diseases transferable to humans

Diseases transferable from animals to humans are classified as zoonotic diseases by physicians. For pet owners, these fear becomes acute when they see their cats vomiting in close proximity to them. One thought crosses their mind: will they get infected by them? Is the disease contiguous?

Zoonotic disease list

The answer is in the affirmative. Your cat can give you multiple diseases, all of them known as zoonotic ones. Rabies is a common and much feared zoonotic disease. The list of common diseases of this particular kind is Ringworm, Campylobacter infection, Cryptosporidium infection, Hookworms, Toxoplasmosis, Salmonellosis, Giardia, Roundworms, and Cat Scratch Disease. This being said, the actual chances of you being infected by your cat is in reality minimal. Chances rise, however, if your immune system is weak or a compromised one. You are at greater chance of a zoonotic disease if you have a pre-existing medical condition or disease. It is not advisable to own a cat of you have AIDS or HIV. Pregnant women are also advised not to come in contact with cats.Cats are a no-no if you are presently undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Felines are not for people suffering from chronic diseases and those who were recipients of bone marrow or organ transplants. The elderly are also at risk.

Protective steps

If you have one of the above, it does not mean you have to sell or give away your beloved kitty. You just have to be more cautious. If any doubt enters your mind about any condition, do not hesitate to call your physician and describe exactly the symptoms you suffered. One easy way to protect yourself is to keep your kitty inside the house. This constitutes the best way to protect your cat from contracting any disease. Follow to the letter the recommendations of your veterinarian when it comes to vaccination and parasite testing with treatment and also prevention.Most of the above diseases are transmitted via contact with cat's feces. You can take multiple measures to keep yourself safe. These steps involve common sense and simple hygiene. Under no circumstance you should make bodily contact with your kitty's waste product. Ensure this by keeping the car litter box a safe distance away from the kitchen or any other area where you store or prepare food. It is also a good idea to hire someone to daily clean the litter box. Some diseases like Toxoplasmosis gets activated only after 24 hours. By then, it will be too late to take preventive measures. Buy and use disposable liners for the litter boxes and change them at regular intervals. Do not dump litter. Pour slowly into the trash or wrap litter box tightly and throw away the container.