| It may come as a surprise, if you're a new cat | | | | FIV, or cat AIDS, is not always fatal. FIV |
| owner, that many health problems may befall | | | | decreases the ability of the cat's immune system |
| your feline friend. Some problems are easily | | | | to fight infections. Cats with FIV may remain free |
| preventable, while others are hereditary. | | | | of symptoms for years. It is when the cat |
| Hairballs | | | | contracts other illnesses in the chronic stage of |
| Hairballs are among the most common of cat | | | | FIV infection that FIV is first suspected. This long |
| health problems. Cats groom themselves almost | | | | list of illnesses includes oral-cavity infections, |
| constantly, and swallow the loose hair that comes | | | | upper-respiratory infections, weight loss, ear |
| off their tongues. Occasionally, the hair gathers | | | | infections, kidney disease, and many others. |
| into a ball and lodges in the cat's digestive tract | | | | Although there is, as yet, no vaccine, all cats |
| instead of passing on through the body. If your | | | | should be tested for the virus. The virus is |
| cat starts coughing and hacking, he probably has a | | | | transmitted through saliva, usually when a cat is |
| hairball. While the end product is unpleasant for the | | | | bitten in a cat fight. |
| owner, most cats don't have a problem dislodging | | | | Feline Leukemia Virus |
| hairballs. | | | | FLV was, until recently, the most common fatal |
| However, hairballs can occasionally pass into a | | | | disease of cats. But with a vaccine now available, |
| cat's intestines and cause a blockage. This can be | | | | the number of cases is dwindling. Although the |
| a life-threatening problem. There are a few signs | | | | name leukemia means cancer of the white blood |
| to look for to see if your cat's hairball is | | | | cells, this is only 1 of the many diseases |
| dangerous. If your cat is constipated, off his feed, | | | | associated with this virus, such as other types of |
| or is lethargic with a dull coat, then he could have | | | | cancer, anemia, arthritis and respiratory infections. |
| a serious blockage. A vet exam is definitely in | | | | FLV is preventable if the cat is immunized before |
| order. | | | | being exposed to the virus. Although the disease |
| To prevent hairballs, groom your cat frequently | | | | is not always immediately fatal, cats with FLV |
| to remove loose hair. In addition, feed your cat | | | | rarely have a long life expectancy. NEVER bring |
| food that helps control hairballs. | | | | other cats into your household when you have a |
| Worms | | | | cat with FLV. |
| For many cats, worms are a recurring problem. | | | | Lyme Disease |
| Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms most | | | | If your cat spends time outdoors, you should |
| commonly infect cats. Cats can occasionally | | | | check him regularly for ticks. If you find a tick on |
| develop heartworms, as well. If your cat seems | | | | your cat's body and he has been lethargic and |
| unable to gain wait, is infested with fleas, or has | | | | acts as if he is in pain, ask your vet to test for |
| white specks that look like grains of rice in his | | | | Lyme Disease. This disease is transmitted to |
| stools, take him to the veterinarian for worm | | | | people and animals by deer ticks. |
| testing. | | | | Some cats may show subtle symptoms while |
| Worms are easily cured with a few doses of | | | | others may show none -- symptoms are hard to |
| medication, but if left untreated, they can be fatal. | | | | recognize and often may be confused with other |
| Urinary Tract Infections | | | | illnesses or old age. Be observant of your pet's |
| Urinary tract infections are another common | | | | behavior. It is the only way to know if your pet |
| health problem in cats. This infection is particularly | | | | has contracted Lyme disease if no tick was |
| common in unneutered male cats, although female | | | | found. Some symptoms of Feline Lyme Disease |
| cats can also develop this problem. If your cat | | | | include: |
| suddenly stops using the litter box, a urinary tract | | | | (a) lethargy, |
| infection is suspect. If your cat's urine smells | | | | (b) reluctance to jump or climb stairs, |
| strong, again a urinary tract infection may be the | | | | (c) limping, or reluctance to put weight on a paw, |
| cause. These infections need to be treated by a | | | | (d) loss of appetite. |
| veterinarian. Ask about cat foods that reduce the | | | | The key to dealing with Feline Lyme Disease is |
| likelihood of another infection. | | | | prevention and early diagnosis and treatment. You |
| Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) | | | | should reduce the tick population around your |
| FIP is caused by a mutation of the corona virus. | | | | home with simple landscape changes and spraying. |
| According to some experts, cats living in multi-cat | | | | Good Health Care |
| environments tend to test positive for enteric | | | | Taking your cat for a regular check-up with the |
| corona virus. Cats can live with that virus | | | | vet, and keeping all vaccinations on schedule will |
| remaining quietly in the intestines with no sign of | | | | help assure your cat a long and healthy life. |
| disease for their entire lifetime. In other cases, | | | | Prevention is the first line of defense for most |
| probably a genetic pre-disposition, the virus | | | | feline illnesses. |
| mutates into FIP. | | | | Many owners keep their cats indoors to protect |
| Once a cat has contracted FIP, it will display | | | | them from cars, from cat fights which may |
| symptoms of a mild upper respiratory infection: | | | | expose them to deadly viruses, from ticks, and |
| sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal discharge. It | | | | other hazards. |
| may also have diarrhea, weight loss and lethargy. | | | | Outdoor cats will enjoy greater freedom, but |
| Most cats fully recover from this primary | | | | require a watchful eye, loving attention to their |
| infection, although some may become virus | | | | health status, and regular visits to the veterinarian. |
| carriers. A small percentage of exposed cats | | | | Visit New Cat to learn more. Copyright 2005 Ron |
| develop lethal FIP weeks or even years after the | | | | King. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and |
| primary infection. | | | | web developer. This article may be reprinted if |
| Feline Immunodeficiency Virus | | | | the resource box is left intact. |