| It may come as a surprise, if you're a new | | | | Feline Immunodeficiency Virus |
| cat owner, that many health problems may | | | | |
| befall your feline friend. Some problems are | | | | FIV, or cat AIDS, is not always fatal. FIV |
| easily preventable, while others are | | | | decreases the ability of the cat's immune |
| hereditary. | | | | system to fight infections. Cats with FIV may |
| | | | remain free of symptoms for years. It is when |
| Hairballs | | | | the cat contracts other illnesses in the |
| | | | chronic stage of FIV infection that FIV is |
| Hairballs are among the most common of cat | | | | first suspected. This long list of illnesses |
| health problems. Cats groom themselves almost | | | | includes oral-cavity infections, |
| constantly, and swallow the loose hair that | | | | upper-respiratory infections, weight loss, |
| comes off their tongues. Occasionally, the | | | | ear infections, kidney disease, and many |
| hair gathers into a ball and lodges in the | | | | others. Although there is, as yet, no |
| cat's digestive tract instead of passing on | | | | vaccine, all cats should be tested for the |
| through the body. If your cat starts coughing | | | | virus. The virus is transmitted through |
| and hacking, he probably has a hairball. | | | | saliva, usually when a cat is bitten in a cat |
| While the end product is unpleasant for the | | | | fight. |
| owner, most cats don't have a problem | | | | |
| dislodging hairballs. | | | | Feline Leukemia Virus |
| | | | |
| However, hairballs can occasionally pass into | | | | FLV was, until recently, the most common |
| a cat's intestines and cause a blockage. This | | | | fatal disease of cats. But with a vaccine now |
| can be a life-threatening problem. There are | | | | available, the number of cases is dwindling. |
| a few signs to look for to see if your cat's | | | | Although the name leukemia means cancer of |
| hairball is dangerous. If your cat is | | | | the white blood cells, this is only 1 of the |
| constipated, off his feed, or is lethargic | | | | many diseases associated with this virus, |
| with a dull coat, then he could have a | | | | such as other types of cancer, anemia, |
| serious blockage. A vet exam is definitely in | | | | arthritis and respiratory infections. FLV is |
| order. | | | | preventable if the cat is immunized before |
| | | | being exposed to the virus. Although the |
| To prevent hairballs, groom your cat | | | | disease is not always immediately fatal, cats |
| frequently to remove loose hair. In addition, | | | | with FLV rarely have a long life expectancy. |
| feed your cat food that helps control | | | | NEVER bring other cats into your household |
| hairballs. | | | | when you have a cat with FLV. |
| | | | |
| Worms | | | | Lyme Disease |
| | | | |
| For many cats, worms are a recurring problem. | | | | If your cat spends time outdoors, you should |
| Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms most | | | | check him regularly for ticks. If you find a |
| commonly infect cats. Cats can occasionally | | | | tick on your cat's body and he has been |
| develop heartworms, as well. If your cat | | | | lethargic and acts as if he is in pain, ask |
| seems unable to gain wait, is infested with | | | | your vet to test for Lyme Disease. This |
| fleas, or has white specks that look like | | | | disease is transmitted to people and animals |
| grains of rice in his stools, take him to the | | | | by deer ticks. |
| veterinarian for worm 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 | | | | recognize and often may be confused with |
| be fatal. | | | | other illnesses or old age. Be observant of |
| | | | your pet's behavior. It is the only way to |
| Urinary Tract Infections | | | | know if your pet has contracted Lyme disease |
| | | | if no tick was found. Some symptoms of Feline |
| Urinary tract infections are another common | | | | Lyme Disease include: |
| health problem in cats. This infection is | | | | |
| particularly common in unneutered male cats, | | | | (a) lethargy, |
| although female cats can also develop this | | | | |
| problem. If your cat suddenly stops using the | | | | (b) reluctance to jump or climb stairs, |
| litter box, a urinary tract infection is | | | | |
| suspect. If your cat's urine smells strong, | | | | (c) limping, or reluctance to put weight on a |
| again a urinary tract infection may be the | | | | paw, |
| cause. These infections need to be treated by | | | | |
| a veterinarian. Ask about cat foods that | | | | (d) loss of appetite. |
| reduce the likelihood of another infection. | | | | |
| | | | The key to dealing with Feline Lyme Disease |
| Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) | | | | is prevention and early diagnosis and |
| | | | treatment. You should reduce the tick |
| FIP is caused by a mutation of the corona | | | | population around your home with simple |
| virus. According to some experts, cats living | | | | landscape changes and spraying. |
| in multi-cat environments tend to test | | | | |
| positive for enteric corona virus. Cats can | | | | Good Health Care |
| live with that virus remaining quietly in the | | | | |
| intestines with no sign of disease for their | | | | Taking your cat for a regular check-up with |
| entire lifetime. In other cases, probably a | | | | the vet, and keeping all vaccinations on |
| genetic pre-disposition, the virus mutates | | | | schedule will help assure your cat a long and |
| into FIP. | | | | healthy life. Prevention is the first line of |
| | | | defense for most feline illnesses. |
| Once a cat has contracted FIP, it will | | | | |
| display symptoms of a mild upper respiratory | | | | Many owners keep their cats indoors to |
| infection: sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal | | | | protect them from cars, from cat fights which |
| discharge. It may also have diarrhea, weight | | | | may expose them to deadly viruses, from |
| loss and lethargy. Most cats fully recover | | | | ticks, and other hazards. |
| from this primary infection, although some | | | | |
| may become virus carriers. A small percentage | | | | Outdoor cats will enjoy greater freedom, but |
| of exposed cats develop lethal FIP weeks or | | | | require a watchful eye, loving attention to |
| even years after the primary infection. | | | | their health status, and regular visits to |
| | | | the veterinarian. |