Know What to Expect
When it comes to recognizing the signs and symptoms of illnesses in cats, cat owners are faced with a difficult and challenging task. Cats are resilient and tend to hide their weaknesses. Therefore they usually show no signs of distress until it is too late. Being well-informed and observing your cat carefully is the best way to spot any alarming changes in their well-being.
Respecting vaccination protocols and regular check-ups also help keep your cat healthy. To make things easier, we have compiled a list of the top 10 cat diseases.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a virus similar to HIV in humans. It attacks the immune system, rendering the cat more susceptible to a range of other illnesses and secondary infections. The virus transmits through deep bite wounds. FIV infected cats may not show symptoms for years. Once the symptoms become apparent, they include:
- Fever
- Sneezing
- Eye and nose discharge
- Dental issues
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Delayed wound healing
- Poor coat quality
- Hair loss
FIV cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. If kept in a stress-free, indoor environment and given proper supportive medical care, infected cats can live comfortably for years before the disease reaches its chronic stage.
You May Also Like:
Related Search Topics (Ads):
Your cat's nails are too long if they easily snag on surfaces. Here are tips for how to cut cat nails. This will work for even the most nervous of cats.