Home » Plants & Animals » Cats » Common Cat Diseases - part 2

Common Cat Diseases - part 2

© Caroline Anderson

In my last article, we discussed common viral diseases of felines. This article continues that discussion into other illnesses like bacterial infections. This is the second article of a 2-part series about health conditions that affect cats.

Cat Scratch Disease is the common name of a bacterial infection that is often caused by the scratch or bite of a cat to another cat, mammal or even human. The main symptoms are skin rash and irritation, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever and headache. Cats who are infected may not show any symptoms at all. Cat Scratch disease is not fatal or even very harmful for most people. Strangely, infections are most often caused by a strange cat, and not your own cat. It can be caused by a cat's lick of an open wound. Thorough washing will help prevent infection. See your vet if any signs of an abcess develop. Abcesses can kill a cat because of the level of toxic poisons that build up within an abcess.

Salmonella This group of bacteria affects humans, cats, and other mammals. Salmonella can affect cats with weakened immune systems from other infections, diseases, malnutrition or injuries. Cats have developed salmonella from eating birds or rodents, though its not highly likely. Infection is possible from eating undercooked meats or tainted canned foods as well. The symptoms are poor appetite, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and painful abdomin. Antibiotics can help a cat recover from salmonella infections.

Cats can also develop some diseases that humans can, such as tetanus (lockjaw), tuberculosis, cancer and fungal diseases (internal and external). FUS (Feline Urological Syndrome) is a condition that's cause is not known.

Again, we see that the best way to prevent any type of infection is keeping your cats indoors at all times, vaccinating against every type of disease available, and keeping very clean. Most veterinarians recommend cleaning water and food dishes, litterboxes and the areas around them and bedding as often as possible with disinfection/anti-bacterial cleaning solutions.

If you have had experience with these or other diseases, please share your experiences with us.

The copyright of the article Common Cat Diseases - part 2 in Cats is owned by . Permission to republish Common Cat Diseases - part 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.