Thursdays Thoughts #1: Cat Conditions

Thursdays Thoughts: Cat Conditions

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▪️ If you didn’t know this, as a cat owner, you definitely should. Felines have 250+ diseases/conditions, that we know of anyway. That’s a high number and naturally cause for concern of course. With the staggering number of ailments & illnesses your kitty could catch, tag teamed with the feral cat population of over 70 million, it’s crucial to know a little about them. Some are very common, some extremely rare, some genetic, some environmental, some preventable & some incurable, and sadly ,some are terminal. We obviously can’t touch base on the details of 250+ medical conditions in one blog post, but we can cover the most common, most dangerous & preventative measures. As well as a mention of some unique & rare conditions.

🩹5 Common Cat Conditions:🐈🌡️

1️⃣Feline Leukemia Virus or FelV, it’s not only the most common but also one of the leading causes of death in domesticated cats. It can only be passed through Felines via blood, saliva, urine or feces. Like other diseases, it preys on cats immune systems. Luckily this disease can be prevented with the FelV Vaccine. All domestic cats should be vaccinated by 12 weeks of age. Another helpful preventative measure is keeping your kitty indoors. Outside cats and cats in multi cat households are at greater risk for this disease. Here are some of the most common signs of FelV: -Bloody gums -Rapid weight loss - Tumors - Lethargy (tiredness or laziness)

If you notice your pet displaying any of the following they should be immediately checked by a vet. The only way to test for FelV is through blood work. If a cat has already contracted it, unfortunately there is no cure. This is why it’s so crucial to get them vaccinated. FelV is a gateway for other diseases and Feline death. By vaccinating you ensure that your cat is safe, doesn’t spread it to other cats and save yourself money on vet visits & heart break from losing your furr babies. The Vaccine is roughly 7$ if administrated yourself, better than a vet bill of hundreds of dollars to tell you that your cat is dying later on. 2️⃣ Feline Panleukopenia or FPLV. This disease is one of the most severe and most contagious there is. The top killer of cats in the wild or kept in unsanitary conditions. With the feral cat population being over 70 million, you can imagine the havoc it spreads amongst cats being so contagious. It also attacks the immune system but also the nervous system as well. This disease is also known as the cat plague. It attacks the white blood cells and is known for causing heart issues that cause death. In some cases it’s known to cause paralysis. Like FelV mentioned above, it can be vaccinated against but once contracted there is no cure. Vaccinate your cat as soon as possible. The symptoms of FPLV , take your cat to a vet immediately if…. -Anorexia. -Lethargy. -Bloody diarrhea. - Constant biting of the tail or legs. - Loose or elastic like skin. FPLV is one of the worst most severe diseases in cats known to us. Being the most contagious it’s also one of the most dangerous. It is a terminal disease and a physically painful process for your cat if contracted, please vaccinate your cat. A vet will not be able to save them with FPLV.

3️⃣ Feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV. This virus is often misconstrued, however it can be a serious problem. What’s worse is unlike others, not only is there no cure but no Vaccine exists. That in turn makes prevention on your part much more crucial. FIV is contracted two ways, hereditary or through biting. Like rabies, being bitten by an infected cat is the most common way this is spread. Because of this it seems more partial to outdoor cats and Tom cats who get into fights over territory and mating. However, any cat can get it if bitten. Keep your pet inside and away from situations where they may be at risk of being bitten by another cat. Hereditary contraction of the disease is less common but still possible. Passed from mother to kitten, the kittens will die. Seemingly unexpected and unexplained, until the mother’s FIV displays it’s presence in her shortly after. FIV can lay dormant in cats for weeks and in rare cases, years. Another aspect making it so dangerous. The cat can seem fine, bite another and the other die within a matter of weeks. This disease also makes them much more susceptible to other illnesses. It is a slowly progressing disease that weekend the immune system. Advice if your cat contracts FIV, your vet may suggest Euthanasia for your poor cat if it reaches the final stages. Although heart breaking and unfortunate, it’s probably the best option. As there’s no cure, it’s severity and contagious nature, it’s safer for other cars and saves your pet going through the illness until natural death from FIV occurs. Which , death is not necessarily inevitable with FIV as with alot of cats the symptoms lay dormant for long periods giving them the ability to live full lives. Just remember keep them away from other cats, as they are more prone to other diseases due to FIV and can pass it to another if it were to bite them. Symptoms of FIV: -Fever -Weight loss -Fur loss -Eye infections -Enlarged lymph nodes.

FIV infected animal

4️⃣. Chronic kidney disease or CKD. This illness usually effects older, full grown cats. But it’s not far fetched to see kittens who experience renal failure as well. With CKD, there isn’t a cure but you can prolong your cats life and keep them more comfortable with a trip to the vet for early detection. Through medication, special diet and hydrotherapy you can extend their life dramatically. Other than being older, ingesting a poisonous substance, like antifreeze, is another cause. It will shut down your cats kidneys. Once they fully stop operating, it is terminal. With old age, it’s a controllable, gradual development and worsening of CKD. But in the other case its seen as sudden CKD which is immediate renal failure. It’s crucial to keep your cat indoors and away from poisonous substances. Both outside and inside your home. Not only for CKD, in general this should be a must regardless. If you have an older cat it’s definitely one to be closely on the look out for. It effects near 85% of senior cats. Like humans, they’re bodies and functions start to give out with old age too. CKD is one of the main diseases first seen developed in old Felines. Signs of CKD are… -Bad breath. – Brown tongue. – Dry fur. - Constipation. – Vomiting & Diarrhea. Frequent urination. -Moderately Increased thirst.

5️⃣ Rabies. One we all know about. It also is not only a threat to cats but all animals, including humans. It’s one of the most contagious and common in cats though. Most of us already know, a rabies Vaccine exists and is highly recommended. If your cat contracts rabies, it will not live. As well as it becomes an immediate threat to you, other pets & people it comes into contact with, as it’s very likely to bite them, passing the disease. It’s contracted through the passage of blood & saliva from an infected animal. Cats are at higher risk to contract rabies than other domestic pets though. They are very in tune with their predatory instincts, therefore they tend to act on their urge to stalk and hunt. As well as their curious nature driving them to investigate other animals. In turn, they tend to encounter a lot more wild animals who are infected with rabies. By biting, being bitten by or ingesting birds, mice, squirrels, chip munks or other wild critters your cats at moderate risk to get rabies. You can keep your cat safe with the Vaccine. Also keeping them indoors where they are not going to have a chance of encountering any wild animal with the disease Rabies is terminal. Most pets have to be euthanized upon contracting rabies. There is not a cure for domesticated animals yet. Although the one for humans, has been around for years. If you get rabies, or are bitten by your pet who possibly has rabies, go to the ER immediately! You can get help but it pertains to 12-16 painful injections in your abdomen. If you suspect your pet has rabies, do not attempt to approach it, pick it up or pet it. Your pet no longer is aware of who you are and will be disoriented and usually rabid (viscous/ferocious). Call your local animal control or shelter to safely contain your pet to be euthanized. It’s sad but it’s mandatory as there’s no cure and it’s a threat to public health and safety to keep an animal with the disease.

Symptoms of rabies: -Involuntary movement -Foaming of the mouth -Extreme aggression - Bite marks

Rabies infected cat

Foaming of the mouth

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🙀 5 RARE CAT CONDITIONS 🙀

🔸Noetodric Mange. In other words, cat scabies. A lot of things can make cats itch from fleas, allergies or dermatitis which are very common. However another is Noetodric Mange. Rare, it’s a microscopic parasite that burrows into the cats skin causing a nonstop itch. It can be successfully treated with a trip to the vet. Your vet will have to determine a diagnosis of this as owners are usually clueless.

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🔸Feline Hyperesthesia. Also known as Twitchy Cat syndrome. One of my own fur babies has this condition. Cats who contract this rare disease, exhibit several behaviors that are quite odd, even for cats. One example is biting themselves to the point of self injury or self harm. A few others are rippling skin, unusual loud vocalizations, randomly running and jumping for short periods of time but it happens frequently. Even episodes of seizures are likely to occur. Before a vet gives this diagnosis, a large number of other diseases that can also cause these have to be ruled out. If your cat were to have Feline Hyperesthesia, it’s not terminal thank goodness. Your vet will usually treat the disease with anti anxiety medication that has been known to help cats with the disease. In more severe cases, a cone may be placed on the cat to prevent it from biting and harming itself.

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🔸Acromegaly. This rare cat illness is caused by an overgrowth in hormones, usually at fault of a tumor in the pituitary gland. This disease causes an excessively large cat, with enlarged organs and an unusually large head. It has been associated with feline diabetes and heart disease but unlike those two, attempts at treating acromegaly have not been successful thus far. Your cat may very well live, but not a complete life span in comparison with other cats. It will also possibly have other conditions arise due to its unhealthy size.

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🔸Dysautonomia- also known as key-gaskell syndrome, has not yet been studied enough to find a cause. Due to its extreme rarity. But is believed to have relation to having an abnormal nervous system. If a cat has this condition, it’s pupils have little to no response to light, dehydration, constipation, difficulty eating, frequent urination, poor tear production & very slow heart rate. There are treatments to make the cat feel better, but sadly most cats are euthanized once the disease progresses. There is no actual cure that eliminates the disease.

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🔸Feline infectious peritonitis or FIP- this is a fatal disease being 100% deadly to cats. The rarity of this disease is due to its odd way of being developed. It’s caused from another illness known as Feline enteric coronavirus, which alone is harmless, but combined with a mutation of that virus and poor immune health of the cat becomes the deadly FiP. Cats with the “wet form” accumulate fluid build up in their abdominal cavity and sometimes chest cavity. Cats that develop the dry form of the disease do not usually accumulate fluid but they develop lesions in their organ systems, including the pleural cavity, abdominal cavity, nervous system, and the eyes. These lesions and where they are on the cat, determine the clinical signs seen with FIP. Both forms of the disease are considered to be fatal. "Both Dr. Pedersen and Dr. Legendre agreed that pentoxifylline and feline omega interferon are not effective against FIP. However, both also agree that a drug known as polyprenyl immunostimulant (or PI) is showing promise as being helpful at least for some cats with FIP.” – Dr. Lori Houston, petMD.

FIP infected cat

Extremely dilated pupils

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🐈SUMMARY: REMEMBER THESE🐈

🩺Take your cat for regular wellness exams to stay ahead of disease and illness. 💉 VACCINATE YOUR BELOVED CAT! I can’t stress that enough. 🌡️ Watch for unusual behaviors and symptoms.

🐈There are over 250 known cat illnesses & conditions. Learn more through the listed sources. Be knowledgeable about your pets health and preventing disease. SOURCES:

PetMD:

https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/lhuston/2013/april/feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip-30030 ASPCA cat conditions: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-diseases Prudent pet: https://www.prudentpet.com/common-cat-diseases/

Thanks for reading. Come back next week for more Thursdays Thoughts. 🐱

Author: FOFF Founder, Brittany Douglas

Contact: foffky.leaders@yahoo.com

chairmanffccc@gmail.com

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