Here at Everypaw we want to help you care for your cat. And cat health insurance is just part of it. We want cats – whether pedigree or moggie, kittens or elderly adult cats – to be kept in the best of health. So, we asked our friends at Vetstream, the providers of Vetlexicon, the world’s largest online vet resource, to put together this list of the 10 most common cat illnesses, conditions and treatments, so you can spot the symptoms in plenty of time.

1. Ear Mites

Most ear diseases in cats are caused by mites, small parasites which can live in the ear canal. If your cat is forever scratching its ears or shaking its head, ear mites known as Otodectes cynotis may be the cause. Ear mites can be very painful and affected cats may sit with their heads tilted and be very miserable. Your vet may see the mites using an otoscope or they may take a swab of the ear discharge (like ‘coffee grounds’) to identify the mites under a microscope.

A course of ear drops or a simple 'spot-on' treatment from your vet will resolve the mite problem. But if left untreated, permanent ear damage can result.

2. Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin. Insulin is needed to keep blood sugar levels under control. If cats don’t have enough insulin, they’ll develop high blood sugar levels. If your cat is more thirsty than normal and loses weight despite having a good appetite, they may have diabetes. If left untreated, they could lapse into a coma and die.

In some obese cats, losing weight might help for a while and a combination of weight control and tablets might manage the condition but most diabetic cats will require regular insulin injections. Your vet will show you how to inject and give advice on how to spot the complications of hypo- and hyperglycaemia (low and high blood sugar).

3. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM is a serious heart condition that can affect many breeds of cats.  Cardiomyopathy literally means disease of the heart muscle (cardio = heart and myopathy = muscle disease). In HCM the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick (the enlargement is known as hypertrophy). This prevents the heart from working properly, leading to heart failure.

The condition can be identified by an ultrasound scan of the heart (an echocardiogram). Many cats do well with long-term medication to slow the disease down but there is no cure.

4. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

If your cat shows signs of pain or discomfort when trying to pass urine, then FLUTD might be the problem. FLUTD can be caused by a bacterial infection (cystitis) or bladder stones which can lead to a blockage. Stress can also cause cystitis.

It’s important to encourage your cat to drink lots of water. Feeding moist cat food will also help. Your vet may prescribe medication or a special diet, but if the problem keeps reoccurring, or fails to clear up, X-rays or an ultrasound scan may be needed. If there is a complete blockage, your cat may need emergency treatment.

5. Eye Infections

A sore or red eye along with an eye discharge, may be signs that your cat has conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can be caused by an irritant, trauma or a foreign object in the eye or can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

In most cases conjunctivitis is treated by eye drops or ointments applied to the eye. Regular treatment is essential – this is usually a two-person job with one to hold down the cat, and another to apply the medication! Your vet may prescribe antibiotic treatment for stubborn infections.

6. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Polycystic kidney disease is a common health problem in middle-aged and elderly cats. Also known as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease or AD-PKD, it can be inherited in certain cat breeds, in particular those with Persian ancestry. The condition causes cysts to form in the kidneys and ultimately leads to kidney failure. Signs of the diseases include increased thirst, going to the toilet more often, weight loss and lack of appetite. An ultrasound scan is used to confirm the presence of the cysts.

While there’s no cure, some treatments may help to improve their quality of life. A DNA test can identify cats that carry the PKD gene. Only PKD negative cats should be used for breeding.

7. Cat Skin Conditions

Cats can be affected by a variety of skin problems from allergies, to bacterial and fungal infections, and parasite infestations.

Skin allergies can be caused by flea bites, a protein in your cat’s food, or a substance that your cat has been in contact with or inhaled such as dust mites or pollen.

If a bacterial or fungal infection is diagnosed, your vet may prescribe medication. A relatively common fungal skin problem is ringworm. This causes scaly, crusty skin lesions and hair loss – all members of the household should be treated.

Fleas, and other small parasites such as ticks, chiggers, lice, and biting flies, can cause itching. Your vet will recommend a product to control these. Mites (ear mites, sarcoptic mites, Demodex mites) are also treatable so if you notice your cat scratching, or has bald patches or skin wounds, ask your vet for advice.

8. Poisoning

The signs of poisoning depend on the poison involved. Your cat may collapse, have seizures, vomit, or have breathing difficulties. They may also have kidney, liver or skin problems.

Ethylene glycol (anti-freeze), plants such as lilies, human medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides are among the substances poisonous to cats.

If you suspect your cat has eaten or been in contact with something poisonous, contact your vet for advice. They may want you to see your cat as soon as possible along with the suspect poison so that they can decide on the best course of treatment.

9. Cat Fleas

Cat fleas are small, reddish-brown parasites and are a very common problem – adult fleas lay eggs in your cat’s fur and when they hatch, the larvae hide in your carpets and in your cat’s bedding. When they become adult fleas, they then look for another warm-blooded cat (or human) to feed on. They can cause allergies as well as skin irritation.

There are lots of treatments available – some are spot-on, others are given by mouth or injection. Regular treatment, as recommended by your vet, should keep fleas under control all year round.  

10. Cat Vomiting and Diarrhoea

Vomiting and diarrhoea are common issues in cats with a wide range of possible causes. If the vomiting and/or diarrhoea is acute (lasting 1-2 days), then withhold all food for a day. Then give your cat small amounts of cooked fish, chicken or some other food which is easily digested.

Always provide fresh, clean water. If the vomiting and diarrhoea are continuous for more than 24 hours, despite starvation, your cat could become dangerously dehydrated and should be taken to your vet. Contact your vet sooner if a kitten is ill (because they get dehydrated more quickly than adults).

Everypaw's Lifetime Cat Insurance

It’s always a good idea to think about pet insurance to help with the cost of any unexpected illnesses or injuries. Cat insurance can help towards the cost of medication, vet prescribed complementary treatment or surgery.  At Everypaw the choice is there so you can find the right cover for you and your kitty. With a choice of Lifetime policies - just choose carefully so you don’t get the claws!

 

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetstream.com/treat/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.