Common Cat Diseases

1 Common Feline Diseases

Common cat diseases

1. Feline toxoplasmosis

Cause: a zoonotic protozoal disease from Toxoplasma parasitizing cat cells.

Signs: the cat is an intermediate host; signs are acute or chronic.

2. Feline roundworm

Cause: a nematode disease where Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina live in the cat’s small intestine, causing diarrhea and weight loss.

Signs: migrating larvae cause peritonitis, pneumonia, and encephalomyelitis. Adults in the gut steal nutrition and irritate the intestine, causing gut bleeding, digestive trouble, vomiting, diarrhea, thinness, slow growth, and bloating; too many roundworms can block the intestine. The worms also release toxins causing nerve signs and allergies.

3. Feline hookworm

Cause: a parasitic disease from the thin-headed hookworm in the cat’s small intestine.

Signs: digestive upset, alternating diarrhea and constipation, bloody or tarry black stools, occasional vomiting, weakness, anemia; severe cases can kill the cat.

4. Feline scabies (notoedric mange)

Cause: a parasitic disease from Notoedres cati mites on the skin.

Signs: mainly on ears, face, eyelids, and neck. Infected skin itches, reddens, forms lumps, and loses hair with yellow crusts; severe cases crack. Secondary bacterial infection can cause abscesses.

5. Ear mite disease

Cause: a parasitic disease from Otodectes cynotis mites on the cat’s ears.

Tip: Regular deworming and vet checks catch most of these early.