Stray Cat Trapping Diseases

Veterinarians consider weight loss in animals to potentially signal illness when it exceeds 10 percent of previously stable body weight in normally hydrated animals. Thus weight loss is associated with a reduction in the fat stores and muscle mass of the animal's body. Veterinarians used to think that heartworm was primarily a canine disease, but many studies have shown us that in areas where dogs are at risk, cats are also at risk. Dogs are the preferred host for heartworms, but sometimes infected mosquitoes will infect cats as well. Veterinarians routinely refuse to accept shipments if the vaccine appears to warm upon arrival.

Cats who are infected with FIV may not show symptoms until years after the initial infection occurred. The virus is mainly passed from cat to cat through deep bite wounds, the type that can occur during breeding and more commonly during fights. Cats that have minimal exposure to other cats are at significantly less risk of getting this disease. Humans and dogs do not get this disease, nor do they get FIV. Cats are natural hunters and will seek out small animals such as bats. Always contact your veterinarian and physician if you are bitten by any animal.

Cats bothered with constipation usually are lethargic have poor appetites and distended abdomens. Try adding more roughage to the cats diet. Cats that are not properly vaccinated or kept outdoors are incredibly susceptible to myriad illnesses and diseases, and it is your responsibility as a pet owner to ensure that your furry companion is protected as best you can. Read further for information on common diseases that you may come across as a cat owner. Cats with gingivostomatitis may be managed by performing multiple tooth extractions and treatment with antibiotics and immunosuppressive therapy. Some cats with chronic gingivostomatitis may require partial or full mouth extractions for resolution of signs.

Cats with calicivirus will shed the virus continually for years. Cats who have been vaccinated for calicivirus and then exposed to an infected cat may become infected with the 'wild' virus (the strain of virus that occurs naturally and can cause disease, not the vaccine strain), never show signs of disease, become carriers of the wild virus, and continue to shed the wild virus. Cats above the age of ten are more likely to have a urinary tract infection, or in rare cases bladder neoplasia (cancer). Other much less common causes include strictly a behavioral disorder or anatomic abnormality. Cats should be blood tested for FeLV before their first FeLV vaccine.

Cats with hepatic lipidosis may need supplemental vitamin K to correct a coagulation (clotting) problem. Cats suffering from FIC make frequent attempts to urinate, probably as a result of bladder discomfort, and often are found to have blood in their urine. Signs of lower urinary tract disease in cats with non-obstructive FIC often resolve spontaneously within a couple of weeks regardless of treatment. Cats are often territorial about sharing litter space. Our doctors are always happy to discuss preventative medicine with our clients.

Cats with FLUTD also tend to lick themselves excessively and may urinate outside the litter box, often on cool, smooth surfaces like a tile floor or a bathtub. While FLUTD can occur at any age, it is usually seen in middle-aged, overweight cats that get little exercise, use an indoor litter box, have little or no outdoor access, or eat a dry diet. Cat skin disorders are among the most common health problems in cats. Skin disorders in cats have many causes, and many of the common skin disorders that afflict people have a counterpart in cats. Cats must receive an annual booster to maintain immunity.

Cats with calicivirus do not seem to have recurrences like cats with herpesvirus, but calicivirus will shed anytime, not necessarily only during times of stress. Approximately 50% of infected calicivirus cats will stop shedding later in life. Cats do not metabolize fat well; therefore the fat cells build up in the liver and eventually prevent it from functioning normally. FHL is very dangerous for cats and can be life threatening if left untreated. Cats of any breed, sex and age can be affected; however, older cats most frequently develop the illness. The mean age of chronic renal failure in the cat is nine years.

Cats that are not going to survive develop a subnormal temperature, with coma and death following in a few hours. Cats have a naturally pH acidic system. Cooked foods or commercial pet foods will NOT keep them healthy long. Cat owners should consult a veterinarian about providing feline dental hygiene.

Cats with enough damage from a single bout of pancreatitis, or with multiple recurrent bouts of pancreatitis, may eventually develop diabetes mellitus if the endocrine portion of the pancreas is affected by chronic inflammation. Cats that catch and eat a lot birds are very susceptible to Salmonella. This has a very high zoonotic risk. Cats of 10 mo of age or older were determined to be affected or normal by the visualization of singular bilateral or multiple unilateral cysts using ultrasonography. Details regarding the disease criteria and the pedigrees developed from these clinics have been previously described (18 ).

Cats were bled weekly starting from the day before challenge and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post challenge. Cats with heartworm disease are treated symptomatically which means we treat their symptoms but cannot treat the disease. If you want to know more about this disease or how to prevent it in your cat, please give us a call at 252.715.1407 and ask to speak to our veterinarian. Cats with allergies do not sneeze but they get skin sores, often on the chin or about the face. Tinkerbelle got huge sores above his eyes which looked so awful that you would think he had been in a fight.

Cats some forms of lymphosarcoma normally test positive with any FeLV test. Latently infected cats may have lymphosarcoma and test negative on the FeLV tests. Cats may succumb to the effects of the burden of massive cancer growth in lymph nodes, liver, spleen, intestines and bone marrow, anemia, infection or cachexia (wasting). Atypical or unusual forms of the cancer may involve the skin, eyes or central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Cats may not start to show signs of disease for months or years after being infected with FeLV. Infection with FeLV is a major cause of illness and death in domestic cats.

Cats should have certain vaccines boostered every 1-3 years, based upon a discussion of lifestyle risks.

Cats can catch the disease through bites, sharing food and water bowls, and from simply living together. Mother cats can pass the disease along to their kittens, and kittens are more likely to contract the disease than adult cats. Cats with calicivirus will shed the virus continually for years. Cats who have been vaccinated for calicivirus and then exposed to an infected cat may become infected with the "wild" virus (the strain of virus that occurs naturally and can cause disease, not the vaccine strain), never show signs of disease, become carriers of the wild virus, and continue to shed the wild virus.

Rabies is transmitted most often through the saliva of an infected animal. The disease can be fatal to your cat within 10 days. Rabies vaccines are very safe and effective. They are usually first given at three to four months of age.