Cat Health Problems

URI

These infections are caused by one of 4 viruses (2 mild and 2 severe). The viruses are:-

• calicivirus (severe)
• rhinotracheitis (RHV) (severe) – feline herpes (see Feline Herpes Virus for more on this)
• pneumonitis (mild)
• reovirus (mild)

What are the signs of this infection? They are sneezing, runny eyes and nose (like a human cold). Of the two mild viruses the lesser is pneumonitis. Reovirus may lead to a mild fever. Antibiotics are given as protection against secondary (bacterial) infection. Eye drops are also given. What can we do to alleviate the symptoms of the cat cold (actually to describe it as a “cold” is probably because it can be a lot worse) – not much!

Humans cannot catch flu from cats. The more severe infections result in high fever, extremely thick eye and nasal discharges. There may be open sores and ulcers on the mouth. RHV can cause the cornea (front of the eyes) to become ulcerated. The sense of smell is diminished, which when combined with the ulcers leads to under eating and becoming thin. This leads to dehydration and weakness and becoming more ill. It can be fatal especially in the young. This is not like the common cold, being far more serious. Another sign is the swelling of the lymph nodes under the chin. The severe infections can be carried after recovery and be spread.

Secondary infections can occur. It is useful to remind ourselves as to the difference between cat colds and bacterial infections (opens in new window) . An infection by Chlamydia can be mistaken for cat flu as it causes conjunctivitis. A Chlamydia infection is a URI and it causes pneumonitis.

Cats can be immunized against these infections.

Updates 20th Sept. 2010: These are some pages on the subject of URIs:

• My cat has an upper respiratory infection and loss of appetite, please help
• Feline Viruses listed
• Conjunctivitis in a kitten
• Cat drooling
• Necessary procedure versus declawing and feline calici virus

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FLUTD

This covers a wide range of lower urinary tract disorders (diseases) from mild Cystitis to total blockage and is a very common cat health problem. A common disorder is a blockage in the urinary system (urethra or bladder) which may cause a bacterial infection (UTI – Urinary Tract Infection or Inflammation) due to the immobile urine being a good medium for bacteria to multiply. The blockage is often caused by the formation of crystals and stones. The infection can be presented as Cystitis (bladder inflammation). The infection can also lead to kidney failure and be fatal.

The most common cause of the blockage is not certain. Elizabeth Hodgkins DVM believes it is due to diet (see below). The crystals are magnesium. Magnesium crystals are formed in an alkaline solution (low pH). The pet food manufacturers added acid (high pH) to the food and lowered the magnesium content to reduce crystal formation. Elizabeth says that this misses the point.

She says that it is dry cat food that results in alkaline urine and crystal formation. Since the introduction of dry cat food there has been an increase in UTI a modern cat health problem. She recommends wet cat food. Dry cat food also requires the cat to drink more and they often don’t. I have personal experience with my cat of this, which caused Cystitis. Once fed watery fish the problem disappeared. Stress can exacerbate FLUTD – e.g. Separation Anxiety. See also Blood in Cat Urine (opens a new window)

4th Nov. 2010: Update: Feline Urinary Tract Infection | Natural Cure