Symptoms of the 4 Most Common Feline/Cat Diseases

Knowing the symptoms of feline, or cat, diseases is essential during the diagnosis. The symptoms indicate the affected organs and help the veterinarian to make a distinction between different feline health conditions that may share certain aspects. Below are detailed the symptoms of some of the most common cat diseases.

1. Symptoms of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Cats suffering from feline lower urinary tract disease, which is also known as feline urologic syndrome, will face great difficulties while trying to pass the urine. Because of this fact, your cat will experience some of the following symptoms:

• Crying in the litter box
• Discomfort
• Passing the urine outside the litter box
• Poor appetite
• Squatting in the litter box without urinating
• Vomiting

Please keep in mind that some of these symptoms may also occur when your cat suffers from some other disease. In order to make sure that it is feline lower urinary tract disease and not something else, you need to take your cat to the veterinarian.

2. Symptoms of Feline Diabetes

As the age of the cat does not influence the incidence of feline diabetespolyur, this health condition tends to be rather common. It occurs when the hormone insulin is either unable or insufficient for keeping blood sugar levels normal. The most frequent symptoms noticed in cats with diabetes include:

• Increased appetite
• Lethargy
• Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
• Polyuria (frequent urination)
• Weight loss

In addition, secondary bacterial infections may develop as diabetes advances. If you notice that your cat has a poor coat of hair, you may also take diabetes into consideration as a possible cause.

3. Symptoms of Feline Hyperthyroidism

Cat hyperthyroidism is a very frequent health disorder that occurs in middle-aged and old cats. As the disease is caused by overproduction of hyperthyroid hormones, the symptoms are quite diverse, and include:

• Arrhythmias
• Diarrhea
• Difficult breathing
• Heart murmur
• High heart rate
• Hyperactivity
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

The symptoms that affect the heart are not present in all cats with hyperthyroidism, but only in the ones that have heart diseases due to the high levels of hormones. As many of the symptoms are common to many other diseases, a blood test is necessary for determining whether high levels of hormones are causing them.

4. Symptoms of Feline Respiratory Diseases

Cat influenza is not uncommon, but there are numerous other diseases that can affect the respiratory system of your cat. Feline asthma, rhinotracheitis and feline pneumonitis are several such diseases, but they do not occur as frequently as cat flu. The symptoms of the latter include:

• Coughing
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Eye discharge
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Mouth ulcers
• Sneezing
• Snuffling

Keep in mind that for cats that are not vaccinated cat influenza may be fatal. Because of this fact, it is mandatory to contact a veterinarian if any of the symptoms listed above is noticed. The veterinarian will perform the necessary diagnosis tests in order to pinpoint exactly the disease. If your cat is found to suffer from cat flu, an adequate treatment will be prescribed, so your cat gets well.

This path, from symptoms to diagnosis and treatment, is valid for all the feline diseases, no matter if they are common or not. Treating the diseases is mandatory, in order to avoid even more serious complications or even the death of your cat.