Asthma and Respiratory Issues in Cats
By far, viruses are the most common causes of upper respiratory infections in cats. Feline contagious upper respiratory problems are prevalent in shelters, catteries and multi-cat households. These viruses can be transmitted from cat to cat through sneezing, coughing, or while grooming or sharing food and water bowls. Once infected, cats can become carriers for life, and though they may not show any signs, they can still transmit the viruses to others.
Cold Symptoms in Cats
While there are differences in the types of viruses that infect humans versus cats, the symptoms are basically the same: sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes. Other symptoms include aches and pains in the muscles and joints, mouth ulcers, dribbling, loss of voice and fever. Sometimes, you may not know your cat has the virus. Up to 20% of cats with the flu don’t show any symptoms. Cat flu is not usually serious in adult cats, although they can be quite ill.
Cushing's Disease in Cats
Cushing's disease is a condition in which the adrenal glands overproduce certain hormones. The adrenal glands are located near the kidneys and produce several vital substances that regulate a variety of body functions and are necessary to sustain life. The most widely known of these substances is cortisol, commonly known as “cortisone.” Decreased or excessive production of these cortisol, may be life-threatening.
Digestive Issues in Cats
The simplest signs of digestive problems in dogs are vomiting and diarrhea/constipation.There are many different types of digestive disorders so your vet may carry out tests to determine the exact cause of your cat's problem. Causes can range from eating something other than cat food, to food allergies and intolerances, infections, or lack of digestive enzymes.
Intestinal Worms and Parasites in Cats
Cats can get a variety of intestinal parasites, including some that are commonly referred to as “worms.” Infestations of intestinal worms can cause a variety of symptoms. Sometimes cats demonstrate few to no signs of infection, and the infestation can go undetected despite being a potentially serious health problem. Some feline parasitic worms are hazards for humane health as well.
Joint Problems in Cats
Arthritis is a joint problem that can reduce mobility and elicit pain in cats. It can be caused by injury, infection, the cat's own immune system, or developmental problems involving the joints. However, the most common form of arthritis in cats is called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.
Kidney Issues in Cats
Just like human kidneys, your cat's kidneys balance certain substances in the blood and filter out the body's wastes as urine. They help control blood pressure, aid in calcium metabolism and sustain phosphorous levels. Kidneys maintain normal concentrations of salt and water in the body. Additionally, they manufacture a hormone that encourages red-blood cell production. When kidneys don't function properly, toxins build up in the blood and a cat will become ill.
Liver Disease in Cats
Liver helps with digestion and blood clotting for your cat, it helps to remove toxins from his system. Because the liver works to rid the body of so many different substances, it is susceptible to damage from many different sources. Liver disease results in inflammation, known as hepatitis. If untreated, this can lead to loss of function as healthy liver cells are replaced by scar tissue. Diseases elsewhere in the body can also affect the liver’s function.
Seizure Disorders in Cats
Most pet owners probably don’t know this, but cats can have seizures just like humans. Few things are worse than seeing your usually happy-go-lucky kitty suddenly flop to the ground and tread water that isn’t even there, but for some cats, this is their reality.
Sinus Problems in Cats
A cat sinus infection is like a sinus infections in humans with similar symptoms such as runny nose, nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing and gagging. When the cat's sinus lining is damanged by a foreign object such as a blade of grass that gets caught in the nose, the result is an injury that can trigger a sinus condition such as sinusitis or bacterial rhinitis.
Urinary System Issues in Cats
There are many problems that can affect a cat's lower urinary system. Idiopathic Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease is a general term for disorders characterized by blood in the urine, difficult or painful urination, abnormal, frequent passage of urine, urinating in inappropriate locations, and partial or complete blockage of the urethra. Also known as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS), or Interstitial Cystitis, this treatable condition occurs in the bladder and urethra of the lower urinary tract; that is, the tube from the bladder to the outside, through which urine flows out of the body.