The health of domestic cats is a well-studied area in veterinary medicine.
Topics include infectious and genetic diseases, diet and nutrition and non-therapeutic surgical procedures such as castrate and declare.
Video Cat health
Disease
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are caused by the presence of pathogenic organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites (either animals or protozoa). Most of these diseases can spread from cat to cat through airborne pathogens or through direct or indirect contact, while others require vectors such as lice or mosquitoes. Certain infectious diseases are a concern from a public health standpoint because they are Feline zoonosis and can be transmitted to humans.
Viral
Virus diseases in cats can be serious, especially in the catital and cage. Timely vaccination can reduce the risk and severity of the infection. The most commonly recommended viruses for vaccinating cats are:
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a genetic relative of HIV.
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) is a cat's upper respiratory infection caused by a cat's herpesvirus (FHV-1).
- Feline calicivirus (FCV), the cause of other respiratory viral infections in cats.
- Feline panleukopenia (FPV) is more commonly known as feline distemper. Rabies, a deadly disease transmitted by an infected mammal bite. In the United States, cats account for 4.6% of reported cases of rabid-infected animals.
Other viruses that may be exposed to cats include:
- Chlamydophila felis
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), non-cancer retroviruses.
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), lentivirus, and also not cancer. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), an untreatable fatal illness caused by Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus (FIPV), which is a mutation of Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV/FeCoV).
- H5N1. View: Global spread of H5N1 # Felidae (cat)
Mushrooms
- Ringworm
- Cryptococcus
Parasites
Animal parasitology studies internal and external parasites in animals. External parasites, such as lice, mites, lice and mosquitoes can cause skin irritation and often become carriers of other diseases or internal parasites.
External parasites
- Ear mites and other mites can cause skin problems such as scabies.
- Fleas, lice, and mosquitoes often carry many diseases that come from the blood.
Internal parasites
- Heartworm
- Wormworm
- Toksoplasmosis
- Cytauxzoonosis
Genetic Diseases
Domestic cats are affected by more than 250 natural hereditary disorders, many of which are similar to humans, such as diabetes, haemophilia, and Tay-Sachs disease. For example, the Abyssinian cat lineage contains a genetic mutation that causes retinitis pigmentosa, which also affects humans.
- Family kidney disease inherited in Abyssinians and Persians
- Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Heart dysplasia valve
- Heterochromia
- Luxating patella
- Portosystemic shaft. Found in Persia and Himalayas.
- flat-chested kitten syndrome
Skin disorders
Skin disorders are one of the most common health problems in cats and have many causes. Skin condition and cat hair can be an important indicator of general health.
- Cheyletiellosis is a mild dermatitis caused by mites of the genus Cheyletiella . It is also known as walking dandruff because skin scales are carried by mites.
- Feline Acne
- Cat eosinophilic granuloma
- Allergic allergy dermatitis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Biliary dermatitis (eczema thunder)
- Scabies
- Nutritional Skin Disorder
Tumors and cancers
- Bladder cancer
- Bone cancer
- Colon cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lymphoma in animals
- Breast tumor
- Mast cell tumor
- Cancer of the nose
- Skin cancer
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Stomach cancer
Other diseases
- Anal impaction bag
- Cerebellar hypoplasia is a disorder found in cats and dogs where the cerebellum is not fully mature at birth. Cerebellar hypoplasia causes jerky movements, tremors, and movements that are generally uncoordinated. The animal often fell and had difficulty walking. Tremor increases when the animal is vibrant and subsides when it feels comfortable.
- The corneal ulcer is a condition of inflammation of the cornea that causes the loss of the outer layer. This is very common in dogs and sometimes seen in cats.
- Diabetes
- Feline hyperaldosteronism Epilepsy is characterized by unwarranted recurrent seizures. Epilepsy in cats is rare because there is no inherited component for epilepsy in cats.
- Cat asthma
- flat-chested kitten syndrome
- Cat liver lipidosis also known as Feline Fatty Liver Syndrome, is one of the most common forms of cat liver disease. This disease begins when the cat stops eating because of loss of appetite, forcing the liver to convert body fat into usable energy. Urinary tract disease is a term used to treat many cat urinary tract problems, including stones and cystitis. The term cat's urological syndrome is an old term that is still sometimes used for this condition. This is a common disease in adult cats, although cats can attack young cats as well. It may present as one of many urinary tract problems, and can lead to complete blockage of the urinary system, which, if left untreated, is fatal.
- Feline odontoklastic resorresal lesions
- Feline spongiform encephalopathy
- IBD - Bowel Disease causes frequent vomiting and weight loss in cats. Similar to Crohn's disease in humans, cat's intestinal antibodies see food as the enemy and attack the absorption of nutrients as well as the organ of the cat itself and intestinal fluid. Daily immunosuppressants (such as Prednisolone) are required, as well as changes to the diet that include canned food with a single source protein and limited ingredients. Most cats with IBD also have some food allergies, including red meat protein, fish oil, and gluten, which must be handled along with the disease. Regular vomiting in cats is not good; discuss possible IBD with your veterinarian. Undiagnosed or untreated IBD can lead to death through malnutrition even in regular eating cats.
- Polineuropathy
- Pyometra
- Uterine unicornis a condition in which a female cat loses a uterine horn. A rare discovery by a veterinarian, this condition can be detected by x-ray or ultrasound before spaying if the patient has a family history with a medical condition. No scientific research is known to prove that unicornis of the uterus is a hereditary genetic disorder. In some cases, the patient may also have kidney loss on the same side as the missing uterine antler. This phenomenon is also called unilateral renal agenesis.
Zoonosis
Researchers at the Cornell Feline University Health Center believe that "zoonotic disease poses minimal threats" to humans. But some people are very risky. These are people "with immature immune systems or weak" (infants, elderly people, people undergoing cancer therapy, and individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Some common forms of zoonosis and are preventable are as follows:
- Toksoplasmosis
- Giardia
- Cat scratch
- Rabies
- Ringworm
Maps Cat health
Preventive drugs
Vaccinations
Vaccination is an important measure of animal health prevention. The specific vaccinations recommended for cats vary depending on the geographical location, environment, travel history, and activities often done by animals. In the United States, regardless of these factors, it is usually strongly recommended that cats be vaccinated against Detection of the disease
Feline diseases such as FeLV, FIV, and cat heartworm can be detected during routine visits to veterinarians. Various tests exist that can detect cat diseases, and with early detection most diseases can be managed effectively.
Parasitic Treatment
A topical product once a month or a pill that can be consumed is the product most often used to kill and prevent future parasitic infestations.
Diet and nutrition
Veterinarians generally recommend commercial cat food formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats although more and more owners are choosing cooked or raw foods prepared at home.
Although cats are carnivorous, vegetarian and vegan cats are preferred by uncomfortable owners by feeding animal products to their pets. The US Food and Drug Administration Center for Animal Drugs has come out against vegetarian cats and dog food for health reasons. Cats need high levels of Taurine in their diet. Taurine is an organic acid found in animal tissues. This is the main constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine. Taurine has many biological roles such as bile acid conjugation, antioxidants, membrane stabilization and modulating calcium signaling. This is important for cardiovascular function in cats, and the development and function of skeletal muscle, retina and central nervous system. Although meat proteins can be replaced with vegetable proteins, vegetable proteins do not provide enough amino acids that are important for the body of the cat to function.
Cats can be selective eaters. Although it is very rare for cats to intentionally starve themselves to the point of injury, in fat cats, sudden weight loss can lead to a fatal condition called Feline Hepatic Lipidosis, a liver dysfunction that causes pathological loss of appetite and strengthens hunger. , which can cause death in just 48 hours.
Pica is a condition in which animals chew or eat unusual things like cloth, plastic or wool. In cats, these are mostly harmless because they do not digest most, but can be fatal or require surgical removal if large amounts of foreign ingested ingredients (eg, whole socks). This tends to be more common in Burmese, Oriental, Siamese and breed with this in their ancestors.
Food allergy
Food allergy is a non-seasonal disease with skin and/or gastrointestinal disorders. The main complaint is pruritus. The exact prevalence of food allergies in cats is still unknown. There are no breeds, no gender or predilections at age, although some breeds are generally affected. Prior to the onset of clinical signs, animals have been fed offensive food components for at least two years, although some animals are less than one year old. In 20 to 30% of cases, cats have concomitant allergic diseases (atopy/flea-allergic dermatitis). A reliable diagnosis can only be done with an elimination diet. Challenges are required for the identification of the causative food component. Therapy consists of avoiding the offending food component (s). Cats with food allergies are constantly itching on their red skin, not hairy, and wrinkled. Hair loss usually occurs on the face and/or anus. It may be necessary, depending on the severity of the reaction, two weeks to three months for the cat to recover if the annoying allergen is removed.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition in cats is currently rare due to a complete and balanced diet that is formulated and fed. But that can still happen if cat food intake decreases beyond what food can provide, if interactions occur between ingredients or nutrients, if mistakes are made during formulation or manufacturing, and if food is stored for a long time. If the cat becomes malnourished, lacks energy, protein, taurine, essential fatty acids, minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium), vitamins (A, D, E, thiamine, niacin, biotin), and trace elements , copper, zinc, iodine, selenium) can occur causing many symptoms of deficiency.
For information on the correct cat diet, see cat food.
Central retinal degeneration
One cat disease caused by malnutrition is central deficiency of the retina, dysfunction in cats that can be hereditary as well.
The retina, the thin layer of tissue behind the eyes, is a structure that is affected by this disorder. This structure receives the light that is collected and focused from the lens. It basically takes light and converts it into electrical neural signals interpreted by the brain as vision. The retina contains rods and cones which are photo receptors that help animals see (stems) and see certain colors (cones).
Retinal degeneration can be caused by a deficiency of taurine, which is why many cat foods are supplemented with taurine. Central retinal deficiency can not be altered but its effect can be significantly hindered if a diet equipped with sufficient taurine is provided. Vitamin A and E deficiency can also cause degeneration of the retina in cats.
Obesity
Neutering and overfeeding have contributed to the increase in obesity in domestic cats, especially in developed countries. Obesity in cats has the same effect as in humans, and will increase the risk of heart disease, etc. Thus shorten the life of the cat.
Non-therapeutic surgical procedures
- Spay and castrate
- Onychectomy (declawing)
Danger in an urban environment
- High-level syndrome
- Vehicles
Toxic substances
ASPCA lists some common sources of toxins found by pets, including: plants, human and cosmetic drugs, cleaning products, and even food.
Some ornamental plants are harmful to cats. For example, the leaves of the Easter Lily can cause permanent kidney damage and life-threatening in cats, and Philodendron are also poisonous to cats. Cat Fanciers Association 'has a complete list of plants that are harmful to cats.
Paracetamol or acetaminophen (trade names Panadol and Tylenol) are highly toxic to cats, and should not be given to them under any circumstances. Cats lack the necessary glucoronyl transferase enzymes to safely break down paracetamol and small parts of normal tablets for humans can be fatal. Early symptoms include vomiting, saliva and tongue and gum changes. After about two days, liver damage is proven, usually causing jaundice. Unlike an overdose in humans, rarely liver damage is the cause of death, not methaemoglobin formation and body production of Heinz in red blood cells inhibits oxygen transport by blood, causing shortness of breath. Effective treatment is sometimes possible for small doses, but should be very fast.
Even aspirin, which is sometimes used to treat arthritis in cats, is much more toxic to them than humans and should be given with caution. Similarly, the application of minoxidil (Rogaine) on the skin of cats, either unintentional or by well-intentioned owners trying to counteract the loss of feathers, sometimes proves fatal.
In addition to the obvious hazards such as insecticides and weed killers, other common household items that should be used with caution in areas where cats can be exposed to them include camphor and other naphthalene products, as well as phenol-based products often used for cleaning and disinfecting. near cat-feeding areas or sandboxes, such as Pine-Sol, Dettol (Lysol), hexachlorophene, etc. which though widely used without problems, sometimes looks fatal. Ethylene glycol, often used as an automotive antifreeze, is very attractive to cats, and as little as one teaspoon can be fatal. Essential oils are toxic to cats and there have been reported cases of serious illnesses caused by tea tree oils, and the care of lice and tea-based tree-based shampoos.
Many human foods are somewhat toxic to cats; theobromine in chocolate can cause theobromine poisoning, for example, although some cats will eat chocolate. Toxicity in cats that eat onions or garlic in relatively large quantities has also been reported.
In addition to obvious hazards such as rodenticides, insecticides, and herbicides, cats can be poisoned by many chemicals normally considered safe by their human guardians, since their livers are less effective in some forms of detoxification than other animals, including humans and dogs. Some of the most common causes of poisoning in cats are antifreeze and rodent bait. Cats may be very sensitive to environmental pollutants. When a cat has a sudden or prolonged serious illness without any obvious cause, it may be exposed to toxins.
Many human medicines should not be given to cats. For example, paracetamol painkillers (or acetaminophen, sold as Tylenol and Panadol) are highly toxic to cats: even very small doses require immediate and potentially fatal treatment. Even aspirin, which is sometimes used to treat arthritis in cats, is much more toxic to them than humans and should be given with caution. Similarly, the application of minoxidil (Rogaine) on the skin of cats, either by accident or by a well-meaning guardian to fight the loss of fur, is sometimes fatal. Essential oils can be toxic to cats and cases have been reported serious diseases caused by tea tree oil, including the treatment of ticks and shampoos that contain it.
Other common household substances that should be used with caution around cats include camphor and other naphthalene products. Phenol-based products (eg Pine-Sol, Dettol/Lysol or hexachlorophene) are often used for cleaning and disinfecting near cat eating areas or stool boxes, but this can sometimes be fatal. Ethylene glycol, often used as an automotive antifreeze, is very attractive to cats, and as little as one teaspoon can be fatal. Some human foods are poisonous to cats; for example chocolate can cause theobromine poisoning, although (unlike dogs) some cats will eat chocolate. Onions or garlic in large quantities are also toxic to cats. Many ornamental plants are also dangerous, such as Philodendron species and Easter dolphins (Lilium longiflorum), which can cause permanent and life-threatening kidney damage.
Ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) poisoning
Cats can succumb quickly from ethylene glycol poisoning, after ingesting as little as one teaspoon. The main source of ethylene glycol is the antifreeze or radiator coolant, where the concentration is high. Other sources of antifreeze include windshield division agents, brake fluid, motor oil, developing solutions for hobby photographers, wood stains, solvents, and paints. Some people insert antifreeze into their cabin toilets to prevent it freezing during the winter, which results in toxins when animals drink from the toilet. Small amounts of antifreeze may be contained in holiday ornaments such as snowballs. A cat suspected of digesting ethylene glycol requires immediate animal care, to receive the antidote within three hours. The earlier the treatment begins, the greater the chance of survival.
References
External links
- 2010 FSA AAFP/AAHA Life Stage Guidelines
- Merck Dentist's Manual
- Feline Veterinary Medical Information Encyclopedia
- Health Info cat Cornell Feline Health Center
- Notes on Acetaminophen Toxicosis in Cats
- Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine: The Indoor pet Initiative: For cat owners - addressing the needs of cats and how to meet them, solving problems and avoiding common stressors
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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