Okay, here’s the expanded question:
“I’m a new cat owner, and I want to be proactive about my cat’s health. What are some of the most common diseases that affect cats, and what specific symptoms should I be looking out for that might indicate my cat needs to see a vet? Please include diseases that are common in both kittens and adult cats, and mention any breed predispositions if possible. I’m particularly interested in understanding common infectious diseases, parasitic infections, and chronic conditions like kidney disease or diabetes. Also, are there any symptoms that, regardless of the specific disease, should always trigger an immediate vet visit?”

Answer

Common cat diseases and their symptoms include:

Infectious Diseases:

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): Caused by feline herpesvirus, FVR is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection.

  • Symptoms: Sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye), fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, and sometimes corneal ulcers.

• Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Another common cause of upper respiratory infections.

  • Symptoms: Similar to FVR, including sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. FCV can also cause oral ulcers (sores in the mouth), limping (due to joint inflammation), and, in some strains, virulent systemic disease (VSD), also known as hemorrhagic calicivirus, which causes severe illness and high mortality.

• Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper): A highly contagious and often fatal viral disease.

  • Symptoms: Fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), severe dehydration, lethargy, and a drastically low white blood cell count (panleukopenia). Kittens are particularly susceptible.

• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): A retrovirus that weakens the immune system and can lead to various diseases.

  • Symptoms: FeLV can cause a wide range of symptoms, including anemia, lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system), immunosuppression (increased susceptibility to other infections), weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, gingivitis, stomatitis, and reproductive problems. Some cats can be asymptomatic carriers.

• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): A retrovirus that attacks the immune system, similar to HIV in humans.

  • Symptoms: FIV can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, gingivitis, stomatitis, chronic or recurrent infections, weight loss, diarrhea, and neurological problems. Many cats can live for years with FIV before showing symptoms.

• Rabies: A fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system.

  • Symptoms: Rabies has several stages. Early symptoms can include changes in behavior, fever, and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, cats may exhibit aggression, restlessness, disorientation, paralysis, seizures, hypersalivation (foaming at the mouth), and ultimately death.

• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): Caused by a mutated form of feline coronavirus.

  • Symptoms: FIP has two main forms: wet and dry. The wet form is characterized by fluid accumulation in the abdomen and/or chest (ascites and pleural effusion). The dry form causes granulomas (inflammatory masses) in various organs, leading to a wide range of symptoms depending on the organ affected, including fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice, neurological signs, and ocular (eye) problems.

Parasitic Diseases:

• Fleas: External parasites that feed on blood.

  • Symptoms: Excessive scratching and grooming, hair loss (especially around the tail base), flea dirt (small black specks) in the fur, and, in severe infestations, anemia. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms.

• Ticks: External parasites that attach to the skin and feed on blood.

  • Symptoms: Visible ticks on the skin, localized irritation or swelling at the bite site, and, in some cases, transmission of diseases like Lyme disease (rare in cats but possible).

• Ear Mites: Microscopic parasites that live in the ear canal.

  • Symptoms: Excessive head shaking, scratching at the ears, dark, coffee-ground-like discharge in the ears, and inflammation of the ear canal.

• Heartworms: Parasitic worms that live in the heart and lungs.

  • Symptoms: Although less common in cats than dogs, heartworm infection can be severe. Symptoms can include coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, lethargy, weight loss, and sudden death. Some cats may show no symptoms until the disease is advanced.

• Roundworms: Intestinal parasites.

  • Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, pot-bellied appearance (especially in kittens), and, in severe cases, worms may be visible in the vomit or feces.

• Hookworms: Intestinal parasites that attach to the intestinal wall and feed on blood.

  • Symptoms: Diarrhea (often bloody), anemia, weight loss, and weakness.

• Tapeworms: Intestinal parasites that are often transmitted by fleas or by ingesting infected rodents.

  • Symptoms: Often asymptomatic, but sometimes segments of the tapeworm (resembling grains of rice) can be seen around the anus or in the feces.

• Coccidia: Single-celled intestinal parasites.

  • Symptoms: Diarrhea (often watery and bloody), vomiting, loss of appetite, and dehydration.

• Giardia: Another single-celled intestinal parasite.

  • Symptoms: Diarrhea (often foul-smelling), vomiting, weight loss, and dehydration.

• Toxoplasmosis: A disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are the definitive host.

  • Symptoms: Many cats are asymptomatic. Symptoms can include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, respiratory problems, jaundice, neurological signs (such as seizures or incoordination), and eye inflammation. Can cause serious problems for pregnant women.

Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases:

• Diabetes Mellitus (Sugar Diabetes): A disease in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels.

  • Symptoms: Increased thirst (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), increased appetite (polyphagia) with weight loss, lethargy, and sweet-smelling breath (due to ketones).

• Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland.

  • Symptoms: Weight loss despite increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, and a palpable thyroid gland in the neck.

• Kidney Disease (Chronic Kidney Disease – CKD): A progressive loss of kidney function.

  • Symptoms: Increased thirst and urination, weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, and poor coat condition.

Other Common Diseases:

• Dental Disease: Very common in cats, characterized by tartar buildup, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

  • Symptoms: Bad breath (halitosis), red and swollen gums, drooling, difficulty eating, pawing at the mouth, and weight loss.

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Bacterial infections of the bladder or urethra.

  • Symptoms: Straining to urinate, frequent urination of small amounts, blood in the urine (hematuria), pain when urinating, and inappropriate urination (urinating outside the litter box).

• Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD): A general term for conditions affecting the bladder and urethra. Can include cystitis (bladder inflammation), urinary crystals, and urinary blockages.

  • Symptoms: Similar to UTIs: straining to urinate, frequent urination of small amounts, blood in the urine, pain when urinating, inappropriate urination. In male cats, urinary blockages are life-threatening.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.

  • Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.

• Arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease): Inflammation of the joints.

  • Symptoms: Stiffness, lameness, decreased activity, reluctance to jump or climb, and irritability when touched.

• Cancer: Various types of cancer can affect cats.

  • Symptoms: Vary depending on the type and location of the cancer. Common symptoms include weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, lumps or bumps, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in behavior.

• Heart Disease (Cardiomyopathy): Disease of the heart muscle.

  • Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, sudden collapse, and, in some cases, sudden death.

Behavioral Problems:

• While not diseases in the traditional sense, behavioral problems can significantly impact a cat’s health and well-being. Examples include:

  • Symptoms: Inappropriate urination or defecation, aggression, excessive vocalization, destructive behavior, and anxiety. These problems can be caused by medical issues, environmental factors, or psychological stress.

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and some diseases can have overlapping symptoms. If you notice any unusual signs or symptoms in your cat, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Early detection and intervention are often key to improving outcomes for many feline diseases.