Feline Health Problems

Not all illnesses are contagious, of course. Let's take a look at noninfectious health problems that can affect some cats.

Cat Allergies

Cats cause allergic reactions in many people (see Cats and Allergies), so I guess it's only fair that cats can suffer from allergies, too. Let's look at the most common feline allergens.

• Inhalant allergens are airborne particles that irritate the respiratory system, causing asthmalike symptoms, and, in some cases, hair loss and skin lesions. Dust from kitty litter is a common offender; other common inhalant allergens include pollen, tobacco smoke, fragrances, household spray cleaners and deodorizers, and dust. Inhalant allergies are often treated with antihistamines or, in severe cases, steroids.
• Contact allergies are caused by physical contact with a substance that causes a reaction. Common contact allergens include plants, household cleaners, carpet fresheners, dust, wool and synthetic fibers, ink, and topical medications.
• Flea allergy is very common and often becomes worse as the cat grows older and more sensitive to flea saliva, which the insect injects as it bites. A single flea bite can cause a massive allergic reaction in some cats.
• Food allergies are also common. Grains and dairy products are the worst offenders, but some cats are allergic to meats, dyes, preservatives, and other ingredients used in some cat foods and treats. Food allergies often take some time to show up and can be difficult to pinpoint. A cat might eat the allergen-containing food for years before allergic symptoms become evident. Food allergies may also contribute to FUS (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease). Simply switching to a different food can make all the difference.
• Drug and anesthesia allergies also occur in some cats. There's no way to predict which cat will react to which drug, so it is important to observe your cat carefully after vaccinations or while taking medications.

Skin patch tests can be used to diagnose contact allergies, but often diagnosis is a drawn-out process of elimination because symptoms vary from cat to cat and can indicate other problems. However, some common allergy symptoms include the following:

• Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
• Skin eruptions
• Oily skin
• Hair loss
• Changes in pigmentation
• Itching
• Inflammation of the ears
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Respiratory problems
• Swelling, particularly on the face

Removing the source of the allergen can sometimes control allergies. If your vet suspects your cat has a food allergy, he or she will probably recommend a bland hypoallergenic diet until symptoms clear up, followed by a slow shift to a food without the suspected allergen. Vets often use antihistamines to control symptoms, and in severe cases, steroids, preferably on a short-term basis.

Anal Gland Problems

The anal glands (anal sacs) are small glands embedded in the anal sphincter muscle. When the cat defecates or becomes alarmed, the anal glands excrete a pungent fluid thought to be used for individual identification and to mark territory.

Occasionally the anal glands become impacted (blocked), infected, or injured and require veterinary care. Signs of anal gland problems include licking or biting at the anal area, scooting the rear end across the floor, or a foul odor.

Constipation

The most common cause of feline constipation is the infamous hairball. Frequent brushing will reduce the amount of hair your cat swallows while grooming himself, and special foods and hair-ball treatments will help keep the nasty things from forming (see Keeping Up with Your Cat's Hygiene).

Lack of sufficient water can also cause constipation, particularly in older cats who don't drink regularly. Be sure your cat has constant access to clean, fresh water.

Liver and Kidney Disease

Infections, parasites, cancer, toxins, medications, and various diseases can all cause potentially fatal damage to the liver. Jaundice is symptomatic of liver disease, but other symptoms are not specific, making liver problems difficult to identify.

Kidney disease is often similarly serious and difficult to pinpoint, although changes in urination can indicate kidney problems.

Blood tests for liver and kidney function should be part of routine health care, especially for older cats or cats at special risk for liver or kidney disease.

Pancreatitis and Diabetes

The pancreas produces insulin to help the body metabolize sugar and other pancreatic enzymes to help the body digest and absorb fats.

Pancreatitis—a potentially lethal inflammation of the pancreas—can be caused by certain infections, medications, infections, metabolic disorders, trauma, and shock. Symptoms of pancreatitis in cats include fever, abdominal pain, and elevated heart rate. Treatment usually involves withholding food temporarily to allow the pancreas to rest and recover, administration of fluids and electrolytes to combat dehydration, and management of complications or suspected underlying causes.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas loses its ability to regulate blood sugar. Diabetes is most common in older cats, but can occur in young cats as well. Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst and, consequently, excessive urination. Obesity can trigger the disease, so fat cats should be tested periodically, especially if they exhibit other symptoms. Not all diabetic cats are fat, though, so if your cat drinks a lot, consider having him tested. Some diabetic cats lose weight spontaneously.

You can sometimes manage diabetes through diet, but many diabetic cats need daily insulin injections to control excess blood sugar. Most people can learn to give the injections, but frequent vet visits are important to be sure the dosage is correct. You can use urine glucose strips, available in any pharmacy, to monitor daily levels. But be sure to ask your vet what to do if your cat's blood sugar drops too low due to insulin injections—Karo syrup is often used to bring the level back up, but veterinary guidance is critical.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea usually doesn't last long or indicate anything more than a mildly upset digestive system. However, if it persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied by fever or vomiting, or contains blood, take your cat to the vet immediately. If possible, take a stool sample along for analysis.

In most cases, feeding your cat a bland diet for a few days will clear up diarrhea and prevent dehydration. Some combination of plain yogurt, cottage cheese, boiled chicken, unsalted chicken broth, bread soaked in broth, or boiled rice works well, although you might have to experiment to find a combination your cat will eat. Some people also use strained, unseasoned baby food. Withholding food for a day or two before starting the bland diet might help. Do not withhold water!

Your veterinarian might prescribe medication or recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment. Don't give your cat any human medication without first consulting your vet. Some contain aspirin or other ingredients that can harm your cat.

Common causes of acute diarrhea include changes in diet, partial blockage of the intestines, medication, allergic reaction, poisoning, parasites, disease, or infection. Chronic diarrhea can be caused by partial blockage of the intestines, inflammatory bowel disease, sensitivity to food or medication (particularly antibiotics), bacteria, viral infection, or parasites, or it might be idiopathic, or have no known cause.

Epilepsy and Seizures

In a healthy brain, neurons transmit messages so the animal can think and move normally. If the neurons fire randomly, the animal experiences a seizure, which can be anything from a momentary loss of awareness to a full-blown convulsion. Seizures can be caused by a host of factors that affect brain activity, including toxins, drug sensitivity or overdose, head trauma, and disease. If the cause is identified and removed, the seizures usually stop.

Idiopathic epilepsy (also called primary epilepsy or just epilepsy) is a condition in which no specific cause can be determined for the seizures. It is often inherited, and symptoms usually appear when an affected cat is 2 to 3 years old. Although epilepsy is incurable, the seizures can often be controlled with anticonvulsant drugs such as Phenobarbital that calm the nerves in the brain. If seizures occur only occasionally (once a month or less), anticonvusants are not usually prescribed.

Lymphoma

Feline lymphoma is a common cancer of cats. It can affect different organs but always involves lymphoid cells. Because feline lymphoma is more common in cats who have FeLV or FIV, FeLV vaccination is recommended for cats who might be exposed to other cats outdoors, at shows, or in other contexts.

Chemotherapy can increase life expectancy in affected cats, de-pending on the location and stage of the disease when diagnosed. Radiation or surgery may also be used in some cases. Remission and life expectancy in cats with lymphoma depend on the location of the tumor(s) and how soon the disease is found and treated. The majority of cats live 4 to 6 months with treatment, 4 to 6 weeks without. The survival rate is lower in cats with FeLV or FIV.

Cancer treatment is a rapidly evolving field, so if your cat is diagnosed with lymphoma (or another cancer), you might want to consult a veterinary oncologist.

Thyroid Problems

Hyperthyroidism—overproduction of thyroid hormone—is the most common endocrine problem in cats. Middle-age and older cats are most often affected, although hyperthyroidism can develop in cats as young as 4 years old. Environmental, nutritional, and immunological factors are believed to play a role in the development of tumors that stimulate the thyroid glands to secrete excess thyroid hormone.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely from one cat to an-other. More than half of affected cats lose weight and experience increased appetites, heart murmurs, or elevated heart rates. Vomiting, increased thirst and urination, and increased activity levels are also common. Some hyperthyroid cats experience, in various combinations, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weakness and lack of energy, or respiratory problems. Hormone levels can be determined through blood tests. Drugs, radioiodine therapy, or, occasionally, surgery are effective in controlling an overactive thyroid.

Vomiting

Vomiting does not necessarily mean a cat is ill. Most carnivores can vomit at will to empty their stomachs of anything that disagrees with them. This ability makes sense in the wild, where it's easy to get spoiled, potentially dangerous, meat. Domestic cats retain this ability.

The most common cause of vomiting is hairballs. If your cat is throwing up small gray lumps, she is clearing hairballs out of her tummy. To help your cat eliminate existing hairballs and prevent new ones, brush her frequently, and, if necessary, give her an antihairball product (available from pet supply stores or your vet). Although these products are supposed to be yummy, they often have a petroleum jelly or toothpaste consistency, so if your cat doesn't want to eat the anti-hairball goo from your finger or a spoon, smear it onto her paw. Be sure to smear well, because she'll probably try to fling it off before licking her paw, and you don't want globs of hairball medication on the walls and ceiling.

Overeating can cause your cat to vomit, too. If the vomit looks like a ball or tube of partially digested food, your cat probably just pigged out. Try feeding smaller portions. Playing hard or drinking a lot of water right before or after eating can also cause your cat to throw up. An isolated incident doesn't mean he's sick.

Vomiting can, of course, be due to more ominous causes than hairballs or gluttony. If your cat's “vomiting habits” change suddenly or if his vomiting accompanies other physical or behavioral changes, take him to the vet. If possible, take in a sample of the vomit for analysis—it might speed up diagnosis and treatment. Although most feline vomiting doesn't indicate a life-threatening crisis, repeated vomiting can result from poisoning, intestinal obstruction, serious disease, or infection. It can also be a sign of food allergies, intestinal parasites, or other problems.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Cat © 2005 by Sheila Webster Boneham, Ph.D. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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