Cat’s Out of the Bag! Common Cat Illnesses and Treatments

Knowing a lot about cats is kind of our thing at Sacramento Cat Hospital, and we are excited to share our expert knowledge with you. Keep reading to learn about common illnesses and cat health issues that every feline fanatic should know about.

Common Illnesses in Kittens

We all hope for a healthy floof when getting a new kitten, but there are definitely some common illnesses in cats of a younger age that kitten owners should be aware of.

Common problems for younger cats can include:

• Intestinal parasites — Many kittens are affected by intestinal parasites, even if they have been well cared for. Deworming and fecal screenings during their first year of life are very important.
• Upper respiratory infections — Young kittens with lower immune systems are more prone to developing bacterial and viral upper respiratory infections. Contact us if your kitten has nasal discharge, sneezing, and/or eye symptoms. Our normal kitten vaccinations also help provide some protection. 
• External parasites — Sometimes kittens bring home unwelcome guests like fleas, ticks, or earmites that need to be treated.
• Feline leukemia — While this retroviral disease can affect cats of any age, we know that younger cats under two years of age are more susceptible to contracting feline leukemia if exposed. We recommend testing and vaccinating all kittens. 

Common Feline Diseases for the Middle Aged Cat

Most cats in the prime of their life stay pretty healthy overall, but there are definitely some common feline diseases that our veterinary staff would like our middle aged cat parents to be aware of.

These include:

• Parasites like heartworms, fleas, and ticks (even for indoor kitties)
• Urinary problems such as cystitis and urinating outside of the litter box
• Chronic vomiting issues such as that caused by inflammatory bowel disease
• Dental disease such as periodontal disease or resorptive lesions

Adult cats also benefit from routine wellness examinations, vaccination, and parasite prevention to keep them healthy and happy longer.

Cat Health Issues for the Senior Feline

Just as humans tend to experience more health issues as they age, so do cats. It is even more important for senior cats (over the age of 10) to visit us at least once annually. This allows more opportunity to detect subtle changes, discuss concerns, and perform screening care such as blood work. 

Common cat health issues for the senior cat can include:

• Osteoarthritis/decreased mobility — Cats are not always obvious when they are getting achy. Some signs that your cat may be experiencing joint pain can include decreased grooming, bunny hopping, jumping up less or onto lower surfaces, and loss of muscle mass.
• Endocrine disease — Endocrine problems such as increased thyroid hormone or diabetes mellitus are not uncommon in middle aged to older pets.
• Organ function decline — Cats very commonly experience decreased kidney function as they age. Senior cats may also have liver disease, pancreatic issues, or heart problems.
• Obesity — Decreased activity levels and caloric needs often lead to senior cats gaining weight. This can increase their propensity for a variety of other health issues. 
• Neoplasia — Cancer can strike at any age, but senior pets are definitely at higher risk for the development of neoplasia. Lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and mast cell tumors are some of the more commonly diagnosed.

No matter what your cat’s age, keeping up on wellness care and working together with us at your veterinary team can help stay ahead of common cat health conditions. We are honored to help you and your cat.