GENERAL DISEASES

• URINARY TRACT DISEASE: This is a common condition affecting the bladder and urethra in cats. Symptoms include difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, frequent urination and painful urination. This disease can be caused by infection, bladder stones or inflammation. Treatment usually involves dietary changes, medication and in severe cases, surgery.

• RESPIRATORY DISEASES: Cats are prone to respiratory infections caused by viruses and bacteria. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, difficulty breathing and fever. Treatment may involve medication to relieve symptoms and fight infection.

• DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Digestive problems in cats can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as parasites, food intolerances or diseases of the liver and pancreas. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and lethargy. Treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause.

• CARDIAC DISEASE: Cardiac disease, such as cardiomyopathy, is common in older cats. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, lethargy and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Treatment may include medication to control symptoms and improve heart function.

• DENTAL DISEASE: Periodontal disease is common in cats and can cause pain and discomfort. Symptoms include bad breath, red and swollen gums, and tooth loss. Treatment usually involves professional teeth cleaning and in severe cases, tooth extractions.

• PIOMETRA: Pyometra is a serious disease that mainly affects unspayed female cats. It is a severe uterine infection that causes accumulation of pus in the uterus. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, lethargy, fever, purulent vaginal discharge and increased thirst and urination. Pyometra is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment, usually involving surgery to remove the infected uterus. Early spaying is key to preventing pyometra in cats.

• TUMOURS: Tumours can affect cats of all ages and breeds. They can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Tumours can develop in different parts of the body, such as the skin, bones, soft tissues, digestive system or respiratory tract. Signs of tumours in cats may include palpable lumps, changes in appetite, weight loss, difficulty breathing, among others. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are critical to managing tumours in cats, which may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other treatments depending on the type and location of the tumour.

VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES

• FELINE PANLEUCOPENIA: This highly contagious disease is caused by a parvovirus and mainly affects young cats. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, severe diarrhoea and lethargy. Effective vaccination is essential to prevent feline panleukopenia.

• FELINE RHINOTRACHEITIS AND CALICIVIRUS: These are highly contagious respiratory diseases caused by viruses. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, fever and mouth ulcers. Vaccination against these viruses helps prevent their spread.

• FELINE LEUKEMIA (FELV): This virus weakens the immune system of cats, making them more susceptible to other infections and diseases. Vaccination against feline leukaemia is crucial, especially for cats that go outdoors or live with other infected cats.

• RABIES: Although less common in cats than in dogs, rabies is a fatal disease that can be transmitted to humans. Rabies vaccination is essential to protect cats and people from rabies.

Vaccinating your cat according to your vet's recommended vaccination schedule and seeing your vet if you suspect illness or disease is an effective way to prevent these serious illnesses and protect your pet's health. Remember to keep your cat's vaccination history up to date and schedule regular check-ups with your vet to ensure your cat's long-term wellbeing.