Panleukopenia virus is generally widespread. Natural exposure is common, with infection of young kittens being most frequent. Clinical signs include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, depression, diarrhea, dehydration and other complications that can result in death.

Respiratory Diseases:

Feline calicivirus is a major feline upper respiratory virus that is widespread and highly contagious. Clinical signs include fever, pneumonia and ulcers or blisters on the tongue. Cats that recover from FCV become carriers for life and may or may not exhibit signs of disease. They will, however, shed virus continuously.

Feline viral rhinotracheitis is the most severe and widespread upper respiratory virus to which cats are susceptible. While FVR is highly contagious and very serious in young kittens, cats of all ages are at risk. Clinical signs include fever, tearing, discharge from the eyes and nose, mouth breathing, coughing and salivation.

Chlamydia psittaci is a bacteria that causes feline respiratory disease and is extremely contagious, especially in young kittens. Clinical signs include a mild-to-severe conjunctivitis, excessive tearing, sneezing, heavy salivation and coughing. Cats may have lung involvement but generally do not show clinical signs of pneumonia. Like FVR and FVC, cats with chlamydiosis will chronically shed bacteria with or without showing signs of disease.

Retroviral Diseases:

Feline leukemia is a leading cause of disease and death in cats. In addition to being fatal by itself, the disease can break down the cat’s protective immune responses so the cat cannot fight off infections it normally would be able to resist. Transmission depends on cat-to-cat contact, since the virus dies quickly outside the cat’s body unless in a moist environment such as feeding bowls and litter boxes.

According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), up to one in 12 cats may test positive for FIV. The virus is transmitted from one cat to another primarily through bite wounds caused by fighting. Unlike HIV, this virus is spread in high levels through saliva. But like the human form of the virus, FIV can be a deadly disease for cats as it weakens the animal’s immune system. The cat is no longer able to fight off infection or disease similar to a human with HIV. FIV is most common among cats that are exposed to the outdoors and multiple cat households. Initial symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes and low white blood cell count. Second stage cats may recover and show no symptoms yet become lifelong carriers. Third stage cats experience weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, poor hair coat and secondary infections, which become more frequent and resistant to treatment.

Water-Borne Diseases:

Giardia can be found in nearly any water source, including untreated swimming pools. Most commonly, pet infection occurs when cysts are ingested by drinking contaminated water. Giardia infections can cause significant gastrointestinal disease including anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Zoonotic Diseases:

Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system of all mammals, including humans. It commonly is spread by contact with saliva from an infected animal, through bite wounds or through a break in the skin. Not all rabid animals foam at the mouth and appear mad. Infected animals can be very calm and tame.

###