Cats have a survival mechanism in place that causes them to hide any pain and illness they may be experiencing. In nature, weakness would make them vulnerable to predation. However, in our homes, they maintain this instinct to protect themselves, so by the time you see any symptoms of an illness in cats, the illness is quite advanced and the cat will likely need veterinary attention.
In this article, we look at some of the more common cat illnesses, their symptoms, and what to do if your cat shows signs of illness.
What are the most common cat health problems?
Cats – like any animal – can suffer from a range of diseases caused by their own DNA, viruses and bacteria, allergies, dental decay, or simply old age. The following are some of the most common health issues that we see in cats:
- Chronic renal failure (CRF)
- Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Dental disease
- Heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
- Arthritis
- Gastrointestinal problems
- vomiting (and hairballs)
- diarrhoea (many causes)
Let’s explore them in more detail.
Chronic renal failure
Chronic renal failure is the most common hereditary disease that cats develop. The kidneys help to process and eliminate waste, reabsorb nutrients, and generally keep the cat healthy. When the kidneys stop working properly, it could be the result of genetics, kidney stones, dietary indiscretion, autoimmune problems or an infection. Unfortunately, the early signs of renal failure won’t be noticeable – it’s only after the kidneys are severely affected that symptoms will start to show. By the time the vet diagnoses the renal failure, the cat will need intensive treatment to save its kidney function.
Symptoms of chronic renal failure in cats
Symptoms can include any of the following:
- excessive urination
- excessive thirst and drinking more water than usual
- lack of appetite
- vomiting
- weight loss
- lethargy
- dull, dry skin and matted coat
Diagnosing chronic renal failure in cats
The veterinarian will perform a range of diagnostic tests – including blood tests, urinalysis and ultrasound. Imaging tests will show the kidneys to be enlarged and oddly shaped – the result of cysts on the kidneys. The vet may also be able to see kidney stones, or fluid retention in the kidneys. The urine tests will show evidence of proteins and other materials that shouldn’t be in the urine, revealing the kidneys’ inability to filter waste from the cat’s body. The vet will use all of these indicators to determine how severe the kidney disease is, what can be done about it, and what the cat’s prognosis is.
Treating chronic renal failure in cats
Chronic renal failure is incurable, but depending on how severe they are, the symptoms may be managed for the rest of the cat’s life. Each case of CRF will be individually assessed and treated. As a progressive disease, CRF requires regular testing and the regular adjustment of the cat’s treatment to support what remains of their kidney function. The vet will also recommend a prescription kidney diet to ensure the cat’s nutritional needs are met without overtaxing the kidneys.
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is more of a syndrome than a singular condition. It can include bladder inflammation, bladder stones, an obstructed urethra, an infection in the urinary tract, or even cancer somewhere in the urinary system. Each of these conditions can present with similar symptoms, and have multiple underlying causes. The approach to treatment is likely to be multi-faceted.
Symptoms of FLUTD
These symptoms will first show up as changes in the cat’s elimination behaviour:
- straining to urinate
- only producing small amounts of urine
- blood in the urine
- painful urination (marked by crying or howling)
- inappropriate urination (outside the litter tray; in uncharacteristic places)
- excessive licking or grooming of the genitals
Diagnosing FLUTD
The moment you notice your cat struggling to urinate, or notice a change in their elimination patterns, get them to the vet. A urethral obstruction – not being able to pass urine at all – is a medical emergency and needs immediate attention because it can be life-threatening. Each case of FLUTD may have a different cause, but the vet will perform a urinalysis and use imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) to see if there are crystals or stones in the lower urinary system.
Treating FLUTD
While the cause of FLUTD is difficult to isolate and treat, the vet will ensure they treat and manage each of the symptoms. For example, an obstruction caused by bladder stones will require the removal of the bladder stones; a urethral blockage will necessitate the placement of a catheter to empty the bladder. Some urinary conditions – like feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) or inflammation of the bladder – may be caused by stress. Resolving these symptoms will require stress management and allowing the cat to practise natural behaviours; not experiencing threats from other pets and having safe access to food, water and their litterbox without interference.
Symptoms of FLUTD can be chronic and recurring, and managing them may become a lifelong responsibility for cat owners. Specially formulated cat food that helps to support urinary health may reduce recurrences of FLUTD symptoms.
Flea allergy dermatitis
Flea bites can cause a nasty allergic reaction on cats’ skin because of their sensitivity to the fleas’ saliva. The allergic reaction comprises a burning itch that makes them lick and scratch relentlessly. If the cat injures their skin from compulsive scratching, it can introduce bacteria through the scratch and cause secondary infection. Just one flea bite can cause a severe allergic reaction in the cat, so even if you don’t see fleas on your cat, doesn’t automatically rule out flea allergy dermatitis.
Flea allergy dermatitis symptoms in cats
- excessive grooming (including licking and scratching)
- red, inflamed, irritated skin
- possible skin lesions or sores
- feline alopecia (patches of hair loss)
- ‘pimply’ or crusty skin on the face and under the chin
Diagnosing flea allergy dermatitis in cats
During a physical examination, the vet will look for the symptoms of flea bites and skin itch, as well as signs of flea dirt and even living fleas. Scratching and/or alopecia at the base of the cat’s tail is also a give-away of flea allergy dermatitis.
Treating flea allergy dermatitis in cats
The vet may need to treat any secondary infections from the cat’s scratching, with an antibiotic. The itching can be relieved with a topical skin spray or hydrocortisone cream. As the cause of the problem, fleas will need to be eliminated and also repelled using preventative parasite medication. Keeping your cat’s tick and flea treatments up to date can keep fleas away and prevent another bout of flea allergy dermatitis in future.
Dental disease in cats
Cats can develop various dental issues, ranging from gingivitis (gum inflammation), periodontal disease and tooth infection, to tooth resorption. Dental plaque needs to be brushed away or it hardens into yellow-brown tartar near the gums. It irritates the gums, causing inflammation, and if this isn’t delt with, it can progress to periodontal disease, which is characterised by oral infection spreading into the tooth and jaw structures. Tooth resorption occurs when the structure of the tooth is destroyed or slowly erodes away, causing lesions that are quite painful to the cat. The cat may stop eating or suddenly only want to eat soft food. When tooth resorption occurs, it cannot be repaired – the tooth will need to be removed.
Symptoms of dental disease in cats
A cat experiencing dental disease will show one or more of the following symptoms:
- halitosis (bad breath)
- excessive drooling
- dark yellow tartar near the gumline
- pawing at the face
- preference for wet food only
- lack of appetite (not eating for up to 72 hours)
- gum inflammation and bleeding
- bloody saliva
- tooth loss
Diagnosing dental disease in cats
The vet will need to perform an oral examination of your cat’s teeth and mouth. If they notice a build-up of tartar, the vet will recommend that your cat undergoes a dental scaling or cleaning procedure under anaesthetic. This will also give them the opportunity to examine each tooth, going below the gumline to remove any diseased tissue and to have a close enough look to determine whether there are any teeth that are damaged enough that they need to be completely extracted. After scaling, the vet will clean and polish the teeth.
Treating dental disease in cats
Once the cat’s teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, the vet will prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories as well as antibiotics if there was an infection that needs to be treated. They will also recommend an oral care regimen for your cat, which includes brushing her teeth and/or applying a gel or spray to help freshen her breath and keep oral bacteria at bay. The vet will recommend the correct cat toothbrush and toothpaste, which are specially made for cats – never try to use human toothpaste to clean your pet’s teeth.
Brushing a cat’s teeth is something that’s much easier to start in kittenhood, but if your cat really does not tolerate toothbrushing, they can still benefit from a dental diet, oral rinses, cat chews and water additives. Be sure to bring your cat in for an annual dental check-up to stop any cat dental disease before it progresses too far.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats
Around 15% of cats – that’s one in seven cats – will develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This is a feline heart disease characterised by thickening heart muscle of the left ventricle – the heart chamber responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into the body. Thickened muscle means less efficiency, which means the heart must work really hard to supply the same amount of oxygenated blood for the body’s needs. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease; gradually worsening over time. The symptoms of HCM are not always obvious, but the disease leads to congestive heart failure and death.
Symptoms of HCM in cats
The symptoms will be signs of a lack of oxygen, and include:
- exhaustion/weakness
- panting/open-mouthed breathing/wheezing
- difficulty breathing
- increased heart rate
- arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- blood clots/thromboembolism
- vomiting
- lack of appetite
- fluid in lungs/abdomen (causes swelling in abdomen)
- discoloured gums and foot pads
- fainting
Some cats will show no symptoms at all, which is why your cat’s annual health check-up is so important. The vet will check your cat’s heartbeat and pick up if there’s any sign of arrhythmia.
Diagnosing HCM in cats
If, during a check-up, the vet detects an arrythmia, they can do blood tests, take X-rays and perform an echocardiogram (ECG) to see what’s going on. With an in-depth view of the heart’s functioning – looking at how the blood flows between the chambers – the vet can determine whether your cat has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Treating HCM in cats
Any deterioration in heart function cannot be reversed, so if the heart sustains physical damage, it is permanent and progressive. The vet’s approach to treatment will be to manage the symptoms – prescribing medication and a treatment plan to reduce the severity of the symptoms and slow the progression of HCM. The medications to manage the symptoms will:
- reduce the heart rate and improve heart rhythm
- reduce blood pressure
- reduce blood clots (anti-thrombotic medication)
- reduce anxiety and minimise breathing difficulties
- reduce fluid build-up around the lungs (diuretics)
The rate at which HCM progresses will vary from one cat to another, depending on their genetics and lifestyle factors like diet, activity and stress. The vet will need to monitor each cat’s disease progression and prescribe medication based on how slowly or quickly HCM progresses to congestive heart failure.
Arthritis in cats
Arthritis in cats provides one of the best examples of how cats can suffer for a long time, hiding their pain to not show weakness. Arthritis is characterised by the breakdown of the cushioning between joints and ligaments, causing inflammation and painful friction between bones, so this condition is very painful and gets progressively worse over time. Arthritis – also called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD) – can occur because of injury, or simply wear-and-tear in old age. It can also have a genetic component, with breeds such as Scottish folds, Munchkins, Abyssinians, Maine Coons and British longhair cats being more susceptible to DJD than other breeds.
Symptoms of arthritis in cats
- limping
- refusal to jump up or down from surfaces and furniture
- avoidance of ascending or descending stairs
- difficulty getting up or lying down
- lack of flexibility
- change in elimination habits
- inability to groom properly
- matted/tangled fur
Diagnosing arthritis in cats
Cats aged 12 years or older are highly likely to develop some degree of osteoarthritis. If you take your cat for an annual check-up, the vet will begin to look for the signs of joint pain from the age of around seven years old. When it’s detected early, she can eat food and take supplements for joint health, which should help to slow the progression of the disease. If you notice any of the signs that your cat may have joint pain, the veterinarian can take an X-ray to reveal any inflammation, joint changes or thickened joints.
Treating arthritis in cats
Obesity is one of the exacerbating factors of joint problems, so proactive weight management can help to instantly relieve some pressure off your cat’s joints. The vet can prescribe a weight control diet and recommend lifestyle changes to improve your cat’s experience. Arthritis cannot be reversed, but its progression can be slowed and the pain reduced with the following medication:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
- glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids (nutraceuticals) to support joints
- physiotherapy to improve joint mobility and manage pain
- surgery (only for severe cases)
A memory foam bed will help to keep joints warm and comfortable, while offering weightless support while your cat is lying down. Raising your cat’s food and water bowls will help to support her back and neck during feeding. A pet ramp or pet stairs can help your arthritic cat to get up onto and down from furniture without having the same impact on her joints that jumping would.
Gastrointestinal problems in cats
There are many reasons why cats are seen by veterinarians for gastrointestinal problems. Vomiting and diarrhoea are normal, occasionally; but 24-hour periods of persistent GI issues are a cause for concern, especially when paired with pain, dehydration, abdominal distension and other symptoms that appear to worsen.
Causes of GI problems in cats
Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhoea can indicate a range of medical problems in a cat’s physiology, which can be caused by any of the following:
- parasites like worms (especially tapeworms from fleas)
- dietary indiscretion (eating something they shouldn’t have, like a lizard or a bird)
- hairballs
- sudden diet change
- GI obstruction from swallowed objects
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- stress
- food allergies
- pancreatitis
- cancer
Diagnosing GI problems in cats
The veterinarian will ask you about your cat’s dietary and litterbox habits, perform a physical examination, draw blood for testing, as well as do a urinalysis and test a faecal sample. The lab results should offer a clearer indication of what’s going on with your cat – either to rule out or confirm your cat’s condition.
Treating GI problems in cats
Treatment for the GI problems is entirely dependent on the cause. The veterinarian’s treatment protocol will focus on restoring the cat’s health, starting with rehydration.
Conclusion
Since cats don’t like to reveal their weaknesses or illnesses, it can be difficult to spot the early symptoms of cat health issues. Perhaps it’s best to take a preventative approach to your cat’s health: keep her vaccinations up to date, keep her protected from ticks and fleas, and be diligent about her annual health check-up with the veterinarian.