Diseases Cats and Drugs

Diseases Cats and Drugs 5 Most Dangerous Cat Diseases

Feline Rabies : 
Rabies is a viral disease that specifically affects a Cat's central nervous system (CNS). The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to Cats in the United States is through a bite from a disease carrier: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. Infectious virus particles are retained in a rabid animal's salivary glands to better disseminate the virus through their saliva.
"Rabies can only be diagnosed by direct examination of the brain." Rabies can only be diagnosed by direct examination of the brain. It is not possible to diagnose this disease in a living animal. If there is a high suspicion that the animal has rabies, or if an animal showing symptoms of rabies dies suddenly, your veterinarian may recommend submission of the appropriate brain samples for testing.

Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper) : 
Feline panleukopenia (FP) is a highly contagious viral disease of Cats caused by the feline parvovirus. Kittens are most severely affected by the virus. The names feline distemper and feline parvo should not be confused with canine distemper or canine parvo— although their names are similar, they are caused by different viruses. The viruses do not infect people.
The feline parvovirus infects and kills cells that are rapidly growing and dividing, such as those in the bone marrow, intestines, and the developing fetus.

Clinical Signs include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Lethargy
• Sudden death/found dead in cage 

Kidney Disease/Renal Failure :

As a leading cause of death in Cats, kidney failure is one of the most dreaded diseases pet parents may face. While many cases are unpredictable and therefore difficult to prevent, knowing the risk factors and early signs are some of the best ways to catch kidney failure in its earliest stages.

Treatment for Kidney Failure in Cats
With aggressive therapy, acute renal failure can be corrected in about 40% of cases. Certain toxicoses, such as ethylene glycol antifreeze toxicity, carry a poorer prognosis with only a 10% survival rate. Hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy with supportive care of additional symptoms are the hallmarks of therapy for this disease.
Chronic renal failure is an irreversible disease. The damage to the kidney cannot be fixed. Treatment goals for this form of kidney disease focus on slowing the progression of disease, in some cases for years. Diets with modified levels of protein and phosphorous are considered key elements of treatment, as is maintaining hydration with subcutaneous fluids as needed. In later stages of the disease, many felines benefit from blood pressure medication as well as medications to help with secondary gastrointestinal upset.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus(FIV):

In infected Cats, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) attacks the immune system, leaving the Cat vulnerable to many other infections. Although Cats infected with FIV may appear normal for years, they eventually suffer from this immune deficiency, which allows normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi found in the everyday environment to potentially cause severe illnesses. The median survival time for a Cat diagnosed with FIV is approximately five years.

Diagnosis
To diagnose FIV infection, blood samples are examined for the presence of antibodies to the FIV virus.  FIV antibodies can be detected using a number of techniques, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, and immunofluorescence (IFA) assays. These techniques are dependent upon the host Cat mounting an immune response to FIV virus. If a host Cat has not had sufficient time after exposure to mount an immune response or if the host cannot mount an immune response due to immunosuppression, antibodies may not be detected in a Catthat is actually infected with FIV.

Causes
Cat-to-Cattransmission; usually through bite wounds and scratches
Occasional transmission of the virus at the time of birth
Sexual transmission is uncommon, although FIV has been detected

Feline Leukemia Virus :

(FeLV) is second only to trauma as the leading cause of death in Cats, killing 85% of persistently infected felines within three years of diagnosis. The virus commonly causes anemia or lymphoma, but because it suppresses the immune system, it can also predispose Cats to deadly infections. Yet, exposure to the feline leukemia virus doesn’t have to be a death sentence; about 70% of Cats who encounter the virus are able to resist infection or eliminate the virus on their own.

Causes
Cat leukemia is usually contracted from Cat-to-Cattransmission (e.g., bites, close contact, grooming and sharing dishes or litter pans). It can also be transmitted to a kitten at birth or through the mother's milk. Kittens are much more susceptible to the virus, as are males and Cats that have outdoor access.

Diagnosis
If your Cat is ill, your veterinarian will first rule out other infections such as bacterial, parasitic, viral or fungal. In addition, nonviral cancers need to be ruled out.

A simple blood test is available to determine whether your Cat has FeLV.