Cat Illnesses and Symptoms

By Ann Roberts

If your cat is weak and wobbly, not eating, losing weight, lethargic, or generally not acting like himself, there's a good chance he may be sick. Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of the most common cat illnessess can help you get an idea of which questions you would like to disuss with your vet.

Table of Cat Illnesses and Symptoms

There are dozens of cat illnesses that could be affecting your pet, with several conditions sharing similar symptoms. In fact, some illnesses can arise as a secondary or even a tertiary effect of an underlying disease. If digestive symptoms are the primary concern--as is so often the case with cats--head over to get a copy of LoveToKnow's eBook "Happy Tummy Cat", right away; written by a veterinarian who sees digestive problems more often than any other issue in cats, this is a comprehensive and easy-to-reference map of digestive symptoms and possible underlying causes. More broadly, amongst the more widespread feline afflictions are:

Condition	Symptoms	Further Information
Cardiomyopathy	Difficulty breathing Lameness Fainting spells Listless behavior Lethargy	Veterinary Medical Clinic
Dehydration	Vomiting Diarrhea Loss of skin elasticity Excess urine output Lack or urine output	Feline CRF Information Center
Ear Mites	Inflammation Itching/scratching Head shaking/rubbing Excess earwax Coffee ground-like, tarry discharge	ASPCA
Fatty Liver Disease	Refusal to eat Excess saliva Vomiting Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes Lethargy/depression Reduced muscle mass Seizures	PetMD.com
Feline Distemper	Depression Abdominal Pain Vomiting Enlarged Lymph Nodes Retinal Lesions Ataxia	Merck Veterinary Manual
Feline Diabetes	Excessive thirst Increased urination Lethargy Weight loss Overall run-down condition Rear leg weakness	Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)	Refusal to eat Lethargy/depression Weight loss Frequent infections	Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)	Lethargy Appetite loss Weight loss Breathing difficulties Eye problems Fever Vomiting Diarrhea Gray gums Yellowing of tissues and eyes Bloated belly Seizures Paralysis	Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease	Chronic vomiting and diarrhea Dehydration Mucus in stool	Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Feline Kidney Disease	Excessive thirst Lethargy Vomiting Foul breath Loss of appetite General weakness Increased urination Urination in odd/inappropriate places	Feline CRF Information Center
Feline Leukemia	Low iron Lethargy Eye problems Difficulty swallowing Weight loss Coughing Breathing difficulties Opportunistic infections Prolonged sores/wounds	Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Gum Disease	Foul breath Reduced appetite Difficulty chewing Bleeding gums Receding gums Tooth loosening or loss Mouth ulcers Face rubbing	PetMD.com
Hairballs	Retching cough Vomiting wads of fur and food Intestinal blockage/constipation	Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Hookworms	Anemia Intestinal bleeding Vomiting Diarrhea Symptoms of malnutrition Distended abdomen	University of Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine
Hyperthyroidism	Increased appetite Weight loss Hyperactive behavior Irritability	Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Infections	Foul odor Inflammation Itching/scratching Head shaking Head rubbing Swollen ear flap	VetInfo.com
Kidney Stones	Blood in the urine Frequent urination in small amounts Urination in odd/inappropriate places Tenderness in belly or along back Difficulty walking	PetMD.com
Lymphoma	Skin irritation/ulcers Reduced appetite Weight loss Lethargy Vomiting Diarrhea Excessive thirst Frequent urination Breathing difficulties Lumps/tumors Enlarged lymph nodes	Mar Vista Animal Medical Center
Respiratory Tract Infection/Flu	Breathing problems Fever Runny eyes Sneezing	Merck Veterinary Manual
Ringworm	Itching/scratching Scaly skin Dandruff Chin acne Circular patches of hair loss	VCA Animal Hospitals
Roundworms	Intestinal blockage Vomiting Diarrhea Loss of appetite Dull coat Bloated abdomen	Dr. Foster and Dr. Smith
Skin/Food Allergies	Itching/scratching Head shaking Red, sometimes puss-filled bumps Scaly skin Darkened skin Hair loss Compulsive licking Chewing/self-mutilation Red stained fur	PetMD.com
Tapeworms	Malnutrition Vomiting Diarrhea Bloating Segments of tapeworms may be visible in stool	The Drake Center for Veterinary Medicine
Urinary Tract Infection	Blood in the urine Difficult/painful urination Increased frequency of urination Compulsive licking of genitals Urinating in odd/inappropriate locations Nasal mucous discharge Poor appetite Excessive saliva	PetMD.com

When You Should Consult a Vet

Although every feline illness isn't life threatening, there are definitely times when a vet's expertise is required. How can you tell the difference? Call your vet anytime you are worried or if your cat is:

Unresponsive
Ill more than 24-36 hours
Having symptoms that dramatically increase or multiply
In obvious pain
Struggling to breathe
Bleeding profusely
Unable to have bowel movements or urinate
Refusing to eat for more than 48 hours
Not drinking

Generally speaking, use your own common sense and intimate knowledge of your cat's normal behavior to guide you. If your intuition is telling you it's time to head to the clinic, do so without hesitation.

Researching Wisely

The importance of a veterinary examination cannot be stressed enough when your cat begins to exhibit signs of disease. Many of the aforementioned cat illnesses share symptoms and a thorough examination is necessary to rule out underlying causes. Something as simple as dehydration may be the secondary effect of underlying kidney disease. Moreover, parasitic infections can mimic the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases, though the treatments differ dramatically. An imprecise diagnosis can have highly detrimental results when applied in the place of a medical assessment. A proper diagnosis is the first step towards the safe and accurate treatment of any disease.