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Cats, like any other animals will suffer from common diseases and illnesses. Many of them are not life threatening and can be cure easily by your local veterinarian. On the other hand, there are also diseases that are terminal and most often fatal.
On the top of the list of common afflictions a cat can get is hairballs. Hairballs occur as the result of cats performing their everyday grooming routine. Dirt and hair can accumulate in abundance on the cats' tongue and will get ingested into the digestive system. There, the elements get stuck and will form a round ball of mucus over time.
Typically, a cat can dislodge the hairball by coughing, but on occasion one may become lodged in the intestines creating a serious and sometimes life threatening situation. Regular grooming, specialty cat food and cat treats along with visits to the veterinarian are all great ways to both prevent and treat this common ailment.
Similar to mankind, cats are susceptible to urinary tract infections too. The cause for this ailment can be infection and poor quality food. The reassuring news is that such problems can be cured with medicine given by the local vets. It is also preventable by providing specially formulated cat food created to prevent this infection from occurring.
If a urinary tract infection is present, common symptoms are that your cat may show signs of infrequent urination, fowl smelling urine, and urinating in places other than the litter box. Males cats that have not been spayed are usually the ones that are most easily affected; however, female cats can be affected as well.
Common Cat Viruses - There are three major viruses cats are extremely susceptible too; Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Feline Immune Deficiency Virus. FIP or Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a very dangerous illness as it is related to the Corona Virus. Testing for FIP is also a problem as the results are not completely reliable. A positive test result has the possibility for being false as the same results appear for the Corona Virus. There is a vaccination available for FIP; however, many vets believe that such results are still debatable. With no known cure, it is extremely beneficial that this disease is not as easily contracted as some other diseases may be.
The feline version of the AIDS Virus known as FIV has not yet proved to be fatal. However, unfortunately it has left owners of these cats fearful that they too will contract the disease. This belief is merely a myth.
Feline Leukemia Virus is another disease that is preventable. A vaccine is available from a veterinarian's office and must be acquired before exposure to other infected cats has occurred. If you own a cat with FLV it is highly recommended that you do not expose him to other cats. The life expectancy of a cat with FLV is very short.
Common Cat Worms Problem - In addition to hairballs being one of the most common afflictions in cats, worms are another. Problems such as roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are all issues for concern. Although heartworms are not commonly found in cats, they can be a source of problems.
