| It may come as a surprise, if you're a new cat | | | | AIDS, is not always fatal. FIV decreases the ability of |
| owner, that many health problems may befall your | | | | the cat's immune system to fight infections. Cats |
| feline friend. Some problems are easily preventable, | | | | with FIV may remain free of symptoms for years. It |
| while others are hereditary.HairballsHairballs are among | | | | is when the cat contracts other illnesses in the |
| the most common of cat health problems. Cats | | | | chronic stage of FIV infection that FIV is first |
| groom themselves almost constantly, and swallow | | | | suspected. This long list of illnesses includes oral-cavity |
| the loose hair that comes off their tongues. | | | | infections, upper-respiratory infections, weight loss, |
| Occasionally, the hair gathers into a ball and lodges in | | | | ear infections, kidney disease, and many others. |
| the cat's digestive tract instead of passing on | | | | Although there is, as yet, no vaccine, all cats should |
| through the body. If your cat starts coughing and | | | | be tested for the virus. The virus is transmitted |
| hacking, he probably has a hairball. While the end | | | | through saliva, usually when a cat is bitten in a cat |
| product is unpleasant for the owner, most cats don't | | | | fight.Feline Leukemia VirusFLV was, until recently, the |
| have a problem dislodging hairballs.However, hairballs | | | | most common fatal disease of cats. But with a |
| can occasionally pass into a cat's intestines and cause | | | | vaccine now available, the number of cases is |
| a blockage. This can be a life-threatening problem. | | | | dwindling. Although the name leukemia means cancer |
| There are a few signs to look for to see if your | | | | of the white blood cells, this is only 1 of the many |
| cat's hairball is dangerous. If your cat is constipated, | | | | diseases associated with this virus, such as other |
| off his feed, or is lethargic with a dull coat, then he | | | | types of cancer, anemia, arthritis and respiratory |
| could have a serious blockage. A vet exam is | | | | infections. FLV is preventable if the cat is immunized |
| definitely in order.To prevent hairballs, groom your | | | | before being exposed to the virus. Although the |
| cat frequently to remove loose hair. In addition, feed | | | | disease is not always immediately fatal, cats with |
| your cat food that helps control hairballs.WormsFor | | | | FLV rarely have a long life expectancy. NEVER bring |
| many cats, worms are a recurring problem. | | | | other cats into your household when you have a cat |
| Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms most | | | | with FLV.Lyme DiseaseIf your cat spends time |
| commonly infect cats. Cats can occasionally develop | | | | outdoors, you should check him regularly for ticks. If |
| heartworms, as well. If your cat seems unable to | | | | you find a tick on your cat's body and he has been |
| gain weight, is infested with fleas, or has white | | | | lethargic and acts as if he is in pain, ask your vet to |
| specks that look like grains of rice in his stools, take | | | | test for Lyme Disease. This disease is transmitted to |
| him to the veterinarian for worm testing.Worms are | | | | people and animals by deer ticks.Some cats may |
| easily cured with a few doses of medication, but if | | | | show subtle symptoms while others may show none |
| left untreated, they can be fatal.Urinary Tract | | | | -- symptoms are hard to recognize and often may |
| InfectionsUrinary tract infections are another | | | | be confused with other illnesses or old age. Be |
| common health problem in cats. This infection is | | | | observant of your pet's behavior. It is the only way |
| particularly common in unneutered male cats, although | | | | to know if your pet has contracted Lyme disease if |
| female cats can also develop this problem. If your cat | | | | no tick was found. Some symptoms of Feline Lyme |
| suddenly stops using the litter box, a urinary tract | | | | Disease include:(a) lethargy, |
| infection is suspect. If your cat's urine smells strong, | | | | (b) reluctance to jump or climb stairs, |
| again a urinary tract infection may be the cause. | | | | (c) limping, or reluctance to put weight on a paw, |
| These infections need to be treated by a | | | | (d) loss of appetite.The key to dealing with Feline |
| veterinarian. Ask about cat foods that reduce the | | | | Lyme Disease is prevention and early diagnosis and |
| likelihood of another infection.Feline Infectious | | | | treatment. You should reduce the tick population |
| Peritonitis (FIP)FIP is caused by a mutation of the | | | | around your home with simple landscape changes and |
| corona virus. According to some experts, cats living in | | | | spraying.Good Health CareTaking your cat for a |
| multi-cat environments tend to test positive for | | | | regular check-up with the vet, and keeping all |
| enteric corona virus. Cats can live with that virus | | | | vaccinations on schedule will help assure your cat a |
| remaining quietly in the intestines with no sign of | | | | long and healthy life. Prevention is the first line of |
| disease for their entire lifetime. In other cases, | | | | defense for most feline illnesses.Many owners keep |
| probably a genetic pre-disposition, the virus mutates | | | | their cats indoors to protect them from cars, from |
| into FIP.Once a cat has contracted FIP, it will display | | | | cat fights which may expose them to deadly viruses, |
| symptoms of a mild upper respiratory infection: | | | | from ticks, and other hazards.Outdoor cats will enjoy |
| sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal discharge. It may | | | | greater freedom, but require a watchful eye, loving |
| also have diarrhea, weight loss and lethargy. Most | | | | attention to their health status, and regular visits to |
| cats fully recover from this primary infection, | | | | the veterinarian.Visit New Cat to learn more. |
| although some may become virus carriers. A small | | | | Copyright 2005 Ron King. Ron King is a full-time |
| percentage of exposed cats develop lethal FIP | | | | researcher, writer, and web developer. This article |
| weeks or even years after the primary | | | | may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact. |
| infection.Feline Immunodeficiency VirusFIV, or cat | | | | |