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