Communicable diseases, also called infectious disease, among cats are conditions that can be spread from one animal to another, either through direct contact or shared surfaces. Here are four common infectious diseases among cats, their corresponding symptoms and treatments and preventative measures you can take to keep your pet safe.
What is a Communicable Disease?
A communicable disease, sometimes also called an infectious disease, is one that can be spread from one animal to another. For example, a communicable disease common in humans is influenza.
Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a disease caused by tiny one-celled organisms called Giardia. These organisms live in the intestines of cats and develop into cysts. When an infected cat defecates, the small cysts are shed and picked up by other cats who share the same litter box. The disease can lay dormant for years before the cat shows symptoms. Symptoms include bloody stool, diarrhea, flatulence and weight loss. A veterinarian can diagnose Giardiasis through a stool sample. If the cat is found to be affected by this disease, oral metronidazole will typically be prescribed. As a preventative measure, veterinarians recommended scooping litter boxes daily and cleaning with a bleach solution regularly.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as feline AIDS, is a serious disease that can be fatal if not treated. It is important to note that this disease cannot be passed to humans. It is only passed from saliva to blood contact through bite wounds or from the mother to her kittens via the placenta. If FIV is diagnosed there are a variety of treatment options available. The best measure is prevention. Keeping your cat indoors and away from other cats will prevent bite wounds. If you get a new cat, have a blood test done before introducing it to the rest of the group.
Feline Panleukopenia
Feline Penleukopenia is commonly referred to as distemper. It is a highly contagious virus that is most common in young cats and often results in death. Distemper is so contagious that sharing water dishes, litter boxes and even humans handling multiple cats can spread the disease. Often disinfecting is not enough to kill the virus and it can live on objects for great periods of time. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and a hunched over posture. Cats with distemper also develop a small flap of skin that looks like an extra eyelid over the corner of the eye. An annual vaccine can prevent distemper.
Bartonella Henselae
Bartonella Henselae is a bacteria that causes an upper respiratory infection in cats. It is highly contagious among cats and causes Cat Scratch Fever in humans. Cats with this disease will have breathing problems, watery eyes and nasal discharge. Bartonella Henselae can be treated with antibiotics but due to the disease's contagious nature it is best to keep infected animals separate from other cats and limit human contact.
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