When looking at the most deadly cat diseases, there is a difference to what we see in countries with high vaccination rates compared to what affects the worldwide feline population, says veterinary surgeon Graham Lewis.
- The healthiest cat breeds – according to a veterinary surgeon
- 7 unhealthiest cat breeds – according to a veterinary surgeon
This highlights the advantage of having readily-available vaccinations and a population with a high vaccination rate, and shows how lucky we are in countries like the UK.
Some of the diseases and issues below can affect the human population as well and demonstrates the vital importance of a One Health approach across human medicine, veterinary medicine and the health of our environment.
Deadliest cat diseases
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)
FeLV is a virus that suppresses the immune system and causes cancers to develop. Unfortunately, it is often fatal within three years of contracting the virus and it is spread by grooming, bites and close contact. Anaemia is common in affected cats and unfortunately the virus is not curable.
Thankfully in the UK, we have a vaccine that can protect against this virus that is given once every three years to maintain protection.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
FIV is fairly similar to HIV in humans: it is a virus that weakens the cat’s immune system leaving them more prone to chronic infections and certain types of cancer. It is spread by biting and scratching so unneutered male cats are most at risk. Like FeLV, it is not curable.
Cats carrying the virus can live long lives, but are a risk to other cats so usually need to live in isolation from other cats and they are regularly ill, which can affect lifespan and quality of life. With estimates of 4% of the world feline population carrying this virus it is not an immediately deadly disease, but it has a huge effect on cats around the globe.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
FIP is caused by a mutated form of feline coronavirus and can be a difficult disease to diagnose as the symptoms are non-specific. However, it commonly causes fluid build-up in the abdomen and in the chest in the ‘wet’ form, or seizures, bleeding and cloudiness in the eyes, as well as vomiting and diarrhoea in the ‘dry’ form.
Many cats carry the normal type of feline coronavirus which can cause mild diarrhoea – it’s only when it mutates that it causes the severe illness known as FIP. Stress, younger cats, pedigree breeds and multi-cat households are all factors that can increase the risk of FIP.
Treatment is possible and recent advances have increased the survival rate significantly. However, it is intensive treatment with very costly anti-viral medications and can cost thousands of pounds – which can mean treatment options can be prohibitively expensive to some pet owners.
Feline panleukopaenia virus
Feline panleukopaenia virus is also sometimes known as feline parvovirus or feline infectious enteritis. It is highly contagious, can survive for long periods in the environment and is often fatal. The most at-risk are young kittens and signs can vary from vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy to even sudden death. Treatment is focused on supporting the cat as the virus itself cannot be treated.
Vaccination is possible and an annual vaccination booster after a primary course is available to protect against this disease, making it far less common these days.
Renal disease
Renal disease is probably the biggest reason for euthanasia in cats we see in practice, as many other diseases on this list are controlled by good vaccination programs and cats live longer and longer due to better care and veterinary advances.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common in cats as they age and unfortunately is a disease that cannot be cured. The progress of the disease can be slowed with treatment and early detection allows cats to live longer lives with better quality of life. This is one of the main reasons vets offer blood tests as animals begin to age, as these blood screens can pick up early signs of disease before any other clinical signs start.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a common disease that affects middle-aged to older cats and is usually caused by a benign tumour in the thyroid gland that increases production of thyroid hormones. The disease commonly causes cats to become very hungry, thirsty and lose weight (despite a good appetite). Other signs can include a scruffy, unkempt coat, vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Could your cat be suffering from hyperthyroidism? Here's what you need to know about symptoms and treatment
- How to look after your elderly cat and keep them happy and content in their twilight years
This disease is treatable with several treatment options including long term medications, surgery or a specialist therapy called radioactive iodine treatment. However, if diagnosed too late, the effects of the hyperthyroidism can lead to heart disease and heart failure which can be a common reason for euthanasia.
Regular health checks and potentially doing blood screens in older cats can catch this disease early enough to prevent the changes to the heart and allow prompt treatment to control the problem.
Multi-resistant bacteria
Like in dogs and humans, this one is potentially a big risk in the future: you have probably seen headlines about ‘superbugs’ or you might be familiar with terms like MRSA. While cases of these are currently in low numbers, they represent a growing risk and have the potential to longterm threaten both pets and humans to the levels of some of the deadly diseases mentioned above.
This highlights the the vital importance of a One Health approach across human medicine, veterinary medicine and the health of our environment.
Without antimicrobials that work, simple infections have the potential to get rapidly out of hand and become fatal. Diseases like tuberculosis used to be common in people and any surgery carried a high risk of incurable infection. We may return to those days in the future but hopefully remedies such as blood-letting or ‘fresh air’ won’t become common practice in the doctors or the vets!
The risk of multi-resistant bacteria is why we are more careful than ever when it comes to prescribing antibiotics and we try to only use them in suitable cases. Often swabs are taken to see what bacteria is present and to find out what antibiotics will work best in that situation. I hope pet owners understand why these steps are necessary sometimes for the greater good as well as ensuring their own pet gets the best treatment.
In cats, one of the most common infections we see is cat bite abscesses. This used to be commonly treated with antibiotics, however there is a lot of evidence now that draining and cleaning the abscess alone leads to as successful an outcome without antibiotics.
- How can I stop my cat hunting wildlife?
- Why cats prefer to sleep on their left side has long puzzled scientists - until now
- This is what your cat’s sleeping position tells you about how it's feeling
- Why do cats eat grass and is it safe for them? Gemma Renwick, a PDSA veterinary nurse, explores the truth...
