Common Feline Infectious Diseases

Why cats hide illness so well

Cats are both predator and prey, and their instinct when unwell is to withdraw and disguise it. A cat that feels vulnerable will often sleep more, eat less and hide, rather than cry out. By the time an owner sees obvious signs, an infection may already be well established.

This is why we ask about small changes: a cat that is a little quieter, grooming less, drinking more or eating a bit less than usual. In cats, subtle is often significant.

The diseases we see and work to prevent

Some feline infections are common and some are life-threatening. Vaccination and good management address the most important ones.

• Cat flu (feline herpesvirus and calicivirus) — sneezing, runny eyes and nose, fever, loss of appetite and sometimes mouth ulcers
• Feline panleukopenia (feline parvovirus) — severe vomiting, diarrhoea and immune suppression, especially dangerous in kittens
• Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) — a virus that can suppress immunity and cause anaemia and some cancers
• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) — spread mainly through deep bite wounds from fighting, and slowly damaging to the immune system
• Ringworm — a contagious fungal skin infection that can also pass to people
• Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) — an uncommon but serious condition, now more treatable than it once was

How infection moves between cats

Many feline infections pass directly from cat to cat through saliva, nasal and eye secretions, grooming and fighting. Shared food and water bowls, bedding and litter trays also carry infection when cats live together.

Some agents survive in the environment for a long time, which is why a new cat, a foster animal or even a person’s clothing and shoes can bring infection into a home with no other cats. Indoor cats are at lower risk, but they are not free of risk.

Stress makes this worse. A crowded household, a new arrival or a disrupted routine can raise a cat’s susceptibility at exactly the moment they meet something new.

Signs that deserve a closer look

Contact us if you notice any of the following, especially more than one at once.

• Sneezing or a runny nose and eyes that lasts more than a day or two
• Not eating, or eating noticeably less than usual
• Vomiting, diarrhoea or a sudden change in litter-tray habits
• Hiding, withdrawal or unusual irritability
• Weight loss, a dull or matted coat, or reduced grooming
• Fever, lethargy or breathing that seems faster or harder

Breaking the chain: a practical routine

When to see us

Book an appointment if your cat stops eating for more than a day, sneezes persistently, has discharge from the eyes or nose, vomits repeatedly, has diarrhoea, breathes with effort or simply seems “not quite right”.

Trust your knowledge of your own cat. If something has changed and stayed changed, that is enough reason to call. We would far rather reassure you in good time than treat a problem late.