Common cat illnesses
Protect your cat with RSPCA pet insurance
Cats of all ages can suffer from a range of medical problems and illnesses.
Could you afford the costs of veterinary care if your cat suffered from any of these conditions?
Ongoing and unexpected veterinary treatments for your cat can quickly add up and become a financial burden.
That's why RSPCA pet insurance provides coverage for accidents, illnesses, prescriptions, surgeries, hospitalisation and much more.
Our cat insurance cover also provides help with the cost of veterinary treatment if your cat is involved in an accident.
Cats are at risk from a range of ailments which may require expensive veterinary attention, and due to their independent nature, cats are at risk from road traffic accidents.
Common illnesses experienced by cats
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma Gondii which can be transferred to cats via infected meat of prey animals. There are a number of non-specific symptoms including lethargy, fever, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea. The central nervous system can also be affected. There is no vaccine against Toxoplasmosis but the illness can be treated with antibiotic drugs.
Traumatic Arthritis
Traumatic Arthritis is caused by localised trauma to a cat's joints. Unfortunately, due to their adventurous and inquisitive nature and active lifestyle, cats are susceptible to traffic accidents and falls from heights. Swelling of the joint and joint pain can result, and if the joint does not heal, surgical repair is necessary.
Chronic Kidney Failure
In cats, Chronic Kidney (renal) Failure is caused by a progressive loss of working tissue in the organ. It is one of the most common health challenges in older cats. Cats suffering from renal failure may drink and urinate more than normal.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a viral infection that attacks a cat's immune system. While FIV can cause many health problems due to reduced function of the immune system, many cats can live a relatively normal life. Care must be taken to prevent bite wounds and keep your cat indoors to keep them as healthy as possible.
Dementia
Older cats can suffer from an Alzheimer's like form of senility. Symptoms may include the cat becoming confused in familiar surroundings, urinating or defecating in the house despite having been fully house-trained, and excessive or unusual vocalisations.
Parasites
There are quite a few parasites that can affect your cat. These include hookworm, heartworm, whipworm, ringworm, fleas, tics and mites. The effects of these can vary from slight discomfort to in extreme cases fatality.
Cancer
Just as humans are susceptible to cancer, so are cats. The term refers to not just one disease but many, and different types of malignant tumour cause different problems. Some forms of the illness e.g. lymphoma are more prevalent in cats than in dogs or humans.
Ear infection
Cats' ears can be infected by a number of means. Excessive ear scratching is often a sign of infection, which can either affect the ear canal or the middle ear. Treatment is usually by a course of antibiotics.
Risk of accidents and straying
There are further risks to cats apart from illnesses – cats can be prone to accidents either in traffic or resulting from falls. Cats are also prone to straying.
