External Parasites External cat parasites are most generally
found in kittens, although they can occur in adults. The most
frequent cat parasites are: fleas lice ticks ear mites
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Internal Parasites Roundworms Tapeworms Protozoan coccidia
Treatment: buy at pet store or at vet Symptoms: lack of appetite
and weight loss Occurs frequently in cats since they are outside a
lot.
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Feline Distemper Viral disease of cats, kittens two to six
months old being most susceptible. About 3 to 10 days after
exposure to the disease, infected kittens cough and sneeze, have
running eyes and nose, are feverish, lose their appetites, vomit,
and have diarrhea. The number of white cells in the blood drops
severely. The disease rarely lasts more than a week and is the
best-known viral disease in cats. Highly contagious, with a high
mortality rate, it is seen most often in young cats. Vaccines are
effective protective measures
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Rabies Less of a problem with cats than with dogs All
free-roaming cats should be vaccinated yearly Same 3 stages as dogs
Is deathly if they get it
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Upper Respiratory Infections Common feline illness and can
sometimes be fatal, especially in young kittens. Humans also get
upper respiratory infections Treatment: some antibiotics Symptoms:
Coughing, fever, wheezing
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Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Is a fatal, contagious disease
that is spread by direct contact. A cat with feline leukemia may
have a variety of symptoms, including general malaise, weight loss,
anemia, and fever. An infected cat may transmit the disease to
other cats before it develops clinical symptoms itself. A blood
test can detect whether a cat has been infected. Although a vaccine
is available, the most reliable way to prevent a cat from
contracting feline leukemia is to keep it from coming into contact
with positive cats.
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Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Is an inflammation of the
peritoneum (lining of the abdomen). Although FIP is contagious,
some cats appear to develop a natural immunity to it. An infected
cat may be a symptomless carrier. Once a cat develops symptoms, the
disease is invariably fatal. There is no reliable blood test for
FIP, but a vaccine is now available.
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Parasitic Protozoan Toxoplasma Gond ii Cats permitted to wander
outdoors are exposed to a variety of hazards, including accidents,
attacks from other animals, poisoning. Cats that kill and eat
rodents and other small animals can become infected with the, which
can be transmitted to humans and causes the disease
toxoplasmosis.
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Cheyletiella- Mites Mites that live on the skin, causing
irritation, dandruff, and itchiness. A distinguishing feature of
this mite species are the large, claw-like mouth parts. These mites
can be found quite commonly on cats, dogs and rabbits, and other
species. Though humans are not a natural host for this parasite,
Cheyletiella mites can happily live on humans for a while, causing
an itchy rash.
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Cuterebra- Parasite A parasite is an opportunistic parasite
found under the skin of small mammals. This parasite is the larval
stage of the Cuterebra fly, who uses animal hosts to complete its
life cycle. Most commonly seen in summer and fall
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Kitten Care Kittens should be inoculated against
rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and, optionally,
chlamydia. Most veterinarians recommend a series of two or three
inoculations, given every 3 weeks starting at 6 weeks of age. After
12 weeks of age, a kitten may also be inoculated against rabies,
feline leukemia, and feline infectious peritonitis. Inoculations
should be repeated annually to maintain immunity.