FIV, Feline AIDS
Overview:
Feline immunodeficiency virus is a disease of cats that is of the same subfamily of retroviruses as the human HIV virus. The FIV virus is transmitted in the saliva or blood, commonly through the bite wound from an infected cat. Once inside the cat's body, the virus will invade the cells of the cat's immune system, preventing the cells from performing their vital role of fighting off infections and diseases. As a result, cats that contract FIV generally succumb to a wide variety of secondary diseases.
Affected Animals: Kittens.
Description: Kittens weigh about 100 grams at birth and gain between 50 and 100 grams each week until they reach five to six months of age. Weaning kittens from their mother's milk before six weeks of age may slow their growth and result in overly cautious or aggressive behavior when they reach adulthood. Usually, the mother cat will wean the kittens when they are between seven and 10 weeks of age. During the weaning, they should be fed a dry commercial cat food that is specifically formulated for growing kittens.
Fatty Liver Syndrome
Overview:
Hepatic lipidosis commonly is called fatty liver syndrome because the cat's liver actually becomes filled with fat. A severe liver disease that can be fatal, hepatic lipidosis typically occurs when an obese cat suddenly stops eating, which causes a mobilization of its own fat stores and results in excessive fat accumulation in the cells of the liver. This excessive fat accumulation impairs the normal function of the liver cells, resulting in liver failure.
Ear mites
Overview:
Highly contagious, ear mites are a common cause of many ear problems in cats and, less commonly, in dogs. Ear mites are found in cats of all ages, but kittens tend to be infected more commonly. These mites can cause intense itching. Severe trauma to the infected area may result when cats scratch the irritated skin.
Ear infection
Overview:
From ear mites to cancer, a diverse array of medical conditions can cause cats to develop ear infections. Allergies, the formation of a polyp or tissue growth in the middle ear, trauma to the ear from scratching, bacteria, yeast, and many diseases all can lead to otitis, or inflammation of the ear canal.
Cats frequently will shake their heads and scratch their ears when they have otitis because of discomfort and irritation. Generally, medications are successful at treating most cases of otitis, but if allergies or other complicating underlying conditions are causing the inflammation, additional measures may need to be taken to eliminate the problem.