# Common Cat Health Issues

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/common-cat-health-issues/
- Published: 2026-09-14T15:57:10-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

Cats are masters at concealing illnesses. Recognizing symptoms early and seeking
prompt veterinary attention can significantly increase their quality of life.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) can be treated through diet changes and
medication, while Scabies is best prevented with regular hygiene practices and annual
fecal exams.

## Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorder) is one of the primary reasons cats visit
veterinarians, covering a wide range of disorders affecting both bladder and urethra.
A cat experiencing FLUTD may exhibit various symptoms including frequent urination,
incontinence, licking of genital area licking bloody urine vomiting as well as inflammation
infection obstruction or other causes resulting in FLUTD symptoms; to properly diagnose
it your veterinarian will take a thorough history and perform a urinalysis test 
to establish diagnosis.

FLUTD can often be caused by inflammation of the lower urinary tract. This could
be triggered by infections with bacteria, fungal or parasitic organisms or certain
diseases like diabetes; urinalysis will help identify its source while your veterinarian
will provide appropriate medications to address it.

About 15% of FLUTD cases are caused by uroliths (or stones) that form in the kidneys,
bladder or urethra and can irritate or obstruct urinary tract in both males and 
females. Uroliths require either x-rays or ultrasound imaging for diagnosis; most
commonly found types in cats include struvite and calcium oxalate stones that require
special diets to dissolve them, while those composed of calcium oxalate require 
surgery for removal.

While FLUTD can affect cats of any age and gender, it most frequently strikes middle-
aged, neutered male cats who get little exercise, use indoor litter boxes instead
of outdoor spaces and consume dry diets. Stress or abrupt changes to daily routine
may increase their risk for FLUTD.

Non-obstructive FLUTD often responds well to medications, dietary modification and
increased water consumption. If an underlying condition is responsible, long-term
treatment may be required; your veterinarian can advise what lifestyle changes will
reduce FLUTD incidence as well as steps you can take to prepare your pet for stressful
situations that may trigger its symptoms. In cases of obstructive FLUTD however,
swift action must be taken as these conditions can be fatal if untreated.

## Cutaneous Larval Migrans

Cats may become infected with hookworms known as Ancylostoma spp that produce cutaneous
larva migrans rashes. The parasite excreted from animal feces then develops into
larvae that penetrate skin when exposed to warm, moist soil or sand, eventually 
infecting humans when walking barefoot over infected surfaces or sunbathing on them,
leading to visceral larva migrans in their intestines, eye larva migrans that affects
eyes or neurotoxocariasis affecting both brain and spinal cord.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is an extremely dangerous disease caused by 
a mutated form of the feline coronavirus. It usually affects younger cats with compromised
immune systems and typically leads to inflammation and fluid accumulation in the
intestines and abdomen, leading to vomiting, weight loss, poor body condition and
generalized abdominal pain.

Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal cells proliferate uncontrollably
and invade nearby tissue, ultimately spreading throughout the body. While various
types of cancer can develop in cats, hemangiosarcomas and melanomas are among the
most prevalent.

Vaccinations is an invaluable weapon against feline infectious diseases. Given by
intramuscular injection, vaccination can provide lifelong protection against certain
infections.

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) is an immunosuppressing virus which weakens 
cats’ immune systems, leaving them more susceptible to infection. Usually transmitted
between cats through bite wounds or mutual grooming, FIV often goes undetected for
months or years without being identified – potentially leading to blood disorders
and cancer in later years.

Over-grooming in cats is a frequent health problem, often occurring as a response
to fleas, mites, ringworm or another skin irritation; bladder or arthritis problems;
illness/anxiety symptoms or simply pain. Excessive grooming may result in red-and-
itchy patches on the skin as well as bald spots. Licking excessively may further
irritate this layer resulting in ulcerations of its underlayer. Antihistamines may
help alleviate itching in addition to medical treatment of skin conditions/medical
needs/medication needs/antagonistics can reduce itching by alleviating itching caused
by overgrooming.

## Pyometra

Pyometra is an acute bacterial uterine infection in unspayed female cats that requires
prompt veterinary attention to avoid death. Cats diagnosed with pyometra typically
have pus-filled uteri that become an ideal environment for bacteria growth – likely
the result of hormonal fluctuations and their interaction with bacteria, or both
factors combined together causing it.

Cats suffering from pyometra typically become lethargic, refuse food, and have a
visibly swollen abdomen. Cats suffering from “open” pyometra often exhibit thick
pus-like vaginal discharge while those suffering from “closed” pyometra do not exhibit
such discharge. Other symptoms may include increased thirst and urination as well
as vomiting and weight loss – these signs should all be watched for.

If your cat exhibits symptoms of pyometra, such as swelling of her stomach area 
and drinking more water than normal, she should see her veterinarian immediately
as this could indicate infection. Signs to look out for include white foamy fluid
leaking from their nose or ears, bad breath and lethargy; severe cases may become
increasingly agitated as an infection progresses and symptoms can include high fevers,
abdominal distention and distention, lack of energy (bile-tinged vomiting), excessive
vomiting as well as dehydration.

Cats suffering from severe pyometra may exhibit elevated levels of bacteria like
E. coli, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus in their blood, releasing toxins that 
can enter their system and potentially lead to endotoxemia – a potentially life-
threatening condition.

Pyometra may be less common among spayed cats, yet still exist. You can lower their
risk by having them spayed before their first heat cycle and providing regular veterinary
examinations for breeding cats.

Cats who have undergone ovariohysterectomy are at increased risk for pyometra, especially
those who undergo incomplete procedures or who undergo repeated estrus cycles without
reaching gestation. As part of preventative healthcare for these cats, vaccination
against herpes virus should be considered part of preventive health care; prostaglandin
injections may be used instead of surgery in an effort to induce contraction and
push out any infection present, though their success rate can range between low 
success rate and severe complications including recurrent infections, failed breeding
cycles and death.

## Mast Cell Tumors

Mast cells are blood-borne cells found throughout the body that contain tiny granules
that release histamine and other chemicals that help control allergic reactions.
Like almost every cell in our bodies, mast cells can become cancerous as well. Most
cutaneous mast cell tumors are low to intermediate grade and rarely recur after 
being surgically removed; visceral mast cell tumors are much more aggressive; once
they spread to bone marrow or blood stream they’re much less likely to be completely
eliminated through surgery alone.

Mast cell tumors typically present themselves as one or more small, firm and hairless
raised bumps or lumps on your cat’s skin, often creating itching that worsens during“
flare-ups,” when tumor cells produce histamine more actively than usual. As well
as itching, cats suffering from mast cell tumors may lose appetite and vomit often;
occasionally these tumors can even spread to livers and spleens and cause life-threatening
blood loss.

Surgery is usually the preferred approach to treating cutaneous and visceral mast
cell tumors, with your ACVS-certified veterinarian performing surgery on it before
sending it for evaluation by a veterinary pathologist. They will grade it according
to its size, inflammation level, differentiation status of cells compared to normal
cells, as well as aggressiveness (higher grades typically correspond with more aggressive,
potentially recurrent tumors).

If your cat has a higher grade tumor, it is important to determine if its spread
has extended into other areas of his or her body. A veterinary pathologist will 
conduct lymph node evaluations in the region for signs of spread while X-rays and
blood work will also be done to check for liver or spleen involvement.

Steroids have been used to control and reduce some forms of cutaneous mast cell 
tumors; however, no evidence suggests they can prevent new ones from appearing once
they already exist.

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