Library

Cats + Infectious Diseases

  • Rabies is one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting mammals, including cats and humans. It is almost always fatal.

  • Ringworm is a fungal infection of the superficial layers of the skin, hairs and nails. The fungi responsible for ringworm belong to a specialised group known as dermatophytes, and these can cause disease in both humans and animals.

  • Virology today provides us with the means to test for many viruses affecting both us and our pets. These techniques are particularly useful in the cat since there are several serious viral infections of felines that can result in immune related problems.

  • Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by infection with the organism called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), a microscopic single-cell organism which is one of the most common parasites of animals.

  • 'Cat flu' is a common disease in cats of all ages despite widespread vaccination, but tends to be particularly severe in young and old cats.

  • Recent advances in medical science have resulted in an increase in the number and type of vaccines that are available for use in cats. Currently cats can be vaccinated against seven different diseases.