The health of domestic cats is a well studied area in veterinary medicine.
Topics include infectious and genetic diseases, diet and nutrition and non-therapeutic surgical procedures such as neutering and declawing.
Diseases
Infectious diseases
An infectious disease is caused by the presence of pathogenic organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites (either animalian or protozoan). Most of these diseases can spread from cat to cat via airborne pathogens or through direct or indirect contact, while others require a vector such as a tick or mosquito. Certain infectious diseases are a concern from a public health standpoint because they are a Feline zoonosis and transmittable to human.
Viral
Viral diseases in cats can be serious, especially in catteries and kennels. Timely vaccination can reduce the risk and severity of an infection. The most commonly recommended viruses to vaccinate cats against are:
Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), a viral cause of feline viral rhinotracheitis, a respiratory infection of cats. Feline calicivirus (FCV), a common viral cause of respiratory infection in cats. Feline parvovirus, which causes feline panleukopenia (FPV), more commonly known as feline distemper. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a retrovirus. Rabies, a fatal disease transmitted by the bite of an infected mammal. In the United States, cats make up 4.6% of reported cases of rabies infected animals.
Viruses for which there are no vaccines:
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lentivirus and genetic relative of HIV. There is no approved vaccine for FIV in North America. Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), a mutation of feline enteric coronavirus (FECV/FeCoV) that causes feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a fatal incurable disease. See: Global spread of H5N1#Felidae (cats)
Bacterial
Chlamydia felis
Fungal
Ringworm
Cryptococcus
Malassezia pachydermatis
Parasites
Veterinary parasitology studies both external and internal parasites in animals. External parasites, such as fleas, mites, ticks and mosquitoes can cause skin irritation, and are also often carriers of other diseases or of internal parasites.
External parasites
Ear mites and other mites can cause skin problems such as mange. Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes often carry multiple blood-borne diseases.
Internal parasites
Heartworm
Hookworm
Roundworm
Toxoplasma gondii
Cytauxzoon felis
Genetic diseases
Domestic cats are affected by over 250 naturally occurring hereditary disorders, many of which are similar to those in humans, such as diabetes, hemophilia and Tay–Sachs disease. For example, Abyssinian cat's pedigree contains a genetic mutation that causes retinitis pigmentosa, which also affects humans. Familial renal disease is inherited in Abyssinians and Persians Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Heart valve dysplasia Heterochromia Luxating patella Portosystemic shunt. Found in Persians and Himalayans. Flat-chested kitten syndrome
Skin disorders
Skin disorders are among the most common health problems in cats and have many causes. The condition of a cat's skin and coat can be an important indicator of its general health.
Cheyletiellosis is a mild dermatitis caused by mites of the genus Cheyletiella. It is also known as walking dandruff due to skin scales being carried by the mites. Feline acne Feline eosinophilic granuloma Flea allergy dermatitis Miliary dermatitis (feline eczema) Mange Nutritional skin disorders