Feline infectious peritonitis or FIP is a common condition of cats, caused by feline coronavirus. This virus doesn’t cause any significant illness although it is common to be found in cats and constantly mutates. If it develops into a harmful form it attacks the immune system and changes to either of the following; wet FIP, fluid accumulates in the chest or abdomen or dry FIP, nodules develop around the body, in the eye or brain. This strain can be fatal. There is very little the vet can do because a blood test can’t recognise one strain from the other. Because the disease is more common in households with more than one cat the best thing to do is to keep one litter tray for only two cats and clean them out regularly, this prevents cats cross-infecting each other.

The most common cause of chronic vomiting and diarrhoea in cats is caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sometimes a particular substance in the cat’s diet is at fault and triggers irritability in the lining of the intestines. The remedy can be to feed the cat a non- irritant diet but often a long-term course of anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisolone is needed.

Cats with cancer

Cancer in cats is much the same as with humans as it develops due to an increase of certain cells, some cancers are benign and will not grow back after they are removed and others are malignant and will spread to other parts of the body, causing death, regardless of treatment. In between, there are the cancers that respond to surgery and drugs. Lymphosarcoma responds well to surgery to remove the cancer and chemotherapy and radiotherapy is now available for cats in some of the most advanced treatment centres.

Cats with Aids

Aids attacks the cats immune system and makes it more likely to contract other illnesses. Feline leukaemia virus causes suppression of the immune system but the cat can also be infected with feline immunodeficiency of which there is no vaccine available. Cats cannot pass Aids to humans.

Cats with Rabies

Rabies attacks the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, causing behavioural changes, convulsions and death. Rabies is transmitted in the saliva of animals by biting or through wounds or scratches. Cats, like dogs, can be infected in areas where there is infected wildlife but cats are less able to pass it on to other animals. There is an effective vaccination available for cats that can be given to protect your cat if you are concerned. Any human who thinks they have been bitten by an animal infected with Aids should contact their doctor immediately.