Cats | 15 Common Diseases (Cause → Signs → Examination → Treatment Direction → Prevention) | Evidence chain

FAQ

What are feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) / feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) / urethral obstruction, and what should send you to a veterinarian immediately?

Stress, obesity, dry food with low water content, crystals / stones, and the narrow urethra of male cats. Signs are frequent trips to the litter box, small volumes or nothing passed, blood in the urine, licking the genitals, vocalising, urinating outside the box; once obstructed: no urine at all, abdominal pain, vomiting, collapse, low body temperature. The direction of management is that obstruction = an immediate emergency: analgesia and sedation, urinary catheterisation to relieve pressure, fluids and correction of hyperkalaemic arrhythmia, hospitalised monitoring; non-obstructive FIC is managed mainly by environmental modification plus wet food plus analgesia; repeated severe obstruction may require urethral surgery. This row belongs to the category in the original section that needs prompt attention; the actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

What is diabetes mellitus, and what should send you to a veterinarian immediately?

Obesity, genetic predisposition (such as the Burmese), other endocrine disease, and insulin resistance. Signs are increased drinking and urination, eating more yet losing weight, hind limb weakness (plantigrade stance), dullness; progression to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) = an emergency. The direction of management is the insulin class (prescribed and adjusted by a veterinarian only, with home blood glucose / continuous glucose monitoring), applicability of newer oral glucose-lowering options: the official FDA Freedom of Information Summary confirms that the first oral non-insulin glycaemic management drug for cats was approved on 2022-12-08 — "Bexacat™ (bexagliflozin tablets)...is indicated to improve glycemic control in otherwise healthy cats with diabetes mellitus not previously treated with insulin" (NADA 141-566) <https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/13222>, verified 2026-07-30 (under the drug rule this article lists no dosages or dosing intervals; case selection and whether to use it must be judged by a veterinarian; the drug carries a safety warning of an increased risk of ketoacidosis in cats already on insulin and is not a universal substitute), low-carbohydrate high-protein diet, weight loss; cats have a chance of entering remission. This row belongs to the category in the original section that needs prompt attention; the actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) ± arterial thromboembolism (ATE) / congestive heart failure, and what should send you to a veterinarian immediately?

Genetic (Maine Coon, Ragdoll, British Shorthair, Sphynx and others). Signs are that it may be completely asymptomatic for a long time; when it presents: sudden rapid breathing, open-mouth breathing, sudden hind limb paralysis with severe pain and coldness (ATE), sudden death; cats usually do not cough. The direction of management is heart failure emergency care (oxygen, thoracocentesis, diuretic classes), antithrombotic drug classes, drug classes to control heart rate and filling; home SRR monitoring for follow-up. This row belongs to the category in the original section that needs prompt attention; the actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.