Which diseases of cats are contagious?

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Several contagious diseases can affect cats, posing risks to their health and sometimes to other animals or humans. Here are some of the most common ones:

  1. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): This retrovirus is highly contagious and spreads through saliva, blood, urine, and feces. It can cause anemia, immune suppression, and various cancers¹.
  2. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): Similar to HIV in humans, FIV weakens a cat’s immune system. It is primarily spread through bite wounds².
  3. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): Caused by a coronavirus, FIP is often fatal and spreads through fecal-oral transmission¹.
  4. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): This herpesvirus causes upper respiratory infections and is spread through sneezing, coughing, and direct contact².
  5. Calicivirus: Another cause of respiratory infections, calicivirus spreads through saliva, nasal secretions, and eye discharge².
  6. Toxoplasmosis: This parasitic disease can be transmitted to humans and other animals through cat feces. It is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals¹.
  7. Rabies: A viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, rabies is transmitted through bites from infected animals and is fatal if not treated promptly³.

Regular vaccinations and preventive care are essential to protect cats from these contagious diseases⁴.

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¹: Common Infectious Cat Diseases
²: Common Cat Diseases
³: How are cat diseases transmitted?
⁴: 7 Types of Common Cat Viruses Explained

Source:
(1) Infectious diseases in cats. https://bing.com/search?q=contagious+cat+diseases.
(2) Common Infectious Cat Diseases You Should Know About – The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/cat-infectious-diseases-3384847.
(3) Common Cat Diseases – ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-diseases.
(4) How are cat diseases transmitted? – BetterVet. https://bettervet.com/resources/pet-diseases/how-are-cat-diseases-transmitted.
(5) 7 Types of Common Cat Viruses Explained – Cats.com. https://cats.com/common-cat-viruses.
(6) Articles on pet Infectious Diseases – Vca. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/topics/infectious-diseases.