·  Rabies: Contracted through the saliva of an infected animal, rabies affects a cat’s brain to a severe degree, usually making the animal aggressive and dangerous. This viral infection should be prevented with a rabies vaccination. If your cat is bitten by any wild animal, immediately consult your veterinarian.

·  Ringworm: This fungal disease can cause mild to severe skin lesions on the skin of your cat, and can be highly contagious to humans and other animals. Symptoms include hair loss, excessive scratching, and scaly or inflamed patches of skin.

·  Feline leukemia: This disease affects your cat’s immune system and his ability to fight off other diseases. This illness is often fatal and can lie dormant in your cat’s system for years.

·  Diabetes: Just like humans, cats can contract diabetes and require insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. This can be difficult to treat in cats because of their small body size and varying reactions to the insulin.

·  Feline distemper: Unrelated to canine distemper, this illness attacks the immune system. Symptoms include bloody stool, lethargy, fever, and depression. Unfortunately, recovery from this disease is rare.

·  Rhinotracheitis: Much like a common cold, this virus can cause a lot of long-term respiratory problems in a cat. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, fever, and eye discharge, and can last through the cat’s lifetime. You can prevent this disease with a vaccine.