Common Diseases In Wild Cats In Captivity
Wild cats make up a diverse group of carnivorous animals, ranging from small cats – of the genus Felis – to large cats – of the genera Panthera , Neofelis or Acinonyx . In this article, we will tell you which diseases are common in captive wild cats.
Common diseases in wild cats in captivity
Rhinotracheitis
All cats are sensitive to feline rhinotracheitis. It is a very contagious disease, caused by a herpes virus, which occurs in a similar way to that of domestic cats. That is, as an acute upper respiratory tract infection.
Clinical symptoms include nasal discharge of mucus or pus, conjunctivitis and keratitis. Normally, they disappear after 14-28 days, unless there is a complication caused by a bacterial disease. If it affects very young animals, it can be serious and intensive care may be needed to treat it.
Calicivirus
Again a very contagious virus, this time it causes sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge and mouth ulcers. Sometimes it becomes fatal, especially if the lungs are infected, but not too complicated cases usually clear up within 15 days.
Panleukopenia
Feline panleukopenia is an acute disease manifested by anorexia, depression, vomiting, dehydration and diarrhea. It is a very contagious viral infection that is transmitted by direct contact. Furthermore, the virus remains contagious for a long time in the environment.
While not very common in feral cats, it is also true that it sometimes occurs and when it infects kittens, it becomes a problem. In fact, a puppy with panleukopenia could develop problems with the central nervous system.
Feline infectious peritonitis
The cats most likely to suffer from it are cheetahs. Therefore, its exposure to this coronavirus should be avoided, mainly by avoiding contact with infected cats.
Canine distemper
It is a paramyxovirus, which causes a fatal disease in feral cats that have had contact with infected dogs. Unfortunately, those who do not die remain sub clinical carriers for life.
Leukemia in wild cats in captivity
Although it is a disease almost always diagnosed in domestic cats, cases have also been reported in wild felines. It usually manifests itself with symptoms of immunodeficiency. In this sense, zoos maintain a very strict policy against this virus.
HIV in captive feral cats
Numerous cases of retroviruses causing this disease have been recorded in feral cats, mainly related to the virus that causes it in cats. Symptoms vary from retinal conditions to gingivitis or neurological disorders.
Papilloma virus
Cases have been recorded in panthers, wild cats, lions, leopards, etc. And, normally, each of them is infected with a species-specific papillomavirus.
Symptoms include lesions on the skin and mouth. Some even get worse and can result in tumors that can cause the animal to die.
Other diseases of wild cats in captivity
Bacterial gastritis
Helicobacter spp . is the causative agent of this disease, which mainly affects cheetahs. Symptoms include chronic vomiting, stomach ulcers, weight loss, anorexia and malaise.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
This disease is known worldwide as “mad cow disease”. It has been recorded in European feline populations that have fed on corpses of affected cows.
Dermatophytosis in wild cats in captivity
Dermatophytosis is a parasitic disease caused by a dermatophyte fungus, Microsporum canis . Symptoms include hair loss, alopecia, redness of the skin, thickening and breaking of the skin, etc. In general, alopecia is most noticeable in the ears, limbs or neck, although it can also be generalized.
