Cats need vitamin A in the diet since they cannot synthesize it from beta-carotene; this might be a problem on some diets. Reproductive disorders in females and testicular degeneration in males can occur in severe cases.

Species affected: Feline

Symptoms: Abnormal retinal pigmentation (clouration); Abnormal retinal reflectivity; Abnormal size of retinal vessels; Abnormal size of testes, scrotum; Abortion or stillbirth; Alopecia, thinning, shedding, easily epilated hair; Anoestrous; Anorexia (complete, partial); Ataxia (incoordination, staggering, falling); Blindness; Chemosis, conjunctival, scleral oedema, swelling; Conjunctival, scleral injection; Conjunctival, scleral redness; Corneal oedema, opacity; Corneal neovascularization, pannus; Corneal ulcer; Female infertility, repeat breeder; Hyperkeratosis; Lack of growth or weight gain, retarded, stunted growth; Lacrimation; Male infertility; Mydriasis; Ocular pain; Pain in neck, cervical, throat; Papilloedema; Photophobia; Purulent discharge from eye; Rough hair coat, dull, standing on end; Skin scales, peeling; Stiffness or extended neck; Underweight (poor condition, thin, emaciated, unthriftiness, ill thrift); Weight loss;

Public health importance: Not applicable.

References

1. Verstegen J., et. al., 2008, “Canine and feline pregnancy loss due to viral and non-infectious causes: A review,” Theriogenology; 70:304-319 [Web Reference]
2. Zoran D.L., 2002, “The carnivore connection to nutrition in cats,” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association; 221:1559-1567 [Web Reference]