Current Days Cat Health Versus Past Years

I'm flabbergasted over the issues with cats in todays world. I've had cats all my life, I had cats that had kittens, I've had feral cats, I've had cats on Guam, I've had cats every place I've lived and all these years the only issue I've had with any of them until now was fleas from a baby squirrel  we rescued from a tree. In the last year I purchased a kitten that apparently had FIP and I had to have her put down. The breeder was kind enough to replace this kitten with another. At the time I picked the kitten up there was an adopted  litter mate that had a real rough start in life and the breeder gave her to me. This was both a blessing and a nightmare because the 2 kittens are inseparable but the little girl developed severe diarrhea  and was diagnosed with Giardia of course her brother developed these issues as well. This then involved my senior Bengal (she's 13) so all have to get meds until it's resolved. To back up a bit, the breeder said as I was leaving that I should sprinkle Li-sine on their food. I didn't question this although I thought it strange but now after reading some of these posts and knowing my little girl had been treated for an upper respiratory infection and the techs at the vets saying her sneezing and runny eyes were because of a virus all cats get, I'm now wondering if there's herpes involved as well. What ever happened to healthy cats?

I think they're are still healthy cats out there! I hope so at least - for the sake of my cat

I think these days, cats can come from a wide background and history when it comes to DNA and heritage. From backyard breeders, to certified breeders, there's huge factors that come into a cat's health.

Here is what I notice in my area:

1. Pure bred cats are a trend, and people are willing to spend a lot of money for them - however - these breeders are not taking their time to "do their homework" and research what this specific breed requires etc, and therefore health issues arise, especially when bred improperly. Or - they release the kittens too young!

2. Backyard breeders - house hold family pets are being bred to create cute little kittens, which they sell at outrageous amounts, just to make money.

3. "The mistake" - indoor/outdoor cats that are not fixed, spend a little time with a stray cat and get pregnant. Who knows where this stray cat came from, and if they carry diseases. 

All of these, I think contribute to how the "common house cat" has evolved over the years. I'm no expert by any means - but just an observation of what I see. I work in a pet store, and I see a lot of "funky" stuff!

We rescued our cat from a local shelter, with the knowledge of her coming from a cat hoarder. Fingers crossed she stays with us for 20+ years! All we can really do is provide care, love, great nutrition and medical attention when it's needed. 

From my own personal experience, I've noticed that the cats that I've rescued off the streets have been far healthier than the ones that have come from a rescue via a shelter (animal control).  It seems like the stress of being in a shelter, along with malnutrition, and being exposed to who knows what all kinds of viruses from the crowded facilities is the problem.  However, I also think that cat owners are more educated and veterinary care has improved drastically for cats over the past many decades.  This also makes it seem like our cats are "less healthy" when in reality we just know more about their health and pay closer attention to it.

It sounds like all the unhealthy cats you've had recently came from the same breeder. I would take that as a comment on that specific breeder's cats rather than all cats everywhere. There have always been been healthy and unhealthy cats, you were just lucky until recently.