Cat Health Problems

-- Cat Health Problems --

Keeping Your Cat Healthy

Is your furry feline experiencing cat health problems? Read on for the answers to some common cat health questions.

Taking your cat to the vet is essential in avoiding serious health issues. Knowing your cat and paying attention to all potential signs and symptoms is important. If you notice that your cat isn't eating much, isn't drinking much water, or his coat has lost its shine, these could all be signs of an illness.

Apart from keeping an eye on your pet's eating and drinking habits, it's also a good idea to weigh your cat on a regular basis, since a healthy cat will maintain his weight. If you don't have a special pet scale, a regular scale will do just fine.

Although it's always essential to go to your vet to get health problems sorted out, there are alternatives that may help you in a situation where a vet is not accessible right away. Here's a helpful ebook full of Home Remedies For Cats (& Dogs) that could prove invaluable to those that need to address a medical problem at a time when there is no access to a vet.

Cat health problems can consist of may things, including allergies, ring-worms, eczema, or fleas, to name but a few. Keep a close eye on him if you notice him starting to scratch his own fur. A sneezing cat can also be a cause for concern, so it's a good idea to look into the possible reasons why your cat is sneezing.

Also, you yourself should be careful when playing with your cat. Be careful not to get any cat biting infections. If your cat does happen to bite or scratch you, you could potentially become infected with a cat scratch disease. In case this happens it is a good idea to know what signs to look for and how to treat it.

Cat Health Problems - Vision

If you notice a change in your cat’s pupils, it could be a sign of an illness, which can range from mild to serious. Here are some possible causes of vision related cat health problems:

• Inflammation of the eyes
• Horners Syndrome (a neurological disorder)
• FeLV (may cause pupillary spasms)
• Tumors
• Central nervous system

Click here to learn more about cat vision. 

Cat Health Problems - Third Eyelid

Cats have a third, inner eyelid, which is used to protect their eyes from dryness and/or damage. This is called the nictating membrane. Your cat could end up with serious problems if this third eyelid partially closes. You should take your cat to the vet if you notice this happening.

Other Cat Health Problems

Cats can have the same common health problems as humans. These include cataracts, glaucoma, conjunctivitis (Pinkeye), etc. Pinkeye, if caused by Chlamydia bacteria, can be contagious to humans.

A condition that is deadly for cats if contracted is the feline leukemia virus. Here are a few symptoms to look for in your cat:

• Loss of appetite
• Slow progressive weight loss
• Poor coat
• Persistent fever
• Pale gums and other mucous membranes
• Persistent cat diarrhea
• Seizures and change in behavior
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Various eye conditions
• In unspayed females, abortion of kitten or other reproductive failures
• Infection of the skin, urinary bladder or upper respiratory tract

Check Your Cats Ears

Be sure to check your cat’s ears for any sign of irritation, which could be caused by scratching, or from mites. It is normal to see wax in their ears, but if you see dark brown spots of wax, there could be mites.

If your cat’s ears are hot to the touch, he may be running a fever, though laying in the sun or near a heat register could cause your cat's ears to feel warm, so be sure that this isn't the cause.

Cat Health Problems - Cleaning Teeth

You may not have thought about cleaning your cat's teeth before, but it should be done regularly. Cat's teeth and gums, just like ours, form tartar build-up. If left, this build-up can eventually lead to an infection.

Use a special cat toothbrush to clean your cat’s teeth. If you don’t have one, you can substitute it with a soft bristled child’s toothbrush.

Cat Vomiting / Diarrhea

Pay close attention to any cat vomiting that takes place. Even though in most cases there isn't anything to be alarmed about, there’s always a chance of the vomit being a sign of something more serious.

Some typical reasons that your cat may be vomiting are that he’s stressed, has an upset stomach or he’s been trying to get rid of a hairball. If your cat was extremely hungry when he ate, and then vomited, the cat vomit will be a light yellowish color.

Make sure you call your vet immediately if you notice any blood in his vomit.

Persistent cat diarrhoea can be a sign of feline leukemia. You should contact your vet if there are other signs such as weight loss, poor appetite, etc.

Grooming Your Cat

Groom your cat often to prevent shedding and to keep your cat from swallowing his hair. While brushing your cat, you may notice some hair loss – this is generally normal, but keep an eye out for anything excessive. The causes of feline hair loss vary, but the more serious conditions can be prevented.

By keeping up with regular grooming habits, you’ll be able to see if your cat has any fleas, ticks, lice or mites. If you comb out any gritty dirt, always take a closer look to be sure that dirt is all it is. Use a piece of absorbent paper, and comb over your cat’s fur with it, if you notice any of red stains, this could mean that the dirt you saw is actually the feces from fleas that have been biting your cat. To check for ticks, look for small gray, or off white lumps. If you find any, remove them right away, and make sure that you’ve pulled out the head, not just the body.

Also, remember to trim your cats claws with cat nail clippers - not scissors. Regular nail trimming is important for your cat. When their claws grow too long, it will force them to walk on the sides of their feet, which could result in joint pain. There’s always the option of #content_2883532, but before you decide to have it done, be sure that you are aware of all of the dangers and risks involved.

Pet Emergency Situations

Watch for these signs, and call your vet at once if the following happens:

• Your cat has been in a road accident
• There is blood in your cat’s vomit, urine or stools
• Your cat is bleeding from the genitals
• Your cat has severe vomiting and diarrhea
• Your cat has an excessive thirst

If you suspect a cat illness and have noticed excess urination, along with any other possible symptoms, it's always best to take him to the vet to have the proper tests performed. 

 

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