Cat Health Danger Signs
Kurt Schmitt
March 10, 2008
As a cat owner, cat health problems are at the top of my list of concerns. The various illnesses your cat may face are many and varied, and your cat can't tell you how she's feeling, at least not in words. In addition, feline illness symptoms, like that in humans, often overlap.
Generally speaking, your cat is at higher risk for developing an illness if she has been stressed in some way. Those stresses may come from other pre-existing health problems, or a life change of some kind. Examples of this might include recent injury or immune disease, or a recent surgery. Life changing events may also include the addition or removal of a family member or other pet, or perhaps you've recently moved.
Be aware that your cat can catch a cold or a flu, just as you can. She can also be hit with parasites, certain cancers, and diabetes or heart disease. In addition, there are any number of feline specific conditions. Some of these cat health issues will require treatment.
If your cat is not acting right it may turn out to be nothing. Even so, if you see any of these signs, call your veterinarian and get instructions on the best course of action. If things get worse, your vet will already be engaged. Below are some problems to watch out for.
General indications -- General cat health issues are sometimes similar to what you might experience if you had the flu, a cold, an injury, or an infection. You may see your cat coughing or sneezing. In addition, nasal discharge, lethargy, a fever, or sometimes excessive drooling may be present.
If at any time you notice that your cat faints or falls down, has difficulty walking, jumping, or breathing, contact your veterinarian immediately. You should also be concerned by rapid weight loss or gain, or a bloated appearance or tightness in the abdomen. Other signs of serious feline illness are excessive vomiting or blood in the vomit, signs of pain, or signs of worms.
Behavior patterns -- If your cat exhibits a dramatic change in routine or behavior, she may be ill. Changes in sleeping habits may be a sign of trouble. In addition, excessive licking, scratching, or unusual showings of aggression may be signs that something is amiss. If your normally social kitty hides in a corner for a long period, that may also mean that something is not right.
Appetite and thirst -- A classic indicator of a cat health problem is refusal to eat, so loss of appetite is certainly suspect. Also on this list would be difficulty in chewing or eating. Failure to drink can lead to dehydration, which can be life threatening. Refusal to drink while leaning over the drinking bowl is a definite sign of trouble. Increased thirst is also a sign of a number of diseases, including diabetes.
In order to stay alert to cat health problems, you'll want to be alert to your cat's typical patterns of behavior. This includes habits related to sleeping, eating, drinking, using the litter box, and levels of activity. If you see a change, keep a closer eye on your cat to see if there's a problem. Remember that cats are very good at hiding discomfort, so you'll have to be very observant.
Checking your cat regularly will help you work with your veterinarian to keep on top of any cat health problems that may crop up. A good time to check your cat over from head to tail is during weekly (or more often) grooming sessions. That way you can get a feel for your cat's flexibility, and how she reacts to being touched.
Kurt Schmitt has put together an online resource for cat lovers that you should visit. Once there, you'll find many articles on cat health problems, and some funny cat pictures too. Copyright 2005 by Kurt Schmitt.
Generally speaking, your cat is at higher risk for developing an illness if she has been stressed in some way. Those stresses may come from other pre-existing health problems, or a life change of some kind. Examples of this might include recent injury or immune disease, or a recent surgery. Life changing events may also include the addition or removal of a family member or other pet, or perhaps you've recently moved.
Be aware that your cat can catch a cold or a flu, just as you can. She can also be hit with parasites, certain cancers, and diabetes or heart disease. In addition, there are any number of feline specific conditions. Some of these cat health issues will require treatment.
If your cat is not acting right it may turn out to be nothing. Even so, if you see any of these signs, call your veterinarian and get instructions on the best course of action. If things get worse, your vet will already be engaged. Below are some problems to watch out for.
General indications -- General cat health issues are sometimes similar to what you might experience if you had the flu, a cold, an injury, or an infection. You may see your cat coughing or sneezing. In addition, nasal discharge, lethargy, a fever, or sometimes excessive drooling may be present.
If at any time you notice that your cat faints or falls down, has difficulty walking, jumping, or breathing, contact your veterinarian immediately. You should also be concerned by rapid weight loss or gain, or a bloated appearance or tightness in the abdomen. Other signs of serious feline illness are excessive vomiting or blood in the vomit, signs of pain, or signs of worms.
Behavior patterns -- If your cat exhibits a dramatic change in routine or behavior, she may be ill. Changes in sleeping habits may be a sign of trouble. In addition, excessive licking, scratching, or unusual showings of aggression may be signs that something is amiss. If your normally social kitty hides in a corner for a long period, that may also mean that something is not right.
Appetite and thirst -- A classic indicator of a cat health problem is refusal to eat, so loss of appetite is certainly suspect. Also on this list would be difficulty in chewing or eating. Failure to drink can lead to dehydration, which can be life threatening. Refusal to drink while leaning over the drinking bowl is a definite sign of trouble. Increased thirst is also a sign of a number of diseases, including diabetes.
In order to stay alert to cat health problems, you'll want to be alert to your cat's typical patterns of behavior. This includes habits related to sleeping, eating, drinking, using the litter box, and levels of activity. If you see a change, keep a closer eye on your cat to see if there's a problem. Remember that cats are very good at hiding discomfort, so you'll have to be very observant.
Checking your cat regularly will help you work with your veterinarian to keep on top of any cat health problems that may crop up. A good time to check your cat over from head to tail is during weekly (or more often) grooming sessions. That way you can get a feel for your cat's flexibility, and how she reacts to being touched.
Kurt Schmitt has put together an online resource for cat lovers that you should visit. Once there, you'll find many articles on cat health problems, and some funny cat pictures too. Copyright 2005 by Kurt Schmitt.