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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. 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 you suspect that your cat is not well, it’s best to call your veterinarian as soon as possible for a phone consultation. If things seem to get worse, then both you and your vet will be better prepared to handle the situation later. Below are some issues to be alert 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.

Behavioral changes — A dramatic change in behavior or routine in your cat may be a sign of illness. Excessive scratching or licking behavior, a change in sleeping habits, or unusual aggressive tendencies may be signs that something is wrong. If your cat is normally social, but decides to hide in a room all day, that is probably a sign that something is wrong.

Thirst and appetite — Cats, and other animals, will often go off food when they’re ill, so loss of appetite is usually a sign of a cat health problem. Other signs may include trouble chewing or eating, or leaning over the drinking bowl but refusal to drink. Increased thirst is a sign of a number of diseases, including diabetes, and failure to drink can lead to life threatening dehrydation.

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.

You should groom your cat at least once a week. Take the opportunity during these sessions to examine your cat for some of these warning signs. You can get a feel for how your cat is reacting to being handled, and easily check all the body parts, the mouth, and so on. Checking your cat regularly will help you work with your veterinarian to keep on top of any cat health problems that may arise.

Tags: Pets

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