Recognition of Illness Symptoms Ensures Better Cat Health Care

Cat health care problems can be avoided, or at least minimized, by detecting the signs of an illness early. It is important for owners to learn which symptoms are cause for concern, which can be ignored and which indicate a particular illness for which immediate help is needed.

Symptoms vary with each condition and you must be alert. Complicating matters is that, in some cases, the symptoms are not physical but are behavior-related instead. Such signs tend to be subtle, which is why you should note behavioral changes in case treatment is needed for a health problem.

To guide you through the potentially overwhelming process of determining if your cat needs to be taken to a vet and how quickly you need to act, here is a rundown of red flags for some of the most common feline health problems.   

A Simple Cold

If your kitten experiences any of the following symptoms, he or she may have developed a cold:  runny nose; excessive sneezing; ulcers or sores on the tongue, mouth, or even the nose; gooey matter in the corners of the eyes; loss of appetite; loss of energy; and limping from joint pain. A cold will usually clear up in a few days without assistance. 

Intestinal Blockage

If your kitty hasn’t used their litter box for 24 hours or so, there is a chance that an object has become stuck in their intestines. Watch them carefully, and if they start vomiting or convulsing, seek help from your vet right away. 

Fleas

Has your cat become obsessed with scratching? It might be fleas and you can find out for yourself. Place your cat on a white towel, and run an extra-fine flea comb through his or her fur. If there are fleas, you will find tiny black flecks between the comb’s teeth or on the towel. There are many products on the market to control fleas and ticks on your cat. Contact your veterinarian to determine which ones are the safest and most effective.

Ear Mites

Incessant head shaking or scratching coupled with black goop inside the ears usually means your cat has been attacked by ear mites, which are parasites living and breeding in the ear canal. He or she needs eardrops, which can be obtained from your vet.

Tapeworms

Have you spotted something that looks like dried rice under your cat’s tail? There might be tapeworms in their intestines. If this telltale sign is accompanied by weight loss, increased appetite, abdominal pain and diarrhea, you’re probably dealing with a severe infestation. Consult your vet, as the problem is easy to fix with medication.

Hookworms

Hookworms feast on your cat’s blood and make your feline companion prone to anemia and constipation. Sometimes hookworms cause vomiting and there may be blood in the feces. Immediate vet attention is required in this case. 

Poisoning

Cats are better than dogs at determining if something is safe to eat or not, but they can be fooled if the substance smells tasty. Symptoms that signal a possibility that your cat has eaten something toxic are nervousness, drooling, difficulty breathing, repeated vomiting and diarrhea, and a change in the pupil size of his eyes. More serious cases can cause seizures and paralysis. It’s best to take your kitty to an animal hospital or clinic directly if you suspect poisoning has occurred.

Feline Distemper

Unless your cat is vaccinated, he or she is at risk of developing feline distemper, which weakens the immune and nervous systems and attacks the bowels. Symptoms begin with a fever, followed by appetite loss and depression. There could also be twitching and other exaggerated movements. To avoid a painful illness, make sure your cat receives the proper vaccinations for this preventable disease.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Much like HIV in humans, FIV compromises your cat’s immune system for years, eventually leading to a host of secondary infections. Persistent fever, eye inflammation, seizures and chronic gum, mouth, skin, upper respiratory and urinary tract infections can all be symptoms. A blood test is performed to confirm the diagnosis, but this problem can be avoided with a vaccination.

Eliminate cat health care woes with immunization, yearly checkups and early disease detection. By being vigilant and observant of the physical and behavioral changes in your cat, you help ensure that he or she remains healthy and happy.

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