The health of your pet is of the utmost importance. According to a report in the Washington Post, pet owners are visiting the vet more than ever.
While this is good news, many still wait too long to take action when their cat becomes ill. This is not because of a lack of concern but because many are uninformed about the signs of ill health in a cat. It is important that you learn to recognize the signs that your cat is in need of help and take the necessary steps to get it.
Here are the warning signs that indicate you need to take your cat to a veterinary clinic immediately.
1. Excessive Trips To The Litter Box
If you see your cat making several trips to the litter box, this is usually not normal. Go ahead and take a look at the contents of the litter box.
If the litter box appears to be empty after several trips, then your cat may be constipated. This may be a sign of a blockage in the intestines. If it is used at every trip then your cat probably has diarrhea.
Whichever the case, your cat needs urgent medical help.
2. Panting For Long Periods
There are many sounds that cats make. However, unlike dogs, cats do not pant to keep themselves cool. Whenever a cat is constantly breathing with its mouth open, it usually means there is a respiratory issue.
The problem is often asthma. However, it may be a respiratory tract infection. There have also been cases where excessive breathing was caused by impending heart failure.
The bottom line is that heavy breathing should never be ignored.
3. Hair Loss Means It’s Time To Visit A Vet
Cats are always grooming themselves and because of this, they will always lose hair. However, if you find that your cat is losing hair in patches and that their skin is looking scaly, it is time to visit a vet.
It may be a sign of fungal infection. This type of infection is usually easy to treat with an antifungal cream to prevent hair loss. Sometimes hair loss may also be caused by internal issues such as thyroid disease.
No matter what may cause hair loss, your cat is likely to end up swallowing hair at some point. This usually isn’t a problem since the hair is usually pushed through your cat’s digestive system and expelled as a hairball.
However, if your cat swallows too much hair it can cause obstruction in the intestines. One of the major signs of this is continuous vomiting, so head to the vet if your cat can’t keep food down.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the warning signs will help you to know when it is time to take your cat to a veterinary clinic in Sykesville. When you seek treatment for your pet early then you will save yourself costly medical bills and you may even save their life.
If you would like more tips on how to take care of your pet, please visit our blog. We have a wealth of information that will help you provide the best care for your cat.