Posts Tagged ‘most common feline illness symptoms’

Know What to Look For – Symptoms of Feline Illness

Knowing what common cat disease or illness symptoms to look for can help catch problems before they grow more serious and can assist your feline treatment plan.

As previously noted, regular, careful observation of your cats during routine grooming and cuddle sessions is an important tool in your successful cat health care regimen.

Here Are 16 of the Most Important – Common Symptoms of Common Cat Health Issues to Watch For in Your Cat:

• Noticeable or sudden weight loss
  
  (Signals serious problems. Be aware and keep track of your cats normal weight, noting any changes 
  
  
  
• Vomiting, more than once or twice a month, may be a symptom of disease, injury or poisoning.
  
  (Cats vomit normally, especially to dislodge hairballs.  Note than even in less frequent vomiting, if no hairballs are consistently present, a more serious problem may be brewing. Frequent vomiting may be due to stomach ulcers, kidney or liver disease, worms, diabetes or various types of cancer.)
  
  
  
• Constipation, straining in the litter box, more time than usual spent in the litter box, diarrhea, red-tinged urine.
  
  If you note problems urinating or urinating every few minutes  – See the vet at once.  Males with urinary blockage are in even more danger!  Any delay of medical assessment can risk death. )
  
  
  
  
• Signs of mouth/teeth/gum problems:  poor appetite, drooling, bad breath (persistent cases can also be sign of cancer – especially in older cats) yellow-brown tartar build-up on the teeth, pawing at the mouth  – especially after eating .
  
  
  
• Persistent coughing, sneezing, wheezing, runny eyes or nose.
  
  (Cats with colds or cat flu need supportive treatment, and these symptoms can underlie more serious illness as well)
   
  
  
• Loss of appetite, lethargy, sleeping longer than normal. 
  
  
  
• Elimination outside of litter box, in inappropriate places, if previously litter trained.
  
  (Your cat does not do this to annoy or seek revenge.  Something is amiss, either physically or environmentally!)
  
  
  
• Skin or fur problems, including excessive grooming or itching; erect, separated hair – may indicate temperature problems
  
  (Get the vet to rule out disease or serious disorders.  Skin and coat reflect internal health, any changes indicate problems inside.)

• Unusual or unexplained lumps or wounds (should be examined by a vet for appropriate treatment)
  
  
  
• Tapeworms (rice-like (or sesame seed) white or brown segments near cat’s tail or anus or visible in stool.
  
  If your cat needs fleas treatment, suspect Tapeworms as well!  Fleas are tapeworm carriers.)
  
  
  
• Roundworms – look for pot-belly appearance, poor, dull  coat, vomiting
  
  
  
• Dramatically increased thirst
  
  
  
• Appearance of the third eyelid while awake. (appears when cat sleeps, retracts when awake, if healthy
  
  
  
• Hiding in places your cat normally doesn’t hide – need to be reclusive
  
  
  
• Sudden change in temperament – especially if irritable or aggressive, doesn’t want to be touched
  
  
  
• Refusal to eat; (if longer than 24 hours, seek vet evaluation. Cat’s metabolism can be affected with potentially serious results.)
  

Should you observe any of these symptoms, take your cat to your vet for evaluation and proper feline treatment.

Obviously, any injuries, unusual behavior or symptom  – even if not listed here – should be examined by your vet without due delay.