Cat Health Problems
Cat Disease, Cat Infection. Cat
Parasites, Cat Worms, Cat Virus, Cat Vomiting, Cat Diarrhea, Cat
Illness, Cat Kidney Disease and much more
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Health Problems In Cats
There are many feline health problems, some more common
than others. Some problems are easily
preventable, while others are hereditary. Below are some of the more common health
problems that cats encounter
Hairballs
Hairballs are a very common complaint because as cats
groom themselves they swallow loose hair. Sometimes this hair forms into a
ball and lodges in the cat's stomach.
More reading on hairballs
Hairballs in
Cats which offers advice on how to
deal with hairballs.
Worms
Cats are often infested with worms. Roundworms,
tapeworms, and hookworms most commonly infect cats. Cats can occasionally
develop heartworms, as well. Symptoms of worms can include weight loss, pot
bellied appearance, poor coat appearance and vomiting. Worms are easily cured with a few doses of medication, but
if left untreated, they can cause serious health problems.
More reading on worms:
Worming
your cat or kitten- Worm Symptoms
Tapeworm in Cats
Ringworm in Cats
Can Children (or adults) catch worms from Cats
Vomiting
There can many varied reasons why a cat vomits, from a
serious illness to eating something disagreeable. An occasional, isolated
episode of vomiting is usually normal
Read More: Causes
of Cats Vomiting
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is not a disease in itself but rather a symptom that
something is wrong with your cat or kitten's health. This could be a minor
problem or could signify a more serious illness.
Read more
about the causes and treatment of diarrhea in cats and kittens
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are another common health problem
in cats. Bladder diseases occur in both male and female cats, although males
have a higher risk of life-threatening blockage of the urethra
More Reading on Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary Tract Disorders in Cats
Cystitis in Cats
Fleas
Fleas feed on your pet's blood and make
your cat uncomfortable A heavy infestation can cause it to become anaemic
and unwell. Flea infestations have been known to kill kittens. Some
individual animals are allergic to flea saliva and this causes the pet
abject misery with constant scratching and self mutilation. The most common allergy dermatitis in cats and dogs
is a flea allergy. Fleas also spread tapeworm from one animal to
another.
Read More:
How to get rid of
fleas - House and Pet
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Cat Fleas - Dog Fleas- Human Fleas
How to kill fleas on very young kittens
Sand Fleas - Not a problem for cats and dogs
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Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Failure is the most common cause of death
in older cats. Long-term feeding of an all dry food diet is suspected as a
factor in Chronic Renal Failure. Often the first thing you notice with a cat
suffering from feline kidney disease is that they have an increased thirst
and drink more water.
Read More:-
Kidney Disease Chronic Renal
Failure
Conjunctivitis
Many cats have chronic problems with conjunctivitis
(inflammation of the eye membranes). Often, the problem comes and goes. The
eyes may be red, swollen, watery and crusty.
Read More:-
Conjunctivitis in Cats
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Cat Flu
Cat flu is the general name given to a viral infection of
the upper respiratory tract in cats. It is a common disease in cats and can
make them very sick and miserable. It can be fatal
in kittens and immunosuppressed older cats
Read More:- Cat Flu
Symptoms and Treatment
Ear Mites
Ear mite infestations in cats can be extremely
uncomfortable. Ear mites can also cause disfigurement and severe ear
infections
Read More: Ear
mites in Cats
Feline Stress
Cats are sensitive creatures and are prone to stress.
Common Stress Symptoms
• Spraying (even in
neuters)
• Inappropriate elimination. Urine and Feces
• Pacing back and forth at perimeters of fences
• Loss of appetite
• Pulling out of fur
• Trembling
• Excessive meowing
• Hiding from the world, under beds, behind curtains etc
• Physical symptoms and illness – some illnesses and disorders (such as
acne) have been associated with stress. Stress can also be a response to
physical illness, so it is most important to check with your vet to rule out
a medical condition
Read More:- Feline
Stress - Causes and Management
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
FIP is caused by a mutation of the corona virus. According
to some experts, cats living in multi-cat environments tend to test positive
for enteric corona virus. Cats can live with that virus remaining quietly in
the intestines with no sign of disease for their entire lifetime. In other
cases, probably a genetic pre-disposition, the virus mutates into FIP.
Once a cat has contracted FIP, it will display symptoms of
a mild upper respiratory infection: sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal
discharge. It may also have diarrhea, weight loss and lethargy. Most cats
fully recover from this primary infection, although some may become virus
carriers. A small percentage of exposed cats develop lethal FIP weeks or
even years after the primary infection.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
FIV, or cat AIDS, is not always fatal. FIV decreases the
ability of the cat's immune system to fight infections. Cats with FIV may
remain free of symptoms for years. It is when the cat contracts other
illnesses in the chronic stage of FIV infection that FIV is first suspected.
This long list of illnesses includes oral-cavity infections,
upper-respiratory infections, weight loss, ear infections, kidney disease,
and many others. Although there is, as yet, no vaccine, all cats should be
tested for the virus. The virus is transmitted through saliva, usually when
a cat is bitten in a cat fight.
Feline Leukemia Virus
FLV was, until recently, the most common fatal disease of
cats. But with a vaccine now available, the number of cases is dwindling.
Although the name leukemia means cancer of the white blood cells, this is
only 1 of the many diseases associated with this virus, such as other types
of cancer, anemia, arthritis and respiratory infections. FLV is preventable
if the cat is immunized before being exposed to the virus. Although the
disease is not always immediately fatal, cats with FLV rarely have a long
life expectancy. NEVER bring other cats into your household when you have a
cat with FLV.
Lyme Disease
If your cat spends time outdoors, you should check him
regularly for ticks. If you find a tick on your cat's body and he has been
lethargic and acts as if he is in pain, ask your vet to test for Lyme
Disease. This disease is transmitted to people and animals by deer ticks.
Some cats may show subtle symptoms while others may show
none -- symptoms are hard to recognize and often may be confused with other
illnesses or old age. Be observant of your pet's behavior. It is the only
way to know if your pet has contracted Lyme disease if no tick was found.
Some symptoms of Feline Lyme Disease include:
(a) lethargy,
(b) reluctance to jump or climb stairs,
(c) limping, or reluctance to put weight on a paw,
(d) loss of appetite.
The key to dealing with Feline Lyme Disease is prevention
and early diagnosis and treatment. You should reduce the tick population
around your home with simple landscape changes and spraying.
Abscess from cat bites or scratches
Cats have extremely tough skin which does not easily tear.
Consequently, teeth or claws do not leave large open wounds in the skin. Instead
they puncture deep into the muscle tissue under the skin through relatively
small holes that quickly heal over. The bacteria present on the tooth or claw
are seeded in the tissue under the skin where they thrive in the warm moist
environment. An abscess is extremely painful and can cause your cat to become
very ill.
Read More: Cat
Abscess - Symptoms and Treatment
Toothache and Tooth Decay in Cats
The first symptom you may notice
if your cat has toothache may be the
cat's reluctance to eat. Any pressure on the tooth is extremely
painful. The cat may be very hungry and will attempt to eat but
drops the food when he gets it in his mouth.
A cat may reach a point where he no longer
attempts to eat and he becomes thin and loses condition. He may
also refuse to drink and become dehydrated. Read More:-
Toothache and Tooth Decay in Cats
(Pictures included)
Bad Breath in Cats
Although a cat's breath under normal
circumstances is not the sweetest smell in the world you will certainly
notice when it becomes foul smelling. Bad breath is usually an indictor that
something is not right with your cat's health.
Read More:
Possible Reasons
for Bad Breath in Cats
Pregnancy and Giving Birth
The reproduction process
Cats in Heat. What are the signs?
How do I know if
my cat is Pregnant?
What to
expect when your Cat gives Birth
| Euthanasia of your Cat
Euthanasia is often referred to as a 'Painful Decision -
Painless Death'. To help you through this difficult time read this
article on putting your cat to sleep. It describes the feelings you have
and what you can expect when the time comes.
When the time comes to put your pet to sleep
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