by Angela Tempest
As a rule, cats have a good health record though some pedigree breeds can be prone to certain illnesses. Cats are also good at hiding any illnesses from the world around them so it is always a good idea to watch them so you are able to spot potential problems as they start. However, here are a few of the most common problems that may also be a sign of something more serious.
Vomiting
Cats often vomit and there is a whole range of reasons for this. It can be anything from a hairball, eating something inedible, infections, diabetes or even urinary tract diseases. The symptoms of vomiting as a problem include the obvious ones; abdominal heaving and drooling. If a cat vomits frequently, this can leave them dehydrated so it is important that there are no signs of this. If you think that the vomiting may be a sign of something more serious and are visiting your vet about the problem, consider taking along a sample of the vomit for them to analyse.
FLUTD
FLUTD stands for Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and can affect as many as 3% of all cats at some point but has multiple causes. Both male and female cats can get the problem but it most often affects cat that are overweight or unfit as well as those who eat only dry food. Other factors such as stress, a multi-cat household and even sudden changes in their surroundings can aggravate the condition.
The common symptoms of the condition include straining to urinate or having blood in the urine, urinating in unusual places (often called litter tray avoidance), crying when urinating, licking the urinary area due to the pain, depression, dehydration, vomiting and a lack of appetite. Inability to urinate is always a serious problem that means a trip to the vet.
Fleas
Cats that go outside or have contact with animals that do will at some point likely get fleas. It is easy to spot and easy to treat. Signs of a cat with fleas include tiny black dots on the skin (this is the droppings of the fleas); constant scratching and frequent licking; red or irritated skin; loss of hair and skin infections.
Fleas are resilient things and can live for more than 12 months. If this happens, a cat can be at risk of anemia so treating quickly is very important. It can also be wise to work to prevent the cat from getting fleas, and a vet will be able to advise you about this.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms affect the inside of the cat and can grow to a terrifying length of 2 feet. Symptoms are very subtle and can include weight loss and vomiting, common to many other illnesses. The easiest way to see a problem like tapeworm is to look at their feces. If there are small white worms or what look like grains of rice, then the cat likely has tapeworms.
Treatment can be either by injection, a topical medication or a tablet. Tapeworm is normally contracted by eating a flea so treatment for fleas is usually done at the same time.
Diarrhea
Like vomiting, diarrhea can be caused by a number of things and is common in cats. These can include spoiled food, infection, allergies, liver disease and cancer. Symptoms include loose, watery or liquid stool and can last for a day or weeks, sometimes even months.
If the cat has diarrhea, it is important that fresh and clean water is vital to stop dehydration. Removing food for 12-24 hours can be a good measure to allow their system to clean out. After this, contact your vet to see if further treatment is needed.
Eye problems
Eye problems can be caused by a number of conditions including conjunctivitis, cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disease, viruses, trauma or an inflammation. Symptoms include water eyes, staining of the fur around the eyes, cloudiness, red or white eyelid linings, discharge in the corner of the eyes, pawing at their eyes or squinting.
Wiping away mess with a warm cotton ball is a basic treatment but if it doesn’t clear quickly, it is important to speak to your vet to find out about underlying causes.
Conclusion
Watching your cat and knowing their normal behaviors and routines is a good way of noticing that something is wrong before the situation progresses. Reading up on what might be wrong is always wise but never should serve as a replacement for speaking to a vet at the earliest opportunity.
I am a freelance writer but also owner of four cats. I have also written for
” >The Best Cat Litter Box on breeds, behavior and the products available to cat owners.
