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Article By: KurtSchmitt
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Cat Health Danger Signs
As a cat owner, cat health problems are at the top of my list of concerns. The various illnesses your cat may face are many and varied, and your cat can't tell you how she's feeling, at least not in words. Feline illness symptoms, like that in humans, often overlap.
Stress is an important risk factor for contracting illness. Your cat may be stressed by pre-existing health problems, or a life change of some kind. Examples of some stressors would be a recent injury or illness, or a recent medical procedure. Keep in mind that moving residences, or the addition or removal of a family member or other pet may put stress on your cat.
Be aware that your cat can catch a cold or a flu, just as you can. She can also be hit with parasites, certain cancers, and diabetes or heart disease. In addition, there are any number of feline specific conditions. Some of these cat health issues will require treatment.
If you suspect that your cat is not well, it's best to call your veterinarian as soon as possible for a phone consultation. If things seem to get worse, then both you and your vet will be better prepared to handle the situation later. Below are some issues to be alert for.
General signs and symptoms -- Cat health problems of a general nature include some of the same signs that humans experience when they have the flu, a cold, infection, or injury. Your cat may experience symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, lethargy, and nasal discharge. If your cat has the flu, or an infection, you may notice excessive drooling. Sometimes your cat may have a fever.
Some more serious indications of feline illnesses are signs of pain, excessive vomiting, evidence of worms, or blood in the vomit. If your cat experiences any of the following, contact your veterinarian immediately: fainting or falling down, difficulty breathing, walking, or jumping. In addition, rapid weight gain or loss, or a bloated belly are also points of concern.
Behavior patterns -- If your cat exhibits a dramatic change in routine or behavior, she may be ill. Changes in sleeping habits may be a sign of trouble. In addition, excessive licking, scratching, or unusual showings of aggression may be signs that something is amiss. If your normally social kitty hides in a corner for a long period, that may also mean that something is not right.
Eating and drinking -- Loss of appetite is very common in sick cats, as many animals will refuse to eat when they're not feeling right. Also on this list would be difficulty in chewing or eating. Failure to drink or excessive drinking are indicators as well. Dehrydation, which can be life threatening, results from failure to drink. Refusal to drink while leaning over the drinking bowl is a definite sign of a problem, and increased thirst is a symptom of a number of diseases, including diabetes.
In order to stay alert to cat health problems, you'll want to be alert to your cat's typical patterns of behavior. This includes habits related to sleeping, eating, drinking, using the litter box, and levels of activity. If you see a change, keep a closer eye on your cat to see if there's a problem. Remember that cats are very good at hiding discomfort, so you'll have to be very observant.
You should groom your cat at least once a week. Take the opportunity during these sessions to examine your cat for some of these warning signs. You can get a feel for how your cat is reacting to being handled, and easily check all the body parts, the mouth, and so on. Checking your cat regularly will help you work with your veterinarian to keep on top of any cat health problems that may arise.
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About the Author
Kurt Schmitt has created a 150 plus page website for cat lovers. Once there, you'll find many articles on cat health problems , as well as cat care information, and funny cat pictures too. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
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