Showing posts with label Common. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Common. Show all posts

Common Cat Health Problems And Their Symptoms

If you own a pet cat or are keen on getting a kitten, you will need to keep a close eye on your kitty's health. Otherwise, you might not be able to offer her proper medical care in time should she ever come down with any cat health problems. Like any other animal, a cat might contract several diseases. Different ailments have different symptoms, though it may happen that your cat starts showing two or three symptoms together. Knowing how to decipher these symptoms and treat your cat accordingly will ensure a lasting and healthy relationship with your pet.





This article examines 3 common cat health problems generally noticed in cats and their accompanying symptoms.





Feline Distemper





This disease is also known as feline panleukopenia. It is a viral disease and can be transmitted in your pet's body through contact with other infected cats, humans, used clothes, cat carriers or even food bowls. The affected cat may suddenly start vomiting, show signs of loss of appetite and may even suffer from diarrhea. Because of the severity of this condition, it is recommended that you protect your pet from this disease by getting her the appropriate feline vaccination.





Cat Hairballs





Cat hairballs usually happen if you cat swallows lots of hair while grooming herself. These hairs go into the stomach and form a growth, which the cat usually vomits out. If your cat vomits hairballs frequently, take it to a vet immediately and he will be able to guide you on the proper course of medication for your cat.





Cat Urinary Tract Infection





This is one of the most common cat health problems. Due to improper diet and dehydration, it is possible for your kitty's urinary tract to get infected. A cat may show signs of discomfort while passing the stool and sometimes bleeding may also occur. In addition, it may also start spraying and avoiding her litter box. If this occurs, take her to a vet for medical attention and remember to give her a proper diet and lots of water to drink.





Take heart though that it doesn't mean your cat is sick or has contracted a diseases every time she vomits or loses her appetite. Cat health problems usually include symptoms such as excessive vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, eye discharge, depression and more. In such cases, the best solution is always to consult a good vet as soon as you can.


Common Genetic And Non-Genetic Cat Health Problems

If you are a new pet owner or are planning on getting a kitten, you should be aware that it is pretty normal for your kitty to fall ill every once in a while. However, cats are also prone to several genetic ailments and other serious diseases. As a cat owner, it would help you to know about some of these more common diseases. Though being cautious while getting a kitten can help you avoid a few genetic disorders, there are some cat health problems that you cannot prevent.





A majority of cats are vulnerable to worms. The presence of ringworms, hookworms, roundworms or tapeworms may make your cat suffer from stomach ache and vomiting. The presence of these worms may also cause discoloration of her coat and give her a bloated tummy. But you need not worry too much about these conditions as there are various medicines that can successfully cure such problems.





Cats love to groom themselves. However this frequent grooming can also result in hairball problems. While grooming themselves, cats often gulp hairs that remain undigested. Later, cats vomit these hairs out as hairballs.





Fleas too may bother your cats. These fleas would feed on the blood of your loving pet and too many fleas can also make it anemic. This uncomfortable situation may cause it to scratch itself more often, thus resulting in skin diseases. Keep a close watch on your pet and take her to a vet before the infestation gets serious.





Genetic cat health problems may include some kinds of kidney diseases, blindness and many others. Many Abyssinian cats are born with retinal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy and familial amyloidosis. Burmese cats are genetically more prone to diabetes, glaucoma and hypokalaemic myopathy. Gingivitis is another genetic condition that is present in many cats.





Despite their adorable appearance, even Persian cats have their share of genetic illnesses. The major genetic disorders that this breed suffers from include Chediak-Higashi syndrome, dystocia, progressive retinal atrophy and corneal sequestrum.





The list of cat health problems also includes feline leukemia. Unfortunately there is no permanent medication for this terminal illness and vomiting and weakness are some of its symptoms. Cats can also develop urinary tract infections and conjunctivitis. Injuries to the inner ear and ear mites can cause ear infection in cats. You should check the ears of your cat on a regular basis during her grooming sessions.





If your cat is falling ill, do not panic and remember to consult a vet or any reputable resource as soon as possible to prevent her condition from worsening. Good luck!