Cat Health - Common And Dangerous Concerns
As every cat owner knows, cats can suffer from a variety of health problems. It is very important for every cat owner to become familiar with the number of common cat health problems that their pet may be faced with someday. Some of these problems may be due to hereditary, while others can be totally preventable.
Common Cat Health Issues
 Hairballs are one of the most common health problems for all cats. Cats use their tongues to constantly groom themselves. A number of loose hairs will fall out onto their tongue and then is swallowed by the cat. These loose hairs will gradually form into a ball instead of directly passing through the cat’s body. If your cat starts hacking and coughing then this is a good sign that they may have a hairball. Most of the time cats will be able to cough up the hairball on their own. Some preventative measures one can take include grooming your cat frequently to remove any loose hairs, as well as feeding them cat food that helps control hairballs. You can purchase cat treats to help control hairballs in any pet store.
Urinary tract infection is another common health problem for cats. This type of infection can be found in both male and female cats, but is particularly more common in un-neutered male cats. A good sign that your cat has contracted a urinary tract infection is if they suddenly stop using their litter box. Another good indicator can found in the scent of your cat’s urine. If your cat’s urine has a strong smell then you should suspect a urinary tract infection as the cause. This type of infection will need to be treated by a veterinarian. You will also want to consult your veterinarian as to the best type of foods to feed your cat in order to prevent an infection from re-occurring.
Cat Viruses
As a cat owner you will also want to become familiar several dangerous viruses that your cat could be exposed to. Three critical ones include: Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FLV) - if your cat has not been exposed to this virus before being immunized then it is very preventable. This disease is not always immediately fatal when first contracted. On the downside, cats that contract FLV rarely have a long life expectancy. It is important to not expose other cats to a cat with FLV.
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) - this disease is a very serous virus and is related to Corona virus. Currently there is no known treatment for FIP. Testing your cat for this virus can sometimes produce conflicting results. A cat who tests positive for FIP may really have Corona virus, as they produce similar results. There are vaccines available for FIP, unfortunately many scientists and veterinarians will say that they are not very effective. On the good side this illness is not easily contractable as some of the other diseases out there.
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) - this virus is also known as cat AIDs. This disease is not always fatal and one should not worry about catching HIV from a cat with FIV.
Checking For Worms
Worms may also pose a problem for many cats. The most common types of worms to infect cats include: tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms. They may even come into contact and develop heart worms as well.
Common signs that your cat has developed worms are:
- Cat infested with fleas
- Unable to gain any weight
- Has white specks that look like grains of rice in their stool
Worms can prove to be fatal for your cat if left untreated. If you should notice any of these problems within your cat then you should take them to a veterinarian and have them tested for worms. The good news is that a cat who tests positive for worms can be easily cured with just a few doses of medication.
Cats And Ticks
If you spend a lot of time outside with your cat, then you should keep a close eye on them for ticks. If you should find a tick on your cat’s body then you will need to check for other symptoms that they may have. They may be moving slowly or acting lethargic or may even be experiencing some pain. If you suspect any of these problems then get them to a veterinarian and have them tested for Lyme Disease. This disease can be transmitted to both humans and animals by ticks. |
