Cats are among the most resilient animals on earth. They seem to survive under the most unusual and dangerous circumstances. I suppose that is where the saying, "a cat has nine lives", comes from. The thing is though, as durable as most cats are they do have their share of health problems. In the following paragraphs I will share some of the information I have gathered on the different ailments common to most cats in the hope it will help all of us to understand these beautiful animals and how to care for them.
First of all let me tell you cats will vomit. Not the most pleasant thought I know, but vomiting is something that occurs in cats very often. This is mainly due to the collection of hairballs. Cats can ingest quite a bit of their own fur each day while cleaning themselves. To avoid this from happening less often, try brushing your cat at least once a day. As common an occurrence as vomiting is, if your cat vomits more than four times in an hour, it might be best to call your veterinarian. If you should notice blood or if your pet seems to have abdominal pain, contact your vet immediately. This could also be a sign of a kidney infection especially if you have an older cat.
Cats will also get diarrhea from time to time. There seems to be many causes for this condition which can include everything from parasites and bacteria, to viruses, toxins, bad food and even stress. If your cat gets diarrhea for more than 24 hours or if you notice blood in the urine, be sure to call your veterinarian for an appointment.
One bit of information I read concerns Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. This condition too is very common and also very serious. The disease is perhaps more frequent in males than in females and is caused by an obstruction due to bladder stones, urinary tract infection or crystals. Some of the symptoms of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease are urinating frequently, straining to urinate, little or no urine in the litter box or blood in the urine. There are several options when it comes to remedies for removing the obstruction. Special diets may help by dissolving the crystals, antibiotics can also be used and if necessary, surgery can be performed.
I have also learned that cats can suffer from some of the same ailments people do such as diabetes, respiratory infections, and allergies. Some of the signs to look for with diabetes include weight loss or obesity, excessive thirst or excessive urinating. If your cat has a respiratory condition it may resemble a cold or the flu. He will most likely have a runny nose, red watery eyes and sneeze constantly. Cats also get allergies the most common being a flea allergy. Male cats are the most susceptible to this flea allergy. Other allergies that can affect your pet are food allergies. These can cause severe itching, vomiting and diarrhea. The best thing you can do if you think your cat has come down with any of these conditions is to take him or her for a check up with your veterinarian.
I have come to realize that as beautiful and self-sufficient as most cats are, they still can get sick and need the love and care of their owners. Taking pets for regular vet visits, making sure they have the necessary vitamins needed, and caring for their health should always be a pet owner's first concern.
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