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Five Most Common Cat Ailments
Contrary to their outwardly independent and aloof nature, cats are creatures that savor attention. Moreover, cats need our concern, especially when it comes to helping them remain healthy. As responsible pet owners, it's our duty to care for our pets, but even when we provide a healthy diet, not to mention lots of love and attention, cats can certainly still become ill. Therefore, in an effort to spare them the pain and discomfort of an illness, it's a good idea to understand some of the most common ailments to be able to swiftly detect the problem and get your cat the medical attention it deserves.
Annoying Fleas
Fleas are common pests that can not just make our cats uncomfortable, but threaten their very lives. Even though most people realize that flea bites are unpleasant for their pet, the ailments that can be transmitted usually create a much larger danger than simple short-term irritation. For instance, the flea most commonly found on cats (Ctenocephalides felis) can carry tapeworm larvae, which if ingested can result in a serious tapeworm infestation. Additionally, serious flea infestations can lead to anemia in kittens when the fleas actually drink so much blood that the cat does not have adequate iron. To prevent such a situation, all mature fleas should be killed which can be accomplished using a variety of commercial products. Ask your veterinarian for specific recommendations.
Hairballs: More Than Just a Hassle
Few people forget the tortuous sound of their cat regurgitating a hairball; it's not only distressing for the owner, but the cat surely doesn't enjoy this event either. Hairballs are produced either at the back of the throat or in the small intestines right after the cat ingests hair while grooming, nonetheless this can be avoided. Among the easiest treatments is to remove the cat's excess hair with regular brushing. Plus, there is a variety of products that can be used to circumvent hairball build-up such as treats, oils and even a special diet. Having said that, if after trying to resolve the issue your cat is still experience a hairy time, a trip to your vet is in order.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, also referred to as an overactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Generally prompted by a tumor on one of the lobes of the thyroid gland, this disorder only carries a 2-5% chance of malignancy. Symptoms feature an increased thirst or appetite, substantial weight loss, depression, frequent vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea, among others. A cat with this condition may not exhibit all signs and symptoms, but the existence of at least two demands a trip to the vet's office. Should your cat be diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, treatment methods include medicine, surgery or radioiodine.
Cat Obesity
As with people, obesity in cats is rising; recent studies have demostrated that possibly as many as 50% of cats are overweight. Though there may be many contributing factors, the biggest cause of this problem is free feeding, or leaving dry food out for the cat all day. Moreover, high-carb dry foods and a inactive lifestyle along with the reduced caloric requirements of many spayed and neutered cats combine to intensify this problem. Regrettably, this problem causes a wide range of health problems, including diabetes as well as an increased probability for a number of illnesses. The best bet is to limit feeding to two times per day and use a canned cat food which contains fewer carbohydrates.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
An umbrella term for assorted conditions that affect the bladder, FLUTD can be painful with the possibility to be fatal. Some ailments typically found in this diagnosis include Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), urinary stones and urethral obstruction among others. Warning signs of these conditions can include inappropriate or difficult and frequent urination, lost of appetite,listlessness, blood in the urine or frequent licking of the genitals. Although this normally affects middle-aged, overweight cats living primarily indoors, there are a few steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of problems. Promoting the increased intake of clean water using devices like a cat fountain and quickly identifying a developing problem can be important to limiting the growth of those conditions.
While there are a number of common cat illnesses, these are the most prevalent. Hopefully, by establishing an awareness of what to look for you will be able to quickly identify your cat's health condition before it grows serious.
Annoying Fleas
Fleas are common pests that can not just make our cats uncomfortable, but threaten their very lives. Even though most people realize that flea bites are unpleasant for their pet, the ailments that can be transmitted usually create a much larger danger than simple short-term irritation. For instance, the flea most commonly found on cats (Ctenocephalides felis) can carry tapeworm larvae, which if ingested can result in a serious tapeworm infestation. Additionally, serious flea infestations can lead to anemia in kittens when the fleas actually drink so much blood that the cat does not have adequate iron. To prevent such a situation, all mature fleas should be killed which can be accomplished using a variety of commercial products. Ask your veterinarian for specific recommendations.
Hairballs: More Than Just a Hassle
Few people forget the tortuous sound of their cat regurgitating a hairball; it's not only distressing for the owner, but the cat surely doesn't enjoy this event either. Hairballs are produced either at the back of the throat or in the small intestines right after the cat ingests hair while grooming, nonetheless this can be avoided. Among the easiest treatments is to remove the cat's excess hair with regular brushing. Plus, there is a variety of products that can be used to circumvent hairball build-up such as treats, oils and even a special diet. Having said that, if after trying to resolve the issue your cat is still experience a hairy time, a trip to your vet is in order.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, also referred to as an overactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Generally prompted by a tumor on one of the lobes of the thyroid gland, this disorder only carries a 2-5% chance of malignancy. Symptoms feature an increased thirst or appetite, substantial weight loss, depression, frequent vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea, among others. A cat with this condition may not exhibit all signs and symptoms, but the existence of at least two demands a trip to the vet's office. Should your cat be diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, treatment methods include medicine, surgery or radioiodine.
Cat Obesity
As with people, obesity in cats is rising; recent studies have demostrated that possibly as many as 50% of cats are overweight. Though there may be many contributing factors, the biggest cause of this problem is free feeding, or leaving dry food out for the cat all day. Moreover, high-carb dry foods and a inactive lifestyle along with the reduced caloric requirements of many spayed and neutered cats combine to intensify this problem. Regrettably, this problem causes a wide range of health problems, including diabetes as well as an increased probability for a number of illnesses. The best bet is to limit feeding to two times per day and use a canned cat food which contains fewer carbohydrates.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
An umbrella term for assorted conditions that affect the bladder, FLUTD can be painful with the possibility to be fatal. Some ailments typically found in this diagnosis include Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), urinary stones and urethral obstruction among others. Warning signs of these conditions can include inappropriate or difficult and frequent urination, lost of appetite,listlessness, blood in the urine or frequent licking of the genitals. Although this normally affects middle-aged, overweight cats living primarily indoors, there are a few steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of problems. Promoting the increased intake of clean water using devices like a cat fountain and quickly identifying a developing problem can be important to limiting the growth of those conditions.
While there are a number of common cat illnesses, these are the most prevalent. Hopefully, by establishing an awareness of what to look for you will be able to quickly identify your cat's health condition before it grows serious.
About the Author:
Cheryl Brotsmith is a passionate cat owner who's lived through emergencies with her family of curious cats including Paco, Bob & Mr. Jigglesworth. As a result, she's discovered cat insurance indispensible in constraining big vet bills and is a devoted proponent of pet insurance for every owner.