Cat Illness

 

There are many kinds of illnesses that can affect cats, some of these are very common and some extremely rare. If your cat isn’t well, you will no doubt want all the information you can get about her illness and any ways that you can help her to feel better. The following is an overview of some different types of cat illness and their symptoms and treatments.

 

Worms

One of the most common ailments to affect cats is worms. There are many different kinds of worm that can make cats ill such as roundworms and tapeworms, and in some cases cats can even develop heartworm which is far more serious.

Worms can be cleared up rather quickly with the correct medication and are usually a relatively harmless cat illness, but they can cause more serious problems if left untreated for too long. A few of the symptoms of worms are vomiting, weight loss, and developing a “pot-bellied” appearance. When a cat has worms it will usually have an effect on her fur too; a change in a cat’s fur is usually a sign of illness.

Ring Worm

Although a lot of people are under the impression that this is another kind of worm, this cat illness is actually a fungal skin infection and gets its name from hair-loss that occurs in ring-like patches. The affected skin areas will often look scaly and slightly raised. Ring worm is typically found on the face and paws and can be itchy in some cases. It usually clears up on its own within around 8 weeks.

Fleas

Although very common and usually not seen to be much of a threat, if your cat has a lot of fleas the amount of blood they are consuming can lead to anemia developing and your cat will become ill. Kittens are especially vulnerable where fleas are concerned as a flea infestation that isn’t dealt with can even lead to death if severe.

Hairballs

Hairballs are a very common cat illness that develops in long-haired cats. Since cats groom themselves with their tongue they will occasionally swallow some fur. This usually isn’t a problem for most cats since their bodies are able to pass fur through the digestive system and simply pass it back out, but for cats with an excessive amount of fur it can cause hairballs. Frequent brushing of your cat can help to prevent hairballs, but in some cases if your cat does develop them then they will simply eat grass or plants to induce vomiting and get rid of the hairballs that way. Hairballs are not serious.

If you suspect anything to be wrong with your pet cat, it is important that you seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. A lot of common cat illnesses are relatively harmless when treated quickly but can become worse if left alone. Your vet will also be able to prescribe pain medicine for your cat if appropriate, to help reduce her suffering and speed up her recovery.