Cat Illnesses Symptoms

 

There are a variety of illnesses out there and as such a variety of different cat illnesses symptoms to watch out for. Here are a few illnesses with their respective symptoms you may wish to know about in preparation for your cat’s health.

 

 

Cat Ring Worm

Ring Worm, contrary to its name is not a type of worm. It is in fact an infectious skin disease and is otherwise known as Dermatophytosis. Ringworm is a fungal disease and it may clear up over time on its own however this can take a very long time.  Common cat illnesses symptoms for Ring Worm are hair loss or a patchy fur coat which looks like circular scaly areas with a slightly raised edge. This can be found typically on the facial area or the paws.

The skin is dry and flaky which makes it look like scales, although it is not commonly itchy for the cat. You can expect this condition to clear up in around 8 weeks.  Other symptoms include red or inflamed skin, deformed claws, bumpy skin and on some occasions itchiness.

 

Urinary Tract Infection

If your cat has a urinary infection it can be painful for them and very uncomfortable. It is advised to provide them with plenty of fresh water and take them to your veterinary clinic as your vet may be able to provide them with some antibiotics. Your vet may want to take a series of tests to determine the exact nature of the problem. Some urinary infection symptoms are similar to that of a urinary tract blockage which is a more serious condition that needs treatment as soon as possible.

Cat illnesses symptoms for a urinary tract infection include accidents around the home, more frequent urination, struggling to urinate or only a little is produced, meowing or yelping whilst urinating and sometimes a little blood can be seen in the urine. This is easier to detect if your cat has accidents within your home or uses a litter box.

 

Respiratory Infection

This can be caused by both bacterial and viral infections and are also highly contagious between cats. Cats that frequently wander around outside in an area with wild cats, are more prone to catching this infection. Cat illnesses symptoms for a respiratory infection include coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, fever, rasping voice, loss of appetite and lethargy. This disease can clear up all by itself but it is a good idea to see your vet to make sure your cat is coping well. Your vet may also give you various medications to help your cat to breathe, and to make sure secondary bacterial infections do not result from this infection.

In severe cases your cat may become severely dehydrated and will need to be put on a fluid drip. Keep an eye on your cat for signs of dehydration and other infections. As with all visible symptoms that occur, make an appointment with your vet to properly diagnose and treat your feline friend.

 

There are many kinds of illnesses that can affect cats, most can be treated fairly easily with antibiotics or similar but there are some more serious conditions that can affect cats too. If your cat appears unwell, you will no doubt want to figure out what’s wrong with her and try to help her to recover and feel better again. The following is an overview of some different types of cat illnesses and their symptoms and treatments.

 

Worms

Worms are quite common in cats but can be serious if not treated quickly. There are many different kinds of worm that can make cats ill such as roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms. Worms can be cleared up rather quickly with the correct medication and are usually one of the more harmless cat illnesses but as has been mentioned already, if left untreated they can cause more serious problems to develop. Symptoms of worms include vomiting, weight loss, and a more “pot-bellied” appearance than usual.

 

Fleas

One of the most common cat illnesses and usually not serious, a cat can become very ill quite quickly if the infestation is severe. The amount of blood loss in these cases can lead to anemia and other problems. Kittens are especially at risk and every care should be taken to ensure they are treated quickly should they pick up fleas. It’s not unheard of for a serious flea infestation to even lead to death for a young cat.

 

Diabetes

The classic symptoms of diabetes in cats are excessive urination (polyuria) or excessive thirst (polydipsia). Other symptoms of diabetes include weight loss, vomiting and loss of appetite, dehydration and lethargy. Diabetes can be a serious problem and you should definitely see your vet if you suspect that your cat has diabetes in order to get treatment for her.

 

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

If your cat has runny eyes, it could be a sign of a respiratory infection, especially if she also has a lot of moisture around the nose. Other signs of URI include the cat developing a thin white film over the eye or sneezing excessively. Cats don’t often sneeze unless there is an obvious reason for it such as excessive amounts of dust in the air so if your cat is sneezing a lot you should definitely get her checked out. Respiratory infections can be treated with antibiotics and usually clear up fairly quickly with treatment.

If you think that your pet has one of these cat illnesses or is showing any signs of abnormal behavior or illness, it is important to go and see your vet as soon as possible. A lot of cat illnesses are pretty harmless if they are treated quickly enough but can become more serious if left to fester. Your vet will be also able to prescribe pain medicine for your cat if appropriate to help speed up her recovery and make her feel more comfortable. Remember, you can never be too careful when your cat’s health is at stake.