Symptoms of Cat Diseases

 

There are many different symptoms of cat diseases and each one can attribute itself to a variety of different ailments so it can be difficult to determine what the problem is. If you notice any symptoms of cat disease we mention in this article then please make an appointment with your vet. Many people can make the mistake of thinking a cat’s anatomy can be treated like a small child, or even the same way as a dog. This is potentially fatal thinking for a cat. You should never give your cat Aspirin, Tylenol or any other kind of medication used on humans or dogs, even the smallest amount is severely toxic and can be fatal.

 

 

If you notice any symptoms of cat diseases, we wholly recommend you seek veterinary advice immediately. Never try to diagnose your pet on your own and never try to medicate them yourself. To give you an idea of the symptoms of cat diseases to watch out for, here are a few main examples of common cat ailments.

 

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)

This is an inflammation of the urinary bladder and its cause is generally unknown. This condition tends to affect around 1% of the cat population. Symptoms include:

·        More frequent urination

·        Blood in the urine

·        Difficulty urinating

·        Meowing during urination

·        Excessive grooming of the genitals and surrounding region

·        Accidents around the home, particularly on cold smooth surfaces such as sinks.

 

These symptoms could also be indicating a urinary obstruction which warrants emergency veterinary help. Therefore, if you notice these symptoms, make an appointment with your vet to make sure.

 

Feline Upper Respiratory Infection

This involves infections of the nose, throat eyes and sinus area and is similar to a cold. This disease often pops up around summer and spring and cats in catteries or in the wild are most at risk as it is highly contagious.

Symptoms to look out for:

·        Sneezing

·        Watery eyes

·        Nasal discharge

·        Closed or partially closed inner eyelids

·        Loss of appetite

·        Breathing difficulty

·        High Temperature

·        Drooling

 

 

Roundworms or Tapeworms

This is a remarkably common infestation your cat can get and it is estimated that around 60% of cats have worms.  It is difficult to spot an infestation unless it is particularly bad and you in this case the worms will be visible in the stool of the cat. Think of these two parasites as spaghetti and rice (if your stomach will allow it). Roundworms look like spaghetti and tapeworms look like rice. Eggs can be transferred from cat to cat, through stool and on their coat which is then passed through their system by grooming.

 

Make sure your cat has regular worm checkups with your vet. Your vet will be able to recommend at what point he should see the cat again to test for worms. If your area is heavily populated with wild cats, you may wish to take your cat in much more frequently.