As it's been said many times before, cats are Masters of Disguise and are extremely good at hiding illness, discomfort and pain. Thus, it is crucial for pawrents to know their cats well to be able to detect and treat health issues in order to ensure your cat stays healthy and happy.
Here are some common cat health problems and how to identify them early:
1. Obesity
Just like in humans, obesity also can lead to a variety of health issues, breathing difficulties, slow metabolism, joint and respiratory issues, so it's important to keep your cat at a healthy weight.
2. Parasites
Fleas / ticks / fur mites can cause skin irritation, infections, and even disease if left untreated.
What to look out for: Look for excessive scratching or licking, redness, and small bumps on your cat's skin. Check your cat's fur for fleas, ticks, and other parasites. In mild cases, a dose of Revolution spot on can clear it up, however, in severe or prolonged cases, the cat requires a trip to the vet. It is best to apply the spot on treatment to all cats in the household and not just the affected one.
3. Dental problems
Your cat would require several dental cleanings in its lifetime. Just like humans, their teeth would similarly be prone to tartar buildup, decay and pain. Some cats may also have gingivitis or stomatitis and suffer from gum inflammation.
What to look out for: Look for signs of bad breath, difficulty chewing, drooling, and red or inflamed gums. Cats tend to use only one side of their mouth to chew if they are in pain, pushing food to the good side. They may also keep gagging or pawing at their mouth and face.
4. Urinary tract infections (UTI)
A cat can get a lower or upper UTI.
A Lower UTI affects the bladder and urethra, and tends to be more common in female cats than males. Symptoms can include frequent urination, straining to urinate, and blood in the urine.
An Upper UTI affects the kidneys and ureters, and can be more serious than lower UTIs. Symptoms can include vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy.
Cats can also develop other urinary tract issues, such as bladder stones and urethral obstructions, which can have similar symptoms to UTIs. If you suspect that your cat is experiencing any kind of urinary tract problem, time is of the essence. Delaying treatment for UTI can cause further major damage, extreme pain and even death!
What to look out for: Look for signs of frequent urination, straining to urinate, blood in the urine, frequent licking of the abdomen / private areas. Cat tends to keep going in and out of the litter frequently but not being able to eliminate or eliminating in small but frequent amounts or urinating out of the litterbox.
5. Diabetes
Diabetes is a common health problem that can affect cats, particularly those who are overweight or obese. Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or when the body is resistant to the insulin that is produced. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood, and when there is not enough insulin, the blood sugar levels can become dangerously high.
What to look out for: Look for signs of Increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased appetite but not putting on weight (as the body cannot register that it is full), lethargy and vomiting. Treatment for diabetes should not be delayed as it can lead to severe health problems if the cat goes into ketosis, shock and even lead to death.
6. Kidney Disease (CKD - Chronic Kidney Disease)
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly. Early detection and management are important for slowing the progression of the disease and maintaining your cat's quality of life. It is unfortunately a very common problem and it is important to feed your cat a good and balanced diet.
What to look out for: Look for signs of increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy and vomiting.
7. Liver problems
The liver is responsible for a variety of functions, including processing nutrients, detoxifying the blood, and producing bile to aid in digestion. Liver disease in cats can occur due to a variety of factors, including infections, toxins, and genetic conditions.
What to look out for: Look for signs of increased thirst and urination, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes, inner ears) and lethargy.
8. Ear or Skin problems -
Cats can have a variety of skin issues such as flea allergies, ringworm (zoonotic, i.e. can spread from human to animal and vice versa), skin infections and food allergies.
Food allergies can cause the cat to overgroom, develop skin issues or fur loss.
Cats can also have a variety of ear issues such as ear mites, bacterial or fungal ear infections, itching from food or environmental allergies, hematomas or tumours.
What to look out for: Look for signs of excessive scratching, biting, or licking of the skin. You may also notice redness, bumps, or scabs on the skin or ears. If you notice any signs of ear problems in your cat, such as head shaking, scratching at the ears, or discharge from the ear, it is important to bring the cat to the vet. Refrain from administering medicated ear drops on your own as different types of infections (e.g. mites vs yeast, steroidal vs non-steroidal ear drops) require different types of treatments.
9. Respiratory problems
Cats can develop upper respiratory infections that cause symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. These are viral or bacterial infections that affect the nose, throat, and sinuses of a cat. If left untreated, these infections can become more serious and lead to pneumonia.
Cats can also have asthma, Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP is a viral infection that can affect the respiratory system and other organs in cats), heart or lung issues.
What to look out for: Look for signs of coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, nasal discharge.
To identify these and other health problems early, it's important to schedule regular check-ups with your vet. A comprehensive blood test or urine test may save your cat's life.
Additionally, keep an eye on your cat's behavior and look out for any changes in appetite, litter box habits, or activity levels. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, seek treatment early.
You may also refer to a related post on using the "MEOW" system on how to tell if your cat is sick: Click Here
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