Knowing the signs of some of the most common cat illnesses can aid in getting them the right treatment and as quickly as possible. However, even if you know what to look out for, you should still have the best health insurance for cats in place to cover them for the more serious conditions. Read on to learn the obvious signs of illness.
1. Vomiting
This is a lot more common than you’d think in cats so there’s no need to panic if you notice your cat throwing up. There could be a host of reasons as to why your cat is vomiting, including eating something toxic, a bad case of hairballs, or they may even have an infection.
If the vomiting continues, your cat starts to become lethargic or exhibits any other out of character behavior, you should make an appointment with your vet straight away.
Vomiting can also cause dehydration in cats and they often won’t actively seek water until they really need it. So you should fill their water bowl and make water readily available whenever they vomit.
2. FLUTD - Feline lower urinary tract disease
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a series of diseases that can affect your cat’s urinary tract. It’s estimated that around 3% of cats will suffer from it in their lifetime.
It’s more common in overweight cats and those who eat dried foods, so make sure your cat gets lots of exercise and a varied diet of nutritious food to help prevent infection. Some signs of FLUTD include:
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble urinating or crying when urinating
- Excessive licking and cleaning around the urinary area
- Your cat seems lethargic or depressed
- Less control over urination and urinating in unusual places
FLUTD can be caused by bladder stones, a tumor, stress, or a bladder infection. If your cat is having any trouble urinating you should get them to your vet as soon as possible.
3. Fleas
Fleas are by far one of the most common cat health problems, especially if your feline is an outdoor cat. You’ll need to keep an eye out for symptoms like:
- Red and irritated skin
- Your cat excessively scratching certain areas
- Significant hair loss
- Licking or grooming certain spots more than usual
- Signs of infection on the skin
On close inspection, you should actually be able to see the fleas themselves. They’ll appear as tiny reddish-brown or black insects and are a definite sign it's time to get your cat to the vet.
There are dozens of anti-flea treatments on the market and your vet will recommend the best course of treatment based on the severity of the outbreak. Treatment may be as simple as applying a powder or foam to the skin, but in more serious cases oral medication.
4. Tapeworms
Tapeworms are another incredibly common feline disease, and again, outdoor cats are often more at risk, especially if your cat is a keen hunter of birds, lizards, and rodents, the most common carriers of tapeworms. They can also become infected after swallowing fleas.
Tapeworms live in your cat’s intestines and can grow to be up to two feet long. It can be a little difficult to spot the symptoms as they can be subtle. However, if you notice your cat is losing weight or is starting to vomit, they could be infected.
Examine their feces too, if you notice small white worms resembling grains of rice this is a sure sign of a tapeworm infection. These are actually small segments of the tapeworm being expelled.
Thankfully, tapeworms are very easily treatable. Your vet will usually prescribe oral medication or give injections that will kill most adult tapeworms within 24 hours.
5. Diarrhea
There can be many causes of diarrhea in cats. In fact, the aforementioned tapeworm can be one of them! Other causes include ingesting something toxic, spoiled food, allergies, and minor infections.
However, it could also be a sign of something more serious like liver disease or cancer. Fever in cats accompanying diarrhea could be a sign of something more serious.
If diarrhea persists for several days, or you notice it in conjunction with other symptoms, such as fever, blood in the stools, or vomiting, it’s time to make an appointment with the vet.
Diarrhea can also severely dehydrate your cat. Make sure they have plenty of water and keep them away from food for 12 to 24 hours once diarrhea starts.
5. Eye Problems
The eyes of cats are subject to many of the same common diseases as us humans. Including cataracts, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, and viral inflammations.
It can be difficult to pin down the exact eye problem your cat has, but common signs to watch out for include cloudy eyes, watery eyes, gunk in the corners of the eyes, squinting, excessive pawing at the eyes, and a red lining around the eye.
There’s not much you can do in terms of home treatments for a kitty with eye problems. If you notice any of the above symptoms you should take them straight to the vet.
