The Most Common Health Problems for Cats
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The Most Common Health Problems for Cats
Your furry feline friend is a wonderful companion for you. They cheer you up with their cute antics and curl up on your lap and purr on a chilly winter’s night. It is important to care for the health of your feline friend, because they are not able to tell you about their health problems or book a trip to the vet themselves. The most important parts of keeping your pet healthy are prevention and early detection. This is why you need to be aware of the most common ailments and symptoms that your cat is susceptible to, so that you can spot serious health problems before they become life threatening. So what are the most common health problems in cats?
Skin Problems This is one of the top most common cat health problems and many cats suffer from flaking skin, dry skin, redness, blisters, pimples, scabs or a foul odour to their skin. If you notice any of these issues while grooming your cat, or notice that they are biting and scratching themselves more than usual – it is important to take your cat to the vet for treatment.
Parasites Another common problem in cats is parasites such as fleas and ticks. Ticks are dangerous because they can transit Lyme disease and fleas are also serious because they can result in tapeworms. Also, parasites can cause anaemia, especially in kittens or elderly cats. Luckily, fleas and ticks are easily prevented. Cats should be kept indoors, flea and tick treatment should be applied regularly, the cat’s bedding should be washed every week and carpets and furniture should be treated with flea killer.
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The Most Common Health Problems for Cats
Hyperthyroidism When the thyroid gland begins to overproduce thyroid hormone, this can cause unexplained weight loss, increase thirst, increased appetite, increase urine, weakness, lethargy and a dull looking coat. This disease can be very serious and can damage the heart and organs, so take your cat to the vet as soon as possible when you see these symptoms. With the right treatment, there is a good chance that your cat can recover.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases This refers to a number of diseases that affect the feline bladder, including urinary stones, Feline Idiopathic Cystitis and urethral obstruction. If your cat exhibits signs of have pain while urinating, urinating frequently or passing blood in their urine – or if they lick their genital excessively or urinate outside of the litter box – they might be suffering from one of these conditions. If these symptoms are observed, the problem could be life threatening so see your vet immediately. Provide a fresh clean water supply to help keep your cat hydrated and prevent this.
Obesity If your cat has a sedentary lifestyle and food available to it 24/7, it is likely to be obese – which makes it more at risk for developing diabetes, skin conditions and liver disease. Give your cat a food that is high in protein and low in carbs and only feed them once in the morning and at night, rather than leaving a 24 hour buffet open. If your cat is obese, talk to your vet about a weight-loss program.
www.365vet.co.uk
The Most Common Health Problems for Cats
Beeston Animal Health, Unit 12, Portal Business Park, Easton Lane, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9DL E-mail: sales@365vet.co.uk Telephone: 01829 734 980 Fax:01829 261 181
www.365vet.co.uk