As a cat owner, your first responsibility is to keep your pet healthy. However, even with balanced nutrition and a good
amount of love and attention, cats can still get sick. Learn about the most common ailments that affect cats so you can
try to prevent them or cure them quickly with the proper medical care when you first spot the symptoms.
Fleas
Although cats and dogs can live with fleas, flea infestations should be controlled for several reasons. The most common
flea, the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) may carry the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm larvae. If cats eat fleas during
grooming, they may become infested with these tapeworms.
Fleas could also transmit other infectious agents to both you and your pet. If kittens are exposed to fleas, they may
become anemic. Cats can also develop an allergy to flea bites, resulting in excessive scratching or possibly skin disease.
Finally, humans are also susceptive to itchy flea bites, usually on the ankles.
You may suspect your cat has fleas if he seems particularly itchy, or you see bites on human members of your household. To
check if your cat has fleas, groom him over a sheet of white paper. Look for a few fleas caught in the comb's teeth or
flea dirt on the paper. Flea dirt is actually excrement of undigested cat blood, and appears black and comma shaped to the
naked eye. If you place it on damp cotton wool, the flea dirt dissolves into bloody streaks.
To control fleas, all mature fleas must be killed and reinfestation prevented. Many commercial products are available both
to kill adult fleas and remove fleas from the environment. Ask your vet for specific recommendations. Make sure what you
use kills both the adult mature fleas, as well as the eggs left behind, usually on carpet and bedding. Nothing is worse
than to think you have conquered the problem, than several months later to have your family and pets attacked by blood
hungry new hatchlings.
Hairballs
When cats cannot digest hair and food debris, they regurgitate hairballs. Hairballs are formed either at the back of the
throat or in the small intestines. Hairballs not only sound disgusting while your cat is producing them for you, but they
also make an unsightly mess on your carpets and floors. Any cat owner who has had the thrill of watching their pet suffer
through the process of hacking up fur balls will be highly motivated to prevent new ones from forming.
The simplest method of hairball prevention is grooming your cat to remove excess hair. The next step involves many
products already on the market to prevent hairball build-up such as oils, treats, and diets. If your cat vomits frequently
and the problem isn't resolved with regular brushings, you should consult with the veterinarian to be certain that a more
serious problem is not the cause.
Overactive thyroid
Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and produces excess
amounts of thyroid hormone. The condition is often provoked by a benign tumor on one or both lobes of the thyroid gland.
The good news is that thyroid tumors have only a 2-5% chance of malignancy.
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include: increased appetite or thirst, unexplained weight loss (particularly muscle
mass), nervousness or irritability, frequent vomiting, lethargy and weakness, diarrhea, or a coat that looks ungroomed. A
cat with the condition may not present every symptom, but the presence of two or more should prompt a visit to the
veterinarian's office.
At the vet's, your cat will be given a physical exam. If she notices enlarged glands, a CBC (blood panel) and a
thyroid-specific test can make the diagnosis more conclusive. There are three treatments that offer a good chance for your
cat's full recovery: anti-thyroid medication, surgery, and radioiodine treatment. Each method has its own advantages and
disadvantages, so you should learn more about the disease and its treatments and discuss your options with the
veterinarian before making a decision.
Diabetes
Feline Diabetes can affect cats of any age, but is most common in older, obese cats—typically males. There are two types
of diabetes. Type 1 is caused by insufficient insulin production while Type 2 results from a body’s inability to handle
insulin effectively. Another type of diabetes, secondary diabetes, occurs as a side effect of drugs or diseases that
impair the natural secretion of insulin or its effects in the body.
The symptoms of feline diabetes include vomiting, dehydration, weakness and loss of appetite, increased thirst and
urination, weight loss, breathing abnormalities, and an unkempt-looking coat. If your cat has any or several of these
symptoms, take him to the vet. The vet will test for blood sugar levels and sugar levels in the urine. Doing both tests
rules out an increased blood sugar level due to the stress of the office visit.
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, it is usually treated through one or a combination of five methods: diet and
weight control, insulin injections, oral medications, monitoring glucose and insulin levels, and nutrient and botanical
supplements. Each method of treatments has unique benefits and drawbacks, so be sure to decide on a treatment plan with
your veterinarian.
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
This disease is a painful inflammation of the lower urinary tract that has the potential to be fatal. Feline lower urinary
tract disease has a number of causes from decreased water intake and urine retention to viruses, bacteria, or diet.
Symptoms that your cat may have FLUTD include inappropriate or difficult and frequent urination, appetite loss,
listlessness, blood in the urine, or frequent licking of the genitals.
Vet treatment for FLUTD can include catheterization, fluid therapy, antibiotics, or even (rarely) surgery. At home, cat
owners are often encouraged to change their pet's diet and style of feeding (more frequent, smaller meals). It is also
important for your cat to drink plenty of water.
We all want to keep our cats healthy and with us for as long as possible. Understanding and being on the lookout for these
common ailments will allow the discerning cat owner to take action before a small health problem turns into something more
serious. Using good observation skills to evaluate any potential change in your cat's condition will allow you to take
simple steps to keep your cat healthy, happy, and disease free. If you notice a continuing pattern of symptoms that may
point to flea infestation, hairballs, an overactive thyroid, urinary tract disease, or even diabetes, timely consulation
with your vet will allow you both to plan the best course of action. Your happy, healthy cat will thank you.
About The Author: Romi Matsushita craves constant close contact with her calico cat. Find great tips, articles, and cat
care advice at http://www.cat-advisors-online.com