Cat Illness Symptoms: 3 Major Categories

by: KurtSchmitt
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If your cat isn't feeling good, you can imagine it's hard for her to clearly communicate that to you. To make it easier, then, you have to be very observant. Here are a few major areas of cat illness and symptoms to which you should be alert.

Since a radical change in your cat's behavior can be a sign of trouble, you'll want to note your cat's typical routine. Cats are very good at hiding discomfort and signs of illness, but if you notice a change in behavior, look more closely to see if there's a physical cause.

Defecation and urination -- A number of cat health issues present as urination and defecation issues.

Some urinary tract problems can be life threatening. FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) is a label for a group of problems that can involve crystals, stones, infection, or inflammation.

Excessive urination can be a sign of cat illness such as feline diabetes. Excessive licking in the groin or anal area can be a sign of problems.

Treatments are available for hairballs/constipation, and include store bought hairball remedies as well as veterinarian prescribed treatments such as lactulose.

It should be noted that long term constipation may lead to a serious bowel condition known as megacolon. Impacted anal glands my also be a factor which will require treatment.

If your cat is dragging her rear end on the floor she may have impacted anal glands or a bad case of constipation. If your cat makes frequent but unsuccessful trips to the litter box, or cries out while using the box, she may have a problem that needs to be looked at.

If you notice that your cat is not using the litter box, always assume a physical cause may be at fault. If your cat is not urinating or defecating or is missing the litter box, contact your veterinarian.

Other things to look for are evidence of blood in urine or feces, including black tarry stools. Diarrhea may indicate intestinal disease and can lead to dehydration, which can be fatal.

Mouth and eye problems -- Check your cat's eyes for uneven pupils, cloudiness, or discharge. The nictating membrane, or haw, is a "third eyelid" that you will sometimes see when a cat's eyes are open. This can be an indication of disease.

Pallor of the lips and gums is a sign of disease and could indicate anemia. Other possible cat illness symptoms include bad breath, ulcers in the mouth, and obviously, loose teeth.

Skin and hair issues -- The skin and coat of your cat can be used as a measure of overall health. Poor coat or problem skin can be a sure sign of cat illness.

Certain cat illnesses will manifest as poor or oily looking coat. In addition, if a cat stops grooming, it's a sure sign of trouble.

Also look for swelling, hair loss, excessive dryness or flaking, or skin eruption or growths. Check your cat at least once per week for parasites.

These are a few of the major categories of cat health problems. Keeping alert to your cat's routine, and being sensitive to any of the possible above problems is an essential part of cat care.

About the Author

Kurt Schmitt writes about cat health problems and offers this list of over 70 cat illness symptoms  

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