Typical Cat Health Problems and Cures
If you have never had a cat before, you may be surprised to learn how often they can have health problems.
No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health is one of the major topics you will have to know about. There are certain problems with every breed, some of which may be hereditary, but there are also certainly others than can be prevented easily. Worms are a very commomn and recurring problem no matter what breed of cat it may be.
Cats are more susceptible to getting Tapeworms, Roundworms and Hookworms. You should contact your vet and have your cat tested for worms if he or she has problems gaining weight, fleas, or if you see white spots in his or her stool. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. Cats often swallow loose hair from their coats during their daily self grooming rituals. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cats stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball – as a popular cat owner manual confirmed recently. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems. Although rare, a hairball can occassionally become lodged in the cats intestines, this creates blockage.
Blockages should be taken very seriously, as they can be fatal if not treated promptly. Not eating properly, having a dull coat, and blockage are three factors that could lead to your cat being constipated. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately.
By brushing your cat several times a week removes excess hair preventing hairballs and blockages. Urinary tract infection, also a common health problem with cats, can be controlled by feeding him food designed to control hair balls.
Pee hole infections happen more with boy cats that haven’t been fixed, but girl cats can have it too. This problem is usually the culprit when your cat(s) suddenly stops going to their litter box. One symptom that your cat may have a UTI is strong smelling urine, and if this symptom is there they need to go to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesnt happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. If you take cat care seriously, take him to the vet and keep him healthy he will be your companion for years to come.
