The Cat's Meow Rescue
Stay in touch!
  • Home
  • Available for Adoption
  • ADOPTED!
  • Special Needs Cats
  • Blog: Feline Friends
  • Contact
  • More Information
    • FAQ
    • Barn Cats
    • Finding your kitty a new home
    • Caring for Abandoned Kittens
    • Important to Spay & Neuter
    • Introducing a new cat to your home
    • Declawing - If you care, be AWARE
    • Litter Box Issues
    • What is Feline Leukemia?
    • What is FIV?
    • Kitty-Proof Your Home
    • Help Us Help Them
    • Become a Foster
    • LINKS
    • Media Kit
    • EVENTS
    • Special-Needs Posters Story

SIGNS YOUR CAT MAY BE SICK

3/7/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
by Nomi Berger
 
Has your puss-in-boots lost the spring in her step? Has he turned tail and taken off at your approach? Has she given her food a sudden “paws down”? Has the love light dimmed in his eyes?
 
Then, perhaps all’s not well in kitty town.
 
The more attuned you are to your cat’s daily routines and behavior, the sooner you’ll notice even the subtlest of changes. While some may be minor and easily managed, others can be life threatening, requiring a vet’s swift attention.
 
Consider the following (in alphabetical order):
 
ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Your friendly, affectionate and playful cat abruptly stops interacting with you or the other pets in your home.
 
BLOOD IN THE URINE
In a young cat’s urine, it can be a genetic issue or a sign of cancer, while in older cats, it can signal blood clots or disease. It can also be the result of a blockage caused by crystals in the urine or a urinary tract infection in both young and old cats.
 
CHANGES IN GUMS
Often accompanied by bad breath, red, swollen gums indicate gum disease. Before starting your own cleaning regime, ensure that your cat doesn’t need professional treatment first.
 
COAT OR SHEDDING CHANGES
This includes sudden grooming changes, excessive shedding or the blowing of most of your cat’s minimally groomed coat.
 
CONSTIPATION
If your cat cries, behaves differently or can’t defecate in the litter box, constipation due to a blockage, change in diet or urinary tract disease may be the culprit.
 
COUGHING OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING
A change in your cat’s breathing that is NOT due to exercise can be caused by dehydration, toxicity, asthma, respiratory disease, heart disease (CHF), worms or tumors.
 
DIARRHEA
Whatever the cause, if the diarrhea persists for more than a day, or appears either black or bloody, see your vet as quickly as possible.
 
DIFFICULTY MOVING OR WEAKNESS
Although both can be signs of arthritis or muscle atrophy, they may also be signs of some neurological issues, and should be explored more thoroughly by your vet.
 
DISORIENTATION
Failing to complete routine tasks, walking about aimlessly, forgetting people, using odd places as litter boxes and misjudging distances may be signs of neurological disorders or cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
 
DRAGGING REAR LEGS
Typically caused by a blood clot passing from the heart to the lungs, these clots can also travel to other areas, causing such problems as seizures and kidney failure.
 
EYE OR NASAL DISCHARGE
These discharges may also be accompanied by sneezing, panting or shortness of breath – all signs of a possible illness or respiratory infection.
 
FEVER
If your cat seems out of sorts, use a digital rectal thermometer to check your cat’s temperature. Any reading above 102.5 degrees F is considered a fever, and organ damage starts closer to 106 degrees.
 
GROWTH OR LUMP
Among the possible causes for this are an infected cat bite, an injection reaction, a hernia, a cyst, a benign tumor, or cancer.
 
INCREASED THIRST OR URINATION
Drinking more water than usual or taking more trips to the litter box may be a sign of diabetes, kidney problems or other conditions.
 
ITCHY OR FLAKING SKIN
Either can be signs of dermatitis or an allergy, and the most common causes of allergies are reactions to a medication, changes in diet or parasites.
 
LETHARGY
This includes unusual laziness, drowsiness, delayed reactions and excessive sleeping for more than a day, and should be checked out by your vet.
 
LOSS OF APPETITE
Although reputed to be finicky eaters, any dramatic changes in your cat’s regular eating habits are cause for concern.
 
REPEATED GAGGING OR VOMITING
When self-grooming has less to do with ingesting small fur balls and more to do with having swallowed a larger foreign object that may be causing an obstruction.
 
WEIGHT LOSS OR GAIN
The cause can range from simple stress to more serious conditions such as diabetes, parasites, viruses, gastrointestinal problems, hyperthyroidism and cancer.
 
As your cat’s loving guardian, you are that cat’s closest observer, best advocate, and first line of defense. When in doubt, no issue should seem too small before you visit your vet for an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan if needed.


1 Comment
Rebecca Gardner link
3/8/2021 10:21:58 am

I'm glad you mentioned that we need to get growths or lumps looked at since they could indicate an infection, hernia, or even cancer. I was vising my sister's house last night and noticed a lump on the side of her gray cat when I was petting it. Maybe I'll help her look for a nearby animal hospital so she can get her cat checked out soon for peace of mind.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author
    Blog articles for TCMR are written by Nomi Berger, an established author and journalist of 40 years, living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who graciously volunteers her time and talent to help further our rescue efforts.


    AWARDS

    Picture

    Picture
    Cat Rescue Blogs

    Picture

    Picture
    Animal Rescue Blogs

    Picture
    Awarded by Best1x.com
    Best for Pets

    Picture

    Picture
    2017 Top 35 Cat Blogs awarded by "We're All About the Cats"

    Picture
    Awarded by "Feedspot.com"

    Picture
    Awarded by "10Greatest.com"

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Cat Facts
    Cat Safety
    Community Awareness
    Fun Facts
    Health And Behavior
    How You Can Help

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly