Cat illness - Cat illness symptoms

Early detection of any ailment is the only way to help your cat live happier and longer. Every cat is susceptible to many deadly and disabling infectious diseases. As a concerned and responsible cat owner, it is important to understand and prevent these serious threats. Most all of these diseases are very preventable.

Cat flu Respiratory tract infection. Cause: virus. Symptoms: sneezing, coughing, noisy breathing, runny eye, fever, loss of appetite. Very contagious. No direct treatment available, but antibiotics may prevent secondary bacteria infections. Early diagnosis followed by careful nursing gives the best chance of survival. Vaccination recommended. Cat fleas Fleas can be one of the most annoying aspects of owning a pet. The cat flea's primary host is the domestic cat, but this is also the primary flea infesting dogs in most of the world. Cat fleas can transmit other parasites and infections to dogs and cats and also to humans. Scratching & biting at the fur is a good indicator your cat has fleas, although cats scratch & bite for reasons other than fleas. Upon close inspection of the fur & skin, you can usually see fleas on your cat, they are small dark brown insects. It is easier to see fleas if you have a light coloured cat. You may also notice flea droppings on your cat's bedding. If you are unsure, stand your cat on a white piece of paper, rough up it's fur a little & then lightly spray the paper with a demister. If you have very small brown specks which leave red stains on the paper then that is a sure sign your cat has fleas.

Diabetes Diabetes mellitus affects cats, dogs, and humans. It's characterized by high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia. Around one in four hundred cats is diagnosed with cat diabetes. it seems to be more common in obese cats. A diagnosis of diabetes sounds scary, it is scary, but it is not a death sentence. Diabetic cats can live for years once their blood sugars are regulated. Symptoms of Diabetes: Symptoms include but are not limited to: Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration. Treatment for Feline Diabetes: The treatment for diabetes in cats is similar to the treatment for diabetes in humans, through diet and insulin therapy. Your cat will need to be kept on a strict regimen of feedings and insulin injections. Your cat will probably be switched to a diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, like Science Diet w/d or r/d, your veterinarian will probably recommend a diet to use. This kind of a diet will help avoid elevations of glucose after eating and help with regulation of blood glucose.

ringworm

Contagious. A ring worm is an organism that can spread from cats to cats, human to cats and cats to human. So it may affect you too. Symptoms: dry skin on ears and around eyes, developing into red infected lesions.

Cat Illness - urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are quite common in cats. May have several causes and require different treatments, but most frequently is the feline urological syndrome, a feline bladder infection. Symptoms: blood in the urine, frequent urination. Treatment (antibiotics, diet) is very well possible, but feline urinary tract infections may recur. Vet would also recommend nutritional support so that the functioning of your cat's urinary tract system would be regulated accordingly. Your vet would also prescribe the proper diet that you should prepare for your cat. Commercial cat food is actually perceived as ideal here, provided that this contains the essential nutrients. Aside from cat food, hygienic practices should be observed to prevent further infection. Make sure to provide clean and fresh water as well as clean litter boxes so that healthy urination is encouraged.