Common Health Problems
Despite your best efforts at keeping your cat healthy and safe, chances are that he will become ill at some time or other in his life. But since he can't tell you about any physical changes he's undergoing, or if he's feeling ill or is in pain, you'll need to pick up on any physical symptoms or subtle (sometimes not so subtle) changes in his behavior. The earlier any warning signs are detected and brought to your vet's attention, the sooner treatment can begin, possibly preventing a much more serious and potentially expensive problem. Your vet will certainly look for any physical signs of problems and ask you about behavioral indicators during your cat's annual checkup, but keeping an eye out for changes between vet visits can make a big difference to your cat's health.
Behavioral Signs Your Cat is Sick
Cats do not announce their health problems to the world at large, not because they are stoic or don't feel pain, but because in the wild any outward sign of weakness is a fatal invitation to predators and competitors. Even the most ferocious of wildcats will retire and hide when injured or ill so that healing can happen undisturbed. Small changes in your cat's habits may be your only clue to his discomfort.
Although cats are solitary, most interact with their owner in the course of a day and stick to their familiar routines. A cat that chooses to be alone for more than 24 hours is probably experiencing some trouble. A normally playful cat that loses all interest in toys, or a listless cat that refuses to move at all, may be in distress. Don't be fooled by your cat's purring. This doesn't always indicate contentment; when combined with a bad mood and extreme defensiveness, this rumbling my signal that he is in pain.
When to Call a Vet
If your cat displays any behavioral anomalies, give him a careful physical exam and pay closer attention to his routine. Not even the most secretive cat can hide physical signs of injury or illness completely. Some signs may be obvious — a wound, a lump or difficulty breathing — but others can be more vague. Your cat may just not seem "right" to you.
- Taking your cat's temperature when he is showing any aberrant signs will arm you with useful information when you call your vet — and will also tell you when to call. A cat's temperature should be between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 and 38.1 degrees Celsius). A slight increase may be normal but if your cat's temperature reads 105 degrees F, take him to the vet immediately. Temperatures below 100 degrees F can also signal something serious.
- Look for any radical increases or decreases in your cat's appetite or thirst.
- His bowel movements should be regular and his stools firm and consistent. If you ever see blood, worms or things that look like grains of rice in the feces, take a stool sample from the litter box, place it in a clean plastic bag and take it to your vet for testing. Constipation can also be cause for concern.
- Increased urination, usually paired with a noticeable increase in thirst, is a classic sign of several disorders, such as kidney failure or diabetes. Cloudy or bloody urine, pain or vocalization when urinating, also warrants a trip to the vet.
- Vomiting and diarrhea are common and may be caused by a simple gastric upset or could be a sign of something more serious. Constant vomiting, projectile vomiting, blood in the vomit or unproductive retching (dry heaves) may indicate a serious stomach problem. Persistent diarrhea may indicate a number of serious disorders.
- Sneezing or coughing, often accompanied by runny eyes, usually means a common cold or flu-type illness. These symptoms generally clear up within a few days, but if they persist or at any time are complicated by puslike discharges, drooling, listlessness or, especially, loss of appetite, see your vet.
- Anemia, detected by pale gums and tongue and lack of energy and appetite, is usually a sign of some other disorder. If you observe these signs in your cat, an immediate trip to the vet is warranted.
Strategies for Giving Medicine
Luckily, most conditions that could affect your cat's health can be effectively treated or controlled by medication prescribed by your vet. Getting that medicine into your cat, though, can be a challenge. Ask your vet to give the first dose so you can see how it's done by a pro. At home, the trick is to appear confident. If your cat senses any hesitation on your part, the game is over. Pills should be swallowed whole unless your vet tells you that they can be crushed into the cat's food. But even that solution can be a problem: Your cat's highly tuned senses may alert him to the addition, and he may refuse to eat the food.
- Before administering ear medication, use a cotton ball to remove any residue from inside the ear.
- Apply eye ointment in small amounts at a time, so that as the cat blinks the ointment spreads evenly over the eye instead of ending up as a glob on the eyelid. Avoid touching the eye with the tube or eyedropper; this can cause irritation or even injury.
- Dole out liquid medication in very small portions and make sure your cat swallows it before giving more.
- Never skimp on medication or stop administering it because your cat looks better. Use it exactly according to your vet's instructions and for the specified number of days.
