Furbabies
Cat Care Site
Common Health Problems
Abscesses | Appetite - Decreased | Appetite- Increased
Coughing | Diarrhoea | Fever | Lumps and Bumps
Obesity | Thirst - Increased | Urination - Increased
Urination - Straining, Pain | Vomiting | Weight Loss
Abscesses
An abscess is a deep infection in a pocket of tissue just under the skin. Bacteria are deposited under the skin by a cat bite or scratch, the skin then closes over the open wound, trapping the bacteria. The cat will show no signs of an external wound but is listless, off its food and not acting normally. You may be able to feel a lump under the skin. Your cat may need to visit the vet to have the abscess drained. An untreated abscess can lead to blood poisoning.
What You Can Do:
- Provide plenty of clean fresh water
- If you find a lump or your cat is off-colour see the vet
When To See The Vet:
- Abscess/lump can be felt under the skin
- Cat is off colour, not acting normally
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- Painful area
Coughing
Coughing may be caused by a respiratory infection, inhaled irritants (smoke or chemicals), foreign objects (grass seeds, food particles), pressure from tight collars, growths in the air passages or an allergy.
What You Can Do:
- Keep the cat away from air pollutants, cigarette smoke, aerosol insecticides, dusty rooms, perfumes
- Place the cat in a room with a vapourizer (vaporizer)
- Treat other disorders if present
When To See The Vet:
- Blue gums or tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Discharge from eyes and nose
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- History of heart disease
- Recent tumour (tumor) removal
- Other signs of serious illness
Decreased Appetite
Loss of appetite or decreased appetite may be caused by fear, hairballs, diabetes, constipation, diarrhoea (diarrhea), colitis, over activity, overweight, heart disease, urinary tract conditions and arthritis.
What You Can Do:
- If you have recently changed your cats diet, gradually return your cat to its original diet.
- Try feeding fish or put tuna juice on the fish to increase palatability
- Check the mouth for dental problems or painful areas
When To See The Vet:
- Coughing
- Diarrhoea (diarrhea)
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- Increased or decreased thirst
- Increased urination
- Vomiting
- Weakness, lethargy
Diarrhoea (Diarrhea)
Diarrhoea (diarrhea) is the passage of loose unformed stools. Occasional diarrhoea (diarrhea) may be caused by stress, a sudden change in diet, too much milk in the diet. Overfeeding and allergies are also common causes.
What You Can Do:
- Remove food for 24 hours (the stool should return to firm after doing this, if it doesn't - see your vet). As the cat recovers, feed 3 to 4 small meals daily (cooked chicken mixed with rice) for the first 3 days
- Provide plenty of clean fresh water to prevent dehydration
- Mixing one teaspoonful of natural yogurt with the cats food will help to recolonize the intestine with beneficial bacteria
- If you have recently changed your cats food, gradually return your cat to its original diet
- If your cat is overeating - try feeding a smaller amount
When To See The Vet:
- Blood in faeces (feces)
- Dehydration
- Diarrhoea (diarrhea) for more than 24 hours
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- Signs of toxicity
- Vomiting
Fever (Pyrexia)
A cat feeling listless, not eating or drinking or dehydrated may have a high temperature. The cat may feel hot if you pat it. A cat with a fever needs to see the vet. Don't give aspirin or other human drugs - they can be fatal to cats.
What You Can Do:
- Take your cats temperature. Coat the end of a rectal thermometer (glass or digital) with petroleum jelly. Gently insert it into the rectum about 2.5cm (1 inch) and leave it for one minute. A cats normal temperature is 38.6C (101.5F). Take your cat to the vet if the reading is 2 degrees or more above normal.
- Take your cat to the vet
When To See The Vet:
- High temperature (or cat feels hot to touch)
- Listless
- Not drinking
- Not eating
- Off colour
Increased Appetite (Polyphagia)
Increased appetite is normal in a pregnant or nursing cat. Outdoor cats may have an increased appetite in winter.
What You Can Do:
- Do not feed more than the recommended daily amount of food
- Avoid treats
When To See The Vet:
- Diarrhoea (diarrhea)
- Increased thirst
- Vomiting
- Weight Loss
- Worms in faeces (feces)
Increased Thirst (Polydipsia)
Increased thirst may be normal in hot weather.
What You Can Do:
- Provide plenty of clean fresh water
- Provide a cool place for your cat if the environment is warmer than normal
When To See The Vet:
- Diarrhoea (diarrhea)
- Excessive urination
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
Increased Urination (Polyuria)
What You Can Do:
- Provide plenty of clean fresh water
- Clean the litter box daily
When To See The Vet:
- Blood in the urine
- Excessive thirst
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- Frequent licking of the rear end
- Straining to urinate
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Vocalizing or crying when using the litter box
- Weight loss
Lumps And Bumps
There are many causes of lumps and bumps. Abscesses (discussed above) are one of the most common causes in outdoor cats. A Haematoma (hematoma) looks like an abscess but is a large blood blister on the cats ear. It is caused by trauma (a cat fight or excessive scratching) to the ear which ruptures the blood vessels in the ear flap. Various types of tumours (tumors) will also cause lumps.
What You Can Do:
- Watch for changes
When To See The Vet:
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- Growth of the lump
- Painful
- Warm swelling
Obesity
Obesity is an increasing problem in the cat world. Indoor cats receive less exercise than outdoor cats and are also more likely to eat due to boredom. Fats cats are more likely than lean cats to become diabetic, have skin problems or develop lameness. Extra weight puts strain on a cats heart, lungs and joints. Obesity also increases risks during surgery and anaesthesia (anesthesia).
What You Can Do:
- Feed a set amount of food each day - don't let the cat beg you into giving it more
- Increase your cats activity level - play games
- Reduce the amount of fat in your cats diet
- Weigh your cat weekly to check his/her weight is decreasing
When To See The Vet:
- See your vet if you would like help making a weight loss program for your cat
For more information, see the Obesity page.
Straining, Painful Urination
A cat that strains in a squatting position or has blood in its urine may have a blockage in its urinary tract and requires immediate veterinary attention.
What You Can Do:
- Provide plenty of clean fresh water
- Clean the litter box daily
- Take your cat to the vet for a check-up
When To See The Vet:
- Blood drops in the urine
- Cloudy, dark or blood-coloured urine
- Dribbling urine
- Frequent licking of the rear end
- Increased thirst
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Vocalizing or crying while using the litter box
Vomiting
Vomiting is one of the most common non-specific signs of illness. There are a number of causes including overeating or eating too fast, poisons (antifreeze or aspirin). If a cat vomits once or twice but appears perfectly normal before and after, the problem is not too serious.
What You Can Do:
- If hairballs/furballs are seen in the "vomit" - try a hairball medication
- Provide plenty of clean fresh water
- Remove food for 24 hours, then feed bland food for 24 hours (such as cooked chicken mixed with rice)
- If your cat is overeating - try feeding a smaller amount
- If you have recently changed your cats food, gradually return your cat to its original diet
When To See The Vet:
- Abnormal behaviour (the cat just "isn't itself")
- Blood in the vomit
- Dark or blood-coloured stools
- Dehydration
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- Lethargy
- Not drinking
- Not eating
Weight Loss
Cats may have increased demands for energy during or after illness, during and after pregnancy or after going missing. A cat whose diet does not meet its energy requirements will lose weight. Loss of weight or body condition is a key indicator of illness.
What You Can Do:
- If you have recently changed your cats food, gradually return your cat to its original diet
- Try feeding fish or put tuna juice on the food to increase palatability
- Feed a higher energy diet
- Check the mouth for dental problems or painful areas
When To See The Vet:
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhoea (diarrhea)
- Fever (temperature greater than 103F)
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Vomiting
- Worms in faeces (feces)
References
Carlson DG & Giffin JM, Cat Owners Home Veterinary Handbook, New York: Howell Book House, 1995
Fogle B, Natural Cat Care, London: Dorling Kindersley, 1999
Gair A, Caring For Your Cat, London: Harper Collins, 1997
Page S, The Complete Cat Owners Manual, Australia: Readers Digest, 1997
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