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Common Cat Health Problems
If you've never owned a cat before, you
may not realize that cats can suffer from quite a few different
health problems. Some of these problems are easily
preventable, while others are hereditary.
One of the most common cat health problems is the hairball. Cats
groom themselves constantly with their tongues. The loose hair comes off
on their tongues and is swallowed. Sometimes the hair gradually forms
into a ball instead of passing through the cat's body. If your cat
starts coughing and hacking, he may have a hairball. Usually, the cat
will expel the ball on his own. To prevent hairballs, groom your cat
frequently to remove loose hair. In addition, feed your cat food that
helps control hairballs. Recently, cat treats that help control
hairballs have become available, as well.
Another common health problem in cats is the urinary tract
infection. This infection is particularly common in un-neutered male
cats, although female cats can also develop this problem. If your cat
has suddenly stopped using his litter box, a urinary tract infection
could be the culprit. If your cat's urine smells strong, you should
suspect a urinary tract infection. These infections need to be treated
by your veterinarian. Be sure to ask about cat foods that help alleviate
the chance of an infection re-occurring.
There are also several dangerous viruses that cats can catch. Feline
Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and Feline
Leukemia Virus.
FIP is a disease that is related to Corona virus. This problem is
serious, because there is no known treatment for the disease. Cats who
test positive for this disease may not actually have it, as Corona gives
the same result on the titer. There is a vaccine for FIP, but many
veterinarians and scientists say that it actually is not very effective.
Luckily, this disease is not as easy to catch as some other diseases.
FIV, or cat AIDs, is not always fatal. Some people are afraid that they
will catch HIV from a cat with FIV, but that cannot happen.
FLV is preventable if the cat has not been exposed to the virus before
being immunized. Although the disease is not always immediately fatal,
cats with FLV rarely have a long life expectancy. You should never bring
other cats into your household when you have a cat with FLV.
Worms are also a problem for many cats. Roundworms, tapeworms, and
hookworms are the most common types that infect cats. However, they can
occasionally develop heart worms, as well. If your cat seems unable to
gain wait, is infested with fleas, or has white specks that look like
grains of rice in his stools, you should take him to the veterinarian to
be tested for worms. A cat with worms is easily cured with a few doses
of medication, but worms can prove fatal if left untreated.
Finally, if your cat spends time outdoors, you should keep a close eye
on him for ticks. If you find a tick on your cat's body and he has been
acting lethargic or moving slowly and acting as if he was in pain, you
should ask your veterinarian to test him for Lyme Disease. This disease
is transmitted to people and animals by ticks.
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