Common Cat Diseases

By Jon Hartford

Cats, like any other pet and humans, sometimes get sick. Some symptoms aren't particularly worrisome, but some indicate life-threatening illness. All pet owners need to pay attention to the health of their pet and make sure to find out cause of the problem before it can get worse.

Although there are lots of different symptoms and diseases that cats can get, there are a few that make up a decent percentage of problems. Whatever the issue, make sure that you get medical attention from your veterinarian if your pets' condition gets worse or if it already needed treatment in the first place.

One symptom that is very common in cats is vomiting. Most of the time, this is caused be hairballs, but there can be other reasons for your cat throwing up. If your cat gets hairballs often, increase the combing, brushing, or petting you are giving your cat. Some cats shed more than others, and long-haired cats can need increased grooming. Your cat may need to be brushed every week or two down to every couple days. Another reason for cats throwing up include having a hard time digesting the food you're feeding it, or even being allergic to its ingredients. Make sure your cat is getting enough water and doesn't get dehydrated. If your cat gets worse, make sure you discuss the problem with your cats' veterinarian.

Just like people, some diabetes is common in cats. If your cat has diabetes, you have to be very careful about its diet. Some signs include urinating frequently and getting thirsty very quickly. Beware if your normally energetic cat becomes lethargic. Even though many cats get less active as they grow old, a sudden change in activity could be a sign of diabetes. A diabetic cat can be harder to care for and you need to coordinate with your vet to properly diagnose your cat and treat it.

Diarrhea is often caused by diet. Give your cat a balanced diet and make sure they get enough liquids. Feeding a cat entirely dry food can contribute to kidney failure, but many cats can't stand an entirely wet food diet either. Change your cats diet and contact your vet if your cat keeps getting diarrhea or has it often.

A troubling new disease that is affecting outdoor cats is FIV. Like its human counterpart, HIV, it is spread sexually. Getting your cat spayed or neutered does not protect against FIV. In some areas FIV is becoming a major problem--you may have to keep your cat indoors all the time. If you live in a city or area with a feral cat population, it's best to limit your cats outdoor time as much as possible. Make sure that you take your cat to your vet quickly if you suspect your cat has this disease.

Remember to watch your cats health--cats can't dial for help. (At least, I don't know of any cats that know how to use a phone...;) Educate yourself more about cat illnesses and don't underestimate the dangers to your pet.

About the Author: This article is courtesy of Nifty Pet. Learn more about cats, dogs, and other pets or view the original article.

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