Common Health Problems Of Cats
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Common Health Problems Of Cats
If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that
health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you
own, health problems are to be expected.
Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.
Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and
recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the
most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight,
problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you
should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated
with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.
Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom
themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that
comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a
ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing
through in your cat’s stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he
is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather
disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any
problems.
In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine,
creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be
life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes
constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could
have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take
him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by
brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also
feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.
Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats.
Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been
neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a
cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally
the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell
really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract
infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the
problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this
problem in the future.
Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats.
These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the
disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot
before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen
immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t
have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you
should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly
contagious.
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to
the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his
vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although
some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also
keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority
of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to
the vet will keep him healthy.
As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will
be your companion for years to come.
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