Sunday 2 February 2014

Cat Health Problems

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Cat
So now that you have your furry friend, you need to be aware that that little kitty is not there for your entertainment only, but that you need to take care of it and make sure it doesn’t get sick. Prevention of health issues is the key. Five most often health problems you will encounter as a cat owner are:

Obesity

Obesity is one of the most common health issues for your pet to experience and it is usually the owner's fault. Obesity is a result of free-feeding, many treats, high-carb foods and laziness. Research shows that obese cats are at risk for liver disease hepatic lipidosis and are likely to suffer non-allergic skin conditions. Also, obese cats can develop diabetes mellitus. If you have an already obese cat, make sure you talk to your vet and consult about putting your pet on a weight oss program.

Parasites

Even though parasites are pretty common and sound really bed, they are actually pretty easy to prevent. Have your cat stay indoors, wash your cat's bedding regularly (once a week) and apply flea treatment regularly. Parasites are likely to manifest in the form of ticks and fleas. These infections, especially fleas can cause anemia and result in tapeworms. Apart from causing anemia, ticks also transmit Lyme disease.

Skin Problems

Skin problems aren’t that big a problem if you groom your cat regularly. You are likely to discover them in their early stages when they are easily treatable. Some tip-offs of skin problems:

Dry skin
Flakes
Scabs
Redness
Oily hair
Foul skin odor
Blisters
Pimples

If you see your cat biting, scratching or chewing at herself persistently, take it to the vet and have him determine the cause of inflammation. Your cat may be dealing with one of the following:

Ringworm (a fungal infection)
Food or environmental allergies
Flea allergies
Abscesses from bites or scratches

Early treatment is essential.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTDs)

Cats with FLUTDs usually have difficulty when urinating and they are often in great pain. Their urinating is pretty frequent and there are traces of blood in it. FLUTD is most common in overweight and middle-aged cats who have restricted access outside and use an indoor litter box. Also, genetics may have a lot to do with FLUTD manifesting at an early stage of cat's life. Make sure you provide a fresh water supply regularly because increased intake of water will keep FLUTDs at bay. FLUTD can sometimes be a result of stress, although it is not established why. Often, FLUTD can be deadly if not treated within 24 hours. 

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a feline endocrine disorder and it is a result of excessive thyroid hormone production in thyroid glands. Symptoms that will tip off this health issue are:

lethargy
weakness
unexpected weight loss
increased thirst
vomiting
urine output
dull coat

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with the vet. He will know what to do and it is likely your cat will be treated through: surgery, radioiodine treatment and Methimazole. Most cats respond to these treatments really well.
cat


If your cat is healthy, still take it to regular appointments with the wet as that is the best way to prevent any potential health issues.

This was a Guest Post by Diana Smith. Diana is a great animal lover interested in topics related to pet care and environment. She enjoys spending her free time with her dog LuLu at the local park. She also enjoys seeing her readers getting useful information from her blog.