Common Cat Problems And Solutions

Hair Loss in Cats

Have you gone to give your cat a loving stroke and felt that their fur isn’t as thick as it usually is, or have noticed that there’s a bald patch on your cat? there are a number of reasons why your cat could be losing their fur and it’s always important to get your vet to take a closer look to solve the problem of hair loss in cats.

Some zoonotic skin infections are not uncommon in pets but usually mild in humans. These can be shared with owners because of our love for warm houses, and close contact with our pets. Ringworm is one such infection. Ringworm is actually a misnomer. It is not a worm at all but a microscopic fungus, closely related to the cause of athlete’s foot in people. Affected cats, dogs and other animals may show very few signs. However, in its classical form, pets with ringworm usually have circular areas of hair loss. The affected area of skin becomes scaly, flaky and itchy. It is very treatable, but can occasionally cause scarring.

Unlike in humans, allergies are not a common cause of sneezing in cats. Instead, symptoms usually appear in the form of skin irritations, such as lesions, itchiness and hair loss. However, some cats can suffer from other symptoms, such as itchy and watery eyes along with coughing, sneezing and wheezing – particularly in cats with asthma. This condition, known as “hay fever” in humans, is called allergic rhinitis and symptoms can occur seasonally if due to outdoor allergens like pollen, or year-round if caused by indoor allergens such as dust and mold.

Kidney Problems in Cats: Causes & Treatments

Aging cat issues are often similar to those faced by humans. Older cats are susceptible to such problems as arthritis, obesity, vision and hearing problems and dementia, as well as a host of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, kidney or liver disease and thyroid problems. Aging cats are susceptible to dental issues like gum disease and feline tooth resorption, a disease in which teeth dissolve at the roots. Here are some signs that your cat might be experiencing one of these common senior cat problems:.

Renal failure refers to the inability of the kidneys to properly perform their functions of cleansing waste from the blood and regulating hydration. Kidney disease is extremely common in older cats, but is usually due to exposure to toxins or genetic causes in young cats. Even very young kittens can have renal failure if they have inherited kidney defects, so we recommend screening for kidney problems early, before any anesthesia or surgery, and then regularly throughout life. Severe renal failure is a progressive, fatal disease, but special diets and medications can help cats with kidney disease live longer, fuller lives.

Feline infectious peritonitis (fip) is a potentially fatal disease that appears in two forms. The more common form is effusive (wet) fip, in which the cat’s chest and/or abdomen becomes distended with fluid. This in itself doesn’t seem to cause pain, but it can compress the lungs and force fluid into the airways, causing respiratory distress. Other symptoms of effusive fip include jaundice, mild anemia, enlargement of some lymph nodes, gastrointestinal problems, conjunctivitis and eye ulcers, and neurological impairment. A less common form is noneffusive (dry) fip, which is more difficult to diagnose because it develops more slowly and symptoms are less specific, usually including depression, weight loss, fever, and anemia. Kidney, liver, ocular, neurological, and pancreatic disease can also occur in cats with dry fip.

Cat Urinary Tract Problems

The american association of feline practitioners and boehringer ingelheim vetmedica developed this information for cat owners. Subtle signs of sickness
inappropriate elimination behavior
it is important to understand that inappropriate urination and defecation often accompany an underlying medical condition and do not occur “to get back at the owner. ” a cat that is urinating inappropriately may have any number of conditions associated with the behavior, including lower urinary tract disease, kidney disease, urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus. It can also be a sign of arthritis, which makes it difficult for the cat to get into the litter box.

Vomiting is a very common problem with cats with a multitude of causes. They range from eating something poisonous or inedible (like string), to infection, urinary tract disease, or diabetes to hairballs. Symptoms are usually obvious, and include drooling and abdominal heaving. Vomiting can quickly leave your cat dehydrated, so if kitty continues vomiting or acts ill, call your vet right away. It may help to collect a sample of your cat’s vomit and take it with you to the vet.

If your cat is having problems urinating, they might have a feline lower urinary tract disease (flutd). There are different types of urinary tract infections, such as cat cystitis or a blocked urethra in male cats.

Common Cat Problems and How to Solve Them

Viruses are the most common causes of upper respiratory infections (uris) in cats. Feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus account for 80 to 90% of all contagious upper respiratory problems, and are prevalent in shelters, catteries and multi-cat households. These viruses can be transmitted from cat to cat through sneezing, coughing, or while grooming or sharing food and water bowls. Once infected, cats can become carriers for life, and though they may not show clinical signs, they can still transmit the viruses to others.

There are also whipworms, but they are more common in dogs. They measure between 45mm and 75mm. It is indeed rather rare that our cats have problems with these worms, although it’s not impossible.

A healthy cat should be able to break food down into many different components, including glucose. Glucose is carried to cells by insulin, and when a cat’s body does not produce insulin or cannot use it normally, their blood sugar levels may increase. According to the aspca , the result is hyperglycemia, which, if left untreated, can cause many complicated health problems for a cat. Feline diabetes is an increasingly common disease for domesticated cats. This condition often occurs in cats who are overweight or mature. Cats with type ii diabetes may need different types of treatment, and it can progress to type i diabetes. Cats with type i diabetes will require insulin therapy to survive.

Common Cat Problems and Their Solutions

The most common signs that your cat has worms is diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and a big bloated belly. However, these can also be symptoms of hundreds of various medical problems. So if you see your cat showing these signs, you should consider getting them checked by a veterinarian.

Symptoms differ depending on the cause and location of the infection, but some common clinical signs of upper respiratory problems in cats include:
diagnosing.

These are the most common symptoms of cat scratch disease:
a cat bite or scratch that becomes reddened or swollen within a few days and does not heal or worsens over time
painful or swollen glands, especially under the arms (if scratched on the arm or hand), or in the groin (if scratched on the foot or leg)
flu-like symptoms including headache, decreased appetite, fatigue, joint pain, or fever
body rash
the symptoms of cat scratch disease may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

What are common cat illnesses and cat diseases?

Cats are particularly good at hiding when they’re in pain, so you’ll want to keep an eye on signs and symptoms of common illnesses and various parasites. With cats prone to everything from flea infestations to cat flu, it is important to have regular visits to the vet. Vaccinations can help prevent against some illnesses too. Speak to your vet for more information or visit our vaccinations guide for more details.

Flv is a common cause of death in domestic cats, along with old age, traffic accidents and kidney failure. One of the diseases that can be caused by flv is a type of cancer called leukaemia, hence the name feline leukaemia virus. Vaccinations for flv are highly recommended for cats that will be allowed outside but won’t routinely be offered to indoor only cats. This is because an indoor only cat is highly unlikely to come into contact with the virus.

After parasitic infections, fungal skin infections (cutaneous dermatophytosis, or ringworm) from contact with cats and dogs are probably the most common pet-associated diseases, causing an estimated 2 million or more infections each year. 1 cats may be more infectious than dogs, and even asymptomatic animals may transmit infection.

Protect your cat from illness

By being clued up about cat illnesses, we are better able to protect our cats and help them to live healthier and happier lives. Protect your cat from common cat illnesses with our pet insurance, specifically designed for you cat. Insure your cat today
if you have any health concerns about your cat, please get in touch with your local vet.

In march this year and now again in june/july, vets around canberra have seen sick cats suffering from a particularly virulent form of a cat flu virus, fcv-vsd (feline calicivirus – virulent systemic disease)
while typical signs of flu in cats include mouth ulcers, sneezing and perhaps lameness, the virulent strain can cause a much more severe illness. Signs are usually more severe in adult cats than in kittens and fatalities are common. Whilst the normal flu vaccination may offer some protection, even fully vaccinated cats can succumb to the virulent strain.

According to the humane society of the united states, there are more than 70 million feral and stray cats roaming the streets. Because stray cats often carry dangerous diseases, the best thing that you can do to protect your domesticated cat against serious illness is to keep it indoors. By staying inside, your cat is less likely to fight with other animals and risk the chance of spreading diseases through wounds. You’ll also reduce their exposure to infection-spreading parasites, including fleas and ticks, and prevent the kidney failure that can come as a result of ingesting poisonous substances such as antifreeze.

Pet insurance for cats

Our pets are very precious to us, so much to the point where we would do anything to keep them safe. Most people buy cat insurance to ensure their furbaby’s well-being. Cat insurance can help protect their parent’s wallets if the kitty were to become sick or get in an accident. Unfortunately, cats get sick often and you need to be aware of the signs and symptoms. These common diseases affect all kitties; however, some hit kittens harder than full-grown adult cats. We want to provide you with the information you need to recognize them, as well as treatment options to get your furry friend back to feeling 100%.

The most effective way to prevent worms in cats is to, where possible, keep cats indoors and avoid their exposure to rats, birds, rabbits, fleas and faeces. Many inexpensive treatments for worms are available, such as an injection that your vet can give, a tiny tablet that can go in with food, or even some drops that can be applied to the skin. If you suspect that your cat is suffering with worms, it’s important to book an appointment to see your vet as soon as you can. We have cat insurance to protect your pet from any health issues they may face.

It is often cited that there are about 250 hereditary diseases identified among cats so far. Some of the common hereditary feline diseases are polycystic kidney disease (pkd), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (hcm), diabetes mellitus (dm), feline lower urinary tract disease (flutd), progressive retinal atrophy (pra) and others. These conditions are broadly known, and a lot of research is continuously conducted in efforts to improve their recognition and treatment. If you are concerned about the costs of treating your pet, you should consider pet insurance. It will cover your expenses when your cat is sick and give you peace of mind that you won’t be hit with unexpected and costly veterinary bills.

Looking after a cat

Becoming a cat owner can present many worries. If you’re concerned about a common issue in your cat – whether something related to behaviour or health, you might be wondering what to do next. It’s important to keep an eye on your cat’s behaviour in case there are any changes.

Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms can all be contracted by eating an infected animal, such as a rodent, which can catch worms in the same way dogs can. A serious form of tapeworm (echinococcus) is present in some areas in the uk (wales and the welsh borders) and can be contracted if dogs scavenge off the carcases of dead domestic animals such as sheep. Raw dog food can therefore also pose a risk for the same reasons.

Regular veterinary checkups are a key component in keeping your cat’s heart healthy. All cats are at potential risk for heart disease. In some cases, the signs are obvious, in others, a serious heart disorder can remain hidden for years and may present itself in a sudden, perhaps fatal, deterioration of function. The best thing cat owners can do is to make sure their cats have thorough medical checkups at least once a year until the age of 8 years and then twice a year moving forward. During this examination the veterinarian will carefully listen to your cat’s heart. While examination with a stethoscope cannot detect all feline heart diseases, it’s probably the most cost-effective approach to diagnosis in otherwise healthy cats.

Keep your cat indoors to minimize the risk of exposure to infected animals. Properly isolate infected cats to protect other pets living in the same environment. Minimize stress. Keep your cat up to date on vaccines as recommended by your vet. Vaccines for upper respiratory disease in cats may not actually prevent infection, but they help lessen the severity of the disease in some cases. Regular veterinary exams and preventative care can help catch and treat problems early. A cat’s best defense against upper respiratory infection is a healthy immune system.

Young or old, indoors or outdoors, any cat can be affected by worms at any time. You can help your buddy out by getting to know these unwelcome visitors a little better, finding out how to spot the symptoms of a worm infestation and by regular worming
cat worms: what are we talking about?
by ‘worms’, we mean an assortment of parasites that have a habit of finding a home in your buddy’s stomach or intestine. All types can lead to serious health issues, they’re easily passed on – and some can cause problems for humans, too.

Is your independent and aloof feline suddenly acting like a clingy, meowing kitten? or, perhaps your affectionate lap kitty abruptly wants nothing to do with you or anyone else in the family? maybe you have a normally energetic cat that has become lethargic lately and sleeps much more than usual?
changes such as these can indicate underlying health problems and should be brought to your veterinarian’s attention.

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