One of the joys and satisfactions of caring for cats is their relaxed nature. Cats are fantastic in their quiet spirit, and they live the kind of life we humans can only dream of: playing, eating and sleeping. Unfortunately, these habits can be a disadvantage if cats get sick. Instinctively, when they are sick, they tend to hide, or their typical habit (sleep) becomes exaggerated. To determine if your cat is really sick, it is important to know what symptoms to look for.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Look for Changes in Behavior and Appearance
Step 1. Pay attention to how long he sleeps
Sick cats tend to sleep more. If your cat is not showing any other signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or noticeable bloating, simply keep him checked. However, if these symptoms develop, take him to a vet right away.
If he doesn't show any other symptoms, keep him under observation for 24 hours (of course, have him checked by a vet even sooner if you're worried). If you see that the cat is showing signs of profound fatigue the next day as well, then it is really worth taking him to a veterinary clinic
Step 2. Check their temperature to check for fever
Use a rectal thermometer and take note of the temperature. If it is altered, it is advisable to leave the cat for the care of the veterinarian. If it has a temperature between 37.5 and 39.2 ° C, this is a normal range; if it slightly exceeds 39.2 ° C it is considered a high temperature, while above 39.4 ° C it is a fever. In this case, take the cat to the doctor.
A cat with a fever typically sleeps heavily, can refuse food, and often has a matted coat that's all matted and untidy. With normal body temperature, your nose and ears are dry and warm when you touch them with your fingers. Although touching his ears is an inaccurate way to check his temperature, if they are cold, he is unlikely to have a fever
Step 3. Monitor any changes in her litter box usage habits
Pay attention to how often you use it, if you have difficulty, if you notice blood or mucus in your urine, or if the stool is hard and nut-like. If your cat has diarrhea but continues to strain or has constipation (recognizable by dry, hard stools), take him to the vet. If he does not urinate, continues to strain to defecate, and you notice blood, you should contact your vet urgently.
The male is prone to urinary problems when he exhibits difficulty urinating. You can notice this from several of his behaviors, for example he often goes to the litter box or tends to squat outside. The cat may crouch for a few minutes or try to get up and move to a new spot and then squat again. If you can, try to figure out if he has had a little pee (see wet or dry?). And, if he has done so, check for the presence of blood
Step 4. Pay attention to his appetite
If you have the impression that you don't eat much or, on the contrary, eat more than normal, there may be some problems. If she does not show any interest in food for a whole day, the reasons could be different, from having eaten the food of the neighbors, to a feeling of nausea, to kidney problems. If, on the other hand, he suddenly becomes hungry, it could mean that there is a health problem.
If he refuses food for more than 24 hours, have him checked by a vet so that the underlying problem can be corrected before any complications develop
Step 5. Check for any symptoms of dehydration
Be attentive to his drinking habits. The amount of water he takes generally depends on whether he eats wet food (in which case he is rarely seen drinking) or dry food (it is normal for him to drink). There can be many factors that cause him to increase thirst, such as certain types of infections, kidney disease, an overactive thyroid and diabetes. If you notice that the cat is thirsty, have him examined.
If you wish, you can do a physical check on it. Carefully and gently, grab the fur and skin between the shoulder blades. Pull the skin up and away from the body (make sure you are very delicate) and then let go. If you see that the skin does not snap back into place immediately, it is more than likely that he is dehydrated, and you should take him to the vet
Step 6. Pay attention to his weight and physical appearance
Any weight change is significant and deserves a visit to the vet. Sudden or gradual weight loss could signal disease. If in doubt, weigh the cat once a week at home, and if he continues to lose weight consult a veterinarian.
- In the early stages of diseases such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism, the cat may seem fine, but it loses weight. See a doctor if you see that she continues to lose weight.
- In the presence of some diseases, such as abdomen cancer or heart disease, the overall weight usually remains the same, but the cat loses its physical structure. This means you can feel your ribs and spine more easily, as there is less fat covering them, but your belly may be rounded or swollen. If you have any doubts or fears, do not hesitate to let him visit.
Step 7. Examine his fur
A sick cat generally does not have the energy to take care of its coat. Usually, an initially shiny and well-groomed hair gradually becomes dull, matted and neglected. Although the causes of abundant hair loss and changes in personal hygiene can be attributed to stress, in reality the cat could really be sick. Consult a veterinarian.
If your grooming habits change, the cause could also be arthritis. You may experience pain when brushing your coat if it is stiff and sore. Also in this case, it is advisable to have him examined by the doctor
Method 2 of 3: Look for Symptoms
Step 1. Check if the cat is vomiting
If he vomits, especially several times a day, and seems weak and exhausted, then there is a health problem. If he refuses water or vomits after drinking, then he should be seen by a doctor.
Many cats vomit from time to time (1-2 times a week), but this does not necessarily mean that they are sick; vomiting is often a means of cleansing your body and you don't have to worry as long as your cat is active, responsive and behaving normally by eating well
Step 2. Check for diarrhea
A cat should produce sausage-like feces. Diarrhea consists of formless liquid stools, and it is definitely an anomalous fact. If the cat is still showing no signs of discomfort, it is worth waiting 24 hours to see if the cause is simply something they ate that made them feel bad. However, if he vomits, refuses food, is listless, lethargic, or sees blood or mucus (a gelatin-like substance) in his stool, you should take him to the vet for examination.
Step 3. Pay attention to his activity levels
If he is lethargic or has no energy, he may have a fever, breathing difficulties or be sick. This is slightly different from when it tends to sleep more, because in this case the cat is awake, but does not have the energy to interact or participate in daily activities. If he is lethargic and breathing is fast, you need to take him to a vet.
Look at his personality. If he seems unusually tired and loses interest in games and daily activities, it could be a sign that he is undernourished and sick
Step 4. Listen for breathing problems
If you feel like you are breathing very quickly and shallowly or with your mouth open (even if you haven't had particularly intense physical activity), you should have it checked. It would also be advisable to try to measure the breathlessness. If you notice that your stomach muscles are moving quickly when you breathe, see your vet.
Sometimes purring can confuse your breathing rate (make it appear faster), so try counting breaths when he's not purring or asleep. The normal respiratory rate in cats is about 20-30 breaths per minute, and when the animal is relaxed the value should be close to the lower limit of this range
Step 5. Check for head tilt, dizziness or disorientation
All of these signs can be symptoms of a neurological disorder or ear infection. If you notice them, you should take your cat to the vet immediately. This animal is agile, fast and casual when on its paws. If he changes behavior and becomes clumsy, keeps his head to one side, it surely means that something is wrong. These changes could be manifestations of a stroke, high blood pressure, or even a brain tumor, so taking him to the vet for a checkup is definitely recommended.
Step 6. Get him groomed often to check for any new lumps or growths
Most lumps or abscesses are benign, but if you notice a small loss of fluid or are soft to the touch, they should be checked by your doctor. Also, be careful if you smell bad smells that may come from infected scratches. Again, get him checked out. If left untreated, infections can lead to blood poisoning.
Step 7. Observe your cat's eyes
Examine your eyes (and nose) for any excessive fluid discharge. If the cat appears to be crying constantly, he may be allergic to something or have sinusitis. If the loss is accompanied by excessive drinking / urinating, lethargy or a lackluster coat, take him to the vet for a checkup, as he may be suffering from kidney failure.
Also check if your pupils are dilated. Some diseases cause the pupils to dilate, which constantly remain that way. If you see that the eyes are not returning to normal, take him to the doctor right away
Step 8. Look inside his mouth
In particular, see if the gums are paler than normal. If you have the impression that the gums have turned very pale, especially those that are usually dark, the cat may be ill. Also try to check the smell of his breath. If it seems unusual to you and isn't caused by something he's eaten, then there may be a problem.
Method 3 of 3: Check for the Presence of a Specific Disease
Step 1. Check for fleas
Be careful if you scratch persistently, as it could be indicative of the presence of these parasites. If you see him continuing to scratch frequently, a spot check should be done. Take a fine-toothed comb and run it through the cat's fur. Look for small brown spots that move quickly (fleas), especially around the neck and tail.
- You can also check for these insects by combing the cat on a white sheet of paper. You can notice fleas between the teeth of the comb or their droppings on the sheet of paper (the latter are black and comma-shaped). If you put them on a damp cotton ball they dissolve into bloody streaks.
- You can find many specific products on the market to kill fleas and eliminate them from your home. Ask your vet for detailed advice on this.
Step 2. Listen if the cat has a dry cough and is vomiting, as it could mean that it has swallowed hairballs
These can also cause bad breath or a reduced appetite. If your pet has a severe hairball problem, trichobezoars (hard lumps of tangled hair and undigested foul-smelling food) can be generated, which in extreme cases may require surgery. Comb your cat regularly to reduce the likelihood of this problem occurring.
- You can find some effective home remedies that involve adding certain supplements to her diet, such as red elm, which helps lubricate the passage of hairballs, or pumpkin pulp (canned), which adds bulk to the stool., facilitating the expulsion of these boluses. You can add these items periodically to her treats and add them to cooked fish or chicken / liver for example to prevent hairballs from forming.
- You should always check with your vet to make sure the cause isn't a more serious problem.
Step 3. Look for signs of hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid
Symptoms include increased appetite and thirst, unexplained weight loss (especially muscle mass), nervousness or irritability, frequent vomiting, lethargy and weakness, diarrhea, or a messy coat. If you notice two or more symptoms, you need to have your cat checked for a doctor. Hyperthyroidism generally occurs when the cat has reached maturity or is elderly, and is quite rare in young cats.
Increased appetite is an easily visible warning sign that cats need veterinary care. Thyroid hormone that triggers appetite also increases the metabolic rate and puts pressure on organ function
Step 4. Be alert for feline diabetes symptoms
Among these the main ones are vomiting, dehydration, weakness and loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, weight loss, respiratory disorders and a neglected coat. Feline diabetes can affect cats of any age, but is more common among older and obese male cats. If your kitty has some or several of these symptoms, take him to the vet so he can check his blood and urine sugar levels.
Step 5. Look for symptoms of lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
In particular, look for inappropriate, difficult, and frequent urination, loss of appetite, listlessness, blood in your urine, or if you frequently lick your genitals. This disease is a painful inflammation of the lower urinary tract, which can potentially become fatal relatively quickly if not treated promptly.
This condition can be caused by several factors, including lower water intake and urinary retention due to viruses, bacteria or diet. Some dry foods can form crystals in the urine that scratch and irritate the lining of the bladder. If left untreated, bladder stones can form, which are potentially serious if they go on to cause kidney failure
Advice
- If you notice personality changes, such as irritability, tendency to be lonely, less enthusiasm, and so on, you may be ill.
- Some unusual behavioral changes are normal, especially when you change the brand of food or litter box.
- Watch for physical symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea) and note how often they occur. It is also important to document any signs of illness, or you can even take some pictures of the diarrhea to give the vet as much information as possible. It may seem strange to you, but it can be important to better understand the disease that your cat suffers from.
- For any doubts, always contact your vet. For some diseases, waiting too long can be dangerous.
- If your cat hides indoors when it is usually used to being outdoors, it could be a sign that it is sick.
Warnings
- Puppies can become anemic if infected with fleas.
- If your cat doesn't eat or drink anything for two days, take your cat to the doctor right away for an examination.
- The most common flea (Ctenocephalides felis) can cause the presence of tapeworm larvae (Dipylidium caninum), a parasitic worm. It is evident that if your cat has fleas and licks himself, he can ingest both fleas and other parasites, which can transmit additional infectious agents.
- Fleas can also be very annoying for humans: they sting, especially in the ankle area.
