Nobody likes to see a kitten get sick. If yours is a bit down in the dumps, you can help him get better by ensuring a good level of overall comfort and lots of pampering, but if he doesn't improve or is suffering from more severe symptoms, then you need to ask your vet for advice. Following his instructions will help your cat recover or improve their quality of life.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Provide General Care
Step 1. Address your cat's special needs
When your cat is sick he may need more attention from you; maybe you have to give him a particular type of food, clean his litter box more frequently, help him move and so on. You will give him comfort if you take care of him in this way and be patient with him.
- If he wants to rest or be alone, respect his wishes, but keep an eye on him to monitor his health and make sure he improves.
- By getting him a warm bed, you may make him feel better.
- You can also facilitate this by moving the litter box closer to where it rests.
Step 2. Brush your cat
Many cats like to be brushed… At least occasionally. If your dog is unwell he may appreciate the gesture, which would also offer you the opportunity to check his coat and skin, the conditions of which can often indicate how healthy the animal is.
Step 3. Feed your cat a restorative food
Usually, any type of food can be fed to a cat, as long as it is a cat-specific and nutritionally balanced food. However, if your cat is sick and you see that he is reluctant to eat, you can give him a restorative food, formulated to be particularly pleasant. This is generally canned food, easily available in stores, whether specialized or not, that sell pet products.
- You can generally feed your cat dry or wet food, depending on her preference.
- Check the label of the various foods you find on the market. It contains all the information that, by law, the manufacturer is required to provide (ingredients, analytical components, additives, etc.). If in doubt, you can always have the contents of the label evaluated by the vet: he is the best person to help you choose the right product for your cat.
- If your cat does not want to eat, try warming the food before putting it in the bowl, offering it what it prefers or giving it in small portions. If after 24 hours you still don't want to eat your meal, contact your vet.
Step 4. Identify the symptoms of a probable cat illness
Like humans, cats are prone to numerous diseases, pains and other ailments. Since you can't know how your cat is feeling directly from your cat, you will need to try to identify for yourself the various signs that may be a symptom of a problem and which may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Abdominal swelling
- Hair loss
- Dull or uneven colored hair;
- Skin flaking or scabs
- Bad smell or bad breath
- Strange bumps;
- Drip from the eyes or nose;
- Tearing and redness of the eyes;
- Difficulty moving
- Redness of the gums;
- Hypersalivation;
- Frequent sneezing
- Making strange sounds;
- Changes in social habits;
- Refusal to get brushed;
- Sudden decrease in the duration of the sleep period.
Step 5. See your vet if problems persist
If your cat shows worrying signs, keep an eye on him and if the symptoms don't go away within 24 or 48 hours, contact your vet as they may indicate a serious health problem that requires professional intervention.
Step 6. If necessary, take your cat to the vet right away
In some cases, the cat may show symptoms severe enough to warrant the need to see a specialist as soon as possible. Among these are:
- Inability to urinate
- Blood in the urine
- Abdominal swelling
- Excessive vomiting or diarrhea
- Convulsions.
Step 7. Give him medications as needed
If your vet prescribes medications for your cat, buy them now and administer them according to package directions or any further recommendations from your doctor. Make sure your cat takes the medications for as long as the vet recommends, without stopping treatment, even if the symptoms go away (unless he told you to).
Step 8. Do not give human medications to your cat
Even if it seems to you that it is in a lot of pain, you should never give your cat any medicines intended for human use. Painkillers and other types of drugs used by humans, in fact, can be dangerous for cats and so can vitamins, which can be toxic to cats. If you think your cat needs medication, consult your veterinarian to prescribe those suitable for his species.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Common Diseases
Step 1. Treat the symptoms of upper respiratory infections
Cats, like people, are prone to various upper respiratory infections that cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, and runny nose. The recommended treatment includes rest, a good diet and the intake of plenty of fluids. You can also have your cat examined by the vet to determine if there is a drug that can help him heal.
If your kitty has feline flu or an upper respiratory infection, you can get rid of mucus and tear fluid using a little warm salty water (mix a teaspoon of salt in about 470ml of clean water)
Step 2. Provide treatment for feline diabetes if necessary
Cats can be prone to various types of diabetes. Depending on the severity of the disease at the time of diagnosis, your kitty may need to be hospitalized. Oral medications and insulin treatment are usually recommended to treat diabetic cats. A glucose tolerance test may also be needed, and your vet can show you how to do this at home.
Consult your vet about getting your cat tested for feline diabetes if: you notice a noticeable change in appetite (he eats more or less than before), drinks a lot of water, needs to urinate often, is listless or if your breath smells sweet
Step 3. If your cat is suffering from ringworm, give him appropriate medications and wash him with special products
Ringworm is a fungus that can cause hair loss and red rings to appear on the cat's skin. If you see or suspect these symptoms, contact your vet right away. You can help your friend heal by giving him medicines and washing him with special detergents. Be careful when dealing with a cat with ringworm as the infection can also infect humans.
Step 4. Treat the symptoms of feline heartworm disease
The parasite responsible for this disease, Dirofilaria immitis, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Once a cat is infected, symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing and loss of appetite can occur. In Italy there are no drugs approved for the treatment of feline heartworm disease, but there are some that can prevent the disease. If your cat develops a heartworm infection she may be able to get rid of it spontaneously, however your vet can prescribe medicines to treat symptoms, such as coughing and vomiting.
While some cats manage to defeat Heartworm infection on their own, others can cause heart and lung problems, kidney or liver damage, and even sudden death
Step 5. See your vet if your cat has intestinal parasites ("worms")
There are many roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and other parasites that can infect cats (particularly those who spend a lot of time outdoors) and can cause a variety of symptoms and problems, including difficulty breathing, anemia and weight loss. If you notice any strange symptoms or suspect your cat has a parasite, take him to the vet. He will be able to prescribe an appropriate medicine or treatment for you to follow.
- Some worms or parts of them may be visible in the anal region (or adjacent areas).
- Many worms are passed on through faeces, so make sure you get rid of them both from the litter box and from the garden.
- When you touch a cat (or its feces) and suspect the presence of parasites, wear gloves and be careful because in some cases they can be transmitted to humans.
- Give your cat only vet approved worm medicines, as giving them the wrong medication (or one suitable for dogs or other animals) could harm them.
Step 6. Treat the symptoms of feline immunodeficiency (FIV)
FIV is a viral infection that your cat may have long before it is diagnosed. The virus can cause various symptoms. There is currently no specific treatment for this disease, but your vet can prescribe medicines to treat secondary symptoms or infections and give you nutritional advice to improve your cat's quality of life.
- Common signs of FIV include: weight loss, diarrhea, lack of appetite, eye inflammation, poor coat condition (patchy hair loss, red skin, etc.), sneezing, runny nose or eyes.
- FIV can be passed from cat to cat, but not from cat to man.
Step 7. Care for a cat with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and isolate it from others
FeLV can cause problems with the cat's immune system, as well as a whole host of other symptoms. There is no cure for this disease, but your vet can advise you on the best diet for your cat, a diet that should be free of raw meat, eggs, unpasteurized milk products and other foods that could cause infections.. Even a little rest and tranquility would help him feel better.
- Some cats with FeLV infection may not show symptoms, while others may have poor appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, gum or breathing problems.
- Like FIV, FeLV is only transmitted by infection between cats, not between cats and humans. Keeping your kitty away from other felines can reduce the spread of the disease.
Step 8. Consult your veterinarian for advice on treating feline cancer
Cancer can have various causes in cats, as well as in humans. Your vet can inform you about various treatment programs, which may require chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. In some cases, and in order to improve the quality of life of the cat, a palliative treatment with painkillers is chosen.
Step 9. See your vet right away if you suspect your cat is suffering from rabies
This disease is usually caused by the bite of an infected animal and causes aggressive or unpredictable behavior, seizures and paralysis. Unfortunately, it is almost always fatal, so if you think your cat is affected, contact your vet right away and be extra careful when handling the animal because the disease can also be transmitted to humans.
If your cat is up to date with the rabies vaccination, he can be given a booster right away and will be closely monitored to see if he will recover or not
Method 3 of 3: Caring for a Vomiting Cat
Step 1. Get your cat to drink
Vomiting can accompany many common cat diseases, as well as occasional digestive problems. If yours has been vomiting, give him plenty of fresh, clean water to drink.
If you vomit frequently, especially after a short time, contact your vet
Step 2. Stop feeding the cat
For cats with occasional vomiting problems, keeping them away from food for 24 to 48 hours can give the digestive system time to recover. If your cat vomits even after drinking, you can also deprive her of water for up to 24 hours, but absolutely not if you know she has (or suspects she has) kidney disease.
Step 3. Have him eat a light diet
After your cat has stopped throwing up for a while, you can start feeding it again. Try to feed him small amounts of food, 3-6 times a day, but it must be a light food, which does not create problems with the digestive system again. Good suggestions for a light diet include skinless boiled chicken or white fish, such as cod.
- Over the course of a few days, the amount of food gradually increases.
- After a few days on a light diet, start mixing this food with a small amount of the food you usually give him. For example, start by mixing 1 part of regular food into 3 parts of light food.
- If he eats it without problem, wait a day or two and then mix half the regular food into half the light one. After a day or so, try 3 parts of regular food and 1 part of light food. If the result is still positive, then you can go back to feeding your cat the food you usually give him.
