Identifying Signs of Illness in Cats: A Quick Guide

Identifying Signs of Illness in Your Cat:

1. Observe Your Cat's Mental State

When you return home, if your cat fails to greet you with enthusiasm, instead choosing to hide away in its窝, and even its favorite toys don't spark much interest, take note. If it doesn't respond promptly to your calls and shows no reaction, these are signs of a lackluster spirit. A cat that seems listless is telling you it might be unwell. A lack of energy can be a precursor to various illnesses. If your cat is moving slowly, acting withdrawn, and reacting sluggishly, pay close attention to its other behaviors to monitor its condition.

2. Check for Fever

Keep a thermometer on hand, as a cat's normal body temperature ranges from 37.5 to 39.2 degrees Celsius. Signs of a fever include excessive sleepiness, deep sleep, decreased appetite, dull coat, and slightly standing hair. If you don't have a thermometer, feel your cat's ears and nose with your fingers. If the nose is unusually dry and the ears feel excessively warm, there's a high chance your cat has a fever. While feeling the ears isn't a precise method, if they are slightly cool, your cat is likely not feverish. Fever often accompanies other diseases, such as urinary or digestive issues, so it's crucial to take your cat to the vet promptly.

3. Monitor Your Cat's Eating Habits

Abnormal eating patterns, such as refusing to eat, excessive drinking, or complete dehydration, are all indicators of illness. These could be signs of fever, infection, or something more serious. If your cat goes without eating or drinking for more than a day and a half, it's time to seek veterinary care immediately.

4. Look Out for Vomiting

Vomiting is often caused by overeating, but it can also result from poisoning or gastrointestinal issues. If your cat is vomiting without other symptoms, it might be due to hairballs, which are a normal part of shedding. However, if vomiting is persistent (more than three times a day), accompanied by a lack of appetite and a lack of energy, it could be a sign of mild gastroenteritis. Immediate veterinary attention is needed if vomiting persists and worsens.

5. Examine Your Cat's Elimination Patterns

Cat's bowel movements are closely linked to their health and diet. Abnormal urination or defecation, frequent urination, decreased appetite, listlessness, blood in urine, or persistent licking of the genital area can indicate urinary system problems. If your cat has hard, short stools and is using the litter box more frequently, it might be constipated. The presence of white specks in the stool can indicate parasites. Diarrhea, foul odor, blood in the stool, or green feces are serious signs that could point to enteritis.

6. Pay Attention to Respiratory Symptoms

Signs like runny nose, sneezing, fever, and nasal congestion can be common cold symptoms. However, if these are accompanied by closed eyes (conjunctivitis) or mouth ulcers, your cat might be infected with the feline calicivirus or feline rhinotracheitis. Feline calicivirus can cause gingivitis or ulcers, while feline herpesvirus can lead to conjunctivitis.

7. Observe Your Cat's Eyes and Mouth

Increased eye discharge, dilated pupils, inflammation, sticky mucus, blisters, and ulcers in the mouth, throat, or on the tongue, along with a deep red or purple tongue, are all abnormal signs that could indicate respiratory diseases. If your cat has not been vaccinated and shows these symptoms, it's likely to be feline calicivirus or feline rhinotracheitis.

8. Assess Your Cat's Posture

Difficulty walking, limping, or not being able to put weight on its legs could indicate an injury. If your cat tilts its head, shows dizziness, or loses its sense of direction, it might have a neurological disorder or an ear infection. A clumsy cat, especially if it tilts its head, could be experiencing a stroke, hypertension, or a brain tumor, and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Summary

It's often possible to detect signs of illness in cats early on. By observing these signs, you can take your cat to the vet proactively, preventing many potential issues.