Cats - Common sickness

Common Sickness

Throwing up

Some cats throw-up all the time, though others hardly ever do. One of the most famous reasons is because of hairballs. To help keep cats from shedding or getting hairballs you need to brush them daily. If your cat has just thrown up and you're not sure whether it may be from hairballs or not, you can check it for grayish clumps or balls. It doesn’t matter what type of fur your cat has. Even shorthaired cats can get hairballs.

Another reason why your cat might be throwing up could be that they are allergic to their cat food. Try switching your cats food and make sure that it doesn’t have a lot of the same ingredients as the last.

Sometimes cats will throw up because they have worms. If so, you should talk to your vet and set up a deworming appointment.

If your cat is constantly throwing up they could have a kidney infection or an overactive thyroid. This is most common to older cats. Your vet may be able to do a blood test to find out about either of these.

You know what your cat’s daily routine is. If they are throwing up more than usual or are acting strange, you should take them to your vet. The main thing is to make sure that they have lots of fluids so that they don’t get dehydrated.

Diarrhea

If your cat has consistent diarrhea, one way to help might be changing their diet. You can try giving them boiled rice, cottage cheese, bread, plain yogurt, boiled chicken, chicken broth or even strained meat. You should choose the one that your cat likes best. If these symptoms continue for more than two days, you need to take them to the vet with a stool sample.

Another reason for taking your cat to the vet is if your kitten is weak or will not take dry foods.

Feline Urinary Syndrome

Feline Urinary Syndrome is a red irritation or could be an obstruction of the lower urinary track. This could be a life and death matter if you don’t get your cat treated immediately. FUS is more commonly known to happen to male cats rather than to females. Here are some signs of FUS.

If they have to strain to urinate, if they have blood in the urine, or make more trips to the litter box than usual.

Diabetes

Diabetes occurs in a cat who can’t properly control their blood sugar level. Older cats are more likely to get Diabetes than kittens. Some signs of Diabetes are: constant drinking and urinating, or loss of weight

Cats that have Diabetes should be kept inside to prevent unproper eating.

FIV

Although FIV is related to HIV, it is not possible to get AIDS from a cat with FIV. It enters through open wounds that result in an impaired immune system.

Because there is no current vaccine for FIV you should keep your cat inside and away from all other cats.

Upper Respiratory Disease

Upper Respiratory Disease can occur in your cat. Symptoms, are a runny nose, sneezing, and red, runny eyes.

Feline Herpes Virus

There is no way that you can get FHV from your cat. This is a disease that only affects cats.

Chlamydia Psittaci

Chlamydia is a bacteria- like organism that affects the tissue around your cat’s eye. The most common symptom is conjunctivitis. It usually just affects one eye, then it spreads to both.

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This page last updated on 03/31/98