Cat Illness Symptoms

Cats are gracious animals who hold their heads high and walk with an aristocratic air that will even make super models hang their heads in shame. Cats do not like to express their feelings and when in pain they tend to sulk, but not cry out loud. The only time I have seen my cat cry or purr in pain was when he got back from a vicious fight with another cat. They tend to hide under the bed or furniture and sleep for longer hours than normal. But there are a few cat illness symptoms that indicate some more serious cat health problems. The following five common cat illnesses and their symptoms will serve as a basic cat illness symptoms guide that help you know more about underlying cat health problems.

Cat Illness Symptoms and Diagnosis

There are a few common symptoms of illness in cats and kittens that an owner should be aware of, so that the animal can receive better prognosis. As a cat owner, I am always watchful of any signs of common cat illness symptoms, so that my Peppers can receive immediate medical attention and be free from any complications. If you too are a loving cat owner and worried about your cat's health, then keep in mind the following common cat diseases.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTI infections in cats is very common and many cats tend to whine to yelp whenever they visit the litter box. You may find them urinating or defecating outside the litter box, even though they are comfortable using the litter box. If your cat is using the litter box seldom or having trouble urinating, it indicates UTI infection. If you also observe the following signs, it indicates a urinary tract infection

• Blood in urine
• Painful urination
• Compulsive licking of the genital
• Urination in odd places

You cannot know how severe is the UTI, as mild cases will clear up before the owner even realizes that the cat is suffering from one. When you do notice a problem, it has already turned into an ugly case that needs veterinary examination.

The vet may administer antibiotics to clear up the problem. If the infection has spread to the kidney, it maybe very painful for the cat. The vet maybe able to diagnose if there is something that is blocking the urinary tract, that is causing difficulty in urination.

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
This is similar to human cold and is not commonly observed in indoor cats. If the cat comes in contact with an infected cat, it will develop the common respiratory tract illness symptoms. The cat may show the following common cat illness symptoms like:

• Breathing difficulty
• Fever
• Runny eyes
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Poor appetite
• Excessive saliva

The upper respiratory tract infections are usually caused due to virus that do not need antibiotics to clear off. If the cat develops bacterial problems, when it is suffering from upper respiratory problems, the vet may administer drugs that help break the mucus. This will help the cat breathe easily. Many times the cats require a fluid drip due to dehydration.

Panleukopenia
Also called feline distemper, it is a condition that is caused by virus. Adult cats are not susceptible to this condition, as much as young kittens. This virus is spread through contaminated food, water and litter boxes. A cat suffering from feline distemper may appear lethargic and will refuse to eat and drink. The animal will suffer from severe diarrhea and vomiting. The skin will be dry due to dehydration and the fur will fall out. It is very important to visit the doctor as soon as you see any of these signs. The vet may conduct a white blood count and administer antibiotics to treat the secondary infections. There is no medication that can treat the feline distemper virus. Many cats cannot fight off the virus and die from the infection. But you can protect your cat against panleukopenia with vaccination. Make sure you vaccinate you pet with this vaccine, when they are kittens.

Diabetes
Cats too develop diabetes and if not diagnosed early, it may shorten your cat's life. The following common cat illness symptoms in case of diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Weakness in the rear legs
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Labored breathing
• Dehydration

The vet may run a number of urine tests and in case of a positive test the vet may advise treatment according to the severity of the disease. The cat maybe advised insulin shots that are given once or twice a day. A special diet maybe prescribed by the vet along with treatment for dehydration.

Kidney Failure
Kidney failure is a common cat health problem seen in older cats. This is mainly due to aging, as the kidneys begin to deteriorate. The kidney cannot function normally to remove waste from the blood stream. The symptoms of kidney trouble in cats are:

• Excessive thirst
• Vomiting
• Foul breath
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• General weakness
• Increased urination
• Urination in odd places

As the kidneys fail to function properly, the cat drinks more and more water to process the toxins. Finally, when the cat is not able to drink more water, the toxins spread throughout the body. The vet will conduct a few tests to confirm renal failure, but unfortunately there is no cure. The vet may suggest a IV drip and put the cat on dialysis. This is a very costly treatment and not affordable for many pet owners.

These were the five common cat illnesses and their symptoms. The cat may also suffer from many other cat health problems. Let us look at the common cat illness symptoms in short and learn to diagnose any serious health troubles.

Common Cat Illness Symptoms

Skin Allergy
Cat skin allergies is one of the common cat health problems that you may come across. The symptoms include:

• Scratching
• Darkening of skin
• Red bumps
• Pus
• Hair loss
• Compulsive licking
• Self mutilation

Feline Ringworm
Feline ringworm is a fungal infection that infects cats. The common symptoms of feline ringworm include:

• Itching
• Scaly skin
• Cat dandruff
• Chin acne
• Circular skin patches

Cancer
Cats may suffer from cancer or lymphoma and it is very important that you seek medical help to control the disease from spreading. The symptoms include

• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Breathing problems
• Lumps
• Enlarged lymph nodes

Gum Disease
Your cat may develop dental problems and the symptoms include:

• Foul Breath
• Bleeding gums
• Tooth loss
• Mouth ulcers
• Excessive face rubbing

These were a few common symptoms of illnesses in cats and kittens that you should keep in mind. No owner will like to see their loving kitty sick and will do everything possible to keep it healthy. But before you notice any abnormal symptoms, you should be aware of the normal cat behavior. I hope the above article has proved to be helpful to you in understanding the common cat illness symptoms.