Common Ailments
Provided by Purina
Cats can develop a variety of health conditions. Prevention is a big part of staying
healthy. But you should also watch for general signs of health conditions and contact
your veterinarian when you notice a problem or anything out of the ordinary. When
it comes to identifying and treating problems, rely on your veterinarian and not
a book or website. You should also call your veterinarian immediately if your cat
is weak or listless, or refuses to take fluids.
Cat Allergies
The most common allergy among cats is flea allergy. As cats get older, their sensitivity
to fleabites increases. Food allergies can also manifest themselves as dermatitis
and severe itching, or vomiting and diarrhea.
Vomiting
One of the most common reasons for vomiting is hairballs, which can be minimized
with regular coat brushing. Hairballs can occur even with shorthair cats.
If you think your cat might be allergic to her food, try switching to another product
with substantially different ingredients to see if that helps.
Periodic vomiting may also be a sign of an overactive thyroid or kidney infection.
This is particularly common in older cats. Your veterinarian can do a blood test
to find out about either.
If your cat vomits more than usual or in some way demonstrates a departure from
her normal habits, give her plenty of fluids so she does not become dehydrated and
take her to the veterinarian.
Diarrhea
If your cat has persistent diarrhea — if it continues for more than two days
— take your cat to the veterinarian with a stool sample.
Diabetes
Signs of diabetes may include excessive thirst and urination, loss of weight or
obesity. Diabetic cats should be kept indoors to avoid accidental feeding that could
elevate their blood sugar.
Upper Respiratory Conditions
Upper respiratory conditions manifest themselves in your cat by cold or flu-like
signs, such as a runny nose and sneezing combined with reddened, runny eyes.
