When we experience pain in our bodies, we can quickly tell someone that there is something wrong, and that person will be able to bring you to the hospital. Pets cannot do that, but watching them can tell you a lot of things, which is why owners should practice cat care and be aware of the symptoms.
Here are a few diseases you should watch out for and their symptoms.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared disease and is the leading cause of death among cats. A coronavirus infection causes it, and the worse part is that the symptoms are very common with other ailments, so it is tough to tell.
There is also a Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) that is similar to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Just like the human version, it is a life long infection that progresses slowly and kills the cat.
Cats can also be infected by the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). It is a retrovirus that causes fatal cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Fortunately, it can be treated using some household detergents and bleach as well as warmth and drying. It is transmitted through the saliva, tears, urine, and feces of infected cats. Unlike the other two, it cannot survive that long in the environment, so it is only contagious when the infected cat stays with another cat for a long period.
Worms are also another threat to cats, and this is caused by a fungal infection that is spread through the spores. Since it is a self-limiting disease, you don’t do anything to make it go away. It will eventually clear up, but it may just take a few months.
If your cat is overweight, chances are it already has feline diabetes. The symptoms of this disease include excessive urination and thirst, as well as weight loss or gain. Vets are not yet sure what causes this, but there have been a few research studies that have shown that there is a link between pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalance, and certain medications.
The symptoms of most of the diseases mentioned are very similar. These include diarrhea, vomiting, lameness lasting for more than five days in one leg, a decrease in vision, excessive panting, a seizure, blood in the stool or urine, hair loss, persistent coughing, or gagging and breathing heavily or rapidly at rest. To find the answer, your cat will have to undergo some tests.
The vet will take some blood, urine, and feces samples. Any input that you have observed and give will also be useful. When the tests come out, only then will the proper treatment be administered to the cat as each case varies, so what worked for one cat may not have the same positive effect with yours.
Read More: Importance of Understanding Your Cat
Your cat could still be healthy if you gave it constant attention. This can be done by feeding it high-quality food, giving it freshwater, allowing it to exercise, proper grooming, making sure it stays indoors, and taking it regularly to the vet.
If you have missed any of these simple steps, something wrong is bound to happen, and you will soon notice a change in the behavior of the feline and doing nothing about it just going to make matters worse. So observe proper cat care tips and look out for symptoms.
