Cat Health
The effects of even common cat conditions can be serious, so always take any unusual sign seriously in your cat. The dietary aspects of cat health are to be found in our Cat Food section (to the left).
Other incidents or warning signs that your cat requires urgent medical attention can include - but is not limited to:
- car and other accidents
- falling from a height (cats can hurt themselves too!)
- eating poisonous food or animals
- serious fighting injuries
- White or blue looking gums
- Breathing in smoke - smoke is more dangerous to cats than humans
- Mouth breathing (cats usually breathe through their noses)
- Any unusual straining in the cat, also fits that last for more than 60 seconds, or if a cat collapses.
Also keep these tips in mind, to keep your cat healthy:
• Never give your cat paracetamol in any form. This is highly dangerous to cats, as they cannot process it. Seek medical advice.
• There are many harmful plants for cats, many of which are found in your - or neighbors’ - gardens. See The Cat Fanciers’ Association for a list of these plants and how to identify them.
• The most likely medical condition your cat is likely to suffer - besides from territorial cat fights - is a skin disorder - affecting most cats at one stage or another. Your vet will be the best person to diagnose a cat skin disorder. If you see anything different about your cat’s coat, it may be a skin disorder or an indicator of some other aspect of diet or health.
• Cats are susceptible to ringworm - a fungal condition that can affect cat health quite considerably. There are many products available to treat cat ringworm, at your veterinarian, pet stores, and also available to be delivered online.
• Parasites are another cat health enemy - because they spend times outdoors, eating questionable food - or otherwise lie close to the ground. Common cat parasites include roundworms, fleas, mites (separate to fleas), and heartworm. Several of these can be fatal, including Cytauxzoonosis, which is caused by ticks. See your vet if you suspect any foreign parasite has affected your cat.
• Abyssinians and Persians can inherit kidney disease from their parents, and Persians and Himalayans have a tendency to sometimes inherit something known as a Portosystemic shunt. Various other heart and internal conditions are genetic in cause, sometimes affecting only one or two breeds.
• Cats suffer from many illnesses and diseases that hurt us humans, too. This includes athsma, diabetes, ulcers, cancers, and epilepsy.
And finally, remember that your love and care will always give your cat the best chance at a long and happy life - it is always appreciated!
What health issues have your cats suffered from, and what have you done to successfully treat it?
