To keep your cat healthy a majority of time, all you really need to do is give him good shelter, food, and plenty of water. Also a range of cat toys to keep them entertained and active. Like other living things however, cats can get sick from time to time no matter what you do.

As a cat owner, you’ll want to ensure that you feed your cat only the best. Premium cat food is the ideal for cats, as the food is designed to keep your pet happy and healthy. You’ll also need to pay attention to his behavior, so you’ll know when he’s sick and when to take him to the vet. Most of the more common ailments and sicknesses are minor, although there are some cases where a vet can be the determining factor between life and death for your cat.

Your cat’s behavior will be one of the most critical factors when you are trying to determine whether or not he is under the weather. Acting sluggish, laying around all the time, lack of energy and not eating are all signs that you need to take him to the vet immediately. His coat is also a good thing to watch as well. If you notice his coat dull and patchy or notice him shedding abnormally, you should contact your vet as soon as you possibly can.

Diarrhea and vomiting are sometimes common, even with basic sickness. On the other hand, if your cat seems to be doing either one of the two for more than a day, you should contact your veterinarian. Coughing is common as well, simply because coughing will cats dislodge hairballs. If your cat seems to be coughing for another reason, you should have him checked out as soon as possible.

To ensure that your cat isn’t subjected to various diseases, you should always make sure that he stays up do date with his vaccinations. There are several diseases out there that require vaccinations, including rabies and feline distemper. Feline distemper is one of most devastating diseases a cat can get, yet it is also one of the easiest to prevent as well. The disease strikes cats very fast, and leaves you as an own very little time to seek treatment.

Feline leukemia is another disease that is very deadly, yet can be prevented early on with the proper vaccinations. Although the disease isn’t possible for humans to contract, it can be spread quickly among cats. There are vaccinations that can treat the disease these days, although you’ll still want to be careful and not expose other cats around a cat you know has feline leukemia.

Another problem, which is very common with cats that stay outdoors, is worms. Cats that have worms will normally have a lackluster coat and little to no appetite. There are several different types of worms, including ringworm and hookworm. Worms can come from fleas, lice, or even the organs of dead rodents that cats consume. Normally, the cat will digest the eggs which will later mature and attach themselves to the walls of the intestines. If you feed your cat garlic frequently during feedings, it can help to protect him against worms.

If you take care of your cat, chances are you’ll keep him healthy for years to come. You should always make sure he has quality food, and doesn’t miss any of his scheduled checkups with the vet. If he gets the proper vaccinations when he is required to get them, he should be safe against numerous pests and diseases. Taking the proper steps with your cat now will prevent anything from happening in the future.

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Roundworms in cats are one of the most common internal parasites. They infect the intestine and average between three and six inches long. Kittens with a severe infestation may die. Here is everything you need to know about roundworms in felines.

Transmission

Most kittens that are infected with these worms got them from their mother. Mothers can pass these parasites on to her kittens while nursing if she was infected late in her pregnancy. Roundworms can also cause problems if your cat consumes eggs in the soil or an infected rodent.

Symptoms

If the problem is mild, your cat may show no symptoms at all. It’s common for cats to experience coughing, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting as the infestation worsens. It’s also common for cats infected with these worms to develop a dull coat of hair and a pot-belly.

Diagnosis

It’s usually easy for a vet to tell whether or not your cat is infected with roundworms. A stool sample will be analyzed to detect the presence of eggs. The sample will be mixed with a solution so that the worm eggs will float and be detected easily.

Treatment

Cats can easily be treated for an infestation of roundworms. Deworming medication is necesssary to treat this condition. This medication will incapacitate the worms so that they are passed out of the body in the stool. However, this deworming medication has no effect on immature worms or those that are still migrating to the intestine. Therefore, your cat will likely have to take two or three rounds of this medication a few weeks apart.

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When cats experience seizures, it’s usually sign of an underlying problems. Your cat will be diagnosed with epilepsy if an underlying cause can’t be determined. If it lasts too long, a seizure can be fatal to your feline.

Causes

Felines typically experience seizures because of a condition other than epilepsy. Two of the main causes include cancerous tumors and ingestion of toxic chemicals. Cats affected by various conditions can also experience seizures. Cats can develop seizures if they’re affected by the immunodeficiency virus, peritonitis, or leukemia virus.

Diagnosis

In order to determine the cause of feline seizures, your veterinarian will first have to do a complete neurological and physical examination. A blood test may also be performed to check if one of the aforementioned diseases is the root of the problem. An MRI or spinal tap may be done if a diagnosis can’t be made from the previous tests. You should be aware that diagnosing the cause of your cat’s seizures may prove to be very expensive.

Treatment

The vet will attempt to treat the underlying disease if it can be found. Treatment should keep your cat from experiencing more seizures. Anti-convulsant medication may be prescribed if the underlying problem can’t be found.

Warning

If your cat regularly has seizures, you need to know a few things. You can’t stop a seizure after it has already started. Don’t try to shake or knock your cat to stop it. Unlike us, cats won’t swallow their tongues during an episode. If you put your hand in your cat’s mouth, you may get bitten very badly. It’s also important that you keep an eye on how long the seizure lasts. Seizures that lasts more than five minutes require immediate medical treatment.

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Feline kidney disease is a common problem for older cats. However, the condition doesn’t just affect older felines. Cats of any age can be affected. There are many different reasons why your cat could develop this disease. Here’s a look at everything you need to know about feline kidney disease.

Blood Flow

Cats that don’t have adequate blood flow to their kidneys may develop disease. Your cat’s kidneys can’t remove wastes effectively if they receive inadequate blood flow. Toxins will then start to accumulate in the bloodstream. Inadequate blood flow through the kidneys can be caused by drugs, dehydration, or heart disease.

Toxins

Toxins are one of the leading causes of feline kidney disease. Cats commonly lick up antifreeze puddled on the driveway. It will quickly destroy your cat’s kidneys if treatment isn’t sought immediately.

Cats can also be poisoned by pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents. Also, medications that your cat may be taking can cause problems with the kidneys. Antibiotics and aspirin may cause problems.

Cancer

One of the next causes of feline kidney disease is cancer. Cancer rarely originates in your cat’s kidneys. In most cases, the disease has spread from another organ. This usually affects older felines. However, you should know that cancer can occur in any cat.

Cysts

Cysts that form in the kidneys may also cause disease. These cysts will progressively get larger. Also, they can occur in one or both kidneys. Kidney tissue will begin to experience pressure as these cysts get bigger. This will reduce the kidney’s ability to filter waste products.

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Heart disease is a relatively common problem in felines. It can be very difficult to detect in early stages since most common exhibit no symptoms. This condition can affect cats of any breed or age. This article will discuss cat heart disease.

Types

Heart disease can occur in three forms. Your pet may develop dilative, restrictive, or cat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The dilative form is characterized by thinning and weakening of the muscular walls of the heart. The hypertrophic variety is characterized by the walls become more rigid and thicker. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is characterized by the walls being replaced by scar tissue.

Signs

Since cats usually experience no symptoms early on, this condition can suddenly be fatal. When signs do appear, they may be very subtle and hard to notice if you’re not paying close attention. Open-mouthed breathing, loss of appetite, and breathing difficult are all common signs. Signs of an advanced condition include fainting and paralysis.

Diagnosis

Vets usually find problems with the heart during a routine exam. This is often detected via a heart murmur. Some of the tests your cat may have to endure include an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and chest x-ray. An echocardiogram is usually the best way to detect a problem.

Treatment

As long as the heart hasn’t started to fail, this condition can usually be controlled. So that the heart doesn’t have to work as hard, diuretics may be given to remove excess fluid. If the muscular walls are too firm, calcium channel blockers may be necessary.

Vasodilators are medications that lower blood pressure. The heart’s workload will also be eased by this type of medication. Aspirin and betablockers may also be used to treat this condition.

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Occasional vomiting is usually nothing to worry about as even otherwise healthy cats do it. Although mild condition can cause vomiting, more serious diseases can also. Some of the common causes include parasites, hairballs, and infections. Keep reading to learn all about these common causes.

Infections

The first reason your cat could be vomiting is because he has a viral infection. The stomach or part of the intestinal tract can be affected by a virus that causes vomiting. Your kitty may also experience feline diarrhea. Most viral infections will go away after a few days when the body’s defenses kick in.

Parasites

The next main cause of vomiting is an infestation of parasites. Your cat’s stomach of small intestine can be inhabited by various types of worms like tapeworms in cats. You may be able to see them in your cat’s feces or vomit. A worm infestation should be treated quickly to prevent complications.

Diet

The diet also can lead to vomiting in felines. Eating foods such as onions and chocolate isn’t good. Ingesting various toxins may also be the cause.

You should also make sure that your cat doesn’t ingest human medications. Sometimes cats vomiting because they eat their food too fast. This can be a problem in a household where a dominant cats gets most of the food.

Hairballs

Hairballs are also a common cause of feline vomiting. Cats ingest pieces of hair while grooming which leads to the formation of hairballs. Although hairballs can be a problem with all cats, those with long hair develop them most often. If you want to keep your cat from having problems with hairballs, you should feed him plenty of fiber and groom him yourself daily.

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Currently, more rabies cases appear in cats instead of dogs. It’s rare for cats to survive a bout with this virus.

Transmission

The virus that causes feline rabies is carried in the saliva of animals. Therefore, an infected cats can bite another one to pass the disease. This is the most common method of transmission. However, the virus can also enter your cat’s body through an open cut. Cats may get the disease themselves if they ingest an infected animal.

Signs

If your cat has this disease, he will be very irritable and excitable. Other common symptoms include seizures and loss of appetite. Your cat’s muscles will become paralyzed as the disease advances. This paralysis causes respiratory distress and eventually death.

Diagnosis

Currently, there is one main method to diagnose feline rabies. The affected cat’s brain will have to be examined in a laboratory under a microscope. Of course, this must be done after the cat is already dead.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for rabies in cats. Euthanization should be considered since this disease causes a very painful death. It is very rare for any animal to survive a bout with this virus.

Prevention

The best way to prevent feline rabies is to have your cat vaccinated. This is probably required by law in your area. Cats receive the first shot at three months old and another one at one year of age. At the age of two, another booster shot may be given. It’s also a good idea to keep your cat away from wild animals as much as possible.

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Cats that have one or two undescended testicles are said to be cryptoorchid. If one testicle has descended, the cat can still produce offspring. However, cats are fertile if both are undescended. You may be wondering what causes this condition.

Causes

Cats with this condition have it at birth. This means that the trait can be passed down through family lines. That’s why it’s a good idea to ensure that cats with the condition never produce offspring, or their descendants may be affected also. All breeds can be affected. However, certain breeds such as Persians are usually more affected than other breeds.

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will have to palpate the scrotum in order to detect the absence of one or both of the testicles. However, if you don’t know your cat’s complete medical history, there may be a problem. Your cat may have just been castrated already instead of being cryptorchid.

The vet will have two options in this case. He can perform an abdominal ultrasound to look for one or both testicles. The level of testosterone in the blood can also be measured.

Treatment

With cryptorchidism in cats, the undescended testicle is non-functional and not developed properly. However, cats with an undescended testicle are much more likely to develop a certain type of cancer later in their lives. With this in mind, it’s usually a good idea to have the testicle surgically removed. Also, cats can still produce offspring with one properly descended testicle. It’s best to remove the descended testicle too. This will keep the feline from producing offspring.

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While constantly grooming themselves, cats ingest pieces of fur that end up in their stomachs. Most cats are capable of coughing up any hairballs that forms. However, one potentially serious complication of hairballs is an intestinal obstruction. There are a few things you can do to prevent hairballs in cats. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Fiber

You can help prevent the formation of hairballs by ensuring your cat consumes plenty of fiber. Fiber adds bulk and moisture to the stool. This will help him defecate easier. Plenty of fiber can be found in foods such as canned pumpkin and squash. Squash and pumpkin will also help relieve diarrhea and constipation in cats.

Grooming

Owners that groom their cats daily will go a long way towards preventing the formation of hairballs. Cats ingest fur while grooming as you already learned. Brushing most of the hair away yourself will leave less to be licked up. You will also like the fact that less hair gets on your furniture.

Gel

A special gel can be used if your cat has trouble coughing up a hairball. This gel can usually be added directly to your cat’s food. These gels mimic fiber as they add bulk, moisture, or both.

Food

Special foods are also available to help prevent hairballs. There are dry cat food brands formulated specifically to prevent hairballs. These foods are usually loaded with vegetable fiber. It’s also a good idea to ensure that specific brand has plenty of protein and nutrients.

All owners should know a little something about various cat illnesses such as cystitis in felines. Fortunately for you, cat-illnesses.com is a great resource for all owners. So, come by today to start reading about various diseases that can affect your cat.

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Your cat should have clear, bright eyes when healthy. However, cats can be affected by various eye diseases. Conjunctivitis, retinal atrophy, and glaucoma are some of the most common conditions. Keep reading to learn about some of these eye conditions.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is one of the first common eye diseases in cats. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the membrane that covers the eyelid. Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections can all cause this eye problem. Your cat may also develop this condition if he has allergies. Chronic bouts with conjunctivitis are often caused by recurrent herpes viral infections.

Cataracts

Cataracts are prevalent in diabetic and older cats. When the lens in the eye becomes cloudy, your cat is said to have cataracts. The lens will need to be removed surgically. In some cases, the cat may receive lens implants. Glaucoma may develop if this condition is left untreated.

Retinal Atrophy

Cats can also experience progressive retinal atrophy. This is a condition in which your cat’s retina degenerates or shrinks. Retinal atrophy can be inherited or caused by a lack of taurine in your cat’s diet. The condition progresses very slowly, but will eventually cause your cat to become blind. There is no cure for this condition unfortunately.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the final common eye diseases. This is a condition in which there is too much pressure on the inside of the eye. Many cases of blindness in cats are caused by glaucoma. Glaucoma can be treated in the early stages using medication to reduce eye pressure. If your cat is in an advanced stage, surgery may be required.

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