Your Cat Health Questions Answered

Do you have cat health questions? Well firstly, I would say, if you have any doubts at all about your cat’s health, please go to your vet. “Self” diagnosis for cats is very risky, if you’re not a trained professional and the cat can’t tell you where it hurts or how he feels, so don’t risk his long term health for short term savings.

My cat’s nose doesn’t feel damp – is he ill?

While a cat’s nose usually does feel damp to the touch, that symptom alone doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s ill. Check for other symptoms and check his nose again tomorrow. If it still feels dry, he will usually show other signs such as lethargy and you should go to the vet.

My cat has white bits in his faeces – what is it?

Your cat probably has worms, so give him a worming tablet straight away.

My cat has blood in his urine – should I be worried?

Yes, you should be worried. Consult a vet straight away as your cat probably has a urinary infection at the very least. This is easily cured with antibiotics but something more serious such as kidney disease will need more extensive treatment.

My cat seems to be drinking an awful lot – is something wrong?

Unlike humans, who have a glass of water to sip on, a cat will take in a fair bit of his daily water needs in one go. However, if your cat goes to the water bowl often and drinks for a long time, he could have any one of a urinary infection, feline diabetes or kidney disease. In any event, consult a vet.

My cat seems to have a cold – should I do anything?

If your cat hasn’t had a vaccination against cat flu, isolate him immediately from other cats and consult your vet. This is very serious if not diagnosed early. Although, there is no specific treatment, antibiotics may help prevent secondary infections and nursing care should see your cat through this illness. If your cat has been immunised against cat flu, then these could be symptoms of a cold or chill but keep a careful eye on him and if there’s any sign of deterioration, see your vet.

My cat retches a lot – what do you think it is?

It’s quite possible that your cat has a furball lodged in his stomach. If there are no other symptoms, treat him with a furball remedy available from your vet or from pet shops. If this results in vomiting a sausage-shaped object then this is compacted fur and he should now stop retching. If the obvious discomfort continues, see a vet.

How do I know if my cat has a fever?

Fever in cats can be symptomatic of many different infections and diseases and a vet should always be consulted. Apart from actually taking the cat’s temperature, which is rather difficult for the untrained, symptoms include lethargy, listlessness, loss of appetite, dehydration, shivering, rapid breathing and pain when touched.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to take your cat to a vet if you suspect that something is wrong with him. Even if it turns out to be worms or a furball, you really mustn’t play games with your cat’s health. Your cat is totally reliant on you and cant’ take himself to a doctor if he feels bad.

Copyright Liz Canham: The Cat Lover