Common Cat Illnesses

Sometimes your cat can seem under the weather, but you don't know what's wrong. Cats can suffer from a number of common illnesses, but because they can't talk, they have no way of telling us what is wrong. Here are some of the common illnesses that cats can get, how to identify them, and what to do.

If your cat seems to be experiencing pain when using the litter box, or you find signs of blood in her urine, she may have a urinary tract infection. Cats can get these infections the same way that we can. A cat suffering from a UTI might also have more accidents on the carpet than a healthy one, or make more trips to the box than usual. Extremely mild UTIs will clear up before you even notice, but severe ones can cause trouble for your cat. If you suspect your cat has a UTI, visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. Antibiotics are the first step to treating this condition. If you have caught the UTI early, the antibiotics generally will clear things up. If the infection has progressed to the bladder or kidney, your cat might have to have surgery.

Cats can also suffer from upper respiratory infections, like the common cold in humans. Fortunately, most indoor cats won't get these, but outdoor cats are at risk because they can contact other, infected cats. Upper respiratory infections are signaled by sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose. Your cat may also have runny eyes or a raspy meow. Generally, vet care is unnecessary for this condition, but if lethargy or a decrease in appetite occur, you should have your cat looked at professionally.

Feline distemper is a common danger to cats. If your cat has been properly vaccinated, she should be out of risk, but young kittens or wild cats can contract it. The symptoms include listlessness, diarrhea, vomiting, and refusal to eat and drink. If you suspect that your cat has distemper, rush her to the vet. This condition is very hard to combat, and many cats die from it. If it is caught early, your cat has a chance to survive. However, the best way to deal with distemper to to have your cat vaccinated against it at a young age.

Senior cats sometimes suffer from kidney failure. This almost always happens because of old age, although recently some instances were caused by tainted food. Lack of appetite, lethargy, and nausea can be signs of kidney failure. The veterinarian can test for this condition and help you do things to prolong your pet's life.

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