One of the easiest pets to own is a cat. The innate independence that these animals have means you do not have to clean up after their bodily functions and you don't have to bathe them since they often clean themselves. So when your feline falls ill, it can be difficult to discern whether they need immediate medical attention, more so if your pet typically keeps to themselves. Keeping that in mind, it is vital that you keep an eye out for any changes, whether physical or behavioral, so that you can seek medical intervention before it is too late. Check out the following symptoms indicating that you may need to take your cat to a veterinarian.
Spontaneous vomiting
The only way that cats can groom themselves is with their tongue, so they are bound to swallow fur. Resultantly, most cat owners are aware of the fact that hairballs are typically not something to be wary of. However, when your feline starts to vomit regularly, you must take your pet to a veterinarian, as they are at high risk of developing dehydration. Usually, regular vomiting signals a stomach infection or intestinal problems so your cat will need medication. It is advisable that you note down the characteristics of the vomit, for example, the color, so that the vet can have a clear idea of what could be affecting your cat.
Weight changes
Unlike vomiting, which is easily noticeable, weight changes may take a while before you notice something is out of the ordinary. Regardless, you should not take this symptom lightly since it could be indicative of a serious underlying medical problem. Weight loss, for instance, despite your cat's appetite staying the same, could mean the feline has developed hyperthyroidism. Alternatively, sudden weight gain without your cat's diet changing could mean they have an undiagnosed medical condition such as liver disease or diabetes. You should keep in mind that if you postpone seeing a vet, the weight change will worsen. This means you must set an appointment as early as possible.
Too much or too little grooming
Once you have had your cat for several months or even years, you will have an idea of their grooming habits. Thus, if you notice weird changes to your cat's appearance, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. Excessive grooming, for example, can make your cat's fur shed more than normal. Moreover, it can lead to several bald spots. If this is the case, it could mean that your feline's skin is agitated. On the other hand, when your cat is not grooming themselves as efficiently as they did before, it could signal that they are fatigued, which is a common symptom for an array of illnesses. Hence, you must visit a vet.
Share25 August 2021
When I moved into the town I'm living in now, there was a large population of stray cats. Unfortunately, that population kept growing in rapid numbers because none of the cats had been fixed. I knew that wasn't a healthy situation, so I reached out to a local shelter and a veterinarian to launch a trap-alter-release program. Within about a year, we had the entire population altered and released back to their environments. The logistics were significant, but not overwhelming. That's why I built this site. My goal is to teach others how to launch a similar program in their own neighborhood to help keep the stray cats healthier and safer.