Cats, like everyone else, are susceptible to illness. Being able to detect changes in your furry friend’s behavior are crucial and might even save their life.
Dr. Lagoudaki urges cat owners to be on the lookout for symptoms such as:
Not using, or crying when using, the litter box
Cats that meow in pain when using the litter box or can’t seem to “do their business” despite being in the designated area, probably have some urinary tract infection. Male cats often suffer from urethral blockage i.e. a stone blocking the passage preventing urine from coming out. Cats can even stop using the litter box all together, having associated it with pain, and may search for alternative areas to relieve themselves around the house. Leaving this unchecked can be very dangerous, even fatal, as it might even speak to renal failure.
Frequent Vomiting
Causes of vomiting range from hairballs or parasites to something more serious like renal failure or liver problems.
Less Jumping
This could mean your cat has arthritic issues.
Excessive eating while remaining thin or the opposite
Possible reasons for this usually have to do with hormonal problems, such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes.
Drooling when eating
Stomatitis may be the underlying issue here, which is caused by three infectious diseases: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) (which is the most common cause), and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). Stomatitis can also be caused by a systemic disease like kidney failure. If the more severe causes are ruled out, idiopathic stomatitis is most likely the culprit, which affects cats very often.
Lethargy
Cats may be lethargic for several reasons. They may have anemia due to a blood parasite, such as fleas, which is nothing serious, but they could also have more severe issues like a tumor in the liver, spleen, or lymphoma.
No more purring
If your cat stops purring it may be due to any of the reasons mentioned above.
It is imperative to seek medical help if your pet exhibits any of the aforementioned symptoms.
