by Eliza McGraw
Cats have an often-undeserved reputation for aloofness, but as any cat lover can tell you, a sick cat needs help from you, no matter how independent she might be. Cats mask pain and illness; it can be hard to know there's a problem until the problem is serious. So you have to know your cat well and keep a close eye on how much she eats and on her litter box to detect if something is going on. Learn to identify the symptoms of common cat health issues so you can take action early.
Here are some common health issues to look for when you can see that your pet is just not quite herself.
Foreign Body in the Small Intestine
Like children and dogs, cats sometimes eat inedible things. (Picture the age-old image of kittens playing with a ball of yarn.) Your cat can have a problem if string, bit of paper or a small toy blocks the small intestine.
What to look for. The initial signs of an ingested foreign body are vomiting and lack of appetite. The cat might have a fever or strain without producing any droppings.
What to do. Call your veterinarian if you notice symptoms. If you see a string lodged under your cat's tongue, don't try to remove it yourself. If it's looped around the intestine and you pull, you could hurt the cat.
Treatment. The veterinarian x-rays the cat to determine the size and location of the lodged object, and then might perform surgery to remove it and repair any damage. Your vet might prescribe giving your cat a lubricant to ease a small item through the cat's digestive system.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease — a catch-all diagnosis for a cat with kidneys with compromised function — has many contributing factors, including age, infection, inflammation and various autoimmune diseases.
What to look for. Cats with kidney disease can show a variety of physical signs, including drinking more water, weight loss, excessive urination, dilute urine, decreased in appetite, diarrhea, sitting in hunched position and vomiting.
What to do. Take the cat to the veterinarian, who will do a physical exam, blood tests and urinalysis to discover the severity of your cat's illness.
Treatment. Treatment varies with the stage of the disease. Your vet is likely to recommend a low-protein diet and medication. If your cat can't drink enough water to rehydrate, you or your vet can inject fluids under the cat's skin at the shoulders. Your vet will monitor your cat for anemia and high blood pressure, which can accompany the problem. A kidney transplants might be an option.
Bladder Stones and Urine Crystals
Microscopic crystals in the cat's urine irritate the bladder. In males, the crystals can clog the urethra, which can become serious very fast because the cat can't pass urine.
What to look for. Frequent urination, blood in the urine, small amounts of urine each time and straining to urinate.
What to do. Take the cat to the veterinarian for an examination. If the cat is not producing urine at all, treat the situation as an emergency.
Treatment. The doctor will feel the cat's abdomen looking for stones, and then follow up with an x-ray or an ultrasound. If the cat has stones, the vet might remove them with a cystotomy, or bladder opening. Urohydropropulsion, another method of removing stones, uses a sterile saline solution to flush the bladder, thus removing stones. After any treatment, the vet will probably instruct you to increase the cat's water consumption and feed canned food.
Anemia
Feline anemia refers to a low red blood cell count, which leads to a lack of oxygen in the cat's system. It's often associated with a larger disease, such as feline leukemia or kidney disease.
What to look for. Weight loss, discoloration of the cat's nose and gums, and blood in urine or droppings. Suspect anemia after any serious blood loss, from an accident or even a severe flea infestation.
What to do. Call your veterinarian if you notice symptoms. A complete blood count (CBC) test immediately detects anemia.
Treatment. Treatment often depends on the overarching health problem that made the cat anemic in the first place. Also, the veterinarian may prescribe iron supplements or medication to stimulate the cat's appetite for the nutrients needed to replenish the blood.
High Blood Pressure
Like us, cats sometimes develop high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Cats don't typically develop high blood pressure on its own, but as part of a larger problem, such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.
What to look for. There may be no symptoms of high blood pressure, but some cats will have dilated pupils. High blood pressure is often discovered during an exam.
What to do. Call your veterinarian. She will look for retinal changes, and use a cuff to measure your cat's blood pressure.
Treatment. Typically, feline high blood pressure leads to a complete workup to look for related problems. Your cat may also receive fluid therapy in the short term, and medicine to control the problem in the longer run. Cats with hypertension often benefit from a low-sodium diet.
Hyperthyroidism
This common endocrine disorder causes varied symptoms, but is crucial to diagnose since it can lead to a fatal heart condition.
What to look for. Suspect hyperthyroidism if your cat is drinking a lot of water, eating normally, and still losing weight. Spurts of high levels of nervous energy are also common.
What to do. Call your veterinarian. She will feel for an enlarged thyroid gland and test your cat's blood for elevated levels of certain hormones.
Treatment.Treatment depends upon the severity of the condition. The veterinarian might dose the cat with an anti-thyroid drug, remove the thyroid altogether or treat her with radioactive iodine.
Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
Degenerative joint disease is the common loss of cartilage covering the end of each joint's bones. When the cartilage erodes, the exposed bone causes pain when it touches other bones. Bone spurs add to the animal's discomfort.
What to look for. Cats that are overweight or have been injured are more likely to get DJD. Symptoms include a stilted gait, and difficulty getting up and lying down. Cats might forgo their favorite high-up napping spots or refuse to climb stairs. They might also lick the weakened, sore area.
What to do. Take your cat to the veterinarian, who will do a detailed exam and take x-rays to determine the extent of the problem.
Treatment. Unfortunately, DJD just gets worse. Cats can respond well to medical treatment and live comfortable lives with the help of committed owners. The most drastic measure is joint replacement, but more commonly DJD is treated with weight management, exercise and a comfortably warm place to sleep.
Eliza McGraw is the author of Everyday Horsemanship and Everyday Trail Riding. She writes about animals, the American South and other topics from her Washington, DC home.
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