What To Do When Your Cat Is Sick
It can be distressing to see signs that all is not well with your cat, but the sooner you can get them to a vet, the sooner you can get them back to feeling healthy, happy and limber. Because some illnesses or injuries require urgent medical attention, surgery or even emergency care, its imperative to seek professional advice.
Are there some signs your cat is sick? Book an appointment today and let our knowledgeable and compassionate veterinary team get your feline companion back to their usual selves.
Patients
Why Is My Cat Being Sick
Anything that irritates your cats stomach or prevents the contents of their stomach from moving through the digestive tract can cause vomiting. Reasons for a cat being sick include hair balls, eating too much or too quickly, eating new or unusual food, an allergic reaction to food and parasites. Other causes include gastrointestinal conditions, pancreatitis, heat stroke and ingesting poisonous substances. While some of these issues are mild, others will require emergency veterinary treatment.
Why is my cat being sick? is one of the most common questions our vets are asked. Short-term cat vomiting is generally for a mild reason and not a massive cause for concern, especially if your cats health is otherwise fine. This may be down to a mild tummy upset.
Long-term or severe cat vomiting is a far bigger concern and if your cat keeps throwing up or you think its something to worry about you should contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic, straight away.
If its not an emergency but you would like some advice you can book an online video consultation with our vets between 8am and 11pm every day. Learn more here.
Factors To Consider When Deciding When To Euthanize A Cat
There are many factors to consider, and you may already be too emotional about the situation to think clearly. Lets break down the most important issues to consider as you go into this decision-making process.
In general, people who dont mindfully consider the question of euthanasia in advance often wait too long, keeping their loved one longer than they should because they cant bear to part with their friend. This can cause an elderly cat or a cat with terminal disease to endure suffering in their final moments that could have been avoided.
In these cases, people often experience extreme guilt and sorrow for causing their friend to suffer. The mental and emotional anguish of waiting too long can be acute.
Perhaps you believe that a natural death is preferable to euthanasia. However, cats that experience natural death often experience significant suffering that could have been avoided with humane euthanasia, which is pain-free. When you can, it is always best to end the needless suffering of our pets, not prolong it for selfish reasons or out of ignorance.
Sometimes, the best choice for your cat is humane euthanasia, but how do you know when?
While the best way to make end-of-life decisions for your cat is in partnership with a veterinarian you trust, there are several quality-of-life factors that you can use to help you decide when it is time to say goodbye.
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Do Cats Get Clingy When You Are Sick
Cats are sympathetic towards their owners pain and will often express their concern by becoming clingy.
Remember, cats can form affectionate bonds with their owners. As such, a cat will be more attentive towards its owner when the latter is struggling with illness.
Nevertheless, cats excessive empathy towards their ailing owners often causes them to mimic their behavior and mood. If youre feeling withdrawn and lethargic due to illness, your cat might start behaving similarly.
Have A Sick Cat 9 Ways To Tell If Your Cat Is In Pain
Some of the most profoundly heartbreaking moments of my cat-caretaking life revolve around being unable to tell how much pain my beloved friends were suffering. Even though I know cats are very good at disguising their pain, I cant help but guilt-trip myself sometimes over this health issue, because as a person whos lived with cats almost all my life, I should be able to notice when somethings out of whack. A sick cat will show symptoms, although often theyre quite subtle. In hopes of helping you recognize signs of pain that eluded me, here are some tips that could signal a sick cat or a cat in pain.
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Signs Your Cat Needs To Go To The Veterinarian
Regular check-ups are important for your cats health. These regular pet examinations keep your cat caught up on vaccinations and catch early signs of disease. There are times, however, that your cat may exhibit certain symptoms, and you arent sure whether they require a trip to the veterinarian or a wait and see attitude at home. While it is always a good idea to error on the side of caution and take your cat to the veterinarian if you are concerned, here are ten symptoms that should never be ignored.
When To Seek Veterinary Care
If you cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, speak to your veterinarian immediately. Usually, by the time a cat is exhibiting signs of being sick, theyll need to see a veterinarian because theyve been covering up their illness until that point, Newfield said.
Many cats will pass upper respiratory infections naturally, so you notice your cat sneezing, wait to see if your cat heals on his or her own. If you notice discharge, however, bring your cat in, Newfield said.
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Can Cats Sense Broken Bones
Cats dont have X-ray vision to see through physical objects. However, they can sense broken bones by observing their owners physical and behavioral changes.
For example, you may have a cast applied on your arm and make facial expressions that signal pain. As a result, your cat may recognize that youre suffering from an injury to your arm.
Similarly, a cat might draw conclusions if you use crutches to walk or struggle with mobility due to a broken leg. Itll know theres something wrong with your leg.
Some Advice When You Feel That Your Cat Is Sick
My cat had a schedule dental cleaning after a clear lab report, and he didnt respond well to the strategy. He begun peeing a parcel and drinking a parcel of water that evening, so I took him back to the vet within the morning. It turns out he was going through intense kidney disappointment, and on the off chance that I had accepted his laziness and expanded drinking were ordinary, he would have passed on. His side effects were lovely inconspicuous, but they instructed me to pay exceptionally near attention! After over 24h of IV liquids and supervision he came out of it, but he was shaky for weeks.
Hes since been analyzed with constant kidney infection , so hes on seminar and liquids at home. Please make beyond any doubt you observe carefully for additional thirst, and for parchedness indented eyes, misfortune of skin versatility, stoppage, greater or littler pees than normal, and terrible breath. Its vital!
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Diseases Of The Urinary System
Cats are prone to diseases of the feline lower urinary tract, such as cystitis and urinary stones.
So, if your cat is going back and forth to the litter box to urinate, he is probably having a urinary problem. In addition, if a male cat is unable to urinate an emergency consultation is mandatory as urinary tract obstruction can be quickly life threatening.
Is His Temperature Abnormal
To take your cats temperature, lubricate a rectal thermometer and insert it 1 to 1.5 inches into the cats rectum. Depending on the thermometer, leave it there from 10 seconds to a minute. The normal temperature for a cat is 100 to 103 degrees, averaging 101 degrees. If the temperature is 104 degrees or above, or 99 degrees or below, call your veterinarian for advice if its 105 degrees or above, or 96 degrees or below, go to your veterinarian.
When in doubt, call your veterinarian. A false alarm is better than ignoring the symptoms of a sick cat.
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Dying Cat: Signs A Cat Is Dying
Last Updated on December 13, 2021 by
As cats move into their senior years, age-related diseases become commonplace. While some cats may die very suddenly, many age-related diseases are slow and progressive and can be managed with veterinary care over a long period of time. Eventually, the cat will move into the late stages of the disease and pass into the dying phase.
Helping a cat in his or her final days, weeks or months is a joint effort between you and the cats primary veterinarian and, in some cases, a specialised veterinarian .
Early Signs Of Diabetes In Cats
1. Excessive Urination & ThirstYour cat may be suffering from Type I or Type II diabetes if they are urinating frequently. The kidneys attempt to remove the excess glucose from the body through urine. The high concentration of glucose pulls excessive amounts of water into the urine. Increased urination can mean high body water losses, possible dehydration, and increased thirst.
2. Increased Weight Loss & AppetiteWhen a cat has diabetes, cells can no longer absorb the glucose from the blood appropriately. As a result, starved cells will trigger the breakdown of the fats and proteins available in the body as an alternative source of energy.
The cat may lose weight in a failed attempt to fill the void left after burning fats and proteins, and as a result, their appetite increases.
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What Changes Should I Look For In The Litterbox
Both diarrhea and constipation are indicators of disease in cats. Diarrhea is usually easy to recognize in the litterbox, but constipation can be more problematic to notice. Small, hard, dry stools are never normal and are often an early indication of kidney disease.
Increased amounts of urine in the box indicate an of inability to properly conserve water and may mean that your cat is developing kidney or liver problems, or diabetes mellitus.
Does He Have Diarrhea Or Constipation
Diarrhea can result from nervousness, a change in diet or water, food sensitivities, intestinal parasites, infections, poisoning or many illnesses. Watery diarrhea, diarrhea with blood, or diarrhea accompanied by vomiting or other signs of illness warrants a call to the veterinarian. Cats commonly become constipated. They may strain to defecate cry or meow in the litterbox pass only small, hard feces or pass small amounts of watery feces. Examine your cats litterbox to make sure hes defecating as he should be.
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Drop Or Gain In Weight
Cat weight loss, which can happen quickly or over a more extended period of time, and rapid weight gain can be signs your cat is sick.
Weight loss
Loss of appetite and weight loss can indicate common cat illnesses from simple tummy aches to more serious problems, like cancer or kidney disease. With some illnesses, like hyperthyroidism, cats may drop weight in spite of having a hearty appetite.
Weight gain
If your cat balloons up, it could be from bloating or abdominal swelling rather than added pounds. Other causes of rapid weight gain include pregnancy, tumors, parasitic infections, hypothyroidism, or Cushings disease. In any case, you should check in with your veterinarian about whats going on.
Your veterinarian should also keep track of your cats weight at annual wellness exams.
Your veterinarian should also keep track of your cats weight at annual wellness exams. Obesity is a growing problem for cats and can result in a number of health issues, such as feline diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems. An annual exam is covered by our wellness options, which can be added to any plan .
Inability To Control Elimination
Urinary incontinence is the inability to control urination. This can happen because of weakened urethral sphincter muscles, or secondary to other conditions, like diabetes or kidney disease. Bowel incontinence is the inability to control bowels, and results in fecal incontinence.
Both are messy, annoying, and unsanitary conditions that decrease the wellbeing of everybody in the household. Furthermore, incontinence can lead to bedsores and worse in cats who lie in urine or feces because they cant move or wont move.
If a cat has untreatable urinary or fecal incontinence that is unmanageable or in conjunction with other terminal disease, then it may be time to consider euthanasia.
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Signs That Your Cat Is Sick
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Illustration: The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
Could your cat be sick? It may be difficult to know if subtle changes in your cat indicate a health problem. Cats are experts at hiding illness. In the wild, this instinct can protect them from predators or other cats that might be a threat. Today’s house cat has the same tendency to avoid vulnerability, even if the only potential threat is a housemate. Even cats in single-pet homes tend to have the instinct to self-protect.
There is another reason why cats and many other animals are less likely to show pain or illness: They simply do not have an emotional relationship with their discomfort. Animals tend to accept the pain or illness as the new normal and move on. It may not be until they are extremely ill that their sickness becomes obvious to humans.
Susans Experience When Her Cat Felt Sick
My cat limped one day. The another day he appeared fair fine once more. Wasnt limping. A week afterward, we took him to the vet for castration. They found he had an contamination on his back foot. And he required his teeth cleaned I think, so got anti-microbials and another arrangement a week or so afterward for the teeth and checking up on the foot. A week afterward, hes in for his arrangement, and when I get back down, they appear me an x-ray of his foot. One of his toes was separated totally at the joint .
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Hes Drinking Like A Fish
Cats, in general, dont lap up copious amounts of water so it should be fairly easy to spot when the water bowl empties quicker, or hes trying to get water from other sources like the sink or toilet. If your cat is drinking more water than normal this could be a sign that your cat has an endocrine disorder such as hyperthyroid disease or diabetes, says Dr. Rossman. Definitely give your vet a call if you notice your cat is lapping up more water than usual its one of the signs your cat is sick.
My Cat Seems Fine Could There Be A Problem
Although cats are predators, in nature larger predators will prey upon them. Since sick or old animals make an easy target, any obvious sign of illness will alert other predators that the animal is ill. Therefore, cats have evolved to hide signs of illness and pain. This means that in the early stages of illness, often the only thing that a cat owner may notice is that the cat has become quiet and withdrawn. Unfortunately, this also means a cat may be very sick before the owner realizes something is wrong.
Through training and experience, veterinarians may pick up subtle signs that a cat is developing a health problem, which is one of the main reasons why the American Veterinary Medical Association and other veterinary experts recommend twice yearly wellness examinations for the average adult cat. Delaying your cats veterinary visit until there are obvious signs of illness may mean that heroic measures will be required to treat the problem. With some understanding of how cats show symptoms of illness, you will be able to recognize early warning signs and know what information you need to provide your veterinarian.
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Later Signs Of Diabetes In Cats
If a cat displays a combination of the following symptoms, they could be in critical condition and require intensive care. Later signs of diabetes include the following:
3. Inability to Jump & Loss of InterestWhile the loss of interest may be a subtle sign, you can tell your cat is sick if you keep proper track of your cats activity. If your cat can no longer jump on furniture they used to be able to, they may be sick.
4. Change in GaitDiabetes in cats can lead to weakness, which makes them walk flat on the back of the hind legs. Following the elevated blood sugar level, neuropathy affects the nerves in the hind legs, and the condition may result in permanent paralysis if left untreated for long.
5. Lack of Appetite, Vomiting, LethargyThe health of your cat is in jeopardy if you notice these late symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and gastroparesis can cause nausea in cats leading to vomiting, lost appetite, and lethargy.