Signs of cat sickness

Acat’s secretive nature makes it irre-
sistible to cat owners, but it can
shorten the cat's life since many
early signs of cat illness go unno-
ticed because of the stoic nature of
cats,

Veterinarians report that cats often
arrive at’ the veterinary office with
advanced illness before their owners rec-
ognize the seriousness of the problem.
Fortunately, cat owners can learn and
watch for the seven subtle signs of illness
in their cats.

If you notice these symptoms in your
cat, schedule an appointment with your
veterinarian.

* Lethargic Behavior. This is one of the
first signs of sickness in a cat, but it often
goes undetected. The key to differentiating
abnormal lethargy from normal napping is
knowing your cat's sleeping patterns. The
average adult cat may spend 16 to 18

Stoic nature of
cats can shorten
their lifetimes

hours a day sleeping.

» Vomiting. Some cats have a tendency
to vomit because of hairballs. It is some-
thing many owners try to sell-diagnose.
However, occasional vomiting is an early
indicator of several feline diseases.

¢ Change in Food Consumption.
Different cats have different eating pat-
terns, but you will develop a sense of how
much food your cat consumes, Look for
changes in these patterns, such as
decreased intake, refusing food or a
marked increase in consumption.
Decreased food intake can be a sign of a
number of disorders. On the other hand,
increased food consumption can be caused
by diabetes, hyperthyroidism or other

problems,

° Unexplained Weight Loss. When you
handle your cat, the ribs should be easily
felt but not prominent. If you notice your
cat losing weight without a planned
weight loss program, take the cut to the
veterinarian, Many diseases, including
hyperthyroidism or diabetes, can cause
cats to lose weight.

* Difficully Urinating. Blockage of the
urinary tract signals a veterinary emer-
gency. Symptoms to look for include
straining ut the literbox with little or no
results, crying when urinating, and fre-
quent urination. Sometimes 4 housebroken
cat will begin to urinate outside of the lit-
terbox,

e Changes in Grooming Behavior.
Most cats normally are fastidious
groomers, If your cat's appearance seems
slightly different, monitor the cat tore
closely. A decrease in grooming behavior
can indicate a number of diseases.

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