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3 Categories of Cat Illness Symptoms

Your cat has a hard time telling you when she's ill. Here are some of the major cat illness symptom categories and how to spot problems.

Cats are very good at hiding discomfort and signs of illness, but sometimes this comes out as a change in behavior. If you notice a change in your cat's typical routine, you'll want to check for a physical problem.

Elimination problems -- Cats may experience a number of issues involving urination, defecation, and litter boxes.

FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) is a group of problems and can involve stones, crystals, infection, or inflammation. Some of these urinary tract problems can be life threatening.

Be alert to excessive urination as this can be a sign of cat illness such as feline diabetes. Cats are clean creatures and self-groom often, but excessive licking in the groin or anal area can be a sign of problems.

Treatments are available for hairballs/constipation, and include store bought hairball remedies as well as veterinarian prescribed treatments such as lactulose.

It should be noted that long term constipation may lead to a serious bowel condition known as megacolon. Impacted anal glands my also be a factor which will require treatment.

If your cat is howling or crying out while using the litter box, or makes frequent but unsuccessful trips to the box, she may have some physical problem that needs to be looked at. Also, a common sign of trouble is scooting across the floor while dragging the rear end.

If you notice that your cat is not using the litter box, always assume a physical cause may be at fault. If your cat is not urinating or defecating or is missing the litter box, contact your veterinarian.

Diarrhea may indicate intestinal disease and can lead to dehydration, which can be fatal. Other things to look for are evidence of blood in urine or feces, including black tarry stools.

Eye and mouth problems -- The haw, or nictating membrane, is a "third eyelid" that you will sometimes see when a cat's eyes are open. This is often an indication of illness. Check your cat's eyes for cloudiness, pupils of uneven size, or discharge.

Pallor of the lips and gums is a sign of disease and could indicate anemia. Other possible cat illness symptoms include bad breath, ulcers in the mouth, and obviously, loose teeth.

Hair and skin problems -- Poor coat or problem skin can be a sure sign of cat illness. In fact, the coat and skin of your cat can be used as a measure of overall health.

In addition, if your cat stops grooming or looks disheveled, it's probably a sign of trouble. An oily looking coat is also a sign of illness.

Also look for swelling, hair loss, excessive dryness or flaking, or skin eruption or growths. Check your cat at least once per week for parasites.

There are certainly other health problems that your cat may encounter, but these are a few of the major categories. Keeping alert to your cat's routine, and being sensitive to any of the possible above problems is an integral part of cat care.

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