Page 242 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

240 HEAL TH AND BREEDING

Common health problems
Every cat will experience health problems during CAT NOT EATING HIS FOOD
his lifetime. Some complaints, such as a one-time Refusing food is a cause for concern.
It may indicate that your cat is in
incident of vomiting or diarrhea, are not a major
pain or has a serious illness needing
cause for concern and do not require treatment urgent veterinary attention.
by a vet. Other problems, such as intestinal
worms or fleas, can be treated easily enough at
home, following instructions from your vet. More
serious disorders requiring urgent veterinary
attention include: repeated vomiting or diarrhea—
often a sign of an underlying disorder; urinary
tract infections or obstructions, which can cause
painful urination; eye problems, such as
conjunctivitis or a visible third eyelid; abscesses
from fights with other cats; and painful dental
problems preventing your cat from eating.

Signs of poor health Changes in appetite are usually a sign of an underlying
Cats tend to suffer in silence and do not draw attention to condition. A loss of appetite may be caused by pain in the
themselves when they are feeling vulnerable. One of your mouth, such as toothache, or a more serious illness, such
responsibilities as an owner is to be vigilant, keeping an eye as kidney failure. Weight loss despite an increased appetite,
out for any changes in your cat’s routines and behavior together with increased urination and increased thirst, may
that might suggest he needs veterinary attention. be the result of an overactive thyroid or diabetes mellitus.
Lethargy is difficult to spot—because cats generally rest Abnormal or labored breathing may occur after a chest
much of the time—but decreased levels of activity, a reluctance injury or as a result of an obstruction in the airway, an upper
to jump, and reduced alertness are often signs that your cat is respiratory tract infection, or shock. Wheezing may be due
ill or in pain. Lethargy is also often linked to obesity, so it may to asthma or bronchitis. Breathing difficulties always require
disappear when a cat loses his excess weight. an emergency trip to the vet.
Dehydration is life-threatening and has various causes,
including vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and
TOP TIPS
heatstroke. You can carry out a simple test to check if your cat
■ Dehydration test Gently ■ Checking gums A healthy
lift the skin up on the back of cat has pink gums. Pale or white is dehydrated (see box, left). Emergency rehydration involves
your cat’s neck. If the skin gums indicate shock, anemia, or a vet injecting fluids under the skin or directly into a vein.
springs back into position, blood loss; yellow gums are a The color of a cat’s gums (see box, left) can indicate
your cat is healthy, but if it sign of jaundice; red gums are several serious disorders, including those that affect the
returns slowly it is a sign of caused by carbon-monoxide
dehydration. Feel the gums poisoning, fever, or bleeding in circulation of oxygen in the bloodstream. Lumps on skin,
with a finger—dry, tacky gums the mouth; blue gums suggest changes in grooming habits and coat texture, fur loss, and
also indicate dehydration. poor oxygenation of the blood. not using the litter box can also be signs of health problems.

First aid for cats
If your cat is injured, you may need to administer first aid
before he has a chance to be seen by a vet. To treat a wound,
apply pressure with a pad of clean cloth or gauze. Do not use
tissue because it will stick to the wound. Keep the material in
place, even if it becomes soaked with blood, until you see a vet.
Removing an object embedded in a wound could cause more
bleeding—leave it in place for your vet to treat.
A cat that has had an accident, such as being hit by a car,
should be seen by a vet even if he has no visible injuries, since
there could be internal bleeding, which can lead to shock.