Cat health problems are common and do not be surprised to find your cat is affected especially if you own a new one. Live with the mindset that your cat can fall sick whatever the breed is. Some of the diseases are hereditary while some can easily be prevented.
1. Worms Problems
In all breeds of cats, worms are a very common and recurring problem. All cat breeds get infected with roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms. If your cat suddenly gains weight, has problems with fleas and you see white specks in his stool, have him tested by the vet for worms. Don’t ignore because worms can be turn out to be fatal to the cats if left untreated.
2. Hairballs
The other common health problem of cats is hairball. All cats clean themselves regularly, usually they swallow their loose hair from their coats. Sometimes, loose hair if swallowed, gather into balls which will lodge in the digestive tract instead of going to the stool of the cat. Coughing and hacking are symptoms that your cat is developing hairballs in the digestive system. This should not worry us much though because cats can normally remove the hairball without causing any problem at all.
Hairballs can also pass through to the intestines of the cat which will cause blockage. This should make you worried because it can turn out to be life threatening. Should you notice that your cat suffers from constipation, his eating patterns are disrupted and has a dull coat, then most probably the cat has blockage. The best thing to do it to take the cat to the vet for treatment. Another advisable thing to do is to brush the hair of the cat two or three times per week to brush off any loose hair & prevent hairballs.
3. Urinary Tract
Another common problem with cats is urinary tract infection. Male cats are easily affected by Urinary Tract Infections compared to female cats that have not been neutered. If you see that your cat no longer using the litter box, this probably means that it has a problem with the urinary tract. Strong urine smell is another symptom of the disease. It is only the vet who can treat your cat and give recommendations to prevent this disease from occurring later on.
4. Feline Leukemia
In years past, the biggest cause of the death of cats was feline leukemia. When vaccines were discovered, the disease was then contained. Cats that have been exposed to feline leukemia dont die immediately but their lifespan is reduced significantly.
Ensure that you take your cat to the vet on a regular basis for regular check up in order to protect him from the viruses. Vaccinations are quite important if you want your cat to lead a healthy and productive life. Many health problems of cats can be avoided, although some cannot.
