Usual Health Concerns Of Cats

In case you are new to having a cat, you could be surprised to notice that health problems are a common thing. Regardless what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some might be hereditary, while others can certainly be avoided.

Worms

Regardless of what breed of cat it could be, worms are a very common as well as recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats that have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if perhaps you find white specks in his stool, you should have your veterinarian test him for worms. Even though they can be treated with medication, worms can prove to be lethal if they are unattended.

Hairball

Hairballs are the most common cat health problem. All cats groom by themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair which comes from their coats. Occasionally, this loose hair will gather into a ball and get lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in the cat's stool. When your cat begins to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Even though it can be quite disgusting in the end, most cats could dislodge hairballs without any problems.

In rare cases, a hairball could pass through to a cat's intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are extremely serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren't treated. In case your cat becomes constipated, isn't eating correctly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any one of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 - 3 times every week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food which is designed to control hairballs as well.

Arthritis

Just like with humans, arthritis in cats is prevalent as cats get older. Joints ache and movement becomes sluggish and more labored. Unfortunately though, there is no real cure for cat arthritis although there are vitamins and minerals that can dramatically ease the pain and inflammation that a cat suffers.

Feline leukemia

In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days nevertheless, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the injection before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn't happen instantly, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don't have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you must never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. In case you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can't be prevented, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, that will protect him from a majority of health problems. If the cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take the cat to the vet and keep him healthy - he will be your companion for years to come.

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