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Your cat lets you know when he's happy. But do
you know how to tell if he's healthy? Annual check-ups
by your vet is important. And with regular health
checks at home, you can help ensure that your feline
friend stays healthy.
Cat Health Tips
How does his coat look? A healthy feline's fur
is sleek and glossy, with no signs of fleas or bald
patches. Check for lumps, bumps, flakes and scabs.
Keep an eye out for flea dirt, which looks like
tiny specks of black pepper. Constant biting or
scratching at the coast can indicate skin parasites
or an allergy.
Your cat's eyes should be clear and bright. Note
any discharge, inflammation, or sensitivity to light,
which can be signs of infection or vision problems.
Check his ears, too, for discharge or wax. Next,
gently open his mouth to examine his teeth and gums.
There should be no broken teeth, and his gums should
be pale pink. Inflamed gums can be a warning sign
of infection, and are also associated with more
serious disorders such as kidney disease. Are his
teeth stained? If so, he may be suffering from tartar
buildup. Your veterinarian can clean them and may
recommend regular brushing to maintain dental health.
It's also important to monitor your cat's eating
habits. Loss of appetite can indicate a variety
of problems, and it's smart to consult your veterinarian
if your cat refuses food for more than a day. You'll
also want to speak to the vet if, on the other hand,
your cat seems overweight. Being overweight can
also cause health problems, including arthritis,
liver and heart disease, and a form of diabetes.
What goes on in the litter box will also tell you
a lot about your cat's health. Persistent diarrhea,
for example, can signal a variety of illnesses from
internal parasites to digestive disorders. And be
sure to watch for changes in frequency of urination.
Increased urination and an excessive thirst and
appetite, combined with weight loss, are early indicators
of diabetes mellitus.
Consult Your Veterinarian about Serious Cat Health Questions
If you notice that your cat strains or cries out
when using the litter box, he may have a urinary
tract infection. This often affects cats suffering
from feline urological syndrome, also known as FUS,
which can be life-threatening if left unchecked.
Owners of cats with FUS and other chronic health
problems may benefit from using the at-home kits
that test for abnormalities in the urine. These
simple-to-use screening kits indicate when a cat's
urine is too acidic or too alkaline, which can promote
infection or the development of urinary stones.
A kit is also available that tests for the presence
of blood in the urine which is not only a warning
symptom of urinary problems, but bladder cancer,
kidney disease and secondary infections caused by
the feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia
virus.
And remember, should you find anything out of the
ordinary during one of your at-home check-ups, contact
your veterinarian.
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