Sick Cat
5 Ways To Tell If You Have A Sick Cat
Are you worried that you may have a sick cat on your hands? If your cat is acting a bit differently than usual, it may be time to get the kitty checked out.
The following is a list of symptoms that may help you determine whether your cat needs a trip to the vet's office.
Tip 1: His Behavior Is Off
If you have noticed over the past couple of days that your cat seems to be doing some pretty weird things, it might be wise to start documenting what you see.
If you need to take your cat to the doctor, you need to be prepared to give an accurate description as to exactly how your cat is behaving. Simply telling the doctor that your cat is acting “weird” probably won’t help much.
Is your cat making any strange noises, such as a coughing or choking sound?
Has he been scratching particular patches of fur?
Be as detailed as you can in your note-taking and be prepared to offer the vet as much information as you can.
Tip 2: His Appetite Isn’t What It Used To Be
Your cat’s diet and stool can be a huge indication as to when something is wrong.
If your cat doesn’t seem to be eating as much as he normally would, perhaps you should keep an eye on him for a few meals and try to discover whether he is experiencing a total lack of appetite or if it is due to a hindrance.
For instance, your cat comes barreling down the hallway when he hears the cat food being poured into his bowl, but ends up only eating very little of it. This would show that your cat definitely wants to eat the food, but something is hindering him from doing so.
If your cat ignores the food completely, that is a good indication that his appetite is lacking altogether. If you are able to, observe a few of your cat’s bowel movements. I know this seems dirty, but it’s the best way to get an accurate look at what’s really happening inside your cat.
The fresher the poo, the better (especially, so you don’t have to root around through the litter box!). Take note as to the texture of the poo:
Normal
Soft
Runny
The color may also be important, as well as any mucus or blood that may be present.
Tip 3: His Appearance Has Changed
The longer your cat is sick, the more apparent his symptoms will become. His coat may lose shininess or fullness. It may become matted and oily or begin to thin or fall out.
Your cat may also show signs of muscle deterioration or a dramatic loss in weight. If your cat tries to eat but keeps losing weight, then something may be up!
Take a good look at your kitty and record any changes you notice. If your cat’s appearance has worsened over a lengthy period of time, it may help to take out a picture of your cat when he was in good health and compare it to his current condition.
Tip 4: Change In His Ears, Nose, And/Or Eyes
Cats are especially susceptible to illnesses of the ears and eyes.
Peer into your cat’s ears. Is there any crustiness present that resembles coffee grounds? This is a sign that your cat may be dealing with mites.
If the inside of the ear has changed to a yellow or blue color, you will need to get your cat examined by a doctor as soon as possible, as this points to a more serious condition.
Your cat’s eyes may exhibit signs of illness in several ways. Cats have a third eyelid which moves over the skin from the corners of the eye. This is rarely noticed by humans because it moves as rapidly as the cat blinks. However, when this eyelid remains partially covering the cat’s eyes, there is likely something wrong.
Also, the whites of the eyes may appear yellowish or bloodshot, which also points to a problem.
Swelling of the “meat” under the eye as well as filminess or crustiness developing in the eyes are other issues to look out for.
As for the nose, your cat may have symptoms of a runny nose or sneezing. The occasional sneeze is okay, but if the sneezing is constant and accompanied by a runny nose, then you likely have a sick cat.
Tip 5: Your Cat Hasn’t Been Drinking Much
If you have noticed a lack in your cat’s appetite, he may also be failing to get enough water as well.
When dehydrated, your cat’s skin will lose suppleness. To test this, pinch the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades and release it (be gentle). If the skin bounces back into place, his fluid levels are likely not the issue.
If the skin takes a little longer to settle back into place, then he is likely dehydrated. In cases of dehydration, where a cat won’t drink (often paired with loss of appetite), it is likely that veterinary help is necessary to restore the kitty’s nutrients back to a safe level.
If, at any point, you feel your cat may be seriously ill, seek the help of a veterinarian. Even issues that may not seem like such a big deal could lead to serious health problems in the future.
In any case, a sick cat is at least worth a call to the vet to determine whether the situation requires a trip in to the doc.