The Daily Cat: Whole Health
How Minor Cat Health Issues Become Major
By Kim Boatman for The Daily Cat
It might sound like a page out of a spy novel, but your cat is a
master of disguise. Unfortunately, this skill isn’t always in your
cat’s best interest. That’s because felines are adept at hiding
health issues until illnesses can escalate into serious
problems.
“It’s the nature of cats,” explains Dr. Eileen R. Adamo, DVM,
who runs a felines-only practice in Penfield, N.Y. “They kind of
put on a good face, show they’re fine. They are masters of hiding
illness and pain.”
Your cat disguises its aches and pains because showing weakness
would have made its feline ancestors more vulnerable in the wild,
Dr. Adamo says. Your kitty will be vulnerable, as well, if you
don’t pay attention to health warning signs. It’s important to
recognize when outwardly minor symptoms could indicate a more
significant, underlying problem.
“You have to be super sensitive to any change,” Dr. Adamo
advises. Here are warning signs Dr. Adamo and other experts say you
should never ignore:
- Increased vocalization If you’re suddenly
holding a pillow over your ears at night because your furry friend
is yowling, your cat is actually trying to tell you something. The
howling or yowling could be a sign of several health issues, say
the experts. For example, a cat that howls at night could have
thyroid problems, says Dr. Jessica Stern, DVM, who runs a feline
veterinary practice in Columbus, Ohio. Left untreated,
hyperthyroidism can affect almost every aspect of a cat’s health
and even cause heart problems. If hyperthyroidism is suspected,
your veterinarian will likely order blood work and a test to check
thyroid-related hormone levels. Among treatment options are
medications and surgical removal of the thyroid. Yowling could also
be a sign of high blood pressure or even cognitive changes in an
older cat, says Dr. Adamo.
- Changes in litter box behavior If your cat
suddenly stops using the litter box to urinate, it could indicate a
urinary tract infection or urinary tract disease, says Dr. Stern.
Left untreated, some urinary problems can lead to life-threatening
obstructions. If you notice that your cat is producing more urine
than usual, it could signal the onset of diabetes, hyperthyroidism
or chronic progressive kidney disease, says Dr. Adamo. Diabetes can
be managed with early detection, and your veterinarian might
prescribe oral medications or insulin injections. Progressive
kidney disease is a common and serious condition affecting older
cats, but treatment plans could slow down the disease’s
progression.
- Bad breath If you catch an unpleasant whiff
every time your cat opens its mouth, it’s time for a checkup. Bad
breath isn’t the norm for cats. It can be a sign of dental disease,
even if your cat is still eating regularly, says Dr. Adamo. “People
tend to think, ‘If I had a sore tooth, I wouldn’t want to eat,’”
she says. “Cats will find a way to eat even with a sore mouth.”
Dental disease can lead to abscesses, bone loss, loose teeth and
even infection that can spread to other parts of your cat’s body.
Bad breath could also be a warning sign of an oral mass or kidney
disease, cautions Dr. Stern. Your veterinarian will likely place
your cat under general anesthesia to clean its teeth or perform
needed extractions. You can help maintain your cat’s dental health
by brushing its teeth with products designed for felines.
- Vomiting It’s not a pleasant task, but you
need to know whether your cat is coughing up hairballs or vomiting.
“People are very quick to write off vomiting in cats,” Dr. Adamo
says. An occasional hairball with its distinctive tubular shape
isn’t usually cause for concern. However, if your cat throws up
more than once a month, it’s time to visit your veterinarian, says
Dr. Adamo. Increased vomiting can be related to pancreatitis and/or
inflammatory bowel disease. Acute pancreatitis may be life
threatening, and inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic condition
that can require dietary management and anti-inflammatory
medication.
- Dinnertime pickiness Your cat suddenly turns
its nose up at its favorite food. Is your friend becoming a
demanding gourmand? If your cat walks up to its food dish and then
walks away without eating, it could be feeling nauseous, say the
experts. Nausea can have many underlying causes, such as liver
disease, kidney disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Your
veterinarian will evaluate the cause of the nausea and may
prescribe medication to relieve the symptoms.
- Changes in grooming If your kitty isn’t
grooming as thoroughly as usual, it could have an endocrine
disease, such as feline diabetes or kidney disease, says Dr. Stern.
Your cat’s endocrine system includes glands and organs that produce
regulating hormones. Problems with the system can affect your
kitty’s grooming habits. An unkempt cat might also be suffering
from oral discomfort or arthritis, both of which can be eased with
proper veterinary care.
- Social interaction Too often, feline owners
attribute their pet’s sudden aloofness to the nature of cats, says
Dr. Adamo. “If your cat is dragging itself under the bed, going off
into its own area when it normally would be socializing, that’s a
big clue,” she says. Your cat might be anxious, stressed or in
pain. A visit to your veterinarian can help to determine the cause
of your cat’s behavior.
If you notice any of these symptoms or other changes in your
cat’s behavior, don’t hesitate, says Dr. Adamo. Either call your
veterinarian to ask if a symptom is worth further evaluation or
schedule a visit. And don’t feel like you have to diagnose the
problem right then and there. “Don’t wait and don’t feel like
you’ve got to figure it out,” says Dr. Adamo. “You don’t need to
worry about that. We’ll sort that out. That’s what you’re paying me
for.”
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