Cat Illness Symptoms - What Do They Mean?

As with humans, cats occasionally have days when they feel a bit off colour or lethargic but if they show more than one symptom, then there may be something serious amiss. Cats' noses are typically damp to the touch so if your cat's nose is dry and he is displaying other symptoms, he may be ill.



Cat illness symptoms can include: high temperature, sickness, diarrhoea, lethargy, excessive drinking, sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, loss of appetite and weight loss.



1. Cat flu or Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a viral infection of the respiratory tract which is extremely contagious amongst felines. The symptoms are similar to those of human flu including sneezing, coughing, high temperature, no desire to eat and runny eyes. Although antibiotics may help, there is really no treatment for this except general nursing. The cat may end up with a damaged or useless eye. Every responsible cat owner should have their cat vaccinated against cat flu.



2. Feline leukemia is likely to be fatal. It is the equivalent of human leukaemia and is cancer of the blood. Symptoms include high temperature, sickness, anaemia and respiratory difficulties. Again, be a responsible owner and have your cat vaccinated,



3. Feline infectious enteritis is a virus which can spread amongst cats very easily. The symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting sometimes accompanied by apparent depression. There is a readily available vaccination - please use it!



Catteries in Europe will not accept a cat which hasn't had immunisation against Cat flu and enteritis. Check with your boarding kennel if there are any other vaccinations or treatment required.



4. Excessive drinking may indicate one of a couple of serious diseases including diabetes, which can be treated or kidney failure which can't. It could also indicate a urinary tract infection when coupled with high temperature, blood in the urine or general listlessness.



5. Weight loss and excessive eating without other symptoms may indicate that your cat has worms. If you can get a look at his stool, you may be able to tell, but administration of a worming tablet should fix the problem. If the symptoms persist, it may be something more serious.



6. A cut or swelling probably indicates that your cat has been in a fight but combined with lethargy may indicate an infection which needs to be treated with antibiotics or at worst surgery.



There are other cat illness symptoms as well as other diseases which your cat may contract, such as aids, if it is an outdoor cat. In any event, if your cat seems to be out of sorts or behaving differently to normal for more than a couple of days, please see your vet. If you can't afford to see a vet, there are charitable organisations in Europe which will help you out. If you can't identify a charity to help you, please talk to your vet anyway and explain your situation as most vets, by their very nature, are animal lovers and won't want to see your pet suffer.



You may well be able to save yourself expensive vet bills by taking out pet insurance as soon as you get your cat. This may seem like an expensive option but if your cat needs lengthy drug treatment or an operation, you'll be glad you did.

Cat Illness Symptoms - What Do They Mean?

As with humans, cats occasionally have days when they feel a bit off colour or lethargic but if they show more than one symptom, then there may be something serious amiss. Cats' noses are typically damp to the touch so if your cat's nose is dry and he is displaying other symptoms, he may be ill.



Cat illness symptoms can include: high temperature, sickness, diarrhoea, lethargy, excessive drinking, sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, loss of appetite and weight loss.



1. Cat flu or Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a viral infection of the respiratory tract which is extremely contagious amongst felines. The symptoms are similar to those of human flu including sneezing, coughing, high temperature, no desire to eat and runny eyes. Although antibiotics may help, there is really no treatment for this except general nursing. The cat may end up with a damaged or useless eye. Every responsible cat owner should have their cat vaccinated against cat flu.



2. Feline leukemia is likely to be fatal. It is the equivalent of human leukaemia and is cancer of the blood. Symptoms include high temperature, sickness, anaemia and respiratory difficulties. Again, be a responsible owner and have your cat vaccinated,



3. Feline infectious enteritis is a virus which can spread amongst cats very easily. The symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting sometimes accompanied by apparent depression. There is a readily available vaccination - please use it!



Catteries in Europe will not accept a cat which hasn't had immunisation against Cat flu and enteritis. Check with your boarding kennel if there are any other vaccinations or treatment required.



4. Excessive drinking may indicate one of a couple of serious diseases including diabetes, which can be treated or kidney failure which can't. It could also indicate a urinary tract infection when coupled with high temperature, blood in the urine or general listlessness.



5. Weight loss and excessive eating without other symptoms may indicate that your cat has worms. If you can get a look at his stool, you may be able to tell, but administration of a worming tablet should fix the problem. If the symptoms persist, it may be something more serious.



6. A cut or swelling probably indicates that your cat has been in a fight but combined with lethargy may indicate an infection which needs to be treated with antibiotics or at worst surgery.



There are other cat illness symptoms as well as other diseases which your cat may contract, such as aids, if it is an outdoor cat. In any event, if your cat seems to be out of sorts or behaving differently to normal for more than a couple of days, please see your vet. If you can't afford to see a vet, there are charitable organisations in Europe which will help you out. If you can't identify a charity to help you, please talk to your vet anyway and explain your situation as most vets, by their very nature, are animal lovers and won't want to see your pet suffer.



You may well be able to save yourself expensive vet bills by taking out pet insurance as soon as you get your cat. This may seem like an expensive option but if your cat needs lengthy drug treatment or an operation, you'll be glad you did.

Cat Vomiting - What Does This Cat Symptom Mean?

If your cat vomiting is regular, it could be a cat symptom of a larger issue, such as a gastrointestinal disorder, a blockage or even cancer, kidney failure or diabetes. Since the cause of the vomiting is often unknown at its outset, it's important to be aware of your cat's ordinary routine. That way, if vomiting does occur, you can tell your cat's vet about its history - when it started, what might have brought it on, its frequency and intensity, etc.



For example, if your pet is throwing up after eating or doesn't want to eat at all, you will want to make an appointment immediately with your veterinarian. However, if your cat vomits, then eats and plays normally, it just may mean he had an upset stomach.



The actual course of treatment will depend on the root cause of the vomiting. Your vet will discuss the foods your cat is eating, any signs of weight loss and any other medical problems or symptoms you may have noticed.



If necessary, additional tests may be required, such a complete blood count, biochemical panel, urinalysis, fecal exam, X-rays, ultrasounds and an endoscopy, if required.



Besides dietary problems, your cat may be vomiting because he has a hairball. Usually your cat can get it out themselves, but sometimes a ball gets tangled up and he will try to vomit instead. To reduce future cat hairballs, you may want to buy a hairball formula of food or get an additive.



Your cat may also be vomiting due to morning sickness. Just like us, cats can get queasy when they're pregnant and vomiting is just part of the process of becoming a mother. Less frequently, vomiting can be a sign of heat stroke, gastroenteritis, an obstruction in the esophagus, worms or even vomiting.



Most of these can be treated but you will need to see a vet who will examine the cat and prescribe treatment for the vomiting or any underlying health problem that is revealed.



Treatment is usually progressive, starting with something as simple as changing your cat's diet (if the food isn't agreeing with them) or removing any toxins in the home. Your vet will initially ask you to withhold your cat's food for three to four hours to see if the vomiting goes away. If he hasn't vomited for a while, you can then add small amounts of water. If no vomiting, more water can be put down. Use a measuring cup to monitor how much water your cat is receiving. You may want to log his intake so you can share it with the doctor.



Before returning your cat to his regular diet, you'll want to introduce a bland food, such as small amounts of Purina EN or Iams Recovery Diet. A mix of boiled rice or potatoes along with lean hamburger, or even low-fat cottage cheese, can also work. If the vomiting continues, call your vet promptly.

Canine Blood in Urine - What Does it Mean?

The presence of canine blood in urine can be of great concern. This is a normal reaction, but the emotional stress the owner feels at the time must be tempered with calm action. Any sign of blood in canine urine must be investigated in order to determine what is causing it. This article examines a few of the more common reasons.



Injury



While there are many reasons for the presence of blood in canine urine, injury is one of the more common. A dog that has been injured in some way may have internal damage to its organs. The presence of canine blood in urine or stool may be a sign that your dog was hit by a car or suffered some other form of trauma.



The only way to know if there is internal damage is to take your dog to veterinarian, where x-rays and other tests can be performed.



Dog Bladder Stones



Bladder stones in dogs can also cause blood in canine urine. The stones form from small crystals that, over time, clump together and get bigger. At some point, they become big enough to be called stones. These stones can cause inflammation and irritation to the bladder, thus leading to internal bleeding within the bladder. Some types of stones (struvite) can often be dissolved without having to resort to surgery. Changes in diet as well as certain medications can be very helpful in ridding your dog of this problem.



It should be remembered, however, that some stones may have to be removed surgically. Should the stone block off the the flow of urine, your dog could die within days. If for no other reason, the presence of canine blood in urine should be a call to action in order to rule out the possibility of this lethal condition. Never let your dog go for more than one day without consulting with a dog health professional.



Urinary Infections in Dogs



Certain types of urinary infections in dogs can also bring on the presence of blood in canine urine. The method of treatment for the infection will depend on what type of organism is causing the infection. Normally, a course of antibiotics will be given which will clear up the infection over a matter of days. To keep infection (and stones) from returning after treatment is to make sure your dog is urinating frequently enough. This means more walks and always make sure fresh water is available. Natural approaches such as cranberry juice and a pet safe homeopathic remedy might also help to support the urinary system.



These are just a few of the reasons you might see canine blood in urine. To make sure that your pet is getting the best treatment for its problem, visit your veterinarian. If you see the same symptoms return, then some of the natural approaches might be worth a try.

Diabetes Signs and Symptoms - What Does it All Mean?

The signs were all there. The blurry vision, the constant urination, the fatigue. However when this insidious disease came upon me, I no had clue as to the symptoms of diabetes. However in reality you may think that I was novice on the subject of diabetes. However in reality I was not. My cousin Bobby was affected by diabetes from a young age. He was 22 years my senior however, I can remember when he used to eat, he would sweat profusely. I recall even there were times if he missed his insulin, he would behave as though he was drunk. I totally missed one of the most important sign of diabetes, that it can be inherited. (Type 2 Diabetes runs in families, Type 1 diabetes is more isolated)



When I began to investigate about the signs and symptoms of diabetes. I found out some startling information as a Type 2 diabetic, that my grandfather died from this disease. Back in the 1960's the knowledge & health care on this subject was rather limited. As I reflect back on the day that I was diagnosed with diabetes, it had a numbing effect on me. I noticed a few days before that everything I looked at was blurry. Given the symptom, I personally had no clue as to what it meant. So I went to the eye doctor thinking that my glasses were the problem. He said " would you mind reading the chart". Little did he know that I could not even distinguish the largest point size! The doctor said "that this is not adding up, he looked into my eyes and said I believe you have diabetes". Now it all began to make sense, the signs and symptoms that I was experiencing, because the night before when I was resting it was uncomfortable night. That night as I recall I retired about 1:00 am in the morning my feet was totally numb. When I walked it literally felt like I was stepping on cactus. I later came to find out that this is called peripheral neuropathy. Wellness support makes a great product that has reduced my pain tremendously. I highly recommend that product to anyone who suffers from neuropathy.



Please if you suffer from obesity, I would like to encourage you to see a doctor immediately. The long term effects of diabetes can be devastating. Check you Body Mass Index (BMI) He might advice you to change your diet, lose weight, otherwise the symptoms of diabetes can get worse. In other words seek a preventative cure before diabetes becomes more advanced. Dietitian, Physicians, and Diabetic Educators can help debunk a few of the myths that are out there like a piece of cake can kill you, people with diabetes shouldn't exercise, Hypoglycemia Kills Brain Cells. All of these are just myths.



My Personal goal is to reverse my diabetes ( I have lost 30LBS) and help as many persons to understand the dangers that are involved. My Mother has a friend around the corner who has lost both feet to diabetes, he is a young many about 44 years of age who now devotes his life instructing others as to the dangers of this disease. What I have come to find out that if we are to reverse diabetes it requires the following.



#1. Proper Attitude in recognizing the Sign and Symptoms.



#2. Exercising Vigorously when possible.



#3 Monitor Glucose levels constantly.



#4 Lifelong Education



#5 Diet ( Proper Diabetic Diet)



#6 Foot Care (Neuropathy)



#7 Eye Care



#8 Proper Medications



With a few of these steps what I am coming to realize is that the sign and symptoms,need not be a mystery. Also with proper care you can lead a life, that is comfortable and fully rewarding.



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