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Four Cat Symptoms That You Must Address

By: Of all the illness symptoms your cat can exhibit, these four probably have the most potential to signal a possible emergency. If any of these systems appear as I describe below, an immediate consultation with your vet is recommended. While it is possible that your cat may exhibit some of these symptoms and not have a serious problem, caution is in order.

The fact is, cats are fairly self-sufficient, and they may recover from a mild illness even before you know they're sick. It's easy then, to overlook or ignore something that we are sure our cat will recover from. It's also possible that one or more of the following cat symptoms could indicate that your cat may have a serious illness or underlying condition as the cause. Pay close attention to your cat's behavior. If he exhibits any of the following symptoms, act accordingly.

Diarrhea - Diarrhea can be a sign of a more serious problem than just plain indigestion. Do not let your cat suffer from diarrhea for long without a call to the vet. The resulting dehydration can be significant.

Vomiting - Vomiting is quite familiar to cats and cat owners. Hairballs are probably the most frequent cause of vomiting, and are usually of little concern.. But cats can into all kinds of things, so it's not too surprising they have a habit of giving some of those things back. They also have allergic reactions to plants and other items that can cause digestive distrubance. It might just be a hairball, but be alert to the possibility of a more serious problem if vomiting continues for any length of time. Poisons, intestinal disturbances, or serious illness could be the reason. No matter the cause, vomiting can lead to dehydration. This is a serious condition that, untreated, can lead to death.

Lethargy - Cats sleep a lot, it's true. Lethargy, however, is one cat symptom that should not be ignored. It is an indication of a problem and a sign to watch out for. Since cats sleep so much, it may be hard to detect if they are sluggish or just taking it easy. If your cat is normally bubbly and active, but suddenly begins sleeping in a corner for an entire day, something is probably wrong.I once ended up taking my cat to the vet for antibiotic treatment and IV fluids for dehyrdration when I didn't realize she was sick for an entire day. She was sleeping too much, and I should have noticed.

Refusing to drink or eat - Not eating or drinking for extended periods, or outside of your cat's normal routine is suspect. Make sure you know your cat's eating and drinking habits well, and be observant if there are any changes. Sick animals often stop eating, so pay attention to what your cat is trying to tell you.

All in all, cats are pretty sturdy creatures, and will recover from mild problems. There will be those times, however, when cat symptoms indicate a more serious condition that must be treated. Be on the alert for those occasions.