Your Sick Cat

How do you know if your feline companion is sick? When should you seek a vet? This is by no means intended as a comprehensive source if information, just as a helpful guide for anyone who's cat is suffering from these symptoms.

Symptoms:

1. Strange behavior- Obsessive scratching of a certain area, strange noises(like gagging or coughing), hiding (cats who don't do that,anyway), little desire to play (for an active cat). Be absolutely sure what your cat's doing different before calling your vet. The more information your vet has, the better.
2. Loss of appetite- Does your cat race to the dish, but not eat much or does he/she not have his/her normal desire for food? Check for dehydration, as well. If you gently pinch the skin for between the shoulderblades and it returns to it's regular shape immediately, your cat is not dehydrated. If it takes time, he/she probably is.
3. Radical change in appearance- glazed eyes, dull coat, greasy or thin coat, muscle deterioration, weight loss
4. Eyes and ears- Does your cat have black or brown "dirt" in his ears? He/she may have earmites. Change in color to yellow or blue, see your vet immediately. this is a sign of a serious condition! A cat has three eyelids-top, bottom and inner- if you see the inner one, you probably have a problem. Since cats blink rapidly, you're not likely to see that lid. Bloodshot eyes could point to problems, as well as swollen and crustiness. Frequent sneezing or discharge from the nose are also signs of illness
5. Vomiting- Most cats vomit 1-3 time a month. If vomiting occurs twice daily for two or more days, stops eating, seems to be in pain, vomits continuously or you find blood, see your vet immediately