We all want our pets to stay health but often a trip to the vet is needed for an unforeseen emergency. Do you know the top 10 reasons cats are taken to the vet? Read some information as supplied by http://www.petinsurance.com/ so you can spot trouble as soon as possible and save you pet pain and suffering.
Bladder Infection: Problems that affect a cat’s lower urinary system often prevent the bladder from emptying correctly or may even cause fatal blockage of the urethra, the tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body. Very often the culprit is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Once called Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS), FLUTD is not merely one problem, but a collection of clinical symptoms that may have more than one possible cause. Symptoms of FLUTD include frequent or painful urination, bloody urine and frequent licking of the urinary opening. One key to treating FLUTD is to determine the root cause, which may include bladder stones, urinary tract blockage, infection or cancer. If the cause of these symptoms cannot be determined, the cat is considered to have bladder inflammation (cystitis).
Periodontitis/Dental Disease: If food particles and bacteria are allowed to accumulate along the cat's gumline, it can form plaque, which, when combined with saliva and minerals, will transform into calculus. This causes gum irritation and leads to an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis, which is evidenced by a reddening of the gums directly bordering the teeth, is considered to be an early stage of periodontal disease.
After an extended period, the calculus eventually builds up under the gum and separates it from the teeth. Spaces will form under the teeth, fostering bacterial growth. Once this happens, the cat has irreversible periodontal disease. This usually leads to bone loss, tissue destruction and pus formation in the cavities between the gum and teeth.
Overactive Thyroid: Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands. Hyperthyroidism occurs most commonly in older cats and is rare in dogs. The average age of cats with hyperthyroidism is 13 years of age; only about 5 % of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10 years of age. There are 2 thyroid glands located in the neck. One or both of the glands can enlarge and overproduce thyroid hormone. Involvement of both glands is more common than involvement of one gland. Thyroid hormone affects the function of most organs in the body, so the signs of hyperthyroidism are quite variable.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Chronic renal failure, sometimes referred to as kidney disease, is one of the most common conditions affecting older cats. In most cases, chronic renal failure is progressive over time so that there is a gradual advancement and worsening of the disease. The rate of progression of the disease varies considerably between individuals. Appropriate support and treatment can both increase the quality of life of affected cats and prolong life by slowing down the progression of the disease.
Upset Stomach/Vomiting: See a veterinarian if your cat vomits repeatedly, suffers from diarrhea, has ingested a toxin or has a bloated abdomen. Your veterinarian may also request a sample of vomit for analysis. If your cat vomits once and does not seem otherwise sick, remove your cat's food for at least 24 hours, giving your cat only clean water to drink. This helps your cat's stomach rest. Kittens should not fast for this long, since they need food approximately every four hours.
Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus, or sugar diabetes, is a commonly diagnosed disease in cats and ultimately affects all the organs. It develops in about 1 in 400 cats. It is due to inadequate production of insulin by the beta cells in the pancreas or inadequate response of the cells to insulin. Insulin is secreted directly into the circulation. It acts upon cell membranes, enabling glucose to enter the cells, where it is metabolized for energy. Without insulin, the body can’t utilize glucose. This results in elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). In diabetic cats, excess glucose is eliminated by the kidneys, producing frequent urination. There is a need to compensate for the increased urination by drinking unusual amounts of water.
Intestinal Upset/Diarrhea: If your cat is still eating, but has the symptoms of an upset stomach, the vet may recommend a temporary fast for her. You will want to make sure the food itself is not giving your feline friend a tummy ache, of course - salmonella can be present even in pet foods. If you do not feel comfortable having your pet fast, you may prefer to give smaller portions of food several times a day until the problem has disappeared. A cat should not go more than 24 hours without food, even while fasting. A kitten should not go more than four hours without food.
Skin Allergies: Despite the many different causes of skin allergies in cats, the symptoms of skin allergies are most often the same. The symptoms are usually seasonal, and they usually appear at a young age.The two most common symptoms of skin allergies in cats are continual licking and constant scratching. The licking is usually focused on areas which include the groin area, the base of the tail, and the sides.
Lymphosarcoma (Cancer of Lymph Node): Lymphoma is a type of malignant cancer, involving particular types of cells, called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are found in many organs in the body including the gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes (found all over the body), skin, liver, kidneys, spleen, nervous system, nose, bone marrow, etc. Basically everywhere in the body contains lymphocytes and so lymphoma is a tumor which can occur in any of these locations. Lymphoma is the most common type of tumor encountered in cats, and is seen relatively commonly.
Upper Respiratory Infection: By far, viruses are the most common causes of upper respiratory infections (URIs) in cats. Feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus account for 80 to 90 percent of all contagious upper respiratory problems, and are prevalent in shelters, catteries and multi-cat households. These viruses can be transmitted from cat to cat through sneezing, coughing, or while grooming or sharing food and water bowls. Once infected, cats can become carriers for life, and though they may not show clinical signs, they can still transmit the viruses to others. Cats often develop bacterial infections secondary to these common viral infections.
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