Most of us really love taking care of our cat and we consider it to be both a privilege and a responsibility. When our cat is healthy, they often provide much more for us in the way of love than we could ever hope to give them in return. At the same time, however, there are going to be times when it is necessary to care for the cat under less than ideal circumstances. When they get sick, they are looking to us to provide the care they need.
First of all, it is a good idea to know how to recognize when your cat is sick. Most of us will be able to tell if things aren’t quite right but there may also be some telltale signs that a problem is taking place.
Changes in behavior – This may manifest itself in many ways and may also be associated with their appearance as well. Look for subtle changes as well as big changes in their appetite, sleeping habits or the way they use the litter box. Although it isn’t always a sign that your cat is sick, it can help to alert you to a problem.
Symptoms – The issue may also show up in various symptoms; some subtle, others severe. Problems such as vomiting, diarrhea or listlessness may be the result of an illness or an internal parasite. They may also get up slowly from a laying position or could act disoriented. If your cat has any unusual symptoms, they are worth looking into.
Watch for specific problems – Sometimes, your cat may show specific problems that are possible to diagnose at home. These could include coughing up hairballs, scratching from fleas or drinking excessively because of feline diabetes. If you see any of these specific problems, take appropriate action.
What is you see an issue and you don’t know the right course to take? There are some over the counter medications for cats that may help under certain circumstances but they might not always be appropriate for every cat. That is why it is important to have a veterinarian on call and to make the call if needed.
veterinarians are able to handle specific problems and can diagnose the issue when things just don’t seem right. Many people avoid make the call to the veterinarian because they think it is either too expensive or perhaps is too much of a hassle. In some cases, however, having them checked out could help to correct an issue before it becomes too much of a problem.
In the end, it is our responsibility to ensure that our cat is well cared for. Be sure to take the time to do so and you will find that you have a happy, healthy cat on your hands.