1. Vomiting and Diarrhoea
Every cat vomits every now and then and a common cause can be the expulsion of a hairball.
However, if your cat vomits more than once a week or shows other signs such as weakness, fatigue or decreased appetite then book a visit to the vets to get it checked out.
Vomiting can be divided into sudden onset vomiting or chronic ongoing vomiting.
The stomach reacts to lots of different diseases or conditions.
Causes of sudden onset vomiting can include ingestion of poisonous plants, poisonous material, rancid cat food, ingestion of an object which blocks the gut, an infection or inflammation of the pancreas.
Causes of chronic vomiting can include inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease or food allergies.
Diarrhoea in cats can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, worms, reaction to certain foods or poisons.
The gut reacts to lots of different diseases outside the intestines and diarrhoea can be caused by hyperthyroidism, kidney disease or lymphoma. All of these need to be investigated.
2. Bladder Problems
Common signs:
- Difficult or painful urination
- Vocalising while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Frequently urinating
- Urinating in inappropriate places
If your cat is displaying any of the above signs then your fluff ball may be suffering from Feline lower urinary tract disease or FLUTD.
Common causes are
- Idiopathic Cystitis
- Urolithiasis
- Urethral Blockage
Call into us if your cat is experiencing any bladder problems.
3. Skin Issues
The main causes of skin issues in cats include allergies, acne, abscesses and fleas.
Your cat may show any of the following signs:
- Itching, licking or chewing the fur
- Hair loss
- Redness or swelling of the skin
- Swelling, bumps or scabs in the fur or on the skin
4. Bite Wounds
Bite wounds followed sometimes by formation of an abscess is a relatively common condition in cats. Most often seen in outdoor male cats.
You may see a sore discharging swelling on your cat or you may just see that your cat is off form.
5. Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the continuous loss of function of the kidney. The kidneys are important for filtering waste from the blood. Cats suffering from this condition can show a variety of signs. The most common early sign is a thirst for water or drinking lots of water. They can also look lethargic or unkempt, suffer from anaemia, mouth inflammation or weight loss. This condition is generally a chronic disease of older cats.
It is a disease that can’t be cured, but can be managed with diet and medication.