Common Cat Sicknesses And How To Properly Deal With Them

Cats are some of the most lovely pets you can have. Keeping a cat may sound like a good idea but it’s extremely difficult.

There’s a lot of responsibility on your shoulders when you decide to keep a pet.

Even though you may not be a vet, you should know some common illnesses and how to handle them properly. 

Your feline friend can get sick at any time, and so you should have the necessary knowledge to treat them.

It can be very advantageous to study cat illnesses if you’re a pet lover.

It can be of tremendous assistance during times when you can’t immediately get to a vet.

In this article, we’ll look at common cat illnesses and how to deal with them properly.

Parasites

Parasites are one of the major problems in cats.

Even though parasites can be prevented, they can do a lot of damage.

If your feline catches parasites, it’s going to undergo a variety of health problems and the consequences could be dire.

Parasites like intestinal worms and protozoa are a real menace.

They are responsible for weight loss and a swollen belly in cats.

They can also cause diarrhea and you may notice vomiting as well.

Fleas are ear mites and are also very troublesome.

However, they’re considered to be external parasites that can be taken care of easily.

If your cat is infested with fleas and ear mites, use a mild shampoo and a fine-toothed metal flea comb.

Using the flea comb on the hair is likely to be highly advantageous.

Moreover, you should regularly vacuum the bed to ensure you get rid of the parasite’s eggs. 

Upper Respiratory Infections

Upper respiratory infections resemble a common cold.

They’re actually one of the most common diseases in cats.

It is a bacterial infection that is usually caused when your cat comes into contact with the saliva of an infected cat.

Its symptoms include coughing and fever.

Most of the time, it’s also observed that the feline loses its appetite and starts to sneeze more often.

The first step to take in order to treat upper respiratory infections is to make use of a humidifier.

Moreover, you can also use steam bathroom treatments as they’re likely to break up any congestion present.

You should clean the cat’s nose and eyes of discharge frequently.

Another great tip is to add lysine to your feline’s diet plan.

This is because Lysine is said to have amazing antibacterial properties. 

Lower Urinary Tract Disease

This is also known as Pandora syndrome.

Urinary diseases are actually one of the most common diseases in cats.

Their symptoms typically include either difficulty in urinating or blood passing through urine.

Track inflammation can also occur and, if not treated properly, can damage the urinary tract which can be very dangerous.

The best remedy to overcome these diseases is to maintain a good diet.

Experts suggest that a wet diet that has a low pH is extremely beneficial in this case.

Even though the diets for urinary diseases are usually prescribed by vets, a urinary cat food non prescription substitute can also be useful.

There are plenty of them available in the market that works like a charm.

You can use them instead of going to a vet.

Cat Bite Wounds

Bite wounds can be problematic in cats.

They’re pretty common because animals like cats are naturally territorial.

It’s in their nature to fight whenever the need arises to defend their territory.

Cat bites are usually observed in males because they fight more frequently than the females.

If not treated in a timely manner, these wounds can become infected which could cause all sorts of additional problems.

To treat cat wounds, you need to check the cat’s entire body and wash any wounds you find using an antiseptic.

Moreover, treat the wound with antibiotics to avoid the occurrence of any infection.

If you’re unable to readily apply antibiotics, you’ll need to open the wound, drain it and then clean it with an antiseptic as soon as possible. 

There are a variety of common cat diseases and you should be equipped with enough knowledge to handle them.

Going to a vet is preferable,  but you should always be prepared to treat the most common problems yourself.

Bite wounds are pretty common, so it’s imperative that you have the know-how to take care of these wounds properly.

Other illnesses like diabetes and cancer are problems you can’t handle at home so going to the vet becomes a necessity.

Upper respiratory infections are pretty common and, if not treated appropriately,  they can also affect the lower respiratory system.