If you are new cat owner you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be genetic, while others can easily be prevented.
Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and repeating problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems putting on weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can be fatal if they are left without treatment.
Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. Occasionally, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. When your cat begins coughing and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting finally, most cats can dislodge hairballs with no problems.
In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be dangerous for your cat’s life if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you observe any of these symptoms, you should take him to the veterinarian at once. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to get rid of loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs.
Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that have not been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. An additional symptom is when the cat’s urine begins to smell very strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.
Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is extremely contagious.
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.
how can i wash my new kitten its got fleas but can we wash the kitten in and wat with wats the best things to use to get rid of them please help
Hello Mark, the best thing you could do is watch this video on how to get rid of cat fleas. I think if you also subscribe to the site a guide on cat fleas will be sent to you.