Animal Health
Don’t write off your cat’s odd behavior as attention-seeking; it can possibly be a cry for help! Pay attention to these warning signals of probable health problems.
To provide your pet the best care possible, you must consider factors more than feeding and environmental enrichment. You must also be aware of any indications you shouldn’t ignore. If you observe your cat’s behavior and take the time to get to know his preferences and routines, you might be able to identify issues earlier. And it’s important to remember this because some medical diseases might progress quickly or may not immediately exhibit symptoms.
Cats can exhibit a variety of symptoms.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that the severity of your pet’s symptoms may vary, and some may be easier to recognize than others.
There are some rather obvious symptoms that point to health problems, such a lump that won’t go away, difficulty using the bathroom, or frequent vomiting or diarrhea. You are aware that certain conditions call for a visit to the veterinarian. There are other, less obvious warning signs, though, that suggest something may be wrong. You should normally be aware of these signs in case they manifest.
Again, getting to know your cat well and spending a lot of time with him may help you recognize when he might not be feeling well. Don’t just give your cat food and give him a couple brief scratches and pats. Instead, get to know his daily schedule, such as how frequently and how long he likes to snooze, where in the house he like to hang out, and how active, hungry, and how much he weighs. In this way, if you observe that your cat is acting differently than usual, you can investigate more to determine what might be the source of the changes.
Remember that the sooner you start looking into the cause of your pet’s diseases or behavioral changes, no matter how little, the sooner you can take steps to improve his health. This provides even another justification for the appropriateness of getting to know a person’s cat better on an individual basis.
Unusual Symptoms and Signs That Must Be Addressed Immediately
As you’ll see below, some of the signs that your cat might be experiencing a health problem are quite strange. Consult your veterinarian if your cat isn’t acting like himself to make sure your pet doesn’t need any medical attention to get better.
If your cat exhibits any of the following disease symptoms, you must take him to the clinic right soon. It is crucial to get your cat the appropriate diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible because these symptoms could indicate a more serious problem.
Holding the head down
Obsessively pounding your head against a wall or other object without obvious cause is an indication of head pressing. This means that it’s feasible for your cat to recline his head against the wall and remain there for a while. As soon as a cat exhibits this unusual symptom, it should be examined by a veterinarian because it often indicates damage to the nervous system.
Various conditions that damage the thalamus and forebrain, such as toxic poisoning, might result in head pressure. Other causes include metabolic disorders like hyponatremia or hypernatremia, diseases of the neurological system like rabies or a fungal infection, tumors in the pet’s brain or other parts of the body, and tumors. The culprit could potentially be a brain injury.
It is critical to understand that head pressure may be accompanied by other symptoms when prosencephalon is to blame. Convulsions, visual issues, slowed reflexes, behavioral issues, excessive circling or pacing, and even paw sores are among them. Your cat could sustain head and face injuries if he presses his head against something for an extended period of time.
Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your cat and determine the cause of the head pressure so that the right course of action can be performed.
Hanging my head over the water bowl, I’m not drinking
Your cat should be able to easily sip water from his bowl. It is important to take your cat to the doctor if you notice that he is not drinking from his water bowl as usual because this could be a sign of diabetes or a kidney condition. Avoid dismissing this as your cat acting a little oddly. Instead, seek confirmation from your vet to ensure that your pet is healthy.
Why not just ignore this symptom? Your cat is probably very thirsty and wants to drink, but he also feels ill or queasy and is unable to do so when acting in this way. Your veterinarian will be able to examine your pet and determine the cause of the behavior, allowing you to start giving the proper meds right away.
Increased thirst and urination
It’s important to stay adequately hydrated for both your personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of your cat. In light of this, you should constantly ensure that your pet has easy access to clean, fresh water in case he gets thirsty during the day or at night. If you haven’t already, you can consider providing your cat with a high-quality, hydrating wet food. Additionally, watch your cat’s water intake and watch for any signs of excessive thirst or urine.
In order to spot any differences, try to recall how much water and pee your cat typically consumes and excretes. It might be a little difficult. If you do notice any changes, consult your veterinarian as soon as you can because these symptoms may point to a medical problem that needs urgent care.
Because these habits are associated with diabetes and kidney disease, both of which are progressive and call for quick medical attention, you shouldn’t ignore the signals that your cat is drinking and urinating more frequently than usual. Other congenital problems, such as psychological issues or a reduction in the production of steroids by the pet’s adrenal glands, can also cause these symptoms.
It’s critical to have your pet examined in order to rule out dangerous problems. Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether your cat’s increased thirst and urination are brought on by aging, a low-protein diet, or medications that your cat is taking.
Consult with a veterinarian if you believe your cat is experiencing a problem
Along with keeping an eye on your cat’s weight, appetite, and behavior, it’s important to keep an eye out for the symptoms mentioned above because they could be the first indications that something is wrong and that your pet needs to be seen by a vet right away in order to receive treatment to get better.
Ultimately, you should take your pet to the clinic if anything seems off or different because even seemingly insignificant changes can indicate serious health problems.
