Do You Have a Sick Cat?

Dr. Phil Zeltzman is a mobile, board-certified surgeon in Allentown, PA. Find him online at www.DrPhilZeltzman.com. He is the co-author of “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” (www.WalkaHound.com). Katie Kegerise, a Certified Veterinary Technician in Reading, PA, contributed to this article! Do You Have a Sick Cat?

It’s always shocking to me when I see an extremely sick cat, while the owner has not noticed any overt signs of illness. It just happened twice in the last couple of weeks. Paris, a 6 year old kitty, had a gigantic (benign) cyst on his liver. It was easily the size of both your fists, putting pressure on all of his belly organs. And Paula, a 12 year old cat, had a kiwi-sized cancerous tumor along her small intestine. In both cases, the first signs of sickness were noticed just 2 days before the surgery occurred!

And I’m not referring to neglectful owners. No, I’m talking about good, concerned, caring owners who just didn’t or couldn’t notice very early or subtle hints that something was brewing inside. Why is it so tough to identify those signs? Possibly because cats have kept the ability to hide signs so well, that they sometimes go unnoticed.

Remember, when animals act sick in the wild, they get eaten. [Editor’s Note: Remember, bringing your cat in for regular checkups is your best way to ensure you’re catching problems as early as possible. Unfortunately, far too many cats go without, making it harder to impact the course of issues that occur.]

Let’s go over 10 common signs of illness in cats – although many of them also apply to dogs.

Change in appetite

Eating too much or too little can potentially signify disease. If you notice a change either way, you should notify your veterinarian. There are countless diseases that can cause overeating or losing one’s appetite. You veterinarian’s job will be to investigate why. This typically starts with blood work, X-rays and/or ultrasound.

Stinky breath

A foul odor coming from your kitty’s mouth can mean gum disease or tooth decay. Brushing your cat’s teeth is a good way to decrease those risks. Imagine if you went 5, 10 or 15 years without brushing your teeth! In addition, breath that smells like ammonia can be a sign of kidney disease.

Eliminating outside of the litter box

Causes of this annoying habit can be behavioral or indicate a disease. Discuss your pet’s symptoms with your veterinarian to rule out a bladder infection or urinary blockage before treating this as a behavior issue.

Weight change

Weight loss can be an indication of thyroid disease or worse, cancer. Weight gain or a growing belly can be related to various conditions such as pyometra (a uterus full of pus). Obesity by itself is detrimental to your pet’s health: it can lead to arthritis, tumors and a shorter lifespan.

Behavior change

If your normally social kitty suddenly becomes antisocial, there may be a medical reason. A classic sign of illness is hiding: kitty feels bad, tries to hide from “predators” and hides in a closet or under a bed.

Grooming change

Lack of grooming can cause a dull or greasy hair coat, which can indicate skin disease or other problems. Some cats over-groom and end up with bald patches. Skin parasites, like fleas or mange, or even stress can cause this behavior.

Activity change

A sudden increase in activity level in a middle-aged to older kitty can indicate an overactive thyroid. If your kitty seems less than enthusiastic about moving around or playing, it may indicate arthritis or other issues.

Sleep pattern change

If your cat seems to sleep all day when he used to be active, he may be trying to tell you he doesn’t feel well. The opposite is also true. If your kitty is up all night roaming the house, vocalizing, or seems overactive during the day, there might be an underlying cause.

Stress-induced behavior

A change in your cat’s routine may be a sign of stress. Changes in the environment your pet lives in, like the addition of another pet, remodeling or loud noises can all cause hiding, depression or a lack of appetite. Be objective and thorough when describing any potential changes to your veterinarian.

Voice change

Voice changes can actually indicate a problem. Normally quiet cats with an increase in vocalizations, or a usually chatty kitty which suddenly becomes quiet, might mean trouble.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Photo credit: (Unsplash)