Jak zjistit a léčit nemoc u vaší kočky pomozte zajistit dlouhý a šťastný život. Zobrazit více obrázky koček . Někteří lidé mají představu, že zvířata přenášejí všechny druhy nebezpečných nemocí. Některé z těchto obav jsou opodstatněné, zejména mezi divokými nebo exotickými zvířaty. Ale pravdou je, že není mnoho vážných nemocí, které můžete chytit od domácího zvířete – a zvláště ne od domácího mazlíčka. Jinak by z toho nebyli moc dobří mazlíčci, že? Existují však některá onemocnění, která mohou být pro vaši kočku velmi vážná. V tomto článku zhodnotíme a poskytneme léčbu různých nemocí koček v následujících částech:
Než půjdeme dále, existuje několik mýtů, které je třeba uklidit. Existuje několik nemocí koček, které mají názvy, které znějí trochu příliš blízko k některým velmi vážným lidským nemocem. Virus kočičí leukémie (FeLV) způsobuje leukémii... pouze u koček a u koček. FeLV nezpůsobuje u lidí leukémii a ani nemůže žít v lidském těle. Neexistuje žádné nebezpečí, že by z FeLV-pozitivní kočky její majitel onemocněl.
Virus kočičí imunodeficience (FIV) zní velmi podobně jako virus lidské imunodeficience (HIV), virus spojený s AIDS. To není náhoda:FIV a HIV patří do stejné třídy virů, ale tím podobnosti končí. FIV neinfikuje lidi a nemůže způsobit lidský AIDS. Někteří lidé - a dokonce i někteří veterináři - nazývají FIV "kočičí AIDS" jako rychlý způsob, jak popsat, co virus dělá. Bohužel název jen přidává na zmatku. AIDS je lidská nemoc a FIV je nemoc koček.
Je zde také prakticky žádná šance, že se nachlazení vaší kočky přenese na vás – nebo, když na to přijde, že vaše nachlazení přejde na ni. Viry, které u koček obvykle způsobují kýchání, kašel a rýmu z nosu a očí, lidi neinfikují.
Kočky mohou onemocnět stejnými nemocemi jako lidé:cukrovkou, artritidou, srdečními chorobami a rakovinou. Ale protože žádná z těchto nemocí není nakažlivá, neexistuje způsob, jak je od své kočky chytit.
Obecně jsou kočky považovány za méně nebezpečné než psi (nevidíte žádné příběhy na titulní stránce o krutém Siamce, který ukousl paži nějakému chudákovi doručovateli) a jejich pověst čistotnosti vyvolává dojem, že nenesou žádné nemoci vůbec. Ale ve skutečnosti by většina veterinářů raději čelila vzteklému psovi než rozzlobené kočce. (Kočky vás mohou kousnout a seknout všemi čtyřmi nohami.) A existuje několik věcí, které můžete od své kočky chytit. Zde jsou některé z nemocí lidí a koček, o kterých byste měli vědět:
Blechy. Tento malý odolný hmyz kousne teplokrevné živočichy a jejich krev používá k jídlu. Blechy jsou tak maličké, že jediné kousnutí je sotva patrné (pokud vy nebo vaše kočka nejste alergičtí, v tom případě to svědí jako blázen). Plně rozvinuté zamoření blechami však může zvířeti odebrat tolik krve, že se stane anemickým.
Naštěstí pro nás blechy preferují vyšší tělesnou teplotu koček a psů před našimi 98,6 stupni Fahrenheita. Ale hladová blecha v bouři vezme jakýkoli přístav a blecha skočí z infikované kočky na koberce, závěsy, nábytek a později na vás, aby si rychle svačila.
Existují určité obavy, že nemoci přenášené krví by mohly být přenášeny blechami, ale to by znamenalo, že blecha, která vás kousne, by musela kousnout jinou osobu s krví přenosnou chorobou, což je možné, ale vysoce nepravděpodobné. Největším nebezpečím blech je obtěžování a svědění kousnutí.
Klíšťata. Jedná se také o krev sající hmyz. Klíšťata jsou poněkud větší než blechy, zvláště když se přisají k hostiteli a nabobtnají. Stejně jako blechy ani klíšťata neopustí vaši kočku tak pravděpodobně kvůli vám, ale může se to stát. Také, pokud vaše kočka byla někde, kde se klíšťata poflakovala, je pravděpodobné, že jste tam byli také, nebo je vaše kočka přinesla domů. Opět je nejčastějším problémem mrzutost. Klíšťata však mohou přenášet dvě závažná onemocnění:horečku Skalistých hor a lymskou boreliózu.
Nejlepší ochranou proti oběma těmto nemocem je rychlé a úplné odstranění klíštěte. Několik generací skautů se učilo, že nejlepším způsobem, jak odstranit klíště, je vypálit jeho vějíř cigaretou nebo doutnající hlavičkou zápalky. No, kromě toho, že skauti by neměli kouřit, strategie vystěhování není nejlepší volbou.
Nejlepší způsob, jak klíště odstranit, je pomocí pinzety klíště uchopit co nejblíže k linii kůže. Vytáhněte ji rovně, pevně, ale jemně, pomalým, rovnoměrným tlakem. To by mělo odstranit celé klíště - včetně hlavy. Klíšťata jsou velmi odolná, takže je vhoďte do malé lahvičky s lihem, abyste se ujistili, že jsou mrtvá (a uchovali je pro vašeho veterináře, pokud vaše kočka vykazuje známky nemoci). Poté, jakmile klíště odstraníte, potřete oblast lokální antiseptickou nebo antibiotickou mastí.
Červi. Tito malí lidé mohou žít ve vašem trávicím traktu, aniž byste si uvědomili, že se usadili. Červi se dají vychytat neopatrnou manipulací s bednami a zeminou, kterou kočky použily jako podestýlku. Děti jsou zvláště ohroženy sběrem červů tímto způsobem.
Červy je často těžké odhalit, protože žijí uvnitř těla. Tipem je obvykle nějaký trávicí problém, který nezmizí a nemá žádné jiné vysvětlení. Je také dobré vzít vzorek stolice vašeho mazlíčka k veterináři na mikroskopické vyšetření červů a vajíček červů. Červy lze léčit rychle a bezpečně, jakmile jsou diagnostikováni.
Rykožrout. Tohle vlastně vůbec není červ. Je to houba, která se usídlí na kůži a způsobuje lysé, šupinaté skvrny, které jsou obvykle lemovány červeným prstencem. Kočky jsou známé tím, že jsou asymptomatickými přenašeči kožního onemocnění, což jednoduše znamená, že mohou přenést houbu do vašeho domova (a na vás), aniž by samy vykazovaly jakékoli známky. Samozřejmě, mnoho koček také vykazuje známky.
Ať už vaše kočka vykazuje známky nebo vy (nebo vy oba), s největší pravděpodobností budete muset ošetřit celý dům a také všechny kočky v domácnosti. Spory kožního onemocnění mohou přežívat v zákoutích vašeho domova celé měsíce. Léčba může zahrnovat dezinfekci vašeho domova, topické masti nebo vody na šupinatá místa, namáčení nebo koupele pro vaši kočku a perorální léky.
Vzteklina. Tohle je seriózní záležitost. Vzteklina je smrtelné onemocnění. A co víc, jakmile se nemoc prosadí, nedá se mnoho udělat pro její zastavení. Nejlepší obranou proti vzteklině je silný útok. Vnitřní kočka nemá téměř žádnou šanci být vystavena vzteklině, ale nejbezpečnější je dát kočce vakcínu proti vzteklině a udržovat ji aktuální. Vzteklina se přenáší kousnutím nebo škrábnutím infikovaným zvířetem, takže pokaždé, když se venkovní kočka poškrábe s jinou kočkou nebo se zaplete s místní zvěří, existuje šance, že se jí nakazí.
Vzteklina napadá všechna teplokrevná zvířata, včetně lidí. Jakékoli kousnutí nebo škrábnutí od zvířete – dokonce i takové, které znáte a které je aktuální s injekcemi proti vzteklině – by mělo být považováno za potenciálně nebezpečné. Vyhledání lékařské péče v případě kočičího kousnutí nebo vážného škrábnutí není nikdy přehnanou reakcí.
Nemoc z kočičího škrábnutí (také označovaná jako horečka z kočičího škrábání). Někteří lidé trvají na tom, že horečka z kočičího škrábání je mýtus, ale ve skutečnosti je to lékařsky prokázaná nemoc. Kočičí škrábance a kousnutí se mohou doslova přes noc proměnit ve vážné infekce. Zvláštní pozornost vyžaduje kočičí kousnutí. Kousnutí nebo vážné škrábance důkladně omyjte a požádejte o radu svého lékaře. Možná budete potřebovat přeočkování proti tetanu nebo injekci antibiotik, abyste zabránili infekci.
Toxoplazmóza. Toxoplasma gondii je prvokový parazit (jednobuněčný organismus), který může způsobit neurologické onemocnění u lidí. Tento prvok prochází stolicí infikovaných koček, které je zase chytí od infikovaných zvířat, která zabili a snědli. Kočky jsou tím, čemu se říká primární přenašeč organismu toxoplazmy, což znamená, že životní cyklus parazita závisí na tom, zda stráví alespoň trochu času v těle kočky.
Kočky obvykle nevykazují mnoho příznaků, když jsou infikovány toxoplazmózou - a osoba, která ji zachytí, obvykle také ne. Mohou se objevit mírné příznaky, které jsou vydávány za nachlazení nebo chřipku, ale to je obvykle vše. Dvě hlavní výjimky jsou lidé s oslabeným imunitním systémem (například někdo na chemoterapii nebo člověk s AIDS) a těhotné ženy.
Snad až 70 procent dospělých se toxoplazmózou již nakazilo a nyní jsou imunní. Ačkoli jsou kočky primárním přenašečem tohoto parazita – a teoreticky je možné nakazit toxoplazmózu z neopatrné manipulace s odpadkovými boxy nebo vdechováním spor toxoplazmy při čištění odpadkového boxu – většina lidí dostane toxoplazmózu kopáním v nečistotách kontaminovaných kočičími výkaly nebo manipulace nebo konzumace syrového nebo nedostatečně tepelně upraveného masa.
To jsou základní nemoci, kterých se musíte obávat. V další části vám ukážeme včasné varovné signály, že se vaše kočka nakazila nebezpečnou nemocí.
"Vpředu varován je předpažen," říká staré dobré lidové přísloví. V trochu méně květnatých termínech to jednoduše znamená, že pokud víte, co očekávat – nebo co hledat – budete lépe připraveni zvládnout, cokoli vám přijde do cesty.
Můžeme zjistit, zda se člověk cítí špatně podle výrazu obličeje...nebo proto, že je jedním z těch lidí, kteří vám rádi vyprávějí o každé malé bolesti a bolesti. No, kočičí kůže je celá pokrytá srstí, má jen pár výrazů obličeje a nemůže mluvit, takže je na vás, abyste poznali jemné - a ne tak jemné - známky toho, že by se něco mohlo stát. špatně.
Kdykoli něco není s vaší kočkou v pořádku, obvykle se objeví včasné varovné signály. Bohužel, známky mohou být tak nepatrné, když se poprvé objeví, můžete je snadno přehlédnout. Jindy si můžete všimnout něčeho trochu jiného na své kočce, ale vypadá to neškodně - a dokonce roztomilé. Mějte na paměti, že včasné varovné signály mohou narůstat tak pomalu po tak dlouhou dobu, že v době, kdy si jich všimnete, již nejsou včasnými varováními.
Když máte nemocnou kočku, není nic horšího než 20/20 zpětného pohledu - ten hrozný pocit, že nevidíte, že něco přichází, když tam byly všechny signály. Abychom vás toho všeho ušetřili, uvádíme několik důležitých věcí, na které byste si měli dát pozor:
Změny v chování. Stala se vaše obvykle přátelská kočka v poslední době náladovější, plachější nebo nedůtklivá kvůli tomu, že se nechala hladit? Nebo se vaše obvykle náladová nebo plachá kočka stala znatelně přátelštější? Jakákoli změna osobnosti u kočky může být signálem rozvíjejícího se zdravotního problému koček.
Nové chování nebo zvýšená frekvence chování mohou být také včasným varováním, jako například kočka, která nikdy nepila z kohoutku, se náhle naučila trik nebo „svědivá“ kočka, která si častěji škrábe nebo tře uši. Podobně, pokud se vaše kočka zdá žíznivější (pije častěji nebo delší dobu), mohla by vám říct, že má problém s ledvinami, ranou cukrovku nebo jednoduše, že je v domě příliš sucho.
Víte, je důležité zde zdůraznit, že tato včasná varování týkající se chování jsou přesně taková:varování. Nemusí nutně znamenat, že je s vaší kočkou vážný problém, že má něco, co by se mohlo rozvinout ve vážný problém, nebo dokonce, že s ní není vůbec něco v pořádku. Pokud zaznamenáte včasné varovné znamení, jen blíže sledujte svou kočku, abyste viděli, zda varovný signál přetrvává nebo se zhoršuje.
Zavolejte co nejdříve svému veterináři a prodiskutujte, co jste viděli. Váš veterinář vám může navrhnout domluvení schůzky na vyšetření nebo se jen zeptat na pár otázek a dát vám nějaké další vodítka, na které byste si měli dávat pozor.
Pamatujte, že jakákoli změna chování může být významná, bez ohledu na to, jak nepatrná nebo nedůležitá se může zdát. Být dobrým hlídačem koček vám nejen pomůže včas zachytit vznikající zdravotní problémy – když mají největší šanci na úspěšnou léčbu – může vám to dát hlubší uznání za krásné a komplexní chování koček.
Změna vzhledu. Zdá se vám, že je v dnešní době vaší kočky o něco méně? Nebo snad trochu víc? Za předpokladu, že její strava a chuť k jídlu jsou stejné, přírůstek nebo ztráta hmotnosti vám může napovědět, že se v těle vaší kočky děje něco potenciálně vážnějšího. Zdají se jí vlasy řidší? Hrubší? Ztratilo zdravý lesk? Matná srst, nadměrné vypadávání srsti nebo suchá, hrubá nebo křehká srst jsou také důležitými příznaky možných zdravotních problémů.
Samozřejmě, že změny vzhledu jsou přirozené s postupujícím věkem, včetně určité ztráty tělesného objemu nebo poněkud zanedbanější srsti. Ale i tyto normální změny jsou důležitými signály; říkají, že teď máte starší kočku, jejíž potřeby se budou měnit spolu s jejím tělem.
Změny chuti k jídlu a vylučování. Kočky jsou známé tím, že jsou vybíravé jedlíky. Ale ve skutečnosti lakomost není normální součástí chování koček. Obecně platí, že kočky budou ohrnovat nos nad jídlem ze stejných tří důvodů jako děti:Nechutná to dobře; čekají na něco lepšího (a vědí, že to dostanou, když odmítnou to, co jim bylo dáno); nebo se necítí dobře.
Pokud vaše kočka stále jedla stejnou stravu, pak náhle ztratí nadšení, nepředpokládejte, že ji právě omrzelo stejné staré jídlo. Pokud můžeme jíst stejné snídaňové cereálie nebo si každé ráno dát stejnou kávu a dánské pečivo, není důvod, proč by se vaše kočka nemohla spokojit se stejným jídelníčkem každý den. Odejít od jídla (nebo, když na to přijde, dostat žravý hlad) je další způsob, jak vám vaše kočka dá vědět, že se necítí dobře.
Vzhledem k tomu, že kočky používají podestýlku, nemusíte si hned všimnout změny ve vylučovacích návycích. Ač se to může zdát nepříjemné, je dobré si být alespoň vědomi toho, co z kočičího steliva nabíráte nebo vysypáváte. Výrazné zvýšení nebo snížení moči nebo stolice, přítomnost krve nebo hlenu nebo zvláště štiplavý zápach (když byla krabice nedávno vyčištěna), to vše jsou varování před možnými problémy.
Podobně vám posílá zprávu kočka, která je vycvičená na odpadkové koše, ale najednou se zdá, že zapomíná. Může to být behaviorální, stresová nebo environmentální záležitost, ale může to být také vyvoláno červy, infekcí močového měchýře nebo jinými potenciálně vážnými problémy.
Často je těžké určit, zda je změna striktně v chování, vzhledu nebo chuti k jídlu a vylučování. Například přecházení po podlaze může být považováno buď za změnu chování, nebo za známku hyperaktivní štítné žlázy, a kočka, která si odškrábala chlupy, má změnu vzhledu, která může pocházet ze změny chování. A co víc, ke změnám může dojít v průběhu dnů, týdnů nebo měsíců – nebo se mohou objevit z jednoho okamžiku na druhý.
Náhlé nebo náhlé změny si všimnete snadněji. Dlouhé změny se časem sčítají, obvykle tak pomalu, že je zachytíme, až když udělají nějaký významný pokrok.
Vraťme se jako příklad k cukrovce. Kočka, u níž se rozvíjí cukrovka, bude pít více a bude častěji chodit na podestýlku a produkovat větší objemy moči. Bylo by téměř nemožné si všimnout, že vaše kočka udělá v průběhu týdne jen jednu cestu navíc k misce s vodou nebo toaletě, a stále by to bylo poměrně obtížné, i když se každý den zvýší na jednu cestu navíc. A dokonce i několik dalších výletů za den vám může uniknout, zvláště proto, že kočky jsou noční a většina dalších přestávek na vodu nebo odpadky může nastat, když spíte.
V době, kdy si říkáte:"Jé, zdá se, že ta kočka tráví spoustu času u misky na vodu nebo bedny na odpadky," je pravděpodobně na úrovni několika extra-výletů za den. Musíte pracovat na tréninku, abyste si všimli každodenních návyků svého mazlíčka, abyste mohli zjistit a nahlásit jakékoli jemné a postupné změny svému veterináři.
Nyní, když jste si všimli problému s vaší kočkou, musíte se nyní rozhodnout, zda je to problém, který můžete vyřešit doma, nebo zda potřebujete pomoc svého veterináře. V další části vám nabídneme několik tipů, jak se rozhodnout.
Včasná varování vám samozřejmě nepřinesou nic dobrého, pokud s nimi něco neuděláte. You should check out any indicators of potential health problems with your vet as soon as possible, just to be sure. But there are other times when a call to the vet -- or a trip straight to the animal hospital -- is a right-this-minute priority.
Any emergency situation. The common sense definition of a veterinary emergency is when you would call the doctor for yourself if it happened to you. Emergencies where you should take a cat to the vet would therefore include:
Any symptom that persists more than 48 hours or worsens (even a relatively mild one). Let's say you notice your cat has started sneezing a lot. It could be that she just crawled into a dusty nook somewhere, or it could be the start of a feline cold. If the sneezing doesn't go away after several hours, the cold begins to look like the more likely choice. If your cat is still sneezing a lot by the second day, it's pretty clear it's not going away by itself any time soon and it's time to call the vet.Of course, if any symptom worsens suddenly or interferes with your cat's breathing, eating, drinking, walking, or elimination, don't wait 48 hours. Call the vet immediately.Now that you know the fundamentals of cat disease, we will start to get into the particulars. We will begin in the next section with discussion of cats with asthma.
Asthma is a chronic breathing problem. Both cats and people suffer from it, but it isn't contagious. An asthmatic cat (or person) has bouts of extremely difficult breathing called asthma attacks. An asthma attack is fairly easy to spot; you'll notice rapid, open-mouthed breathing accompanied by wheezing and often by forced exhalations.
Because breathing is so severely restricted during an asthma attack, the cat's gums and tongue may take on a bluish color. (Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or CPR to a cat having an asthma attack.)
Asthma often develops from another breathing problem called allergic bronchitis. This is pretty much what it sounds like:The airways in the cat's lungs get inflamed as the result of an allergic reaction to inhaled germs, dust (including dust from litter), wood smoke, and other irritants.
Usually the cat has no other major signs of illness, a normal temperature, and continues to eat well. The only telltale sign is that she just has fits of deep, moist-sounding coughing. If the allergic bronchitis goes untreated or the source of the allergy isn't removed, the lungs can be permanently damaged, resulting in emphysema and asthma. Once the damage is done, even removing the original cause or causes of the allergic bronchitis won't make asthma go away.
Recently, some studies have been done on the effects of secondhand smoke on pets. The news is about what you'd expect:Secondhand smoke isn't particularly good for your cat. Cats with asthma or other breathing problems suffer more from secondhand smoke. Remember, asthma is related to allergies, so anything that irritates the air passages of the lungs -- including cigarette smoke -- can trigger an asthma attack.
Reduce stress. Stress makes allergies and asthma worse. Right about now you're saying to yourself, "Stress? What the heck kind of stress does a cat have?" That's a fair question. They certainly don't have to worry about paying bills or where their next meal is coming from. (Those are your stresses, actually.) They don't have job pressures or deadlines to meet. Heck, they don't even have to think about what they're going to wear every day.
Cats have stress that we like to call "domestication stress" or "family stress." You see, cats weren't originally designed and built to live among humans. They've done a superb job of adapting, but no matter how independent and primal your cat seems, she's still having to deal with the human world and human civilization every single day. And that gets tough. Giving her plenty of options to do cat things such as run, climb, stalk (preferably another cat), bat things around, hide, and nap in secluded spots helps her cope.
If the stress level goes up in your life or in your household, it goes up in your cat's life, too. She can't understand why things are getting tense -- she just knows people are moving and sounding anxious. Remember, "stress" doesn't just mean negative things; positive events carry stress, too. In fact, probably the worst kind of stress for a cat is change.
A new baby, for instance, is not only a time for great joy but also for great change -- and the stresses that go with that. For you, those stresses mean less sleep (or none at all), a change in lifestyle, and an extra mouth to feed. For your cat, it means some strange new animal, who makes odd noises, smells funny, and doesn't do much, suddenly takes all the human attention away from her!
Clear the air. Secondhand smoke isn't the only thing that can make asthma worse. Even things that we think make our home more pleasant can be a no-no for a cat with bronchitis or asthma. Perfumes, room fresheners, deodorizers, and even scented litters or litter additives can trigger allergy and asthma attacks.
Likewise, the fumes from paints, cleaners, varnishes, and new carpeting are actually chemical irritants that create problems for the asthmatic cat. Use natural objects, such as flowers, eucalyptus sprigs, and fresh floral potpourri, to provide a fresh scent to a room instead of sprays or solids that contain chemicals. Use strong-smelling paints, stains, cleaners, and solvents in well-ventilated rooms, and keep the cat out until the smell goes away. And put out those smokes.
It's a good idea to use plain, natural, unscented litter and to stay away from deodorizers you add to the litter. Also the dust from the litter itself irritates the lungs and can cause attacks in asthmatic cats. Some natural litters -- like the ones made of recycled paper -- have virtually no dust at all. To cut down on dust from clay litters, pour them slowly, keeping the opening of the bag just a few inches from the litter box.
Wetter is better. Dry air dries out the lining of your cat's air passages, encouraging coughing and making your cat more vulnerable to infection and allergic reactions. Be sure to have a good humidifier going, especially in winter, during heating season, and in arid areas of the country. There's an added bonus to this remedy:You will also be less likely to have as many coughs, stuffy noses, and colds in the air if your home is kept properly moist.
Moderation in all things. A sedentary cat is more prone to health problems, but a cat who already has asthma can have a severe attack if she exerts herself too much. On the other hand, if she barely exerts at all, her breathing will be more labored because her heart and lungs aren't fit. Plus, she'll probably gain weight, and the heavier the cat, the more trouble she'll have with her asthma.
Stick to the right amount of a high-quality, healthy diet; cut out the snacks and treats; and make sure your cat stays active. Get her a feline playmate and a good supply of toys. Be certain to play with her yourself, but keep the play sessions short and low-impact.
Any full-blown asthma attack is a medical emergency, which means your cat needs immediate veterinary medical care. Likewise, if your cat gasps for air, collapses, or turns blue in the gums and tongue, don't wait to take her to the animal hospital. Milder signs (such as noisy breath, occasional and intermittent wheezing or moist coughs, or slightly labored breathing after exertion) aren't emergencies, but you should get your cat to the vet as soon as possible. They could be caused by something other than allergies. And if it is bronchitis or the start of asthma, your vet may be able to give your cat medication that can prevent the danger and fright of a full-blown attack.
DANGER LEVEL: Dangerous; a severe asthma attack can be fatal.
In the next section, we will examine how to treat your cat if she has urinary tract disease.
A cat's bladder can become inflamed because of infection or irritation. Cystitis most often happens as part of a collection of bladder and urinary problems commonly called feline urological syndrome (FUS) or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
Attacks of cystitis or FUS (which includes cystitis, along with inflammation of the urinary tract and the formation of stones or sand in the bladder) are announced by bloody urine, frequent urination of small amounts, litter box accidents, spraying, excessive licking of the urinary opening, straining in the litter box, and possibly tenderness of the lower abdomen.
The pH of a cat's urine -- how acidic or alkaline it is -- has a lot to do with cystitis and FUS. If the cat's urine is alkaline, it's much easier for urinary crystals to form. These crystals in turn form gritty "sand" or small stones that irritate the lining of the bladder and can plug up the urinary opening in male cats, which is an extremely serious problem.
Serious complications of cystitis and FUS show up most often in adult male cats. The first flare-up usually occurs when the cat is fairly young, and repeat bouts can pop up for the rest of his life. That having been said, don't think that just because you have an older or female cat that you're in the clear:Urinary tract problems can strike any cat.
Food for thought. Most experts agree that many factors, including diet, contribute to a cat's susceptibility to developing FUS. Plant-based cat foods tend to make a cat's urine more alkaline (higher pH), which encourages the formation of crystals and stones and is a more hospitable environment for bacteria. Some commercial dry cat foods seem to have the same effect on urinary pH. As a result, cats who develop cystitis or FUS should only eat dry foods recommended by a veterinarian or stick to prescription dry food specially formulated for cats with bladder problems.
Your vet may also suggest a urinary acidifier to add to your cat's diet, making sure the pH of his urine stays low enough to prevent bladder stones, or may recommend a special diet formulated to dissolve crystals or stones in the bladder.
Magnesium is an important trace nutrient that every cat needs. Unfortunately, some commercial cat foods provide it in a form that also encourages crystals to form in the cat's urine, which can lead to bladder stones and, which, in turn, can cause a urinary obstruction. A quality commercial canned food is usually relatively low in magnesium, easy to digest, produces more acidic urine, and provides more fluid intake.
Water, water everywhere. The body is an amazing thing:If it doesn't have enough of something it needs, it finds a way to get it. If a cat isn't drinking enough, his body will find a way to conserve and reclaim water. One way is by reabsorbing water from the urine, making it more concentrated. The urinary tract lining in cats that have already had a bout of cystitis or FUS is particularly sensitive, and concentrated urine can trigger additional attacks.
Make sure your cat has constant access to plenty of clean, fresh water. Watch for your cat's drinking preferences -- some favor a water faucet or even the toilet over a water bowl on the floor. It might seem odd or even a little bit disgusting, but it's probably a good idea to cater to his water-drinking whims, especially if the option is a flare-up of bladder disease.
Cats also get water from their food. The higher the moisture content in his diet, the more water he's getting -- even without drinking. A cat who eats canned food gets a lot of water with the meal and more as a result of breaking down the higher fat, higher energy ingredients that are in most wet foods.
Less stress. The "body-mind connection" works for cats just as well as it does for people. Country folks know that a healthy attitude toward life makes for a healthy body. Unfortunately, you can't explain that to your cat. Instead, it's up to you to minimize his stress and maximize his health.
Try to anticipate problems. Do you know a major change is coming up in your household? Whether it's a new baby, someone going off to college for the first time, a family vacation, or remodeling the kitchen, if you know it's coming it's best to either ease the cat into it slowly or expect an attack of urinary problems and take the necessary precautions.
You should have realistic expectations for your cat. Sure, cats are clever and agile and maybe even a little sneaky, but they're still cats. It's entirely possible that your cat understands everything you say and is just playing dumb or being obstinate.
However, it's equally possible that he's only learned how to get along in human society just well enough to find himself a comfortable situation and doesn't have a clue why you're so bent out of shape that he's been urinating in your beautiful potted plants instead of the convenient litter box you bought him.
Also, if a cat doesn't understand why he's being reprimanded, he stresses out. A stressed cat will announce his unhappiness with a change in behavior, often by elimination. And, to a cat, leaving it where you're sure to notice it -- where your personal smell is strongest -- is a great way to guarantee you'll get the message.
Finally, to lessen your cat's stress, try to stay cool yourself. Have you ever tried to enjoy a favorite activity and then had someone who was really, really intense about it right next to you? To cats, life in your home is basically one long stay at a resort hotel:The weather is always fine, everything is already paid for, you don't have to work, and you can eat, sleep, and play whenever you like.
If the humans in this little paradise are under stress, though, the vacation is suddenly over. Some of this may be cats' fabled sensitivity to people's emotions, but some of it certainly is a reaction to the changes in the way we humans move and speak when we're agitated.
Check the box. A clean litter box filled with the appropriate kind of litter must be available to the cat at all times. Using the litter box is not an instinctive behavior in cats; the instinct part is the action of digging in loose materials to bury their urine and feces (especially if there is a habit of using that spot or the very faint residual smell of elimination there). If something turns them off to the box (like it's too dirty, too perfumey, or too much trouble to get to), they'll either hold it too long (increasing bladder irritation and the risk of infection) or find another "toilet." Check your cat's litter box regularly, making sure it is clean and free of irritants.
Cats with urinary tract problems will often deliberately urinate outside of the litter box, even if they've been 100 percent accurate all their lives. If your cat suddenly starts having "accidents," spraying urine, or squatting and straining outside of the box, don't punish him. He's probably telling you he's got a problem. Call the vet as soon as you notice one of these signals and schedule an appointment for an exam. If it's a physical problem, the sooner your catch it, the easier it will be to treat. If it's a purely behavioral thing, you can start correcting it before it becomes an ingrained habit.
If your cat is straining in the litter box (or elsewhere) and not producing any urine, produces small amounts of bloody urine, or cries during urination, call the vet immediately. These are the signs of a urinary blockage, an extremely serious -- and potentially fatal -- problem.
DANGER LEVEL: Most bladder problems by themselves are not dangerous; they're mostly inconvenient and a nuisance for the owner. However, urinary blockage is extremely dangerous and should be treated as a life-threatening situation.
Next we will deal with a disease that is just as serious for cats as it is for humans -- diabetes.
The pancreas is a long gland that lies directly beneath the stomach. A cluster of specialized cells in the pancreas produce insulin, which regulates the body's uptake and breakdown of sugar. Diabetes mellitus (usually just called diabetes or sugar diabetes) is the result of a shortage of insulin. Diabetics have intense thirst, produce large amounts of urine, and have abnormally high levels of sugar in their blood and urine. Other signs of diabetes are increased appetite and slow healing.
Left untreated, the diabetic cat will lose weight (despite eating more) and become lethargic. Later signs of untreated diabetes include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, weakness, and finally collapse and death.
Your vet's diagnosis of diabetes is based on the cat's clinical signs, physical exam findings, and laboratory test results, primarily a persistent presence of abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood and urine.
Diabetes is a disease of older cats, rarely occurring before the age of seven years. It can be managed through diet and, when necessary, supplementary insulin. With treatment, diabetic cats can live ordinary lives, and a few may return to normal function for reasons that are not well understood.
Watch that weight. Obese cats are more likely to develop diabetes. In fact, cats who weigh in at 15 pounds or more have double the risk of diabetes than the under-15-pound crowd. Keeping your cat's weight under control is a simple formula:Feed only the recommended amounts, limit (or eliminate) snacks and treats, and make sure Tabby stays active.
You are what you eat. A high-fiber diet helps control diabetes by regulating the rate at which nutrients are taken into body cells. This, in turn, keeps blood sugar levels more consistent. Feeding several small meals during the day has a similar effect on blood sugar. A couple of large meals spread several hours apart cause a post-meal blood sugar surge, followed by a below-normal level by the time the next meal comes around. A normal cat's body smooths out these peaks and valleys, but it's a problem for diabetics. Many diabetic cats can have their blood sugar levels returned to normal through diet and weight loss alone.
Be prepared. One of the most important aspects of managing the health of a diabetic cat is consistency. Food and medication must come at regular times, so be sure you always have an adequate supply of both and never skip or substitute.
Occasionally, a diabetic cat on insulin will have her blood sugar level suddenly swing dangerously to the low side -- a condition known as hypoglycemia. Signs of hypoglycemia include shaking, disorientation, salivating, staggering and falling, and seizures. Keep an emergency sugar source on hand at all times (honey or Karo syrup are the usual recommendations). At the first sign of hypoglycemia, rub some on the cat's gums -- and call the vet immediately.
If your cat shows signs of diabetes, schedule a veterinary exam as soon as possible. The longer a diabetic cat goes untreated, the more serious her condition gets. The earlier you can catch and control her diabetes, the more likely she is to have a normal life.
A cat who's already being treated for diabetes needs to go to the vet immediately if she shows signs of hypoglycemia or any kind of reaction to her medication.
DANGER LEVEL: Untreated diabetes and hypoglycemia are extremely dangerous; however, both can be treated and controlled.
While diabetes is a serious problem for cats, we will discuss an even more dire condition in our next section -- FIV, or what is commonly referred to as "feline AIDS."
FIV, FIP, and FeLV are three extremely serious, incurable, and usually fatal cat diseases caused by viruses. Each is caused by a different kind of virus. However, they are all contagious only between cats, and have the interesting quirk that not all cats exposed to them will get sick.
Unlike the viruses that cause upper respiratory diseases or distemper in cats and can be carried in the air, these three require the physical presence of an infected cat in the same place (although not necessarily at the same time) as the cat who catches it. FIP and FeLV are spread most often by prolonged close contact with an infected cat.
Close contact can include mutual grooming or sharing food, water, elimination areas, or sleeping quarters. This means a cat who goes outdoors and urinates or defecates where a cat carrying FIP or FeLV goes can catch the virus without ever having had physical contact with the carrier. FIP and FeLV can also be spread to kittens by a mother with the virus.
The main route of infection for FIV appears to be a bite from an infected cat. Cats who go outdoors -- particularly if they fight -- are therefore at risk. The most common profile of an FIV-positive cat is an unneutered male who goes outdoors and has sustained bites and scratches from other cats.
Cats who appear otherwise healthy may be carrying these viruses. Reliable blood tests exist for FeLV and FIV. There is a test for FIP; however, a positive FIP test alone -- without other symptoms or risk factors -- is not absolute proof the cat has the virus.
FIV is sometimes also called feline AIDS (or FAIDS). FIV does have a few general similarities to HIV, the virus associated with AIDS:It belongs to the same class of viruses, can stay in the body for years without causing illness, and when it becomes active, slowly breaks down the disease-fighting immune system. However, AIDS is a human disease, and FIV cannot infect humans.
Take the test. Since a cat can appear healthy and still carry one of these viruses, a new arrival -- even your first cat -- should be tested for FeLV. Kittens probably don't need FIV tests unless they were strays, but it's probably a good idea to test adult cats from any source. Your veterinarian may recommend a retest in a few months. This isn't a scam; if your cat was very recently infected, it may not show up on the first test.
Stop the spread. There's only one surefire way to prevent your cat from contracting FeLV, FIP, or FIV:Keep her away from the sources of the viruses. In other words, keep her away from other cats and the places they frequent. This usually means keeping cats indoors at all times. It definitely means testing any new cat added to your household for FeLV and FIV before she's allowed to meet the resident cat or have run of any of the same areas. Preventative vaccines are available for FeLV and FIP. Schedule an appointment with your vet to talk about the advisability of vaccinating your cats for these diseases.
Be positive about positives. If your cat tests positive for FeLV or FIV and a retest confirms it, don't give up hope. With good care, FeLV- and FIV-positive cats can live for years, even after signs of disease appear. New treatments are coming all the time, and there may be a breakthrough that will help your cat long before she gets seriously ill.
Be responsible about the news. Keep your cat away from uninfected cats, and don't add any FeLV- or FIV-negative cats to your household. It may be tempting to start taking in other FeLV- and FIV-positive cats who are facing euthanasia, but think it over carefully. Eventually, the disease will catch up with them, and they'll demand a lot of time and resources. It may be best to focus on the special status of your own cat and give her the best possible quality of life.
Treat the symptoms. Most of what you can do for cats who are sick with FeLV, FIP, or FIV is just make them feel better. This might be as simple as indulging them with their favorite foods when their appetites are poor or coaxing them to eat with petting and hand-feeding. However, each virus has its signature complications that may also need attention, usually from the vet and with follow-up or nursing care at home. FeLV causes lymphosarcoma, a kind of cancerous tumor that may need to be removed.
The "wet" (effusive) form of FIP causes fluid to build up in the chest, making breathing difficult, or in the abdomen, giving the cat a bloated appearance. This buildup is a problem your vet can sometimes relieve by suctioning out the fluid with a needle and syringe. Since FIV attacks the immune system, you'll have to stay on top of secondary infections with prevention and medication.
These three viral diseases are a strong case for annual veterinary checkups. The early signs of any of the diseases are often too subtle for the average cat owner to notice, but a veterinarian knows what to look for. In between checkups, notify your vet of any sudden abdominal bloating or swelling, low-grade signs of illness that never quite go away (sneezing or diarrhea, for example), any lumps on your cat's body, or bites or scratches from cats not known to be FeLV- and FIV-negative.
Cats who have been diagnosed with FeLV, FIP, or FIV should see the vet regularly.
DANGER LEVEL: All three of these diseases (FeLV, FIP, and FIV) are extremely dangerous. Although surprisingly few cats exposed to these viruses will get sick from them, once the illness begins it is almost always fatal.
Kidney disease in cats is not nearly as fatal as FIV, but it can still be quite serious. Learn more in the next section.
The kidneys' major job is filtering out wastes. Age, injury, or disease can damage and destroy the function of kidney tissue. The body can adjust to minor kidney damage or the early stages of kidney failure, so there may be no noticeable signs at first.
As damage or failure worsens, a cat produces more urine and drinks more to compensate. In the later stages of failure, the kidneys can't keep up the pace, and wastes back up in the body, poisoning the cat and causing vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, and often telltale "ammonia breath."
Unfortunately, once kidney failure reaches this point, it's usually irreversible. The best way to detect a kidney problem is by a blood test. Mature cats and cats that show any signs of early kidney disease should be screened for kidney function.
Kidney failure is sneaky. Many times, the symptoms are masked or completely invisible until the damage is critical. The typical cat in kidney failure has already lost about 70 percent of her kidney function by the time she's diagnosed.
Veterinarians sometimes talk about what is called "end-stage" kidney disease when things start getting that bad. This diagnosis is just what it sounds like. Treatment for end-stage kidney disease can prolong the cat's life and make her feel better, but the end is inevitable.
This doesn't mean that every cat showing signs of kidney trouble is doomed. Sometimes, an infection can set in and the kidneys will shut down. Quick treatment can stop the infection and get the cat back on her feet with very little long-term damage.
Watch for the signs. Do you notice your cat drinking more? Has she suddenly quit eating? Is she listless or depressed? Does she seem to be urinating a lot more or barely at all? Does she seem sore over the lower part of her back or sit in a hunched-up "pain crouch"? All of these -- along with vomiting and diarrhea -- are signs of a possible kidney problem or infection.
Get to the vet. Home care for cats with kidney problems is only follow-up care. You need a vet to diagnose the problem, start treatment, and possibly even hospitalize your cat until she's stable.
Do the right thing. You'll probably be given a very strict diet for your cat and possibly some medications. Follow your vet's instructions as if your cat's life depends on it -- because it does.
You should call the vet immediately if any of the warning signs of kidney failure show up in your cat. Other problems have similar symptoms, and only a thorough exam and blood test can determine for sure that it's a kidney problem. The sooner you can catch it, the better the odds will be.
DANGER LEVEL: Kidney failure is extremely dangerous.
Another urinary tract problem that can significantly affect your cat's health is liver disease. We'll learn about the warning signs and symptoms in the next section.
The liver plays an important role in metabolism and taking toxins and other unneeded compounds out of the blood. Liver damage or disease can be the result of a birth defect, infections, poisoning, or other conditions such as heart disease.
Because liver problems are often part of other illnesses, they usually don't have unique symptoms of their own. The notable exception is jaundice, which is a yellowish cast to the white of the cat's eye and possibly even her skin and under her tongue. Usually, abnormal liver function is only discovered or verified through blood tests.
Keep a sharp eye out. Liver problems due to infection and poisoning can often be stopped and much of the damage reversed if caught early enough. Watch for symptoms, and don't wait too long to call the vet if your cat is sick (especially if she's not getting better). Never assume any illness will get better by itself.
Since the clinical signs of a cat with liver problems are the same as several other illnesses it can be difficult to determine what's wrong with your cat. These signs include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weight loss, dehydration, seizures, and increased urination (thus increased water consumption). Once you notice these symptoms, check for any signs of jaundice to determine if the problem is liver-related.
Follow directions. Once a cat has been diagnosed with liver disease, her recovery depends on you. Carefully follow all diet and medication instructions your vet gives you. Resist the temptation to cheat in order to make your cat "feel better"; in the long run, you may be shortening her life.
Jaundice is a sure sign that something is not normal in the liver, so call the vet immediately.
DANGER LEVEL: Liver disease is usually fatal if not treated, and some forms are fatal no matter what. Therefore, liver disease is extremely dangerous.
Your cat does not brush her teeth every night before bed, and, as a result, tooth and gum disease can be a problem. We'll cover how to care for your cat's choppers in the next section.
Just like people, cats have a set of baby (deciduous) teeth when young, which are replaced by permanent teeth. Similarly, keeping the teeth and gums healthy requires regular preventative care. Food and saliva form plaque, which can mineralize into hard deposits of tartar.
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and loss of permanent teeth can result. Actual cavities are relatively rare, but pitting and other tooth damage can result from neglecting oral hygiene. Mouth pain and tooth loss may reduce a cat's interest or ability to eat, causing weight loss and making the cat more prone to illness.
Brush regularly. You don't need to have an actual toothbrush and paste, but giving your cat's teeth a good going-over a few times a week is the best way to fight plaque. There are pet toothbrushes available, but you can also just use a piece of gauze or rough cloth that is moistened and wrapped around your index finger. Rub the cloth vigorously over the outside surfaces of the teeth (you don't usually need to get the inner or biting surfaces). This will help keep your cat's teeth clean and gums healthy.
Give Tabby the crunchies. Hard, dry cat food is the best bet to prevent plaque and tartar. There are now some chew-toy products on the market made especially for cats, which can also help.
Look out for tartar. Plaque is a mushy whitish material that you can easily scrape off the teeth with your fingernail. Tartar, on the other hand, is greyish, white, or brown and does not come off with brushing. Tartar buildup needs to be removed by your vet.
Gums the word. Giving your cat a weekly gum massage helps keep gums healthy and prevents tooth loss. Using a cotton swab, rub the area where the teeth and gums meet. If the gums are red or there's any bleeding, it could be gingivitis, and your cat may need veterinary treatment.
Broken teeth and abscesses. A cracked canine tooth isn't rare in cats, especially outdoor cats and former strays. Broken teeth are usually only a problem if the pulp (the capsule of blood vessels and nerves in the middle of the tooth) is exposed. This can be quite painful, and the tooth may die.
In either case, there's a risk of infection in the tooth root -- an abscess. Abscesses can also form from bad oral hygiene. Symptoms include swelling around the mouth that may come and go and tenderness. Broken teeth that have exposed pulp, die, or abscess need to be removed by your veterinarian.
Make an appointment with your vet if your cat has tartar buildup, shows signs of gingivitis (red or bleeding gums), has a broken tooth with exposed pulp or that has died (it will usually become discolored), has any swelling or tenderness around the mouth, or has any loose permanent teeth. Adult cats often lose teeth as they get older -- especially the small front incisors -- and veterinary care usually isn't necessary for this.
DANGER LEVEL: Tooth and gum problems can cause discomfort, make the cat touchy, and give her bad breath -- annoying but not particularly dangerous. However, as the problems worsen, the cat can stop eating altogether and infections can set in. These infections could be considered dangerous if not treated.
Moving down from the mouth a little bit, we will discuss upper respiratory diseases in our last section.
Coughing, sneezing, runny eyes and nose, and possibly a fever are all the familiar symptoms of a cold. Unlike in humans, however, most feline "colds" have known (and preventable) causes, usually one of three kinds of viruses. Safe and reliable vaccines are available to prevent them all.
Even vaccinated cats may have upper respiratory infections, though, and most will resolve within a few days to two weeks. Severe infections or those in cats with weakened immune systems may last several weeks. Although antibiotics won't kill the viruses, they are often prescribed to treat or prevent secondary infections that take hold when the virus damages tissue in the nose, eyes, sinuses, mouth, and possibly even the lungs of an affected cat.
Early signs of upper respiratory disease include sneezing, watery eyes, and a clear discharge from the nose. The cat usually runs a fever and may salivate. As the infection advances, the lining of the eyes may get inflamed (conjunctivitis), giving the eyes a "meaty" appearance; the nasal discharge contains pus; the tearing from the eyes turns white; and ulcers may appear in the mouth or on the tongue.
Advanced symptoms -- most commonly seen if the disease is left untreated -- include the eyelid being glued shut by pus and discharge with ulceration and destruction of the eyeball, loss of appetite due to obstruction of the nose by mucous and pus, and pneumonia. Viral pneumonia can be fatal and about one in five cats that develop it will die.
Be sure she has her shots. Current vaccinations are the best protection against upper respiratory viruses. Even indoor cats who never have contact with another cat need their shots since the viruses are carried through the air.
Don't wait for it to go away. Even though many upper respiratory infections clear up on their own, don't assume this one will. Notify your vet. The virus can attack the eyeball, causing permanent damage or blindness. Also, a cat with an untreated cold will stop eating or may develop a fatal case of pneumonia.
Don't spread it around. Upper respiratory viruses are highly contagious. A cat with an active case must be kept away from other cats. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after petting, medicating, or otherwise working with the sick cat.
If you call the vet when you see the early symptoms of a cold, the odds are you can prevent the worst-case scenario. Veterinarians can recommend a vaccine that can prevent feline "colds." This vaccination may not always work, but it can improve your cat's chances for a healthy recovery. At any rate, once any of the later symptoms appear (pus in the discharge from nose or eyes, ulcers in the mouth or on the tongue, loss of appetite), get the cat to the vet immediately.
DANGER LEVEL: Upper respiratory infections are fairly common and mild ones are only moderately dangerous. However, if left untreated or found in very young or elderly cats or cats with weakened immune systems, complications from what started out as a simple cold can be fatal.
Cats are just as susceptible to diseases as their owners. Just as there are steps you take in your life to prevent disease, there are steps you can take to keep your cat healthy. But, as with any serious disease, you should immediately see a medical professional if you suspect a serious problem.
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