Me-ow: 6 Signs Your Cat Needs to Visit the Vet

Everyone wants a healthy and happy cat. Sometimes it is obvious when your cat needs to visit a vet, such as when they are visibly injured, have fleas or are vomiting. However, there are other subtle signs that something might be wrong with kitty. Below we look at 6 signs that you need to take your cat to see the veterinarian.

Discoloured Gums

The colour of your cat's gums are a great indicator of their health. Your cats gums should be pink. If the gums appear blue or grey, this is a symptom of poor circulation or respiratory problems. Yellow gums can be a sign of liver disease.

Abnormal Movements

If your cat begins to move abnormally or avoids putting their weight on a limb, they might be suffering from a fracture, an infection, arthritis or another injury. 

Increased Water Intake

A cat's need for water can be affected when they are not well. If you notice that your cat is drinking increased amounts of water when the weather isn't hot, this can be a sign of kidney disease or diabetes.

Change in Litter Box Habits

If your kitty is making more frequent trips to the litter box or shows signs of distress, such as crying or straining, they could be suffering from a urinary tract infection. If your cat is house trained but begins to urinate outside of the litter box, this could be a sign of kidney stones or interstitial cystitis. You should check your cat's little box on a regular basis for other signs they are unwell, such as blood in their stool and diarrhoea.

Persistent Cough

While all cats cough now and again to clear fur balls, a persistent cough could be a sign of something more serious, such as allergies, asthma, or heart and lung disease.

Fur loss

While it is normal for cats to lose hair, especially as they age, if the hair loss is so significant that it results in them having bald patches, this can be a sign of a thyroid problem or Cushing's disease, which is caused by a tumour of the pituitary or adrenal glands.

If you notice any of these signs and symptoms or have any other concerns about the health of your cat, you should book an appointment with a fully qualified vet for a check up and treatment. Help get your kitty feeling better with the right care!


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