When Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet?
Cats are gorgeous creatures that make wonderful pets, and despite their reputation for being aloof, they can be very affectionate. Cats tend to be more independent than dogs, which can be one reason why people are attracted to them as pets, particularly if you don’t have time to go on regular walks and so forth. However, while this independence can be beneficial, cats can be quite good at masking their illnesses which can be concerning for cat owners. There are ways you can tell that something isn’t quite right with your cat, so if you do notice any of the following, it might be time to make an appointment with the vet.
They Aren’t Eating
If your cat is not eating as much food as they usually do, or they have stopped eating altogether, this should be cause for concern. Sometimes, it is as simple as they are bored with the food they are eating, so if you do change their regular food to a different flavor or brand, they might finish what is in their bowl. However, if this doesn’t seem to work, you should contact your vet immediately so they can inspect further as it could be a sign of kidney failure, cancer, or intestinal issues.
If You Notice Any Lumps or Bumps
A lump might form on your cat due to a flea bite or another bug, or they may have got a minor injury during play or exploring outside. Usually, these types of bumps will go away within a few days, but if you have noticed lumps developing and they either do not disappear or seem to get larger, you should take them to see a vet. This could be a tumor that is forming or an abscess that needs medical attention.
Blood in Their Stool or Urine
You would be alarmed if you noticed this was happening to you, and it is just as much of a red flag when you see this in your cat’s stool or urine. A lot of the time, when you notice this in a cat’s stool,it’s due to worms, and you might even see worms there too. This can be easily treated with tablets, and you should be giving your cat worming treatment every three months, or once a month if they are an outdoor cat. It could also be an indication of kidney problems (urine), stomach cancer, or perhaps an undiagnosed food allergy. Visiting a vet clinic like easyvet.com is a must, as they can help to check over your cat and even offer nutritional advice if the issue is to do with your cat’s diet.
Discharge from Eyes and/or Nose
Just like humans, cats can develop sleep in their eyes that you might notice when they wake up from a nap or in the mornings. This isn’t anything to worry about, but if your cat does appear to have frequent discharge from its eyes or nose, it could be a sign of respiratory infection. It is important to contact your vet and have your cat checked out so that they can get the right treatments and medications before the problem gets worse.
If you notice any of the issues listed above, you should take your cat in to see a vet as soon as possible. Annual health check visits are also beneficial to maintaining your cat’s health.
