Look up the six signs that can help you to discover if your pet is sick. Knowing how your cat looks like can help you determine what is normal and what is a result of possible disease.
These six signs can help you determine if your cat is sick:
1. Weight change
Weight change is not normal in most cats and it can be the first signal that something is wrong, says India Leyn, veterinary medicine professor from the University of Tennessee. Increased weight in cats is often linked with excessive eating. While a veterinary can help you determine what is normal for your kind of pet and it's age, you can see for yourself if your kitty is a little bit too fat.
If you notice that the belly is hanging and you can't feel it's ribs, it is normal and points to too much weight.
2. Unmaintained fur
When cats are nervous they often shed their fur. If that is the case, changing the environment can cause a lot of stress on cats. If the cat has stopped grooming, that can be a sigh for concern, because cats are very meticulous when it comes to personal care.
3. Pale gums and bad breath
Regularly checking their gums can help you spot certain changes more easily. Pale gums can signalize that something is wrong. A subtle change in color can be the indicator of bad circulation or disease. Bad breath, that is not a result of something the cat ate that day can also be a sign that something is wrong.
4. Dilated pupils
Look in your cats eyes, you should see identical pupils that are not dilated. In certain diseases the pupils can get large, but also stay that way for a longer period of time.
5. Shallow and fast breathing
Respiratory problems can also be a signal that something isn't right, but you need to get a detailed examination of your cat to tell if something is wrong.
6. Mood changes
Although most signals can be seen on the body, mood changes are also an obvious sign that your cat ca be ill. If you notice that the cat is defecating in a place that is not usual for that, if it's hiding in unusual places, if it is aggressive or refuses interaction with family members - all of that indicates an illness.
India Leyn thinks that if you notice 3 of the given symptoms: trouble with breathing, dilated pupils or urinating problems, you should call a veterinary immediately.
In other cases, watch the cat for a few days, and if you still suspect that there is a problem with it's health call a veterinary without delay.
