But how does a cat’s needs differ throughout their lifespan? How can you ensure that your furry loved one remains in peak condition no matter their age? Today we’ll discuss how the health requirements of a cat shift as they grow, as well as how you can collaborate with your local vet to create a wellness plan for the four-legged apple of your eye.

Cats go through similar life phases as humans

Just as humans have different life phases, cats grow from tiny neonates to senior citizens, with distinct needs throughout these separate eras of development.

A healthy, well-cared-for indoor cat can expect to live between 10 to 15 years, with some even reaching the venerable age of 20; outdoor cats generally live much shorter lives due to the many dangers of living in the wild, such as parasites and predators.

From birth to age one, a cat is considered a kitten. Like a baby, they will have immature immune systems and will require a variety of vaccinations to keep them in good health. They also may suffer from parasites that are inherited from their mother or picked up from their environment – a particular problem in muggy Tennessee – so you should expect to get them dewormed to prevent serious issues. Also, you will want to have them spayed or neutered anywhere at anywhere between four to six months of age; new medical guidance encourages you to wait a bit longer so that they get the full benefit of their sex hormones.

After a relatively short adolescence – about six months – your kitten will be a full grown cat. They will need less calories as they are no longer growing, so you’ll want to switch them to adult cat food to prevent obesity. It’s important to stay on top of dental care now that they have all their adult teeth, which includes brushing their teeth and scheduling them for regular teeth cleanings; this will prevent gum disease, which can be painful and lead to heart disease. Be sure to stay on top of tick and flea prevention, even for indoor cats.

Around seven years old, your cat will officially become a senior, and it will be essential that you schedule regular vet visits to stay on top of any developing health conditions. Your cat might start to slow down around this time, so you may need to change their environment to help them stay comfortable; for example, you may want to remove high perches that they can no longer safely reach, or move their litter box closer to their favorite sleeping spots so they are less prone to accidents. Your vet will closely monitor their blood work to watch for organ issues, and they may need medications to stave off age-related diseases. Careful attention to your cat’s health needs will make sure that they can stay as active as possible for as long as possible, and that they will have a dignified and painless end of life.

For all stages of your cat’s life, your local animal clinic is a partner in good pet health

It’s easy to get caught up in your own life and forget that your cat needs regular vet check-ups to stay healthy; this is an especial problem for feline family members, because they tend to hide illnesses until they become incredibly sick. As such, make it a habit to schedule twice-yearly appointments even when your cat is perfectly fine, with more visits should your pet show signs of illness.

During these visits, your cat will get any necessary vaccinations and be thoroughly checked over for developing illness; he or she may also have blood drawn for a full blood panel, which can identify any problems that may be arising as they age. Bring along any questions or concerns you may have, including any changes in behavior, appetite, or bathroom habits, as these may clue the doctor into issues that need to be investigated further.

Preventative care is essential not just to avoid pricey vet bills, but also to ensure that your cat stays active for as long as possible and does not experience any discomfort. Throughout every phase of your feline’s life, be sure to consult regularly with an experienced veterinarian, as this can mean the difference between a happy cat and a silently suffering kitty.

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Bleeding in the lower intestines, such as the colon and the rectum, generally causes hematochezia. It is characterized by the presence of bright, frank blood in the feces. Hematochezia should not be confused with melena, the passage of dark, tar-colored feces, caused by bleeding that occurs higher up in the intestinal tract.

If your cat has blood in its stool on only one occasion, and otherwise appears to be eating, drinking and acting normally, the cause may simply be a minor gastrointestinal upset, such as eating too much, eating a unfamiliar food, or eating something that does not agree with him. Some cats are especially sensitive to stress, and any sudden change in environment, such as adding a new pet to the household, having a baby or even a schedule change can induce colitis. Changing food brands suddenly can also cause this condition, as cats often require a gradual change of food in order to adjust without complications.

However, if your cat has any repeated episodes of blood in the stool, if he appears lethargic or depressed, or the blood is accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, it can be a sign of a severe medical problem requiring veterinary assistance.

The most common cause of blood in the stool in cats is colitis, or inflammation of the colon. Colitis is a symptom of various gastro-intestinal disorders, and identifying the cause of the inflammation can be difficult.

When colitis occurs, inflammation of the colon causes the cells in the lining of the intestines to separate, becoming permeable and allowing water and secretion to leak out. Motility of the gut is affected, as is the ability of the colon to absorb water and store feces. This leads to frequent diarrhea, often with mucous and blood, as the food in the intestines passes through the colon before nutrients and water are utilized by the body.

Aside from blood in the stool, cats with colitis will defecate frequently, with very little stool actually being passed, and strain repeatedly in the litterbox. Because the biggest complication of colitis is rapid dehydration, veterinary attention should be sought anytime your cat has blood in its stool and diarrhea. Your veterinarian can treat the dehydration, as well as help to identify and treat the underlying causes.

Parasites are a common cause of colitis and bloody stools in kittens. Kittens typically acquire roundworms through the milk of an infected mother. Adult cats can acquire the parasite by eating a rodent or other animal that was affected with the parasite. These long, spaghetti like parasites can cause severe signs in young animals, including vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, coughing and gagging. If left untreated, the worms can cause pneumonia, intestinal obstructions and death.

Protozoa infections, such as Giardia and Coccidia, occur when a single-celled parasite is ingested via contaminated soil, food or water. This parasite can cause an array of gastrointestinal issues, from an occasional bout of soft stools to a severe episode of vomiting, diarrhea and hematochezia.

In unvaccinated cats and kittens, feline Panleukopenia can be a devastating disease. Also known as feline distemper, Panleukopenia is caused by the parvovirus and is highly contagious from cat to cat. It is of especially great concern in shelters, catteries and boarding facilities where it can remain active and infectious in the environment for months or even years. The virus is especially dangerous to kittens who have not fully developed their immune systems, and can cause a high fever, vomiting, nasal discharge, respiratory signs, diarrhea, hematochezia, dehydration and death.

In older cats that develop hematochezia, one of the main concerns is inflammatory bowel disease. Cats with IBD develop a chronic level of inflammatory cells in the gastrointestinal tract, and can affect the mucosa of different areas: the small intestine (enteritis), colon (colitis) and stomach (gastritis).

Unlike colitis that occurs due to a temporary intestinal upset, cats with IBD develop an inflammatory response in their intestines that does not resolve. The exact causes are unknown, but its origin has been linked to food sensitivities, bacteria in the intestinal tract, and immune system dysfunctions.

Left untreated, in the short run IBD can lead to poor digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as abdominal discomfort. Over time, the chronic inflammation can lead to scaring of the mucosa, and studies have shown that the scaring often leads to the development of lymphoma, a type of cancer, in the intestines.

Blood in the stool can also be attributed to more external causes, such as trauma to the rectum, anal gland abscesses, or tumors and polyps in the rectum.

If your cat has had more than one episode of blood in its stool, a veterinarian should examine him or her to rule out possible causes. Routine fecal screening can help to detect and eradicate internal parasites before they are able to cause severe damage to your pets’ intestinal tract. In addition, a fecal cytology can detect the presence of bacteria such as salmonella in the feces. A complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry analysis can help to access your cats general level of health, and may provide clues to possible viral or other causes.

Radiographs may be recommended to rule out an intestinal obstruction or blockage, and an ultrasound exam can help to diagnose any potential tumors, as well as access the condition of the intestines. If the bowel appears thickened, scarred or abnormal on the ultrasound, your veterinarian may recommend further tests to see if IBD, or even lymphoma may be causing your cats symptoms.

Regardless of the cause of the blood in the stool, cats that are having repeated episodes of diarrhea or vomiting may need to be hospitalized so that their dehydration can be corrected with IV fluids, and that medicine can be administered to control vomiting. Depending on the cause of the hematochezia, treating your cat may be as simple as administering a dewormer or changing his food, but only your veterinarian can determine what is causing your cats symptoms.

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Just like with people, a reduction in food intake is likely not going to be enough to curb the problem, especially if it has been going on for a number of years. Aside from putting a cat on a diet, he is going to need an increase in stimulation as well as an increase in physical exercise.

A high fat content in any animal is not healthy. Just like the homo sapiens, felines and other creatures that are obese run the risk of heart disease or heart problems as well as joint and back problems, diabetes, and the complications related to such issues. Obesity in animals can shorten their life span anywhere from three to seven years. Thus, if your furry friend is toting around a few extra pounds, it is prudent that you not only alter his dietary intake but promote a healthier lifestyle for your cat.

Start with the extras. Just like the human diet, meals are often not the culprit of the spare tire. Snacking too much in between meals is the fastest way for your kitten to plump up. Cat treats are often a good source of extra iron and extra essential fatty acids that cats need in order to experience good health. However, a bag of treats per day is equivalent to a human eating a whole package of cookies throughout the day. Cutting out those calories alone can often be enough to help Fuzzy tone down. Adding just one fifteen minute play session to his day can often help develop muscle tone so that he can beef up the muscles while draining the fat. However, when he manages to turn himself into that buff envy of the alley, don’t allow him to go back to old habits, or he may begin a feline version of yoyo dieting.

One of the most delectable sins of the feline feeding frenzy includes table scraps. Table scraps make great treats. And there are those who believe that table scraps are even healthier than prepackaged treats. However, a cat’s body is not the same as a human’s body. He is not likely to process our foods in the same manner. That means that he can not tolerate the same amounts or the same concentrations of saturated fats, sugars, and even fats derived from artificial sources. Table scraps can readily add unproductive pounds to his waistline.

Of course, you have already started the habit of allowing him a go at the dishes after mealtime, and changing his behavior is going to be serious challenge. You may not even be completely comfortable asking him to endure total denial. He doesn’t understand why you are suddenly requiring him to stay down off the counter while the dishes are being cleared. He’s only been practicing his dishwasher act every day for the last six years. If this is the case, cut his portion down to a scant amount. Instead of allowing him to clear off the plates in their entirety, allow him the smallest amount that is left for him on a paper plate or in his dish.

Because cats are nimble creatures, putting a cat on a diet can be a significant challenge. Unlike a dog, who is unlikely to jump up and scour the counter tops for extra tidbits, cats are able to leap wherever you have stashed a bit of food, even if it is covered with plastic wrap. In many cases, cats who are suddenly denied spend a great deal of time lurking about the counter tops in want of a scrap that you left behind. While the extra activity may be good for him, the truth is, what he may find is likely to counteract your efforts as well as provide for an unpleasant surprise when you go to retrieve the special dessert you covered three hours ago for company.

When you have committed to your cat’s waistline, you have to take the time to be sure that you have carefully tucked away everything that your sweet furball might be able to discover. Remember he is going to be particularly determined. Spend a moment thinking like cat and discovering all the ways he might sneak a treat from the counters, refrigerator tops, even some cabinets.

Once you have cut out the treats, you may start to see an improvement nearly right away. However, for some particularly pudgy pals, a change in food may also be in order. Reduced calories foods can be introduced over a period of about a week. For the first few days, you will want to mix his new lower calorie food with his regular food. Start with ¼ low calorie food mixed with ¾ regular food. Continue this process adding more of the lower calorie food and less of the regular food. By day five you should be adding ¾ of the lower calorie food to about ¼ regular food. Within one week he should be on a low calorie diet without any digestive fallout from the switch.

As stated earlier, putting a cat on a diet is most often not quite enough. In fact, without exercise, your cat might not be able to lose more than ½ pound. Use new toys or old favorites and set aside some scheduled time to make sure he has two to three fifteen minute play sessions daily. If you haven’t been able to notice improvement within a month of starting his new regimen, you might want to take him to the veterinarian. On some occasions, a prescription weight loss program or medication might be the only remedy. However, approach this with caution and only as a last resort to behavior modification. Remember, it is your behavior you are also in need of modifying. Allowing your cat to manipulate you by being cute, demanding, or even downright annoying isn’t doing him any favors.

Putting a cat on a diet is a commitment, a lengthy commitment that requires determination, time, and forethought on your behalf. However, it is vital for your cat’s health that you set aside the appropriate energy. He relies on you for everything, including your good judgment. It is not natural for any animal to become overweight, and it is often a function of lifestyle and human misunderstanding that allows an animal to put on abnormal amounts of weight. Should you notice your cat gaining weight, a diet might be in order well before he hits the stage commonly called; obese.

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The normal, healthy cat may routinely vomit once or twice a week as a rule, without any obvious medical reason. In most cases, cats that vomit occasionally without any other sign of illness are either doing so due to their eating habits, or due to hairballs.

What causes cat vomiting in animals that have just eaten is usually not vomiting at all, but regurgitation. This is most commonly seen with cats who eat very quickly, and those who eat an exclusively dry food diet. When ingested, dry food will absorb the moisture in the cats stomach, expanding in size, encouraging the cat to regurgitate to alleviate discomfort. By soaking dry food before feeding it to your cat, or by dividing the food into smaller meals more frequently during the day, you can help to solve this problem.

Cats are excellent self-groomers, but an unfortunate byproduct of their good hygiene is hairballs. The unique structure of the cats’ tongue stems from the presence of small papillae on the surface of the tongue, acting like a comb as the cat grooms itself. Hairs “combed” are then swallowed, and this indigestible material stays in the stomach, accumulating more hair as well as other food material. Eventually the hairball becomes irritating and begins to interfere with eating and drinking, at which point the cat will cough, hack, retch, and hopefully, vomit up the offending hairball. Most prevalent in long-haired cats, a dry cough and frequent retching, especially after meals, as well as small spots of yellow bile on the floor or carpet, are evidence of unsuccessful attempts to void the hairball. Once successful, the final result is a disgusting wet and sticky mass of hair on your floor.

Brushing your cat can significantly reduce his development of hairballs. Commercial hairball remedies are available to help the hairball pass in the feces, but will not prevent hairball formation.

In cats that vomit intermittently, parasites may be playing a role. Giardia, an intestinal parasite that is caused by a single-celled organism, is highly prevalent in catteries and shelters, and is easily passed from cat to cat via infected soil and water. Salmonella, a bacterial infection, as well as intestinal parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms can cause intermittent vomiting as well as diarrhea in cats. Many affected cats will appear healthy, except for short bouts of intestinal upset, and some may show no outward signs at all, but still harbor a parasite.

Fecal screening can determine the presence of intestinal parasites, and medication is available to treat and cure this cause of cat vomiting.

Older cats that begin vomiting more frequently later in life may be experiencing a more serious medical problem.

Chronic vomiting (occurring more than twice a week for at least 3 weeks) in older cats is often caused by irritable bowel disorder, or IBD. This disease of the gastrointestinal tract causes increased inflammatory cells, which can affect the mucosa of the small intestine (enteritis), large intestine (colitis), stomach (gastritis), and colon.

There are many potential causes of IBD, but the specific cause in each case is generally not known. The most common causes include food allergies or sensitivity to certain types of food, bacteria in the intestinal tract, and as well as immune system disorders.

While IBD is itself a painful and troublesome condition in cats, untreated it can lead to potentially fatal complications. The chronic inflammation has been found to lead to scaring in the mucosa of the digestive tract, and lymphoma has found to develop as a result of the chronic irritation and scaring.

Kidney disease and renal failure occur in a great number of older cats, and is one of the leading causes of death in cats. The kidneys are the filtration system of the body, filtering waste products from the blood, and expelling them through the urine. Over time, kidneys can begin to degrade and their function decreases. This process typically occurs over a long period of time, and because the kidneys can continue to function normally even with up to 70% of their function lost, by the time symptoms are present the disease is often quite advanced. Weight loss is the most common symptom of kidney failure, but affected cats may also have symptoms of vomiting, decreased appetite and depression. Blood tests can diagnose kidney failure, and treatment is aimed at reducing the workload of the kidneys by increasing fluid intake, and feeding a diet specially formulated for kidney failure.

Another common disease of older cats is hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones control metabolism, and when that hormone is increased it can adversely affect many of the cats body systems. Hyperthyroid cats often have weight loss despite an increased appetite, rapid heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood pressure and behavioral changes. Hyperthyroidism is often easily controlled with daily medications, as well as frequent bloodwork to assess other body systems and monitor thyroid levels.

Any time a kitten has any repeated episode of vomiting is cause for concern. Kittens are especially vulnerable to Feline Panleukopenia, or feline distemper, a highly contagious disease. Common in shelters, catteries and boarding facilities, this virus can be deadly in kittens, and cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration in cats of all ages. Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection.

While chronic renal failure most often occurs in older cats, a sudden onset of vomiting in cats can be a sign of acute renal failure. A life-threatening emergency, acute renal failure can be caused by severe kidney infections, ingestion of substance toxic to the kidneys (i.e. poison ingestion), or kidney obstruction. Symptoms of acute renal failure include sudden, acute vomiting, lethargy, weakness, disorientation and ataxia (poor coordination). Immediate, intensive medical treatment is required to treat the underlying cause of the kidney malfunction, and to support the body as the kidneys recover. Intravenous fluids and even dialysis may be performed to clear your cats body of toxins, and return function to the kidneys.

What causes cat vomiting can be a tricky thing to determine. Regular examinations with your veterinarian, as well as attention to your cats normal routine can help to determine when vomiting is normal, or not normal, for your cat.

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This is an important question to have answered because by the time a cat is showing obvious symptoms, such as not eating or vomiting, it is possible that she has been sick for quite some time.

The best thing that you can do is to get to know your cat. Learn her eating and sleeping habits and pay attention to how she behaves. Also, make note of the density, color and sheen of her coat. If you pay attention to how your cat looks and acts when she is healthy, it will be much easier for you to notice when something is not quite right.

There are many signs that you can look for to determine the health of your cat. Below are some indications that something may be wrong.

Hair Loss
June Rauch was brushing her cat one night when she noticed a large bald spot on one of the rear legs. All around the bald spot was what appeared to be black dirt. Where ever this black dirt type substance was visible, the hair could be removed very easily. As hair was removed, more of the black stuff showed up. When she called her vet, she was told it could be an infection from fleas, a virus or a sign of something more serious, such as pancreatic cancer. June was pretty sure it wasn’t fleas as there were no signs of flea activity.

When she took her cat to the vet they ran tests for the more serious possibilities, and gave the cat a long lasting shot of antibiotics while waiting for results. If the hair loss was the result of a virus, the vet said that shot would clear it up within a few days.

Happily, the antibiotics took care of the problem, but June might not have even noticed the hair loss had she not taken time to brush her cat that night.

Hair loss is not normal, and it does not happen without a reason. As June learned, the cause of hair loss could be very serious, so take the time to look over your cat’s coat on a regular basis.

Gums
While it may not be easy to get a good look inside your cat’s mouth, doing so can provide clues about a variety of possible health problems.

When Ken Smith’s cat stopped eating, he thought she was grieving the loss of her sister who had died suddenly. He thought she’d start eating again soon. Then, he caught a glimpse of her gums when she was yawning. He noticed they were very yellow, so he rushed to her the vet the next day. It was a good thing he did. She had liver disease that was on the border of becoming liver failure. He chose to go ahead with a very expensive surgery that saved the cats life, but if he hadn’t noticed her yellow gums, and got her to the vet when he did, she probably would not have made it.

While yellow gums are a sign of jaundice which can indicate a liver problem, the gums can also provide a hint of other health issues.

A bluish tint could indicate that your cat is not getting enough oxygen. A very white, as opposed to a more normal pink, tint can be an indication of anemia.

It is important to note that some cats develop freckles and other discoloration on their gums as they age. Still, anything that is out of the ordinary should be checked out by a vet as soon as possible.

The only way that you can know if something is out of the ordinary is to learn what your cat’s gums look like normally.

Eyes
Just as the color of the gums can indicate a variety of diseases, so can the cat’s eyes. Again, you must take a good look at your cat so that you know what is normal for her. That is the best way to be able to notice when something is not quite right. The whites of a cat’s eyes should be, obviously, white. Look for any discoloration including bloodshot or patches of color. Both could be signs that something is wrong.

There are other eye abnormalities to look for as well such as pink swollen areas around the eyes, changes in the color of the eyes, a cloudy film over the pupils or pupils that look different from each other. All of those could be indications of a serious health problem.

Other Signs
Other visible signs that could indicate trouble include a change in the sheen or density of the coat, discoloration around the ears and sneezing or coughing. Also, if your cat is lethargic, refuses to eat or drink or if you notice a change in litter box habits, those could also be indicators of a health problem.

There are many ways to answer the question “how can I tell if my cat is sick.” The importance of knowing what is normal for your cat cannot be stressed enough. All cats are different, but knowing YOUR cat will help you notice right away when something is wrong.

When you do notice a problem, do not wait for it to go away on its own. Instead, contact your vet who can advise you whether or not the symptoms are serious enough to require an office visit.

By paying attention to your cat and taking a few minutes once a month to give her a good once over, you’ll be able to catch any health problems early. This will give her the best chance to make a full recovery.

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There are many potentially deadly viruses and diseases that can affect cats. Luckily, many of the most common ones are almost fully preventable through vaccination. Vaccinating your cat or kitten may be one of the most important decisions you make for the health of your pet. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, all cats regardless of breed, sex or geographic location should be vaccinated against the following diseases.

Feline panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is caused by the feline parvovirus. This highly infectious disease is especially prevalent in catteries, shelters and boarding facilities. The virus can remain active in the environment for months to years after it is introduced. Cats become infected with panleukopenia by coming into contact with the virus on litter boxes, bowls or through contaminated feces. Panleukopenia is especially dangerous in kittens, and can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and death. Kittens should be vaccinated for panleukopenia at 8 weeks of age, and boostered every 4 weeks until 16 weeks, then given annually or every 3 years thereafter.

Feline Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus are the two most common causes of upper respiratory diseases in cats. Caused by the herpesvirus or the calicivirus, both are highly contagious between cats, transmitted via nose-to-nose contact or by sharing infected items. Although these viruses are not usually life-threatening in adult cats, affected kittens can die from the disease, and some cats that develop the virus may become chronic carriers. Vaccination should be started at 6-8 weeks of age, continuing every 3-4 weeks until the cat is 16 weeks old, then boostered in one year. After that time, vaccination should be given once every three years, and is often combined with the panleukopenia vaccine, in the form of an FVRCP vaccine.

Rabies is a deadly, untreatable illness that is transmitted through the bites of affected animals. The disease is always fatal, and due to their propensity for hunting species of animals that may be infected with rabies, it is recommended (and in some states, required) that all cats be vaccinated for rabies, regardless of whether they are indoor only or outdoor cats. Initial vaccination is given at 16 weeks of age for kittens, then boostered at 1 year of age, and boostered every three years thereafter.

Feline Leukemia Virus is a retrovirus that works by attacking the immune system of affected cats. Extremely contagious, it can be transmitted by saliva and nasal discharge, as well as from an infected mother cat to her kittens. The disease causes an array of problems including weight loss, lethargy, anemia, cancer, and infections. A simple blood test must be performed prior to vaccinating for FeLV to ensure a cat is not a carrier of the disease. Vaccination for FeLV can have side effects, the most serious of which is a vaccine associated sarcoma, or cancerous mass, than can form at the injection site. For this reason, many vets may choose not to give the vaccine to indoor-only cats who are negative for FeLV, and do have an opportunity to come into contact with infected cats. In outdoor cats, the risk of contracting FeLV is a far greater threat to their health than a potential vaccine reaction, and the vaccine is thus recommended. Kittens should be vaccinated at 12-16 weeks, with a booster in four weeks, and every year thereafter.

The best way to address your cat health concerns is to create a relationship with your cats’ veterinarian. Careful discussion can help you to select the best vaccination protocol for your cat, as well as helping you to keep your cat healthy throughout his or her life.

Spaying or neutering your cat not only is the single best way to stop pet overpopulation, but it has significant health benefits for your cat. Female cats should be spayed (ovariohysterectomy) before they enter their first heat cycle (before 6 months) to cut the risk of developing mammary (breast) cancer by almost 95%, and eliminate the risk of developing ovarian or uterine cancer completely. In male cats, neutering will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer. In addition, several behavior problems common to male cats, such as spraying urine in the house, fighting with other cats and the urge to roam to find a mate are greatly diminished once a cat is neutered. Like vaccinations, spaying and neutering is an easy way to achieve peace of mind with your cats health- and will go a long way to reducing suffering of thousands of unwanted cats and kittens.

Ensuring your cat is free of parasites is an important part of pet ownership. Your cat sits in your lap, sleeps on your bed or couch, and is part of your life- and it’s important to know that he is not harboring parasites on the inside, or the outside.

Routine fecal screening with your veterinarian can help to detect and eliminate common internal parasites, such as roundworms, tapeworms, coccidia and Giardia. In addition to their adverse effects on your cats health, many of these parasites are zoonotic, meaning that they can be transmitted to humans, especially children. Routine fecal screening can detect and correct these conditions before they become a serious problem.

External parasites, such as fleas and ticks, are equally important to remove and prevent from infesting your pet. There are a plethora of highly effective products available on the market that work well in killing fleas and ticks, and preventing them from infecting your cat. By talking to your veterinarian, you can find out which product works best in your area, and the most effective way and frequency to administer the product. In addition to being annoying and even painful to your pet, fleas and ticks can transmit serious diseases, such as tapeworms and lyme disease, to your cat.

Throughout your cats life, your veterinarian can help to identify cat health concerns that may occur. Dental care and routine dental cleanings, annual health exams, and as your cat gets older, annual blood and urine analysis testing can help to detect potential health problems early, so that they can be diagnosed and treated before they become a major health problem.

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Before discussing why cats purr, let’s take a look at how cats purr. Most creatures have a way of expressing happiness. For humans it is laugher or, perhaps, a contented sigh. For canines a good tail wagging is the best way to express joy. Cats also have a way to express happiness and other emotions: by purring. But how, exactly, does it happen?

The most popular scientific explanation involves communication between the brain of the cat to the voice box. When the brain communicates happiness (or other emotions as will be discussed later), the muscles in the voice box begin to vibrate. As air passes through the vibrating muscles, it creates the sound we call purring.

Pet owners may have noticed that at times it seems the cat is purring without interruption. That is because the sound is created both when air is inhaled and when air is exhaled, so the sound is continuous. You may notice if your cat increases the rate of his breathing, the purring may become louder or more distinct. That, too, is related to the air flow past the vibrating muscles.

A second theory is that purring is related to the release of endorphins in the brain. Since cats purr both when happy and during times of stress or pain, this theory is attractive to many experts.

Now that you have learned two of the popular theories about how cat’s purr, let’s talk more about why they purr.

Kittens begin to purr within a day or two after birth. Purring is thought to be, in part, a form of communication between felines. This earliest purring, by both mother cat and her kittens, may be part of the initial bonding process. The sound of the purring changes as a kitten grows into a mature cat, but there is no way to know if the meaning changes.

Pet owners know for sure that most cats purr when they are happy or content. Give a cat a good belly rub and you will likely be able to hear him purring from across the room. Some cats purr while they are eating, perhaps indicating their contentment at having enough food.

What some pet owners may not know is that cats also purr during some of the not so happy moments in their lives. Many cats purr when they are very close to death. Perhaps this is due to anxiety or any pain that they may be feeling at that moment. Others think that the purring at the time of death is related to euphoria, not anxiety. Of course, there is no test that can determine that for sure, so experts will likely continue to disagree.

Cats also purr when they are very ill. Is this because of the pain they may feel? Some say yes, while others believe that the purring is a way that the cat tries to calm himself. Have you ever been in pain or under a great deal of stress and found some comfort by singing to yourself? Some think that is why cats purr during difficult times in their lives. Of course, if the second theory about how cat’s purr is true, that would make sense, because the brain releases endorphins during times of pain and stress.

Frightened cats also purr. The reason could be to show submission to an enemy or to communicate friendliness to another animal. It could also be a way to let other creatures know that the cat has no intention of acting aggressively towards them.

When a cat approaches another cat to play or interact, the cat often purrs. This could be the cat’s way of communicating his reason for approaching.

Giving birth is another time when many cats become very vocal. As in many other areas regarding purring, there is debate as to why a mother cat purrs during delivery. Some say that it is joy at giving birth. More common is the theory that purring during labor helps a cat deal with the pain and the stress of the birthing process. If purring during labor is to deal with the pain, perhaps the joy comes a bit later. Mother cats also often purr loudly when nursing her kittens.

It is also common for cats to purr while sleeping. Because it is not a big secret that cats enjoy their naps, it is a pretty safe bet that if an emotion is involved with sleep purring, it is joy or contentment rather than stress!

Because they purr while being petted, cats seem to provide an instant and very visible means of communicating that they are happy with your efforts. For this reason, some cats make wonderful therapy animals. Cats that have been specially trained and certified as therapy animals visit hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities. They visit with the patients, often by curling up in their laps for a nice session of petting and purring.

Studies have shown that such interaction with therapy cats can lower blood pressure and help to alleviate depression in some patients. While there are not studies that have proven the purring is the reason for the lowered blood pressure or other positive effects, it certainly can’t hurt.

Of course, answering the question “why do cats purr?” is not as important to some pet owners as the fact that they DO purr. They purr at the sad and stressful times in their lives but, more importantly, they purr in response to your show of affection to them. What could be better than that?

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The thyroid is a small gland common to most mammals, and is located in cats at the base of the neck. The thyroid emits the thyroid hormone Thyroxin that regulates the body’s metabolism. In dogs and humans, it can be quite common for the thyroid gland to fail to produce enough of the hormone to keep the metabolism of the body going, a condition called hypothyroidism. While cats can occasionally develop hypothyroidism, it is much more common for them to develop hyperthyroidism, where the gland is overactive, and produces too much thyroid hormone. When this occurs, the metabolic rate of the body increases. Hyperthyroidism in cats is generally a benign condition, meaning it is a not usually associated with a cancerous condition. However, hyperthyroidism is a serious disease, and left untreated it can lead to many severe health problems and even death.

The thyroid gland and hormone affect every organ and cell in the body, and as such hyperthyroidism can cause a variety of different symptoms and warning signs in cats. In generally, hyperthyroidism occurs in middle-aged to older cats, with no major sex or breed disposition.

Some of the main symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Weight loss despite a ravenous appetite- as the thyroid gland increases the body’s metabolism, the cat may become insatiably hungry, however his or her metabolism is so accelerated that they may rapidly loose weight.
• Increased thirst and urination- this may include inappropriate urination (urinating outside of the litter box), and even blood in the urine. The increased water intake can create an additional strain on the kidneys, inadvertently leading to kidney damage.
• Behavioral changes- hyperactivity, nervousness and irritability may occur as a result of the increase in metabolism. However, some cats may show the opposite symptoms, and become weak and lethargic, or have “manic” periods of extreme activity, followed by long stretches of lethargy.
• General appearance- cats may take on an unkempt appearance as their coat gets rougher, less healthy and shed more. Their nails may become thick and brittle
• Gastrointestinal upset- vomiting and diarrhea can also be symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
• Cardiovascular changes- cats with untreated hyperthyroidism undergo extreme stress to their hearts and respiratory system, with many cats experiencing rapid breathing and a rapid, strong heartbeat easily felt by placing your hand on the cats chest. This condition, known as myocardial hypertrophy, can cause a cats heart to wear out more quickly than a normal heart, and cause irreversible cardiac damage.

Hyperthyroidism in cats affects many of the vital organs and major physiological functions of the body, and if left untreated it can cause dangerous and even fatal side effects. Aside from routine, yearly physical exams from your veterinarian, any cat showing symptoms of hyperthyroidism should be examined immediately. Upon physical exam, your pets medical history may be reviewed, and whatever information you can provide about any changes in your cats activity level, behavior changes or other warning signs are very valuable to achieving a diagnosis. Your veterinarian will also conduct a physical exam, which among other things can help to determine if the thyroid gland is obviously enlarged (a common sign), listen to your cats heart and check blood pressure (to determine if heart dysfunction is present).

If hyperthyroidism is suspected, blood tests are one of the most comprehensive ways to easily diagnose hyperthyroidism in cats. Complete Blood Count and Chemistries are basic blood tests that access the overall well being of your cat. Blood chemistries look at a variety of body systems, and will give your vet a reading as to the basic health of your cats major organs such as the kidneys and liver. The CBC evaluates the components of your cats blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The CBC can help to diagnose problems such as infections, anemia, and other blood-related issues.

To specifically determine if hyperthyroidism is present, a thyroid hormone thyroxin test (T4) will be run. If this test result comes back as high, hyperthyroidism is the very likely culprit. However, as some false negatives can be seen on this test, your veterinarian may wish to also run a test called the Free T4 (FT4), which is more sensitive, and will give you a definitive answer to confirm hyperthyroidism.

If your cat is found to have hyperthyroidism, your veterinarian may perform diagnostic imaging, such as radiographs and ultrasound to further access your cats overall well being, and ensure there is no other underlying cause or pathophysiology affecting your cat, such as tumors or other forms of cancer.

While the cause of hyperthyroidism in cats is generally not found, treatment in cats is often straightforward, and very successful. There are two major ways of treating hyperthyroidism, through medication or radiation treatment.

The treatment required for your cat’s hyperthyroidism will depend upon your pet’s individual health and circumstances. A variety of tests may be conducted prior to selecting a course of treatment in order to determine the condition of various organs and physiological systems. Once this is done, a treatment plan appropriate for your cat can then be selected.

Medication administration is the most common and usually less expensive route of treatment. Administration of a medication twice daily for life can be given in the form of pills, liquid medication or even transdermal gels. Treatment this way is dependent on the owners ability to ensure the cat receives and actually ingests his or her medication on a set schedule, and requires that a cat be willing to take the medication.

A newer form of treatment that has become more popular in the last few years is in the form of a one-time, radiation therapy treatment. Radioiodine therapy utilizes the injection of a radioactive iodine treatment directly into the thyroid gland, which kills only the abnormal cells causing the thyroid to overproduce thyroxin. Often only one treatment is needed to virtually “cure” the cat of hyperthyroidism, eliminating the need for daily medications. However, this is a more invasive treatment that requires a multiple day hospital stay for the cat, and an initially bigger financial investment in order to provide the treatment.

Regardless of which type of treatment your choose for your cat, the other major component of successfully treating and managing hyperthyroidism is follow-up bloodwork. Initially after starting medication or undergoing iodine therapy, your veterinarian may recommend several rounds of follow-up bloodwork in order to adjust medication doses, and ensure the radiation was successful. As time goes on and the cats system stabilizes, these blood tests may become more infrequent, however all cats being treated for hyperthyroidism should have their T4 levels checked at least twice yearly to ensure that no changes to their treatment protocol need to be made.

While hyperthyroidism in cats can be a dangerous and potentially fatal disease process, it is highly treatable. Cats with hyperthyroidism that is managed effectively often develop no secondary signs or illnesses associated with their disease, and these cats go on to live long, healthy lives.

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What causes constipation?

Factors associated with causing constipation include:

• Hairballs, especially in long-haired cats.
• Ingestion of foreign bodies.
• Obstruction caused by tumors, strictures or masses compressing or blocking the large intestine.
• Pelvic injuries resulting in a narrowed pelvic canal.
• Damage of the nerves, which cause the colon to contract. This may develop after trauma or may be part of a more generalized neurological disease.
• In some cases, there is no obvious cause identified.

Constipation is a condition seen most commonly in middle-aged and older cats.

What is megacolon?
This term refers to a dilated and weak colon that causes severe constipation. Megacolon may be seen as a primary entity or following long-term constipation. When the colon becomes distended with fecal material over a prolonged period of time, its ability to contract may be reduced or lost resulting in megacolon.

How are constipation and megacolon diagnosed?
In most cases, a diagnosis of constipation can be made on the basis of the cat’s clinical signs. Affected cats usually strain unsuccessfully to defecate and may cry in pain. Any feces passed are hard and dry. The cat may also show signs of lethargy, reluctance to eat and vomiting.

Further tests may be needed in order to diagnose the cause of the constipation and these may include abdominal and pelvic x-rays to look for pelvic injuries, colonic strictures or tumors. X-rays are also the primary test for the diagnosis of megacolon.

How can constipation and megacolon be treated?
Treatment varies depending on the cause of constipation. If an obstruction such as a colonic tumor is present, surgical treatment may be performed.

About the Author:
This article was supplied by Elizabeth Hodgkins DVM – All About Cats Health Center
View website: http://www.yourdiabeticcat.com

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How serious is vomiting?

Most cases of acute vomiting (i.e. the vomiting has been present for less than 2-3 days) resolve readily with simple treatment without the underlying cause being diagnosed. Severe or chronic vomiting is more serious. It can lead to secondary problems, particularly dehydration and disturbances in the levels of electrolytes, especially sodium. It is important to investigate such cases to identify the underlying cause to provide effective treatment.

Recognizing vomiting:

Vomiting may begin with a stage of nausea, the cat appears restless, and possibly apprehensive. The cat may lick its lips, salivate and repeatedly swallow. Vomiting itself involves contractions of the abdominal muscles, which may be repeated, leading to return of fluid, froth or food. The severe effort associated with vomiting may be distressing to the cat.

It is important to differentiate this from the abdominal contractions associated with coughing. Cats may cough up some froth which they subsequently swallow creating more confusion with vomiting. Cats usually crouch down on all four legs when coughing with the neck stretched out.

It is also helpful to differentiate vomiting from regurgitation, which is usually associated with problems affecting the esophagus or gullet. Features which help to differentiate vomiting from regurgitation include: –

• whether return of food involves abdominal contractions and effort
• whether the returned food is in the shape of a sausage
• whether the returned food is re-eaten
• the relation to feeding

Acute vomiting

Acute vomiting is vomiting that has been present for no more than 2-3 days. Most cases will respond quickly to simple treatment. The cause of such cases is often never established and may be due to relatively trivial factors such as eating spoiled food etc. In a minority of acute cases of vomiting, usually because the vomiting is severe leading to complications such as dehydration or because a more serious underlying cause is suspected, further tests, specific treatment and more supportive care will be required. Features that you may be able to identify that will help the veterinarian decide whether simple treatment or further investigations are appropriate would be:

• if the cat appears otherwise well or ill – depressed, lethargic or has any other specific signs
• if the cat is eating
• if there has been weight loss
• if there has been any blood in the vomit (a few specks of fresh blood may not be abnormal but more copious or persistent bleeding is significant)
• any pain or distress, particularly affecting the abdomen
• whether normal feces are being passed
• the frequency of vomiting
• the relationship of vomiting to feeding – particularly if there is a long delay
• any offensive odor to the vomitus
• what the cat has been fed
• any recent change of diet
• any possible access to other foods or other substances
• any treatment given recently
• whether other cats in the household are affected

Symptomatic treatment for vomiting

Symptomatic treatment is usually tried initially in mild cases of vomiting. It may involve a number of measures:

1. Withholding of food for 6-8 hours or as directed by your veterinarian.

2. Provision of an easily digested, bland diet.

A simple, easily digestible diet will normally be offered in small quantities. A diet based on boiled chicken or sometimes fish with rice is often used. It is important that the cat does not receive any other foods during this period. Water should be freely available and is important to combat dehydration. If the cat is progressing well, the quantity of food offered can be gradually increased back to normal over several days and then the cat’s normal diet reintroduced gradually over several days.

3. Drugs – certain medications are available to control vomiting and your veterinarian may advise the use of these.

Further investigation of vomiting

If the vomiting is severe or the veterinarian suspects a serious underlying problem, other treatment and diagnostic tests may be required. It may be necessary to hospitalize your cat so that intravenous fluids can be given to combat dehydration as well as correcting any imbalances in the levels of electrolytes. It will also be possible to administer drugs by injection as required to control the vomiting. In some less severe cases you may be asked to administer fluids and special solutions at home. You may be given a syringe to help you do this. You must be patient, giving only small quantities at frequent intervals. If your cat becomes unduly distressed, contact your veterinarian for instructions.

Further diagnostic tests may be required in cases of chronic vomiting when the cat has been vomiting for more than 2-3 weeks, even though the vomiting may be intermittent and the cat may appear otherwise well. Such cases can often not be successfully treated until the underlying cause has been determined. Some of the more commonly used tests are:

• Blood tests – to check for infections, kidney and liver problems, and provide other clues to the diagnosis.
• X-rays – may show abnormalities of the esophagus or stomach. It may be necessary to give barium to help identify any blockages, tumors, ulcers, foreign bodies, etc.
• Endoscopy – in some cases a diagnosis can be made by viewing the inside of the stomach directly through an endoscope, a flexible viewing tube, which is passed through the mouth under a general anesthetic.
• Laparotomy – in some cases an exploratory operation is necessary, particularly if some obstruction or blockage is suspected. This may also allow surgical treatment of the problem.

About the Author:This article was supplied by Elizabeth Hodgkins DVM – All About Cats Health Center
View website: http://www.yourdiabeticcat.com

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