When cats don’t feel well, their health may take a drastic turn before pet owners even realise that something is wrong. That’s because of cats’ instinctive ability to hide their pain and illness, which would place them at risk of being preyed upon in the wild. Unfortunately, most cats’ instincts have not caught up with the fact that they are safe with their human family and can (and should) reveal their symptoms. It wouldn’t be a risk to them and it would certainly make clinical diagnosis a lot easier!
The onus is therefore on cat owners to detect and communicate any changes in mood, behaviour and general appearance to their cat’s vet. From here, the vet will examine the cat and identify the symptoms of potential illness, run diagnostics tests, and provide treatment or disease management. In this article, we’ll explore the most common cat illnesses seen by veterinarians, and how to identify them through the symptoms that cats present.
The most common cat health problems seen by vets
Common cat health problems include those that are genetically inherited, those caused by pathogens and pests, age-related health problems as well as allergies and dental issues:
- Chronic renal failure (CRF)
- Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Dental disease
- Heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
- Arthritis
- Gastrointestinal problems
- vomiting (and hairballs)
- diarrhoea
Let’s explore these in more detail so you know what to look for if you suspect your cat is suffering silently with an illness.
Chronic renal failure
Many domestic cats are genetically predisposed to kidney failure – it’s the most common inherited disease in cats. It can be caused or triggered by another issue such as kidney stones, autoimmune disorders, an imbalanced diet or an infection. The kidneys’ functions include processing and eliminating waste products in the urine, and they reabsorb essential nutrients to maintain balance and keep the cat healthy. Anything that disrupts these functions will result in physical symptoms that are harmful to the cat’s health. Unfortunately, these symptoms will not be overt until around 75% of the cat’s renal function has been compromised. By the time renal failure is diagnosed, the cat will need intensive treatment to help their kidneys to work.
Symptoms of chronic renal failure
Ailing kidneys will affect the urinary habits of cats as well as their appetite. The symptoms can include:
- excessive urination
- excessive thirst – drinking more water than usual
- reduced appetite
- vomiting
- weight loss
- lethargy
- dry skin and matted coat
Diagnosing chronic renal failure
The vet will run diagnostics tests including blood tests, urine tests (urinalysis) and perform an ultrasound to see what’s going on in and around the cat’s kidneys. The imaging tests can reveal enlarged or misshapen kidneys and the presence of cysts, renal stones or fluid retention. The urinalysis can reveal filtration issues, as there will be proteins and other waste materials in the urine if the kidneys aren’t functioning as they should be. These tests are performed to not only confirm renal failure, but to determine how severe it is, how intensive the treatment needs to be, and what the prognosis is for the cat.
Treating chronic renal failure
Chronic renal failure is incurable, but lifelong management of the symptoms is possible and the vet will do their best to advise on navigating the best road forward. Each cat is different and the effectiveness of treatment for each case of chronic renal failure will be determined by a range of factors – how severe the disease is, the cat’s overall health, her age, and at-home compliance. The vet will recommend a prescription diet to support the kidneys while meeting the cat’s nutritional needs. Since chronic renal failure is a progressive disease, the vet will need to regularly test the cat to confirm or adjust the treatment she is receiving, to properly support her kidneys.
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) does not refer to one single issue, but rather it’s a syndrome that consists of a range of health problems located in the lower urinary tract. It can involve inflammation, the formation of bladder stones, urethral obstruction, bladder or urinary tract infection, or even cancer. Many of these issues have similar symptoms, which makes diagnosis and treatment quite complex.
Symptoms of FLUTD
The symptoms are mostly behavioural, which is why it’s important for cat owners to be aware of their cat’s habits:
- straining to produce urine
- producing only a small amount of urine at a time
- painful urination (crying or howling)
- inappropriate urination (not waiting to use the litterbox or urinating in uncharacteristic places)
- excessive licking or grooming of genitals
- blood in the urine
Diagnosis of FLUTD
At the first sign of strain or trouble urinating, the cat must be taken to the vet. This is not a case of waiting to see if things pass or improve – if the cat has a urethral obstruction, it’s a medical emergency as this condition can be life-threatening. The vet will begin with a thorough examination of the cat, perform urinalysis, and use imaging (X-rays or ultrasound) to determine whether crystals or stones (uroliths) are present in the lower urinary system (bladder and/or urethra).
Treatment for FLUTD
The vet will treat each condition of FLUTD individually. For instance, if the cat has a UTI, they will be given antibiotics to clear it up. If bladder stones are obstructing any part of the urinary system, they can be surgically removed. If the cat has a urethral obstruction, they will need to go under anaesthetic for a catheter to be placed, which can remove the obstruction and empty the bladder. Some cats will experience feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), which is not bacterial in nature and therefore particularly difficult to diagnose and treat; especially if the causes are stress-related or behavioural in nature. FIC can be mitigated by ensuring your cat has the freedom and peace to practise natural elimination behaviours without any territorial threats from other cats. They need full-time, relaxed access to food, water and their own litterbox. There is a life-long risk of recurring episodes of FLUTD, so cat owners can speak to the vet about a prescription diet for urinary health and get advice on how best to manage their cat’s environment.
Flea allergy dermatitis
Cats can be allergic to the saliva of fleas – all it takes is just one bite to trigger a severe allergic reaction. It is extremely itchy and can cause cats to compulsively lick and scratch themselves to the point of injuring their skin. When bacteria enter through the broken skin, cats can develop open sores and a secondary bacterial infection, which will need veterinary treatment.
Flea allergy dermatitis symptoms
Cats do groom themselves a lot, but take note of the relentlessness of the licking and scratching in an allergic cat’s behaviour. They do not appear to get any relief and can even injure themselves. Flea allergy dermatitis symptoms include:
- excessive grooming (licking and scratching)
- inflamed, irritated or broken skin
- feline alopecia; patchy hair loss
- ‘pimply’ or crusty-looking skin on the face and under the chin
Diagnosing flea allergy dermatitis
The vet will specifically look for signs of fleas – either visible and alive on the cat – or their flea dirt. They will also look for typical signs of scratching, injured skin, and patches of baldness at the base of the cat’s tail.
Treatment for flea allergy dermatitis
The vet will need to treat the damage to the cat’s skin, and prescribe an antibiotic if there is a secondary infection. They will treat the itching and allergy with a topical skin spray or a hydrocortisone cream, as well as target the cause, which means giving the cat a tablet or applying a spot-on solution to get rid of the fleas.
Dental disease in cats
Dental disease is a very common affliction in domestic cats and may consist of gum disease (gingivitis), periodontal disease, tooth infection or tooth resorption. Dental disease begins as plaque accumulating on the teeth and hardening to tartar, which is impossible to simply brush off. Plaque and tartar that gets below the gumline causes inflammation and can quickly progress to painful and damaging periodontal disease.
Symptoms of dental disease
At various stages of progressive dental disease, a cat may experience the following symptoms:
- bad breath
- excessive salivation
- dark yellow tartar near the gumline
- pawing at the face/mouth
- refusal of kibble/only eating wet food
- lack of appetite
- inflammation in the gums
- bleeding gums
- bloody saliva
- tooth loss
Diagnosing dental disease in cats
The vet will examine the cat’s mouth and look for the telltale signs of dental disease. A lot of dental disease is hidden from external view, so the cat will need to be placed under anaesthetic so the vet can examine below the gumline. During this procedure, the vet will take the opportunity to carefully examine each tooth, clean out debris where necessary, remove diseased tissue, and look for any damage that warrants tooth extraction. The teeth will be scaled and cleaned, removing all tartar, and polished, making it difficult for new dental plaque to stick to the teeth’s surface.
Treating dental disease in cats
After the dental procedure, the cat will be prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatories and, where infection needs to be resolved; antibiotics. The vet will recommend a dental care regimen for the cat as a preventative measure to keep further dental disease at bay. This will include toothbrushing, the use of oral rinses and gels, as well as a dental diet if the cat is particularly susceptible to dental disease. An annual dental check-up and regular scaling and polishing will also help to protect cats’ teeth.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a very common type of heart disease in cats. Approximately one in seven cats will develop the condition, which involves the thickening of the heart muscle of the left ventricle. HCM is a progressive heart disease that compromises the heart’s ability to supply oxygenated blood to the body, so it has to work harder to supply the body’s oxygen needs. Some cats with HCM will be completely asymptomatic; however, most cats will develop congestive heart failure as the heart becomes less efficient at supplying oxygen to the rest of the body.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy symptoms
A deficient oxygen supply in the body has dire health consequences for cats with HCM. In general, their symptoms may include:
- lethargy/fatigue
- weakness
- fainting/collapse
- open-mouthed breathing or panting
- difficulty breathing
- increased heartrate
- irregular heartbeat
- thromboembolism/blood clots
- lack of appetite
- vomiting
- fluid in the lungs or abdomen
- discoloured gums and foot pads
The vet will be able to detect problems with a cat’s heart at their annual check-up, even before the onset of any symptoms. This is one reason why it’s important for cats to see the vet every year for a general check-up.
Diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The vet will listen to the cat’s heart with a stethoscope. If they suspect a heart problem, they will conduct a full blood panel and take X-rays. An echocardiogram (ECG) will allow the vet to look inside the cat’s heart and get a real-time view of the blood flowing into and out of the heart, as well as between the chambers. This view, combined with the symptoms, can lead the vet to a diagnosis of HCM.
Treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The heart muscle cannot regenerate or heal from damage, so the vet cannot reverse or ‘fix’ the permanent changes brought on by HCM. The condition is incurable, but the vet can prescribe medications to make the heart’s job easier, to reduce the severity of the symptoms, and attempt slow the progression of the disease. They can prescribe medications that can:
- reduce fluid build-up around the lungs
- improve heart rhythm
- reduce heart rate
- reduce blood pressure
- reduce blood clots
- reduce anxiety and improve breathing
Some cats with HCM can do well with continued management of their symptoms and ongoing monitoring of their condition, while others will deteriorate quickly and develop congestive heart failure. Each cat’s condition and prognosis will be different, which is why it’s important to work with the vet in diagnosing and treating their HCM.
Arthritis in cats
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (JDD) in cats occurs when the joint cartilage breaks down over time, causing contact and painful friction between the bones of the limbs. Genetically, some cats are more susceptible to arthritis than others, but there’s a lot that can be done to keep their joint cartilage healthy and protect them from everyday wear and tear. Obesity, especially in older cats, can severely aggravate arthritis and make it a lot more painful than if the cat were a normal weight.
Symptoms of arthritis in cats
Since arthritis affects the joints, causing pain during movement, it causes visible symptoms, such as:
- limping
- walking stiffly
- refusing to jump up or down from furniture
- avoidance of ascending or descending stairs
- getting up or lying down with difficulty
- reduced suppleness
- reduced ability to groom (scruffy or matted fur)
How arthritis is diagnosed
Most cats will develop some form of arthritis by the age of 12 years old, but the vet will begin to look for signs of arthritis at a cat’s annual check-up from the age of around seven years old. X-rays can reveal any thickening or inflammation of the joints. The sooner the vet can prescribe a nutritional solution or supplements to reduce the progression of arthritis, the better.
How arthritis is treated
The first port of call is to ensure the cat is the correct weight for her size, to remove as much pressure as possible from painful joints. A weight management prescription diet may be necessary. As a degenerative disease, osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, but its progression can be slowed while the cat’s pain can also be managed with anti-inflammatories. Treatments for arthritis include:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for pain
- supplements and nutrition for joint health, with ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3s
- physiotherapy for pain management and to improve mobility
- surgery – for specific cases
- lifestyle changes, such as a memory foam mattress, raised food and water bowls, pet stairs for getting onto and off of furniture, non-slip flooring
Gastrointestinal issues in cats
Gastrointestinal issues are some of the most common reasons for vet visits. They can be mild – like occasional vomiting – or severe, so cat owners should always take note of their cats’ eating, drinking and elimination habits. When GI problems like vomiting and diarrhoea, constipation, dehydration, pain and other more severe symptoms continue or worsen over 24 hours, they can indicate a health issue that needs immediate attention.
Causes of GI problems in cats
The causes of GI problems can be tricky to determine, but the following culprits can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats:
- dietary indiscretion (hunting and eating wild critters like birds, lizards and rodents)
- sudden change in diet
- food allergies
- obstruction in the GI tract
- inflammatory bowel disease
- parasites like worms
- hairballs
- pancreatitis
- stress in general
- cancer of the stomach or bowel
Diagnosing GI problems in cats
At the vet, it’s important to list the behavioural changes observed in the cat’s eating and elimination habits. Is the cat vomiting? Do they have diarrhoea? The vet may ask for a photo or even a faecal sample; they may do a urinalysis, blood test and X-rays to determine the cause of the cat’s GI issues.
Treatment for GI problems in cats
The cause of the GI problems will determine which treatment is prescribed. Since a cat’s diet and their absorption of good nutrition is critical to good health, it’s important that cat owners follow the vet’s treatment plan and ensure they comply at home. If the vet prescribes a new diet or medication, do not deviate from their recommendation, and keep a record of how the cat’s health is improving or if symptoms persist.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to tell when your cat is ill, but any deviation from her usual behaviour can be a subtle indicator that she’s in pain or that something is out of balance. Cats do not like to show any kind of weakness, so it’s up to cat owners to notice when something is amiss. Therefore, it’s best to approach your cat’s health with a preventative strategy: make sure their vaccinations are up to date, maintain a regular regimen of parasitic preventative care, and schedule a yearly appointment with the vet for a general health check-up.
