Cats are a hugely popular choice when it comes to pets for many people, and it’s not hard to see why this would be. They are affectionate and good company, but they are also relatively low-maintenance (at least compared to other pets, such as dogs and caged animals, for example) because they are independent and take care of themselves.

However, that doesn’t mean their human owners don’t need to pay attention and help those cats when they become sick. In fact, cats rely on their owners for this assistance. Because of this, it’s good to know what illnesses cats are prone to so that you can be on the lookout for symptoms and get your cat the help they need as quickly as possible. Read on to find out more.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

Feline lower urinary tract disease, often shortened to FLUTD, is, as the name suggests, a condition that affects the urinary tract in cats. There are actually many things that can cause this condition, including the formation of urinary crystals, bacterial infections, and even stress.

The symptoms of FLUTD include:

·Frequent but painful urination

·Blood in the urine

This condition cannot be left untreated as it will lead to more serious issues, including kidney damage.

Dental Disease

Cats are just as prone to dental issues as humans are, and toothache for a cat will be as painful as you expect it would be. For cats, dental problems usually occur due to a build up of tartar and plaque on the teeth because, unlike humans, cats don’t brush their teeth toclean them.

Symptoms of this problem will include missing teeth, swollen gums, bad breath, and your cat may not eat much, if at all. Again, this is not something that you should just leave and hope that it will get better on its own because, apart from your cat being in constant pain and not eating, dental issues can lead to heart disease and kidney disease. Sometimes the best solution is to remove your cat’s teeth, or at least the problem ones. This can be expensive, which is why having pet insurance from experts such asperfectpetinsurance.co.uk is always a good idea.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FEV)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FEV) is a viral infection that is similar toHIV in humans. It attacks the cat’s immune system, meaning they are vulnerable to many different illnesses, including the FEV itself.

Look out for symptoms such as:

·Weight loss

·Fever

·Continuing infections

Sadly there is no cure for FEV, but cats can live long and happy lives with the condition if it is managed properly. If you are concerned about this, make sure you take your cat to the vet for a proper diagnosis, and you’ll get all the information you need to keep your cat happy and healthy for as long as possible.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is another viral infection that cats are prone to. FeLV is spread through bodily fluids, which include blood, saliva, and urine. The symptoms are similar to those found in FEV, and only accurate testing by a vet will determine what the issue with your cat really is.

Again, there is no cure for this condition, but it can be managed.

Author

Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.

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