What’s the topic for today?
I thought I’d talk about what signs to look out for when your cat is sick. Cats can be quite elusive when they are sick, and the signs they show can be quite subtle, so it’s easy to overlook sickness in cats.
Cats tend to go off and hide somewhere when they are sick, don’t they?
They can certainly become quite lethargic and spend most of the day sleeping somewhere in private. Cats normally sleep for 16 to 18 hrs a day, but most of this is catnapping, and they quickly become alert again when someone walks into the room. If your cat seems more sleepy than usual when you approach it, then it may be sick.
Do cats always become lethargic and sleepy when they are sick?
No, some illnesses actually make the cat more active or hyperactive. An overactive thyroid gland can do that. Sick cats can also become quite aggressive as they are either in pain or just want to be left alone, as they feel vulnerable.
So, a change in normal activity or behaviour can indicate illness?
That’s right. Also, a change in toileting habits is something to look out for. A sick cat is more likely to toilet inside, either because there is an increased urgency to toilet or simply because they don’t feel up to the effort of going outside.
What about appetite? That must be an important thing to look out for?
Absolutely. Again, you need to look for a change in appetite rather than just a decreased appetite, as some diseases cause cats to have a ravenous appetite.
What about drinking water?
Yes, again, it is a change in water consumption to look out for. A lethargic cat may drink less, but a cat with diabetes or kidney problems will drink a huge amount.
Do sick cats lose weight?
Sometimes. Weight loss is always a concern, and even if the cat appears to be normal in other ways, they should always be taken to the vet for a check-up. There is usually an underlying reason for the weight loss. Some diseases can make cats gain weight, too, so again, it is a change in body weight to look out for.
What other things should people look out for?
A change in grooming habits. Cats should keep their own coat in good condition. If they start to get a matted or scurfy coat, there may be something going on. It may be too painful for the cat to groom itself. Also, sometimes cats will start to over-groom and make themselves bald. This is often a sign of skin disease.
Do cats make a lot of noise when they are sick?
Sometimes cats will start howling for no apparent reason, but it can be due to a variety of things, from pain to an increase in blood pressure affecting the brain. Sometimes they will howl if they have suddenly become blind.
Is there anything else we should look out for?
Bad breath is something that people often notice about their cats. That can be due to bad teeth or gum disease, but more commonly it’s due to a sore throat.
Would the cat be coughing if it had a sore throat?
No, they often don’t cough. They may be off their food a little, but often the only sign is the bad breath, and people sometimes ignore this.
So basically, if there is any change in your cat’s normal behaviour or appearance, you should take them to see the vet.
Yes, that’s what it boils down to. There is usually an underlying reason for any changes you might notice. What I’ve talked about today are some of the more subtle things to look out for, but don’t forget to look out for the more obvious things too, like vomiting, diarrhoea, weepy eyes and noses, sneezing, fight wounds, and lameness.
I’m going to talk about the accidental mating of bitches.
You mean things like the morning-after pill?
Sort of. There is a course of 2 injections that we give to prevent pregnancy after mating, but people don’t need to panic about having this done the morning after, as it is still effective up to 45 days after mating.
How effective are the injections?
99% if treated in the first 3 weeks and 95% if treated after that.
Are the injections expensive?
Relatively yes. There are options, though.
What are the options?
You can have the bitch ultrasound scanned 28 days after mating to see if she is actually pregnant. If she is, then you can have the course of injections at that stage or choose to let the bitch have the pups.
Are those the only options?
No. You could choose to have the bitch spayed regardless of whether she is pregnant or not. We can spay bitches up to 4-5 weeks of pregnancy, but after that stage it becomes too risky.
Why is that? What is the risk?
The blood vessels to the uterus become very large in pregnancy, and there is a much greater risk of bleeding after the surgery.
Is there any other advice you can give on this topic?
Yes. The best option is to avoid accidental mating in the first place. The most effective way to do that is obviously to have all non-breeding bitches spayed.