Do you know what to do when your kitty is unwell? Rather than letting him suffer silently, why not learn to take pro-active steps to ensure that your cat gets the best treatment possible? Let’s take a look at common feline health care issues and find out how we can help.

Broken Bones

Unfortunately, cats will come off second best every time they have a run-in with a vehicle. The result may be a broken bone, back, or even neck. Clearly you will want to get your kitty to the vet as soon as possible. But you need to be extremely careful. You can make the problem worse by trying to do things at home. Don’t try to bandage a broken bone at home. You are likely to hurt the cat even more, which will probably make it turn around and hurt you back. Get the cat into as stable a position as possible, with as little trauma to the injury as possible to avoid getting hurt.

Skin Injuries

Cats can get into fights with other cats. Depending on where you live, they may also spend time fleeing from wild animals or even end up with rattlesnake bites. Check your cat’s skin periodically for lacerations and punctures. You may need to put some light pressure on the wound with a cloth in order to help stem any bleeding. Wrap the cat in a towel so it doesn’t hurt itself and place it in cat carrier or a cardboard box. Then take your cat to the vet for treatment of the wound.

How to Tell if Your Cat Is Sick

The first thing you should look for in determining if your cat is unwell is lethargy. We all know that cats sleep a lot, but you should be able to tell if your cat is more tired than he or she usually is. Decreased appetite or weight loss is another sign of an unhealthy kitty. Are they finishing their food, are they leaving food behind, or are they eating the same amount of food, but losing weight anyway? If so, this is a sign that they are unwell. If your cat is drinking more water, this is a sure sign that something is not right. It is also a main sign of a potential cat disease, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or hypothyroidism. Changes in urinary habits are another indication that your cat is under the weather. If your cat is in and out of the litter box or urinating more frequently, or straining to urinate, this could be a sign that something is wrong. You should also look out for excess sneezing or a runny nose. This may indicate an upper respiratory infection or a virus which can be very serious. If you are concerned about coughing and sneezing, you should get your cat to the vet.

Does Your Cat Have a Cold?

Kittens are more prone to picking up colds because they have an immature immune system. That’s why it’s important to vaccinate them, starting at least at eight weeks of age. Continue until sixteen weeks. If your cat does get a cold, it’s usually one of two viruses: herpes or calicivirus. Both of these are highly contagious. Symptoms include:  

• Runny eyes
• Stuffy nose
• Ulcers on nose or lips
• Coughing
• Fever
• Lethargy

Like humans, a cat’s body has to fight off a cold. There aren’t really any effective treatments for the virus, but if your cat stops eating you need to go in and see the veterinarian for supportive care. Otherwise keep the kitty confined from your other cats, and make sure they have a nice warm place to eat and sleep. You should also put them in the bathroom a couple times a day so they can get humidity from the shower. Alternatively, set up a humidifier.

Cat Nutrition

As with humans, proper nutrition will go a long way toward promoting cat health. A key nutrient which is missing from the diet of many cats is omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids will support and promote the formation of healthy cells. That’s because omega 3 plays a vital role in every cell membrane formed. Omega 3 fatty acids also promote a healthy immune and inflammatory system within your pet’s body. A deficiency in omega 3 may not only affect your pet’s overall health, but also affect your pet’s coat health. Giving your cat the added protection of an omega 3 supplement will help to ward off illness and promote vibrant health.