Almost 62% of households have a pet, and members of those households can certainly testify that having a sick pet can be very scary. But whether your cat won’t stop throwing up, or your dog won’t stop eating chocolate, veterinarians are there to help. They have the medical background, the field experience, and the special veterinary equipment to take care of big and small problems for big and small animals.
About 38.9 million households own a cat, and for good reason. They are adorable, cuddly and always act like they know something you don’t. But they get can get as sick as a dog, although not as often as dogs. According to a study by Dr. Lauren Felsted for the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats represent 80% of clinic growth potential — they visit veterinarians less than dogs, and stay for less time in veterinary care.
Despite their feline resilience, it is important to look out for these common cat maladies:
Lower Urinary Tract Infection
If your cat’s not using the litter box, or straining without producing urine, he or she might have a lower urinary tract infection. The culprit could be a number of different things: bladder stones, blockage in the urinary tract, and bladder stones. Treatment varies based on the condition, and may involve pain medication, antibiotics, or surgical procedures with special veterinary equipment.
Heartworm Disease
Some cats may show no symptoms, while others may cough, exhibit respiratory problems, or vomiting. Unfortunately there is no treatment for this condition — but, often a cats own immune system can fight off the infection. Preventative heat worm medication and routine check ups are essential.
Dental Disease
You can tell if a cat has dental disease if he or she has difficulty breathing, bad breath, and a change in chewing habits. Chew toys and teeth brushing (with special, feline toothpaste) are good preventative measures to take. If you suspect that your cat has dental disease, take him or her to a veterinarian dentist immediately.
Preventative measures are important, but also remember that vets have veterinarian equipment, veterinary exam tables and a veterinary autoclave, among other things, to help them properly diagnose and treat you cat.