Vets Say Recognizing These 12 Symptoms Can Save Your Cat’s Life

Dr. Greg Wolfus writes, "Take your cat to the vet right away if she's losing weight. It could be a sign of cancer, kidney or liver problems, heart disease, diabetes, among other things."

There are so many reasons why your cat could suddenly be losing weight, and none of them is a good thing. If your cat loses 10 percent of their body weight or more, it is definitely time to take them to see the vet.

WebMD writes, "A cat's respiratory motion should be smooth, even, and unrestrained. Rapid breathing at rest, coarse breathing, wheezing, rasping… are all abnormal. Many feline respiratory problems have infectious causes."

If your cat is having trouble breathing, they may not be getting enough oxygen to the rest of their body. There is likely a serious underlying cause that could include heart trouble, so it is vital to see a doctor right away.

There are many severe health issues that can cause your cat to have a seizure, not the least of which is some kind of neurological disorder. You should definitely have them checked out by your vet.

WebMD writes, "Most classic seizures in cats are caused by acute poisoning. Seizures after head injury may occur at the time of the accident, but in most cases appear several weeks later… Stroke, metabolic disorders, and epilepsy are other causes of seizures."

Dr. Krista Vernaleken writes, "A distended abdomen could be a sign of internal bleeding, a gastrointestinal obstruction or a hormonal disease – all emergencies."

Like in dogs and humans, a distended belly in cats is almost always a sign that something significant is wrong. You should take a trip to the vet, particularly if it is combined with any other symptoms.

Dr. Debra Primovic writes, "It is believed that fever is a method of fighting infection… The normal temperature in cats is 100.5°F to 102.5°F. If your cat temperature is high, call your veterinarian."

A fever in your cat could be a response to some kind of bacterial infection or virus. Your cat's body temperature may also rise from hyperthermia if they've been exposed to hot weather or have been sitting in a hot car. This sign of overheating is obviously not good for your cat's health either.

Dr. Justine Lee writes that coughing "is never normal. It's often caused by asthma, which can lead to severe chronic lung disease or death without treatment. If your cat is diagnosed, an emergency inhaler and oral medication can help ease symptoms."

Coughing can also be caused by pneumonia, lung tumors, heart failure, or an obstruction in the airway. In any case, cats are not supposed to cough, and you should visit the vet immediately.

Go to the NEXT page for more vital and surprising symptoms in your cat that you should never ignore!

Observing ear problems in your cat may be one of the most difficult, as cats are often grooming different parts of their bodies. But if you notice that your cat is scratching their ears more than normal, you should definitely take a closer look.

Dr. Krista Vernaleken writes, "If your cat is scratching her ears or you notice redness, swelling or discharge in her ear canal, it could be a sign of yeast, ear mites, bacteria or allergies."

Dr. Greg Wolfus writes, "If your cat has trouble relieving himself or doesn't seem able to pee at all, it could be a serious emergency."

In addition to keeping an eye on your cat for trouble or discomfort urinating, you should also keep an eye out for bloody urine. Blood could be a sign that your cat is dealing with kidney stones, cancer, or a type of bacterial infection. Obviously, it is important to take your cat to the doctor right away.

Dr. Justine Lee writes that if your active cat "would suddenly rather sleep than play, don't excuse this behavior as mere exhaustion… His aloofness could mean he's suffering from a potentially life-threatening illness, such as a urinary obstruction, kidney disease, pancreatitis, or cancer."

Only you will know if your cat's behavior seems different than usual. Chronic exhaustion or unexplained aloofness definitely deserve the attention of a medical professional.

Red eyes don't necessarily seem like they would be all that life-threatening. However, there are several diseases that can be caught by observing that your cat's eyes are redder than usual.

WebMD writes, "Conjunctivitis in cats almost always has an underlying infectious cause… If the eye is red, irritated, and painful to touch, consider the possibility of keratitis, uveitis, or glaucoma. Delay in treating these conditions could result in loss of vision."

Dr. Debra Primovic writes, "There are many causes of a loss of appetite and it is often the first indication of illness. Regardless of cause, loss of appetite can have a serious impact on an animal's health if it lasts 24 hours or more."

The term anorexia actually applies to cats as well when they are no longer interested in or able to eat. If you observe this anorexia, you are luckily catching your cat's illness early on, as it is usually one of the first symptoms.

Dr. Justine Lee writes, "A cat will throw up a hairball now and then, but vomiting more than once a month could indicate kidney failure or inflammatory bowel disease."

In addition, if you observe blood in your cat's vomit, you should definitely see the vet. This could be caused by stomach tumors, internal bleeding, clotting disorders, or even severe ulcers.

Knowing these symptoms is an absolutely crucial part of monitoring your cat's health. Catching these illnesses early can ensure that your cat lives a long, healthy, and happy life.

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