 If your cat has blood in its stool on only one occasion, and otherwise appears to be eating, drinking and acting normally, the cause may simply be a minor gastrointestinal upset, such as eating too much, eating a unfamiliar food, or eating something that does not agree with him.  The act of de-clawing itself involves more than you may think. De-clawing not only removes the nail itself, but also the first knuckle on each toe of the paw. This removal of bone is very painful for the animal, especially since it has to walk on its paws in order to sustain itself.  As your cat ages, there are many common health problems that can begin to manifest themselves. Feline Hyperthyroidism is both a common and serious health problem that can occur in cats, but thankfully with proper diagnosis and treatment, affected cats can live normal, healthy lives.  The most common health problems in older cats include hyperthyroidism, renal disease and failure, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and dental disease. Fortunately, all of these conditions can be managed with current veterinary medicine, allowing affected cats to live longer, healthier lives.  Cats can become ill for a variety of reasons, and many illnesses and diseases may result in similar behavior changes or other signs of illness in your cat. Paying close attention to the symptoms of a sick cat can help you to more quickly identify illness in your cat and diagnose and treat the problem before it can become more serious.  Because it is difficult to differentiate visually between mast cell tumors and other benign skin growths such as cysts, any suspicious growth on your cat should be biopsied via a fine-needle aspiration.  If your cat has a cough, and it is an older cat, heart problems may be to blame. Coughing is one of the most constant signs of heart disease in cats. As the heart begins to have trouble functioning properly, fluid can build up around the heart and lungs, causing a cough, rapid breathing and difficulty taking full, deep breaths.  Cats are many things. Some are energetic, playful and loving. Others are lazy, grumpy and aloof. One thing that most cats are not, however, is complainers. What that means is that they don’t necessarily whine over every little ache and pain.  One of the questions that diabetic cat owners ask most frequently is “what should I feed my cat?” It is an excellent question, because diet is the cornerstone of health for all cats, but especially the diabetic cat.  The bottom line is that milk is not necessary for a cat, but as long as she seems able to tolerate it, an occasional bowl isn’t going to hurt.  The most honest and urgent reasons to purchase pet insurance for a cat is the simple fact that we love them, and we want them on this earth with us for as long as humanly possible. It really is that simple.  Vaccination for FeLV can have side effects, the most serious of which is a vaccine associated sarcoma, or cancerous mass, than can form at the injection site.  Want another simple way to prevent lyme disease? Keep your cat indoors! Outdoor cats have been proven to have shorter life spans than those that are kept indoors at all times.  Vomiting describes the expulsion of food from the stomach. It may be related to disorders of the stomach but is a clinical sign that can occur with many diseases and problems. It is not a specific disease or diagnosis itself.  Heartworms are 9-11” long worms that live in a cat’s heart or in the arteries leading to the lungs known as pulmonary arteries. Although heartworms occur commonly in dogs, most people do not consider them a problem for the cat.  Hairballs are discomforting to the cat, as well as a mess to clean up. The acid from the stomach that accompanies the hairball usually stains whatever surface it has landed upon, making it a costly incident as well.  Constipation can be defined as an abnormal accumulation of feces resulting in difficult bowel movements. This may result in reduced frequency or absence of defecation.  Most people who have shared their homes with cats have witnessed more than their share of vomiting. Most of the time, these are isolated incidents that cause no more stress for pet and owner than the amount of distress caused by stepping in the pile with one’s bare feet.  Check out this list of plants that are toxic to cats to ensure your favorite feline does not get sick from nibbling on your greenery  For many years, veterinarians have known that obesity in cats seemed to make the obese patient more likely to get diabetes. In fact, most of us thought that overweight actually caused diabetes. Today, I do not believe excess pounds in a cat are a cause of this condition.  The normal, healthy cat may routinely vomit once or twice a week as a rule, without any obvious medical reason. In most cases, cats that vomit occasionally without any other sign of illness are either doing so due to their eating habits, or due to hairballs.  Weight loss in cats is not a disease - it is a sign of an underlying problem. Prompt veterinary care if you suspect a problem will help to ensure that the causes are diagnosed and addressed properly.  Despite the multitude of potential causes of urinary tract disease, generally the signs are very similar. Cats will often urinate in small amounts more frequently, sometimes straining in the box for a prolonged period of time.  Brushing is the best way to help prevent your cat from developing hairballs. Remember that hairballs are formed by hairs that are swallowed while your cat is grooming herself.  While you probably don’t enjoy seeing your indoor gardening efforts being reduced to shreds by your cats sharp little teeth, eating non-toxic plants is not harmful to your cat. Unfortunately, many plants ARE toxic, and the results of ingesting them can be deadly.  If you are a cat owner at some point you may have to entertain the idea of euthanizing a cat. If your cat is in pain or suffering with loss of function and loss of quality of life that is not going to get better, choosing when to end the suffering is a difficult and highly personal decision.  Putting a cat on a diet is a commitment, a lengthy commitment that requires determination, time, and forethought on your behalf. However, it is vital for your cat’s health that you set aside the appropriate energy.  Cat vomiting seems to come with cat ownership. This article will tell you what to look out for, as well as how to stop and prevent the reoccurrence.  A common symptom is the weakening or loss of the hair, accompanied by the appearance of skin areas with fragile or broken hairs or even of areas of alopecia, with or without skin erythema.
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