Scheduling an annual cat exam at Anasazi Animal Clinic is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy and head off any potential illnesses. However, things can happen in between visits, so it is important to watch for signs that your cat may not be feeling well.
There are a few common health issues your cat may experience sometime in their lifetime that can be identified during a cat exam. We’ve highlighted some of them below:
- One of the most common problems cats have is vomiting. This can be caused by a variety of things such as ingesting something poisonous, a foreign object, infections, urinary tract disease, ingesting fatty food, or hairballs.
- If your cat has watery eyes, fur around the eye that is stained, or is showing excessive pawing at the eye, he may be experiencing issues with his eyes. These are just a few of the symptoms that can indicate the presence of glaucoma, cataracts, inflammation, infection or retinal disease.
- Diarrhea is another common issue that can be the result of various causes. Spoiled food or eating something out of the ordinary can be a main culprit, as well as allergies, infection, liver disease, and even cancer.
- Another common issue for cats is tapeworms, which live in the small intestine. Signs your cat may have tapeworms can include vomiting and weight loss. The best way to tell if your cat has tapeworms is to check in the litter box and look at the feces. If tapeworms are present you will see a small, white worm-like infestation but since you may not always see them a fecal exam will be recommended.
- Any pet can get fleas, and cats are no exception. Fleas are easy to spot and fairly easy to get rid of. Look for something that looks like dirt or tiny black dots on your cat’s skin. There are a variety of options to treat fleas and our team at Anasazi can help you select the right one.
Whether your cat is showing symptoms of illness or if you just need to schedule an annual cat exam, contact our professional and caring team today. Don’t delay. Prevention and early detection are key to a full recovery. Working with you, we’ll help make sure your feline friend is as happy and healthy as can be.