5 Most Common Health Problems Seen in Kittens

Generally, the newly adopted kitten will be healthy and without any health issues, but that’s not always the case. You should be well aware of a few health problems that seem to occur with relative high frequency in the young kittens. This article will explain five most common health issues which are related to the young cats.

1.Fleas

Fleas are quite common feline external health problem, but it is the one that you can easily treat. Signs your cat has fleas include:

• Frequent licking
• Red or irritated skin
• Hair loss
• Constant scratching
• Skin infections or hot spots
• Flea dirt on its skin (they look like tiny black dots)

Fleas can live on the fur of your feline friend for more than a year. If this problem becomes serious, the risk of anemia will also increase in your cat. Be sure to treat the flea problem of your cat and prevent future infestations.

2.Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)

According the latest study, almost 3% of cats seen by vets have FLUTD disease, which is actually a group of feline diseases with multiple causes. Male and female cats can get FLUTD, and it often occurs in the cats that are overweight or unfit or who eat dry food.

Some symptoms of FLUTD include:

• Depression
• Straining to urinate
• Bloody urine
• Crying when urinating
• Urinating in unusual places
• Dehydration
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Licking around the urinary area (often because of pain)

It is always an emergency if your feline friend cannot urinate. You should call your veterinary doctor immediately if you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract problem.

3.Vomiting

Vomiting is quite common health problem with cats which may have various causes. It can be caused by eating something poisonous or inedible (like string), urinary tract disease, infection, diabetes or  hairballs.

Symptoms of vomiting are usually obvious, and include abdominal heaving and drooling. Frequent vomiting can leave your cat dehydrated, therefore, if kitty continues vomiting, you should immediately call your vet. It is also recommended to collect a sample of your cat’s vomit and take the sample with you to your vet.

4.Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be caused by many things such as  allergies, infection, spoiled food, liver disease, cancer, and many more. Some common symptoms of diarrhea are watery, loose, or liquid stool. Depending on its cause, this medical condition can last for a day, a week, or even months.

If your cat has diarrhea, you can offer her plenty of fresh, clean water so as to prevent dehydration. After that you should remove your kitty’s food which is left for 12 to 24 hours. It is advised to take your feline to the vet if she still has diarrhea after a day or immediately if you notice dark or bloody stools, vomiting, lethargy, fever, or loss of appetite.

5.Eye Problems

In your cat, eye problems in cats can be caused by various things, such as cataracts, conjunctivitis, trauma, glaucoma, viruses, retinal disease and inflammation.

Some symptoms that may mean your feline friend has eye problems are tear-stained fur, watery eyes, red or white eyelid linings, cloudiness, squinting, gunk in the corners of the eye, pawing at the eye, or a visible third eyelid. Unless you exactly know the cause of your cat’s eye problems, there is not much you can do other than wipe away the gunk with the damp cotton ball.