Be watchful of your cat and how it acts to determine if it may be sick

Published in the Feb. 19 – March 4, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay

Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay

Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay

Cats can be very secretive when it comes to illness. Early signs of disease are usually very subtle and may not be what you expect. By the time a cat exhibits clear signs, the disease may have progressed significantly and be more difficult to treat. Here are some of the more common signs that your cat may not be feeling well.

That’s not where he should be going to the bathroom. When cats avoid using the litter box, they are trying to tell you something. Although it may be a behavioral issue, it can be related to an underlying medical condition.

He’s not acting himself. Changes in the way cats interact with people and animals in the household can indicate a problem. They may be hiding, acting more timid, seeking more attention.

Maybe he’s just getting older. Changes in a cat’s energy level are usually significant. Decreases often indicate pain, dehydration or may be a non-specific sign that the cat just doesn’t feel well. An increase often indicates hyperthyroidism, a common and manageable disease of older cats.

He sleeps all day long. Although indoor cats do tend to be lazy and sleep more than their outdoor counterparts, changes in the amount of time sleeping or the sleeping pattern can indicate changes in vision, hearing, blood pressure or general health.

He’s not eating or drinking the way he used to. Any changes in appetite and water intake are significant. An increased appetite is just as significant and can be associated with diabetes, hyperthyroidism or kidney disease. Other more subtle changes are also important, such as a decrease in eating or eating over a longer period of time.

His weight is changing. Normal dieting should result in very gradual weight changes. Abrupt weight loss is a clear indicator of disease. It can indicate hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, dental disease or any number of other health issues. Although increases in weight are often from eating too much, they can also indicate fluid accumulation in the abdomen or chest, tumors within the body or other diseases.

Maybe he is just stressed. Inappropriate elimination, over grooming, hiding, tail flicking and pinning ears aback can all be signs that your cat is not feeling well.

He just won’t stop grooming. Constant grooming is usually an indication of skin irritation, itching or pain. Grooming in specific areas may indicate pain in that area, such as licking under the tail with bladder infections or constantly scratching the face with dental disease. A lack of grooming is also important. Cats that do not feel well will stop grooming and develop a greasy, scaly coat. If your cat is unable to reach in order to groom, you should talk to your veterinarian about the more important issues associated with obesity.

His voice is changing. Changes in the tone, pitch or type of vocalization can indicate pain, infection or other diseases.

His mouth smells terrible. Many disease in the mouth (periodontal disease, ulcers, tumors, abscesses) commonly cause bad breath. But it may also indicate problems in other areas of the body, such as kidney disease or grooming of infected abscesses or anal glands.

Cats are not small dogs and will often show signs of disease in unexpected ways. Any changes from your cat’s normal behavior or pattern can indicate a problem and your veterinarian can make recommendations to help determine the significance.

Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay received her undergraduate degrees in Biology, Biochemistry and Spanish from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont. She graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with an emphasis in Mixed Animal Medicine. Raised in the Bay Area, she returned to practice both large and small animal medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children, running, cycling and plans to return to her equestrian pastime in the near future.