If you are new to owning a cat , you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own , health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary , while others can easily be prevented.WormsNo matter what breed of cat it may be , worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms , roundworms , and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight , problems with fleas , or if you find white specks in his stool , you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine , worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.HairballHairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis , normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion , this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack , he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end , most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.In rare cases , a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine , creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems , and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated , isn’t eating properly , or has a very dull coat , he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms , you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.Urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered , although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box , this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection , you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine , and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.Feline leukemiaIn the past , feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however , there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease , your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately , cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia , you should never allow other cats around him , as the virus is highly contagious.To protect your cat , you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations , he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided , most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well , which will protect him from a majority of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat , regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.
