- 1). Watch your cat closely. Become familiar with his normal habits and patterns of activity. The slightest variation may indicate the beginning of illness or disease.
- 2). Learn to monitor your cat's heart rate and respiratory rate and to take his temperature. Normal is 101.5 degrees F.
- 3). Listen to his chest with a stethoscope placed on his rib cage, behind the front leg, noting his normal resting heart rate of 100 to 200 beats per minute.
- 4). Observe his normal respiration at rest: 20 to 60 breaths per minute. Cats rarely pant unless they are in extreme heat, overly excited, unduly stressed or in pain.
- 5). Groom him daily (cats love this), checking for masses, swellings and sensitive areas.
- 6). Take note if your cat refuses food or water, is lethargic or seems reluctant to play. These are often the first symptoms of illness. Sick cats become dehydrated quickly, so a prompt response is essential.
- 7). Take your cat's temperature if he seems listless. Even the slightest elevation in temperature can account for a change in behavior.
- 8). Call your veterinarian for advice if you notice symptoms such as sneezing, runny eyes or nose or labored breathing, which can indicate a respiratory illness.
- 9). Be alert to coughing or hacking. These symptoms could mean just a hairball, but if they persist, call your veterinarian.
- 10
Know that straining to urinate, especially in male cats, is considered a sign of urinary-tract obstruction. Get medical help immediately, as this can be life-threatening. This is often accompanied by deep vocalization or howling and licking at the genital area. - 11
Be aware that violent retching, attempting to vomit or unusual panting are symptoms of serious illness or pain in cats, so call your veterinarian right away. - 12
Call your veterinarian as soon as you think your cat is sick. Delaying the call often leads to greater risk for the cat, prolonged recovery and increased expense.
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