Upper Respiratory Infection

• Upper respiratory infections cause cats to cough and sneeze as their eyes and noses run. These infections are easily treated with antibiotics.
  
  

Constipation

• Constipation causes your cat discomfort when defecating and often constipated cats do so outside the litter box. Feline veterinarian Jean Hofve claims that a wet food diet helps prevent constipation, though extreme cases may require laxatives.
  
  

Hyperthyroidism

• Hyperthyroidism causes weight loss even when your cat overeats, as well as hyperactivity, vomiting and excessive drinking. Lifelong medication will treat the condition, while surgery may cure it.
  
  

Diabetes

• Diabetes affects some overweight cats, causing increased thirst and urination as well as an attitude change marked by lethargy. Providing your cat with a healthy diet and exercise helps prevent and treat this disease.
  
  

Kidney Disease

• Kidney disease is a leading cause of death as cats age. Symptoms include excessive thirst and urination and possibly drooling, jaw-clicking and ammonia-scented breath. In later stages, there is vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy. Although it is incurable, treatment may help maintain your cat's quality of life.
  
  

Lower Urinary Tract Disease

• Lower urinary tract disease, caused by infection or blockages, causes your cat extreme pain. If your cat cries when trying to urinate, has bloody urine, is unable to urinate or shows pain when moving, take her to the veterinarian immediately as a total blockage can lead to death within 72 hours when untreated.