A Cats Illness - Hairballs - Yuck!
A Cats illness can be scary.
Your cat's health is important.
It is upsetting to all of us to have a pet that hurts or is ill and we can't fix it.
Your veterinarian can give you a wealth of information about any health problems your cat may encounter, but you know your cat better than anyone.
If you want to be sure that you cats experience optimum health, then it is your responsibility to watch for signs that something may be wrong with your pets.
One common medical condition that affects many cats is hairballs.
While hairballs are normal for cats to some extent, you should contact your veterinarian immediately if you think the problem is out of control.
Cats get hairballs mainly because they spend so much time cleaning themselves.
Although most cats do not like water, they do like being very clean at all times.
So, how do they accomplish this important feat? Why, by licking their fur.
Your cats probably groom themselves many times every day.
In the process, they swallow a lot of their own hair.
Most of this passes naturally through the cat's system, but occasionally the hair becomes matted and entwined in the stomach, causing a hairball that is too large to pass through the system.
When this happens, the cat vomits the hairball.
If your cat seems to have an abnormally high amount of hairballs, you should talk to your veterinarian.
About 25% of all digestive blockages in cats come from hairballs that cannot pass or be vomited.
An intestinal blockage can be quite serious - even life threatening.
Large hairballs, even as big as baseballs, have been known to form in a cat's stomach.
A hairball of that size can easily kill your cat.
There are a number of signs you will see in a cat having a problem with hairballs.
If your cat's tummy is swollen or if he's throwing up frequently, he may have a problem with hairballs.
There are some fine over-the-counter medications /lubricants that will help ease hairball digestion, or your veterinarian can prescribe medication that your pet will actually take.
The prescription meds really do often taste better to the cats, and contained inside are non-digestible oil lubricants that will help your cat pass hairballs easier.
Taking this medication regularly will prevent your cat from ever forming such hairballs.
You can also help avoid hairballs to begin with by providing your cats with a high-fiber diet.
When in doubt, call your cat's veterinarian.
In addition to regular check-ups, let your vet know about any health problems that crop up, including excessive hairballs.
Vigilance is the best way to keep your cat healthy and safe, no matter how many hairballs may form.
Cats illness doesn't have to result in long-term problems.
Your cat's health is important.
It is upsetting to all of us to have a pet that hurts or is ill and we can't fix it.
Your veterinarian can give you a wealth of information about any health problems your cat may encounter, but you know your cat better than anyone.
If you want to be sure that you cats experience optimum health, then it is your responsibility to watch for signs that something may be wrong with your pets.
One common medical condition that affects many cats is hairballs.
While hairballs are normal for cats to some extent, you should contact your veterinarian immediately if you think the problem is out of control.
Cats get hairballs mainly because they spend so much time cleaning themselves.
Although most cats do not like water, they do like being very clean at all times.
So, how do they accomplish this important feat? Why, by licking their fur.
Your cats probably groom themselves many times every day.
In the process, they swallow a lot of their own hair.
Most of this passes naturally through the cat's system, but occasionally the hair becomes matted and entwined in the stomach, causing a hairball that is too large to pass through the system.
When this happens, the cat vomits the hairball.
If your cat seems to have an abnormally high amount of hairballs, you should talk to your veterinarian.
About 25% of all digestive blockages in cats come from hairballs that cannot pass or be vomited.
An intestinal blockage can be quite serious - even life threatening.
Large hairballs, even as big as baseballs, have been known to form in a cat's stomach.
A hairball of that size can easily kill your cat.
There are a number of signs you will see in a cat having a problem with hairballs.
If your cat's tummy is swollen or if he's throwing up frequently, he may have a problem with hairballs.
There are some fine over-the-counter medications /lubricants that will help ease hairball digestion, or your veterinarian can prescribe medication that your pet will actually take.
The prescription meds really do often taste better to the cats, and contained inside are non-digestible oil lubricants that will help your cat pass hairballs easier.
Taking this medication regularly will prevent your cat from ever forming such hairballs.
You can also help avoid hairballs to begin with by providing your cats with a high-fiber diet.
When in doubt, call your cat's veterinarian.
In addition to regular check-ups, let your vet know about any health problems that crop up, including excessive hairballs.
Vigilance is the best way to keep your cat healthy and safe, no matter how many hairballs may form.
Cats illness doesn't have to result in long-term problems.
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