Cats are not great at expressing pain or discomfort; in fact, it can be difficult for pet parents to tell if anything is wrong with their feline companion. The primary problem is cats are solitary animals. Most of their days are spent sleeping, roughly 12 to 16 hours, making it hard for working cat parents to notice significant behavioral changes. Therefore, as the pet owner, you need to familiarize yourself with common cat health issues.

Worms

Cats are frequent sufferers of intestinal parasites, such as worms, but they rarely show any sign of such infections. Unfortunately, some of these parasites are dangerous to your cat's health and yours.

While not technically a worm, many pet parents mistake the name ringworm, so it is placed here. Ringworm is actually a fungal or bacterial infection and earns its name from the round, raised patches it causes. Again, ringworm, like other worms, can transmit to humans and other pets.

Heartworm is a parasite that spreads through mosquito bites. While domestic cats are not the typical host for such an infestation, these parasites can cause lung disease, which is potentially deadly.

Upper Respiratory Infections

Cats are prone to upper respiratory infections; that is, infections in the sinus area, such as the nose and throat. While common, if left untreated, the bacteria or virus can lead to chest infections where they are more challenging to treat.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

FIV is a lethal condition. Unfortunately, the early stages of the virus are almost undetectable. In the late stages, the virus leaves the cat's immune system severely weakened, leading to vulnerability to secondary infections. Cats with FIV and receiving medical treatment can live for months or years before the illness reaches chronic and lethal stages.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV)

Like FIV, FelV does not always present with symptoms immediately, making it difficult to diagnose. It, too, inhibits the animal's immune system, leaving it vulnerable to other infections and death. While not discovered until the 1960s, the illness is suspected as one of the leading causes of death in domestic cats historically and presently.

Diabetes

People often assume that diabetes is a human condition, but animals suffer from it as well, and in cats, it is exceedingly complex. Like most mammals, insulin is a vehicle for transporting glucose and other components to the body's cells. Unfortunately, some systems do not process or produce insulin correctly, leading to complications like hyperglycemia or other complications. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to many health problems, including death.

Cancer

Cancer is another disease that does not only affect humans. Like humans, cats are susceptible to a variety of cancers, some treatable and others not. Cancer is an invasive disease that is either localized, contained in a tumor, or generalized, spread throughout the system. The survivability of cancer depends on the variety and the speed of diagnosis.

Rabies

All animals must have rabies vaccinations to prevent the disease. Rabies is a threat to all mammals that affects the spinal cord and brain. The virus is nearly 100% fatal when symptoms appear, leading to strict health and animal service regulations about the treatment of suspected patients.

High-Rise Syndrome

It is no secret; cats love sunbathing, especially in the summer when the windows are open, and the breeze blows through the apartment. Unfortunately, many homeowners and apartment dwellers do not do enough to prevent their cats from falling out the window. While it might seem rare, enough cats have fallen out of building high rises to require a name for it: high-rise syndrome. To keep your cat this spring and summer, install pet screens or other safety measures to prevent accidents.

Reading about all of the common health problems of cats can lead to worry over your cat. The key to ensuring a long, happy, and healthy life for your feline friend is making sure they stay up to date on their shots and go in for routine checkups with the veterinarians at the Pet Hospitals of Hawaii.