In addition to obvious injuries, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, increased drink or urine, constipation, dull or hairy hair are signs that the cat is sick. A cat that doesn’t feel good usually hides in hidden or very quiet places.
Common diseases in cats include worm infestation, kidney disease, abscesses from bite wounds after fights with other cats, or various infectious diseases, such as a cold.
A sick animal should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the cause of the disease and initiate treatment. Under no circumstances should you attempt to manipulate the cat yourself.
Watch out for the meds! Aspirin and other similar pills are highly toxic to cats and even a small amount can be fatal.
The cat must be transported in a transport box with firm closure, which is easy to clean and where the lid can be removed. It is recommended to accustom the cat to the transport box from an early age. Let’s hope you have less stress during a real transport.
Castration
All females and males who have access to the outside must be castrated no later than when they reach sexual maturity, i.e. around five months of age. Castration is a relatively harmless routine procedure. In the male cat the testicles are removed, in the female cat the ovaries. The whole procedure is done under general anesthesia, so that the cat does not notice anything. The cat is as lively and cheerful afterwards as it used to be. This prevents unwanted offspring.
Castration is also one of the most important measures to contain the misery of cats of free life and without long-term owner. Cats can have several kittens up to four times a year, which in turn are able to reproduce in a few months. Unwanted offspring of wild cats and kept private unfortunately often end up in shelters or, like many thousands of cats, have to live on the streets without a home.
Vaccines
Vaccination is preventive against cat epidemics, cat colds and, if the cat is allowed to escape, against rabies. In addition, there are now also effective vaccines against feline leukosis-causing agents. The veterinarian can provide information on which vaccines are useful and when they should be given. Since vaccination protection lasts different periods of time depending on the manufacturer, the veterinarian should check annually which vaccines should be applied. Health control, which can be performed immediately within this framework, is also beneficial for early detection of diseases.
