Cat parents: Do you know these 5 silent killers of cats?

Cats can’t talk. Worse yet, they’re pretty tough. So, when they’re not feeling well, they can’t tell us — and they’re good at keeping it to themselves. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to other ways they communicate.

Cats will typicaly let you know something is really wrong when they change their behavior. Some ways they do communicate are:

• Urinating or defecating somewhere other than the litter box
• Eating more or eating less
• Drinking more or drinking less
• Grooming less
• Meowing more or different-sounding meows
• Bad breath
• Pupils changing randomly
• Increasingly irritable
• Hiding all the time
• No desire to play (if they usually do)

If you notice your cat exhibiting any of these changes in behavior, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet to see what’s going on beneath the surface.

More importantly, cat owners should also be aware of the common silent killers in cats. With this knowledge, you can better understand what symptoms to look for and hopefully catch these killers before they progress beyond treatment.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Also known as chronic renal failure, this disease usually goes undetected until 75% of both kidneys are ineffective and not working. It is the most common silent killer in cats. An estimated 20 – 50% of cats over 15 years of age will have some degree of CKD present.

The symptoms for chronic kidney disease are:

• Excessive drinking and urinating
• Larger clumps in the litter box
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Bad breath caused by toxins in the blood
• Lethargy

What should I do if my cat has chronic kidney disease?

Cats can live with CKD with the right care and management. Your vet may suggest a low-protein diet, consistent blood work, more water intake, medications and sometimes fluid under their skin.

Diabetes mellitus (DM): A condition in which a cat’s pancreas is not producing as much insulin as it needs. The more overweight or obese your cat is, the more susceptible they are to developing DM.

Similar to CKD, the symptoms for diabetes mellitus are:

• Excessive urination and thirst
• Larger clumps in the litter box
• Overweight or obese body condition with muscle wasting (particularly on the spine or back)
• Weight loss
• Lethargy or weakness
• Vomiting
• Abnormal breath (e.g., acetone breath)
• Walking abnormally (e.g., low to the ground)

What should I do if my cat has diabetes mellitus?

While there is treatment for DM, it can be quite costly. Your vet may suggest insulin injections twice per day, a high protein, low carbohydrate diet, consistent blood glucose monitoring and veterinary visits. Once diabetic complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar or hyperglycemic syndrome occur, diabetes mellitus can be life-threatening.

Hyperthyroidism: An endocrine disease in which the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone.

The symptoms for hyperthyroidism are:

• Excessive thirst
• Increased urination
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Weight loss — despite a ravenous appetite caused by an increased metabolism
• Racing heart rate
• Severe high blood pressure
• Secondary organ injury, such as heart murmurs

What should I do if my cat has hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is treatable with medication in most cases. Less often, in extreme cases, the vet may suggest a surgery to remove the thyroid glands. The earlier it’s diagnosed and treated; the more successful recovery will be and the likelihood of side effects or organ damage decrease significantly.

Heart disease: This disease is characterized by conditions that affect the heart. And unlike dogs, it’s quite difficult to detect because cats don’t often have a heart murmur that can be heard, even with a stethoscope.

The symptoms for heart disease in cats are:

• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Heart murmur
• Racing heart
• Collapse
• Passing out
• Increased respiratory rate
• Blue-tinged gums
• Open-mouth breathing
• Acute, sudden paralysis
• Cold, painful hind limbs
• Sudden pain
• Sudden lameness

What should I do if my cat has heart disease?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for heart disease in cats. However, depending on how far progressed the disease is, there are treatments to help prolong the life of your cat. Heart medications can help prevent the disease from getting worse. Other treatment options include emergency care for oxygen therapy, diuretics and blood pressure support.

Cancer: Unfortunately, symptoms of cancer don’t appear until the cancer has spread throughout the body. The most common cancers in cats are skin and gastrointestinal cancer.

Clinical signs for cancer in cats are:

• Weight loss
• No appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Abdominal distension or bloating
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Hiding
• Fever
• Generalized malaise

What should I do if my cat has cancer?

Since cancer is most often seen in older cats, the chances of a good prognosis are low. So, the sooner you notice the clinical signs and take your cat to the vet, the sooner you can get a diagnosis and potentially start treatment.

When should I call my vet?

A general rule of thumb: If you’re ever questioning whether a change in your cat’s behavior is something to worry about, play it safe by calling your vet. And if you’re worried about the cost of veterinary care, it’s smart to get pet insurance well before anything seems wrong. That way, you can put all your focus on making sure your furry feline is getting the best possible care.