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Is Your Maine Coon Cat Sick
You love your Maine Coon Cat, and you do everything to keep him healthy. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your Maine Coon may become ill. All cats, however, work hard to hide pain and illness. In their ‘natural’ habitat, illness and pain are signs of weakness that could cost them their lives. So, because your Maine Coon is a master at hiding how he feels – physically – how will you know when he is sick?
Sometimes, despite his best efforts, he won’t be able to hide it. There will be physical signs that you can’t help but notice. These may include diarrhea, vomiting, listlessness, and excessive sleeping. If any of these things occur, you have to determine whether or not a veterinarian is needed.
First, access the situation. How long has it been going on? If it has been more than a couple of days, call the vet. If it is new, you need to watch the cat to see if the condition worsens, and call the vet if it goes on for more than forty-eight hours.
Also, be on the lookout for weight gain, weight loss, and changes in appetite. Make it a point to rub your hands all over your cat’s body on a regular basis. You are checking for swollen joints, sores, dry skin, or anything else that doesn’t feel ‘normal.’ If you find anything, try to determine what it is, and contact your veterinarian if you need to do so.
Scoop the litter box daily. This will give you a good indication as to whether or not your Maine Coon is healthy. He should be using the litter box several times a day. He should urinate and also have bowel movements. If you notice that you aren’t cleaning out as much as usual from the litter box, you might want to pay closer attention, and contact your veterinarian if there appears to be a problem. Also, watch for abdominal swelling, as cats do get horrible urinary tract infections.
Purchase an ear thermometer. Your cat won’t mind this at all, but he will probably thoroughly dislike a rectal thermometer a great deal. An ear thermometer, although more expensive, is the better choice. Your Maine Coons temperature should be between 100.4 and 102.5. A kitten’s temperature may be slightly higher, but whether the Maine Coon is an adult or a kitten, a temperature of 103 requires a call to the veterinarian. Additionally, the Maine Coons pulse rate should be 110 to 130 beats per minute, and his pulse respiration should be 20 to 30 breaths per minute.
Again, your Maine Coon will try to act as if nothing is wrong, even if he doesn’t feel well or is in pain. You have to be diligent and pay attention so that illnesses and injuries can be tended to in a timely fashion. It could mean the difference between life and death for your beloved Maine Coon Cat. Also, make sure that you have an emergency fund to cover unexpected treatment for your cat.
The care and feeding of moon cats
Next Article: Keeping Your Maine Coon Cat Happy
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