Cat health symptoms

A seizure is an abrupt episode of uncontrollable muscle activity and is the physical manifestation of abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. 

Heat (estrus) is the time in a female reproductive cycle in which she is fertile and receptive to breeding. Sexual alteration or spaying of female cats involves the removal of both ovaries and the uterus.

Any area of skin that is abnormally different from the tissue around it can be described as a skin lesion. Skin lesions vary widely in appearance and include sores, blisters, ulcers, wounds, rashes, warts, tumors, color changes, and any other abnormalities.

When a cat develops patches of dark skin, referred to as hyperpigmentation. Cats may develop dark or black areas on their skin due to chronic irritation, hormonal changes, prolonged UV exposure, certain cancers, or as a result of a genetic condition.

Sneezing is the body’s natural way of responding to irritants and inflammation by expelling air out the nose.

Snoring and noisy breathing in cats is called stertor, and refers to a low-pitched noise from the nasal cavity during breathing.

Blepharospasm is a term that describes repeated, spasmodic movement of the eyelids, commonly referred to as squinting. Blepharospasm is a broad symptom that is seen as a feature of different underlying diseases in cats, including injury, infection, inflammation, and developmental abnormalities.

Straining to urinate (stranguria) in cats is a serious symptom indicating some degree of disruption of urine flow. Cats may enter the litter box frequently, posturing to urinate, with visible pushing, and may cry out. 

Subcutaneous lumps are found under the skin, rather than within the skin or at the surface of the skin. If a lump does not create a visible mark or disruption on the skin, doesn’t arise from the bone, and the skin moves freely over it, it is a subcutaneous lump.

Sunken eyes (also known as enophthalmos) occur when the eyeball sinks back into the head. Sunken eyes are unusual in cats, and commonly are the result of changes to the size of the eyeball or to the structures that hold the eyeball in place.

Swollen eyes occur when the eyelid, eyeball, or other structures of the eye increase in size due to irritation, injury, or inflammation. Often, swelling of the eyes and associated tissues results in voluntarily closing the eyes or in being swollen shut.

Lymphadenopathy, or enlarged lymph nodes, is swelling of the lymph nodes due to infection, inflammation, or the presence of tumor cells in the nodes.

Swollen toes (paw pads) are rare in cats, but may be a symptom of significant underlying disease