As a cat owner, you’re likely well aware that cats are masters at hiding their pain and discomfort—even from you, the person who loves them most!
However, there are several telltale signs that you should know, as they indicate that your pet requires medical attention from a professional veterinary clinic—like Toronto’s Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital—and may even require surgery. Let’s walk through some of these top indicators together. 1. Visible skin masses From kittens to senior felines, domestic cats of all age can develop visible skin masses. To their owners, these masses may feel like raised bumps, appear swollen and/or cause pain to the animal when touched. If you pet shows symptoms of a skin mass, it’s time to call the vet. While some masses are harmless and may disappear on their own, they could also point to a more serious issue like an infected abscess, a benign lipoma or a cancerous tumour, which often require surgery to treat. 2. Difficulty, pain or changes in urination If your cat is experiencing difficulty or pain while urinating, exhibits abnormal urination habits or has blood in their urine, they could be experiencing bladder stones. Just like in humans, bladder stones are rock-like formations of crystals and minerals that can grow over time and cause inflammation in the cat’s bladder walls. While some bladder stones are treatable with a vet-prescribed diet and increased water intake, larger stones—that won’t pass on their own—are a top reason why cats require surgery. This type of pet surgery is known as a cystotomy, where an incision in the bladder is surgically made and the stones are removed. During the post-op stage, otherwise healthy cats typically make a speedy recovery. 3. Advanced dental disease No doubt, your cat’s breath never smells like roses. However, if their breath suddenly worsens, they begin drooling excessively or bleeding from their mouth, your pet could be dealing with advanced dental disease. Broken, missing or abscessed teeth can all lead to dental infections resulting in the aforementioned symptoms. If left untreated, a dental infection can cause damage to your pet’s heart and other organs. As a result, it’s vital to book an urgent pet dentistry appointment and schedule a subsequent dental surgery, like a tooth extraction, if requested by the vet. 4. Medication is failing to treat the problem For many feline medical issues, a vet may first prescribe medication to remedy the problem. But if you notice that your cat’s symptoms are continuing or worsening, another trip to the vet clinic is in order. When other treatment options are exhausted, surgery may be the next step. If your cat is exhibiting any of these symptoms, get in touch with the veterinary specialists at Bellamy-Lawrence Animal Hospital, serving Toronto, Scarborough and the surrounding areas.