By Matthew Paolini
If you're a cat lover like me, there's little that's more important than the good health of your favorite feline. It goes without saying that part of being a cat lover is accepting responsibility for your cat's well-being. That means finding and building a good relationship with a local veterinarian in case of an emergency. It also means learning enough about common health issues to be able to identify them and take the required action to ensure your cat's good health.
All cat owners are familiar with hairballs and it goes without saying that the hairball is one of the most common medical conditions in cats. Cats are celebrated groomers and hairballs are the unintended consequence of a cat's passion for personal hygiene. When a cat grooms itself by licking its own fur, it will invariably swallow some of its own hair. Most of the hair a cat swallows passes safely through the cat's stomach and remaining digestive tract. However, hair sometimes becomes entwined like a ball of string and a hairball forms.
The simple act of vomiting is a natural reaction that almost always allows a cat to take care of hairballs on its own. If a hairball becomes large enough, however, your cat may not be able to pass or vomit it. A serious or even life-threating blockage of the digestive tract may be the result. If you notice symptoms like unproductive drive heaves, a change in your cat's eating habits or a swollen abdomen, take your cat to see the vet as soon as possible.
A good ballpark estimate is that about 25 percent of all digestive blockages in cats are the result of unpassed hairballs. Fortunately, serious problems can often be avoided by taking a proactive approach that emphasizes prevention. If your cat seems to have an abnormally high incidence of hairballs, a prophylactic chat with your vet is in order. He or she may recommend a high fiber diet or prescribe medication that will lubricate your cat's digestive track. Cats like the taste of the flavored meds, which can prevent hairballs from forming at all.
Because hairballs can seriously impact your cat's health, it's important to have a good relationship with a qualified veterinarian should your cat require professional care. Remember, too, that regular checkups can add many years to the life of your favorite feline. If you need a vet, try asking a fellow cat lover for their personal recommendation. If you're new to the neighborhood or have no one to ask, you can find a qualified vet in your area by checking your local or online yellow pages.
About the author:
Matt Paolini is a cat lover and Managing Editor of Citybook.com, the Internet's leading family-safe yellow pages directory. Locate a veterinarian in your neighborhood using CityBook.com's online yellow pages.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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