Cats, like humans and other mammals, are prone to many different types of illnesses and symptoms ranging from viral infections to general allergens in the atmosphere in which they live. One of the most commons symptoms of any feline illness is appetite loss and/or vomiting. A few notable causes of appetite loss and vomiting are hairballs, gingivitis, upper respiratory infection and oral cancers.
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Hairballs
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Hairballs are a direct symptom of cats swallowing too much hair when grooming and can often be treated with various store-bought medications. Vomiting is the major symptom for felines with this condition; however, if not properly treated, appetite loss can also become an issue.
Gingivitis
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Feline gingivitis is a bacterial infection found in the mouths of cats. Appetite loss and difficulty eating is a major symptom of this disease and can mostly be treated through preventative methods prescribed and managed through veterinarians.
Upper Respiratory Infections
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Upper respiratory infections such as Rhinotracheitis (FVR) and Caliciviris (FCV) are viral infections mostly found in kittens. Again, a common symptom of both conditions is appetite loss and can be treated through antibiotic therapy.
Oral Cancer
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Feline oral cancer is diagnosed when a tumor is located in the mouth of a cat. Appetite loss along with vomiting, vocal strain and the bleeding of the mouth are common symptoms.
Nutritional Care
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Because appetite loss and vomiting are associated with not only the above mentioned feline symptoms but many others, properly nutritional care is essential. In most cases, the feline will not be able to properly eat and will need to follow a strict veterinarian approved force-fed diet until well again.
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