Appetite loss
If your cat shows less, than its normal interest in food for more, than four or five days, take it to your vet. Also, be on the alert for other signs of illness.

Cloudy eyes
Indicates ulceration, increased pressure in the eye, possibly glaucoma. Professional attention is needed, if permanent damage is to be avoided.

Dragging hind quarters Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean the cat has worms .It indicates irritation: the anal glands may be full and need to be expressed; there may be an infection of the anus; the cat may have swallowed a string or human hair which is trying to pass through ; sometimes the irritation is from feces caught in the tail hairs.

Drinking decrease If the cat stares at the water dish, but does not drink, he may have a kidney infection. This behavior means, that the cat is thirsty, but too sick to drink; it is often done by cats close to dying.

Drinking increase This may indicate a toxic condition in the body , such as malfunctioning kidneys, or uterine infection.It can also be a sign of diabetes. If your cat continues to drink more, than usual, your vet should make clinical tests.

Drooling This may indicate a foreign object in the mouth, which should be removed before infection sets in. Excessive salivation is also a sign of poisoning , or a viral infection.

Enlarged abdomen Tumors, heart and liver diseases; peritonitis , and infection of the uterus - any of these can cause an enlarged abdomen.

Increased sensitivity If the back or neck region becomes sensitive to touch , it can indicate, that the cat has a slipped disc. Excessive sensitivity in the abdominal area, may be caused by an internal infection or injury.

Lumps/font> Any new lumps should be examined , especially, if they increase rapidly in size. The mammary chain in females, especially unspayed cats, should be checked regularly. Too often cats are taken to a vet to have a tumor removed, when the tumor has reached such an advanced stage, that there is little chance for complete recovery.

Straining to urinate If the cat is male, this condition is an indication of urinary obstruction. Without treatment, the cat die within 24 hours. Whether male or female, straining to urinate ,or the urination of blood-tinged urine, is also an indication of cystitis, or bladder infection.

Straining to defecate This is a sign, that the cat is constipated. Switch its diet to dry foods. If constipation continues, mix one teaspoon of mineral oil in the cat's food. If the condition still does not improve, take the cat to the vet. Never try to give the cat an enema yourself.

Vaginal discharge This most often indicates infection of the uterus. If the discharge is unusually thick, odorous and blood-tinged, a hysterectomy may be necessary before the toxins can damage other internal organs.

Vomiting Vomiting can mean a foreign body in the stomach or intestinal tract, or it can mean an infection .Continual vomiting, if not checked, leads to dehydration.