Spot, an 11-year-old cat, wasn’t looking his best when he first dropped by the Lichfield and Tamworth Branch of Cats Protection in England. The scraggly senior was extremely skinny, with dirty fur, rotting teeth, and ears so infected they’d swollen twice their normal size. Rescuers could tell this poor senior cat had spent most of his life on the streets, writes blog.theanimalrescuesite.

But this rescue organization — despite being fully run by volunteers — wasn’t about to let this old cat suffer in silence. After sharing Spot’s story around the community, rescuers had raised more than $2,300 to give the cat a full-feline makeover featuring dental work, neutering, vaccinations, a microchip — even plastic surgery on his ears.

When the makeover was complete, everybody was amazed by Spot’s sudden transformation from battered stray to beautiful cat. The cat’s teeth were fixed, and his battered ears were neatly reconstructed. It was the feline version of a Cinderella story.

“We would like to once again thank all those generous people…[they] really made all the difference,” said rescuer Sue Hocknell, recalling Spot as “aesthetically challenged” kitty before this makeover changed his life.

But sadly, rescuers couldn’t erase all of the scars from Spot’s former life. The severity of the animal’s injuries meant doctors could keep the cat from going deaf while operating on his ears. Even so, Spot is happier and healthier than ever before. Now he spends his days showering everyone around him gratitude and love while he patiently waits for somebody to adopt him.

“Spot loves people and company and is happy to be with you all the time,” rescuers wrote. “He is very affectionate and will be on your knee for cuddles the minute you sit down. Spot would love to be the only pet in the household so he gets all of the fuss and attention.”

Please reach out to Cats Protection if you’re interested in spoiling and pampering long-suffering Spot in his golden years! Let’s give this sweet cat the retirement he deserves!

This story originally appeared on blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com

Cats are good at self-maintenance. But even your fastidious feline can't prevent some of these more common cat diseases and health issues.

1. Vomiting

Vomiting is a very common problem with cats with a multitude of causes. They range from eating something poisonous or inedible (like string), to infection, urinary tract disease, or diabetes to hairballs.

Symptoms are usually obvious, and include drooling and abdominal heaving. Vomiting can quickly leave your cat dehydrated, so if kitty continues vomiting or acts ill, call your vet right away. It may help to collect a sample of your cat's vomit and take it with you to the vet.

2. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)

Some estimates say as many as 3% of cats seen by vets have feline lower urinary tract disease ( FLUTD), which is actually a group of feline diseases with multiple causes.

Female and male cats can get FLUTD, and it often occurs in cats that are overweight or unfit or who eat dry food. Stress, a multi-cat household, and sudden changes can all raise a cat's risk of FLUTD, and treatment depends on the type of FLUTD your cat has.

FLUTD symptoms include:

• Straining to urinate
• Bloody urine
• Urinating in unusual places
• Crying when urinating
• Licking around the urinary area (often because of pain)
• Depression
• Dehydration
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting

It's always an emergency if your cat can't urinate. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your cat has a urinary tract problem.

3. Fleas

Fleas are a very common external feline health problem. But it's one you can easily treat. Signs your cat has fleas include:

• Flea dirt on its skin (they look like tiny black dots)
• Constant scratching
• Frequent licking
• Red or irritated skin
• Hair loss
• Skin infections or hot spots

Fleas can live for more than a year, and your cat risks anemia if the problem becomes serious, so be sure to treat your cat's flea problem and prevent future infestations.

Talk to your vet about which flea control would be best for your cat. Treatments include oral medication, powders, foams, and topical medication. Fleas are uncommon in Utah. If you adopt a pet from a region outside of Utah or are housing a pet that recently came from another state, please be aware of fleas.

4. Tapeworms

One of the most common feline health problems inside your cat, tapeworms live in kitty's small intestine and sometimes grow as long as 2 feet.

Symptoms of a tapeworm infection can be subtle but may include vomiting and weight loss. The easiest way to tell if your cat has tapeworms is to look at its feces and around its anus. If you see small white worms or what look like grains of rice or sesame seeds, your cat likely has tapeworms.

Treatment options include injection, oral, or topical medication. But because cats almost always get tapeworms as a result of swallowing a flea, be sure to handle any flea problems your cat has before tackling tapeworms.

5. Diarrhea

Many things can cause diarrhea in cats, including spoiled food, allergies, infection, liver disease, cancer, and more.

Symptoms of diarrhea are loose, watery, or liquid stool. Depending on its cause, diarrhea can last for a day, a week, or months.

If your cat has diarrhea, offer kitty plenty of fresh, clean water to prevent  dehydration. Then remove kitty's food for no more than 12 to 24 hours. Take your cat to the vet if he or she still has diarrhea after a day or immediately if you notice vomiting, dark, or bloody stools, fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite or if your cat is straining to defecate.

6. Eye Problems

Eye problems in cats can be caused by a number of things, including  conjunctivitis, cataracts, glaucoma, trauma, viruses, inflammation, and retinal disease.

A few symptoms that may mean your cat has eye problems include watery eyes, tear-stained fur, cloudiness, red or white eyelid linings, gunk in the corners of the eye, squinting, pawing at the eye, or a visible third eyelid.

Unless you know what's causing your cat's eye problems, there isn't much you can do other than wipe away any gunk with a damp cotton ball. After that, call your vet.