Often times, cat owners only associate a trip to the local veterinarian as something that is required when their cat is sick. However, it is important to bring a cat to the veterinarian on at least a yearly basis to ensure the well-being and longevity of the pet.
About ten years ago, research and immunology studies showed that many of our feline vaccines need only be administered every three years instead of annually, especially for cats that lived entirely indoors. Many owners perceived that they now only had to visit their vet every 3 years, so many cats missed out on the more important physical examination and wellness testing that they were receiving in conjunction with their vaccines. This would be like us only going to the doctor every 5-10 years.
During the visit, the veterinarian can get a history of your cat's habits and behaviors, as well as a thorough examination of the various body systems. Expect to be asked questions about your cat's diet, exercise, thirst, breathing, litterbox habits, lifestyle ( indoors or outdoors ), general health, and any behaviors or habits that you feel are significant or have changed. The physical examination will involve observing your cat's general appearance, listening to the chest with a stethoscope, and palpating ( feeling ) specific areas of the body. Generally, a fresh fecal sample ( bowel movement ) is examined at each wellness examination. This is extremely important in kittens as parasites are more common at this young age and the pet's immune system is more vulnerable. Occasionally, a feline heartworm test may be recommended.
As cats progress into middle age ( seven years and older ), the odds of developing more serious age-related diseases increases. The most common of these are Diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and hyperthyroidism. Along with a physical exam, a complete blood count ( CBC ), biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and thyroid test will be recommended. Often times the test results will begin to show abnormalities before our cats actually act sick. This allows us to be able to take the necessary steps to avoid or lessen the progression of disease.
If testing reveals medical issues, more frequent recheck examinations may be needed. Many feline patients at our hospital come in at least every 6 months to monitor their ongoing health issues. This ensures that we are able to tailor our treatment to each specific cat's needs and keep them as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
