Cats are notoriously self-sufficient, but that doesn’t mean all you feline fanatics out there get a free pass. More and more, we’re understanding the value of prevention; many diseases and problems are preventable or better treated early in their progression.

Good cat care relies on a strong wellness plan.  Luckily, The Pet’s Place Animal Hospital knows just how to help you start building a foundation of health for your feline friend.
 

Getting Physical

Examining your pet on a routine basis is probably the most important part of a good wellness care plan. A simple physical can tell us so much about your pet’s overall health.

Remember, an animal’s physical condition can change quickly. One year in your pet’s life is equal to roughly seven in a human’s life, so frequent exams are important.

Routine wellness exams allow us to do the following:

• Get to know your pet better

• Learn what’s “normal” for your individual animal

• Address your questions and concerns

• Detect minor changes, such as weight loss or changes in a lump

• Perform screening tests

• Detect abnormalities before they become symptomatic
   

The best defense is a good offense, and wellness exams are your best defensive foundation when it comes to cat care, especially since cats are masters at masking illness.
 

Screening Tests

Some wellness care requires testing beyond a physical examination. Screening tests may be recommended based on your pet’s age, species, lifestyle, and other risk factors.

Screening tests are designed to catch problems before there are symptoms.

This allows early and effective treatment. We may recommend:

Fecal examinations – The Centers for Disease Control recommend fecal testing for parasites once or twice a year for adult cats and four times in the first year of life.

FeLV/FIV testing – Feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus are retroviral diseases that can be contracted from other cats. We may recommend testing if your cat has had potential exposure or as part of a diagnostic workup.

Wellness labs – Checking blood and urine samples in healthy cats allows us to monitor for minor abnormalities and learn your cat’s normal patterns of health.
 

Prevention as Part of Cat Care

It’s our goal to keep your cat healthy, and with modern veterinary medicine, we’re well equipped to do so. Preventive care depends on your pet’s risk factors and individual needs; however, most cats benefit from the following:

• Spaying/neutering to prevent behavioral and health issues

• Need-based vaccinations to prevent disease

• Parasite prevention for heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, etc.

• Good dental care, including exams and cleanings under anesthesia
   

Each cat is different, and we take the time to help you decide what elements of preventive care are needed.

Good cat care is so much more than just bringing him or her in when a problem arises. Taking a proactive role can make a huge difference in your pet’s health and well-being, and we’re here to help you accomplish this task. Please give us a call to get started!

Good cat care relies on a strong wellness plan.  Luckily, The Pet’s Place Animal Hospital knows just how to help you start building a foundation of health for your feline friend.