Pet ownership carries with it the
responsibility of being proactive in health care. There are certain
steps that you should take to prevent health problems. We recommend
the following:
1. An annual exam is essential…remember,
one year to us is an average of 5 years to your cat. That’s a long time
to go without a thorough physical exam.
2. Keep vaccinations current. A
vaccination program should be individualized to meet the needs of your
cat.
3. Brush frequently to keep hair coat from
matting. Many cats do not groom themselves well.
4. Clip toenails as needed to prevent
overgrowth.
5. Keep plenty of fresh water available
and monitor its consumption.
6. Monitor urine output by measuring the
amount of wet litter in the litter box.
7. Keep other pets from preventing this
one from free access to food and water.
8. Keep indoors all the time if possible,
but at least at night.
9. Eliminate parasites, including fleas,
ticks, and
intestinal worms
on a regular basis.
10. Weigh your cat on the same scale and
record results at least every 60 days. Both weight loss and weight gains
are noteworthy. Obesity is a very serious condition that is becoming more
and more common in our feline population.
11. Clean teeth are essential to continued
good health. Yearly or every other year teeth cleanings are often
necessary.
12. Different life stages and health
conditions often require special diets. We can help you pick a diet that
is appropriate for your cat’s needs.
EARLY
SIGNS OF DISEASE
The following are early signs of
disease. Some of these are so minor that they may not seem significant.
However, our goal is to diagnose and treat diseases in their early stages
when the success rate is much higher. Present your cat for an examination
for any of the following:
1. Sustained, significant increase in
water consumption. (Abnormal is intake greater than 50 ml/pound/day or
approximately 1.5 cups (8 oz cups)/day or 12 oz total for 9 pound cat.)
2. Sustained, significant increase in
urination or amount of wet litter.
3. Weight loss.
4. Significant decrease in appetite or
failure to eat for more than two consecutive days.
5. Significant increase in appetite.
6. Repeated vomiting.
7. Diarrhea that lasts over 3 days.
8. Difficulty in passing stool or urine
or prolonged sitting or laying in the litter box.
9. Change in litter box habits,
especially if urination or defecation occurs out of the litter box.
10. Lameness that lasts more than 5
days, or lameness in more than one leg.
11. Noticeable decrease in vision,
especially if sudden in onset or pupils that do not constrict in bright
light.
12. Masses, ulcerations (open sores), or
multiple scabs on the skin that persist more than 1 week.
13. Foul mouth odor or drooling that
lasts over 2 days.
14. Increasing size of the abdomen.
15. Increasing inactivity or amount of
time spent sleeping.
16. Hair loss, especially if accompanied
by scratching or if in specific areas (as opposed to normal shedding).
17. Breathing heavily or rapidly at
rest.
18. Inability to chew or eat dry food.
The Behaviorally Healthy
Cat
