August 22nd is Take Your Cat To The Vet Day. The purpose of this day is to remind cat owners of the importance of preventative care and to encourage them to schedule an appointment with their veterinarian.
Did you know your feline friend ages far more quickly than you? The first two years of a cat’s life are roughly equal to the first twenty-five of a human’s, and after this, each additional year is around four ‘cat years’. That means each year of your cat’s life (after age two) equates to about four of your own. Every year that your cat goes without being examined by a veterinarian is like you not having a physical or dental exam for at least four years! YIKES! A lot can change in that amount of time…
This is why annual (and even semi-annual) exams are so important to your cats health.
The American Humane Society reports that cats are presented for medical care about half as often as dogs – and most cat owners only report visiting the veterinarian when their cats are ill. But the fact is, cats get sick and develop diseases just as dogs and humans do – and cats are experts at hiding it! Annual preventative care is key to a long and healthy life.
What should you expect during your cats annual visit?
Physical Exam
Routine examinations allow veterinarians to check for signs of illness. In cats, these can be very subtle and easy to overlook. Your vet should perform a head-to-tail exam to look for changes or abnormalities. The earlier medical issues are discovered and addressed the better the outcome. For more information on the physical exam, visit our blog on Physical Exam.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an important way to protect pets from preventable infectious diseases. Your veterinarian will determine which vaccines your cat needs depending on their age, lifestyle and risk exposure. (In Ohio it is required by law that all cats and dogs be kept up-to-date on their rabies vaccination, regardless of their living situation.)
Parasite Prevention
Your veterinarian will also check your cat for external parasites like fleas, ticks and ear mites. A stool sample should examined for internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and coccidia. This is also a good time to discuss products to prevent external and internal parasites – including feline heartworm!
Bloodwork
Depending on your cat’s age and physical exam findings, your veterinarian may recommend routine blood tests. These blood tests are an important way to detect diseases early, even before they become symptomatic. As cats age, diseases like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and kidney/liver disease become more common. Routine bloodwork is a great way to detect these diseases early so treatment can be started right away.
The majority of cat owners who do not regularly visit the veterinary say the primary reason for not going is due to the level of difficulty and stress associated with catching, transporting, and handling their stressed cats. At Columbus VetCare we understand that – that’s why we come to you! Our services are Fear-Free Certified through the American Animal Hospital Association – which means we have demonstrated that the services we provide cause little to no stress to our patients.
Take this opportunity to call your veterinarian and schedule your appointment today!
Visit www.columbusvetcare.net/appointment.html to schedule.
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