Your Partner in Lifelong Preventative Cat Care
We want what you want…your companion to live his or her best life. That includes annual wellness visits. When you bring your friend in for a yearly physical exam, you help us establish and keep up with a personalized health baseline so we may update your cat with age- and health-appropriate protocols. It’s also a great time to discuss any questions you may have concerning your kitty!
Examinations
Veterinarians know exactly how to spot early signs of disease. By conducting a thorough physical examination, your veterinarian can detect potential health concerns and determine which tests to run to diagnose your cat’s condition right away. The earlier most conditions are caught, the greater are your cat’s chances of a full and speedy recovery.
During a physical exam, your veterinarian will check everything, from your cat’s ears, eyes, and mouth to the function of the heart and lungs. You can also expect your veterinarian to record your cat’s weight, examine the skin and coat, and feel the body to check for unusual lumps or bumps.
Vaccinations
Vaccines play an essential role in preventing many cat diseases. Our veterinarians will tailor your cat’s vaccine protocol to fit his or her individual lifestyle. We commonly recommend these vaccines:
- FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia)
- Rabies
- FeLV (feline leukemia)
Parasite Control
Annual Parasite Testing
Our furry friends are at risk for intestinal parasites that can be transferred to people. At your cat’s annual visit, we request you bring a stool sample for us to test for intestinal parasites. We send samples to an outside laboratory that specializes in testing for parasites such as Giardia, roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms.
Parasite Prevention
Parasites are more than just a nuisance; they spread harmful diseases like Lyme disease, tapeworm, and bartonella. We recommend all cats, even indoor cats, take preventative medicine to minimize the risk of parasites.
We prescribe a monthly heartworm preventive, as well as flea and tick treatments and yearly deworming as recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nutrition & Exercise
Proper nutrition and exercise are key components of preventive health care. More and more cats are becoming overweight or obese, increasing their risk of weight-related diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, and arthritis. We believe it is part of our job to help your cat maintain a healthy weight. Your veterinarian will discuss nutrition and exercise plans with you and suggest diet changes as needed.
Annual Bloodwork
In young pets, blood testing is recommended to establish a healthy baseline and monitor overall wellness as they grow. As pets age, yearly senior bloodwork is recommended to help assess organ function, blood cell counts, thyroid health, and urinary health, allowing us to detect age-related changes early. Additional screening, including feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and heartworm testing, may also be recommended for kittens and cats with outdoor exposure.
