Preventive care plans are a great way to provide care and keep your cat healthy.
One of the greatest concerns among veterinarians and cat owners alike is how best to maintain your cat in as healthy a condition as possible for his entire life—from kittenhood to the senior years.
We all know that preventing disease or catching it in its early stages is far better than treating it once it has had time to progress to a more advanced stage. Preventive health care on a regular basis will help you do just that, and save you and your pet from needless suffering and a larger financial burden. This article explains what preventive measures you can take to keep your cat healthy.
Just as annual physical exams are recommended for humans, they are recommended for our pets as well. If your cat is older or has medical problems, he may need even more frequent examinations. A year is a long time in a cat’s life. Assuming our cats will live to their early or middle teens, receiving a yearly exam means they will only have about thirteen exams in a lifetime. That is not very many when you think about it.
During your cat’s annual physical exam you should review these aspects of your cat’s health with your veterinarian:
- Parasite control for intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, mites, and heartworms
- Dental health – care you give at home; any mouth odors, pain, broken teeth, or other signs of disease you may have observed
- Nutrition – including what your cat eats, how often, what supplements and treats are given, and changes in water consumption, weight or appetite
- Exercise – how much exercise your cat receives including how often and what kind; and any changes in your cat’s ability to exercise
- Ears and Eyes- any discharge, discomfort or pain, redness, swelling, or itching
- Stomach and intestines – any vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas, belching, or abnormal stools
- Breathing – any coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sneezing, or nasal discharge
- Behavior – any behavior problemssuch as inappropriate elimination, aggression, or changes in temperament
- Feet and legs – any limping, weakness, toenail problems
- Coat and skin – any hair loss, pigment changes, lumps, itchy spots, shedding, mats, changes in hair quality, or anal sac problems
- Urogenital – any discharges, heats, changes in mammary glands, urination difficulties or changes, neutering if it has not already been performed
- Blood tests – especially for senior cats, those with medical problems, and those who are receiving medications.
The bottom line is this: cats age faster than we do. If we get a physical exam and blood tests annually, that’s like our cats taking the same preventive health measures every 4-5 years. The rapid ageing process of cats makes preventive health care even more important.