Feline Wellness
Regular wellness care is an important component of a healthy lifestyle for all pets. Unfortunately, cats are less likely to receive routine wellness care than dogs. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, only half of cat owners brought their pets in for wellness care over the course of a year and 10 percent of cat owners never even take their cat to the vet at all. This is an unfortunate statistic when you consider how many cats may be suffering from illnesses that could be prevented. Cats are experts at masking symptoms and hiding pain.
Because it can be difficult to tell when a cat is feeling ill, some owners may feel that their cat doesn’t need routine wellness care. This means many cats don’t get the care they need until their condition is much more serious. Most illnesses can be more easily treated if caught early, sometimes even before the cat is showing outward symptoms at home. Additionally, when brought in regularly, your veterinarian can evaluate for unhealthy or concerning trends, i.e. weight loss.
Some cat owners may feel that just because their cat doesn’t go outside, routine health checkups are not needed. This could not be further from the truth. Indoor cats can still develop a plethora of ailments and regular examinations, and preventative measures can ensure that they stay healthy for a long time. Another hesitation that cat owners have is the difficulty and stress (for them and their feline companion) of transporting to the veterinary office. If this is the case, you can reach out to your veterinarian about techniques and/or pheromones or medications that might ease your cat’s transportation and visit.
So, what can you expect during your routine visit? The veterinary staff will check your cat’s vitals, including weight, during every visit. They can discuss any recommended vaccines or preventative parasite control based on lifestyle. Your veterinarian will perform a full physical exam to include dental assessment as well all body symptoms, including listening to their heart and lungs. Another integral part of assessing our feline companion’s health status is checking routine lab work to include blood and urine testing. This will give your veterinarian more crucial information about your cat’s health. This can provide a healthy baseline; but your veterinarian can also assess for trends over time enabling them to catch disease before it becomes a debilitating issue.
Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit http://www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
