Keeping your cat in top physical condition and excellent health
is the goal of all cat owners and our staff at All About Cats,
and a yearly Wellness Examination can help do just that. Regular
examinations are important because they provide an opportunity
to detect symptoms and prevent diseases in their early stages,
or avoid them altogether.
What
does a Wellness Exam involve?
Dr. Liz will typically spend 30-45 minutes with
you and your cat. During this time they will check your cat
for irregularities and abnormalities starting at the head with
the eyes, ears, face, mouth and teeth, and moving onto the
limbs and chest (lungs and heart), before finally examining
the coat and skin. The doctors will also gently comb out any
mats your cat may have and cut his/her nails. During the appointment
the doctor will discuss all aspects of your cat's health including;
their finding upon physical exam, nutrition, behaviour, vaccination
protocol and any concerns you may have.
Helpful hint: bring a prepared list of questions for the
doctor; often owners cannot remember all their questions once
they are in their appointment
Junior/Adult/Senior Wellness FAQS
What do vaccines do?
Vaccines are given to prepare the body's immune system against
invasion by a particular disease-causing organism. Vaccines
contain antigens, which are non-infectious particles that to
the immune system look like the disease causing organism. When
the vaccine is introduced to the body the immune system responds
to the antigens and produces antibodies. These antibodies are
a protective response, meaning when the cat is subsequently
exposed to the infectious organism, the immune system is prepared
and either prevents infection or reduces the severity of disease.
What vaccines does my cat need?
The choice of which vaccines your cat should receive is dependent
on a number of factors including; your cat's risk of exposure
to the disease causing organisms, consequence of infection and
the risk an infected cat poses to human health.
For the above reasons we recommend the following vaccine protocol.
-
FVRCP
Immunity against: Feline Herpes & Feline Calici Virus
These viruses cause 80-90% of all feline upper respiratory
disease. Symptoms include sneezing and eye infections; Panleukopenia
(also called feline distemper).This virus causes vomiting,
diarrhea and fever. This disease is often fatal in kittens.
Adult cats can carry the disease without showing symptoms.
-
FeLV
Immunity against: Feline leukemia virus, which is the leading
viral killer of cats. The virus is spread from cat-to-cat
through bite wounds, through casual contact with infected
cats and from an infected mother cat to her kittens. The
individuals most at risk of infection are outdoor cats.
-
Rabies
In British Columbia bats carry rabies and as many as 8-10%
of the bat population are reported infected. While the risk
of your cat contracting rabies is remote, due to the severity
of the disease and the potential for human exposure, vaccination
is highly recommended for all cats.
Should I test my cat for FeLV/FIV?
Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus are fatal
diseases spread to cats by other cats. All cats should be tested
for FeLV and FIV infection. This is particularly important for
cats in multiple-cat households, but it is also important for
cats in single-cat households, because either of these infections
will impact a cat's health status and long-term management.
When should I Spay/Neuter my kitten?
It is recommended to spay/neuter at 4-6 months of age before
the first heat or puberty. These procedures are performed under
a general anesthetic with intravenous fluid therapy which includes
pain management. Tattoo or microchip identification is highly
recommended at this time.
How do I know if my cat has parasites?
Commonly found internal parasites are roundworms and tapeworms.
A diagnostic stool test is recommended. A fresh sample (approximately
1 teaspoon) is required for the test. Even if this test is negative,
the doctor may recommend treatment because adult worms do not
shed their eggs into the feces with every bowel movement therefore
giving a false negative result.
Common external parasites include fleas, ticks, lice and mites.
Using a flea comb is a handy way to check for external parasites.
In British Columbia fleas are very common in every season therefore
we recommend any cat that goes outdoors or is in contact with
other outdoor animals use flea prevention.
How do I care for my cat's teeth?
Kittens will lose all their deciduous teeth at 4-6 months of
age and adult cats normally have 30 teeth. Cat's teeth, like
ours, need regular attention. Starting an oral hygiene regiment
while your cat is still young may make future care easier on
both you and your cat. Brushing is the best way to reduce tartar
and gum disease. Other dental products include Maxi Guard oral
gel, t/d Prescription Diet and CET Dental Chews, which will
reduce tartar accumulation.
What should I feed my cat?
Kittens should be fed 3-4 small meals a day consisting of a high quality kitten food which is specially formulated for their young bodies. Kitten food typically has increased levels of necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals to enable muscle and bone growth.
For cats of all ages we recommend feeding a combination of dry and wet commercially prepared high quality diets. Feeding canned food is very important because the extra water content helps to maintain renal and urogenital health. Fresh water should always be available. We recommend providing multiply water sources in the event a bowl gets knocked over or the kitty is unable to get to it. If you are concerned about your cat's diet or if your cat is over weight please contact our doctors and staff and we would be happy to discuss your cat's individual nutritional needs.
How do I teach my kitten good manners?
Play gently with your kitty using toys and not your hands.
This will help to prevent aggressive behaviour in adult life.
Provide a scratching post that is sturdy and won't fall over.
You may use catnip to encourage use. Trim your kitty's nails
every 3 weeks to prevent damage to furniture. Provide a litterbox
filled with non-dusty and non-scented cat litter. Cats have
a preference so if you find one he likes then try not to change
brands. Place the litter box in a quiet, low traffic area such
as a bathroom or laundry room. Some cats refuse to use a hooded
box. Always remember the rule of thumb - one litter box per
adult cat in the home and if the box is dirty they will go elsewhere!
Discuss any behaviour problems with the doctor before they become
habits that are difficult to change.
What should I look for as my cat ages?
Never assume that changes you see in your older cat are simply
due to old age, and therefore untreatable. Any alteration in
your cat's behaviour or physical condition should alert you
to contact our veterinarians. Close observation is one of the most
important tools you have to help keep your senior cat healthy.
Signs to look for include:
- Vomiting
and/or diarrhea
- Change
in water intake
- Change
in appetite
- Weight
loss
- Change
in behaviour, i.e. Hiding or vocalizing
- Drooling,
bad breath, or chattering teeth
- Change
in coat
- Coughing,
sneezing
- Limping,
lameness change in ability to jump on to furniture or go up
stairs
Cats are experts at hiding illness, and elderly cats are no
exception. It is common for a cat to have a serious medical
problem, yet not show any sign of it until the condition is
quite advanced. Since most diseases can be managed more successfully
when detected and treated early in their course, it is important
for owners of senior cats to carefully monitor their behavior
and health.
How should I groom my cat?
All cats, even short haired breeds,require brushing or combing on a regular basis. However, longhaired
breeds may require professional grooming. Flat-faced cats or
cats that do not face-groom may require face cleaning. This
involves removing debris from the area around the eyes and nose. Neglecting regular grooming can lead to skin disease,
eye infections and discomfort for your cat.
Is my cat at risk for genetically linked diseases?
As with humans, many of the diseases we see in cats are genetically
linked. The doctor can discuss diagnostics to enable early treatment
or prevention in some cases.
