Health & Wellness

What To Expect At Your Cat's Health Check-Up

During the health check-up, your veterinarian will conduct a thorough examination of your cat. Here’s what to expect during the health check-up examination:

• A review of your cat’s previous health records
• Discuss medications your cat is currently taking, including flea prevention products
• Note weight and age changes since the last examination
• Ask about any lifestyle changes in your cat
• Perform a physical examination including: teeth, mouth, eyes, ears, skin, coat, and paws
• Ask about any unusual behaviour in your cat, such as drinking more water, eating less or more, sleeping less or more, a change in activity level, or toileting behaviour and litter tray use
• Treat any current condition, such as ear infection or ear mites
• A dental check to see if cleaning is necessary
• If early disease signs are detected, a recommendation for further tests
• A recommendation of appropriate vaccinations to help prevent disease.

Life Stage Risk Assessment

International Cat Care (iCatCare) have developed six age categories for cats which are shown below. The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM, the veterinary division of iCatCare), the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have now also adopted these categories.

Cats are living longer

Cats are living longer now, especially indoor cats. Senior and geriatric cats require two health check-ups exams per year to ensure continued health and a high quality of life.

Veterinarians recommend these tips for senior cats:

• Easy access to litter trays
• Softer beds
• Steps to your bed if your cat sleeps with you.

Risks for Unvaccinated Cats

• SITUATION
• RISK FACTORS
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  The cat is an indoor cat and never goes outside.
• 
  It can be difficult to make sure that a cat never has outdoor access. In addition, some infectious diseases can be brought into the home on clothing, shoes and hands. When your cat needs to go to the vet for a check up or due to ill health, vaccination will help to protect it from important infectious diseases.

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• 
  Cat is an indoor/outdoor or strictly outdoor cat.
• 
  Having outdoor access means that your cat is at risk of being infected with viruses such as feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, feline panleukopenia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus. All of these can be vaccinated against.

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• 
  Kittens.
• 
  Kittens are particularly susceptible to infectious disease because their immune systems are not fully developed.

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• 
  Senior or geriatric cats.
• 
  Older cats may have weakened immune systems and therefore be more susceptible to infectious diseases.

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• 
  Cat goes to boarding or a groomer.
• 
  These are high risk environments for infectious disease as cats will be in close proximity to each other and so vaccination is very important.

Signs of Illness

Is your cat sick and you don’t know it? Cats are particularly adept at hiding illnesses, especially in the early stages. Learn about the 10 subtle signs of illness in your cat and why discussing these signs with your veterinarian is so important to your cat’s health.

1. Inappropriate Elimination Behaviour

It is important to keep the litter tray clean and to consider recent changes in location or type of litter used. In addition, a cat that is urinating inappropriately may have any number of medical conditions associated with the behaviour, including lower urinary tract disease, kidney disease, urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus. It can also be a sign of arthritis, which makes it difficult for the cat to get into the litter tray.

Blockage of the urinary tract signals a veterinary emergency. A blockage is treatable, but timing is critical. Once identified, the cat must receive veterinary care as soon as possible. Otherwise, fatal complications could develop. Signs include straining in the litter tray with little or no results, crying when urinating and frequent attempts to urinate.

2. Changes in Interaction

Cats are social animals, they enjoy interaction with their human family and often with other pets. Changes in those interactions may signal problems such as disease, fear or anxiety. They may also signal pain, which can cause aggression. For example, a cat may attack an individual who causes it pain, such as a person combing over a cat’s arthritic hips or brushing a diseased tooth.

3. Changes in Activity

A decrease or increase in activity can be a sign of a medical condition. As cats age, there is an increased risk of arthritis. Discomfort from systemic illnesses can lead to a decrease in activity. It’s important to understand cats don’t usually slow down just because they are old.  An increase in activity may be a sign of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Changes in activity warrant a visit to your veterinarian.

4. Changes in Sleeping Habits

The key to differentiating abnormal lethargy from normal napping is knowing your cat’s sleeping patterns. The average adult cat may spend 16 to 18 hours per day sleeping. This is normal, but much of that sleeping is “catnapping.” The cat should respond quickly to usual stimuli, such as the owner walking into the room or cat food being prepared. If your cat is sleeping more than usual or has discomfort lying down and getting up, this may be a sign of underlying disease.

5. Changes in Food and Water Consumption

Contrary to popular belief, most cats are not fussy eaters. Look for changes, such as a decrease or an increase in consumption and how the cat chews its food. Decreased food intake can be a sign of several disorders, ranging from poor dental health to cancer. Increased food consumption can be caused by diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or other health problems.

Changes in water consumption may be more difficult to observe, especially in cats that spend time outdoors or drink from toilets and sinks. Increased water intake can be an early indicator of thyroid problems, kidney disease, diabetes or other conditions.

If food and water intake is questionable, clients can measure the food and water given, and then measure what remains after 24 hours to get a more accurate picture of actual consumption.

6. Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain

A change in weight does not necessarily correlate with a change in appetite. Cats with hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus can lose weight despite good appetites. Many other diseases cause both appetite and weight loss. If your cat goes to the food bowl and then backs away from it without eating, nausea may be the source.

Weight changes often go unnoticed because of a cat’s thick coat. You can assess body condition by feeling gently along the ribs. The ribs should be easily felt but not prominent.

On the other hand, obesity has become a serious health concern in cats, with increased risk of diabetes mellitus, joint disease and other problems. Cat owners can purchase small pet scales to chart weight at home. Take the cat to the veterinarian if there are any unplanned changes in weight.

7. Changes in Grooming

Typically, cats are fastidious groomers. Note whether your cat’s coat is clean and free of matting. Patches of hair loss or a greasy or matted appearance can signal an underlying disease. Also watch to see if your cat has difficulty grooming. A decrease in grooming behaviour can indicate fear, anxiety, obesity or other illness. An increase in grooming may be a sign of a skin problem.

8. Signs of Stress

Boredom and sudden lifestyle changes are common causes of stress in cats. Stressed cats may spend less time grooming and interacting, or they may spend more time awake and scanning their environment, hide more, withdraw and exhibit signs of depression. They could also change their eating patterns. These same signs may indicate a medical condition. It is important to rule out medical problems first and then address the stress. Because the social organisation of cats is different from that of people and dogs, changes in family, such as adding a new pet, should be done gradually. Please contact your veterinary clinic for information on how to successfully make changes in your household.

9. Changes in Vocalisation

An increase in vocalisation or howling is more common in older cats and is often seen with some underlying conditions such as hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure. Many cats also vocalise more if they are in pain or anxious. If you note a change in vocalisation, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out medical problems and to obtain suggestions for minimising or eliminating the behaviour.

10. Bad Breath

It is important to have your cats teeth checked at every veterinary visit to help prevent dental disease or to start treatment of problems. One of the early indicators of an oral problem is bad breath. Regular home teeth brushing and veterinary dental care prevent bad breath, pain, tooth loss and spread of infection to other organs.