The week of Aug 18-25 was Take Your Cat to the Veterinarian Week. So at The Family Pet Hospital we have decided to make September CAT MONTH! The fact is that, even though cats have been faithful human companions since ancient times, they often don’t receive the veterinary care that they deserve.
Cats have a high survival instinct and tend to hide pain better than dogs or humans. In addition, cats are not good travelers and so the trip to the vet is not always the most pleasant! (We can however, make housecalls!!!) These facts mean that cats visit the veterinarian less than half as often as dogs. So unfortunately what we see is that many medical issues causing pain and suffering go undetected, or are diagnosed in the more advanced stages of the disease process. This all translates as more pain for the cat and more expense and heartache to their owners. Remember also, that even your indoor cat needs regular veterinary care. Even though they are at reduced risk of injury or illness from infectious diseases, they can still develop other serious health problems, such as diabetes, intestinal problems, kidney disease, and more. Health screening and early detection means a better chance of curing or successfully managing problems.
As cats are masters of disguise, I would like to share some subtle signs of illness that you can watch for in your feline friends:
- Changes in activity or daily routine
- Changes in eating habits or chewing
- Changes in water intake
- Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
- Bad breath
- Changes in grooming habits
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Changes in vocalization
- Signs of stress, such as anxiety or not using the litter box
- Changes in interactions with other pets and people
But don’t wait for these. A healthy cat is a happy home! To ensure that none of these signs are missed, we recommend an annual check up for all our feline friends and twice yearly physicals for all our seniors over 10 years of age. Bring your cat in now for his/her exam, we can’t wait to see them! Oh, don’t forget $20 off your cat’s exam this month so hurry in!
Best,
Dr. Cristina Valas
