What Is Involved in a Cat Preventive Care Program?
At Ingleside Animal Hospital, we understand that prevention is truly the best medicine where the health and wellness of your cat is concerned. This is why we offer our feline patients and their human counterparts a comprehensive array of cat preventive care services that promote cat health, wellness and longevity of life.
A cat preventive care program consists of:
- Annual or Semi-Annual Physical Examinations
- Blood and urine analysis
- Ongoing Health and Wellness Education
- Periodic At-Home Monitoring
The focus of a preventive care program is to ensure that your cat is receiving everything they need to live a healthy life including proper nutrition, good hygiene and adequate stimulation, as well as early detection of any illness or disease that may be developing.
Semi Annual Wellness Exams for Your Cat
A semiannual wellness exam should be performed by your veterinarian every six months. The physical exam is a comprehensive assessment of your cat's health. Your veterinarian will review various aspects of your cat's health, including:
- Vaccination Status
- Parasite Control - to include both internal and external parasites
- Dental Health
- Nutrition
- Exercise and environmental enrichment
- Ears and Eyes
- Internal Organs
- Behavior
- Coat and Skin
- Bloodwork to help assess metabolic function
Bathing, Grooming & Hygiene Regimen for Cats
A sizeable portion of a cat's health involves self-bathing and grooming. A cat can manage its own skin, fur and digestive health through self-grooming. However, there are things you can and should do as a cat owner to help ensure optimal hygiene by following a simple preventive care regimen. This includes:
- Brushing your cat's hair regularly to limit knots and furballs
- Trimming your cat's claws
- Physical interactions including petting and playing to maintain a health comfort level with interaction and engage the cat's senses
Feline Cancer Detection
Cancer is among the most frightening and painful diagnosis a cat owner can hear. It is also a disease that stands a better chance of being defeated if it is detected early on. As a cat owner, if you notice the development of lumps or conditions that look worrisome, please schedule a veterinary appointment immediately. However, it is important to understand that most of the cancer symptoms that a veterinarian will be able to spot early on, will not be noticeable to you.
Integrative Medicine for Cats
Preventive care for cats also includes various fields of integrative medicine. Integrative medicine consists of alternative practices that enhance or enrich standard, or classical preventive and treatment-based protocols. Some of the many forms of integrative medicine that promote cat health include:
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathy
- Chinese Medicine
- Laser Therapy
Cat Dentistry
One of the most overlooked facets of preventive care for cats is dentistry. Cats do not tell you when they have oral pain or discomfort. In general, by four years of age, most cats have developed some dental or gingival disease that will require veterinary intervention. A thorough exam requires anesthesia and dental x-rays. The majority of dental disease in cats lies underneath the gum line. For this reason, x-rays are required to identify any disease that may be present in the tooth and the root of the tooth which may be a source of chronic pain. Some of the causes of dental disease and discomfort include:
- Gum Disease
- Malocclusion
- Tooth Loss
- Mouth Sores and Ulcers
- Gingivitis
- Periodontal Disease
A thorough cat teeth cleaning is something you should trust to your veterinarian every 6-12 months, but regular brushing can be performed in the comfort of your home. We would love to assist you in learning how to approach and brush your cat's teeth. Many cats will tolerate daily teeth brushing if done in a gentle and respectful manner. You can also help facilitate excellent cat health by providing toys and treats formulated to help strengthen and/or clean your cat's teeth and gums.
Flea & Tick Prevention for Cats
No insects are as troublesome to you and your cat has fleas and ticks. Fleas can cause severe skin irritation and can infest your home if you do not have a good preventive plan. While less common than fleas, ticks can transmit dangerous and even deadly diseases. Both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk for fleas and ticks, as these parasites can thrive in almost all geographic locations.
This is why flea and tick prevention are a cornerstone of comprehensive preventive care for cats. It is important to be aware that there are numerous products on the market that our veterinarians would strongly suggest you avoid. As part of the preventive care for your cat, we will help you choose the safest, most effective parasite products.
Cat Nutrition
Raising a healthy cat depends heavily on the type and amount of food they consume on a daily basis. Low quality cat food, and treats high in fat or carbohydrates can negatively affect many aspects of your feline friend's health. Feline obesity is the most common health problem we see in our otherwise healthy cat patients. Developing a nutritional plan from an early age which includes a diet selection, a feeding plan and exercise plan is the best way to avoid feline obesity. Cats will have different nutritional requirements during each stage of their lives which include:
- Kittens
- Adult Cats
- Senior Cats
- In addition, there are health conditions which will require special diets
Cat Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a fundamentally essential component of cat care. They consist of a series of immunizations given to your cat as a kitten, and then boosters given periodically throughout its lifetime. Vaccinations help prevent and fight various serious, even potentially fatal diseases that cats are at risk of contracting. They also help prevent the spread of diseases between felines, as well as to human beings.
Schedule An Appointment to Discuss a Preventive Care Regimen for Your Cat
We are a dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate group of veterinarians who absolutely love both our kitty patients, and their human counterparts. We are here to provide comprehensive and compassionate preventive cat care services, and to help you learn how to provide the best care in every way. Contact us to discuss a preventive cat care regimen for your feline friend, and to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians today!