Cats need to see the vet regularly
When I was a child my family always had cats.
But as I look back, I realize we weren’t always the best pet guardians. Sure, we loved the many cats we had but beyond getting them spayed or neutered, they never saw a veterinarian again until they were extremely sick. To make matters worse, we let them go outside whenever they wanted, which put them at even more risk for health problems.
A recent study found that 45% of people never take their cat to the veterinarian unless it’s an emergency. With National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day coming up on Aug. 22, it’s a good time to be reminded that being a good pet parent means committing to regular, lifelong checkups for our feline buddies.
“Like all pets, cats benefit from a yearly checkup with a veterinarian who can provide ongoing wellness care and detect small problems before they become more painful or difficult — or expensive — to treat,” says Belinda Evans, director of shelter medicine at Marin Humane. “Also, cats tend to hide discomfort and pain so by the time they’re exhibiting obvious signs, they could be very ill.”
Cats are often perceived as independent and tough. Unfortunately, that can give us the impression they don’t need a lot of watching over. Combine that with the oftentimes difficult task of getting a cat in a carrier and it’s easy to see why some don’t place a priority on regular visits to the veterinarian.
But our “tough” cats can fall victim to several serious illnesses. Viruses and bacteria can invade a cat’s nose, throat and sinuses, causing upper respiratory infections. In multi-cat homes, viruses are passed through shared food or water dishes, grooming or sneezing. Stress can contribute to URIs, signs of which include a runny nose, congestion, nasal discharge, fever, loss of appetite and rapid breathing.
Feline urinary tract disease is characterized by blood in the urine and painful urination. Cats experiencing urinary problems may strain while urinating, squatting and meowing in pain. But with prescribed medication from a veterinarian and a change in diet, these infections should be easy to treat.
An often-neglected part of medical care for our kitties includes dental care. Feline gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is the earliest stage of periodontis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque accumulating along the gumline. Left untreated, tartar eventually builds up under the gum, separating it from the teeth. Reddened gums, bad breath and difficulty eating are early signs of gingivitis, which usually begins with one tooth but can spread quickly. This bacterium can spread to other organs through the bloodstream and cause serious kidney damage.
Other illnesses seen in cats include hyperthyroidism and cardiomyopathy — both of which can be fatal if left untreated.
The most common cause of death for cats is chronic kidney (renal) failure. Because it occurs gradually, cats may show no signs for years. By the time they exhibit symptoms, damage is usually irreversible. Extreme thirst and frequent urination are among the signs, along with drooling, weight loss and bad breath. Although incurable, a cat can be kept comfortable with dietary changes, along with IV fluids and specific medications.
Most veterinarians agree that a combination of high-quality dry and wet food is ideal for cats. And keeping them indoors ensures you as their pet parent can monitor their health better (not to mention keeping them safe from cars, coyotes and fights with other cats or dogs).
Our pets give us so much and ask little in return. Let’s keep them as healthy and pain-free as we’d like all our twolegged family members to be.