Park Hill Vet: Commit To Your Kitty
Resolve For A Healthier Cat In 2024
By Margot Vahrenwald, DVM
For the GPHN
2023 is the Year of Dragon in the Chinese calendar, but I challenge pet owners to make it the Year of the Cat. And, more specifically, make it the year that you commit to your kitty or kitties getting regular veterinary care.
Why? Because veterinary studies continue to show a decline in cats receiving preventive care, such as annual nose-to-tail physical examinations, screening for infectious diseases and regular preventive diagnostic screening for changes indicative of loss of kidney function and more.
For many years and worsened by the pandemic, we have been seeing sicker feline patients at presentation, owners noting duration of changes in weeks and months rather than days, often giving us less options for supportive care and treatment. Additionally, we see rising rates of feline diabetes and an increase in severity of dental disease, often leading to more extractions to resolve the pain and infection in those patients’ mouths.
All cats, including indoor kitties, need regular veterinary care. Being an indoor cat protects against many of the killer risks of being outdoors, but it does not mean that your cat cannot or will not get sick from a variety of causes. An indoor cat has the same risk for developing several infectious diseases or cancer as an outdoor cat and has a much higher risk for the development of diseases associated with obesity such as diabetes.
Preventive care means having your feline friend or friends get at least an annual veterinary check-up and, if older than 10 years, twice yearly. Cats, despite cushy indoors lives, are masters of hiding symptoms and compensating until they just can’t – so often by the time we notice changes at home, they have been ill for a while. Regular examinations allow the detection of changes much earlier. That allows more treatment options, including many that are significantly less costly than when the pet is really ill and may need aggressive care or even emergency treatment.
Yes, sometimes getting to the vet with a recalcitrant cat is a challenge, but you can do it. Your veterinarian can give some help in the best way to load up to come to the clinic or hospital and provide calming pre-visit medications. And, for the really stressed cat, a house call vet can come to your home for an examination and early detection blood work.
Lastly, all cats need vaccinations – municipal laws in every city and state require all cats to be vaccinated and regularly reboostered against rabies. Other vaccinations should be tailored to each cat’s risks and lifestyle to help maintain appropriate immune protection.
So get that furry dragon, um, ur, cat scheduled for their preventive care examination today. You will have a happier, healthier companion this year and into the future.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit www.parkhillvet.com.