A Happy and Healthy Approach to Cat Companionship

Pet ownership carries with it the responsibility of being proactive in health care.  There are certain steps that you should take to prevent health problems.  We recommend the following:

• An annual examination is essential...remember, one year to us is an average of five years for your cat.  That's a long time to go without a thorough physical examination.
• Keep vaccinations current.  A vaccination program should be individualized to meet the needs of your cat.
• Brush frequently to keep hair coat from matting.  Many cats do not groom themselves well.
• Clip or check toenails frequetnly to prevent overgrowth.  (Most cats less than 10 years need no nail care.)
• Keep plenty of fresh water available and monitor its consumption.
• Monitor urine output by measurign the amout of we litter in the litter box.
• Do not allow ther pets to keep any individual pet from gaining free access to food and water.
• Keep indoors all the time, if possible, but at least at night.
• Eliminate parasites, including fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworms on a regular basis.
• Weigh your cat ont he same scale and record results at least every 60 days.  Both weight loss and weight gain are noteworthy.  Obesity is a very serious condition that is becoming more and more common in our feline population.
• Clean teeth are essential to continued good health.  Yearly or every othe ryear teeth cleanings are often necessary.
• Different life stages and health conditions often require special diets.  We can help you pick a diet that is appropriate for your cat's needs.

                                                          Early Signs of Disease

The following are early signs of disease.  Some of these are so minor that they may not seem significatn.  However, our goal is to diagnose and  treat diseases in their early stages when the success rate is much higher.  Present your cat for an examinatio for any of the following:

• Sustained, significant increase in water consumption.  (Abnormal is intake greater than 50ml per pound per day, or approximately 1.5 cups (8 oz each) per day or 12 ox total for a 9 pound cat.)
• Sustained, significant increase in urination or amou t of wet litter.
• Weight loss.
• Significant decrease in appetite or failure to eat for more than two consecutive days.
• Significant increase ini appetite.
• Repeated vomiting.
• Diarrhea that lasts over three days.
• Difficulty in passing stool or urine or prolonged sitting or laying in the litter box.
• Change in litter box habits, especially if urination or defecation occurs out of the litter box.
• Lameness that lasts more than five days, or lameness in more than one leg.
• Noticeable decrease in vision, especially if sudden in onset or pupils that do not constrict in bright light.
• Masses, ulcerations (open sores), or multiple scabs on the skin tha persist more than one week.
• Foul mouth odor or drooling tha tlasts over two days.
• Increasing size of the abdomen.
• Increasing inactivity or amount of time spent sleeping.
• Hair loss, especially if accompanied by scratching or if in specific areas (as opposed to generalized).
• Breathing heavily or rapidly at rest.
• Inability to chew or eat dry food.