Physical Examination Cat

Keywords:
Preventive, senior, x-ray, blood, tests, changes, medication, arthritis, periodontal, teeth, weight loss, infection, diabetes, wellness

Physical Examination Cat

Physical Examination Cat

When you consider that cats age considerably more quickly than we do, you should appreciate the fact that they need more frequent checkups as they begin to attain "senior" status. Also, cats are masters at hiding their diseases, so regular checkups become even more important. I've seen many older cats over the years that still eat well, use their boxes regularly, cuddle up as usual, but are still suffering from some early, treatable conditions. To do the most for your feline friends, it is important to catch their problems early through a thorough geriatric physical exam.

These exams consist of whole body x-rays, blood and urine tests, including thyroid screening, blood pressure measurements and fecal samples. An electrocardiogram and an ultrasound study may also be indicated. The nice thing is that these tests are non-invasive and seem not to bother even the most challenging cat.

Try to notice subtle changes in your senior cat's behavior and routine. Is your cat getting grumpy just because it is his nature or is it because he's hurting? Maybe he has osteoarthritis. Is he not eating as well because he's becoming a finicky eater, or maybe he's beginning to suffer from dental or periodontal disease? . If you've noticed him becoming a bit thinner, the weight loss may be due a thyroid problem very common in older cats. You may think that your cat loves the new kitty water fountain that you purchased and starts drinking water all the time. But, maybe she's drinking copious amounts of water because she is suffering from diabetes or kidney failure, a major killer of older cats.

You and your veterinarian need to act as a `cat wellness team'. Let your veterinarian know what changes you are seeing at home. Subtle can be significant.

Though your cat may be the picture of health, one of the safest ways to insure that the inside of your cat looks as good as the outside, see your veterinarian for a `well cat' checkup at least twice a year.

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Daily Pet News


Take caution when choosing a weight loss food for your fat cat
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again… An animal that is not overweight will live 30% longer than an overweight animal. So if you have a fat cat, do it a favor and put it on a diet. But before you do, know that 50% of weight control cat foods cannot do what they claim to do. The report from the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that the best way to help your pet is to design a weight loss program with the help of your veterinarian.

Does the thunder roll your dog into a cold dark corner?
If your dog is like mine, then he crawls under the covers or into a cold dark space when the thunder rolls. Experts say the best way to battle these fears is with love and treats. The fear of loud booming noises usually develops as a puppy and can worsen with age. However, positive reinforcement such as petting your dog or offering a treat can help to rewire the circuit. That is, they will now associate the thunder with pleasant events, rather than fear of injury. Between storms, playing loud sounds and using positive reinforcement, can help to desensitize your pet to the real thing. If things do not improve, you can ask your veterinarian about anti-anxiety drugs.

Some foods that are toxic to dogs
Some foods that are considered healthy or harmless to humans can be toxic to dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends keeping these items away from your dogs… Alcohol, caffeine, garlic, onions, avocado, and chewing gum. It is also advisable to limit intake of salt and sugar.

Babies can read facial expressions in dogs
A study at Brigham Young University has concluded that human babies as young as six months can tell the difference between an angry growl and a friendly bark. The study included showing two different pictures of the same dog to the infants, all of which lived with dogs. One picture was an angry looking dog with a scowl. The other was a playful looking dog with a nice smile. When playing a recording of a growling dog, the subjects tended to stare at the picture of the angry dog. When playing audio of a playful bark, the infants then focused on the happy looking dog. A BYU professor said that emotion is one of the first things babies can pick up on in their social world. Pets, in turn, are also very aware of emotions of their surroundings.

Rabies enters Colorado neighborhoods
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Foxtail can pose a serious threat to your dog.
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Pets need blood transfusions too
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Further research is necessary to find out why cats are dying
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Yogi Bear may have rabies?
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