ADULT FELINE WELLNESS PLAN 8 YEARS AND BEYOND
The veterinarians and staff at Wilderness Trace Veterinary Clinic are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of your cat, from its first kitten visit, well into its senior years.
It is important to realize that the aging process is not a "disease". It is the normal slow down of the body's functions, such as a decreased metabolism, a decreased ability to fight off disease, increased tissue fragility, loss of muscle mass and decreased joint flexibility. Since the cat's body ages more rapidly than a human body, bi-annual physical exams will help discover problems in animals that may "appear" to be healthy. Remember that prevention and early intervention is always more cost effective than treatment of clinical disease. Routine physical exams of the "senior" cat will help extend the years that you enjoy with your companion.
Common problems of the senior cat include:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Dental disease
- Cancer
- Heart failure
- Senility(Cognitive DysfunctionSyndrome)
- Diabetes
- Thyroid Disease
- Urinary Incontinence and Bladder Stones
- Loss of hearing/sight
- Autoimmune disease
A comprehensive senior wellness program should include the following:
- PHYSICAL EXAM: A physical exam should include the following systems:
- Coat and Skin
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose and Throat
- Mouth, Teeth, Gums
- Heart
- Abdomen
- Lungs
- Neurologic System (spinal nerves, reflexes, monitor seizures)
- Urogential System (urination habits, discharge, mammary tumors, anal glands, prostate)
- YEARLY VACCINATIONS
Feline Vaccines: Rabies, FVRCP, +/- Leukemia
- INTESTINAL PARASITE & Felv/FIV (depending on environment of cat)
- WEIGHT & NUTRITION COUNSELING
- SENIOR WELLNESS PROFILES: The following tests are highly recommended to determine if your cat's liver, kidneys and thyroid are operating properly, as well as the detection of hormonal problems such as diabetes.
- The purpose of these tests:
- Help to establish baseline values that can be used for comparison when changes occur.
- Can identify existing health problems that aren't detected through a physical exam alone.
- Can assist with monitoring progress during treatment for disease
Our comprehensive senior wellness profile includes:
-
Complete blood count (CBC): evaluates the cellular components of the blood stream
- Red blood cells (RBC) carry oxygen to the body organs
- White blood cells (WBC) are the "soldiers" of the body that fight infection
- Platelets assist with blood clotting
- Biochemistries: allows your veterinarian to detect problems with the kidneys, liver, thyroid, pancreas and other glands in the body.
- Urinalysis: analysis of the urine is effective for detecting problems with the kidneys, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
- Electrolytes: abnormalities of electrolytes such as sodium, calcium, phosphorous, and potassium, can affect many organ systems in the body.
Additional test may be needed depending on outcome of blood work. Additional test may include: X-rays, ultrasound, blood pressure, eye testing.