Category: News

Regular visits to the doctor are important to stay healthy and on top of illnesses and conditions before they get too advanced. This is true for adults, and children — and also for our cats! But how often are “regular” visits, actually? How often should your cat being going to the vet? Well, the answer relies on a few factors — namely age and health history.

Much as infants, children, adults, and older adults have different health needs and considerations, the same is true for our cats! Today we explore how often you should take your cat to the vet to keep them happy and healthy. If you’re also interested in how much the vet costs once you get there, take a look as well.

How often do you take a kitten to the vet?

There’s nothing like a brand-new baby kitty! Kittens, like infants, have some special health considerations to take care of during their first weeks of life. But how often should your kitten go to the vet? Cats are considered kittens from birth to 1 year of age and should visit the vet every three to four weeks during those early months.

“During these visits, a series of vaccinations are administered. Routine stool checks are also advised to check for the presence of parasites, which are common during this life stage and dewormers administered thereafter,” explains Dr. Maureen Murithi DVM.

It’s also important for the kitten to visit their vet at this time to get a full examination that may include things like measuring temperature, heart rate, and how the kitten’s breathing sounds. But that’s not all: “Mucous membranes (eyes and gums) are also checked in case of anemia/jaundice. Abdominal palpation helps to check for pain, bowel movements, bladder infections, organ enlargement as well as any signs of congenital anomalies,” adds Dr. Murithi.

How often do you take an adult cat to the vet?

Your kitty is a big boy (or girl!) now. It’s amazing how soon a kitten grows into an adult cat. Cats are considered adult from the age of 1 to 10 years. Adult cats should have a wellness check-up at least once a year.

“During the visit, annual vaccinations are administered as well as deworming. Wellness bloodwork is highly recommended, which helps to inform the state of health of your cat,” says Dr. Murithi. It also offers a great way to detect early signs of disease, which can help with prevention before it becomes a more severe problem that would need to be treated.

The work isn’t all on the vet at this visit, though. As a pet parent, it’s also our job to take this time to let the doctor know about what they are noticing going on with the pet environmentally. Are they on any medications or supplements? What is their diet like? Has there been any changes in their behavior, energy levels, even bathroom habits? That way the vet can see if the cat is suffering from allergies, malnutrition, obesity, or other issues.

Dental checks are also conducted during this visit. “This helps to look out for early signs of gum disease as well as plaque and tartar build-up which will inform if dental cleaning is required,” says Dr. Murithi.

“Heartworm medication and tick and flea treatment may also be administered especially for outdoor cats at this visit,” adds Dr. Murithi.

How often do you take a senior cat to the vet?

In the blink of an eye, it seems, our kittens are seniors. And as with humans, senior cats do have special health concerns. In senior cats, which are cats that are 10 years old and older, the cat should visit the vet for wellness checkups at least twice every year (around every six months).

The reason that cats have to visit the vet more often at this age is because it makes it more likely the doctor will notice disease in its early stages, which are more likely at that age. “Blood biochemistry, complete blood count, thyroid bloodwork, and urinalysis should be done annually regardless of the state of health of the cats,” says Dr. Murithi.

As with other stages in the cat’s life, it’s also very important that the cat’s owners pay attention to their diet and behavior in the time before the appointment so they can tell the vet. “Pet parents should also be keen to observe their cat behavior prior to the visit of any changes in their cats in terms of gait, postures, exercise tolerance, and litter box behavior,” says Dr. Murithi.

This will assist the vet in making an informed early diagnosis in case he/she finds anything of concern. Routine dental assessment and cleaning are mandatory as they are highly susceptible to plaque and tartar build-up and gum disease. Annual vaccinations should be administered as usual.

But if you’ve just been to your regular visit and a month later, you notice unusual symptoms or behaviors, don’t be shy about contacting your vet and seeing if another sooner appointment is necessary. “The doctor can help you determine when (or if) your cat needs to be seen and what you should do in the meantime,” says Dr. Murithi.

 

Believe it or not, dogs get bored just as much as people do. If not more. Keeping your dogs mind sharp is key to their health. Below are five ways to challenge your dogs mind according to the Dog Whispered himself, Cesar Milan.

1. Try A New Trick

Every time you engage your dog in a training session, you are providing him with a mental challenge. Search around for new tricks to work on. If you’re ready to move past the basic commands, check out books, scan the Internet, and ask a trainer for ideas for new tricks and training ideas.

2. Play Immersive Games With Your Dog

Purchase a doggie board game or a canine puzzle to challenge your pup. Engage your dog in a game of Dog Memory or Dog Dominos. Give your dog one of the many toys that allow you to hide treats and objects inside and engage your dog to figure out how to work them out.

3. Take Your Dog Out For Errands

Even a quick run to the mailbox, a stopover at a friend’s house, or a spin through the car wash will place your dog face to face with a variety of stimulants.

4. Task Your Dog With A Job

Dogs are bred to complete tasks such as hunting and herding. When they aren’t able to fulfill these types of duties, they can get restless. Engage your dog in a game of Frisbee. Get him involved in a sport like agility or Flyball. Take him for a long walk, hike, or swim. Find jobs that fulfill your dog’s breed. If you have a retriever, for example, nothing will leave it more satisfied than a hearty game of fetch.

5. Venture Out And Socialize With Your Dog

Every time your dog meets a new person or fellow canine, they are introduced to new sights, sounds, and butts to sniff. Taking you pup to places like the dog park will provide him with ample opportunity to engage his senses.

A cat crouching generally means some kind of discomfort—fear, aggression, or even pain. The rest of their body language and the context of the behavior give us hints as to what your cat is feeling. For example, a cat crouched with her ears flat and her head low while hiding in the corner is being defensive. She probably feels trapped and wants you to back away. A cat who crouches does not necessarily require a trip to the veterinarian but may benefit from some changes to her environment such as places to hide or moving food somewhere quieter.

What To Look Out For

Crouching cats have their bodies tucked and their tail wrapped around them. This differs from a relaxed cat who may have her tail out long or splay her body out (for easier petting). Details about her body language including her facial expression and ear position are important for understanding why your cat is crouching. If you notice your cat is crouching, start by asking yourself some questions about the behavior. Answering these questions can help you figure out why your cat is crouching and what you can do about it.

Aggression

Cats may take a crouching posture when they feel antagonized. Along with her crouched body, her tail is wrapped around her, her ears are flat, and her eyes are fixed on you. The cat is saying “back off or else.”

Pain or Discomfort

Your adorable cat makes for a great companion, and for that reason, it’s imperative to stay on top of your cats’ health. When we think of our cat being sick, we often look for the common symptoms of sickness in cats. However, several silent cat-killing diseases with no apparent symptoms can progress to severity before they are discovered. As a responsible pawrent, you should also be aware of some of the common silent killers in cats. Having the knowledge of the most common silent killers are, you can understand what symptoms to look for and benefit from getting your cat prompt and lifesaving medical response.

What To Keep An Eye On

1) Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is the most common silent killer in cats and can be hereditary. It’s rarely evident until 75% of both of your cat’s kidneys function is affected with symptoms including:

• Excessive drinking and urinating
• Larger clumps in the litter box
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Bad breath caused by toxins in the blood
• Lethargy

Chronic kidney disease doesn’t have to be terminal. With the right management and treatment, your cat can go on to live a long life. Low protein diets, routine blood work, more water intake, and medications can help improve your cat’s kidney function.

2) Diabetes

Diabetes causes your cat’s pancreas to secrete a smaller amount of insulin than they need. So common is diabetes that it’s estimated that 1 in 230 cats will develop diabetes during their lifetimes, and those statistics keep rising. Overweight to obese cats are at a greater risk of developing diabetes.

It’s easy for diabetes symptoms to go undetected, but are all signs are to those of kidney disease and include;

• Frequent urination and drinking/thirst
• Fatigue
• Larger clumps in the litter box
• Weight gain/weight loss
• Decreased/ ravenous appetite
• Abnormal walking

Diabetes is a costly disease to treat since it often requires twice-a-day insulin injections. What’s more, you need to make dietary changes to include more protein and fewer carbohydrates. With enough care and support, diabetes can be managed save for extreme complications like hyperglycemic syndrome, diabetic ketoacidosis, etc., which can be life-threatening.

3) Heart Disease

Heart disease is so deadly in cats because it shows few to no symptoms in its early stages, not to mention a cat’s tendency to hide illness. Many cats suffer from heart disease, with most not showing signs until the disease reaches an advanced stage. In advancement, heart disease can manifest in heart failure, dyspnea, coughing, thromboembolism (clots), cardiac arrest, or sudden death.

All cats are at risk of developing heart-related diseases. Notably, some breeds, including the Ragdoll (and related species), Maine Coon, Sphynx, and Rex breeds are at higher risk. Moreover, cats eating low quality foods that are taurine deficient are also at higher risk.

Talk to your vet immediately if you suspect that your cat has heart disease. Prompt diagnosis may improve prognosis and prolong your cat’s life. Besides, if you own a breed known to be prone to cardiomyopathy, consult your vet.

4) Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism causes your cat’s thyroid gland to produce excessive thyroid hormone. It’s most common in middle-aged to senior cats and encompasses many of the same symptoms as kidney disease, including:

• Excessive drinking and urination
• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Racing heart rate
• Hypertension — acute blood loss, neurologic signs, clots, or stroke
• Organ injuries like heart murmurs

Given the right treatment and medication, hyperthyroidism is treatable. The earlier it’s identified and treated, the better the recovery chances and the less likely your cat develops side effects or organ damage.

5) Cancer

Unfortunately, as cats live longer, their likelihood of developing cancer increases. Typically, cancer produces no symptoms until it has spread throughout the body. At that point, the prognosis is low, but the disease is treatable. For this reason, it is essential to recognize the signs of cancer so you can have an early diagnosis and start treatment.

• Weight loss and loss of appetite
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Difficulty in breathing
• Abdominal bloating
• Weakness or lethargy
• Hiding and restlessness
• Fever

The most common cancers in cats are skin and gastrointestinal cancer.

As most cat parents can relate, it’s not always easy to identify when your kitty is sick. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle and scheduling routine vet checkups can go a long way in helping your cat prevent or catch these and many more silent killers before it’s too late. With most of these diseases, the sooner they’re detected, the sooner your vet can treat them.

Infection by worms is a common health problem that can affect dogs. You won’t see your dogs worm symptoms because they’re pretty easy to miss. It’s easier to spot some kinds of worms than others. For example, if your dog picks up a tapeworm, you will usually see what looks like grains of rice in his stool. Roundworms also can often be seen in a dog’s stool. Tapeworms may appear as small moving presences in a dog’s fur, or around the anal area. Heartworms, on the other hand, do not produce discernable signs of their existence until heartworm disease is at a reasonably advanced stage. Here are ten common symptoms that may mean your dog has worms.

1. Vomiting

Dogs with worms often throw up. Roundworms may sometimes show in a dog’s vomit.

2. Diarrhea

Soft stools or diarrhea may be the result of worms. As well as diarrhea, bloody stools may indicate hookworms.

3. Coughing

One advanced stage sign of heartworms in a dog is the development of a cough. Dogs with roundworms or hookworms may also cough.

4. Lethargy

Dogs that are lacking in their usual level of energy may have worms.

5. Change in Feeding Habits

A sudden change in a dog’s appetite may mean he is infected with roundworms. Food may lose its appeal, or he may suddenly be more hungry because worms are stealing nutrients from his food.

6. Loss of Weight

Rapid loss of weight may indicate the presence of tapeworms or whipworms.

7. Dull Coat

Worms may cause a dog’s coat to begin to appear dull and dried out. Other indications of worms may be hair loss and the appearance of rashes.

8. Skin Irritations

A severe infestation of worms may cause skin irritation and itching.

9. Scooting

A dog rubbing its bottom on the ground often indicates a problem with the anal glands. However, a dog with worms may scoot to relieve the itch, due to worms in the anal area.

10. Bloating

If a dog begins to have a pot belly, it may have contracted worms. If a bloated stomach applies to puppies, they will probably have picked up worms from their mother.

The beloved late great Betty White was highly regarded not just for her impressive acting career but for her animal rights activism.

“Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters and animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting and protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects, and personally adopting many rescued animals,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO.

According the New York Post, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association president Tom Jacobson added, “Her work with [the zoo] spans more than five decades, and we are grateful for her enduring friendship, lifelong advocacy for animals, and tireless dedication to supporting our mission.”