Since cats are good enough to let
us live in their homes, the least we can do is keep
them as healthy as possible.
To accomplish this goal, we recommend
the following:
1.
Annual Exams
The single most important step you can take to ensure
your pets' well being is to bring him or her in for
a thorough physical exam. A hands-on exam coupled with
a health consultation allows us to help you and your
pet make changes to improve their long-term quality
of life. Prevention is definitely the best cure, and
the earlier we pick-up a possibly unseen problem the
better the chance we have to correct it.
2. Diet Consultation
As part of your pet's yearly examination, we can help
you determine if any diet changes could improve your
pet's quality of life. Weight gain, weight loss, poor
coat quality, allergies, and gastrointestinal problems
can all result from a suboptimal diet. There are even
dietary options to combat diseases such as arthritis,
liver, urinary and kidney ailments. With a multitude
of diet options available, we can help you find the
best fit for your pet at any age.
3. Wellness/Senior
Health Screens
During certain stages of your pet's life we'll recommend
additional tests to help us screen against potential,
hidden problems. These tests include radiographs, complete
blood counts, blood chemistry profiles, electocardiograms,fecal
checks, and urine analyses. Early detection of irregularities
gives us the greatest chance to keep your pet in the
best condition possible. Performed regularly, these
screens not only tell us if something is currently wrong,
but also point out potentially dangerous health trends
that can be corrected in time. Screens such as these
are the cutting edge of health care. We strongly encourage
concerned pet owners to take advantage of their many
benefits. Testing your pet yearly is comparable to having
tests done only every 6-8 years on yourself! Don't they
deserve it?
4. Vaccinations
We'll remind you when your pet is due for important
immunizations. As part of your pet's health consultation
we'll tailor the individual vaccines best suited for
your cat's lifestyle. As an example, indoor cats in
a town apartment will have different immunization needs
and/or frequency of vaccination timetable than a outdoor
country cat. We believe that "more is not always
better", but protection from potential risk is
our prime concern. To further minimize your pet's risks,
we use only synthetic, non-adjuvented vaccines for our
feline patients. These vaccines give the highest level
of protection with the lowest chance of side effects.
Feel free to ask us what the best vaccination plan is
for your pet.
5. Dental Health
Care
Proper dental health care is an essential component
to an overall health plan. Dental health care can not
only promote teeth and oral health, but also protect
kidney and heart function by reducing chronic high bacterial
levels. A dental health plan includes proper diet, periodic
teeth cleaning and dental health care products. These
products range from cleaning gels, toothpaste and brushing,
to easy to use dental health chews. If needed, a cleaning
procedure will be advised that is performed under anesthesia
to ultrasonically clean all dental surfaces, polish
them and finally apply a fluoride treatment to slow
down tarter build-up.
6. Heartworm
Cats get heartworm too! Although not as common as in
dogs, heartworm infection in cats can have severe, often
fatal, consequences. Certainly outside cats in heavy
mosquito areas are at highest risk, but since it only
takes one bite from an infected mosquito, no cat is
truly risk free. Compounding the problem there is no
safe effective treatment, and signs of infection may
be more obscure.
If you want to minimize your pet's risk,
prevention is the answer. There are several easy options
open to you to accomplish this. A couple of different
oral monthly preventatives are available, but the easiest
approach is with a monthly TOPICAL treatment. Not only
is this user friendly and effective, but it also prevents
against fleas and other feline parasites. Ask us what
route would be best for your cat.
7. Flea and Parasite
Control
Fleas can be anything from a nuisance to a severe health
problem in cats. Cat fleas are the most common fleas
affecting pets and although few fleas are usually found
on a cat the consequences can be great. In addition
to the bites and itch, flea allergies or sensitivities
are common, resulting in "milliary dermititis"
or "flea bumps" along with heavy dandruff
and sensitive skin.
Fleas can also be year-long pests, happily
wintering with your pet inside your home. Don't worry
though, there is no need for your pet to suffer. The
following preventatives and treatments are currently
available to keep your cat from ever having a problem.
- A single preventative injection giving
6 months flea protection is now available. The key
here is prevention. It is important to start this
treatment early, before fleas become a problem.
- For prevention AND treatment the choice
is a topically applied monthly treatment. Easily
applied and very effective, this is also protective
against ticks which makes it great for outside cats.
- For "one stop shopping"
a monthly topical is available that protects against
fleas and ticks AS WELL AS heartworm disease, ear
mites, and some intestinal parasites. The ultimate
treatment where highest protection is desired.
.
8. Diagnosis,
Treatment, and Surgery
Rest assured that should your pet need it we'll be ready
with the experience, equipment and expertise to handle
any health problem that might arise. From complete laboratory
work-ups, to ultrasonic and endoscopic examinations,
we utilize state-of-the-art techniques to diagnose your
pet's problem. Should hospitalization be needed, we
have a fully equipped hospital open 365 days a year
staffed with skilled veterinarians and technicians 24
hours daily to take care of your friend's needs. If
needed, our in-house specialties(surgery, internal medicine,
radiology) are ready to assist in your pet's treatment
and recovery. Prevention of illness is definitely our
goal, but we're ready for whatever may arise.
