Topic of the Month: Don't Forget That Cat!

Upon talking to many clients who have been bringing the dog to our clinic for years, we often hear a brief mention of another creature living with the family...a cat! Wait, how have we been seeing the dog for years, and never even known this client has a cat? Good clients, no doubt caring clients, its just never been mentioned. These are loved cats who just haven't had a perceived need for feline medical care. This month we are going to address reasons you all have to not bring the cat in, and try to establish new habits: annual examination of cats.

• My cat gets afraid in your office
  This is a very legitimate concern, many cats get anxious just getting into the carrier...many cats never leave the house other than to come to our office, so their fears are understandable! We will certainly do everything we can to alleviate these fears. First, keep your cat in the carrier until you get into the exam room. This offers them protection from the other animals in the waiting room. Also, we try to get the loud dogs into exam rooms immediately, so usually the waiting room is pretty quiet. If this isn't the case, just ask and we'll get you a quiet exam room ASAP. Next, once you are in the exam room, open your cat's door. Don't dump him out or pull him out. If you just give him a few minutes, he'll probably emerge. These simple steps make the rest of the visit smooth most of the time.
• My cat doesn't go outside, why does he need vaccines?
  Well, some cats sneak outside. Cats are curious and seek interaction with other animals, so spread of herpes and calicivirus, for example, are very possible. Also, there are times when visits to the clinic are necessary...these visits are much safer if the cat is vaccinated against the very diseases other cats may bring around. Also, rabies vaccine is required by law. Although the risks of an indoor cat getting rabies is minimal, a major legal battle may ensue if a bite did occur. Vaccines are very safe, and only done every 3 years on indoor cats. We have minimized the risks of vaccines with these updated protocols, so Rabies and FVRCP (3-way viral vaccine) are strongly recommended by our governing bodies for all cats.
• My cat doesn't need parasite prevention since he's always inside.
  Not true, actually indoor cats are quite susceptible to parasites. Mosquitos can fly into your house and give your cat heartworm--25% of heartworm positive cats never step outdoors. Also, we can easily bring intestinal parasites into the house on our shoes and clothing. Furthermore, dogs are a great source of indoor fleas. We need to examine these animals to legally dispense parasite preventive products.
• My cat isn't sick, so he doesn't need to visit the vet.
  There are many silent diseases in cats, which can often be managed. But many can only be identified and discussed if the cat is examined. These include obesity, dental disease, kidney disease, and heart disease. Routine wellness visits allow us to identify heart murmurs, dental tartar or gingivitis, and overweight cats, and allow us to put in a plan to ensure continued health. When these cats visit only upon sickness, it is often too late to help them.

Remember, whats the worst thing that can happen? We just may find a totally healthy cat! And that is good news for all. So call and make an appointment for your cat's annual wellness exam. And please remember you will never be pressured to do any services you are not comfortable with. We'll help you determine what works for you, your cat, and your budget.