The Importance Of Cat Wellness Exams

The Importance of Cat Wellness Exams

It is not as easy to care for a cat as most people seem to think. Cats require the same loving care as other high-maintenance pets such as pet birds, dogs, and exotic pets. If you have a cat, we recommend taking them to a veterinarian for a routine wellness exam at least once a year.

Should You Take Your Cat for a Wellness Exam?

The annual exams help determine your kitty’s normal physical condition. They will help your veterinarian spot differences in your cat’s condition should emergencies or illnesses arise. At La Jolla Veterinary Hospital, we have the protocols and facilities to cater to your cat’s unique needs. As a certified cat-friendly veterinary practice, we recommend performing a basic cat wellness exam at least once a year.

What Is a Cat Wellness Exam?

This is a routine medical checkup of a seemingly healthy cat, as opposed to an exam of a sick cat. The focus or purpose of this physical examination is the maintenance of the cat’s optimal health.

Benefits of Cat Wellness Exams

Regular wellness exams and preventative care at your veterinarian’s office can help your cat live longer. Wellness care will allow your veterinarian to identify disease processes early before they cause further damage.

Remember that cats age much faster than humans do. As such, your cat should get a wellness check at least once a year. Most cat illnesses are less expensive and easier to treat when caught early. Regular wellness exams for cats are the foundation of preventative veterinary care.

Another reason to get your kitty a wellness exam is that cats are good at hiding illnesses. You may not know that your furry friend is suffering silently. After all, cats tend to be independent creatures. Fortunately, licensed veterinarians have the training and experience required to identify cat health issues even when they seem healthy.

How Often Should Cats Get Wellness Exams?

The frequency of your cat’s wellness exams will largely depend on their age. For healthy cats aged seven years and below, veterinarians recommend annual wellness checks.

Senior cats aged eight to 14 years require yearly preventative wellness exams. For senior cats aged 15 years and above, experts recommend wellness checkups once every three months.

Other factors that influence the frequency of a cat’s wellness exams include:

• Vaccination history.

• Lifestyle.

• Medical history.

• Breed.
  
  

What to Expect

We will review your cat’s medical history and ask whether anything about your cat’s behavior or health is worrying you. We will also want to know more about your feline companion’s exercise routine, diet, level of thirst, lifestyle, and urination. You may need to bring a fresh sample of your cat’s stool to perform a fecal exam.

Next, we will perform a comprehensive physical examination of your cat. These tests should proceed seamlessly and quickly, provided no issues appear along the way. Your cat may also get annual vaccines during the exam, depending on the schedule.

For more on cat wellness exams, visit La Jolla Veterinary Hospital at our office in La Jolla, California. Call (858) 454-6155 today to schedule an appointment.