My cat never goes outdoors — why does she need to go to the vet?
Many people think that because their cat never goes outdoors that it doesn’t need to go to the vet. Nothing could be further from the truth! Cats are susceptible to illnesses and organ dysfunction just like people. And a cat’s body ages more in 1 year than a person’s body ages.
Often wellness visits are equated with vaccinations. While appropriate vaccination is important, wellness visits are much more than just updating vaccinations. A comprehensive wellness visit includes a complete physical examination as well as time to discuss preventive care. The visit also gives us an opportunity to discuss concerns you may have about your cat.
This visit allows us the opportunity to establish and maintain a wellness baseline with your cat. For example, having a good weight history allows us to see if there is a trend of weight loss or gain. In some cases, an unexplained change in weight is the first and sometimes only sign that there is an illness. Likewise, detecting and discussing weight gain allows us to address this before it leads to health problems.
Cats tend to hide signs of illness rather than bring it to our attention. Periodontal disease and heart disease often go undetected until in an advanced stage. A thorough exam allows us to determine if there are health concerns that need to be addressed. Finding and addressing problems early often leads to more success in treatment.
So even if your cat seems just fine, there are many benefits to regular wellness visits. Call us today to schedule your feline friend’s well visit!