Feline Preventive Health Care

Routine Health Care For Cats

This section features procedures which should be part of a routine feline health care plan. Some procedures listed are recommended as part of the feline health care plan for cats of any age, other procedures may be recommended as part of a feline health care plan for individuals within a certain age group.

Physical Examination is an essential part of the routine health care necessary for any cat. Physical examination allows a thorough examination of all areas of your cat's body, including the eyes, ears, mouth, skin, heart, lungs, lymph nodes, external genitalia, mammary glands, etc. Heart rate, respiratory weight and body temperature can also be recorded. Physical examinations performed every 6 to 12 months are considered the cornerstone of an effective routine feline health care plan.

Vaccinations protect your cat from many of the most serious contagious diseases. Core vaccines include those for feline calicivirus, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline panleukopenia as well as the rabies vaccine. These are an essential part of any effective feline health care plan. Other vaccinations may be necessary based on your cat's lifestyle.

Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS (FIV) Testing can help you determine if your cat is at risk for or has been exposed to these potentially fatal diseases. You should know the feline leukemia and AIDS status of any cat for which you are responsible. Cats testing positive for these viruses need lifestyles to protect them from exposure to other diseases and to decrease the probability of spreading the viruses. Cats testing negative need to be protected either by lifestyle or vaccination so that they do not become infected with the viruses. An effective feline health care plan cannot be implemented without knowing whether the cat is negative for feline leukemia and AIDS viruses.

Flea And Tick Medications are important in feline health care to control pests which can make your cat uncomfortable and cause illness for your cat. Fleas can cause allergic dermatitis, "hot spots" and tapeworms for your cat. In addition, they can make it more likely that your cat will be able to pass cat scratch disease along to you. Ticks feed on your cat's blood and can pass disease on to both your cat and to you. Effective monthly medications are now available for both fleas and ticks and should be part of any routine feline health care plan.

Fecal Exams and wormings are important in a feline health care routine to ensure that your cat is free of worms and other intestinal parasites which can cause illness for your cat. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are common parasites, as are Giardia and coccidia. Having your cat's veterinarian examine your cat's feces can reveal whether these parasites are a problem for your cat and, if so, your cat can be treated appropriately. Monthly preventive medications are now widely available for roundworms and hookworms as well and should be used in a feline health care plan.

Spaying or Neutering provides many health benefits for your cat and can help rid your cat of many undesirable behaviors. Your cat will lead a longer, healthier life when spayed or neutered and you can rest assured that your cat will not be contributing to the cat overpopulation problem. Spaying or neutering is an important part of a feline health care plan.

Blood Screening is also an important part of feline health care and can help detect early signs of disease for your cat. Blood screening can detect anemia, early kidney disease, elevations in liver enzymes, thyroid problems and more. Blood screening results can help guide the routine health care you provide for your cat.

Blood Pressure Monitoring is frequently necessary when diseases known to cause hypertension are diagnosed for your cat or when it is necessary for your cat to receive medications which may cause hypertension. Any cat diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, heart disease or kidney disease should have blood pressure measured regularly.

An Electrocardiogram (sometimes referred to as an EKG or an ECG) can help detect irregular heart beats in your cat.