Cheshire Cat Feline Health Center
4680 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92117
Call: (858) 483-1573

Cheshire Cat Feline Health Center September 2010
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Senior Healthy Cat Month
How Old Is Your Cat Really?
Early Detection Is Key
FAQ's about Seniors

 

 September

Senior

Special  

General Health Profile

(blood and urine panel) 

Discounted Lab fee $120

(regularly $169.75)

*All cat’s qualify for reduced fee regardless of age!

 

 September is Senior Healthy Cat Month!!!

Welcome to the September 2010 edition of our newsletter. This issue will focus on Senior Healthy Cat Month and topics related to caring for your cat during his or her golden years. Although your kitty may not be a senior yet, all cats, regardless of their age, can benefit from prevention and preparedness. 

Growing older is a natural and inevitable process we must all face. This applies to our cats, too! And just like your health, where “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, preventive medicine helps your senior cats ease into aging and maintain a quality life. 

Health care needs change as we age. The same is true for cats. By working with Cheshire Cat Feline Health Center and devising a health plan we can help your pet live a happy long life. 

Call us today at 858-483-1573 to schedule an appointment. 

Your friends at,

Cheshire Cat Feline Health Center 

How Old Is My Cat Really?

Because cats age much faster than humans, medical changes can occur suddenly and without any advanced warnings.   

 These changes often surprise owners who wish they had been prepared or able to prevent some of the problems associated with normal pet aging.

How old is your cat compared to human years? Click here to see.

Early Detection Is Key

At Cheshire Cat Clinic, we can maximize our aging cat’s quality of life with early detection of disease and identify processes of disease long before the actual disease is present.  Early detection helps protect your pet and extends the joy a healthy life brings to you and your cat.

 A comprehensive physical examination by the veterinarian is a good place to start. Because cat’s age more rapidly compared to humans, it is recommended to bring your older feline for wellness exams every 6 months. Laboratory tests can help detect changes early, before disease progresses.

What do all of these laboratory tests mean? Read more here.

  

**Please see our September Senior Special shown on the left side of this newsletter.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ’s:

Q: What are the common diseases of senior cats?

 A:  Kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, dental disease, arthritis, obesity, heart disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Q:  My cat is healthy. Why should we do blood work? 

A: Cats may appear well despite underlying disease and be compensating until they can no longer do so then are brought in acutely (and sometimes severely) ill. Early detection of disease often results in easier disease management and better quality of life; it is less costly and more successful than crisis management.

 

Q: What are some changes in my senior cat that I might see?

A: Changes in usual behaviors and routines.

Changes in interactions with humans and other pets.

Grooming changes.

Activity changes such as sleeping patterns, jumping, wandering, reacting to being handled, and ability to navigate to preferred places.

Vocalization (especially yowling at night).

Changes in litter box habits.

Eating and drinking (amount and behavior); vomiting or signs of nausea

Stool quality (number, volume, consistency, odor, color)

Urine quality

Hearing or vision loss (decreased responsiveness, increased vocalization).

Weight loss or gain

Difficulty walking, jumping, stiffness

Difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing

Lumps or bumps on skin

Read more about The Special Needs of the Senior Cat on the Cornell University Feline Health Center web site here.