Why Annual Exams Matter—Even for Indoor Cats
Annual exams are paramount for a cat’s overall health and wellness. In addition to choosing the right food and providing access to shelter, maintaining their yearly or bi-annual wellness exam is the surest way to optimal health. With a focus on prevention, routine wellness exams can make all the difference.
Simple, Straightforward, Effective
A single yearly exam can prevent serious health problems. Early detection can lead to a better prognosis, and a more effective, less expensive treatment plan. If you maintain an annual wellness exam schedule (and biannual for senior cats), you can keep your cat healthier.
Cat Wellness Exam for the Win
It’s a common assumption that indoor-only cats are healthy by default. Without the constant threat of exposure to contagions, predators, or other calamities, indoor-only cats are perfectly healthy, right?
While cat wellness exams do involve vaccinations, they are so much more. Consider:
- Cats mask any signs of illness or injury. Many cat owners don’t realize their cat is sick until it’s too late.
- At every exam, we pay close attention to appearance and note even the slightest change.
- Weight gain or loss can signal serious problems, but it’s hard to see these changes when you see your cat every day. Obesity is exceedingly common in indoor-only cats that are allowed to free-feed.
- We can detect even subtle abnormalities in heart rate when we examine cats every 6-12 months.
- Dental health is a huge indicator of a cat’s overall well-being. We can address tartar build up and help prevent systemic illness related to gum disease.
- Parasites can still enter the home, so it remains essential to keep cats safe from vector-borne illness. Fleas, ticks, and heartworm carrying mosquitoes can alter a cat’s overall health.
The Influence of Genetics
Even if an indoor-only cat is never exposed to harmful bacteria or viruses, they can still fall victim to genetic problems. Diseases of the heart, thyroid, and kidneys, and issues in the joints, can impact feline well-being regardless of their lifestyle.
Why Indoor Cats Need Vet Visits
As cats age they become vulnerable to age-related illness. Around the age of 6 or 7, we encourage cat owners to maintain bi-annual wellness exams to stay in front of common health problems facing senior cats. Lab work and other diagnostics can provide details that result in better care. With this proactive approach we can keep senior cats healthy, strong, and comfortable for as long as possible.
We Are Always Here to Help
If you have questions about your cat’s health, please call us at (614) 766-2317. Our staff members are always here to help your cat at Animal Care Unlimited.