Preventive Care for Cats
Help your cat live a longer, happier life.
Preventive care is an essential part of keeping your cat happy and healthy. It will give you peace of mind and increase the odds of detecting underlying health conditions before they become advanced and expensive.
How often should my cat see a veterinarian?
At Companion Animal Hospital, we make our preventive care recommendations using the guidelines established by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). From there, our veterinarians further customize their suggestions based on hereditary factors including your cat’s age, lifestyle, and medical history.
Typically, we suggest scheduling at least one annual exam during which one of our veterinarians will review your cat’s medical history, assess their behavior, make dietary recommendations, and evaluate any known health conditions they may have.
What should I expect from a preventive cat care exam?
Think of your cat’s annual exam like your own yearly physical. At the appointment, we’ll read their temperature, examine their eyes, ears, teeth, and skin, listen to their heart and lungs, and evaluate their joint health.
You can also expect your veterinarian to make recommendations for:
- Vaccines are based on your cat’s lifestyle or breed. Core vaccines include:
- RCP - (Rhinotracheites-Calici-Panluekopenia virus vaccine) protects cats against three serious infectious diseases. The initial vaccination series is given at 8,12 and 16 weeks of age and then as recommended.
- Rabies - Protects against a fatal virus transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Is given at 16 weeks and annually.\
- FeLV - (Feline Leukemia Virus)-Is a fatal viral infection transmitted through direct association with an infected cat's saliva. Vaccinate outdoor cats at 12 and 16 weeks of age and then annually.
- Parasite prevention products to keep your cat safe from fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworms
- Diagnostic testing to identify any health conditions that cannot be detected during a physical exam and to confirm your cat is free from internal parasites
- Juvenile Wellness Panel 1- 3 Years A Chem 6 blood profile- checks internal organ health, a CBC (complete blood count), and bile acid test. Generally run before spay or neuter surgery. Every 12 months - Urine Specific Gravity (a simple urine test to check how well the kidneys concentrate urine). Bring in a small, first-morning urine sample to each annual exam.
- Midlife Wellness Panel 4-7 Years An annual Chem 6 blood test for internal organ health screen, electrolytes, a CBC (complete blood count)- checks red and white blood cell counts and a Urine Specific Gravity.
At your cat's annual exam, your veterinarian will answer any questions you may have and discuss other services that could improve their overall health such as spaying/neutering, microchipping, and dental care.
Call us at (651) 456-5665 or request an appointment online to schedule your cat's annual preventive care exam, and for your cats safety, please bring your cat into our clinic in a cat carrier.
