Regular examinations, also known as “wellness visits,” can prevent your cat’s suffering before it begins, save money, and educate you about your companion. The best action is preventative care or taking your cat to the veterinarian before they become ill or injured.
Here are three reasons you should regularly take your cat to the veterinarian.
Preventative Care
Prevention is essential if you want your feline companion to live a long and healthy life. The veterinarian may immunize or vaccinate your companion during routine visits against disease. Vaccinations may protect your kitten or cat from contracting diseases such as rabies, feline leukemia, and feline distemper that are fatal or extremely dangerous.
A veterinarian may also examine your companion for fleas, ticks, and other external parasites as part of preventative care. If necessary, they will prescribe treatment or make recommendations. You may also be instructed on protecting your cat from fleas and parasites.
These can include:
- Regular deworming and flea treatments
- Fecal testing to check for internal parasites
- Heartworm testing (depending on your area)
Remember that ticks and fleas can cause issues for cats, so prevention is vital.
Determining your cat’s weight is another component of preventive care during pet diagnostics. If your cat needs to shed weight, your veterinarian may recommend a special diet due to the health risks associated with obesity.
Your veterinarian’s routine blood tests can also help your cat avoid health issues. Blood tests will assess organ function and potential health problems like diabetes. Health problems can be treated early on to prevent severe complications in the future.
Dental Care or Treatment
Maintaining a cat’s oral health requires routine dental maintenance. During routine examinations, your veterinarian can detect any problems. They may find signs of problems, such as periodontal disease or tartar and plaque accumulation. If periodontal disease is not detected and treated promptly, your cat may develop an infection that requires specialized care.
In addition, your veterinarian may instruct you on the best way to assist your cat in maintaining oral health. You may be instructed on how to brush your cat’s teeth and given recommendations for tartar-fighting dental delights, such as dental chews. Your veterinarian may advise you on indicators that your cat’s teeth and gums are unhealthy.
During regular vet visits, your veterinarian may request dental x-rays for your companion. Additionally, routine dental care may be beneficial. Click here if you wish to learn more about veterinary dentistry.
Recognizing and Correcting Behavior Issues
Your once-docile cat has become suddenly aggressive. Your feline companion has abandoned the litter box for the bathtub, right? Is your furniture a constant target of your cat’s destruction and clawing missions? Your cat’s veterinarian may be required to assist with behavioral issues.
Your veterinarian may ask some questions during a pet wellness exam to get to the root of behavioral issues. Have you recently moved? Have you introduced your family to a new companion or cat? Have you amended your cat’s diet recently? Your veterinarian can diagnose the problem and propose treatments.
Conclusion
After examining your cat and administering its annual vaccinations, your veterinarian will schedule a time to discuss any findings with you.
If they detect signs of illness or injury, your veterinarian will also take the time to discuss treatment options with you. If your cat receives a clean bill of health, your veterinarian may offer recommendations regarding your pet’s diet and exercise routines, oral hygiene, and how to avoid parasites.
