Let's face it: It can be tempting to skip a trip to the veterinarian when your cat appears perfectly healthy. After all, you lead a busy life, and your feline friend may not be the biggest fan of car rides. But looks can be deceiving. Regular cat blood work is important to screen for common diseases in older cats and catch any issues before they become larger concerns. Here's why you should keep your senior kitty's next vet appointment.
How Wellness Checks Help Senior Cats
Cats age more rapidly than humans. Although the rate varies from cat to cat depending on factors such as body weight and lifestyle, the American Animal Hospital Association explains that cats are generally considered mature adults by the time they're 7 years old. By the age of 10, cats are considered seniors. At around 7 years old, your cat should begin having biannual senior wellness exams to test for diseases and other health issues that cats are more prone to developing with age. Regular exams can help detect health concerns early, which can make treatment simpler and more effective if something does come up. In some cases, early detection can even save your pet's life.
Common Diseases in Older Cats
While cats can get sick at any age, they become more susceptible to health conditions as they grow older. The most common example is chronic kidney disease, which affects 3 out of 10 geriatric cats, according to Pet Health Network. Other conditions common to aging cats include:
High blood pressure
Obesity
Diabetes mellitus
Cancer
Organ failure
Arthritis and other joint issues
- Feline dementia and other cognitive disorders
What Happens at a Wellness Exam
Wellness checks for senior cats typically include comprehensive blood work to test for these common diseases. This may include a complete blood count to check the number of platelets and red and white blood cells. Your vet may also take a biochemistry profile (a type of blood test) to check major organ function and detect whether your cat has any diseases, such as diabetesor kidney disease. They'll also check thyroid function and conduct a urinalysis to assess kidney health and screen for urinary tract infections, certain types of cancer and other illnesses.
Your vet may also recommend a symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) test to screen for kidney disease. This test can detect kidney disease months to years sooner than standard methods of kidney screening, says Pet Health Network, which could vastly improve your kitty's outlook if they're diagnosed with kidney problems. Check with your vet to see if this test is included in your cat's routine wellness exam. If not, you might consider requesting it.
Tasty Tips
Caring for Your Senior Cat
If your kitty is diagnosed with a chronic illness, be prepared to make changes to your usual routine. Depending on their diagnosis, your cat may require more frequent visits to the vet to treat and monitor their condition. In addition to medications, your vet may recommend a different therapeutic nutrition for their needs. You may also need to change your cat's environment. For example, if you have an arthritic cat, upgrade their litter box to one with lower sides so it's easier to climb into it. You can also add a ramp up to their favorite sunny spot. Your vet will help you understand how to best meet your kitty's needs.
As your cat matures into their golden years, keep a close eye on them. Don't wait to report any changes in weight, mood, behavior or bathroom habits to your vet between checkups.
Some cats sail through old age with few or even no significant health problems. Still, stick to their regular vet visits. If anything does come up, you'll know you caught it early, improving your cat's quality of life and helping to maximize the precious time you have together.
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