Adult Feline Wellness Take these steps to prevent health problems: Twice yearly exams are essential. One year in your life is an average of five years to your cat. Keep vaccinations current based on a schedule that the doctor has individualized to meet your cat’s needs Brush your cat’s hair frequently to keep the coat from matting. Clip toenails as needed to prevent overgrowth. Keep plenty of fresh water available and monitor consumption. A change in thirst could signal a medical condition and you should contact the veterinarian. Monitor urine output by measuring the amount of wet litter in the litter box. Once again, a change could signal a problem. Keep your cat indoors at all times if possible, especially at night.		IMMUNIZATIONS
		FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
		RESOURCES
		ZOONOTIC DISEASES
		TIPS

• Administer monthly antiparasitic agents such as flea, tick, intestinal worm and heartworm preventatives.Weigh your cat on the same scale and record the results at least every 60 days. Both weight loss and weight gain are noteworthy. Obesity is a very serious condition that’s more and more common in cats.
• Clean teeth are essential to continued good health. Aim to brush your pet’s teeth daily. Teeth cleanings yearly or every other year often are necessary.
• Different life stages and health conditions often require special diets. We can help you choose the appropriate diet for your cat’s needs.

Early signs of disease:

• The following are early signs of disease. Some of these are so minor that they may seem insignificant. However, our goal is to diagnose and treat diseases in their early stages when the success rate is much higher. Please call to schedule an exam if you note any of the following:
• Sustained, significant increase in water consumption. (Abnormal water consumption is intake greater than 12 oz for a 9 lb cat.)
• Sustained, significant increase in urination or amount of wet litter.
• Weight loss.
• Significant decrease in appetite or failure to eat for more than two consecutive days.
• Significant increase in appetite.
• Repeated vomiting.
• Diarrhea that lasts more than three days.
• Difficulty in passing stool or urine or prolonged sitting or lying in the litter box.
• Change in litter box habits, especially if urination or defecation occurs out of the litter box.
• Lameness that lasts more than five days, or lameness in more than one leg.
• Noticeable decrease in vision, especially if it’s sudden in onset or ir pupils do not constrict in bright light.
• Masses, ulcerations (open sores), or multiple scabs on the skin that persist more than one week.
• Foul mouth odor or drooling that lasts more than two days.
• Increasing size of abdomen.
• Increasing inactivity or amount of time spent sleeping.
• Hair loss, especially if accompanied by scratching.
• Breathing heavily or rapidly at rest.
• Inability to chew or eat dry food.