Preventive Wellness
We firmly believe that preventive wellness is the key to having your feline live a long and healthy life. Preventive wellness includes, but is not limited to the following:
Annual Exams
Yearly exams are recommended so that we have a good understanding of your cat's personal needs and to ensure each year that they are healthy. Much like going to your doctor to get your annual physical, our doctors will look in your cat's eyes and ears, ensure that they are maintaining their weight, feel along their ribs and stomach, listen to their heart and lungs and get to know them. Our doctors will also do a visual examination of their teeth to keep an eye on tartar, plaque, gingivitis, gum disease, and broken/fractured teeth.
Vaccinations
We are aware that some owners have concerns about vaccines and if you'd like your specific concerns addressed the doctor is more than happy to discuss with you the reason for each vaccine. Vaccines are a way to help your cat's body learn to fight infection, and protect them against specific diseases that they can encounter during their lifetime.
Most feline's only require two vaccines, however if they roam the great outdoors they will require a third. These vaccines are known as the FVRCP (Upper Respiratory Vaccine) which helps prevent upper respiratory complications that you yourself could pass on to them after associating with a strange cat, and this is given every three years. Rabies, which protects them should they ever encounter an animal who carries the disease, (and yes we have heard of wildlife entering homes so unfortunately not even our indoor cats are completely safe) is given yearly. This vaccine is also required by city by-laws and if your cat is caught outdoors without a current rabies, you could receive a hefty fine. Finally, the third vaccine is for Leukemia. This is often given to those who are allowed to roam outdoors. Unfortunately this disease is passed through saliva so they can contract it by touching another animal's nose, being licked, or even sharing the same water bowl.
Permanent Identification
Microchipping is the best way to ensure that no matter what happens, your cat will always be able to find their way home. Even though most cats now are indoor only cats, there are plenty of ways for them to get outside and quickly get lost, or be taken in by a kind person who thinks they are only a stray. A microchip is planted under the skin and lasts the lifetime of your cat.
Flea Control
Flea season is year long but most active in the summer. We recommend starting your flea treatment as soon as the weather warms as fleas are not easy to terminate and can cause much distress to you and your cat. The belief that you can only get fleas if your animal goes outside is a myth. Fleas can jump up to six feet, and travel on fabric. This means as you walk outside, perhaps just to your car, or the local coffee shop, there is nothing stopping a flea from hitching a ride all the way back into your home and starting a family.
It's a simple step to combat these invaders, so make sure you ask your veterinarian for flea medication during your cat's annual exam or once the weather starts to get warmer.
Behavioural Counselling
Some cats are just prone to having more behavioural outbursts then others, and that's okay. We can work with you and offer a variety of suggestions to help you and your feline stop their undesirable behaviour. This can include: Aggression, chewing, biting, spraying and scratching.
Routine Blood and Urine Tests
Routine bloodwork and urine tests are important for two reasons. One it helps us detect problems early on as cats are great at hiding illness until the last possible moment. Two it helps our staff have a comparison for when your feline is ill. A cat's blood and urine are as unique as the cat itself and so for us to know what is "normal" for your feline we need to have something that shows us "normal" when they are healthy.
These tests are not required each year, but it doesn't hurt to do it every few years to see the changes as they grow. When they become seniors it is important to check their bloodwork more often as they can fall victim to underlying conditions more easily.