What You Need to Know About Feline Aging? 

Imagine not seeing a doctor or dentist from the time you are in your early 20's until well into your 50's. That's the approximate period in your cat's life from age 3 to age 8. Dental disease, weight gain, endocrine disorders, urinary and major organ disease can begin affecting your cat during this crucial time. Ironically, it is this age group that visits the vet the least often.

Did you know?

By the time a cat is 3 years old, up to 70% have some level of gum disease. Between 50-70% have developed at least one FORL, a painful, progressive cavity-type lesion. Dental disease can affect major organs like the heart and kidneys. Left untreated, this disease is painful and can shorten your cat's life. Your cat won't tell you when he hurts…even cats with severe dental disease rarely stop eating.

A large number of our cats are overweight to obese. Overweight cats are prone to long-term health problems including diabetes, joint disease and some metabolic diseases. We can help you develop a custom eating plan to get your cat on the road to a healthy weight and a long life.

As cats age, endocrine diseases like hyperthyroidism and diabetes become more common. If your cat is diagnosed with one of these diseases, we will work with you to establish the medication and treatment best suited to your cat and your lifestyle.

We understand more people are choosing not to vaccinate their cats every year; the American Association of Feline Practitioners agrees that not all vaccines are necessary for all cats. We use vaccines specifically designed for cats and only vaccinate based on the needs of the individual cat and their lifestyle.

More importantly, the bi-annual visit is a time for a thorough exam, a chance to talk with the doctor, and get a good baseline to compare to in the future. Cats are stoic creatures by nature and when they experience pain or illness their response can be subtle. Sometimes symptoms appear slowly over time, so disease is well established before treatment is sought. Regular check ups, along with appropriate diagnostics, help us find disease in its earliest stages when it is most treatable.

Many cats look upon a trip to the vet unfavorably at best. We have cat-friendly methods to accommodate these kitties. Sometimes a soft, thick towel is all we need; other times we can use a light gas sedation which allows us to thoroughly examine your somewhat reluctant cat with a minimal amount of stress.

We want to partner with you to ensure your cat lives the longest, happiest, and healthiest life possible. Come by for a tour of our beautiful, feline-friendly hospital. We look forward to meeting you!