How Often You Should Take Your Cat To See A Vet? | Uncustomary

Cats need an annual checkup, much like their owners do. It is a chance for the veterinarian to give your feline a thorough physical exam and any necessary inoculations. Even if you feel your cat is the picture of perfect health, a medical condition could be starting without your knowledge, and its treatment will be easier if it is detected early.

While an annual checkup is the standard answer to how often a cat should go to the vet, some factors could change this. These include age, chronic medical conditions, emergencies, and other situations that may arise. Here is a rough guide to how often you should take your cat to a veterinarian:

Signs and symptoms of a problem

If your cat’s behavior, habits, or physical health change, it could indicate the onset of a health problem. In many cases, some conditions occur because a cat’s immune system cannot fight off bacteria, viruses, fungal infections, irritants, and other harmful substances that enter the body. If you use a high-quality immune booster for cats from well-known brands such as VetriScience, Nutri Vet, and Scruffy Paws Nutrition, this is less likely to happen, and you will not need to visit the vet.

Some indicators of a medical problem include changes in appetite, eating, litterbox, and sleeping habits. Sudden weight gain or loss should also not be ignored. Persistent diarrhea or vomiting indicates digestive problems that are better addressed sooner rather than later. Weakness and lethargy or a complete swing toward hyperactivity demonstrate that something is wrong. If you notice such symptoms, get your feline to a vet.

While visiting the vet, discuss the signs and symptoms you have noticed. This information is invaluable to a veterinarian as it provides clues about what could be wrong. Cats cannot describe how they feel to a vet. As the feline owner, you can speak on their behalf by explaining what you think indicates that the cat is sick.

Gestation

Pregnant female felines require additional medical care as they await the birth of their litter. This includes regular checkups to ensure that the mother and her babies are in good health. A vet will perform a physical exam of the female and might also order a sonar scan.

If a female cat experiences complications during labor, she must see a vet immediately for assistance. This will reduce any discomfort she feels. There is always a risk that a female feline and her kittens might die during birth. This is even more likely if the mother is not assisted correctly during labor.

Use your visits to a vet during the cat’s pregnancy to determine what you should do when she goes into labor and the circumstances under which you should bring her to a vet’s consulting room.

Kittens

At six weeks, kittens are ready for their first vaccinations. Another visit follows a month or so later for booster shots. This continues at monthly intervals until the kitten is four months old. A vet also performs thorough physical exams during these visits and discusses how to keep cats free from ticks and fleas.

Once kittens reach the four-month stage, you can decrease their vet visits to once a year unless there is a medical issue that requires urgent attention. While they are still visiting the vet during this juvenile stage, get advice on training them to use a litterbox and insight into some of the behavior they display.

Geriatric felines

As cats reach eight years and older, they are regarded as senior felines and may require more frequent trips to a vet. Older cats are more inclined to develop diabetes, urinary tract disease, arthritis, and hyperthyroidism.

A vet will be happier if you start bringing your older cat in for physical examinations at least twice a year. They might recommend some dietary changes and substitute your current cat food for a brand that offers nutrients that geriatric cats require.

Emergencies

Certain circumstances present an emergency that requires a vet’s immediate intervention. A primary example will be if your cat is hit by a car. It is likely to have sustained serious injuries that require treatment and medication to minimize the animal’s pain. A vet will treat internal injuries, such as fractures and organ damage, and external injuries like lacerations.

A cat might experience a seizure, which is distressing for feline and owner alike. It is advisable to get your kitty to a vet immediately to establish what triggered the seizure and whether medical intervention is necessary. A cat may require chronic medication for epilepsy to avoid future episodes and seizures.

If you suspect your cat has ingested something toxic or poisonous, a vet’s intervention can save its life. The vet may elect to pump the cat’s stomach to get the harmful substances out of its body. Felines are inquisitive creatures and tend to get themselves into trouble by eating things that they should not.