Physical Examinations & Special Care Programs for Special Needs

When scheduling the annual physical exam and vaccinations, you are scheduling the most important veterinary visit of the year for your cat. This is the time that your doctor is able to provide a "hands on" exam for your cat.

A yearly examination and annual vaccinations improve you cat's overall health and promote longevity. Early detection of disease usually results in more successful treatment and is less costly for the owner. Cats tend to hide early disease symptoms, so by the time the owner notices something is wrong, kitty may be very ill.

During the annual exam the doctor checks the eyes, ears, nose and mouth, teeth and gums for infection or disease. Oral exams may indicate heavy dental tartar or gingivitis. Infections can allow bacteria to travel down the throat to affect the liver, kidney or heart, as in people.  

The heart and lungs are asculted or heard through a stethoscope The doctor is listening for possible heart murmurs, arrhythmia, abnormal heart rates, and bronchial or lung congestion. These conditions can be detected and usually treated.

In addition to the above, the doctor also checks the cat's lymph nodes, muscular/skeletal and neurological system and fitness of the skin and coat. She will also feel the organs in the abdominal area for abnormalities.

If your cat has become overweight, we can register him in our ACTION PROGRAM for weight management.  This program is designed by Hill's Veterinary Prescription Diets.  Our trained veterinary diet consultant can assist you in personalizing a doctor reviewed program to safely help your cat lose its extra pounds.  

Vaccinations     

At A Cat Clinic your cat's vaccination needs are based on your cat's risk levels.   We follow the American Association of Feline Practitoners Guidelines for Vaccinations.  

Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Bordatella, Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)  are diseases for which vaccinations are available.  Rabies vaccinations may be recognized for one or three year periods which is determined by the type of vaccine used.  After the first yearly boosters, FVRCP is recommended every three years thereafter.  If your cat goes outdoors or has exposure to other cats that go outdoors, it may need FeLV, Bordatella, and/or FIP vaccinations.  In addition, if a cat is over a year old and has never received vaccinations, the cat should receive the vaccines in two series (the same as is done with kittens).

Kitten Exams & Vaccinations

Physical exams and vaccinations are given in two series, two to four weeks apart.  Strategic deworming for roundworms and hookworms is done on each of these exams.  The vaccines administered are:  Rabies, FVRCP and Feline Leukemia.  The first exam can be done as early as 8 weeks.  Cats that have never been vaccinated should receive their vaccines in at least two series also.

In addition, we recommend that all new kittens be tested for Feline Leukemia .  Feline Leukemia is a fatal virus that even a healthy appearing kitten could be harboring.  Because this virus could be communicated to other cats in your household, we recommend having any kitten tested before you take the kitten home or before introducing it to other cat(s).   

All new cats over 6 months of age that have been outside should also be tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

Dental Care (February is National Pet Dental Health Month!)

A yearly dental cleaning prevents disease and discomfort.   Unhealthy teeth and gums provide a place for bacteria to enter the bloodstream that can cause heart, liver or kidney problems. 

The average cat needs his/her first dental by the age of five. The veterinarian will let you know when it is time for a dental cleaning. Under Isoflurane inhalant anesthesia, we utilize an ultrasonic scaler, a high-speed polisher, and fluoride treatment for your cat's benefit.  Your cat is continuously is monitored with a pulse oximeter indicating its heart rate and oxygen saturation. The dental technician remains with your cat until it is awake.  The technician reveiws the dental chart with you upon release and suggests and describes home dental care.

Geriatric Care (7 years of age and older)

If your cat is seven years or older we recommend our Senior Care Program.  As we require increased medical care as we age, so do our cats.  The physical examination, blood profile with thyroid value or T4, urinalysis, ECG, and Doppler Blood Pressure are included in our Senior Care Program.  You will find us particularly attuned to diseases related to kidney insufficiency and thyroid hormone overproduction (hyperthyroidism).   

Surgical Care

We utilize Isoflurane, an inhalant anesthetic, for all surgical procedures allowing your pet to wake quickly after the procedure. Advanced monitoring techniques, including a pulse oximeter, are utilized.  Your cat awakens on a soft pad  under supervision of a technician.  Pain management is provided for most procedures. Pre-surgical testing is done to assess the cat prior to anesthesia.  A urinalysis is also done.

Declawing

We will only remove the claws from the front paws of  healthy indoor kittens and young cats. This procedure is preferably done at 3 to 4 months of age in conjunction with the spay or neuter (kitty only has to be anesthetized once) .  If the cat is an adult, this procedure is done at the discretion of the doctor, with additional analgesia and with home pain management medication.  

 Instead of sutures we utilize surgical glue, so no bandages or sutures need to be removed.    Kitty will need to stay overnight.  A special cat litter of recycled newspaper  (available at the clinic) is required for at least 3 days after this procedure.

Feline Leukemia and Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline Leukemia is a fatal virus that even a healthy appearing cat or kitten could be harboring. We recommend that all new cats and kittens be tested. All new cats over 6 months of age that have been outside should also be tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

 Heartworm

For all cats that could be exposed to mosquitoes, a monthly heartworm preventive is recommended. Like dogs, cats can harbor heartworm parasites and are at risk of dying from the disease. Once considered a medical rarity in cats, we now know that Feline Heartworm Disease is fairly common. Ask us about a convenient, suitable medication for your cat.  Revolution is a product by Pfizer that provides heartworm protection, flea control, and treats earmites and the more common intestinal parasites (roundworms and hookworms).

Cats with Special Needs

Multi-cat households need protection against Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Outside cats need additional protection against Feline Leukemia and Fleas.

Special Services

- Chemotherapy
- Treatment for Diabetes
- Counseling's/Training for Home Treatment

  Please call or email for details.