Cats are rather independent animals, which usually hide their symptoms: most owners thus think that as long as they are regularly fed, cats do not need care. However, to live in good health for a long time, they must go to the veterinarian regularly: careful medical monitoring is the best way to avoid the appearance of diseases and to treat small and large sores as well as possible, throughout the 15 to 20 years of their life.
When should I take my cat to the veterinarian?
To have him vaccinated, from the age of 6 to 8 weeks
Thanks to the antibodies they receive when sucking their mother, newborn kittens benefit from temporary protection against certain infectious diseases.
This immunity decreases when the kitten grows up; then it needs to be vaccinated against diseases such as panleukopenia (typhus) or coryza. Kittens receive a first injection at about eight weeks, then one or two more injections three or four weeks apart according to the recommendation of your veterinarian.
The rabies vaccine is not mandatory if your cat does not leave French territory. However, it is not useless to protect your companion against this deadly disease that still plagues our borders (Maghreb, Eastern Europe, etc.). The vaccine is administered from the age of 12 weeks.
Your veterinarian may also recommend that your kitten be protected against feline leukemia (FeLV) and Chlamydia. It will help you to protect your little companion as well as possible according to his lifestyle.
This consultation is the ideal opportunity to discuss the right time to castrate or sterilize your kitten and the placement of an identification microchip if it has not already been done.
The medical check-up for cats
An adult cat can hide signs of illness and even cats that never leave the house need regular medical examinations. It is possible and even desirable to consult your veterinarian several times a year to give the best care to your companion.
By examining your cat from muzzle to tail, your veterinarian can observe changes that indicate a disease or the development of a health problem (heart murmur, presence of tartar, weight loss, etc.). Early diagnosis and treatment of diseases is essential to allow your cat to recover as quickly as possible.
Related: Things that threaten your cat's life
Vaccinations are important to strengthen your cat's immune system and help her fight infectious diseases. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (American Association of feline health professionals) publishes vaccination recommendations based on the types of risks faced by cats and therefore according to their lifestyle. Every year, your veterinarian will take stock with you on what is ideal for your cat, and for him alone.
How do I take care of my old cat?
From the age of 10, the cat is considered a senior.
As pointed out by the American Animal Hospital Association, he then has specific needs. It is more fragile and requires special attention from its owner. His comfort and maintaining his hygiene (coat, claws, teeth, etc.) must be a priority. A regular veterinary check-up also makes it possible to ensure that he remains in good health, and to continue to protect him against diseases, as much as possible.
During the consultation of a senior cat, the veterinarian measures the blood pressure: senior cats can indeed suffer from high blood pressure.
The quality of the meals, which must be adapted to the needs of your companion, is important to preserve the kidneys, for example.
Sometimes cats in pain show only a few symptoms: they simply seem more "lazy". However, it is important to relieve them, especially during osteoarthritis.
If anesthesia is necessary, your veterinarian will adopt a strategy to allow your elderly cat to be treated appropriately and to be safely anesthetized until old age.
Is my cat sick? Here are some signs to pay attention to:
Regardless of his age, whenever your pet presents a sign that worries you, (perhaps one of those listed below), contact your veterinarian to discuss a health check.
- Coughing, sneezing, runny nose
- Increase or decrease in the amounts of food ingested, water drunk, urination, defecation
- Vomiting
- Excessive licking
- Modification of the activity level
- Excessive toilet
- Local hair loss
- Weight loss
- No longer defecates in the litter box
Related: The 8 most common diseases of cats
TIP: Taking him to the vet is much easier when your cat has learned that his transport cage is a place where he can play with a toy or receive a treat.