The information given herein should serve as a general guide to the owners of all cats. While not meant to be neither a comprehensive work nor a replacement for the advice of your veterinarian, if you follow these simple guidelines, you can insure your pet of the longest, most trouble free and happy life that he or she could possibly have. Most certainly, you can extend the life of your cat far beyond what would otherwise be expected, simply by following these recommendations

EXAMINATIONS are the most important part to effective preventative care for your cat. A good examination can detect problems before they arise or while in their earliest phases when treatment can be most effective. We advise a yearly exam for all animals under eight years of age and twice yearly after that.

A thorough exam will check your cat's eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth and throat, heart, lungs, abdominal organs, skin and coat, feet, including pads and nails, vital statistics, weight and body score, nervous and muscular systems. Because cats do indeed age at an accelerated rate, the frequency of feline examination is more than that of humans.

VACCINATIONS should be given once a year for distemper, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, pneumonitis, feline leukemia and rabies. A vaccine is also available for feline infectious peritonitis although veterinarians differ as to when this vaccine should be given. Show animals have greater exposure risks, but even in your own yard cats can and do become infected. Having more than one cat also increases the risks of infection. Many of these viruses are airborne or are easily transported on clothes, feet and by insects and birds. These vaccines are usually given in conjunction with the yearly exam, and some veterinarians may advise additional boosters in high-risk areas or for certain breeds. Kittens need a series of boosters initially starting at 6-8 weeks of age to establish their own immunity to these diseases. There are those who believe that cats do not need some of these vaccines on a yearly basis. It is our opinion that the traditional interval be used until there is further research on the subject.

FECAL PARASITE EXAMS should be performed once yearly. Worms and other internal parasites are easily picked up simply from sniffing the ground, licking the legs and feet or eating food off the ground. Kittens can become infected directly from their mothers. Having fleas or eating rodents or birds can also transmit tapeworms to your cat. All internal parasites can greatly compromise your pet's health by interfering with digestion and damaging internal organs.

If your pet has tapeworms that are transmitted in fleas or by birds and rodents, you may see small segments on the feces or near the anal area. These look like pieces of rice and may move if they have not dried. 

Roundworms, hookworms and whipworms are less commonly visible. A stool exam will allow your veterinarian to identify the worm eggs and confirm the presence of these parasites. ((Roundworms))

Coccidia and Giardia are single cell organisms that can cause severe digestive disturbances but are never visible to the naked eye. Toxoplasmosis may also be diagnosed by stool analysis. Only careful microscopic examination of the stool for identification and the proper medication will eradicate these pests.

WORMING in general is not advisable unless specific parasites have been identified. Over the counter wormers on sale today often are non-specific, poorly active and even toxic in some cases. Modern drugs are far safer, and when administered to handle a specific parasite, can be nearly 100% effective. In some cases, when your veterinarian has identified a continuous problem in your area, a regular worming program may be necessary and appropriate under their direction. Some veterinarians may worm all kittens as another preventative measure.

HEARTWORM TESTING AND MONTHLY PREVENTION is advised in a few areas during spring and summer months. Some of the more moist and warmer areas require treatment for nine months or even the entire year. Although heartworm disease is relatively rare in the cat, only one mosquito bite is needed to transmit the illness. A simple blood test and monthly pill can easily prevent your cat from becoming infected. Often animals will harbor this disease until irreparable heart and organ damage has occurred, and only then will the cat even appear ill. At this point there is treatment but it is quite intensive and cannot reverse the heart damage which has already occurred. ((Heartworms))

PROPER DIET is one of the most important health tips we can give you. Many diets are commercially available and a detailed discussion is far beyond the scope of this part of the program. It is advised that a premium food, preferably lower in calories and higher in fiber be used for most adult cats. Some cats have special medical needs for which specific formulations are also available. While there is probably no one perfect food, your veterinarian can discuss the many choices on the market and help you choose the best for you and your pet.

Some people feel they love their animals the most when they give treats of their own food. In reality, table foods often cause obesity, dental disease, gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhea), pancreatic and liver disease just to name a few common problems caused by this practice. Seldom will home made diets or the addition of table foods to cat foods serve to improve any cat's diet; rather, the diet often becomes somewhat "unbalanced", making for less than optimal nutrition. These problems then shorten the lifespan by increasing the risk of internal disease up to 30% for most felines.

Pregnant and nursing cats, although they do have special needs, often can do well without supplementation if a high quality diet is fed from the onset of pregnancy.

FLEAS AND TICKS can attack even the cleanest pet in the cleanest of homes. They can transmit internal parasites and other diseases that can be fatal. There are pills or a liquid preparation that can prevent fleas (and possibly ticks) and can be given once a month. Special repellent collars, sprays and topicals are also now available, and your veterinarian would be happy to discuss these options with you. Treatment of the home and yard is usually necessary. 

MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION is a newer, more universal method of animal identification. The value of identification that cannot be lost or altered cannot be overstated. This type of identification, while not a guarantee of safety, greatly protects your valuable friend if he or she ever becomes separated from you. Microchips can be easily inserted during any routine visit. They are usually placed under the skin in the area between the shoulder blades near the spine. The chips can occasionally migrate but have never proven to be of any health risk to any cat, being totally inert. The useful life of the chip is equal to the life of any cat. Most animal hospitals, humane shelters and other animal organizations scan lost cats for the presence of microchips.

SPAYING AND NEUTERING is most important to prevent more than unwanted litters. In females, spaying will prevent breast cancers, the second most common cancer type in female cats, ovarian and uterine tumors, heat cycles, aggressive behaviors and the desire to roam away from home. In males, neutering prevents spraying, prostate enlargement and cancers, anal and rectal tumors, as well as aggressive behaviors and the desire to roam, fight and look for females. 

Both procedures are better-performed around six months of age, but can be done at any age to provide these beneficial effects. Contrary to some beliefs, the personality of the pet is not altered, but rather, the cat becomes less wild and a more socially acceptable creature. Some people also believe that to let a female have a litter or to allow animals to mate improves the personality of him or her. This too is far from the truth, with breeding animals being less social than their spayed/neutered counterparts.

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©2007 James W. Day D.V.M., P.C.