August 22nd is Take Your Cat To The Vet Day! We know, kitties would prefer celebrating Hug Your Cat Day or Spoil Your Cat Day. However, proper veterinary care is crucial to your furry buddy’s health! Read on as a Butler County, KS vet discusses taking Fluffy to the doctor.
Appointment Schedule
Your feline friend’s care needs will change as she ages. Kittens will need to come in a few times, for microchipping and spay/neuter surgery, as well as their initial exams, vaccinations, and parasite control. Baby cats also need purr checks, cuddles, and ear scritches. Once Fluffy is all grown up, she may only need to come in once or twice a year, for wellness checks. Senior cats benefit from more frequent appointments. Just like people, cats sometimes develop health issues as they age! However, your pet’s exact care needs will depend on her age, weight, health, and lifestyle. For example, outdoor kitties need more frequent visits than kitties who stay indoors. Ask your vet to recommend an appointment schedule.
Emergency Visits
Our feline buddies can be secretive when it comes to letting on that they don’t feel well. Pay close attention to Fluffy! This will make it easier to spot signs of trouble. Some common ones are hiding, poor grooming, changes in eating habits, uncharacteristic behavior, respiratory issues, lethargy, fever, tummy troubles, and litterbox woes. Call your vet right away if you notice any of these warning signs!
The Ride Over
Although many of our canine patients love car rides, our feline ones usually hate them. Make the trip a bit easier on Fluffy by playing soft music and keeping a window cracked. Also, try to avoid sharp turns, potholes, and sudden stops or starts. If your pet is extremely nervous, ask your vet about using cat-calming products, such as collars and sprays. These can really help soothe nervous kitties! It will also help to leave the carrier out between appointments, so your cat gets used to it. Add some soft bedding, and offer your furry friend toys, treats, catnip, and attention near it, so she forms a more positive opinion of it. When you get your pet back home again, offer her a yummy treat or a new toy.
Please contact us, your local Butler County, KS vet clinic, for all of your furry pal’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!