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Health & Fitness

Another Reason To Take Your "Healthy" Cat To The Veterinarian

The American Association of Feline Practitioners published a study about the health screening findings in middle-aged (6-10 years old) and senior cats (10+ years old) this year.  There were several interesting findings about the conditions that apparently healthy cats hide from us.  Since September is Veterinary Senior Health Month; the findings should be discussed.

All cats, who were considered healthy by their owners, had their blood pressure checked, a complete head-to-tail physical examination with body condition scoring (are they overweight or not), a periodontal evaluation, and tear production checked. A Complete Blood Count, Blood Chemistry Profile, thyroid hormone level; tests for feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, a urinalysis, and a separate test for kidney disease were done on each cat in the study.  Most of these physical checks are recommended by our local veterinarians, myself included.  

Less than half of the cats in the study were the right weight for their size.  Most of the cats were overweight or obese.  High blood pressure was found in cats as young as 6 years old.  Nine out of ten cats had dental disease severe enough to cause the lymph nodes to swell.  Heart murmurs were found in 1 out of 10 cats, some of which were as young as 6 years old..  None of the cats had been diagnosed with murmurs before.  On physical exam, an enlarged thyroid gland was found in 20%, the thyroid hormone level was high in the majority of these cats.

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Laboratory evaluations also found kidney disease in the same number; some cats had both thyroid and kidney disease. Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency viruses infected the same number of cats (about 3 in 100) that were considered indoor only and healthy.

These findings indicate that even though cats appear healthy to their owners, a physical examination and routine blood screening did find hidden disease. With physical exams and appropriate screening; many diseases can be found early and treated before the disease advances to serious illness.  But cats need to get those physical exams.  This is why we term them Preventative Health Exams.  That “fish breath” may not be due to the can of whitefish flavored cat food she ate for dinner.  That “pleasingly plump” shape may be setting him up for diabetes.  Our cats can live a good quality life when they receive preventative veterinary care each year. 

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Dr. Pam Cuevas

La Grange Park Cat Clinic

3075 S. Wolf Road

Westchester, IL 60154

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