Our feline core preventative care includes, Rabies, distemper (FVRCP), fecal (stool sample) and annual exam.
(If you would like to know what these vaccines cover, or what the testing could find, we have included that information below.)
Pets today have an increased life expectancy due to the advances in veterinary medicine, nutrition, heartworm testing and prevention, and improved care provided by more informed owners. As your pet is getting older, they are more at risk for developing diseases common to elderly people including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cancer and dental disease. Many of these diseases are insidious in onset and can go unnoticed in their early stages. Early screening and preventative health care become critical in prolonging your companion’s life. Together we can help your pets live longer, healthier lives.
In order to provide your pet the best quality of care, Dr. Stevenson believes in the importance of diagnostic testing to detect early changes in his/her organ function. Pets can’t talk, so test results give pets a voice. It helps us provide longer, healthier, happier lives for pets!
*Chemistry Profile and CBC - A blood chemistry profile, including electrolytes, provides information about your pet’s liver, kidneys, and pancreas as well as other functions of the body, such as blood sugar and hydration. A complete blood count (CBC) can identify infection, inflammation, and anemia.
*Fecal Test - Check for intestinal parasites, which may live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract. Since they are usually hidden from view, the only way to detect the presence of most intestinal parasites and identify them is by doing a fecal test.
*Thyroid Function Test - A thyroid function test detects whether or not your pet’s thyroid gland is functioning properly. Thyroid disease is very common in older cats and dogs.
*Cardiac Disease Screening - Check for evidence of early, underlying heart disease. This allows us to detect Heart disease earlier and treat sooner, slowing the progression.
*Rabies – a fatal, viral infection that is found in the saliva of infected wildlife or unvaccinated animals and is usually transmitted through a bite. Because humans are also at risk for Rabies, it is a state regulation to have your pet up to date on their rabies vaccination. This vaccination is given at 16 weeks of age and is good for 1 year. After the first year, a 3-year rabies vaccination can be given as long as it has not become overdue.
*Distemper (FVRCP) – is a contagious upper respiratory disease caused by a herpes virus, symptoms including sneezing, nasal congestion, and conjunctivitis. Cats can become chronic carriers of this virus and battle with lifelong infection. This vaccination is given in combination with Calici and Panleukopenia and started at 8 weeks of age, and a booster is given every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.*Calici –a virus that also causes upper respiratory infection as well as oral ulcerations. *Panleukopenia – also known as feline distemper is caused by a virus that attacks the white blood cells, symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, depression, vomiting, and diarrhea.
*Fecal Test – detects internal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms living in the intestinal tract. Puppies commonly contract roundworms or hookworms from their mother. People are also at risk for roundworms and hookworms by coming into contact with infected soil or feces.
*Annual Exam – Dr. Stevenson will also do an exam with your dog’s annual shots. She checks nose, throat, mouth, teeth, gums, eyes, ears, coat, skin, lymph nodes, legs, paws, back, nervous system, heart, lungs, GI tract, abdomen, urinary, and genitals.
We also recommend if your cat goes outside that we vaccinate for FeLV vaccine (feline leukemia vaccine). FeLV is commonly spread, by saliva, usually through a bite. This virus attacks the immune system leaving the cat vulnerable to secondary infections and causes anemia and lymphoma. This vaccine will need to be boostered in 3 weeks if your cat has never had this vaccine before.
Also before performing that vaccine we would like to do a FeLV/FIV test to make sure they don’t have this disease, if they have never had this test before. This is an in-house blood test to check for exposure to either the Feline Leukemia Virus or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
We recommend monthly flea and tick prevention. Take a look at our anti-parasite section to see what prevention would work best for your cat.
If you have any questions or would like an estimate on your cat’s annual exam with us, or about any of these services, please call us at 319-277-7675 or email us at [email protected]. We would be happy to assist you.
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