What Every Cat Owner Should Know About Feline Wellness
What does a feline wellness exam include?
A feline wellness exam is essentially a full physical exam similar to one you receive from your doctor. Most doctors start at the front, examining the eyes, ears, teeth, and oral cavity, checking for any lesions or dental disease. They then move on to the heart and lungs, lymph nodes, joints, front legs, rear legs, abdomen, and urogenital tract. Wellness exams are crucial for early detection of many conditions. Something you might mention to the doctor could guide them on what to do or whether to run blood work, which helps diagnose problems much earlier. Wellness visits are included in our wellness plans, along with emergency visits in case something happens between your wellness exams. It's always reassuring to know you have that option if needed. Blood work, fecal exams, and heartworm, flea, and tick prevention are included as well.
Where are your locations?
We have three locations: Animal Clinic of Clifton in Clifton, Virginia; Town and Country Animal Hospital in Fairfax; and Columbia Pike Animal Hospital Emergency Center, which is open 24 hours. We are here 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. You can call, text, email, schedule online, or, if it's an emergency, just come in. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
How often should cats have physical exams?
Cats should have physical exams once a year. As your family member ages, we recommend exams every six months, typically starting around 7 to 10 years of age. Regular physical exams are extremely important. They allow us to get accurate weights and discuss any habits you may not have noticed at home but that could be red flags, such as increased drinking, urination, vomiting, not eating, inappropriate litter box usage, or trouble walking. We also check the mouth and teeth for any dental disease, as cats are adept at hiding pain, and we can often detect issues there as well.
How can I make a vet visit less stressful for my cat?
Bringing a cat to the vet can be stressful for them. Sometimes doctors can prescribe medications to help them relax. It's also important to have a nice, safe carrier. Leave the carrier out a week or two ahead of time so the cat becomes accustomed to it and it becomes part of their daily environment, reducing fear.
What tests are performed during a wellness exam?
During a wellness exam, doctors may run blood work, including a full CBC to check white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, and a full chemistry panel to check the liver, kidneys, and blood sugar, among other things. It's also a good idea to check a fecal sample.
What should I look for in my cat's behavior?
Look out for vomiting, lethargy, not eating, difficulty moving, increased drinking, increased urination, not using the litter box, or anything you think is abnormal in their daily activities, as these are usually red flags.
What information should I share with the vet?
Share any concerns you have; no question is dumb. All the information you provide is crucial to us. It often gives us the necessary details to better diagnose any conditions. Discuss eating habits, drinking habits, litter box usage, vomiting, and diarrhea, as these are usually significant indicators.
What vaccinations are important for cats?
Rabies vaccination is required by law. Core shots are recommended, and if your cat is outdoors or has access to outdoor cats, leukemia vaccination is advisable. It's also good to have them on heartworm, flea, and tick prevention.
How much do feline wellness exams cost?
Feline wellness exams cost around $90. However, they're also included in our wellness plans, offering great savings.
Thank you for watching this video on feline wellness. Your family members matter to us, so please don't hesitate to come in if you have any concerns.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (703) 256-8414, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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Frequently Asked Questions: Cat Wellness Exams in Annandale, VA
Why does my cat need a wellness exam if they seem healthy?
Cats are experts at hiding illness. By the time symptoms become obvious, many conditions are already well advanced. Annual wellness exams allow our veterinarians to detect subtle changes in weight, organ size, muscle mass, dental health, and coat condition that often signal early disease. Catching problems early leads to better outcomes and lower long-term costs.
What happens during a cat wellness exam?
A cat wellness exam includes a thorough nose-to-tail physical examination covering the eyes, ears, teeth, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, and musculoskeletal system. We also review your cat's vaccination status, discuss parasite prevention, and may recommend baseline bloodwork or urinalysis depending on your cat's age and history. The exam is also an opportunity to ask any questions about behavior, nutrition, or lifestyle.
How often should my cat have a wellness exam?
We recommend annual wellness exams for healthy adult cats and twice-yearly exams for kittens and cats over 10 years of age. Senior cats age faster and benefit from more frequent monitoring. Regular exams also help us establish a baseline for your individual cat, making it easier to identify when something has changed.
Do indoor cats still need wellness exams?
Yes. Indoor cats are protected from some outdoor hazards but are still susceptible to dental disease, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and other common conditions. They also need updated vaccines and parasite prevention in many cases. A yearly exam ensures your indoor cat gets the preventive care they need regardless of their lifestyle.
What if my cat has an urgent health concern between wellness visits?
Columbia Pike Animal Hospital and Emergency Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no additional emergency fee. Whether it is a sudden change in behavior, difficulty breathing, suspected toxin ingestion, or any other concern that cannot wait, our team is available at any hour. You never have to wait until regular business hours to get your cat the care they need.