Senior Wellness for Your Feline Friend

Cats: Senior Cat Wellness

As your cat enters the senior years around age 7, wellness examinations are more important than ever. Regular exams can catch and delay the onset or progress of disease and allow for the early detection of problems, such as organ failure and osteoarthritis. AAHA recommends that healthy senior cats visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing.

During the senior wellness exam at Tropicana Animal Hospital, your veterinarian will ask you a series of questions regarding any changes in your pet's activity and behavior and will conduct a complete examination of all of your pet's body systems. Client education and laboratory testing are also key components of our senior exam.

AAHA recommends that cats at middle age undergo laboratory tests at least annually but, during the senior years, laboratory tests are recommended every six months for healthy cats. At a minimum, the following tests are recommended:

Complete blood count—This common test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a given sample of blood. This gives the veterinarian information needed to help diagnose anemia, infections, and leukemia. A complete blood count can also help monitor your cat's response to some treatments.
Urinalysis—Laboratory analysis of urine is a tool used to detect the presence of one or more specific substances that normally do not appear in urine, such as protein, sugar, white blood cells, or blood. Urinalysis can assist in the diagnosis of urinary-tract infections, diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems, and many other conditions in your cat.
Blood-chemistry panel—Blood-chemistry panels measure electrolytes, enzymes, and chemical elements such as calcium and phosphorous. This information helps us determine how your cat's organs, such as the kidneys, pancreas, and liver, are currently functioning.
Parasite evaluation—Microscopic examination of your cat's feces can provide information about many different kinds of diseases, such as difficulties with digestion, internal bleeding, and disorders of the pancreas. Most important, though, this test confirms the presence of intestinal parasites.

An additional routine blood test is recommended in order to check for hyperthyroidism, a common ailment in senior cats. Additionally, depending on your individual pet's condition and other factors, other tests and assessments might be recommended. These include feline leukemia/feline immunodeficiency virus test; blood pressure evaluation; urine protein evaluation; cultures; imaging such as x-rays, ultrasound, and echocardiography; electrocardiography; and special ophthalmic evaluations, among others.

In addition to regular veterinary health care, we offer Hospice and Euthanasia Services for your senior cat. Saying goodbye to a long-time friend is painful. At Tropicana Animal Hospital, we work with you to ensure your senior cat faces the end in comfort and dignity. Our services are guided by your wishes, include caring for the remains in the way you choose.

To help ensure your cat lives comfortably during the senior life stage, it's critical to work with your veterinarian to tailor a senior wellness plan that works for you. Remember to monitor behavior and physical conditions and report anything unusual to your veterinarian, who can help transition your feline companion into the twilight years with ease.