Health Recommendations for cats

At Arden Animal Hospital, we believe that prevention is the best medicine! To keep your best friend healthy and happy, we recommend certain preventative services annually.

Annual Exam

Veterinarians recommend yearly wellness exams for the same reason your physician and dentist recommend them – if you can detect a problem in its early stages, it's more likely to be treated and resolved more effectively, more successfully and less expensively.

Oral Health Care

During the annual exam, your veterinarian will do an oral exam to check your cat’s mouth for disease or abnormalities. Oral disease is common (especially without daily tooth brushing!) and results in bad breath, painful gum and tooth infection. In advanced cases, dental disease may compromise your pet’s overall health.  We recommend daily tooth brushing, oral dental treats and professional cleanings to treat and prevent

periodontal disease.

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering your cat is recommended. Pet overpopulation is a major problem and unwanted pets are euthanized in shelters every day. Discuss the risks and benefits of spay/neuter surgery with your veterinarian.

Vaccines

Core Vaccines

Rabies: This vaccine is required by law and prevents infection by a fatal virus carried by skunks, raccoons and other wildlife. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted to humans. If your pet is bitten by wildlife or bites a human or another animal, lack of current rabies vaccination will result in quarantine at the owner’s expense.

FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis/Herpesvirus, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia Virus): This vaccinates against common upper respiratory viruses, common in shelters and carried by many cats.

Lifestyle Vaccines 

FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus): This vaccine protects against the feline leukemia virus that can be transmitted between cats through bodily fluid exchange (i.e. cat bites/scratches, mating, mutual grooming). It is a fatal disease.

Microchip

The HomeAgain Microchip is a safe and effective way to make sure that your cat will be identified properly to ensure it returns home to you quickly and safely.

Parasites

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets.  It is caused by foot long worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body. Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes and affects not only dogs, cats and ferrets, but also can be in other mammal species, including wolves, coyotes, foxes, sea lions and—in rare instances—humans.

Intestinal Parasites

Cats can be exposed to and may harbor worms, such as roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and single cell organisms (giardia and coccidia). Cats can contract intestinal parasites via different routes, such as when an animal inadvertently ingests parasite eggs or spores in contaminated soil, water, feces or food.

Fleas

Fleas are especially common in the Sacramento area and thrive year-round. They live wherever there are cats, dogs and other mammals – including indoors! Consistent flea control is essential to prevent infestation and prevent itchiness and secondary skin complications. 

Parasite Prevention

Revolution is a topical medication applied to the skin monthly. It protects your pet from heartworm, fleas, mites, hookworms and roundworms. We recommend treating your cat year round.

Parasite testing

Fecal test:  We recommend an annual screening for disease causing parasites that your cat may easily pick up from the environment and that may be spread to humans. Common local intestinal parasites include hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, giardia, coccidia, and tapeworm.

Feline Viral Testing

FeLV and FIV tests: Annual testing for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is recommended for any cat who has exposure to other cats of unknown viral status. Both of these viruses occur in the Sacramento area and cause severe and often fatal illness.

Early Detection Lab Work

Annual lab work is recommended as a precaution to detect early disease in your cat (i.e. kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, etc.) prior to your pet showing any signs or symptoms. Even pets that appear happy and healthy can have hidden medical problems that might become serious, even life-threatening, if left undetected. Blood and urine tests may help identify diseases at the earliest most treatable stage possible.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to give our hospital a call and schedule an appointment today!

(916) 485-5412