August 22nd is Take Your Cat To The Vet Day. Of course, most kitties aren’t going to be purrticularly excited over this holiday. Actually, we suspect that our feline patients would probably rather take a nap or work on their pouncing skills than visit us. However, even if Fluffy isn’t thrilled about her appointments, she will be much healthier—and therefore, happier—with regular veterinary care. An Oshawa, ON vet discusses taking your cat to the vet in this article.

Recommended Appointments

We recommend that all furballs be fixed, microchipped, and kept current on their exams, vaccines, and parasite control products. Beyond that, your pet’s exact appointment schedule will depend on her age, health, and lifestyle. Most kitties should come in once a year, but kittens, senior cats, furballs that go outdoors, and pets with health issues generally need more frequent visits. Ask your vet to recommend an appointment schedule.

Emergency Visits

Just like any other pet, Fluffy is susceptible to illness and injury. Cats tend to be secretive when they don’t feel well, however, so you’ll need to keep a close eye out for symptoms. Hiding is a common one. Other red flags include poor grooming; vomiting; diarrhea; grumpiness; changes in food and water consumption; uncharacteristic behavior or vocalizations; fever; lethargy; and/or respiratory issues. If you notice any of these signs, call your vet right away. Don’t wait to see if the issue resolves itself. The sooner an issue is caught and treated, the better!

Making The Trip

Most cats aren’t really fond of car rides, so you’ll want to take some steps to make Fluffy comfortable. First, add comfy bedding and fun toys to her carrier. It’s also a good idea to keep a window cracked, so your furball always has fresh air flowing to her. Playing some soft music can soothe your feline pal… or at least give her something to meow along with. Try to choose smooth roads, and avoid sudden stops and starts. If your kitty is extremely nervous, ask your vet about using cat-calming products. Purr reactivation is also important. Once you get home again, offer your furry buddy a new toy or a special treat to get her motor started again. Please reach out to us, your local Oshawa, ON vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!