Cats are masters at hiding illness, making regular pet wellness exams crucial for maintaining their health. These check-ups allow veterinarians to detect subtle changes that might indicate developing health issues before they become serious.
At Vetcetera Animal Hospital, we believe preventative care is the foundation of your cat’s long-term health. Our comprehensive annual wellness exams help your feline friend live a healthy life. Schedule your pet wellness exams with us and protect your cat from several health conditions.
How often should a cat be checked?
Healthy adult cats should have pet wellness exams at least once per year. This annual schedule allows you to address any concerns before they develop into serious conditions. Senior cats are more susceptible to age-related health issues, so they need pet wellness exams at least twice a year.
5 Factors That May Affect the Frequency of Pet Wellness Exams
- Age – Kittens need frequent visits for rounds of vaccinations and development monitoring, while senior cats benefit from semi-annual exams due to increased health risks.
- Breed – Certain cat breeds have predispositions to specific health conditions and need more monitoring, such as Persians with respiratory issues or Maine Coons with heart concerns.
- Pre-existing conditions – Cats with chronic illnesses like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease typically require more frequent monitoring to manage their condition effectively.
- Lifestyle – Indoor/outdoor cats face different health risks than indoor-only cats, which may influence how often they should see a veterinarian.
- Recent health changes – Any noticeable changes in your cat’s behavior, appetite, weight, or activity level may warrant an immediate exam rather than waiting for the annual visit.
6 Health Systems Checked During Pet Wellness Exams for Cats
Weight and Body Condition
During pet wellness exams, veterinarians assess your cat’s weight and body condition score. This evaluation helps determine if your cat is maintaining a healthy weight or if there are concerns or signs of an underlying condition. Your veterinarian will also feel your cat’s muscle tone and fat distribution to get a complete picture of their physical condition beyond just the number on the scale.
Weight-Related Concerns Detected During Pet Wellness Exams
- Feline Obesity – A serious condition where excess body fat accumulates to a point that it negatively impacts your cat’s health. It can lead to diabetes, joint problems, reduced mobility, and a shortened lifespan.
- Unexplained Weight Loss (Cachexia) – A concerning symptom where cats lose weight despite normal or even increased appetite. This might indicate serious underlying conditions such as hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, or even cancer.
- Age-Related Muscle Wasting – The progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. It can affect mobility, increase fall risk, and may be associated with chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or other metabolic disorders.
Oral Health
The veterinarian examines your cat’s mouth, teeth, and gums to assess dental health and check for signs of dental disease. This examination looks for tartar buildup, gingivitis, loose or broken teeth, and signs of pain or infection that could be affecting your cat’s ability to eat comfortably.
Dental Issues Commonly Found in Felines
- Advanced Periodontal Disease – A serious bacterial infection that damages the gums, ligaments, and the bone supporting the teeth. It causes pain, tooth loss, and potentially spreads infection to vital organs.
- Feline Stomatitis – A severely painful inflammatory condition where the cat’s immune system overreacts to plaque on the teeth. It causes widespread inflammation of the mouth tissues, making eating difficult.
- Tooth Resorption Lesions – A progressive and extremely painful condition unique to cats, where the tooth structure is gradually destroyed from within. It often starts below the gumline, where it’s difficult to detect without dental X-rays during pet wellness exams.
Heart and Lungs
Using a stethoscope, your veterinarian listens carefully to your cat’s heart and lungs. They check for normal heart rate, rhythm, and the quality of heart sounds that could indicate valve function. Lung auscultation helps detect normal breathing patterns or potential issues like wheezing, crackles, or fluid accumulation.
Cardiopulmonary Chronic Health Conditions Veterinarians Monitor
- Subtle Heart Murmurs – Abnormal heart sounds that indicate turbulent blood flow. This could signal heart abnormalities such as valve dysfunction or congenital defects, which need further investigation.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) – The most common heart disease in cats, where the heart muscle thickens abnormally. This reduces the heart’s efficiency and potentially leads to heart failure, blood clots, or sudden death.
- Feline Asthma – A chronic inflammatory airway disease that causes wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. It requires ongoing management to prevent airway remodeling and permanent damage over time.
- Chronic Bronchitis – A persistent inflammation of the airways that causes ongoing irritation and mucus production. It results in chronic coughing and potential permanent airway changes if not properly managed.
Eyes and Vision
A thorough eye examination includes checking for clarity, discharge, and proper pupil response to light. The veterinarian evaluates the structures of the eye for abnormalities. This assessment helps detect both eye-specific issues and systemic conditions that might manifest with ocular signs.
Ocular Disorders That Impact Feline Health
Infectious Conjunctivitis – An inflammation of the pink tissue lining the eyelids. It can be caused by viruses like herpesvirus or bacteria and results in redness, discharge, squinting, and discomfort that may become chronic without proper treatment.
Age-Related Cataracts – A clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye that progressively impairs vision. It can lead to complete blindness, though cats typically adapt well to gradual vision loss by relying more on their other senses.
Secondary Glaucoma – A painful condition where pressure builds up inside the eye due to inadequate fluid drainage. It can cause permanent vision loss within hours if not treated promptly.
Urinary System
Assessment of the urinary system often includes palpation of the kidneys and bladder during the physical exam, along with diagnostic tests. The veterinarian checks kidney size and texture and evaluates bladder comfort and size. Urinalysis can reveal important information about kidney function, potential infections, and other signs of disease.
Urinary Tract Problems Identified Through Screening
- Early-Stage Kidney Disease – A progressive condition common in older cats that gradually damages kidney function. It doesn’t show symptoms until 75% of function is lost, making pet wellness exams essential for early intervention.
- Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections – Bacterial infections that can cause painful urination, increased frequency, and sometimes blood in the urine. It may indicate underlying problems like bladder stones or anatomical abnormalities.
- Bladder and Kidney Stones (Urolithiasis) – Mineral formations in the urinary tract that can cause irritation, obstruction, and secondary infections, with different types requiring specific dietary and medical management strategies based on their mineral composition.
- Diabetes-Related Urinary Changes – Elevated glucose levels that spill into the urine, creating an environment favorable for bacterial growth and increasing risks of urinary tract infections, while also causing increased thirst and urination that can be detected during routine screening before other symptoms become obvious.
Skin and Coat
The veterinarian examines your cat’s skin and coat for parasites, lesions, excessive dryness or oiliness, hair loss, or unusual lumps. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, while the skin should be free from scaling, redness, or irritation. This examination can also reveal clues about nutritional status and allergies.
Dermatological Medical Conditions Revealed During Wellness Checks
- Persistent Flea Infestations – External parasites that cause discomfort and can also transmit diseases like Bartonella (cat scratch disease) and tapeworms. It can trigger severe allergic dermatitis, leading to self-trauma and secondary skin infections.
- Environmental and Food Allergies – Immune system overreactions to everyday substances. It can cause skin inflammation, itching, and sometimes digestive issues,
- Fungal Dermatophytosis (Ringworm) – A highly contagious fungal infection causing circular areas of hair loss and mild skin inflammation. It can also spread to humans and other pets, making early identification during routine exams important for protecting the entire household.
- Otodectic Mange (Ear Mites) – Tiny parasites that live in the ear canal. It causes intense itching and produces a characteristic dark, coffee-ground-like discharge, which can lead to yeast infections and even eardrum damage if left untreated.
5 Benefits of Pet Wellness Exams for Cats
Early Detection of Disease
Cats are known for hiding signs of illness until a condition has advanced significantly. This makes regular pet wellness exams crucial. Early detection allows for more effective, less invasive, and typically less expensive treatment options.
Preventative Care Opportunities
Pet wellness exams provide the perfect opportunity to stay current with preventative care measures. Your veterinarian can administer vaccines according to your cat’s risk factors, recommend appropriate parasite control products, and discuss preventative dental care.
Establishing Health Baselines
Regular pet wellness exams establish what’s normal for your cat and allow your veterinarian to detect subtle changes. This comparative data helps differentiate normal aging changes and potential feline disease requiring intervention.
Building Veterinary Relationships
Consistent pet wellness exams help foster a strong, trusting relationship between you, your cat, and your veterinary team. This familiarity makes future visits less stressful for your cat and allows your veterinarian to provide more personalized care.
Addressing Behavioral Concerns
Annual wellness visits allow you to discuss any undesirable behavior changes or concerns with your veterinarian. What might seem like a behavioral problem could actually indicate an underlying medical issue. Your veterinarian can help determine whether these behaviors warrant medical attention or behavioral intervention.
Conclusion
Regular pet wellness exams are an essential investment in your cat’s health and longevity. Through comprehensive examinations that check every body system, veterinarians can detect issues like kidney disease and dental problems before they cause significant harm.
Don’t wait until you notice something wrong with your feline friend. Schedule your pet wellness exams at Vetcetera Animal Hospital, where our experienced team is dedicated to providing comprehensive veterinary care. For more pet health tips and updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X where we regularly share valuable information to help you be the best pet parent possible.
