Page 47 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

△ Joints being checked
A vet will feel and move your
cat’s limbs to detect any pain
or stiffness in the joints.
◁ Cat receiving vaccination
Vaccination gives protection
against a range of infectious
diseases. Most vaccinations 45
are given by injection.
△ Ear check already have had a veterinary with a stethoscope to detect any
A vet will use an otoscope (a magnifying checkup. Otherwise, arrange for unusual sounds such as wheezing
instrument with a light) to look inside a
cat’s ear canal and detect any foreign your cat to have a full checkup and crackles. To measure
bodies, parasites, or inflammation. as soon as you have assumed temperature, the vet will insert
ownership. The vet can check a lubricated thermometer into
cat carriers on seats or other raised that your cat has been neutered the cat’s anus.
areas: arrangements that help and fitted with a microchip for The vet will use viewing Monitoring your cat's health
lessen stress for nervous pets. identification (see Kitten health instruments with lights to examine
A cat that was bought from a checks pp.88–9), and will carry out the interior of your cat’s eyes and
breeder or adopted from an animal these procedures if needed; the ears. The vet will also look inside
protection agency should ideally vet will also assess the cat’s general the mouth and feel the abdomen to
health, and make sure that detect any swelling or tenderness,
vaccinations are up to date. before moving on to examine the
legs, paws, and claws.
Routine vet checks The vet will weigh your cat.
The vet will carry out basic This is important because changes
health checks and run additional of even as little as around 7 oz
diagnostic tests if needed. You may (200 grams) can be a symptom of
be shown how to carry out basic ill-health in a small animal.
checks at home (see p.43).
As well as listening to your cat’s Additional services
heart and counting how fast it is Your cat should have a regular
beating, the vet will feel for the health check at least once a year.
pulse on the inside of the hind leg. The veterinary surgery may also
He or she will watch how your cat offer extra services such as weight
is breathing and listen to the lungs control clinics, dental checks,
post-neutering care, and clinics
◁ Cat being weighed for older cats. Minor tasks such
It is important to keep accurate records of
a cat’s weight, especially if the cat needs as clipping a cat’s claws may be
to lose or gain weight. carried out by a veterinary nurse.

US_044-045_Monitoring_your_cats_health.indd 45 24/10/2013 14:56