Depending on age and other factors, we recommend annual or semi-annual exams for cats. Thorough exams, especially as your cat ages, can help find and alleviate a range of health problems. The Pet Doctor is a cat veterinary clinic in Boise Idaho.

Taking care of your cat’s oral health can be especially difficult for owners; however periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases in cats. Periodontal disease includes gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (loss of bone and soft tissue around teeth). Left untreated it can lead to other health problems, especially as your cat ages.  Another common feline oral malady is tooth resorption (TR). Greater than half of all cats older than three years old will have at least one tooth affected by resorption; it affects dogs less frequently.   These tooth defects have been called cavities, neck lesions, external or internal root resorptions, feline odontoclastic resorption lesions (FORLs), and cervical line erosions. These lesions are very painful if left untreated.

It’s also important to maintain your cat’s vaccination schedule. Vaccinating is the easiest way to prevent certain diseases and help your cat thrive. We understand that every cat has different needs and we will discuss vaccination options with you based specifically on your cat’s lifestyle. 

It can be very tricky to recognize when cats aren’t feeling well because they hide symptoms so masterfully. We encourage you to bring your cat in as soon as you see any changes in behavior, including:
•    Your normally friendly cat acting aloof
•    Excessive drinking
•    A change in grooming habits
•    Increased or decreased vocalization
•    Increased or decreased appetite
•    Changes in litter box behavior or eliminating outside the box

We know that understanding your cat’s behavior and communication can be a challenge and we enjoy working with you to ensure he/she lives a long and healthy life.

To learn more, please visit: www.vet.osu.edu