Bell County Animal Clinic

Pet ownership carries the responsibility of being proactive in health care. There are certain steps you should take to prevent health problems. We recommend the following:

An annual exam is essential ...remember, one year to us is an average of 5 years to your cat. That’s a long time to go without a thorough physical exam.
Keep vaccinations current. A vaccination program should be individualized to meet the needs of your cat.
Brush frequently to keep hair coat from matting. Many cats do not groom themselves well.
Clip toenails as needed to prevent overgrowth. (Most cats younger than 10 need no nail care.)
Keep plenty of fresh water available and monitor its consumption.
Monitor urine output by measuring the amount of wet litter in the litter box.
Keep other pets from preventing this one free access to food and water.
Keep indoors all the time if possible, but at least at night.
Eliminate parasites, including fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworms on a regular basis.
Weigh your cat on the same scale and record results at least every 60 days. Both weight loss and weight gain are noteworthy. Obesity is a very serious condition that is becoming more and more common in our feline population.
Clean teeth are essential to continued good health. Yearly or every-other-year teeth cleanings are often necessary.
Different life stages and health conditions often require special diets. We can help you select a diet that is appropriate for your cat’s needs.

Early Signs of Disease

The following are early signs of disease. Some of these are so minor that they may not seem significant. However, our goal is to diagnose and treat diseases in their early stages when the success rate is much higher. Present your cat for an examination for any of the following:

Sustained, significant increase in water consumption. (For example: Abnormal would be more than 1.5 cups or 12 oz. for a 9-pound cat.)
Sustained, significant increase in urination or amount of wet litter.
Weight loss.
Significant decrease in appetite or failure to eat for more than 2 consecutive days.
Significant increase in appetite.
Repeated vomiting.
Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days.
Difficulty in passing stool or urine or prolonged sitting or lying in the litter box.
Change in litter box habits, especially if urination or defecation occurs out of the litter box.
Lameness that lasts more than 5 days, or lameness in more than one leg.
Noticeable decrease in vision, especially if sudden in onset or if pupils do not constrict in bright light.
Masses, ulcerations (open sores), or multiple scabs on the skin that persist more than 1 week.
Foul mouth odor or drooling that lasts more than 2 days.
Increasing size of the abdomen.
Increase in activity or amount of time spent sleeping.
Hair loss, especially if accompanied by scratching or if in specific areas (as opposed to generalized).
Breathing heavily or rapidly at rest.
Inability to chew or eat dry food.

[Adapted from Alamo Feline Health Center]

Feline Age

The following chart shows feline age and its human equivalent.

Feline Age	Equivalent Human Age
1 year	16 years
3 years	25 years
5 years	33 years
7 years	41 years
9 years	49 years
11 years	57 years
12 years	61 years
13 years	65 years
14 years	69 years
15 years	73 years
16 years	77 years
18 years	85 years
20 years	94 years

Kitten Vaccinations

An eight-week old kitten needs a first vaccination for feline distemper, a check for feline leukemia and immunodeficiency virus, and worming.
A twelve-week old kitten needs a rabies vaccination and a distemper booster.
On an annual basis, discuss recommended annual exams and vaccinations with your vet. Discuss feline leukemia vaccinations with your vet since that vaccination is recommended for outside cats. Vaccinations schedules should be tailored for the individual cat.