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As your Partner in Pet Health, the team at Hillside Animal Hospital would like to provide you with as much information as possible regarding your role in keeping your cat happy and healthy. With this in mind, we have developed new Breed-Specific Wellness Programs. These programs are intended to increase your awareness on health conditions that have been found to be commonly associated with your cat's breed. While many cats live a long, healthy life without facing major health issues, we feel that educating pet owners about possible health conditions is the best way to be proactive in detecting health issues before they become a problem. You'll find important recommendations for scheduling physical exams and diagnostic tests which we encourage you to discuss with the doctor throughout your pet's care. Please contact us at 480-391-7297 if you would like further information or to schedule an appointment.
Domestic Cat - Specific Wellness Program
Dental Conditions
 Dental Disease
About the condition:
- Dental disease is caused by soft plaque turning to rough tartar, irritating the gums and causing them to be inflamed (gingivitis). This condition can lead to periodontal disease, an infection within the mouth, which can spread to the rest of the body leading to more serious problems.
- If this condition is left untreated, it may lead to tooth decay, lack of appetite due to pain in the mouth, heart disease, liver disease, chronic renal failure and many other problems.
How to detect this condition:
- The early signs of dental disease are bad breath, reddened gums and soft plaque on the teeth. Later signs include inflamed and, often, bleeding gums and rough tarter on the teeth.
Endocrine Conditions
Diabetes Mellitus
About the condition:
- Diabetes occurs when there is a deficiency in the production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas. Insulin facilitates the entry of blood glucose to tissue cells.
How to detect this condition:
- This disease if often noticed by owners when their pets seem to be drinking and urinating more than usual. Bloodwork starting at age 6 and every other year thereafter can help detect diabetes.
Hyperthyroidism
About the condition:
- A problem in which the body secretes an excess of thyroid hormone. This can lead to weight loss, an increase in appetite, a change in the coat among others.
How to detect this condition:
- A blood test can determine whether your pet is within the normal range of thyroid hormone; it should be performed at 6 years of age and every other year thereafter.
Renal and Urinary Conditions
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
About the condition:
- A urinary tract infection may be due to an abnormal amount of bacteria or types of crystals within the bladder or urinary tract. This usually causes inflammation and pain.
How to detect this condition:
- Urinating outside of the litterbox is the most common sign that your cat may have a bladder infection.
- If this happens a urinalysis is recommended. This is a chemical and microscopic analysis of your petŐs urine. All that is required is a urine sample.
- If you notice that your cat is not urinating at all, they should be seen immediately.
Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)
About the condition:
- Chronic renal failure is caused by the loss of functional renal (kidney) tissue. It is a progressive disease, but, if caught early enough, can be treated to prolong life expectancy.
How to detect this condition:
- The signs of CRF are usually increased urination, increased drinking, and occasional vomiting.
- Bloodwork is recommended starting at age 6 and at least every two years thereafter in order to detect any changes in the kidney enzymes.
- A urinalysis is also recommended at least every two years to detect any change in the composition of your cat's urine..
This list is not intended to cover all possible diseases and/or conditions found in Domestic Cats, but instead lists those that we have found to be most common at Hillside Animal Hospital. Please let your doctor know if you have further questions regarding these or any other conditions.
Wellness Recommendations
An annual physical exam is recommended for the life of your pet so that any problems can be detected. In addition, we recommend the following diagnostic evaluations in order to provide more thorough veterinary prevention and care:
| Age 6 |
42 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, ECG |
| Age 8 |
51 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis |
| Age 10 |
60 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis |
| Age 12 |
69 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays of chest and
abdomen |
| Age 14 |
78 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays |
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