Knowing When To Bring Your Cat To A Veterinarian

11 July 2022
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If you recently adopted a kitten or full-grown cat, you want to take proactive steps in keeping it healthy. There are times throughout your pet's life when it will need to be seen by a veterinarian. Most pet owners bring cats to see their veterinarian at least on a yearly basis for a routine checkup. There are other times, however, when your cat may need medical assistance. Here are indicators to aid in prompting you to make a phone call to your cat's practitioner to schedule an appointment.

Whenever Your Cat Seems Sick 

If you believe your cat is sick, it is best to contact your pet's veterinarian to have an evaluation conducted of their health. You do not want to take the chance of having your pet become sicker because they did not receive proper treatment. Signs of illness include refusal to eat or drink, coughing or wheezing, discharge from the eyes or nose, lethargy or a lack of interest in playtime, wailing or meowing, vomiting or digestive troubles, or dizziness. Allow your pet to rest as much as possible up to the scheduled appointment time. If your pet appears unresponsive or does not move around much, bring it to the veterinarian immediately as an emergency case.

If Your Cat Has A Parasite Problem

Parasites can cause all types of medical issues for cats. It is important to contact your pet's vet as soon as you notice an issue with parasite infestations. Check your pet often for the presence of fleas and ticks by parting their fur and looking for visible evidence of the parasites on the skin. If your cat vomits and there are stringy, white worms in the expelled stomach contents, it has a case of roundworms. Tapeworms will cause digestive issues. Heartworms will cause breathing issues. Unfortunately, heartworm disease is untreatable in cats. Because of this, it is important to provide heartworm medication regularly to ward off an infestation of this parasite. This is obtainable at your pet's regular checkup appointment.

If Your Cat Is In An Accident

If your feline is in an accident of any kind that could have caused damage to its bones, organs, or skin, it needs to see a veterinarian right away. This could occur as a result of an animal bite, being hit by a vehicle or a large object, falling from a high distance, or being hurt by a sharp object. Whenever your pet has excessive bleeding or an extreme bodily injury, bring it to its veterinarian to be seen immediately.