Visiting the Vet

    It happens at least once a year. You have to go to the vet and you know its not going to be pretty. The annual check-up is an important but stressful ritual for your whole cat, but especially the teeth, ears & eyes and weight. So what should you know or do before you go?

What to bring:
• Well, of course you & your cat. If you have more than one it may be easier to do one at a time (unless you have several well buffered personal assistants!). And clearly a good pet carrier is needed for the car ride and the return home, especially if the cat is further stressed or drugged. It’s also important to bring any relevant medical history, particularly if you’re visiting a new veterinarian.

What to know:
• The most important thing to be aware of is your cat’s health. Your vet will need to know if your cat has been acting differently, lost or gained any weight, previous medical conditions, etc. Before you can tell your vet about your cat, you’ll need to observe his behavior and note important information. Additionally, it's good to be prepared with any questions you may have about your cat, whether it's about health, behavior or other questions you may have. Write it all down if you have to.

What to look for:
• Obviously, any changes, even minor ones are important to tell your vet about. But here are some that are easily overlooked.

Weight and appetite changes. These can indicate a vast number of medical problems.

Observe your cat’s eyes in strong light (like sunlight). If they don’t ever go to slits (the usual “cat’s eye look), then your cat may have high blood pressure.

Check your cat’s teeth and gums. If they don’t look pearly white, especially around the gums, then there could be real problems. If the gums are not pink or at least pale pink, it’s one of the only signals you and your vet can get about certain internal maladies.

Lastly, checking how hydrated your cat is a good idea. To do this, pull a bit on the skin on the nape of the neck (where a mother cat would pick up her kitten). If it snaps back into place quickly, then your cat has the proper level of hydration for good health. If not, then it’s the first thing you should tell your veterinarian. Water is the most important thing your cat needs.

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