The team at Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital knows that cats are among the most loved pets worldwide because of their unique personalities and affectionate disposition. And, although many cats can live for 15 years or more, the transition into their senior years can lead to an increased need for veterinary care and attention from their owners. Our team is committed to ensuring great communication and trust with our clients to ensure their senior cat receives the care it needs to live a comfortable life and continue to age gracefully.
Comprehensive Senior Care for Felines
For pet owners that have watched their cat grow up from a kitten, there is a good chance that they understand what their normal behavior and habits may be. Any changes or deviations from these behaviors could signify and illness or other problem is present that may affect your cat’s quality of life. Since cats are exceptionally good at hiding illness, some of the gradual changes that may occur can be subtle. For this reason, it is important to ensure you are taking your cat to annual health exams until the age of 8 and then twice a year beyond the age of 8.
As a veterinary hospital, the team at Advanced Care can ensure your senior cat has access to a wide range of health services no matter what age, breed or problems they are facing. We work to ensure that pet owner and their feline friends are receiving the compassionate care they need most, whenever it may be needed to help diagnose, prevent or treat common health problems that affect senior cats. From preventative care to emergency surgery, you can rest easy knowing that your pet will have access to the care they need to remain healthy for years to come. Some of the senior cat care services that we provide to Tulsa and the surrounding area include:
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Vaccinations
Just like kittens, senior cats may have difficulty tolerating the variety of vaccinations that are recommended for them and each will need to be evaluated on an individual basis when deciding the right vaccine protocol. Since vaccine schedules are unique, take the time to discuss and formulate the right plan for your senior cat with your veterinarian.
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Parasite Treatment and Prevention
As they get older, cats are still vulnerable to a wide variety of parasites that could negatively impact their health, sometimes even more so than kittens. Even worse, older cats may be unable to groom themselves the same and may not be able to alert their owner if they have fleas or ticks. Your veterinarian can help decide what parasite control program is best for your senior cat.
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Wellness Exams
Many conditions that affect senior cats gradually make themselves known. Ensuring you are scheduling annual wellness exams can help determine any changes that are occurring in your cat and ensure they are receiving treatments as soon as possible to mitigate them. While care needs may vary from pet to pet, it is recommended that senior cats be seen semi-annually to ensure they are receiving the best care possible.
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Nutrition Planning
While feline nutrition is an important aspect from the time they are a kitten, the food choices made during their senior years are arguably more important. Many different factors must be considered to ensure your senior cat is receiving the best support possible including their activity level or ability to assimilate proteins. Consulting with your veterinarian to determine the best food options can help mitigate potential diet-related problems that may occur.
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Dental Care
Like other domesticated pets, cats can suffer from many dental problems that affect their ability to eat or cause them extensive amounts of pain. Because periodontal disease is often progressive and wears away the teeth over time, it can be hard for pet owners to notice it until it is a much larger problem. The veterinary staff at Advanced Care Veterinary Clinic strives to diagnose and treat all dental diseases that may affect senior cats to allow them to live out their golden years comfortably.
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Pain Management
As cats continue to age, they can often develop arthritis and other pain problems that may disrupt their daily routines and make it harder for them to get comfortable or jump onto higher surfaces. As a full-service veterinary hospital, Advanced Care provides a variety of pain management services including acupuncture, laser therapy and chiropractic care to ensure your cat can heal and remain mobile. We also have therapeutic exercise plans and medications that can help manage pain.
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Dealing with Senior Cat Health Problems
While kittens may have their own specific care requirements, senior cats are often no different. Although this may seem like a surprise to pet owners, it is important to ensure they know what care requirements their cat may need to continue aging properly. Although many different factors go into determining when a cat is a senior, most cats will begin to show changes around age 8. It is important to continue providing social interaction and an enriching environment that will keep their mind and body active and engaged, especially for indoor cats. But what should pet owners expect as their dog begins to reach senior ages?
Many senior cats will begin to develop arthritis or other degenerative diseases that make it harder for them to get comfortable. For this reason, pet owners need to ensure their sleeping locations, food and litter boxes are in accessible areas that will not be challenging for them to continue to use. Any time behavior changes occur, like decreased eating or activity, it is important to seek veterinary care to determine if treatment options are needed due to an underlying health condition. Working with your veterinarian to establish the appropriate care plan can ensure your cat continues to age gracefully and can provide several more years of companionship.
Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital is committed to ensuring that pet owners have the resources and knowledge needed to understand the expanded role that they have when taking care of a senior cat. With a range of preventative care and specialized treatment options, veterinary medicine has evolved to provide quick diagnoses for a variety of health conditions as well as new ways to manage them effectively. If you are noticing that your cat may be experiencing discomfort or they are not eating like they once had, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with our friendly and knowledgeable staff to determine if there is a more serious underlying cause.
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Vision Problems
Several eye conditions are common among elderly cats including retinal detachment, cataracts and glaucoma. Often the common indicators of these problems include cloudiness in the eye or new behaviors of bumping into things around the house. In some cases, surgical options or medication may be required to help manage the problem; however, many cats can still rely on their heightened sense of smell to get around.
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Hearing Problems
Like humans, cats may experience a loss in hearing as they continue to age. While there are no hearing aids available for cats at the current time, that does not mean alternative communication options are not available. Teach your cat hand signals or use your feet to create vibrations to alert the cat when you are nearby or alert them it is time to eat for the best results.
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Dental Disease
One of the most prominent signs of dental disease is the inability to eat hard foods or trouble chewing. The buildup of plaque and tartar can become a large problem if left unattended for years if your cat is not regularly receiving professional cleanings. Keeping your senior cat’s gums and teeth clean can help ensure they do not experience pain when eating.
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Kidney Disease
Perhaps one of the most common health problems among older cats is kidney disease. By investing in regular wellness exams starting around age 8, early detection and management of kidney function problems are much easier. Though not reversible, certain treatment options and dietary changes can help manage the condition.
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Cancer
Nearly 30% of all cats over the age of 10 will develop some form of cancer according to recent research. Common signs of cancer include a loss of appetite, the development of lumps or bumps, the discharge of blood, lethargy and much more. If any of these signs develop, seek veterinary counsel as soon as possible to ensure early detection and treatment is possible.
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Arthritis
Nearly all cats over the age of 12 will suffer from some form of arthritis that makes it hard for them to climb onto furniture, groom themselves or effectively use the litterbox. Although arthritis is common, there are many new treatment options available to ensure your senior cat remains healthy and agile.
While only a small representation of the health problems that could potentially affect senior cats, these are among the most common. By regularly monitoring the health of your pet for any changes that may signal a problem, you will be more likely to catch these problems early and treat them before they cause more damage. If you think your senior cat may be suffering from health problems, do not hesitate to reach out to Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Advanced Care for Senior Cat Care?
Advanced Care is more than just a primary care hospital. Our patients and clients are special to us and are the reason why we always treat everyone who comes to visit as another member of our family each and every time they walk in our doors. We do not treat every patient the same because we understand that each one requires individualized care and attention.
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