Complete Care for Your Aging Cat - Amy Shojai [32]
Because senior cats have fewer reserves and can become ill so quickly, the well-pet exam is even more important for them. Once they reach adulthood, each cat year equals about seven human years. Waiting 12 months between checkups leaves them at risk for major health changes. A twice-yearly visit for cats over the age of eight makes more sense. That’s the equivalent to a middle-aged person getting a physical about every three years, says Dr. Tranquilli. “It makes all the sense in the world to get more aggressive with checkups, and have the veterinarian ask appropriate questions with regard to overall behavior changes.”
Dr. Gengler says you should include a dental check. “You may not be able to do an in-depth exam until the animal’s asleep. But at least you can advise the owner that yes, there’s halitosis; yes, there’s gingivitis; and there’s calculus on the teeth so we need to get it off.”
It’s always best to catch problems early and treat them right away to head off more serious problems. But your veterinarian has a hard time noticing subtle problems if she only sees your cat during a crisis. “The annual health check for older pets is imperative. It’s imperative that I put my hands on them, and feel them, listen to them. I talk to Mrs. Jones and say how are we doing?” says Dr. Marks. “I want to see the pet every year so I’ve seen him when he’s healthy. If something changes, I want to pick it up early.”
The top health issues in aging cats include cancer, kidney problems, diabetes and hyperthyroidism. “As these animals get older, one starts looking at their liver, their intestinal track, their kidneys, at their heart, and various body systems, looking for those organs that could be failing,” says Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, an internist, and a specialist in veterinary geriatrics. Geriatric screening tests help veterinarians go beyond the hands-on exam and examine the cat from the inside out.
Monitoring Tests
Evaluating the blood may uncover abnormalities that otherwise would not be found until it is too late for treatment to help. “I recommend routine blood work be done, and X-rays or ultrasound of the chest and abdomen to make sure nothing’s going on that’s abnormal,” says Rhonda L. Schulman, DVM, an internist at University of Illinois. A simple test such as a urinalysis, which examines the content and volume of the urine, can alert the veterinarian to kidney disease, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and other health problems.
“We especially encourage people with cats over 10 to see the vet twice a year,” says Dr. Little. “It’s a change from what we called fire engine medicine, a reactive response to putting out the fire,” she says. “Being proactive requires a good working relationship with a veterinarian who is interested in senior care.”
Ideally, your cat should have a first screening test when she’s seven to ten years of age and in good health. “By the time they’re in double digits, it’s time to do some geriatric screening, especially for chronic kidney disease in cats,” says Dr. Webster. What constitutes normal varies slightly between cats, and about 5 percent will be outside what is considered a “normal” range, says Dr. Marks. Having a baseline test is particularly helpful to determine your cat’s normal range, as a comparison for the future.
The health of a variety of organs can be determined by looking at specific factors in the blood. A complete blood count (CBC) measures the components that make up the blood. For instance, the hematocrit (HCT), or packed cell volume, is the ratio of red cells to total blood volume. A lower than normal HCT indicates anemia, while an elevated HCT is an indication of dehydration, lung disease or of cardiomyopathy. The CBC also typically measures the percentages of the white blood cells. High or low numbers can indicate anything from infections or tissue damage, to cancer