Medical Blog

Cats are master of disguise!

More than half of all pet cats in this country are overweight or obese. With this condition comes a myriad of health problems. So, if your cat is losing weight, it must be a good thing, right? Especially if Fluffy is battling the bulge, it seems logical that shedding those pounds should be applauded.

But what if Fluffy is not on a diet or exercise plan? What if Fluffy is mysteriously slimming down? This is a cause for concern because cats don't typically lose weight easily. Almost anyone who has tried to diet a cat will empathize.

Remember that cats are small creatures, so small weight changes are important. Ounces are significant, and pounds are alarming. A 15-pound cat that loses only 1.5 pounds has lost 10% of it's body weight.

Unexplained weight loss may be the only obvious sign that Fluffy is in the early stages of a serious illness. Very often, these cats are still playful, interactive, eating and drinking. But inside their bodies, something is changing so that they are not able to process food for energy as they have in the past.

Being aware of these changes and bringing them to the attention of your veterinarian might allow early intervention.

Whey does my veterinarian say it is necessary to bring my older pet in for a checkup two times a year.

The health and well-being of an aging pet can change rather rapidly. Conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, cancer and diabetes become much more prevalent as dogs and cats enter their middle to geriatric years (small dogs and cats more than eight years of age and large breed dogs over six).

The key to treating or managing these conditions successfully is early screening and detection. Veterinarians recommend twice-yearly checkups for elderly pets to increase the chance of catching illness at an earlier stage. This should include a thorough physical examination and a body-weight check, as well as laboratory testing (if indicating) such as blood work, urine testing, intestinal parasite screening and a check of the blood pressue.

Keeping your veterinarian updated on any changes in your pet's thirst level, appetite, activity level or body weight can also provide clues to adverse health conditions your pet may be experiencing. Twice-yearly checkups, together with open and efficient communications with your veterinarian, can make all the difference in keeping your pet healthy and happy for years to come.