Senior Cat Care
Cats age more rapidly than humans. The life expectancy of a cat today is approximately 20 years, and while it may seem like only yesterday that your feline friend was a playful kitten, your cat begins entering his or her senior years as early as the age of seven. Senior cats have different health care requirements than younger cats and the veterinarians at the Cat Hospital of Austin work with you to develop a comprehensive senior feline wellness program.
A cat's health changes with age. Physical and mental changes occur, just as they do with people. Most older cats sleep more than young cats, and they usually sleep more deeply. They may not be able to jump quite as high and may lose or gain weight, depending on their metabolism.
You are more likely to find that your cat needs to go the veterinarian a bit more often as she / he ages. It is also beneficial to prevent a health issue from becoming serious by going to the veterinarian early. Treating a disease or injury in its early stage is always less complicated.
As cats age, preventive heath care is increasingly important. Older cats are at an increased risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart or thyroid disease, cancer and others. Because these diseases do not always exhibit external symptoms, they can go often go undetected. We recommend cats age seven and older undergo a complete wellness exam twice a year, in order to prevent or quickly treat any problems.
During an examination, we perform a complete nose-to-tail physical exam of your cat. Our veterinarians listen to your cat's heart and lungs, check your cat's vision and hearing and look for any unusual lumps or swellings, among other procedures. A full dental exam is also performed and a series of blood tests are usually conducted in order to detect the presence of tumors, kidney and liver disease and other ailments.
Most importantly, we encourage you to take an active role in the care of your senior cat. A decline in energy, a decrease in vision and hearing, weight gain or loss, dental disease and skin conditions are all signs of old age. If any of these signs begin to appear, inform your veterinarian and keep track of changes in your cat's behavior or overall health. The veterinarians and staff at the Cat Hospital of Austin understand the bond you share with your cat and it is our goal to make sure you and your cat enjoy many healthy and happy years together.