What should a cat get on annual exam?

I am taking my cat in for her annual exam. What vaccinations are necessary? She is an indoor cat, there are no other cats in the home. She is 10 years old. Thank you...

I guess this might change slightly from one vet to another. Your vet will probably check her eyes, ears and teeth/mouth and have a good feel over her body to search for lumps or any abnormalities. Your vet will probably also listen to her heart and lungs for anything out of the ordinary. Based on the findings, your vet may want to do further tests.

She'll need a senior blood panel done since she's an older girl. If she's perfectly healthy that blood work helps serve as a baseline for comparison later.

Good tip ! I like to ask a lot of questions at the vets. I'll bring up the SBP tomorrow.
Marty

I definitely agree with the blood work, senior blood panel, including thyroid. I start annual blood work for my cats when they turn 9, and up it to twice a year when they turn 13.

I would also see that she has something in her bladder (take up litter box a few hours before appointment) so the vet can get a urine sample too. They take it right from the bladder now, it's called Cystocentesis, it is painless to the cat.

Talk with your vet about vaccines. Most places a rabies vaccine is law, ask for the annual PureVax vaccine. It does not contain an adjuvant. The rabies vaccine is for your cat's safety too. Should she ever bite someone if her rabies is not up to date she would have to go into quarantine, or worse, be euthanized

Your cat does not need a feline leukemia vaccine, nor would I have a distemper vaccine (aka FVRCCP, RCCP, or some other combination of these letters) done unless you have other cats who go outside, or if you foster or rescue and have cats coming and going. (I know you said you don't, that last bit is for general information purposes )

Let us know how her check up goes!

(PS I take my cats for check ups every six months. I am fortunate that I can afford to do this, it gives me great peace of mind)

My two cats got their first senior panels at the end of May (they'd had blood panels for dental cleanings before). Also stool check. It's nice to be able to get a urine sample, but sometimes the appointment and kitty just don't match up. My two are seven and eight years old - I'm starting earlier than some, but I'm a nervous Nellie, and the senior panel doesn't cost that much more than a regular panel.

The senior panel was $78 each. I'm going with twice a year check-ups, with panels, starting this year (thank goodness I have a job). Unlike some, my kitties do get a full series of shots, after discussion with the vet and asking straight out what they do for their own cats. Although mine are indoor kitties, there's always a chance they'll get out, they do hang in the screened windows, and, of course, I go outside and who knows what I'm bringing in. I also use Revolution on them - since it only takes one mosquito bite. But, your mileage and vet advice may vary, depending on where you live, etc.

Check up included what people said above - temp, check teeth & eyes, feel all over, questioning me on diet, activity at home, etc. I ask them to do a specific anal gland check, since mine seem to tend toward full glands that don't always show up on a routine exam - and my cats never act as though there's a problem.

I've found it's handy to write up a list of questions and either send it along a few days before the exam, or give to the tech when I get in (I do the same for my own internist) - gives the doctor a few minutes to think about the issues, and lessens my risk of forgetting something.

Good luck - I'm always nervous waiting for the test results, but so far, so good.

Originally Posted by darlili

My two cats got their first senior panels at the end of May (they'd had blood panels for dental cleanings before). Also stool check. It's nice to be able to get a urine sample, but sometimes the appointment and kitty just don't match up.

My two are seven and eight years old - I'm starting earlier than some, but I'm a nervous Nellie, and the senior panel doesn't cost that much more than a regular panel.

The senior panel was $78 each. I'm going with twice a year check-ups, with panels, starting this year (thank goodness I have a job). Unlike some, my kitties do get a full series of shots, after discussion with the vet and asking straight out what they do for their own cats. Although mine are indoor kitties, there's always a chance they'll get out, they do hang in the screened windows, and, of course, I go outside and who knows what I'm bringing in. I also use Revolution on them - since it only takes one mosquito bite. But, your mileage and vet advice may vary, depending on where you live, etc.

Check up included what people said above - temp, check teeth & eyes, feel all over, questioning me on diet, activity at home, etc. I ask them to do a specific anal gland check, since mine seem to tend toward full glands that don't always show up on a routine exam - and my cats never act as though there's a problem.

I've found it's handy to write up a list of questions and either send it along a few days before the exam, or give to the tech when I get in (I do the same for my own internist) - gives the doctor a few minutes to think about the issues, and lessens my risk of forgetting something.

Good luck - I'm always nervous waiting for the test results, but so far, so good.

Click to expand...

Terrific advice. I too make a list of questions and bring it with me to every visit, and write down the answers and any other vet comments too.

I also ask for Jennie's anal glands to be checked.

One more thing I thought to add, in addition to mouth, teeth, ears, eyes, feeling the body etc, have the vet check under the chin for any acne, and check the quality of the skin under the fur.

Nigel developed acne under his chin shortly after coming to live with us and starting an outdoor/indoor life. It's completely gone now.
Interesting stuff here.
Marty

Definitely talk to your vet about vaccines. At 10, if she's an indoor-only cat and you don't plan on bringing a new cat into your home, you don't foster or do rescue work, and you don't expose her to other cats, she probably will only need the rabies vaccine. She definitely doesn't need the FVCRP vaccine. Ask your vet, though, about only the feline distemper shot. My 14 yo got only that one this year since she'd not had the FVCRP shot in 2 years. Last year, she only got the 3 year rabies shot.

This information is all so helpful. Thank you so very much, everyone! I am running really low on funds because my salary has been reduced. I barely have enough this month to take my cat to the Vet, so I really needed to know what is necessary and what is not. Whatever she needs to maintain her health, I want to give her.

Last year she got the rabies shot and 2 others, and got sick (vomited). It was too many at once.

I am very careful what I bring into the house, but I am still concerned about that and wasn't sure which shot addresses that issue. This would be the distemper shot (only), right? I also have read that they don't always need certain shots every year because it might still be strong in their system.

Now I feel much more prepared for the Vet visit. I have taken good notes of all that you said. Thanks again!

In my personal opinion, I wouldn't vaccinate an older cat at all. Too much on their system and there is a chance of getting a form of cancer at the vaccine site (I don't know the exact name of the cancer but it is related to vaccines).

However, I would certainly take your cat in for a physical exam, senior blood panel, fecal test, urinalysis etc. This will ensure that all organs are running like they should. Before the exam, record your cat's appetite (i.e. increasing or decreasing; regularity of eating, what you feed, etc.), urination and bowel movements (i.e. colour or urine (dark or light yellow), frequency, firm or loose stools, inside or outside of litter box, etc.), any vomiting, coughing or sneezing, excess shedding, behaviour concerns, etc. That way, everything is covered and you won't have to call back or come back for another exam and have to pay for it. The vet should feel all parts of your cat to detect any lumps or abnormalities.

In my personal opinion, I wouldn't vaccinate an older cat at all. Too much on their system and there is a chance of getting a form of cancer at the vaccine site (I don't know the exact name of the cancer but it is related to vaccines).

Click to expand...

The only problem with that is a rabies vaccination is law in most places.

If her senior cat is not up to date on rabies, and she had an emergency, no one would see the cat without vaccinating her first. Better to have the vaccination while in good health, rather than when ill.

Or if, heaven forbid she bit someone. Again, without an up to date rabies vaccine, all heck would break lose.

Vaccine associated feline sarcomas (VAS) are thought to be caused by the adjuvant in vaccines. PureVax vaccines, including the annual PureVax rabies vaccine does not contain the adjuvant.

Plus, rabies is alive and well all over the USA. It is a fatal disease for animals and humans, alike. Every domestic pet should be up to date on their rabies vaccine except for very special circumstances.

And, ultimately, you should feel comfortable with your vet, and don't be afraid to ask her what needs to be done within your budget. They know people don't have unlimited funds, and they can help you prioritize essentials versus 'nice to haves'. Honestly, I think most vets are so happy to see concerned pet parents, they'll bend over backwards to help preserve the pet's health and a roof over the owner's head. And vaccine protocols have changed a lot over the last few years - talk about it with the vet. Heck, ten years ago no one worried that much about heartworm in cats unless you lived down south - now, it's much more on vets' minds all over the country.

For me, the senior panel is fiscally sensible, since that'll give us a head's up if anything's going wrong, hopefully early enough to treat it quickly and, honestly, more economically. But, one example, my boy has some tartar on his teeth and will need a cleaning. I discussed with the vet my intention of coming back in six months for another senior panel, and whether we could wait til then for a dental, since February is 'dental cleaning discount month' at that practice (like 10% off). I made it clear that if he needed the cleaning now, we'd do it now - I can eat ramen noodles just fine; she made it clear that about six months should be fine, and we can use that bloodwork for the dental (I'll come in late January and do the dental in early Feb). I feel comfortable with that, and it did help my bank account.

PS - I wouldn't screw around with the rabies shot, unless your vet definitely feels it's dangerous to your cat. As Otto says, God forbid your cat happens to nip at someone and isn't vaccinated. And there are rabid animals in every state of the union (other than Hawaii, perhaps)....in Illinois, it's the law. If your cat isn't vaccinated for rabies, get a written exemption letter from the vet, and keep it in a very safe spot that you can reach quickly if urgent.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts. The rabies shot is required here, and she had it last year. I didn't know to ask for the Purevax. I will definitely ask for that, thank you so much. I would feel much more calm if she gets that one. I will ask the Vet what she thinks about my cat being a senior, and whether or not the distemper shot is necessary.

She had her teeth cleaned and a blood panel done then, and everything was fine - but that was a year ago. Since she is older, I will ask about having it done again. Thank you.

If she had a rabies last year and they are saying she is due again, she most likely had the PureVax. If she did not have the PureVax last year, the shot she had last year should be good for two more years. Your vet will know.

Please do let us know how it goes!

Originally Posted by otto

If she had a rabies last year and they are saying she is due again, she most likely had the PureVax. If she did not have the PureVax last year, the shot she had last year should be good for two more years. Your vet will know.

Please do let us know how it goes!

Click to expand...

Thank you sooooooooooooooooooo much everyone. I love this forum so much...cat lovers are awesome people!!! I love that my cat may not need any shots...or very few. I hope she got PureVax, or can get it next time. I am definitely asking about that. The appointment is in 2 1/2 hours.