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Proper Senior Check Up Schedule?

post #1 of 11
7/24/11 at 12:47am
Thread Starter 
Hi, Gracie is 13 and Hyper-thyroid. As most of you know, she is the latest addition to the family, joining us on November 1st last year. When she came in, she was flea infested, skin and bones, had just returned to take medication one month ago for her thyroid, after being off of it for at least six months. She was so bad she was having trouble breathing.
It was pretty intensive to get her on track on the dosage for the thyroid medication - at first she was having blood tests every 2 weeks, then every 3 weeks, until we got to the correct dosage. After that we still ran another test to confirm. Turns out the vet was giving her 3x the dosage she needed.
Today she is thriving, completely another cat, as healthy as she can be
I was wondering, at 13 and HT, how often do I need to take her to the vet? Every 6 months?
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post #2 of 11
7/24/11 at 9:05am
I believe that's the rule of thumb I've heard, Carolina - check-up every six months for seniors.

It's great to know that Gracie is thriving under your care!
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post #3 of 11
7/24/11 at 10:25am
I figure 6-month intervals for senior cats, too, unless the vets want to see them more often because of a chronic health problem.
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post #4 of 11
7/24/11 at 11:06am
The American Association of Feline Practitioners offers an absolute treasure trove of info on senior feline care through its website - all to be viewed/downloaded/printed.
Quote:
EXAMINATION FREQUENCY IN SENIOR CATS
The frequency of exams should increase as cats age.
Although there is controversy regarding frequency of
exams in younger cats (AAHA 2008), panelists agree that
apparently healthy senior cats should be examined every
6 months. Examining these cats at 6-month intervals is
desirable because:
Many disease conditions begin to develop in cats in
middle age.
Health changes occur quickly; cats age faster than humans.
Weight gain or loss can be detected and addressed earlier.
Cats may appear well despite underlying disease,
compensating until they can no longer do so, then
presenting as acutely ill.
Owners may not recognize the existence or importance
of subtle changes.
Early detection of disease often results in easier disease
management and better quality of life; it is less costly
and more successful than crisis management.
The frequency of behavior problems increases with age.
One study found 28% of pet cats aged 11–14 years
develop at least one behavior problem, increasing to >
50% for cats > 15 years of age. (Moffatt and Landsberg
2003)
I like the full "Vet version", most of which is easily understandable...it can be found here...a summary of that is here and the "consumer version" right here.

Hope this helps!
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post #5 of 11
7/24/11 at 12:56pm
My two go in for exams every six months, mostly preventitive at this point. Dante is getting the complete senior panel bloodwork every six months, and Dharma, who is a year younger, is at once a year, although that may change this coming year. I'd rather catch something early, than miss it altogether - and these darn kitties just don't speak up for themselves often!
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post #6 of 11
8/7/11 at 7:23am
My schedule:

Healthy cats: every six months

Healthy cats over seven years old: every six months with once a year blood work and urinalysis.

Healthy cats over 12 years old: Every six months, with blood work every six months, UA annually.

Senior cats with health issues: every 4 months, or whatever the vet recommends, with blood work every 6 months (or more often depending on what the health issue is) and UA annually.
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post #7 of 11
8/7/11 at 11:07am
Just remember that in seniors, every six months is equivalent to one human year. So at least every six months.
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post #8 of 11
8/7/11 at 8:19pm
Tailer, my senior boy who has Inflammatory Bowel Disease, goes in to have his weight checked and a quick once-over every three months. He gets a complete exam with senior bloodwork panel every six months.
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post #9 of 11
8/7/11 at 8:23pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, so her last check up was end of March - I guess her due date will be end of September then -
Thanks friends!
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post #10 of 11
8/8/11 at 6:21am
Our vet told us pretty much the same thing. For geriatric furkids, every six months is fine, if they're healthy. Since Whisper, 17 years old, is our CRF kitty, she goes every four months for bloodwork and a recheck. Mollipop goes once a year right now. And Tabby, well Tabby is going every two weeks because of those ears of hers.

When our RB Banshee was alive, she had feline asthma and then developed hyperthyroidism at 14 years of age. I would take her in every 3 months because I was so worried about her. Fortunately, at that time, our vet would only charge me for every other visit, if there was no blood work or anything else required.
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post #11 of 11
8/8/11 at 6:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by otto View Post
My schedule:

Healthy cats: every six months

Healthy cats over seven years old: every six months with once a year blood work and urinalysis.

Healthy cats over 12 years old: Every six months, with blood work every six months, UA annually.

Senior cats with health issues: every 4 months, or whatever the vet recommends, with blood work every 6 months (or more often depending on what the health issue is) and UA annually.
I just have to say if you can afford the above medical care this is route to take . But to the OP every six months is the recommended time frame for senior care in a cat.
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