How often do you bring them to the vet?

Mine have always gone in every year or two for shots and a check up, the new vet was upset at the fact that there were no records for Scully between his declaw / neutering as a kitten and when we got himn at age 8. I was just wondering how often everyone brought their furbabies to the vet?

Do you just go when there is something wrong with them or do they have regular check ups and shots... and being that outdoor cats have a higher risk of catching a disease, are they indoor or outdoor kitties?

Abby has her shots and physical once a year. She is an indoor cat. Of course, if a problem crops up, she would go in.

If I had 'normal' oldies, I woudl take them in twice a year, once for vaccs and check up, and once for blood tests and check up. However, doesn't work like that with my lot - Ginger goes to the weight clinic once a month, Pebbles is going to have to go once a month for a few months as she has lost some the last two check ups, but they are with the vet nurse. Pebbles has been to see the vet at least 8 times this year, and still has to have her vaccs and maybe at least 2 more in the very near future. And even though Tom is a foster, he goes to the weight clinic once a month - and as I can't carry the two boys together, I get to go to the vets at least twice a month, and that is just the weigh ins, never mind if they are ill.

Mine are the same, it seems lately we are always at the vet

Bumper and Scully have monthly visits to the 'chub chub club', Scully has an unbelievable list of problems. Boomer and Mags get their yearly visit still but I am thinking of taking Boomer in sooner due to behavioural changes for an extra check up

We haven't had Mitzi for very long, but my vet says she should be brought in for her shots and check-up every year. She was a stray, and doesn't want to stay inside all the time, so she needs all her shots.

I plan on taking the furkids in at least once a year for a good go over and shots. I do also take them in 'as needed'.

The vet I went to yesterday for Whitey didn't seem too concern about his previous past. The only thing i found out was that he was 2 yrs and not 1 yr like I had been told.

All of our cats are indoors, but Patches and Beauty are getting up there in age (they're both 11). B hasn't taken them into the vet since they were 5, but now that they're older, I may make him take them. I would rather see them have preventative measures then last minute measures taken.

I would think (aside from any obvious problems) once a year up until they are around 7 or 8 then twice a year especially if they are aging poorly.

I am a big believer in checking teeth frequently for tartar or gingivitis, having a pet thermometer, looking in ears, staying familiar with litterbox habits, etc. The more you stay aware of what "normal" is the better chance you have of spotting something out of the ordinary before it becomes an emergency.

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

I would think (aside from any obvious problems) once a year up until they are around 7 or 8 then twice a year especially if they are aging poorly.

I am a big believer in checking teeth frequently for tartar or gingivitis, having a pet thermometer, looking in ears, staying familiar with litterbox habits, etc. The more you stay aware of what "normal" is the better chance you have of spotting something out of the ordinary before it becomes an emergency.

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This is something I've been wondering about. Jamie turned 7 last month, but doesn't seem like an "older" cat. Do I start taking him in for bi-annual check-ups, and try to switch him to "senior" food? (I know that's not going to work, as most senior foods are poultry-based.) His annual exam will be in early July, so I haven't asked the vets yet. With previous cats, I always started the "senior program" once they reached ten, but I've only been visiting cat sites since I've had him, and Internet access, and it seems that a 7 or 8-year-old is considered a "senior". I didn't know that before. All my/our previous cats were strays or ferals adopted when they were adults, and thus were indoor/outdoor cats. Jamie was adopted from a rescue group I belong to at 10 weeks, and is an "indoor" cat, with access to a secured balcony, and daily walks outside on a leash. He's UTD on all shots an outdoor cat requires.

My two are indoors and go for their booster and yearly checkups. Once they hit 7 years of age i would imagine my vet would advise me if they needed any other tests done, but if not i'll be asking myself.

Apart from that i like to think i know my cats well, so if i spotted anything untoward they'd be at the vets like a shot.

Sierra, who will be 12 in July, and Serenity, turning 1 at the end of this month, are indoor only. They both see their Dr. for regular check ups and as needed. (for instance, when a special baby tortie girl manages to slice her paw open, requiring stitches, eek!) Sierra goes in for an exam and labs approximately every 3-4 months, and Serenity for an exam every 6 months.

Much goes in twice a year because she is older and she had a mass removed a couple of years ago. Lucy and Carly are supposed to go in once a year but some how the last two times, I ended up taking all three in at the same time.

They don't always get shots but I like the fact that their teeth, weight and overall health are checked.

My four see their vet at least once a year for a physical and to have their shots updated. I also take them as needed if there's a problem. My oldest, Katie, who will be 13 next month, has been having a senior panel done annually for the past few years. My vet usually recommends twice yearly visits for senior kitties, but doesn't feel it's necessary for Katie since she's in excellent health, as confirmed by her last visit in Feb. However, I'm going to to start taking her in twice a year for my own peace of mind. Aside from a couple of dental issues and one bout with conjunctivitus, she's never had any health problems. I do plan to take Peter (not quite 2) twice a year (or more often if needed) to monitor his HCM.

I find it odd that cats are classed as senior from 7 - I suppose when the life expectancy was shorter it would be, but wonder if it is still correct. I dont class cats as being old till they are 12, so bent my own rules to take on Pebbles as she was only 10 - yet she has had more health issues than Ginger, and he lived on the streets for 3 years. My vets have never advised to do yearly blood tests, I just do them so that any health issues are picked up sooner rather than later.

My seven are indoor only, they go once a year.

All of mine go yearly for their annual exams & booster shots. Peanut is indoor/outdoor & other 5 are indoor only.

I take Dori to the vet for her annual exam in October. If she gets sick in between her appointments she goes in as well.

Admittedly, ours do not go often.
They go when something is wrong.
Yearly checkups though they don't go for.

MIL comes and does yearly blood draws and gives vaccs to those that need.
All here at the house.
They do go in if their blood panels show anything amiss.

Usually only to get their yearly shots or if they are really sick. Most of the outdoor barn cats only have been to the vet for initial shots and/or neuter/spay. They don't go on a regular basis. The oldest is about 8-9 yrs old now.

I have a 15 yr old cat (retired show) who stopped going to the vet at about age 12 - up till then he got yearly physical/shots but after that he would only go if something was really wrong.

The youngest will be a year end of May and she's only been to get shots and spayed. I will take her once a year for shots or if anything serious is wrong. I have been in cats long enough to know major sickness so they would not go for a simple cold or something. They are indoor so no problems with worms either.

I think the new vet's concern is that we got Scully at 33-34lbs and despite his stomach bleeding from rubbing on the carpet from being so overweight (this was in the notes from our vet) he hadn't ever been taken to the vet... and as it turns out he has a load of health problems that should have been addressed years ago.

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

I think the new vet's concern is that we got Scully at 33-34lbs and despite his stomach bleeding from rubbing on the carpet from being so overweight (this was in the notes from our vet) he hadn't ever been taken to the vet... and as it turns out he has a load of health problems that should have been addressed years ago.

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Oh my, Poor Scully! Do you have a thread about this? If so, I must have missed it..... What are you doing to help with the weight?