August 22 is National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
Chances are, you take your child(ren) to the pediatrician once a year. You go to your dentist every 6 months. Even your car gets an oil change every 5000 miles. But do you remember the last time you took your cat to the vet for a checkup? According to the American Humane Society, cats go the veterinarian half as often as dogs and many people only take their cat to the vet when their cat is sick.
The Feline Mystique
One reason why cats miss out on so many doctors visits is because they rarely show it when they are feeling bad. This is because cats are relatively low on the food chain out in the wild. Their evolutionary instinct tells them, “if you show signs of weakness, you’ll get eaten!.” However, cats actually suffer from many of the same diseases as their canine and human counterparts.
Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
This is why August 22nd is Take Your Cat to the Vet Day — To remind all owners that cats need regular medical attention, too.
When you schedule your cat for a visit at EMRVC, we will do or recommend the following at the appointment:
Annual Exam
Annual exams will allow our vets to check for signs of illness. In cats, these can be subtle and easy to overlook. They will do a head-to-tail exam to look for changes or abnormalities. The earlier medical issues are discovered and addressed the better the outcome.
Vaccines
Vaccinations are an important way to protect your cat from disease. Our vets will work with you to determine which vaccines your cat needs depending on their age, lifestyle and risk exposure.
Parasite Prevention
When you schedule your appointment, the Client Service Representative at EMRVC will ask you to bring along a stool sample to test for intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and coccidia . When you come in for your appointment, your veterinarian will check your cat for external parasites like fleas, ticks and ear mites. At the time of your appointment, we will discuss the products we have available to prevent internal and external parasites.
Blood Work
Our veterinarians may recommend blood work. These tests are an important way to detect diseases early, even before they become symptomatic. As cats age, diseases like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and kidney disease become more common. Blood work is also a great way to detect diseases early so treatment can be started right away.
Remember, EMRVC has Feline Wellness Tuesdays!! Schedule your cat for his/her annual exam on a Tuesday and receive 20% off the exam price.
Contact us today to schedule your cat for its annual exam!!
Essex Middle River Veterinary Center provides medical and surgical care for cats and dogs at our animal hospital and veterinary clinic in Essex, Maryland, just outside of Baltimore. Our services include preventive wellness care exams, vaccines, spays/neuters, and a variety of specialized care. Our state-of-the-art veterinary offices are conveniently located near I-695 where we see pets from Towson, Honeygo, White Marsh, and other neighboring Baltimore areas.