Why Regular Vet Appointments Are Important for Your Pet
According to a study by Bayer Animal Health, Brakke Consulting, and the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, one-third of cat owners hadn’t visited a veterinarian in the past year! Considering the fact that approximately 86.4 million cats are owned in the United States, that’s as many as 25.92 million cats that went without veterinary care in the past year—maybe even longer!
There are many reasons why cat owners don’t want to take their feline friends to the vet, including:
- The cat’s resistance to going to the vet – Many cat owners don’t want to put their pets through the stress of going to the vet—especially if their cat isn’t exhibiting any signs of an illness. However, cat illness symptoms can be incredibly difficult to recognize, and when these conditions go untreated, it can mean discomfort or pain for your pet.
- Substituting Internet research for professional care – We live in the age of the Internet and online diagnostics, and many cat owners believe they can figure out what’s going on with their pet after a quick search on Google. Unfortunately, this isn’t a good substitution for state-of-the-art testing and professional training, and it can actually mean serious medical conditions will go undiagnosed.
- The notion that regular vet checkups are unnecessary– A common misconception among pet owners is that if their cat is older and exhibiting no signs of illness, there’s no need to bring him or her in for routine veterinary exams. But, as previously mentioned, many cat illness symptoms can be practically impossible to spot.
Common Cat Illness Symptoms
Although it’s incredibly important to bring your cat to the vet for regular wellness check-ups, knowing the signs of serious medical conditions can help you act quickly. Some cat illness symptoms you should be on the lookout for include:
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Bad breath
- Excessive urination (particularly in places other than the litterbox)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Shortness of breath
- Fur loss
These cat illness symptoms can point to some very serious medical concerns including life-threatening conditions. When your cat is showing any of these signs, schedule an appointment with Germantown Vet right away. It’s important to address any health concerns for your cat as soon as possible—the earlier your pet is diagnosed, the sooner he or she can be on the path to recovery.
Unfortunately, many cat illness symptoms are virtually impossible to detect because felines tend to be largely asymptomatic or hide their illnesses from their owners. When you have annual pet checkups for your cat, our experienced veterinarians at Germantown Vet can do a complete head-to-tail examination of your pet to determine if there are any health concerns.
Schedule Your Pet Checkup with Germantown Vet Today
Help your pet stay happy and healthy by understanding cat illnesses symptoms and scheduling regular checkups with our veterinarians. There are many benefits to regular visits, including:
- Improved overall health for your cat
- Up-to-date vaccinations
- Earlier diagnosis of health concerns and illnesses
- Regular testing for common parasites and ailments, such as heartworms, fleas and ticks, and more
Don’t let your cat be one of the millions of pets that don’t get routine medical exams by contacting Germantown Vet today!
