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| Cat Anatomy 101 |
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| Ever wonder how to save on Veterinary bills and add to your cat's longevity? Observing your cat and doing a perfunctory examination each month can help you save. That's a fact... And the extra attention will benefit your cat and you! The following is a very simple at-home assessment you can do your self. Report any problems to your veterinarian. GENERAL APPEARANCE Watch your cat walk around. Note any limping, check weight status. (Is she gaining or losing weight?) Is she /he alert? Is his/her disposition normal? EYES Any discharge, redness or inflammation? Any cloudiness? Have you noticed any signs of sight impairment such as not seeing toys, bumping into things? NOSE Any nasal discharge? Is her breathing congested? Is so, she may have an upper respiratory infection. See your veterinarian. NECK AND SPINE Run your hands down his/her back fom the neck to the end of the tail. Any obvious pain? Any obvious limitations of movement? If your cat has neck and spine problems, contact your veterinarian. EARS Discharge from the ears? Are the canals reddened or irritated? Could be an infection or ear mites (generally black, crumbly discharge and severe itching). Smell the ears. Do they have a rank or yeasty odor? The ears should smell clean. Clean ears regularly with appropriate cleaning products. MOUTH AND THROAT Lift up the lip and look at the gums. Are they inflamed? Are any teeth broken or missing? Any tartar buildup on the teeth? Any facial swelling? Any swelling on the throat? A regular dental hygiene program can really make a difference. SKIN AND COAT Is your cat grooming herself properly? If she has long hair, are you helping prevent mats or dander buildup by brushing her? Does she have external parasites like fleas? Note any lumps and bumps on the skin. Dry skin and coat can be alleviated with an Omega-3 fatty acid enriched product. ABDOMEN Run your hands over your cat's abdomen. Is she in pain? Does the abdomen seem distended? Here's another opportunity to check weight status. Any unusual lumps or bumps? Is your cat using the litter box regularly and normally? Special Nutritional Needs of Cats ~ PROTEIN ~ Cats require a high level of protein in their diets. If dietary protein is insufficient, the cat's body will soon start breaking down the protein in its own muscle. ~ TAURINE~ Taurine is an important amino acid to cats, but they have limited enzymes that porduce it. If taurine is deficient, heart problems, eye conditions, and reproductive troubles may occur. Knowing what to look for when it comes to your cats health will help you let your veterinarian know what to look for. Know your cat/kitten from head to toe. Coming soon Cat's And Heartworms. |
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