We Support Every Stage Of Your Cat's Life
As your feline friend grows, he or she will move through six distinct stages of life:
- Kitten: 0—6 months
- Junior: 7 months—2 years
- Prime: 3—6 years
- Mature: 7—10 years
- Senior: 11—14 years
- Geriatric: 15+ years
Naturally, as a cat grows and progresses through life, he or she will undergo physiological changes and face a variety of life events that will require care and attention. From kitten care to geriatric cat medicine, consistent preventive care can make all the difference in the quality of life of your cat. Ultimately, your cat's health will impact your relationship with him or her.
Cats are very good at hiding illness. In fact, most cats will simply become less active and less interactive when very ill. Any signs of illness that a cat may show will be very subtle. Therefore, any change in their behavior should warrant a consideration that they may be ill. Many clients will return from work to find that their cat simply does not greet them at the door as usual. This may be an indication that your cat is ill. Because the signs of cat illness are so subtle, if you should notice any obvious changes in behavior please call our office.
Cat Health Services and Treatments
At Metro Pet Vet we offer the following cat health services for cats of all ages, breeds, and circumstances:
- Allergy Testing: Cats commonly face a number of allergens that can cause a wide variety of symptoms, allergy testing can help us to identify and properly treat the root cause of some issues
- Anesthesia: We have the facilities, equipment, medicine, and knowledge to ensure your cat stays safe while under anesthesia
- Bathing and Hygiene: Proper feline hygiene is an important component of a healthy happy lifestyle
- Behavior Services: Your cat's behavior is not genetically inherent, but can be learned and unlearned with your commitment and our help
- Cancer Treatment: We welcome feline cancer patients for evaluation and supportive care, though we do not offer oncology treatments in-house
- Cardiology: We can diagnose and evaluate feline cardiology issues, but refer advanced cases to a trusted cardiology specialist for further treatment
- CO2 Laser Surgery: We offer CO2 laser surgery for cats, providing a precise and gentle option that minimizes pain, bleeding, and recovery time
- Dental Care: Our knowledge and dental experience can help prevent and treat your cat's dental conditions, including periodontal disease
- Dermatology: While, diagnosing skin conditions early is highly beneficial in treatment if a skin condition has already developed, it must be addressed before it worsens
- Deworming: Intestinal parasites are a danger to both your pet and your family, so let us ensure that your cat is protected from worms
- Diagnostic Imaging: Diagnostic imaging allows our veterinarians and technicians to accurately diagnose your cat's condition so that the proper treatment can be prescribed
- Emergency Care: We offer comprehensive emergency care, and our facilities are designed to address any veterinary emergency your cat may have
- Eye Care: Our doctors are trained to recognize feline specific eye disease and choose treatments based upon efficacy and your cat's tolerance to specific treatments
- Flea & Tick: We employ safe and effective flea & tick treatments for your cat's health and happiness
- Heartworm Prevention: We offer heartworm education prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for your cat
- Kitten Care: We help you learn to care for your kitten through education and nutritional awareness while providing the proper preventive medical treatments
- Laboratory: Our laboratory testing services mean faster and more accurate diagnostics and treatments for your cat
- Laser Therapy: Our cold laser therapy is a tool used to treat cats for post-operative pain, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. It is painless and well tolerated by all cats
- Medications: When your cat requires medication our doctors will provide the right prescription
- Microchip ID: Microchipping is the best way to aid in having your cat returned safely should he or she become lost
- Nutrition: We will address the nutritional requirements for your cat in different life stages and to aid in the management of certain illnesses
- Pain Management: We offer effective and compassionate pain management for your cat regardless of age, ability or condition
- Preventive Care: Our comprehensive preventive care program is the first step to ensuring that your cat has a long healthy life
- Semi-Annual Wellness Exams: A cornerstone of preventive care, semi-annual wellness exams help prolong life by allowing health issues to be identified and addressed early
- Senior Care: We understand the special needs of aging cats, and we will partner with you to provide the optimal plan for your aging feline
- Spay or Neuter: We provide a safe and painless surgical experience for your cat
- Surgery: Our facilities, equipment, and staff offer your cat the best option for a successful surgery and recovery
- Vaccinations: Our veterinarians will recommend an individualized and personalized vaccination protocol based on your cat's needs
One of the greatest gifts you can give your cat is keeping them healthy.
The easiest and most economical way to do that is by bringing in your pet for Preventative Care Exams and vaccinations. Cats age far faster than people, so significant changes in your cat’s health can happen in a short time. Cats have a unique physiology and are definitely not just “little cats.” They are experts at hiding illness and often a subtle symptom or even a cat that “just isn’t doing right” can be a very sick cat. This guide can help you decide if your cat might be hiding an illness.
Immunization and Preventative Care
Our Preventative Care Program allows us to diagnose diseases and conditions early, when they would be easier to treat and manage. Often, we can help prevent diseases entirely, just by ensuring that your cat has received appropriate vaccinations and preventives. We recommend that healthy adult cats visit us once a year. Kittens, senior pets, and pets with chronic illnesses need more frequent checkups. We work with you to create an individualized Preventative Care program, including a vaccination and preventative protocol customized specifically to your pet. This could include:
- Thorough physical exam
- Intestinal parasite testing
- Feline Leukemia and FIV testing
- Flea and tick preventatives
- Vaccination program
- Specialized blood tests for each life stage
New Kitten?
Congratulations on your new kitten!! This is one of the best parts of our job, greeting all the adorable kittens! We want you and your new addition to feel welcomed at ALL of your kitten visits. Check out our kitten page for more information.
Here are some of the ways we can take care of your cat:
Spaying and Neutering
Neutering (the generic term for both spay and castration) your pet has many important health and behavior benefits. They include eliminating ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, uterine cancer and uterine infections (called pyometra). It dramatically decreases the incidence of mammary cancer and prostate cancer if done at a young age. It also virtually eliminates overpopulation problems. We recommend neutering your cat around 6 months of age. Male cats that are neutered later in life have a VERY distinct and awful smell to their urine. They are also more prone to spraying or marking their territory (your house) but have very little problems if neutered young. The health benefits are the greatest if females are spayed before their first heat cycle. It is NEVER too late to spay or neuter your cat!
Nail Trimming
If you have never trimmed your cat’s nails before, the process can be truly intimidating! Our guide can make the process much less daunting. We are always here to help you if you have questions. You are also more than welcome to bring your kitten or cat in to see us and we can help you on your way to stress-free nail trimming.
Obesity
On average up to 50% of all adult cats are obese! Obesity in cats is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease, osteoarthritis, grooming issues, certain forms of cancer and lower urinary tract disease. It can also decrease your cat’s quality of life and even their life span. With today’s advances in nutrition, weight loss has never been easier. We can design a safe and effective weight loss program that fits you and your cat’s lifestyle. It is possible for cats to lose weight! We can help you both achieve whatever goal you have set for weight loss.
Dental Health
Keeping your cat’s teeth clean isn’t just for hygiene; it is good for their overall health as well. Tartar is bacteria growing on your cat’s teeth, which leads to gingivitis and can enter their blood stream. Cats often have very painful mouths and there is even a disease specific to cats called stomatitis that can lead to excruciating pain. The treatment for these cats is full mouth extractions. We offer full dental services including:
- Scaling and polishing
- Extractions
- Radiographs
- Advanced dental procedures
After a dental procedure or before any tartar has built up on the teeth is the perfect time to introduce your cat to brushing. Our guide can show you an easy way to get your cat used to this process and avoid frequent dental cleanings under anesthesia. There are also dental diets that are specifically designed to break into smaller pieces when bitten into. These pieces help scrape the thin layers of tartar off the tooth. If your cat has gingivitis or heavy tartar, however, the only treatment would be a dental cleaning under anesthesia.
Blocked Male Cats
There is a condition in male cats that can be life threatening. If your male cat is showing these signs; call the office and bring him in IMMEDIATELY!!
- Straining in the litterbox especially if vocalizing
- Extreme lethargy
- Yowling
- Small amounts of urine in the litterbox
Poisoning
Many common indoor and outdoor plants can be poisonous to cats. If you suspect your cat has ingested a toxic plant or other kind of poisonous substance, the Pet Poison Helpline is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (855) 764-7611. Have the packaging available for the product you are calling about. Even if you call us, we will refer you to this number. There are an unlimited amount of treatments for potential poisonings and they are the experts. We work with Poison Control to come up the best treatment plan for your pet.
