Feline Monthly Home Checkup ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
Cat Health Care
Information by Condition or Disease

A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization
All donations are tax deductible
Copyright © 1997 - 2009

Any health care links located here are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your cat to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or injury. Call your vet and describe your cat's symptoms with any of your concerns about the cat's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover changes in your cat's health that you have overlooked. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Feline Monthly Check Up

Prevention and early detection of illness can save time, money and heartaches. A monthly home assessment of your cat's health can help locate and treat problems before they develop into tragedies. Get to know your cat's body, habits and personality so you will be alert to any changes from the norm. At the first sign that something is not as it should be, call your veterinarian to discuss your concerns.

Conduct the exam in a quiet place. If your cat isn't easily handled by yourself, find someone to assist you with your exam. Your monthly check-up will only take 10 - 15 minutes. When you are finished, a treat or a few minutes of playtime will encourage good behavior next time.

Weight: Check your cat's weight. Standing above him and looking down, you should be able to see a slight indentation behind the rib cage. You should be able to feel the ribs, but they should not protrude. The ribs should not be buried under a layer of fat and there should no extra fat around the cat's hips.

Skin and Coat: Healthy coats and skins are glossy, flexible and not excessively oily. Run your hands all over your cat's body and against the grain of the coat. You should not feel or see scales, scabs, mats, redness, sores or hair loss. A dull coat can be an indication of an allergy, illness or bad nutrition. Black specks are a sign of flea infestation.

Body: Check for any lumps or bumps on the head and chin. Move your hands behind the front legs and under the shoulders. Run your hands down the back and sides and then down the front and back of the hind legs. Check the mammary glands on females. Inspect the foot pads and claws for swelling or injury. Your cat should be able to walk and run without limping or crying out in pain. He should also be able to rise after sleeping without stiffness or signs of pain.

Eyes: The eyelids should be smooth. There should be no redness, swelling or discharge. The eye itself should be bright and clear. The whites, or sclera, should be glossy white -- not red or yellow. The pupils of the eye should dilate (get bigger) in low light and constrict (get smaller) in bright light. Shining a bright light in one eye should constrict both pupils. If you shine a bright light in the eyes of an older cat, you may see a blue-white sheen. These are senile cataracts and do not interfere with vision. Brown tearing around the eye could mean blocked tear ducts.

Ears: The inside of the ears should appear light, not bright, pink. A small amount of yellow wax at the opening of the ear canal is normal -- any brown, waxy discharge, reddening or strong odor is not. The ear should not be tender or hot to the touch.

Respiratory/Cardiovascular System: Watch your cat's chest for even, easy breathing. The nose should be moist and free of any discharge. A slight watery, clear nasal secretion is normal. A bloody or thick yellowish, greenish, or white discharge is not. Pull your cat's lip up or down. A pale pink color to the gums is normal. Press a finger firmly over an upper tooth. When you take your finger away, the white imprint left by your finger should quickly return to pink. Pale gums are an indication of anemia. Blue or muddy red gums indicate serious respiratory or cardiovascular problems. Breathing should be regular and slow at rest. Exercise should be enjoyed without coughing or premature tiring.

Teeth and Gums: Inspect the teeth. A yellow or brown color on the teeth indicates tartar buildup. A red line along the gums may be indicative of gingivitis. Get regular veterinary dental cleanings and maintain your cat's healthy teeth with special pet toothpaste and brushes. Your cat's breath should be relatively odor free.

Digestive/Excretory Tract: Examine under the tail. The anus should be clean and free of any blood, swelling or abnormal discharge. Important: If your cat exhibits any reluctance to eat, has been vomiting, straining when passing stools or suffering from diarrhea, don't wait for a monthly check-up. Call your veterinarian to schedule an examination immediately.

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